4. Restaurants

The Southern

1840 W North Ave, Chicago, IL, 60622
  • (773) 342-1840
  • Store is closed

The Southern Menu

  • Salads
  • Meaty $8.99
  • The Sandwich
  • Veggie

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Southern

  • Salads
  • Meaty $8.99
  • The Sandwich
  • Veggie

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Michael C.

    Unfortunate circumstances at my visit to the southern. My girlfriend and I decided to try dinner here for our three year, and also because I love fried chicken. After seeing the glowing reviews about southern comfort food here, I was anticipating a fantastic experience here. It is unfortunate that when we arrived, our waitress notified us that there were no more fried chicken sandwiches as brunch was crazy that day and they were all out of them. So I asked myself, "why are we still here?" But my girlfriend and I agreed to try some other things on the menu. We started off with the poutine which had nice homemade fries in gravy topped with cheese. It was a good starter dish and very filling! The flavor of cheese used was fantastic, however it must have been sitting out for awhile because it was not very melty and was lukewarm. Entrees were next and my girlfriend had the mac and cheese while I had the catfish po boy and a side of mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious and the mac and cheese had a nice balance of crisp breadcrumb to macaroni, though I wish it were a bit cheesier. My catfish po boy was well seasoned and filling, but nothing spectacular. Really sad I came here at this time, and it makes me worry that I might have to call places to see if they still have food available.

    (3)

  • Brianna W.

    Dear Brunch Burger, You have changed my life. You're the best burger I've ever had. I just have to take the cheese you come with and swap it for goat cheese. Cause it's just better. Also, your friends, French fries. They're so good as well, I add goat cheese to them too. Something about the goat cheese that just makes everything 100 times better. Okay, I've been here for brunch, lunch and dinner. I have had quite a few servers. I've tried a couple drinks. I keep going back cause everything is so great. They have drink specials that are reasonable, but I don't come here to drink. I come for the great food. You will not be disappointed, especially if you have the brunch burger.

    (5)

  • Michelangelo V.

    Honest review went here because i love southern food it was over priced n not good n the service was horrible its more of a bar type of place with no special drinks like how could a southern restaurant not have good fried chicken trust me when i say that it is not worth coming here

    (1)

  • Evelyn B.

    went here yesterday with my girlfriends for dinner and fell in love! The atmosphere when you walk in is warm and casual, youthful yet elegant. we were seated immediately, it was a rainy tuesday night but there were several groups there. The cocktail list is short but the drinks seem very detailed and customized. we didn't order any but i definitely will next time. we ordered the fried chicken, mac and cheese, hush puppies, shrimp and grits, and a side order of collard greens. everything to share. when I say everything was delicious, EVERYTHING was delicious. the "snacks" (mac and cheese and hush puppies) are large enough to share. we left full and satisfied, definitely will go back!

    (5)

  • Beena D.

    Came here with a Groupon, and left so so so so soooo impressed. All the classic comforts of the South are elevated into a world-class presentation of balanced textures and flavors. If you're not the type to pick up on nuances in flavor and texture, then the entire menu will seem overpriced. But if you can appreciate stuff like that, it's worth every penny. Atmosphere is nice, and servers are just as nice, too.

    (5)

  • Angie K.

    I've been to The Southern for a private rehearsal brunch, a regular brunch, dinner and post-dinner drinks. Every time I've been, I've had an awesome time. The restaurant itself is great in both the cold and summer months and the rooftop is an awesome spot in Wicker Park. The restaurant consists of 2 floors, but usually the second is open in warmer months or when it's really really packed. There's dark wood tables and walls and really taps into the whole "South" theme while maintaining a classy look. I think it's a Mis U bar. I saw a huge crowd of people wearing red and screaming at the TVs on a big game and that was cool. It's a pretty varied space so it can take on and accomodate all kinds of moods or events. I've always been seated promptly (reservations recommended) and had great customer service. I've had their crab cakes (to die for), french toast, mac and cheese (of course), biscuits and sampled a bunch of their whiskeys. On some nights of the week (Tuesdays, I think), they have live music which is actually good. My fiance loves the drink with the piece of bacon in it and they have every type of fancy liquor under the sun. This place is good for families, couples, friends or college kids. Food and drinks are great and I definitely can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Lucy C.

    Though the circumstances by which I found myself at The Southern is a story in itself, I'm really glad I got the opportunity to hit up this place. The service was sooo phenomenal; our server knew the menu (and whiskey!) well and was able to offer great suggestions while frequently checking up on us to make sure we're liking everything. Here are the things I liked: Drinks: Millstone for sure, if you're a fan of scotch. I also liked the good, the bad, the whisk(e)y which is made with a ginger liqueur. The guys got the maple bacon manhattan which is literally served with a slice of bacon. It was smooth and smokey, but not really what I was feeling that evening. Food: I had the chicken thigh sandwich with crispy sunchokes as my side. The sandwich made all the boys at my table drool so I cut up half of it and shared. Despite that, my half a sandwich was plenty to keep me full and soak up all the booze I was about to consume. The sunchokes were also great-- light and crispy and not too greasy! I definitely do not regret trying them rather than going with my typical side of fries. We also got the bread pudding to share for dessert. If I wasn't so full, I would have gobbled that stuff up! The ambiance was also fantastic. Though we were a party of three, they seated us in one of the big, back booths. It allowed us to chat with ease despite it being pretty loud. My only complaint is that there is only one bathroom stall in that ladies room. General rule: if you're going to serve alcohol, you need more than one toilet. But at least I got to chat with some cool ladies while waiting in line.

    (4)

  • Julia D.

    Skip the food and stick to the drink options. Good outdoor space and nice intimate interior. Great place for groups and private parties with an upstairs area that can be rented out. Bartenders are always friendly and take their time making great cocktails.

    (3)

  • Anna W.

    Don't bother coming for the Mardi Gras event! They are not bringing crawfish out often enough to satisfy the long line you have to wait in. Forget about talking to the people in your party, the band is so loud, and they are filming in he band, so expect a blinding light in your face!

    (2)

  • Nicholas D.

    Came in for drinks one night. I like a good cocktail, and they made for me what I wanted really well. The bartender was friendly, smart, and attentive. Been meaning to make it back in for my fussy cocktail needs, because they were met.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    This past Sunday I decided to finally use one of my many groupons and venture out to a new brunch spot. I called ahead of time (Friday) and made 11 am reservations. Thankfully I did since as soon as I got there people were already putting their names on the list. Now, since I used a groupon (2 entrees+2mimosas for $20) this review will only be based on their service and quality of the food. The items on the brunch menu don't give you much to choose from nor should you bring a small child as they would be very limited to their options. All in all, the food was amazing, the wait was little to none with a reservation, and they were very kind all the way from the host to the bartender.

    (5)

  • Melissa P.

    A little bummed that the tables were for reservations only. If there hadn't been open spots at the bar we would have headed elsewhere. I'm very glad we did find seats! This place is incredible. Our bartenders were extremely friendly, but not over the top. We ordered the French toast and the pimento, bacon and eggs dish. Both were outstanding. The thick cut bacon just melted in our mouths and the combination of blood oranges, pomegranate, and butter for the French toast was outrageous. A little on the pricy side. If we didn't have a Groupon our tab would have been about $53. Regardless, I would and will definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Kim O.

    We sat at the bar because the restaurant was full and the bartender was very helpful in helping us decide what to eat and drink! We ended up getting the Bye Felicia and the Bacon Manhattan, both wonderful. Then we split the frog legs, fried green tomatoes, and shrimp and grits. The fried green tomatoes were by far the best! The flavors that come on the plate are amazing. Everything else was delicious too! I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jaramiah S.

    Awful. Refused to sit us without a reservation...even though there were literally a dozen open tables. Too many great alternatives in the area to waste your time and money here. The hostess was also pretty rude about the situation. Go across the street to the Monarch.

    (1)

  • Jessica L.

    First off id rate this place 3 1/2 stars but not sure how to do that. I came here on a sunday night with the boyfriend. I found out about this place because i saw a groupon and it looked and sounded enticing. We ordered two maple bacon manhattans which were delicious but on the sweeter side (which im ok with). For our appitizer we got the mac & chesse. I thought it was just ordinary but i would come back and add chilli to it too make it more interesting. Our entrees were pork belly and hanger steak. Unfortunately they ran out of fried chicken which is really the main reason why i wanted to go there because most of the reviews made it sound superb. But the hanger steak was delicious, very tasty. I love the fried onions straws with the little potatoes and random mushrooms. This dish was put together very well and looked amazing! The pork belly was ok. My boyfriends not really a huge fan of pork belly but wanted to try something different! Overall food presentation was great, taste profile was good. I'd definitely come back to try more dishes especially the fried chicken!

    (3)

  • Carol M.

    I love The Southern. I've done a few boils here so far. They always have tons of food to pour out and keep up with the crowd. They've also always been very respectful of food allergies. Friendly staff has always told me which gluteny things to avoid without attitude. Great cocktails here too. Bacon in a drink?!! SOLD!

    (4)

  • Qianqian L.

    nice mac and cheese

    (4)

  • Edwin W.

    My friends and I decided to come here for sunday brunch after a failed attempt to beat the Chicago brunch crowd at LoKal, Feast, and Bongo Room. We should have took the no wait, and half empty dining area (at this place) as a sign that this was going to be mistake. The experience first started off well as we got our drinks and was very impressed with their Bacon infused Bourbon Bloody Mary. Our server was very attentive and is the reason I am not giving this place 1 star. 3 of us ordered the Beef Hash and I went with the Bloody Mary Benedict. Everything sounded good on the menu, but that was about to change real quick. I'll get to the food later as that was how long we had to wait for our food. We were probably 2 drinks in and yet to any sign of hope that our food was going to be arriving anytime soon. 30 minutes goes by and we start questioning why it was taking so long especially with the place not even busy. 45 minutes goes by and our server finally comes to our table and apologizes about the wait as the kitchen did not have the brisket ready this morning that went in the Beef Hash. a few minutes later, the beef hash finally comes out but no benedict. After I tell my group to start without me, the server comes back and informs me that the Benedict will be coming our shortly because they had to remake a poached egg as the one that should have been plated for me fell on the floor. At this point, there was only one way for this place to redeem itself and that was with amazing food. My Benedict arrives and I literally felt like I was the sauce was made with sour patch kids. There was so much salt in the country ham and the sauce was so over-powering that each bite was worse than the one before. I thought maybe it was just me being bias because of the long wait, but as I offered the other half of the Benedict to my table, they all took a bite and regretted it. Not sure if I will be coming back here, but I did hear that the fried chicken is amazing and that it seemed to be a very popular item with the other customers that day. I now understand why you really have to wait in line for good brunch.

    (2)

  • Cristina P.

    Yay: Praire Rose, Fried Chicken Sandwich Nay: Hushpuppies, Grits I was expecting the fried chicken to be too greasy but it was soooo good. They used some veggies which added freshness and it was served on thick toast. Drinks were well made.

    (4)

  • Michelle T.

    Came here for brunch yesterday. Sat on the patio because it was a beautiful summer day in the city! I ordered the chicken salad and from the description didn't realize that it was a mayo based chicken salad (which the server informed me when I ordered it) but I decided to go with that anyway. Really wanted to order the fried chicken but I'm gluten intolerant so I unfortunately couldn't. A couple people did at my table and they said it was amazing! We also god a side of French fries for the table and they were very good hangover food!!! Will be back again to enjoy their patio!

    (4)

  • Alexandria T.

    The Southern is where I always end up with huge groups of people after we make the attempt to go to Piece. I know this might not seem like it makes sense, given that one is pizza and the other is comfort food, but it's the only place close by that you can walk right into with a large group and not have a wait. In fact, I don't think I've ever waited for a table at The Southern. I was out as a group of 8, and Piece's wait was an hour and a half. We were all starving after being at a block party all day, so we ended up at The Southern at a huge booth that makes it impossible for servers/bussers to access most of the glasses and dishes on the table. The server, god bless her, was basically screaming everything at us. It wasn't extremely loud in the restaurant, but she had a mouth on her. It was to the point where it was almost offensive. She did have an impressive highlight description of all of their draft beers, which was nice because most people in the group ordered beers. I hadn't been here since the fall and they made several changes to the menu. They have a relatively small menu to begin with and didn't add more dishes, but replaced some with other options. I believe the fried green tomatoes used to be an appetizer, which makes way more sense to me, and the server informed us that they were a good app. The table next to us had a big ol' plate of fried chicken, which is normally a Thursday special. The server told us that the only way you can order on other days is with a 24 hour call ahead order and that the process of basting/roasting, etc. was a 36 hour process...well folks, the math in that somehow doesn't work out. Anyway, the majority of the table with with the piggly wiggly sandwich, which they all loved. I got the catfish po'boy, which was also good, but didn't taste like catfish to me. The server overall was really good. The Southern is just one of those places for me that's there. It's not particularly amazing, nor particularly awful. I find it to be pretty overpriced, even for the area, and it's never really my first choice.

    (3)

  • Thomas M.

    This place is awesome. We ate at the bar but the entire staff went out of their way to make sure we were taken care of. Drinks were great and prepared quickly. The bar tender i belueve ryan, was attentive and courteous. As for the food, amazing. We had the shrimp, frog legs, mac and cheese, salmon, fried chicken, and the pork chop. They were all great. Im glad i dong live clise by or i eould be ordering the mac every day. The corn bread is more trafitional cornbread made in a frying pan . Not sweet and dry. It was so good i ordered some to take home. Will def be back for more.

    (5)

  • Brandon T.

    I've been here a few different times and I've always left with a full belly and a smile on my face. As a Southerner who's living in Chicago, I found the name a little misleading. I would say it's more Texan than Southern. And yes, they're different. That being said, I have nothing but positive remarks on this establishment. The waitresses are hot and attentive, which is a great combination. Their brunch menu (I only come for brunch) serve large portions. I've had the 'shrimp & grits' and their famous 'fried chicken.' Both are top notch and I highly recommend them, especially the fried chicken. You'll want to pair both dishes with Lonestar (I think they're either $2 or $3 during brunch) and at least one shot of bourbon.

    (5)

  • Jane M.

    In mid-December, I reached out to The Southern to organize a get-together for a group of friends. Over the next two weeks, I worked with three different people to try to set up my event. Finally, I was able to secure a space for 10-12 people for dinner. Of course, since this was the weekend after Christmas, we had a few last-minute cancellations which came within the hour of the event. Upon arriving at the restaurant, - which, despite being 7:30 PM on a Saturday night, had no other people waiting - I let them know that our group would be only 8 for dinner. The man at the host stand stared me down and in stated, "you're down for 15". I apologized, and as he stood there silently staring me down, asked if this was a problem and if they could still accommodate us. Without a word, he walked away in a huff to rearrange the tables. We sat down with our group, and straight away were asked for our drink order. I ordered, but it was quickly clear that I was the only one who was ready, so we asked the waiter for a minute. About 10 minutes later, the waiter returned, and took everyone else's order. When he got to me, he said, "oh, do you still want that drink?" Yes. Obviously. From there, it took them over 20 minutes to get our drinks, and at one point there was absolutely no one behind the bar at all. While I understand that I wasn't the easiest client to work with - I live out of the country and for a few days was definitely a little hard to get in touch with, not to mention the last minute change - I definitely don't think that I put them out enough to warrant that kind of treatment. We definitely felt we were being "punished" for changing our number. Overall, I was disappointed with the service and felt as if I had done something wrong by bringing in 15 people to eat and drink.

    (3)

  • Rocco L.

    Boiling it down to the essence, here. Good for: *Post-Doobie Chow *Outdoor Patio Partytime *Maple Bacon Manhattan Sipping *Low-key Weekday Hangsesh *Smiling Sunshine Brunch Bad for: *Fried Green Tomato Sandwiches *Orgasmic Food Experience *Weekend Bro Hideaway *Hangover Prevention *Music That Doesn't Blow

    (3)

  • Caroline J.

    I've been to The Southern for both dinner and drinks, and both times I've had a great night. For dinner, I split the she-crab soup and hush puppies with my date, and got a sandwich that was on special (the debris sandwich). All of the food was absolutely delicious. It's a little expensive, but it's Chicago and I definitely got what I paid for! As for drinks, my friends got a craft beer that was on special for $3 (great deal for Wicker Park) and I tried a few different cocktails. Delicious, but at $10 each I wasn't exactly up for having enough to get me tipsy. Overall, this place has a great atmosphere, cool people, and delicious food. Bonus: they have a wonderful patio!

    (4)

  • J P.

    Great brunch and amazing craft cocktail selection. Outdoor patio space is perfect to enjoy Chicago at its best. For a nice fall drink, try the Fallen Apple...a perfect match for a fall Sunday brunch!

    (5)

  • Cat O.

    Went to The Southern after dinner at Lillie Q's next door. Just went in for drinks on a Monday night. I AM NOT a difficult person, but we struggled even to order a beer. The overly tan bartender made me feel stupid when I asked to taste a beer that was listed on the blackboard. He said he had no idea what type of beer it was and when I pressed forward he acted like I was a pain. In the end I just ordered something easy. The awkward interaction continued when it came time for a refill. I asked if they had half sizes as I was driving. He looked at me like I had two heads. What good Chicago self respecting beer establishment hasn't heard of quantity pours. He could have just said we don't do that here. I would have been fine if there was a modicum of customer service. Then today I see he over charged my card by upwards of $30, even after I left a nice tip despite my experience (once a server always a tipper). I won't be back.

    (1)

  • WP L.

    1. Service was very good. The waitress put up with our unruly table very well. I appreciate that. Took a lil to get her in the friendly fun mood but she came around. 2. Food was average. Its Southern food with a Wicker Park twist. Three of us ordered the country fried chicken (the most expensive thing no the menu) and it was just not good. Too much breading and the meat was dry. Other items on the menu were good but nothing wow-ing! 3. The atmosphere is good dark, cozy, but loud.

    (3)

  • Zorin D.

    For dinner that night I ate at The Southern. I wanted to love this place, I really did. The decor was awesome. It's set up as to be a restaurant that serves upscale southern food. The servers were awesome. I started out by having one of the Maple Bacon Manhattans, which was really the selling point to get me into the place. It winded up being not disappointing but more of an excuse to have a slice of bacon to accompany your drink. I enjoyed the drink quite a bit but it was still a little disappointing. The overall big complaint I have about the Southern was that all of their food was way under seasoned. The fried chicken had crispy skin and was perfectly fried, but if there wasn't hot sauce on the table, I wouldn't have been able to eat it because it was so bland. Also I have no idea how you can even make a Cajun dish like an andouille corn dog so completely pedestrian. The batter needs flavor and seasoning. Southern dishes deliver strong bold flavors rich well seasoned dishes. Not a average corn dog with a mustard dipping sauce that tasted like somebody popped open a bottle of French's. All that aside I would probably go back for just drinks.

    (2)

  • Lissette A.

    Relaxed, intimate def. A nice hang out for a weed day supper or a weekend out with friends. Husband took me here for Birthday dinner and it was deeelish. Out server Carley was just very upbeat but very down to earth. I def. Will recommend. Awesome job and hats off to the chef !

    (5)

  • Omar A.

    I was here for an event that my class had hosted/reserved for unlimited drinks/wristband deal. The bartender was god awfully rude to EVERYONE even though The "tip" was included ln the fee without notice. The manager never smiled the entire night and was a complete jackass. Worst service i have ever had. The manager needs to be fired.

    (1)

  • H G.

    As promised, there was a return visit in February 2015. It was enough for me to conclude that The Southern is not a preferred spot. I dined for brunch with 4 other girlfriends. Only 2 of the party seemed to enjoy their dishes, not including myself. The dishes for the 2 likes were a KALE SALAD ($10?) and SHORT RIB HASH ($17). Here's a quick summary of the problems: - There is a "no substitutions" policy. When did that happen? I received a very bland and strangely-textured BREAKFAST MACARONI ($12). The cheese tasted like it was unmelted cheese powder (beyond the breadcrumbs). I simply wanted some veggies thrown in to substitute for the bacon, then I got the forementioned policy bomb dropped on me. (Yes, it was listed in smaller print at the bottom of the menu.) The end result was a bland bowl of unappetizingly cheesy macaroni on top of an unseasoned egg clump. - A newly-arrived southern gal tried the GRITS ($4). I tried the grits. It was gross. Bland, gummy and sweetened butter is not the way to go. - I don't remember what the third friend ate, but it got a "Meh". - Then, the first-floor indoor bathroom toilet was clogged or not clogged? Why am I running around a restaurant for help? I talk to manager. He says he'll check it out, but there's one upstairs. On my way upstairs, I'm told by a waitress that there wasn't one upstairs but there's one outside. The temperature was really way below zero. I was not trying to go to the "outhouse" unless absolutely necessary. Before I prepared to make some major moves, I decided to check in with the manager. He said, "Oh yeah, it's fine. The toilet was never really clogged." I guess the bathroom situation didn't require an immediate follow-up with the customer or the table. After this last attempt, The Southern is off the return list.

    (1)

  • Ashley M.

    BLACKENED CATFISH Amazing. tasted delish, and was not skimpy, a full meal. Drinks are strong and delish. They have a little bit of everything for everyone. This place is a gem!

    (5)

  • Randy R.

    Tried three items from their "snacks" menu (hush puppies, mac & cheese, bbq pork belly) - all were very good, although also very rich. The Southern also has a small, but very interesting, cocktail menu. The Maple Bacon Manhattan was pretty good, but too sweet. The Good, the Bad & the Whisk(e)y was tart and spicy. Ultimately, the best cocktail that we had was a mint julep, which was excellently made. Highly recommended if you want to feel a bit like you're at the Kentucky Derby.

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    I'll have to update when I actually eat there. It seems like a very nice place. We were St. Patrick's Day-ing a few doors down and someone wanted to eat here, we quickly figured out that it was not bar food or a place you could stand around with a beer. The staff didn't look too happy about people in green tee shirts walking in, maybe not actually eating anything and not really sitting down. Our bad. lol. I would for sure go there for dinner.

    (4)

  • Olga Q.

    Let me begin by saying if I could add a half star I would make it 3 1/2 star review. My husband and I just stopped by Kate on a Saturday night for dinner and it was our first time here. I ordered a sangria and my husband ordered a beer, and the sangria was awful! If you take nothing else away from my review take this advice...do NOT order the "sangria". It tasted like they made it with tequila it was just terrible. When our waitress came to take our order we attempted to order the fried chicken, but we're told they had run out....back to the drawing board. My husband ended up ordering the pimento burger and I had mac and cheese with corn bread. The flavor of all the food was amazing! The mac and cheese was delicious the burger was great the corn bread...I mean really I can't express how much I enjoyed the food. Everything was going great when suddenly my husband starts freaking out about a hair he pulled out of his burger!!!! I understand that no one purposefully put a hair in our burger BUT it ruined everything because now we were suddenly feely queazy. The waitress was really nice and took my husbands beer and burger off of our tab but I can't disregard the hair in our food in was just awful. The prices are above average as well. The sangria I ordered came in a champagne flute and costs $10 which is pretty outrageous. Overall the prices are not great but the food is really good despite the small selection.

    (3)

  • Sylvia O.

    Boycotting this place, not a dog friendly place. Outdoor area was completely empty and my small dog was in his bag. Went to Lillie's Q and spent my money there. Great ribs and Mac and Cheese.

    (1)

  • Anna L.

    AMAZING.. SIMPLY AMAZING! We stopped in on a brisk Saturday for brunch. The waitress could tell we were shivering so she suggested one of their warm drink specials. I posted a pic of it. It has apple pie moon shine and hot tea in it. WOW.. it was good. It warmed us right up. We were feeling adventurous and decided to get several things to share. We couldn't decide what to get.. so many yummy things on the brunch menu. We opted for the Biscuits and Gravy, Pumpkin french toast, fried green tomatoes and cheesy grits. Every bite was delicious. I can't stop thinking about that pumpkin french toast. It had pumpkin puree on the bottom of the stack.. it was a perfect surprise in every bite. The staff was really friendly and the place was really comfortable. I can't wait to go back! In fact... my friend called me the next day and said "is it bad that I want to go back there again today?" Go.. you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Chantal M.

    I was really surprised to find this place doesn't have 4-5 stars because it was truly wonderful! I kind of wish I could give it 4.5 for not having cider on draft but apart from that small detail their beer list was excellent. Fabulous food and great service (and we had a Groupon too). Our waitress was attentive and we had a few others check in on us throughout the night. We especially loved the appetizer we got (fries with a sauce and pork mixed in) as well as the grits, which was a surprise because normally I dislike the texture but these were smooth, cheesy and delicious!

    (5)

  • Karolina S.

    Came here yesterday for dinner. It started raining right when we got there so we had to sit in the downstairs area at a high top table. They had the windows up so it still gave a great outside feel and a nice breeze. I really liked the staff. The host was very friendly and attentive... seemed like a very nice dedicated guy. He checked up on us a few times which was much appreciated. I believe Natalie was our server's name and she was a good combo of laid back but also attentive. For food we had hog fries, the burger and the fried chicken. EVERYTHING WAS SOOOOO GOOD! The stand-out was the pimento burger. Seriously, I am a burger lover and I REALLY enjoyed this one. Sometimes burgers are so over the top and this one was done just right. Not too much, not too little... lots of flavor, cheesy, meaty, salty goodness! We were very gluttonous and had two cocktails and a bottle of wine. Everything was great but the stand out was the maple bacon cocktail. This may have been because liquor and bacon are my favorite things and when combined, I'm a happy camper. No complaints for The Southern. Keep up the great service and never take that burger off the menu!

    (5)

  • Aimee M.

    You bet I hid the leftovers from my husband. Sorry, I wasn't going to share! I loved my dinner at the Southern. I've been wanting to come her for a while now and finally had the chance. I was not let down at all. Thursday evening 830pm, seated immediately. Joanne W and I made our way here because of the promise of Hot Fried Chicken. Now I know the Southern has it's regular fried chix but this the special on Thursday nights. And Special food nights are always special in my book so I had to check it out! For starters we opted to share an appetizer--andouille corn dogs with spicy remoulade. The corn dogs itself were just ok, but I really loved the spicy remoulade sauce, I could have dipped fries, tater tots, anything else in it. It was delicious. For the Tennessee Hot Fried Chicken ($14) you get 4 huge pieces of spicy fried chicken. 2 legs and 2 bone out thighs. The chicken wasn't super spicy (to me) but had a nice lingering spice. Kind of peppery, but definitely delicious. The chicken was tender, juicy, all the good things fried chicken should be. I loved every bit of it. And as I alluded to earlier, this is a huge portion. I had a very nice lunch of leftovers the next day. We also shared 2 sides, Collard Greens with Bacon and the Mashed Red Skin Potatoes. The greens were cooked well, tasted good, but I didn't find anything too special about them. The potatoes were served with a ham gravy. The gravy was good, but to me, the potatoes didn't even need the gravy, they were flavorful on its own (a mark of well made mashed taters!) Service was stellar. Jason was on point and definitely made us feel at home. I won't go into detail about an unruly patron, but let's just say thankfully management got on that fast.

    (4)

  • Marsha F.

    Not worth your time. Rag tag staff who does not know what they are doing. I will never go back. Hostess, door man and staff are incompetent and need to learn about customer service and how to run a restaurant

    (1)

  • Yesenia L.

    1. Appetizer arrive before drinks , over priced, the meat was over cooked, slow service... My one star is for the great fries they have.

    (1)

  • Michelle S.

    As a southern girl myself, I really wanted to like The Southern, but the experIence fell short on almost every measure. We went on a Sunday evening. The dining room was very loud--okay for drinks with buds but not good for a date night wIth a special someone. Service and drinks were good, but the meal was a real disappointment. We shared beet salad, which was pretty but bland. My spouse enjoyed his shrimp grits, which seemed well seasoned. But my order of mushroom grits was so salty I had to leave them on the plate. With so many good restaurants to choose from in Bucktown, I won't be going back soon.

    (2)

  • DORA J.

    It was a sunday afternoon and our first time there. My son had the brunch burger and I had the ridiculously excellent fried chicken. It was all very delicious and the service was average. They have a roof but we dined indoors. Maybe next time because we would definitely return. We had a hard time deciding because it all sounded so wonderful. Go for the food and the roof. Do it.

    (4)

  • LaDarian D.

    Much better for brunch than dinner. Dinner menu is quite limited & lacks a southern presence

    (3)

  • Mitch K.

    Was looking for a new place to try for brunch when I stumbled upon The Southern. Went with the Brunch Burger and was not disappointed; exceedingly good. In addition to great food the restaurant had fantastic whisky and a unique atmosphere. I will most definitely be coming back again in the near-future.

    (5)

  • Lacey S.

    The food was good.. not excellent but good. My main complaint revolves around the hovering wait staff and bussers. I have never felt more smothered by staff in my life. Legitimately felt like they were standing 2 feet from our table just watching us and waiting for us to set down a fork so they could ask if they could take our plates. It was really uncomfortable. The busboy just awkwardly watched as we ate. My friends and I were engaged in conversation the whole dinner, because we had not seen each other in a while, and we could not get over how awkward the hovering was. Next time, if there is a next time, I'll sit outside on the patio and pray it's less awkward than inside.

    (3)

  • Mike W.

    I was really amped up for some souther food, especially after being at Carriage House not too long ago. I have to say the food was ok but def not as good as the other place. We started with the fried green tomatoes which I totally regret not getting the Mac n cheese :( while they were fried well the batter was not very flavorful. For an entree we both got the chicken thigh sandwich and it was almost the polar opposite, pretty good flavor but the batter was very thin and couldn't stand up to the slaw and pickles they put on top = a semi soggy friend chicken thing. On the upside they have Kentucky Bourbon Ale beer that takes like vanilla, bourbon and beer, GET IT!

    (3)

  • Kathleen C.

    The Southern has slightly grown on me as I've been back a few times, but I have to say that the service this week was horrendous. Up until my last visit, I would have given it a 3 because I think the food is a bit too greasy, and service is sometimes off, but it's a good looking spot. However, my last visit took the cake...sitting at the bar, we could not get helped. We had to flag down the bartender at least three times at one point to order! I arrived after my friend and I couldn't get anyone to help me...the spot was not crowded when I got there! We probably would have had more drinks/eaten more if we had been waited on, but the service was so terribly poor, we gave up. This spot is so hit or miss. If you like an outdoor patio and don't mind the sometimes ok, sometimes terrible service, this is for you.

    (2)

  • Dana F.

    Comfort food is supposed to lift the spirits, but every time I've come to the Southern, whether it's for dinner or just drinks, I feel little consolation. The cocktails are poorly mixed. Having tried the Prairie Rose (a gin based cocktail with citrus notes) and the Red Hot Mama (essentially a jalapeno margarita), both were so bad to the point I was tempted to send them back to the bar. I decided not to, just because service was pretty slow given that the restaurant and bar were packed. The balance of the base liquor to bitters and juices was just all wrong for both of these drinks. Having tried the shiner bock mussels, which are steamed with beer, hot sauce, and ham hock, I was also unimpressed. I was not given a seafood fork for the mussels, but service SNAFUs aside, the broth for the mussels did not taste much different than a simple meat-infused broth. Because this is the "Southern" version of moules frites, the dish included a piece of overly dry, stale-tasting cornbread (you know when you break the bread and it's a bit softer in the middle than the portion that was cut on the outside?) in lieu of french fries. Goodness gracious, does it get bro-tastic later in the evening for drinks. I'm going to blame the North Ave bus because very loud, belligerent sports-bar types a la Lakeview invade the place in droves after about 10pm. It's not to say that the crowd is the root cause of the problem, I think it may have something to do with The Southern's identity. The upscale "south" theme (with the lovely roof deck that's open in the summer) have such great potential; there are some great whiskeys and craft beers available. It's when you combine upscale with large flat-screen TVs a-la sports bars that the clientele that you attract gets a little strange. I also don't like it when the bartender ignores me after I have been waiting patiently to order a drink, just because some big guy muscles his way to the bar and is louder and more aggressive about getting his Bud Light or Jack and Coke.

    (2)

  • A S.

    We just had a fourth event The Southern. The bar peeps are extremely friendly/easygoing; the drinks and snacks are good; and the atmosphere is super enjoyable. To be able to be on a patio but still have a roof in case of rain (as it did last night) is the best of both worlds. And it is a perfect volume level (i.e. not too quiet, but not loud to the extent that you have to scream to have a conversation), especially for events where you want to be catching up with friends. We have been and will be back! Thanks, Alette!

    (5)

  • Evan R.

    This place was great. We sat up at the bar. The bartender and manager were so great and fun. The food was amazing. Some of the best food I've had in Chicago. We used a groupon and ordered a ton more than covered under groupon as it was awesome food and drink. The southern signature cocktails were incredible. You gotta go. We will be back soon. The fried chicken with honey butter and macaroni and cheese were to die for.

    (5)

  • Jessica N.

    Southern is definitely worth a try. Nice atmosphere and i bet it's so pleasant in the Summer with the side windows/walls open. Thursday Fried Chicken night - holy WOW HOT! I like spicy food and it was almost too spicy that it detracted from the fried chicken. All of us at the table were hurtin' a little bit (though they do warn you!). Later that night I had some of the leftovers and it does do better when the temperature isn't right out of the kitchen hot. The chicken is well cooked and extremely juicy. Crab Cakes - tasty but nothing to right home about. I like mine a little chunkier, these were pretty thoroughly shredded Beets - Definitely get these. Really tasty, light, and a good mix to balance the spicy chicken! Collard Greens - just ok. Can't compare to the greens at Smoke Daddy. These were a little bland. They did bring a chili vinegar that would've added some complexity but while eating the spicy chk I couldn't bear to add it to the greens! :) Coca-cola cake - Tasty! Though I was a little disappointed NONE of their desserts are served with ice cream! Not the best Southern food I'd have but quite tasty.

    (3)

  • Irene L.

    At the behest of my friend, I went to the Southern on a Wednesday night with 5 other people for the fried chicken special: fried chicken, biscuit, and gravy. The fried chicken itself was pretty good: crispy skin and so tender. Even the white meat was good. My only problem with the chicken was that it lacked a bit of seasoning, so it needed the gravy. Not that big of a problem, but I feel like fried chicken should be good on its own too. I also ordered the collard greens, which was supposed to have bacon in it. Nary a bacon bit was found :( They were ok. Cooked well but could be better. The food alone was a solid 3.5-4, but the reason why I can't bump up the rating is because I had the worst Old Fashioned of my life here. It was incredibly sweet. All I could taste was the agave they used, or maybe it was the house made maraschino cherries. Where are my bitters?? There was also a bit too much ice so it got watered down into a nasty syrup. Waste of damn good whiskey. And a damn shame that they can't make a balanced classic cocktail. Anyway...onward to the beer list. Points for trying to bring in some craft beers, but they could use a much better list. Also, I noticed that they had Founders Red's Rye written up on the board but not on the menu. Yum! One of my faves! Oh wait it isn't in season again (in bottles) until September. Mmm. Stale beer... I'm pretty particular about my booze when an establishment tries to be ambitious with their booze. Pretty hard fail for me this run, but I'd still return (mostly for food)! I'd just stick with whiskey--served neat. Maybe beer if the list changes.

    (3)

  • Mark O.

    Very good comfort food! The staff was nice but not great. Our server was nice enough but didn't really seem to enjoy what she was doing. Atmosphere was great. We really liked the open feel of the doors being rolled up and the windows all opened. It was a beautiful night so that really helped make it comfortable to eat outside. We got there early so it wasn't very busy at the time. The fried chicken was very good and the risotto my wife ordered was awesome! My wife ordered a Bloody Mary and she really liked it. I ordered the Maple Bacon Manhattan. Apparently bacon doesn't make everything taste better. You could see pools of fat at the top of the drink. Not an enjoyable drink. Overall all the service was good and the food was well prepared. Atmosphere was great. We will go back if in the area again.

    (4)

  • Diane M.

    Well if you want some carbs, this is the place to go. Bought a Groupon and tried mac and cheese (just okay), lobster po-boy, crab cake, hog fries. Service was great. Food was just okay, needs a little more spice and seasoning. We had an awesome booth, with lots of room for four people. Service was very friendly and the hostess was from Kentucky which is where we are from!

    (3)

  • Ashley C.

    Came here after returning home from a trip to South Carolina because I was craving shrimp and grits. It was our first time here, and we were really impressed. Great service! Cocktails were awesome. I got the Thyme of the Season which was perfect because it wasn't too sweet. Food was delicious and the portions were generous. We had the Shrimp and Grits and Fried Chicken. We plan on going back to try more cocktails and the pork belly!

    (5)

  • Eric Y.

    I've been here twice and thought it was great both times...the food is really well done as are the drinks. I got the chili fries which I highly recommend and the fried chicken is a great deal...not only is the chicken very well cooked, it seems like they make an entire chicken for you for just $14!

    (4)

  • Jen C.

    We had a groupon for 2 brunch entrees and drinks for $20 which seemed like a great deal. The drinks were fine but the food was downright terrible. I had the mushroom omelette and it was so small, I was still hungry. My friend had the mac and cheese which first came out barely warm and then she had to ask for hot sauce because it was so flavorless. I cant understand how such a cute looking restaurant could have such terrible food. Not even worth the groupon deal.

    (1)

  • Tania M.

    Came here with my boyfriend for a Saturday brunch. First off the service was not good. Our server never came back to refill our waters throughout our entire meal and he took forever for everything! They also had run out of Bloody Mary mix and tomato juice. Again, this is brunch. And they weren't even that busy! When we asked for a simple glass of orange juice the glass was a little over half full. Almost as if they had run out of oj too. It was ridiculous. Now the real reason why I'll never come back is because my entree, French toast. You think how can you go wrong with French toast right?! Well apparently you can at this place. They gave me like five awful pieces of a rock hard crostini, it wasn't even toast! It was smothered in some kind of cheap sugary icing and blood oranges along with a pinch of syrup. Oh, and for garnish they put some sort of cilantro-tasting greens on it which I accidentally had a tiny piece of and ruined it for me. So going back to how hard this "French toast" was, I quit after the second crostini because I literally could not cut it with just a butter knife and fork. It was awful. All I wanted was simple but lil more delicious French toast. And that was $12 by the way. Definitely not worth it at all. Never coming back and telling my friends about this as well.

    (1)

  • Aisha K.

    Came here with friends. The food was pretty good. The chicken was crispy and moist. The drinks are very strong and more of whiskey type of drinks on the menu. But of course the bar can make anything you would like. The service was great and the waitress was attentive. Overall a good experience.

    (3)

  • Keith R.

    Only came for a drink and a snack on the way to Violet Hour, so here's a short haiku to chronicle the visit. Vomit in restroom Had an okay mint julep Cornbread was just right.

    (3)

  • Alissa T.

    Great beer selection, nice patio, good service, and a tasty, but heavy meal. Several things sounded good, so we decided to do splitsies: Crab Cakes= 5 I'm usually hesitant to order crab cakes outside of seafood places because they tend to be very bready, but these were awesome! Mac= 3 A good thing to order if you're sharing with several people because after 2 bites, you're like whoa, crazy rich Green Beans= 5 crisp and delish! Chicken= 5 I've never ordered fried chicken before, but glad we did! It was as good as everyone has described :)

    (4)

  • Space Emperor Z.

    I had the Memphis-style brisket sandwich. The bread was a nice, soft Texas toast that admirably held up to the juicy fillings, and the pickles and slaw were both good, bright and flavorful. But the brisket was pretty flavorless, too thick, and too tough. It was an alright sandwich overall, but that brisket was a pale imitation of the kind of barbecue you can get at a place like Smoque (which has amazing Memphis brisket) and Lilly-Q (which doesn't have brisket but has amazing barbecue in general and is right next door). And at $14, the sandwich wasn't too cheap. It did come with a side of black-eyed peas, but they were too al dente for my taste. Sam got the she-crab soup which had similar lack-of-flavor problems. My wife got a catfish po'boy, which seemed like it was just-okay too. The service was good, and the food wasn't bad, but there are better places in Chicago for southern food.

    (3)

  • Stefanie F.

    Service was great. Wait staff was very attentive. Atmosphere was great. My boyfriend and I went last night with a Groupon that I purchased. We ordered the Maple Bacon Manhattan and the Thyme of the Season as our drinks. Both were delicious. We shared a plate of the Cornbread and Collards (my boyfriend didn't really care for the collards but I thought were very good), but we both agreed the cornbread with salted honey butter was really good. He had the pork belly as his entree which was very good and I ordered the Hanger steak which was so tender and full of flavor. We'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Jonathan E.

    4.5 really, but I can't give halves. Can I start off by saying that we happily stumbled across this little joint. We had set out to have some beer and pizza at Piece but the wait was out of control on Friday night. So we took a couple steps down North Ave and found The Southern! We opted to sit more inside even though it was finally a beautiful evening in Chicago. We really liked the decor of the bar area and it had those garage doors up so we could enjoy the evenings beautiful weather. It was nice to see that the place was really busy, but not so much so that we still could walk up and be seated right away. We enjoyed the diverse beers on draft as well as the draft special that night was tasty. I recommend the Flying Dog Doggy Style Pale Ale! I enjoyed the concise menu and the selection. My other half and I choose the Blacken Catfish Po' Boy and the N' awlins Style Derbis to sure between us. Let me just say that both were pretty tasty, but the catfish was wayyyyy better. I loved the catfish and fries which came with them were perfect in every way. I was confused and disappointed to see the N'awlins didn't come with fries. Just the sandwich. It was definitely lacking. We also ordered the English Peas as an appetizer. They were delightful! We weren't offered to order a side, surprisingly, but I asked about them and then the server totally sold us on them. The server was pleasant and attentive. Everyone there was very nice. I would highly, highly recommend this place! We will definitely be back here again to try a few other things that we've heard good things about!

    (5)

  • Stephanie N.

    The wait staff was trying but I don't think this place was ready to have outdoor seating. Service was so slow because it seemed there was not enough help. To add on to the situation they ran out of two out of six if the main entrees...how does that happen?? I really have no intention to go back.

    (1)

  • En L.

    Lovely day for the patio. The brunch is quite different. I had a risotto-like dish with shrimp, okra and sausage. Pretty good. Not what I expected. But good. The cocktail was STRONG! Woke me right up!

    (3)

  • Ryan J.

    My boyfriend and I adore this place. We went here for my boo's birthday and were treated to excellent service, which makes all the difference in the world, and great food. I had the mac and cheese (delicious!) and a side of greens (so tasty!) plus a Manhattan (also excellent!). I can't remember what my boo had exactly, but I'd be confident in most anything on the menu. In the past, I've also had and really enjoyed the fried green tomato entree. Our dessert (the blueberry johnny) was also divine. Only complaint (and this is very, very minor) was that out on the patio, I could hear two very different soundtracks playing -- country from inside the Southern and indie electropop from (I'm guessing?) the second floor. It was distracting at times. Otherwise, excellent!

    (5)

  • Alex T.

    I lived in Mississippi for three years so I was really excited to eat at the Southern, especially after hearing all the hype--I was sadly disappointed. I tried: -Artichoke dip--okay, I've had better -Grits and shrimp-not good -Mac N Cheese-Pretty good, probably the best thing I tried -Blackened catfish sandwich with fries-Pretty good, nothing to write home about. If I spent $6 I would have been happy -Spicy Hot Chicken Special-Great flavors, but dang it was stupid-spicy (and I like spicy food) Their saving grace was a great waitress, and the whiskey list looks good, although I didn't try it. Final thought is that nothing was horrible (except the grits and shrimp), there are a lot of better places in Chicago for the money.

    (2)

  • Ashley B.

    Holy crap. This place is amazing and I'm kicking myself for not having gone here last summer when the patio was open. First of all, the bar itself is really awesome. Everything is reclaimed wood and super low key, but still not a hole in the wall by any means. The bar has a couple tvs, but all you can hear is the awesome rockabilly and southern rock playlist consisting of Buddy Holiday, Roy Orbison, CCR, and others. The food itself was splendid. I probably could've ordered anything on the menu and been pleasantly surprised and satisfied, but I was in a burger mood so I went with the pimento cheeseburger and wowwwwww! The bf got the crab cakes and they were just as splendid (be sure to look at my pics bc the presentation was really nice!). Also, I got a bloody mary and it came with pepperjack cheese and sausage! Totally top notch. I cannot WAIT to come back! UPDATE: I just came back yesterday and the bf and I split the Southern mess and Kentucky Bucket. Let me tell you, this is probably the most unhealthy dinner I've eaten in a long time but it was sooo on point. The Southern Mess is basically gravy with chunks of ham, topped with handcut fries and cheese curds. To. Die. For. I'll be back, yet again!

    (5)

  • Saba A.

    Felt like I was back in College!! First time entering and will come back. Great place to have a conversation and laughs with friends in the prime spot of Wicker Park. Also, come for the eats! Great bar food. Considering the crowd was more "college-y" but I liked it. People weren't getting drunk but everyone here was having a great time! It seems like the "meet up" place as there were people in large groups! We came early around 10:30 but when we left at midnight, people grabbed our table! It's small, with one bathroom stall, but it's a great hang out place. I checked in on Yelp and got a free sample of bourbon! Tasted great! It came late so he ended getting one for each person in our crowd of three. We also got the friend green tomatoes and mac and cheese that were on the late night menu after 11 PM. Overall, we had a good time. The service is excellent. It was good to get out of the River North area and try something new!

    (4)

  • Jeremy N.

    Buttergasm. That is what you will have if you go with a group and get the family style chicken dinner. A goddam buttergasm. If this is how people in the south eat I'm leaving all my worldly possessions behind and hopping a train somewhere where food tastes like this. Sure I might have a coronary in a few years but I figure that's a small price to pay to be able to eat like this all the time. All of the food they brought out to other tables looked pretty impressive but since we all had the chicken dinner that's all I can comment on - fried chicken, collard greens, the most delicious cheesy grits, mashed potatoes, gravy and the corn bread... words won't do it justice. We were also drinking $3 Lagunitas Little Sumpin-Sumpins all the while. A damn fine night.

    (5)

  • Thomas C.

    Went to Southern for the "call ahead, credit card guarantee ahead" fried chicken diner. WOW. We were a group of six as required, and we can all put away some food. Still the massive plate of chicken conquered us, that and the delicious sides that come with (and since it was wednesday also had half priced signature cocktails). Wife and I were not certain what to expect, we know our way around some fried chicken and we expected it to be ok, but not a phenomenal as it was. Wow, did I say that already?

    (4)

  • Fuji J.

    Their brunch menu & cocktails are awesome! I tried Shrimp and Grits, which was perfect portion, liked creamy grits and there were not just only 3 shrimps but more. My friend had Fried Chicken with Biscuit and Gravy. Good portion & he shared a piece chicken for me. We finished with donuts....mmmmm good choice! But, my best choice for the day...was THE TENNESSEE WAKE-UP cocktail. Coffee with House Blueberry Orange liquor & plenty of whip cream... I NEED THIS EVERY MORNING that will make me happyyyyyy!!! Can't wait for patio season! The reason of 4 stars are just my wish of bill to be a little smaller... But, they have great weekday special too.

    (4)

  • Bryant L.

    They are well known for their mac and cheese which is great but it's the fried chicken controversy I'd like to join. Served with biscuits and gravy it is not to be missed. I've been here a half-dozen times and the staff is super friendly.

    (4)

  • Gabrielle S.

    Every time I go back to this place, the menu has changed and there is even more scrumptious things that I have to try!!! I go in on Saturday nights to start out a big night with a small glass of high class whiskey...only then I cannot resist trying a few appetizers which turns into a meal which turns into a FEAST!! The MUSSELS were absolutely amazing. The CRAB CAKES were delectable...possible in the top 3 in Chicago- and I have had a LOT of crab cakes. I rarely order them anywhere except the Southern because I am usually disappointed by the lack of crab and the overly fried and breaded but here....that is NEVER the case. They are light, yet rich with crab meat, the actual succulent kind and it is never overly shredded or thin. Think LUMP.... Worth it. And whatever salad the crab cakes were on was awesome...my only wish was that they would officially make a salad to offer on the menu out of it- the dressing had a tangy kick to it, and there were many delightful flavors there. Fresh, not at all heavy. Anyhoo, I love all the servers and people that work here, they are always cheerful and put up with my incredibly needy needs. Which of course, is the icing on the cake. Fantastic service every time. And try the aged Rye:)

    (5)

  • Derek C.

    TLDR version: Pork belly was awesome, sides... not so much a group of 14 came here for dinner for my bday so we did the family style dinner so it would be easier and cheaper for everyone. the only bad thing about doing the family style dinner is that you only get one choice of protein (we were deciding between the pork belly or fried chicken) and then they provided the sides of mashed potatoes, collard greens and corn bread. we also ordered a side of mac and cheese since we heard it was awesome here. the pork belly was awesome, and there was SOOOO much food we ended up taking half of the pork belly home. the collard greens and the mashed potatoes were nothing special and I was somewhat disappointed with the mac and cheese too as we felt that wasn't as tasty as we thought it would be. the cornbread was also just ok, and not very tasty. the meal was $25 pp, but then they forced a 23% tip!!! our waitress was good, but damn, 23%!!!???!!! after tax and tip it ended up being $33 pp. also, as it was my bday, nothing special was offered for dessert, I don't even think the girl asked. we were pretty stuffed at the end of the meal, and I am glad no one sang happy birthday to me, so that might have been a good thing, but where's my free dessert??

    (3)

  • Tish N.

    I wish I could give them 18239281 stars! There was a mishap with the reservation of my going away brunch, I didn't make it so I don't know the details. Well, let's not even get into that because it doesn't even matter. The manager, James (or St. James, King James, etc) rectified the hell out of that situation. It was a full house so we were worried about space. We thought we would have to go someplace else. The manager came through like "I'm going to fix this" and boy did he. He gave my party the entire upstairs and took care of us himself. I was so impressed with the service of the staff though. The customer service is amazing every time I've visited. I'm moving to California next week. I'll miss Chicago and I'll miss the Southern. I hope to find another restaurant that even comes close.

    (5)

  • Grace C.

    Their special beer of the day was tecate on tap for $4. So I got one after taking a walk along the street. Can't comment on food b/c I was only here to rest my feet alil and have a quick drink before heading back for dinner.

    (3)

  • Timothy L.

    The food at The Southern is fantastic and keeps me coming back for more. Some signature favorites are always on the menu such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and crab cake benedict (for brunch). If the fried chicken is available, don't hesitate and get it, especially for brunch when it's served with the most amazing interpretation of biscuits and gravy. While I absolutely rave about the food, I pray for one day to give The Southern more stars. Maybe it's because I've become such a cocktail shop with all of the other fine handcrafted options in the area, but the cocktails here always seem to fall flat. Maybe it's the generic ice they use, or maybe their simple syrup is too simple. The whiskey selection is simply the best, but don't bother letting them mix it up in a cocktail for you. To top it off, an old fashioned with a good bourbon runs about $12. Save your money on the cocktails and enjoy the great atmosphere and ingenious food.

    (3)

  • Jeff R.

    Last night we went to The Southern for a quick and easy meal in the neighborhood. I had been once before for drink and enjoyed myself, so I was happy and eager to get a meal experience. It was somewhat quiet but downstairs was pretty lively. The decor and scene is definitely more bar - with high tops and TVs - than restaurant but the menu has enough options for any meal. We also had the pleasure of hosting our friends from Kentucky in order to get their thoughts on the authenticity of the "southern" cooking style. I was pleasantly surprised with all of the food that we ate. Everyone ordered one dish (the menu isn't really separated by courses) and we had a side of cornbread and mashed potatoes. I really like the mashed potatoes - nice and creamy and buttery, delish. The cornbread was also nice and came with butter or honey. Erica ordered crab cakes (came with two good sized ones) and I had the Andouille Gumbo (with house made spicy sausage, Gunthorp Farm duck, steamed rice, pickled okra). I was very impressed with my gumbo. It had the required heat but not too overwhelming that would require breaks. The sausage was tasty and tender and there was the perfect amount of sauce with the rice. I heard similar compliments all around - especially from our KY friends that ordered the Burgoo and the Mushrooms & Dumplings (both things I had never heard of before). Our short and sweet meal was surprisingly good with every dish well prepared with great and simple flavors. The Southern's tagline is "Kickass Food + Comfort Food". I think they do both well and look forward to returning soon.

    (4)

  • Elibe E.

    I stumbled into The Southern after living in Chicago for (almost) one year. Here's what I ordered: - Jim Beam special (their take on a mint julep) - Hush Puppies (my buddy ordered this as an appetizer) - Shrimp + Cheesy Grits Everything was prepared well. The shrimp + grits were excellent. The Southern prepares them with roasted red peppers - new for me. I would have liked the dish to be prepared with a few more pieces of the smoked/barbecued shrimp. I'm looking to come back here for the infamous family-style dinners (i.e. chickens)

    (3)

  • Lauren B.

    There wasn't anything particularly special about The Southern.....keep in mind that I am not well versed in Southern cuisine. We started with the Crab Cakes as an app, even though its listed as a dinner.....rebels, I know :). Plenty of delicious lump crab meat, tasty, and paired well with arugula, radish, and apple that accompanied the cakes. My only complaint is that there was waaaaaayyyyy too much Dijon mustard sauce on the plate, it was like a pool. For my entree I had the Blackened Catfish....first time. It was tasty but served with a LOT of grits that in a way, i think, almost drowned the fish.....its funny because fish can swim :) The Hoppin John Burger was reported as delicious. The Fried Chicken, which I did not have as it is HOT and I cannot handle that, was reported as being soooooo HOT that it took away from the flavor the the chicken. Apparently they are not screwing around when they call it "extra spicy." Those in my party who chose this were a little disappointed. Gingered Beets and Collared Greens were ordered as sides for the table. The beets were delicious and the collared greens were good, but not as great as the ole beets. I say give it a try! One more thing......if you order Lone Star beer and when they bring it to the table you are like, why are they bringing it with the cap, even though they have taken the cap off??? Well, its because they are games under the cap.......food, booze, and brain training- What a Thursday night!

    (3)

  • Luis B.

    So-so. Thanks to Yelp we got a free shot of their house bourbon. Pretty good stuff. I didn't dig the lighting here, it was too dark and I couldn't read their menu clearly. From previous pictures and reviews, I wanted to try their bacon bloody mary. I wasn't too impressed. I was actually disappointed. We really wanted to try their fried chicken, but apparently that was something you're suppose to call ahead for? Go figure. The mac n cheese was pretty good, and so were their fries (they had a great seasoning on them). I also ordered their Kentucky Burgoo, it was pretty good. It had tons of pork and tons of veggies. They do offer daily specials so check them out before you go in. The Southern is pretty pricy, but it's worth a visit if you want to try something new.

    (3)

  • Palak Q.

    The arugula salad was a killer! I went there with a bunch for friends for their chicken eating contest. The food is a little pricey, but great! It is clean, fresh and they use the best ingredients. The ambiance is very cool too. Nice, young crowd. You can definitely take someone out on a date to this place. Their outdoor seating is fab! I would also recommend the mac and cheese and the chicken wings.

    (5)

  • Julie O.

    We waited 20 minutes for our drinks here on a normal night (not crazy packed at all). Ridiculous. The waitress was nice and blamed the wait on the bar. Don't know if that's true, but it was incredibly annoying regardless of whose fault it was.

    (2)

  • Scott M.

    Meh.

    (3)

  • Mari Y.

    I was skeptical of The Southern because of the unimpressive Zagat scores but I was curious to try it anyway. We went on a Wednesday night when the special was fried chicken. Hello, fried chicken! It was a cold night so there weren't that many folks in the restaurant. They also had a $3 Coors Light special. We ordered the fried chicken which came with a breast, thigh and leg with a mini biscuit loaf and gravy. Yum yum! We also split the cold fried chicken salad - this to me was a major winner. It was on a simple bed of lettuce with corn and other veggies and fried chicken. I loved it! I will definitely be back. Looks like a fun place when the weather is warmer when they open up the doors and can utilize the outdoor patio. I can't say how "Southern" this place actually is. If it was called "The Fried Chicken" I would say they did a good job living up to its name.

    (4)

  • Tim R.

    Went with a friend last night. He had a groupon! We wanted to try it because of the review about their fried chicken on Windy City Live. I can honestly say that it was the best Fried Chicken I have ever had! It was so moist . It was so good! The Collard greens that were served with it were amazing! The cheese platter that we had as an appetizer was amazing with the accompaniments on the plate! We both agreed, that the cheese platter with a glass of wine could of been enough for a great experience! I highly recommend this place! The only draw backs for the entire night, sat at the bar waiting for our table. Bartender was very busy. She acknowledged us and gave us a menu. The mashed potatoes that came with the chicken, were cold. Our server quickly replaced them! We went on a very cold night in Chicago, so every time the door opened when someone walked in, it was extremely cold! I will be revisiting! And I have been referring my guest and friends since my visit!

    (5)

  • Lauren D.

    We went here for Sunday brunch the Sunday BEFORE Mother's Day. We didn't want to come on Mother's Day knowing that it will be crazy-crowded. The brunch menu is not very extensive which I appreciated. To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't have chicken and waffles on their brunch menu. However, I ordered the shrimp and grits. You do not get a lot of shrimp, but they are large. The shrimps were perfectly seasoned and prepared, and the texture was exquisite. The grits and shrimp were the perfect amalgamation. This dish receives FOUR stars, but the grits alone are worthy of FIVE stars! My husband had the biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs. He liked it, but said the gravy was very, very rich and a bit too thick for his taste. Our friend enjoyed the banana French toast. She said it was fluffy, light delectable with a super great flavor. The French toast receives FOUR stars. We enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant. Our total came to $51 and change (excluding tax and tip). A "side" of bacon was $4 and a side of toast is also $4. This was our Mother's Day celebration, so we did not mind dropping the $$$ that we dropped on that day. Service was worthy of four stars. Although toward the end our Server went "MIA" and it took a while for her to come back again. Did we enjoy our food? Yes. Was Service decent? Yes. Was the price point reasonable? Yes. Would we return again? Yes. Is parking in the area easy? No, it is challenging.

    (4)

  • Lupe D.

    Sadly, I am not able to comment on the food, only the bad service, except for the person at the front who kindly sent me to the bar to order takeout, where I stood, like an idiot as several staff members just stared at me, never once asking me "may I help you?" Finally, I had to ask some random waitstaff if the bar was really the location to place take out orders and he confirmed it - as a bartender saw the conversation - again I stood there, like an idiot and waited, and waited. When I finally got someone's attention and a menu, no one ever came back to ask me for my order. I left. Seriously, to Southern management work on your service issues. If you guys are content with the number of "regulars" then fine, ignore potential new customers, otherwise please meet with your staff and talk to them about improving their customer service levels or consider setting up a separate counter for takeout. UPDATE: Since posting my review, management has reached out to me and apologized for my experience, for that I am grateful.

    (1)

  • Josh G.

    I don't always drink in Wicker Park but when I do, I drink at the Southern Bar and Grill. I've been coming into the Southern at least once a week for well over 2 years so I feel I can speak to the consistent high quality of food, drinks, service, and atmosphere. The menu is always changing but the quality always remains top notch. (More the reason to come in again and again, since it seems like every time I come in there's something new on the menu!) My latest favorite is the jumbo. Delicious! They have a separate brunch menu which is also awesome. Get the fried chicken. You'll thank me later. Although my brunch favorite was always a generous portion of sausage/chicken gravy on top of buttermilk biscuits. I think it was called the Smothered Johnson? Something like that. Bring it back guys! Come by and see Anne behind the bar. She can pour a shot of whiskey like no one you've ever seen. Always a 3 dollar beer and/or 3 dollar shot of whiskey if you're on a budget. Saturday is Heaven & Hell shots. If you're into the mixology thing, they have an impressive option of original seasonal cocktails. (And infusions!) Try the Southern Gust! They also have a giant Packers logo on top of the bar, so I think they're maybe a Green Bay bar? I always forget to ask. If you want to grab a table, try to request a young man by the name of Chris Brickhouse. My friends and I sometimes wait 30 minutes just to sit in his section, because we love his style of service and great sense of humor. They have a very nice doorman named Joel and a young blonde girl (can't remember name) who is also very kind! They both always make me and my friends feel welcome. It's getting a little chilly out there so check out their amazing patio while you still can! It's without a doubt the best patio in the entire neighborhood. They also have a white statute outside of Jack Daniel, which is kind of creepy at first but it's actually kind of comforting knowing he is staring at you at all times. If you ever need to talk to a manager, feel free to ask for Edvin or Marcus. They're both very helpful and extremely understanding! They even bought me a shot one time. So in conclusion, if you're in the Wicker Park area (or even if you're not) I strongly recommend checking it out!

    (5)

  • Diana R.

    I can't find the words to describe this place...oh wait. Yes, I can. Mediocre, says it all. If you have taste buds and know good southern food, don't waste your time or money here. We ordered three different dishes and found them to be salty not southern. Maybe, they should change their name. Honestly, such a waste for such beautiful restaurant space.

    (2)

  • Antaash U.

    Never judge a book by its cover...or go to a place without checking Yelp reviews. Lesson learned. Whenever I've been shopping or dining in Wicker Park, I have had the impression that the Southern was some swanky, trendy, "I need an occasion to dine here" kind of establishment. WRONG! My friends and I wanted to have a fun girl's night out and that's when the Southern came to mind. I quickly made reservations and was excited to let my hair down with my girls. You can only imagine our surprise when we walked in and there were televisions...broadcasting COLLEGE FOOTBALL...with lots of cheering and whooping. Had I known that's the kind of place this was going to be, I would have 1) dressed differently... WAIT. Who am I kidding...I WOULD HAVE NEVER CHOSEN TO GO HERE FOR GIRLS NIGHT! It's a good thing my friends and I are easy-going and go with the flow kinda gals, because even though we don't care for football, we decided to stay. We had really worked up an appetite after a long afternoon of playing tennis and figured that good ole southern cooking would hit the spot. And boy did it! What the Southern lacked in a ladies night out venue, it made up in service, drink selection and good food. We ordered: collard greens (which I didn't have but that received rave reviews), mac and cheese, hot legs, crab cakes, and dirty rice. LOTS of food for 3 very hungry girls. They also had plenty of drink specials because of the game and a special menu. Everything we ordered was fantastic. It was the kind of food that sticks to your ribs and makes you smile from the inside out. Even though we had gone to town on our entrees, we still made sure to order dessert. I chose the deep fried twinkie...I mean, how could I not? It was covered in powdered sugar on top of a mixed berry compote. It took what should have been trashy, county fair delicacy to something tasteful! My other friend ordered the chocolate cake, which would have been perfect had it been served with a side of ice cream instead of the fresh whipped cream. The third member of our group ordered a sour cherry pie, which was excellent. I definitely see ourselves going back to the Southern...when it's not a big football day that is!

    (4)

  • Alexander Z.

    As a disclaimer, I only went here for drinks/appetizers and will need to update once I eat a full meal. That being said, the few things I experienced were all outstanding. Went on a Wednesday and the place wasn't crowded and had a nice ambiance. The bar also has a great look (at least on the main floor/bar area, need to check it out in the summer) Drinks: Bacon infused bourbon & honey with a bacon strip (drink was spectacular and the thick slice of bacon itself was worth it). $3 whiskey shots were very dangerous.... Food: only had the mussels but they were very good. The pulled pork was an excellent addition. Unfortunately the corn bread was very dry and inedible alone (dipped in the sauce of the mussels it became very good however) Service: excelleng. Our server was great & since he didn't drink, he wound up doing shots of Coke while we chugged the whiskey (just because)

    (4)

  • Mandi P.

    Just a quick update regarding the food!!! We dined at The Southern this past weekend and I fell in LOVE with this place!!! I am from The South and this place is spot on for my taste!!! I ordered some of my favs...fried green tomatoes, red slaw (vinegar), and cheese grits for dinner. The fried green tomatoes were AMAZING!!! The red slaw...I can't even tell you the last time I was able to find red slaw...was soooo good!!! The cheese grits...eh...not so much. The bartender (yes, we ate at the bar) noticed I didn't seem to care for my grits so she had it removed from our bill...so was not going to ask for that, but how awesome is that? The 3 bartenders working that night were all so friendly and attentive...Jeremiah, Deb, and Tim (hope I got them all right!!!)!!! I will definitely be returning to The Southern!!!

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    Come here for drinks, the selection booze selection is way larger than the food menu. I had the mussels and was impressed with them.

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    If Yelp gave half ratings - I'd be giving this place a 3.5. This is a hard place to review. I've been here twice now. First time I organised a group of us to get together as part of my quest to find the best fried chicken in Chicago. The reviews on here mentioned it was good and lots of pics etc. However when we go there (on Fri night) fired chicken wasn't on the menu. We were told you had to preorder ahead. So I guess I was a bit bummed about that, but I probably should have looked this up on the site... its just something that didn't occur to me! So to me the food ended up being just OK. ITs a not a big food menu anyways and everyone on my table except me ordered off the special list. My bf got the chicken fried steak which he said was just ok... it was pretty large though! I got the fried chicken sandwhich. Unfortunately there wasn't much chicken and because there was a lot of mayo (? cant remember) it wasn't very crispy and so I didn't taste much chicken over the bread etc. On the other hand, the service was great they even allowed us to move into a booth later when we had unexpected extras arrive. Drinks were good.. I loved the maple bacon cocktail. The drinks list is very whiskey focus so don't come here looking for a lot of sweet chick cocktails. We eneded up staying a fair while drinking a lot of drinks but I wouldn't come back here for the food, and the good company probably had more with us staying than the drinks which from memory ended up hitting the wallet a bit at the end of the night! On the second visit, I came on a Sunday night with my parents who were visiting from overseas. Our others plans had fallen through so we had planned to go to dinner but we thought wed have a drink somewhere before. We had tried a few places but they were either packed or very loud. My dad has hearing problems so we asked around and people directed us here as they said it is usually quiet. It was and worked very well with my parents. We just sat in the bar area and had a few beers / cocktails. My mum actually loved the place as they were playing some old school tunes which she knew. So it worked for us well however I'm not really sure the Southern is trying for the parent age group with their hipster bar staff etc. All in all I would come here for a few quiet drinks, but prob wont organise any more meals or all night groups things here again.

    (3)

  • Leslie G.

    I don't really understand the hype about this place. I ate here for the first time several months ago and felt my meal was ok, but didn't really warrant the steep prices. The second time I ate here more recently, I was very disappointed. I ordered the summer salad and a side of cornbread (15 dollars total). The salad seemed like it would be good since it had heirloom tomatoes, lots of greens, etc., but the dressing was pretty awful. It was just rather watery and tasteless. The cornbread arrived looking exactly like cheesecake and was extremely dry. I had to drink about 4 sips of my beverage just to get down one bite of cornbread. One of my friends ordered the brisket and was similarly unimpressed. I really expect better food for these prices. Also, the music they were playing was extremely loud punk rock. My friends and I practically had to shout to hear each other. At this point, I have no need to return to this place.

    (2)

  • Lauren H.

    I only stopped in here for a drink after dinner with some friends but the bar and patio are really inviting. Our waiter was very patient with our questions and knowledgable about the drink menu. I would love to go back and try the food.

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    I went here while on vacation, based on some awesome Yelp reviews. When I first got here, I was really disappointed to find out some of my "southern" favorites are on a special menu that you have to call ahead and order for a group (fried chicken, smoked pork, shrimp and grits). They didn't have any of the stuff on the online menu either...which had gotten me pretty excited. So, I was sitting at the bar and second guessing my decision to come here. The server recommends the Kentucky Burgoo. I have no idea what burgoo is, but he says it's the best thing on the menu and if I don't like it then he will buy me something else. How can you turn down an offer like that? He didn't need to buy me anything else. The burgoo is like a stew, but with no real broth or liquid factor. Just real tender, fall-apart pork and beef chunks with lots of potatoes, white beans, corn, etc. The meal was really unique and delicious. The menu was a disappointment, the food I got was not. Plus, they have Abita beer. That's a plus.

    (4)

  • An P.

    Sometimes - I just need that southern food. When that Popeye's just isn't going to do you right no matter how crunchy that chicken may be, and you need something a bit more classier or you want to have some fine southern eats with cocktail in your hand, you're going to have to head down to Wicker Park and get to the Southern! It's summertime - the windows are open, the patio is alive and there are people everywhere. In most places, being crowded is a perfect excuse to toss off second rate service and we just have to take it. Fortunately for denizens such as you and I, the Southern lives up to its name and offers up its southern hospitality. Do you like drinking? I thought so. You get can get your drink beer on, your fish bowl on, and sure as hell you can get your rye whiskey and Johnny Walker Blue Label on. The refreshing imbibing is sure to leave you anywhere from sweaty to HOT MESS! The Southern has so many things on the menu and their brunch menu is stacked to the brim. Despite this, you should always have these two dishes when stopping by The Southern: MAC N CHEESE - Have you ever seen the macaroni food truck downtown? Well in case you didn't know, it comes from THE SOUTHERN! Every day is a dice roll that lands on WIN. The white cheddar truffle infused mac n cheese is bliss - I don't know how many cheeses or how that cheese sauce gets so rich, but I'll eat it in a heart beat. FRIED CHICKEN - Deep frying is one of the magics of the deep south. This chicken defies the laws of universe as it's both extra tasty crispy on the outside, but under the batter it's tender, juicy, and soaked in flavor. I'd been told that the fried chicken at The Southern's was phenomenal but the recommendations proved false: it's OTHERWORLDLY. After this, go in peace and thank The Southern for such enlightenment.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I really liked this place! I've been here twice recently: once for food and once for cocktails. The food is awesome. I had the boudin blanc, which was really exceptional: spicy, but not overpowering, and served with really good sides. We also shared the mac and cheese, which is great; but, as a regular customer at their mac and cheese truck, I found myself bored by regular old noodles and cheese: I'm clearly spoiled. The mussels and the hush puppies were also really good. Only downside, I think, is portion size: I eat like a bird, so I was perfectly happy with the amount of food I got, but I think people with more normal appetites would find it a little small for the price. Service is nice, friendly, quick, and accommodating. It's not overly loud here, either, which is difficult to find in Wicker Park. The cocktails I've been less thrilled by - they tend to be a little strong and non-complex for my taste, but they do have really interesting concepts, and I may have just ordered the wrong thing. Their beer selection is great, and the staff is really knowledgeable about it. All in all, I plan to eat here lots!

    (4)

  • Era N.

    It was the worst experience for me. I came in around 8:20 and was seated almost right away, but we ended up just sitting at the table for about 20 minutes before our waiter stopped by our table to introduce himself. 10 minutes later we got our water...10 more mites went by and we place our order for drinks....20 minutes later we got those drinks and ordered food....which came out almost 2 minutes later, so I can only assume it was sitting under a heating lamp waiting for someone to order it. Hushpuppies were dry, bland and burnt, the only edible thing on that place was aioli. My crayfish sandwich was again dry, bland and inedible, thank god there were fries on my plate, otherwise id walk out hungry. My friends brisket was salty and mash potatoes were soupy and sticky, like they just added raw flour to it. After we left semi hungry still, I got the worst stomach pain. I was doubled over for half the night in my bed, cursing the whole restaurant and the food. I will never go back there again, it was much better when it just opened, now its just a plate to stop and eat if you cant get a table right away anywhere else.

    (1)

  • Ericka A.

    If I had to write this review based solely on the gouda mac and cheese then there would be WAY less stars. It was a huge letdown and even the waitress' hype couldn't salvage it. It's big on the bucks, lacking on the flavor to warrant such a price tag. Luckily, The Meat Brigade (Working Title) was not here to judge the mac. We were here for some fried f***in' chicken! Our group of 20 had reservations for the Fried Chicken Dinner. It came out to about $25pp and included collared greens with bacon (I could take them or leave them), biscuits with whipped butter and honey (Pretty darn good), black eyed peas (Good flavor, but not my favorite), mashed potatoes and pork gravy (Delicious even cold, so you know that's quality!). The main event was without a doubt the fried chicken. It was perfectly battered with a flavorful thin coating atop crispy skin. Every piece was cooked so that it wasn't raw and no part of it was dry. I had a breast, thigh and drumstick. My stomach was begging for mercy, but I ate every bite of it and was so full that I couldn't even look at food the next day.

    (4)

  • Geoff C.

    Was great to be back in the hood and was excited and disappointed at the same time to see Wicker Park/North all growed up into a slightly cooler version of Lincoln Park. Southern is a solid concept...who doesn't love bourbon and fried stuff?...but the execution left me wondering if the proprietors have actually been South of Illinois before. Let's start with the Hush Puppies, probably the easiest thing anyone in a kitchen could nail...here they were mushy and low on flavor. The Gumbo had more of an Indian curry consistency and tough on the belly...the andouille could have shined more. The mac and cheese was pretty insulting..with a Velveeta type quality. Kraft literally blows this away. Was here with a big crew and no one appeared to love the food. Great bourbon list, but there are no real deals, it's priced high. Expect more, Chicago!!

    (2)

  • Jen G.

    They've must have switched chefs since I visited last December. Their menu has also completely changed. The food was overcooked, over salted & just not good. I'd recommend just coming here for drinks now & skipping the entrees.

    (1)

  • Carrie S.

    So, how do you celebrate your Southern-born husband on his birthday? Well, you invite a bunch of his friends for a fried chicken dinner at the Southern. When my husband expressed interest in doing a birthday dinner with friends, I knew instantly where it should be. I knew that my Alabama man would appreciate a Southern comfort food feast shared among friends. Ever the planner, I booked a table and the fried chicken dinner special well in advance. In days leading up to the dinner, I called and confirmed our reservation with the event staff. The event staff is super friendly and great to work with. They answered all of my questions including bringing in outside treats from a nearby bakery. Last night, we indulged in an amazing Southern comfort food feast. For appetizers, we did the Southern Mess, known to one of our friends as "Southern Poutine." It's always one of my favorites at the Southern not be missed. We enjoyed some hushpuppies as well as bacon mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was creamy and delicious while the hushpuppies were just right! Many of us sampled the Southern's amazing drink menu. I tried the City Slicker for the first time and really enjoyed it while others had the Sunshine and Cucumber Royale. All of their drinks are so good and well made. Our fried chicken dinner consisted of generous portions of buttermilk battered chicken. Oh, this is how fried chicken should be. Every bite yielded a crispy skin and juicy chicken. The buttermilk batter had hints of pickle (don't tell my husband) and other flavors, the proper way fried chicken should be. For sides, we had sweet potatoes, spicy collard greens, biscuits, and corn. The corn won many raves among friends while the greens delighted as well. Served alongside our sides were hot sauce, butter, and honey. They were the perfect condiments for the perfect meal. Oh, this was one amazing birthday dinner meal! I can't suggest the Southern fried chicken dinner enough. So much bang for your buck with hearty servings of chicken and sides. All for $19/person! No birthday dinner is complete with a little birthday cake or eclair in this case. Our hardworking server arranged a plate of mini-eclairs from a nearby bakery with a few candles to toast to another year. Our server did a spectacular job last night with our giant table of 12. I saw her move my husband's drink next to him when he talked to guests. She also divided a massive number of checks up, so that our bill could be settled well. Most of our guests including myself tacked on extra gratituty for all of her hard work. If you want to celebrate a birthday Southern-style, do it here. We had incredible service and wonderful food. My husband declared his birthday dinner a rousing success.

    (5)

  • Lindsay L.

    We went on a Thursday evening- which come to find out is "Country Night"... My boyfriend ordered the spicy fried chicken, if you can't handle heat I don't suggest ordering it. I ordered the crab cakes, they were average, not a lot of flavor. The overall experience was nice and we will be back.

    (4)

  • Nadling P.

    The food was incredible!!! Our server Brittney was super knowledgeable and visiting was a perfect close to an awesome Sunday! We WILL be back for brunch.

    (5)

  • Bryan C.

    This is our second time at the Southern. The first trip to the Southern was for one of their awesome pig roast events. The weather was unusually warm, the outside area was open, and nearly full. We were greeted by a wonderful hostess, she put us on a wait for an inside table and seated us outside. Service outside was beyond slow and before our drinks arrived, the hostess offered us a table inside. We moved inside and service actually got worse! We sat with menus for nearly 15 minutes before I went back to the hostess and asked her if there was a server assigned to our table. A few minutes later someone came and said "what do you want to eat." We finished our drinks about the same time the food arrived, no one came by to ask if we wanted another round. When we finally flagged down a server for more drinks, they were very slow to arrive as well. We also had to wave down a server for our check. Turns out the only real service came from the hostess, she was wonderful and I wanted to leave the tip for her, but she was gone when we finally left. We had Mac & Cheese and the Boudin Blanc; both were very good. The mac & Cheese has very good flavor and texture, the bread crumb top provides a nice crunchy texture to contrast the rich & creamy underneath. The Boudin Blanc sausage has a nice heat and texture, well complimented by the creamy and flavorful mashed potato, the egg adds some additional complexity and richness. We would order both again.

    (2)

  • Joshua M.

    We had an awful experience at The Southern when we went in for brunch. We were starving on a Sunday morning and randomly walked into this place. The brunch menu looked promising. I went for the crab cake eggs benedict. My friend ordered a few items a la carte... Some over-easy eggs, cheesy grits, and andouille sausage... With an order of fries. Then we sat. And sat. And sat. And sat. The tables next to us loaded up with more parties. We sat. These tables got their food (I saw several crab cake eggs benedicts float by my hungry face to our neighbors), but no sign of ours. Finally, after about 45 minutes went by, our waiter (Named Jerimiah, who had been walking around the dining room checking on all the other tables) stopped by our table to say "Your food will be right out." 15 minutes later, he stopped by to refill our drinks (finally) and to say "Your food is being plated right now." Meanwhile, 3 tables that had been seated after we ordered were already getting their checks. Finally, the food came out (no apologies or explanations for the long wait, no follow-up to see how the food was), and it was disappointing at best. The crab cake eggs benedict was absolutely swimming in this pungent dijon mustard. The greens on the plate were so bitter, and the crab cake had several pieces of cartilage I had to covertly spit out. None of the flavors worked together. Everything was completely overpowered by this foul dijon mustard that was slopped all over everything. The a la carte items all came on separate plates (really?). The grits tasted like they had kraft singles melted in them. The sausage was good. The fries were good... to start. But once the top later was gone, we noticed the salt content in the lower layers was off the charts. I love salty food. These fries were so salty they made me gag. We didn't finish them. Finally, we just asked for the check. This seems like the type of place where regulars get service first, and they don't take kindly to strangers. This isn't the way to run a business, and I won't be back. It's a pity since it's so close to home.

    (2)

  • Megan T.

    I literally wanted to order EVERYTHING off of the menu. Burger with pimento cheese? OKAY! Fried green tomatoes? JUST TAKE MY MONEY. Bourbon bacon drink complete with a sliced of bacon meaty goodness as a garnish? ENOUGH ALREADY I CAN'T HANDLE THIS. Awesome service, reasonable prices, close to the blue line. I can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    I went here last week with a group of 7 to try out the "fried chicken dinner." We made reservations a couple of weeks ago, and they were very nice and helpful accommodating us. We sat outside on their patio, and everyone really like the laid-back atmosphere. We started with some appetizers: the cornbread, pimento cheese dip, and mac and cheese. The waitress said she didn't love the cornbread, and I could not agree more. It definitely lacked flavor and was pretty dry. She mentioned the chef liked it this way because it made it more "Southern," but everyone hardly touched it. The pimento cheese dip and mac and cheese were very tasty. The fried chicken dinner comes with: a big platter of fried chicken (both white and dark meat), collard greens, grits, biscuits and potato salad. The chicken was delicious. Very tasty and perfectly cooked. I also really enjoyed the collard greens and potato salad. The potato salad was light and tasty-not loaded with mayo at all. The grits and biscuits could have used more flavor. We also added in some vegetable sides--corn and green beans. Both good. I would definitely recommend checking this place out!

    (4)

  • Amelia B.

    Though I'm the furthest thing from it, I secretly kinda wish I was a Southern girl. Instead, I'll just eat and drink like one. And the aptly-named the Southern may be the best place to do that in Chicago. Let's talk fried-green tomatoes. Yes, apparently its more than just the penultimate chick-flick. While I've experienced them a few times before (in Georgia, no less), these are by far and away the best fried fruit I've ever tasted. Get them. Get two. Make a meal. The mac & cheese. I'm an Easy Mac type of girl--in other words, easily impressed. And while I was impressed, I wasn't wowed like I thought I would be. It's good, don't get me wrong, in a "five-pounds of butter" type way. But butter's good. Alas, I did not try the fried chicken. The cocktail menu is a definite standout. You can't get more of a perfect drink than the Cucumber Royale. This is coming from a girl who doesn't even like cucumber. But vodka makes everything better. And you can't go wrong with a huge punch bowl of the sweet nectar. Obviously, a huge highlight is the outdoor space. It's absolutely perfect for large groups, Sunday Fundays, you name it. Ain't nothing like Southern hospitality. So go get you some.

    (4)

  • Kimberly L.

    Take a peek around you, Southern. All the ladies are drinking cocktails and picking at shared appetizers, which are most definitely fried and/or loaded with cheese or some other product that will induce bloating. They are not happy, food-wise. The men have drinks and plates stacked high with twelve pound slabs of pork. They are punching each other in the arms. They are in meat-tastic man heaven. Please put some real salads and vegetable dishes on your menu. People in the south do eat healthy food. I like the outdoor seating but I will never come here hungry again. If I even do come here again.

    (2)

  • Teri G.

    The Southern has solid whiskey drinks and a twist on Southern cuisine. In the summer, it's super difficult to get patio seating in Chicago but I never seem to have a problem when at any time of the day/night when I stop by. My bf is a fan of the Maple Bacon Manhattan. Service has always been solid. Jim Beam is there on the weekends handing out free samples/shots of their products, if you are into that sort of thing. I really liked their summer vegetable menu, my favorite was the pickled beets. The crab cakes are really tasty. When I feel like splurging, I go with the mac & cheese.

    (4)

  • Kyle H.

    Brunch update: The Southern brunch menu has so many attractive offerings, there has to be at least 2-3 dishes that would appeal to anyone. The Bananas Foster French Toast was comfort food at its best, and with this cold forecast, it was truly needed. Six thick cut pieces of bread, topped with carmelized bananas, with a nice carmel sauce; it was sinful. Coffee- all staff is pretty quick with a top-off, but coffee is served in little teacups and I'd much rather see big burly man-cups for coffee to start with. Stellar staff of note: the mustachioed bartender and the floor manager, Evan. Evan was great, sitting down with most parties to chat, and he let me know that the Chicken Dinner can now be ordered a la carte on Wednesdays and Sundays! The bartender gave me the lowdown on the brand new Southern Mac 'n' Cheese Truck, which can be followed on Twitter and "Liked" on Facebook. I was excited to try the Truck on its Maiden Voyage to the Willis *cough Sears Tower. But it didn't quite make it by lunchtime. Maybe nextime! Most certainly I will be back to try that Winner winner, Chicken Dinner, and definitely for brunch. So, please nudge me and let's go!

    (5)

  • Q M.

    Went for brunch. The Southern Mess is a mess, but it is such a delicious mess. Bacon, fries, gravy and cheese curds? What's not to love! Very, very filling though. After the mess I couldn't eat for the rest of the day. Worth it. Also, I should mention that we had the donuts. They were also really, really good. This might have contributed to the inability to eat for the rest of the day. Oh, and the Ginger Snap cocktail. Also part of the problem, but it was so good. I wouldn't take it back. Great brunch.

    (4)

  • Michael G.

    "Kiss your grits? Baby, I'd do such dirty things to your grits that you don't even want to know." Oh, sorry. I was just whispering "sweet" nothings to The Southern's grits. See, spooning them slowly into my mouth is not enough. I want to spoon with them. I want to dip my face in the little bowl (though, don't be fooled, it's satisfyingly filling) and lick the sides for every last tasty, slightly salty, soft morsel. The secret, I think, is in the cheese. The flavor is not too hard and not too soft. Not too absent and not too overpowering. Much like any good relationship, in my opinion. I think I'm ready to commit soon to these being my favorite "lady" in Chicago. But first I'm going to have a little more fun with them. At $5, they're a cheap date, so I can afford to take them out a lot. It's not disgusting, really! Just go with it! Once you've tried them, you won't be so quick to judge. Plus there's a ton of alcohols (from Texas beers I haven't seen anywhere else in Chicago to strong whiskeys) to enable the forgetting of any unnatural acts that might occur. Yes, comfort food doesn't begin to describe what is on the menu here. Unless you mean the comfort that follows the release of a full on, huge portioned, food orgy! There is no such thing as small plates here. It's all big. And satisfying. Even the hush puppies are large, flavorful balls. If you're into that sort of thing. My favorite example of the perverse excess though is the macaroni and cheese. It might not be as flavorful as some cheddar macs in the city; but its more sedate, leisurely, gouda fills my mouth (and heart) with joy. It's listed as an $8 appetizer, but don't be fooled. It's a full meal of lightly breadcrumbed (the best bites contain the topping) bliss. And underneath is a moist, drippy cheese sauce that is so good they're taking it on the road with a food truck. Yes! Baby's coming to me! I love a catch this good that I don't have to chase! Now, if you'll excuse me, I think it's time to get messy with some of said mac. It's going to get all over my face. Aw yeah!

    (5)

  • Stef M.

    Underwhelming and a bit of a disappointment. After reading the reviews on yelp I was pumped to try fried chicken, fried tomatoes and mac n cheese. So I arrive on time and the hostess has not a clue about the group I'm here with that rented the rooftop. Annoying. I find my way. My guest and I sampled each others drinks so we could try all 3 of that day's specialty cocktails. The Cold Toddy beverage and Mojitos were a-okay. The margarita truly sucked and truly wasn't a margarita - it did not contain sour mix or lime juice. Odd. Also didn't care for El Jimador tequila. Service was slow. They had 1 bartender and 1 cocktail server for the whole rooftop. Bad idea. So decide to get dinner. First I get a gratis sampling of today's mac-n-cheese: Cheddar & Hot dogs. Delicious. Made me a fan. Were it not for this dish, this review would be a 2 star. Especially...because...what...happened...next. I opened the menu and read: Fried Chicken meals must be ordered 24 hours in advance and in groups of 6 or more. Huh? Its just fried chicken people. So I was suprised nobody else mentioned this on yelp, I had been expecting to order this. So I review the fried tomatoes - made with goat cheese (yuck to me) and $16.00. I pass. So I decide not to eat here, leave disappointed, go to Skewerz down the street, and discover the best artichoke of my life for $5.00. Much better end to this story.

    (3)

  • Daphne L.

    Luuhhhhvvve it! Finally, FINALLY made it to The Southern, and it was worth the cold, snow, and traffic after work to get there. We headed over a few days after Snowpocalypse/Snowmageddon on one of the coldest nights we've had, found parking on North Ave. (still not sure how that happened), and had a glorious night that warmed my belly and my heart. I was surprised that it's not very big inside, but it's very cozy. I like the long tables that run along the garage door. To be honest I was prepared to not enjoy myself. As previously mentioned, it was an especially cold night and we were seated directly in front of the garage door and it was cold as hell. I was trying to suck it up and deal since my two hearty dining companions didn't seem to mind, but, I was on the verge of copping a major attitude. Our waitress was very sweet, though, and addressed the temp right away, assuring us they were working on it. She suggested a bourbon drink to warm myself up, and while I'm not a huge bourbon fan, I loved my drink! I give it two thumbs up and a serious high five. I had the Maple 46: Maker's Mark, maple syrup, and lemon. It was exactly what I needed to get the party started. My husband, a beer aficionado, thoroughly enjoyed sampling their suds. We shared 2 apps: the hush puppies and the Southern Mess. I love hush puppies and these were on point, okay?!? Not dry, good flavor, nice dip to go with them. The Southern Mess..oh lawd. This dish was so damn good, so not good for you, and I have craved it several times since. Fries topped with cheese curds and tasso ham gravy. There really are no words for this dish, but I swear it's the best damn poutine I've ever had. I think it should be called the Hot Ass Southern Mess. I had the Kentucky Bucket for my entree, with the cheese grits and collard greens as sides. Now look, I grew up eatin' soul food, and both are a favorite of mine, so I consider myself an expert of both grits and greens. They were good, no doubt, but I have had better. The grits were very cheesy which is nice, but, a bit too grainy or mealy. I can't explain it other than they tasted like they'd been thickened with flour? Not necessary if you cook 'em right. The collards, I didn't love them. I like my collards savory, not sweet, and these were too sweet for me. They did have nice spicy kick which helped, but, I'm imploring the chef to please cook 'em old school with a ham hock, onion, garlic..no sugar! That, and that alone is the only reason I give them 4 instead of 5 stars. Our waitress was an absolute doll, and my other companion took a liking to her (I still say she's too young for you!) with her Gwyneth-like looks and excellent sense of humor. She totally added to the magic that was that evening. After an hour I'd forgotten my gripe about the cold and had a boot-scootin' good time, and was even enjoying the music. I can't wait to get back with a group for that chicken dinner!

    (4)

  • Jenny T.

    If you have diet restrictions or want something healthy, I would probably suggest going elsewhere. The dishes here tend to be on the greasier side. If you're really into fried chicken, though, you will probably love it. I've never been here at night, but people who are there seem to like it. Football seems to bring in a rowdier, less-pretentious crowd. It's just not my style of place. The food is okay, there really isn't much ambiance, and I'm not very interested in going out here for drinks.

    (2)

  • Colleen D.

    Meh....went on a Saturday for lunch - sat at the bar. Service very attentive. The food menu was strange....very small and many things were not available. Besides the things your supposed to call ahead for. ...(?) ..the were out of many things - an older gentleman came down from upstairs up in arms because 2 of the 3 things his party ordered they did not have. I ordered smothered biscuits and my bf ordered fried chicken. They said he got the last order ....(? - it was only 2:00!). His chicken was very good and he got three large pieces. On the other hand my smothered biscuits - although good - was literally 2 giant biscuits with a tablespoon of what looks like chicken soup ...for $12? No thanks....

    (3)

  • Kori E.

    I've been here countless times and cant believe this is my first review. I love this place. It has an awesome outdoor patio, a fantastic rooftop space that you can rent for parties, and a super cute inside with community tables. It's obviously southern comfort food done well. I've had the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, which are to die for. I had the summer salad this past Saturday and it was a very light and fresh salad with green beans, pecans, feta and a tasty dressing. It's a whiskey bar, and they have a fun and inventive cocktail list.

    (4)

  • Taylor P.

    The southern's $22 brisket (with no sides) is the same a the $10 pre package meat you can buy at costco. It seems they have never been to the south or no what BBQ is. Go to smoke daddy.

    (1)

  • Kate M.

    Was it The Southern or the company that made for such a nice evening? I think it was both. Everything we had was very good. The hush puppies with a roasted artichoke dip were a great appetizer. They didn't even need the dip, they were tasty all by their little selves. The piggly wiggly, pork belly cooked to perfection with a yummy crisp side, was delicious. I seriously considered stealing the whole dish, but instead I just stole a few bites. The crab cakes were pretty good too. The mustard sauce that accompanied them was a little heavy, but paired very well with the two good sized cakes. A charming little place with a nice fire going on the patio, small, but not cozy, I'm sure it fills up awful quick on weekends. The only real problem I had was the stools at the tables, can I have a back for my chair please? Pretty please?? I'd like to be able to sit back and relax a bit while I enjoy my meal. I imagine brunch would make my head spin trying to decide what to order. I hope to find out some day...

    (4)

  • Eden W.

    Mmm hushpuppies. Good service. Friendly locals too. $3 drink specials. Cant go wrong.

    (4)

  • Kyle P.

    Love the sauce the layout and the people along with the Fries. Wasn't thrilled with the non smoke flavor but can see going back. Try the fries

    (4)

  • Eric H.

    Well friends, the host and our server were Creole darlings. And the drinks, well the drinks were big and easy, like a warm summer Sunday morning sunning on a Veranda overlooking the Bayou sipping a Hurricane. But Good Goobly Goop! They really must have worked over time to screw up gumbo, son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!! I mean this place makes the gumbo at Heaven on Seven almost seem authentic. I mean hey, I'm a jazz, blues, zydeco, hip hop man, so I know about improvising. But have some respect! Shucks, what these folks call gumbo taste like sweet and sour tar with unflavored pork rinds floating atop this goo in a fancy bowl. I'm saying, a righteous cocktail leaning all strategically next to a honest bowl of spicy gumbo, can even render the clueless suburbanites and baseball hatted bro-up(s) who frequent this place, comical, as opposed to annoyingly obnoxios like horse flies. Yea I'm duty bound to give this place a one star, which is generous cause if they pulled this in Nola, why they'd be horse whipped in Jackson Square.

    (1)

  • Laila C.

    HOLY SHIT. please just inject the Piggly Wiggly directly into my veins and I will be cracked out happy! So much gooey fatty pork belly goodness on one dish I always can't handle it. But...of course I can! A bite of brussels sprouts, maple sauce and pork belly is enough to help me mentally escape the horrors of this nasty Chicago winter. The mac & cheese is also delicious and HUGE for only $8. Fries are tasty as are the shrimp and grits. But don't forget the gold....if you go GET THE PIGGLY WIGGLY!

    (5)

  • Felice O.

    My friend and I shared the Catfish and Grits, Pimento Cheese Dip, and Mac and Cheese. The Grits were very very tasty... A+, The Mac and Cheese flavor was "off" a little tart, a little less cheesy. The catfish was Sublime, light, peppery and fresh. Pimento Cheese Dip: The name says it all! Pimentos, cheese nothing spectacular. The crowd on a Saturday night was very very trendy, slightly obnoxious and "yuppy," (for "soul food")and the service no better. They were out of Biscuits!! and the waitress wasn't too sad about it. I pressed my luck, and asked to see a dessert menu. I was told there was no dessert menu. But she could recite it from memory. She couldn't and we left. Needless to say I will not be back. The food is not worth braving the Yuppies, nor the horrendous service.

    (2)

  • Mahsa T.

    I love it when the management is proactive and not just reactive. When it was taking a long time to get my drink and our appetizer order, the manager came over to our table and apologized and assured us that everything would be out shortly. He also comped our appetizer, which was much appreciated and made up for our unusually long wait. Yes, the upstairs lounge got totally slammed about 15 minutes after we arrived, but we had already put in our drink and appetizer order so I don't know why it was taking so long. Despite all that, my friends and I still enjoyed our pre-dinner drinks at the Southern. I liked this place when it used to be Chaise Lounge and I still like it. My drink, Mississippi Milk, served in a martini glass was chocolate-y and delicious with pecans in it. The hush puppies we ordered were hot from the deep fryer and delicious, I'll definitely have to come back and try some of the other Southern comfort foods.

    (4)

  • Dasha B.

    I constantly go there for drinks and food which is absolutely delicious...but today's experience really left me upset. I went on OpenTable.com to make a reservation for a party of 10. I specifically put in instructions that we'd like a table outside as it's 80 degree weather. I had friends coming out from the suburbs to join this outing. As we arrived, I was told by the hostess "You asked for outside seating in your reservation, unfortunately we cannot do that for large parties". They had our table set up inside and I asked to move our party outside, as the whole point was to enjoy the outdoor patio with this beautiful weather. The hostess again says that due to their policy they cannot combine tables outside for large parties. I've asked to speak to a manager and Mark had come out to the front to assist me. He was very nice and polite but very unaccommodating to my large party's needs. I had 10 people coming and even a few more added last minute. He said due to fire codes...they cannot seat us outside. That's completely understandable but WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL AND TELL ME THIS BEFORE I SHOWED UP with my 10+ friends?!?!?!? Completely disrespectful and unprofessional for a business to do this. When the reservation was made, I specifically put in instructions for outdoor seating. OpenTable.com even had to take down my credit card and they had all of my information on file. If the reservation could not be fulfilled, why not and have the courtesy and appreciation for a customer bringing a large party to your establishment and CALL THEM to just simply say "we do not accept large parties for outdoor seating"! Many of my friends had to constantly flag our server. I felt like the server couldn't keep up with our needs and orders. We were piling up our glasses and plates in hopes someone will finally clear them. Constantly had to ask for water. Server would come back without the item we asked him to get (i.e. glasses for the beer that was served in a can). Mind you, they added a 20% gratuity tip for the total of the bill. Our bill was a mess, the server had to re-do it several times as a few people had their own tab but the main bill still had their food on it. Overall, yes a great place for a gathering with lots of outdoor space to accommodate under 5 people parties. I will never return there again because the service is unprofessional and unacceptable.

    (2)

  • Sadat A.

    Calling all Smurfs, calling all Smurfs, I found the Sasparilla. Yes they make the best Sasparilla in Chicago. Not to mention the awesome Texas beer selection with a huge Bourbon, Whiskey, and Scotch menu. The chicks that work there are super kick ass cool, and very welcoming when you walk inside. There is tons of indoor and outdoor seating. The patio is a huge plus, can't wait to bring my dog with me to The Southern this summer. The real reason that I came to The Southern is for the Fried Chicken and Grits and Shrimp. We decided to order the half chicken, the hush puppies, the special pork dish, mash potatoes, and collared greens.(Check the photo's) Chicken was perfectly made - super super tasty (the only negative is it was a very small portion of a half chicken) but it was cool for 2 people. The special Pork was some of best I've ever tasted. The waitress told me that it's her favorite dish hands down. So boom, we ordered it. (No negative all positive) Next would be the Hush Puppies. The flavors that come from those puppies will knock you out of your seat. Potatoes and Green were excellent. Next time Ill order the whole chicken with the mac and cheese. Overall this is a must try spot. We are already planning a group fried chicken gathering for next month.

    (4)

  • Melanie S.

    My obsession with fried chicken is fairly well-documented around here and after reading Angie M's review of The Southern, I knew I had to make my way here to try the fried chicken feast. The only hurdle was finding 5 other people willing to take the plunge with me into greasy, high-calorie nirvana. Of course, also scheduling said people on a Friday night with no conflicts took an Act of Congress, but in the end all the stars came together and so we dined. Service (by Kyle (Nachos) H's doppelganger) started out slow. The first round of drinks took at least twenty minutes. I asked if they had cider, which Kyle ( I think his name was actually Alex) said they did. Imagine my chagrin when the cider was put in front of me and I took a sip. It was actual apple cider. As in NON-ALCOHOLIC! What, am I ten years old? I asked if they had Crispin or Woodchuck but apparently when I asked about the cider, he thought I wanted actual cider. Um, no. No. I drank it anyway, figuring I'd switch to something else later, but I never did. The chicken and assorted sides arrived in earnest. We all dug in. Hands were flying across the table. We couldn't pass the plates fast enough. Everything was delicious, from the buttermilk biscuits to the mashed potatoes to the chicken itself. We all gorged and were stuffed. Not that this stopped any of us from ordering dessert. Only two choices were offered: a pumpkin creme brulee and apple crisp. I opted to split the crisp and while it was good, there was no actual "crisp" part to it at all. It was just basically warm, soft apples. I was also able to taste the creme brulee and if you like pumpkin, you will like this dessert. I have to say that while there was a couple pieces of chicken left, I was under the impression from Angie M and Brett D that we'd all be leaving with bags full of chicken, which was not the case. Maybe they're daintier eaters than our group, or maybe we were supposed to ask for more; I'm not sure. Not that any of us left unsatisfied by any means. If, like me, you'd relinquish your first-born child for good fried chicken, then grab some pals and get yourself to The Southern. Tell Nachos Jr. I sent you ;-)

    (4)

  • Veronica M.

    Yet another too cool for school restaurant with crappy food. I felt that guilty feeling when you eat McDonalds. I know southern food is not the healthiest but what I had was treasurer thing ever.

    (1)

  • Magen R.

    I've tried the Southern Mac & Cheese Truck a few times and have always wanted to try The Southern. A friend from out of town came in this weekend and we headed there for dinner. For an appetizer we started with the southern mess. It was amazing! I loved the gravy combo with the fries and cheese curds. I also really enjoyed how the cheese curds were seared instead of fried. For my meal I tried the country fried steak - it was delicious! A friend and I also tried the corn, it was awesome! I do wish they didn't serve it on the cob though, it's kind of difficult to manage. I also sampled the pimento mac and cheese which was great as well. Others had the crab cakes, the shrimp and grits and the gumbo. No one was disappointed with their meal. The only thing I did not enjoy was the bite of cornbread I stole from a fellow diner. It was very thick and not very moist. Not something I would order. I also thought the service was great and the ambiance was enjoyable. I wish it had been a little warmer so we could have sat outside or had the covers taken back (we were upstairs which can be indoor or outdoor). I would recommend The Southern - great eats!

    (4)

  • Susie L.

    I'd give it a 4.25 star actually. So, I usually come for drinks, but this week I sat down for dinner in their nice patio. Very casual environment, decent sized place. We started with drinks. The Trolley Dolly martini and Aunt Bee's Sweet Tea. Both were fabulous, and by that I mean strong. Our waitress was awesome. She was so nice and started throwing out suggestions even before I asked her. I love a good, loud, confident waitress like that. We ordered the Cornbread with Honey and Butter side dish $5... didn't think it would be anything special but wow, it was amazing! I don't know why I hadn't thought to try it before. The Friend Green Tomatoes $12 (should be priced around $9 though) were large slices, very tasty, the tomatoes themselves were a little hard.. perhaps not ripe enough? For entrees, we split the Country Captain $15 (roasted chicken, curried tomato sauce, golden raisins, coconut, almond, rice), delicious, kinda sweet. I'm a sucker for anything curry so obviously I liked it. We also tried the Blackened Catfish $16 (fresh catfish, hot spice mix, Three Sister's grits, Nassau peppers). AH.maze.ing . Kinda salty, super spicy, amazing texture between the grits and catfish. It was actually perfect with the sweetness of the chicken dish. Both entrees were large portions, right for the price for sure! I would recommend this place if you like great service, not too pretentious crowd, whimsy patio feeling on a warm day, and awesome food. Parking is easy too. Must try their brunch next.

    (4)

  • A S.

    I'm not sure I can add much to the 400+ reviews of this restaurant that already exist. I just want to comment on a specific menu item, in the hopes that someone in the kitchen will read it and take action. The item: Cold Fried Chicken Salad. Overall, it's good. It's fine. But it is CRYING OUT for hard-boiled eggs! It's almost weird that they aren't included. Also, the dressing could use a little zip. There is almost no flavor to it as it is now. I shook some Tabasco sauce on it and it improved it tenfold. Lastly, just so people know, you're not going to get big pieces of fried chicken in the salad. It is basically shredded fried chicken, with very little fried bits included. I'd change that too. That is all.

    (3)

  • Stacey A.

    Dear The Southern, Here are some things that I like about you: - Fried Green Tomatoes - The patio - $3 High Life bottles (It's the champagne of beer!) - When your servers actually bring you a champagne flute and pour your High Life into it so that you can properly enjoy said Champagne of Beers - The fact that you had a fried chicken eating contest yesterday - Your face Well done, you. I like your face. And the rest of you. Kisses, Stacey

    (4)

  • Jeff F.

    The Southern has a well-curated menu, and plays a great selection of legit Southern tunes (Skynyrd and Cash featured heavily tonight -- aka a return to childhood for me). The burger was excellent from the bun, through the copious pickles, to the double 4oz patties. The fries were great. For a drink, I had the Revolver (some whisky, some praline paste, what could go wrong?). It was good, but next time I might go with my gut and pair a beer with the burger -- they're meant to be together.

    (4)

  • Len L.

    I drive through Wicker Park all the time and never knew this Southern gem was here. I was glad that I was invited to a friends b-day party over the past weekend. On the first floor there a plenty of tables indoor and outdoor for dinner and the second floor had a few small bar tables and a couple of cabanas. The party was on the second floor which overlook the patio and North Ave. The entire night we had southern drinks galore, drinks like Kentucky Lemonade (bourbon, lemonade, sweet tea) served in a gallon jug with a spigot and Dirty Peach (Vodka, Peach Schnapps, lemonade). The bartenders were kicking the drinks out non-stop and was very friendly. The party ended at midnight and we were forced downstairs, other than ending the party early, I definitely had a very great time at the Southern. This is my new southern home.

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    Drinks are good and the vibe is right for a hot Friday night. But the best thing is the fried chicken dinner. For $19/person, you get fried chicken, mashed sweet poatatoes, collard greens, biscuits, corn. All were served family style and delicious! You can ask for more of anything. Service was just passable, as described by many reviewers, but they were nice and tried hard.

    (3)

  • matt w.

    I am writing this review based on a nice experience we had here just for drinks. I will be back and add to this review once I have dined here. We arrived and were greeted by a friendly host person, we asked for a seat in the sun, they accommodated. We were quickly approached by a nice guy who took our drink order and offered some feedback on the menu, We tried some fun drinks: mint julep was pretty qual and my lady had the drink with Hendricks gin and strawberries in it ( sorry I cant recall the name.. lets call it Ginberry ), she really liked this! I also had a Lone Star beer for 3$, which is a nice addition to the neighborhood since you don't see this Texas staple often up in these here parts.. I really wanted to try some fried chicken but just ate.. cant wait to come back!!

    (4)

  • Rob Y.

    Came here for the fried chicken dinner. The chicken was great! Perfectly seasoned and fried with a lighter batter. Lighter than you would see at a KFC or Popeye's. More authentic to a southern style fried chicken. The biscuits were also very fresh and tasty. The mac and cheese, grits and collard greens were good but not great. The service is a tad slow paced. I would come back here when craving southern food, but not for my birthday.

    (3)

  • Karen M.

    We ordered the fried chicken and a dish with collard greens and let me tell you as a north Floridian (pretty much Georgia) it was all delicious. Very good comfort food at a reasonable price, it cured my homesickness! I definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Angie M.

    Here's what you should do immediately: Gather up your closest friends and family to assemble a party of 6-10. Call The Southern at least 48 hours in advance and book yourself a family style fried chicken dinner. Chicken dinner is not for the faint of heart nor the calorie conscious. It's for people who love food, love sharing food and love seeing just how much fried chicken they can actually consume in one sitting. My fearless group of seven friends dared to attempt the impossible, which is finishing all the chicken that was served to us. We definitely failed. I mean, no group of seven people can eat three huge platters overflowing with fried chicken, can they? It wasn't for a lack of effort. The chicken was, in a word, heaven. I don't know if I've been on a diet for too long or the chicken really was that good, but damn if I wasn't singing the praises of the kitchen staff when I took my first bite into the crispy, crunchy, well-seasoned skin of my tender, moist chicken breast. Not only did I completely dominate a seriously oversized breast, I killed a thigh, too. No shame in my game. Along with the glorious fried meat come all the traditional sides like mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, biscuits, greens and black-eyed peas. I ate everything and I don't even like greens or black-eyed peas. I supposed when they're cooked right (read: with lots of love... and probably actual lard) anything is good. The 'taters were whipped to perfection. The gravy was delightfully slightly lumpy (just like Mom made!). The biscuits? Oh... the biscuits. They came to our table in a HUGE cast-iron baking pan. You pulled them apart since they were all cooked in one, big pan. And when you bite into them? Buttery deliciousness. I would die for these biscuits. Because clearly we didn't get enough food with the chicken dinner, we decided to order a side of mac and cheese. Here's my stance on mac 'n' cheese: If you're going to take down the obnoxious amount of fat and calories residing in a serving of the stuff, it better be damn good. Usually restaurant mac 'n' cheese leaves me less than impressed, but The Southern does it right. Very well seasoned (Tom Colicchio would approve) and super cheesy with a nice crusty topping. Well done, Southern! Something must be said, too, for the incredible staff serving us. I love it when a restaurant makes me feel 'well taken care of' and that's just what The Southern did. Gratis whiskey shots? Sure! Lots of take-out boxes for the oodles of leftover chicken and sides? You betcha. Smiling faces and great attitudes? Absolutely! Just an all around great group of folks working at The Southern for sure. So what are you waiting for? Indulge your inner fat kid and set up a family style fried chicken dinner. You really should. It's to die for. Just be prepared to take your stomach to the limit.

    (5)

  • Tera D.

    Really, I thought it was more of a 3.5, but I'm a sucker for comfort food so I'll bump them up. Went for brunch on a Saturday with 3 people around 11. I was worried it would be a long wait, but we were seated right away. The weather was good, so the patio area was full, but we sat just inside the open doors. Despite planning on not drinking, we were sucked in by the bloody mary's, which were pretty good. My friend and I split the shrimp and grits and the crab cake benedict. I'm kind of picky on shrimp and grits, and these were good but not very special. The crab cake benedict on the other hand was fantastic. Great lemony sauce, huge crab cakes with a great sear on the sides. Highly recommend, and a good dish to split since you get two and the crab cakes are so big. Need to go back soon, since there was a lot more on the menu I wanted to try!

    (4)

  • Theresa R.

    After reading rave reviews about the menu, I attempted to bring my family in for a meal on a Thursday night at about 7pm. We ended up leaving before getting seated. The noise of the TV and country music was so loud that the customers in the bar had to shout over it to hear themselves. The bar side clearly out weighs the dining section in size, drowning out any chance of a peaceful country cooked meal. It was seeing customers carry in fake pink cowboy hats that convinced us to leave as the bar patrons were clearly there for a night of drinking and noise making and not a meal. What does The Southern want to be? A bar or a respectable dining establishment that serves drinks with a meal? This particular Thursday evening it was a noisy bar. We at first left disappointed but found another great quieter venue near by that served great food.

    (2)

  • Jennifer P.

    Nothing special. The selling point is the huge patio and a decent beer list. The food is overpriced and mediocre compared to alternatives. I paid $18 for a burger and fries, of which the best part was the pimento cheese.

    (3)

  • Candice G.

    A skeptical 4, but I'll defo be back to give it another try. I think my carnal sin here was not getting the smoked gouda mac and cheese. In fact, a little tear may or may not have rolled down my cheek when I saw tables around us getting the dish that I had actually wanted to order. Next time, Southern. Next time. What we did get was the Dirty South Okra and the Shrimp and Grits. Both were good, but the okra didn't live up to all the hype, IMO. To me, the okra tasted mostly like the plain fried shell, no seasoning, not much okra, and though the pimento cheese sauce was good, it was hard to taste given that there was so.very.little of it in our teeny cuppy. There was barely enough to even canvas the bottom of the smaller than a silver dollar sized petri dish. The shrimp and grits were better, in my opinion, just not out of this world and I probably wouldn't flock to order it again, though my BF would beg to differ. But like I said, I will be back and I will be getting the smoked gouda mac and cheese, and I will likely feel the need to give a bump in my star rating. For bevy I got The Southern's Mint Julep... which I was so excited about until I realized that what I had in my head was a mojito. Nevertheless, I'm up for trying new things and this could be my chance to pretend I was at the Kentucky Derby. Erm, I kind of hated it. The mint flavor was so suttle that I thought for a while it was just a plain ole leaf in my drink and for a drink that was on the smaller side, it took me 2 hours to even get half way and then I had to quit on it. In fact, most of my drinking progress happened after the ice had melted, making the drink much more drinkable. Next time, I'm getting a Woo Woo, damn it! The atmosphere is adorable and perfect for the 78 degree night we stopped by. We probably would've sat outside but the BF and I were a little confused about the seating situation on a Thursday night (do we just sit down or do we wait for someone, is there even a someone to wait for?) but luckily we spotted some fellow yelpers belly up at the bar and cozied up with them instead. Next time, I want to come with a group, set up the fried chicken dinner beforehand, and sit on that gorgeous rooftop. All in all, we had a good time, despite having a few misses as far as our menu choices went. What really put the visit on the next level was meeting Chef Cary, who is smart and personable, not to mention handsome as hell and defo won us over by coming out to meet and greet his fan base. Loved it!

    (4)

  • Tim S.

    Still good. Southern Mess (aka Poutine) was delicious Tasty Burger was tasty - perhaps that is why it has the name Fish looked appealing on bed of creamed corn, beans and squash and a few Stormy Mondays (aka dark and stormys) Service was attentive and comfortable. My only complaint was that there seemed to be a bit to much salt for my taste. (I have been cutting salt out of my diet as much as possible so perhaps I am a little sensitive to it.)

    (4)

  • Jennifer Y.

    Brunch here is ammmazing. Decor is modern, country chic. I.e. like you walked into your southern bestfriend's modern but cozy home. The spiced donuts are a MUST to polish off a gluttonous lunch. Southern Benedict is a classic but delicious. Drinks are inventive and vary with the season. I had a pumpkin spiced hot toddy during the fall. Delicioso. Next time I have to try the fried chicken (why must I love fried food!) and Charleston Benedict. I will definitely be back. Maybe even for dinner or drinks. It's a great neighborhood spot.

    (4)

  • Charla W.

    I think the food here is just ok. However, this is because I have many southerners in my family who truly know how to cook southern food. This restaurant definitely did not live up to the southern food I have had in my past. I guess you could therefore say I came to the restaurant with high expectations. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice. Although the food left much to be desired, it wasn't just because of taste. It was also because of how the food was served. In order to try more than just your actual entree, you had to order everything separately as sides. This left the meal being expensive since everything had to be ordered separately. I have been to this restaurant twice and probably won't be back. I just didn't see what all the hype was about.

    (2)

  • Amanda Z.

    Worst experience ever. They had a bunch of drunk jerks there. One lady even threw her hat on our table and hit our waters. Our server came by twice, never asked us if we wanted dinner... This was after we had our appetizer for a half an hour. The menu online was old, but surprisingly had a day of specials. Wellll then. This was terrible, I was so angry when I left I was shaking. Should of gone to Smoke Daddy.

    (1)

  • Anne C.

    This place was packed for our late Saturday night dinner, but was surprisingly dead when we left around 11 PM. The staff is super friendly and the menu is small and a little bit confusing-- there is a Dinner section and a Sides section, but it's somewhat unclear what is intended to be a starter, an entree, or for sharing. That said, the food is all really good-- the mac and cheese is, of course, delicious and so was basically everything we ordered. I had the crabcakes for my entree which were light and flavorful and we also shared hushpuppies (I was skeptical about the smoked trout dipping sauce, but it was delish) and cornbread at the table. Great southern-inspired craft cocktails too-- the Dixie Cup and the Big Easy were amazing! The only reason I wouldn't give The Southern 5 stars is because some of the most appealing items on their menu (brisket, pork shoulder, fried chicken) are only available upon early request with a reservation for a large group. I understand that you won't necessarily be serving up whole roasted pigs on demand for random small groups, but you would think that brisket and fried chicken wouldn't be that big of a deal. It's just unfortunate because the menu is fairly limited and when you take those items away it's pretty slim pickings.

    (4)

  • Krsna V.

    LOLycakes: You wanna be my date tonight? Me: Hell the fuck no. Why do I even want to be in the same city as you? LOLycakes: Because I am inviting you to The Southern. Me: Alright, I have been meaning to try this place. I'll be your date, whatever. The mention of fried okra and Johnny Cakes lured me to Southern. Not to mention LOLycakes' unflinching love for me. We ordered a whole bunch of stuff. Poutine, fried okra, Johnny cakes, hushpuppies for appetizers. Gumbo, the southern burger, more poutine, braised pork, and crabcakes for entrees. Oh, the poutine! Where do we even begin with this thing? Melted cheese curds, gravy, fries, and bacon bits are pretty much what heaven comes wrapped in. I could give up sex for this poutine. Wait, scratch that. I didn't say that. The fried okra is probably even better than the traditional fried okra I had when I lived down south. If there is one dish you have to order from The Southern, it is the fried okra. The johnny cakes were pretty stellar. Pork, pickled cabbage served with light fluffy pancakces. I made johnny tacos out of them. The hushpuppies were pretty good. I did not get a chance to taste all the entrees. It is not polite to reach across a table of 9 to get a bite. . LOLycakes ordered the crab cakes. He was trying to be dainty, I guess. I took a bite out of the crabcakes and they were full of win. I tried to eat more of it because he is fat anyway and shouldn't eat all that food, but I felt bad for him. My gumbo was good. I was trying to get LOLycakes fat so I could make more fun of him. So, I ordered the Mississippi Mud Pie. A fantastic twist on a classic mud pie. Instead of getting him fat, I ended up eating most of it. In the end, I had to roll LOLycakes out of the restaurant to his car. I walked him to his car because I was afraid he wouldn't make it. That, and the fact that I am a gentlemen and I don't let my dates walk by themselves to their car. Repeat visits will be scheduled soon.

    (4)

  • Christie d.

    Awesome patio. Terrific drinks. Excellent service. FRIED TWINKIES!!!! Fried chicken sandwich is ridiculous. Beet salad - GOOD. FRIED TWINKIES!!! Live music. Good people. Great scene. Loved it. Did I mention they have fried twinkies?

    (5)

  • Christina M.

    yum...Went with Jenise R for a quick bite... Fried chicken sandwich had delicious breading. so crispy....gravy and collard greens, Oh my god. It was a little messy because u have to keep pushing the chicken into the bread but i guess it was worth the messy fingers. the side salad was great. Smoked gouda mac and cheese needed something...maybe seasoning. I couldn't find myself to finish it and i love mac and cheese. our server was super cute and sweet great service. NICE SPACE!

    (3)

  • Tracy C.

    I just had "date night" with the hubs at The Southern and we were sorely disappointed. I was really looking forward to having some fried green tomatoes as listed on their online menu, but the menu at the restaurant didn't even list them! But onto the meal... We started by sharing the cornbread with honey and butter and it was so-so. Nothing great, but not bad. I could make it in my kitchen. I got a Ginger Snap and he got a beer--both were yummy beverages. We also cashed in on the "Check-in" deal and got two free shots of bourbon. Not my drink, but the bartender brought it out and told us the history behind their bourbon (I guess they got to personally pick the barrel they wanted). Nice touch, but it didn't off set the food... The menu doesn't have an appetizer section. It says entrees, sides to share and then lists their big family meal deal that you have to order ahead of time. I ordered the hush puppies thinking it was a full blown meal of some sort since it was listed under the entree section. I got 11 hush puppies with artichoke dip. They were decent, but I would DEFINITELY not call it an entree. It was an appetizer. He got the some sort of stew (can't remember the name...something Kadoo?) which was rather tasteless. It was a mix of some pork like meat with corn, tomatos, potatoes, beets and a variety of other veggies brought out with a cup of broth which they dump on top upon delivery. Again, nothing special. Not wanting to give up we ordered dessert--again the exact name escapes me--but it was essentially two TASTELESS (I cannot stress this enough--THEY HAD NO TASTE) dark chocolate whoopie pies filled with some creamy unidentifiable white stuff. The whoopie pies were horrible. The white fluffy stuff sprinkled with bacon and peanuts that came on the side were pretty good. Needless to say, we won't be back. I'd say this place is good for the booze (they had some fun drinks listed) but not for the food.

    (2)

  • Amanda F.

    This place is close to home and looks cute. I'm a sucker for a low-lit patio. My friend and I decided to check it out one Wednesday evening. We showed up and asked to sit outside, and we were not disappointed! The ambience is cool but not too cool, like so many places around here can be. We enjoyed Southern- themed cocktails and food. I had the fried green tomatoes, which when drizzled with Frank's Red Hot, were absolutely fantastic. My friend had the 2-inch thick crab cakes. They were amazing. We also shared a side of really creamy cheese grits. I washed them down with Aunt Bee's Sweet Tea. This is essentially a Bourbon-infused Arnie Palmer. It is dangerously tasty! My friend's choice was the Debutante, a take on the margarita. The Southern added cucumber, and it was really refreshing. The service was friendly. I asked for suggestions and our waiter accommodated with excellent choices. Price-wise, it was probably a little high for the cocktails and sides, $10 and $5 each, respectively. But like I said, the food and drinks were delish, so overall worth it. Can't wait to try the whole menu!

    (4)

  • Troy H.

    The SOuthern takes Southern favorites and dolls them up a bit. No "low class" black eyed peas and rice, but hoppin john with extra. I can't fault them for it, and depending on my mood I can get peeved at it, but the food IS good, so they have that going for them.

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    I really like this space, but I think we just ordered wrong. And by "wrong" I mean that everything we ordered was kinda blah. And by "blah" I mean flavorless. I'm a girl who loves a good sidecar and The Southern couldn't even get that right. It was the worst drink that I have ever had and I had to send it back. Me?! Sending back alcohol?!? It's true. The drink that THAT bad. I enjoyed the poutine, because it had a spicy gravy and at the point that we ordered it all of the other food had been so uninspired that I had barely eaten anything (and we were almost halfway through a giant punchbowl!) I needed to grub. The johnnycakes? Meh. I didn't get it. The fried green tomatoes? This girl hates goat cheese and there's a big slab on every golden 'mater. Plus they were bland. The hushpuppies? Again, very bland. I thought Southerners used Old Bay in everything. Guess not. I also liked the fried okra, probably because it was the only thing with any flavor. As I said, I really like the space. The Southern has a nice little alfresco and an open air restaurant. So, based on that alone, I would probably go back. I might even give some of the entrees a try, but fool me twice Southern and it's shame on YOU.

    (3)

  • Ryan L.

    Dust off your Tae Bo videos, go through your closet for your trendiest Lululemon workout gear, you'll need it later. You may gain a couple pounds from just reading this review alone. Don't say I didn't warn you. Having visited here multiple times now, I feel comfortable writing this. They have a dangerous little special on Friday nights of $3 shots of Maker's Mark. Husky and I may have possibly boogied our way through a bottle or two. You can't go wrong with that special! The food here is pretty slammin. I feel like I'm right smack in the middle of the dirty dirty when sampling some of the dishes. I've tried most of the menu, so I'll highlight my favorites: Dirty South Fried Okra - as a stout meatatarian I'm shocked my favorite dish was this masterpiece, complete with pimento cheese spread. Poutine - Fries, cheese curds, and ham smothered in gravy? Why can't I eat this every day? My fans know I would, too. Oh wait, that's right, I'll get fat. Johnny Cakes - Genius! Shredded pork on cornmeal, with a sweet giardiniera-like topping (but not), is genius! Genius! The hush puppies are good also, but not as large as the ones I've eaten in the ATL, so just a solid thumbs-up. Chef Cary has visited our group each time we've stopped in. When I mentioned my disappointment in not seeing the gumbo on the menu before we ordered, he sent us a LARGE sample of it on him. Needless to say we were quite full and satisfied! Our bartender also has been super warm and friendly, making multiple visits quite easy. What a very friendly staff! With ample outdoor seating and excellent viewpoints for people watching, I predict this place will be popular in the summer. Though not quite like being in the dirty dirty, I bet it will be filled with people throwin' pretty-ass 'bos.

    (5)

  • Brett F.

    Oh Lordy, I just ate me up a storm!! The phrase "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse" certainly comes to mind, though in my particular case it would be more like, "I'm so full, I think I just ate a horse, y'all"... yep, put on yer expandable pantaloons and bring your kissin' cousins, The Southern makes good on fabulous feeding and in wholly gluttonous country fashion no less. Not for the faint of coronary artery, be sure to pop a Lipitor before ya head down South to get your good eats on. You'll need one after this down-home durrrty decimation... Try the utterly divine Johnny Cakes - smoked pulled pork, warm and scrumptious cornmeal cakes and 'chow chow', a tangy, sweet pepper mixture - they're the tastiest make-your-own piled up high little backwoods tacos you ever could eat! Highly recommended and fabulously executed... absolutely love 'em. Can I get a Yee-Haw?! Next up sample some perfect finger food in the Dirty South (fried) Okra app served up with a smooth, tasty pimento cheese for dippin' and the lovely-as-a-Southern-breeze Fried Green Tomatoes lathered in goat cheese and a lemon, caper relish. Trust me, even Idgie Threadgoode never had 'em so choice! Obviously not to be forgotten is the highly touted and uberpopular, Poutine. Can I be honest? It scared me. I wasn't sure what to make of this big bowl of mushy gravy-laden fries covered in bits 'o meat and fried cheese. Will I die if I eat this? Probably not, but my tummy might explode. And boy, did it! Super heavy, tremendously greasy, enormously unwholesome... and totally delicious. Gluttony to the nth degree! Plan to share the Poutine for your own benefit, there can't be anything safe or advised in having this caloric monstrosity to oneself. Small disappointments were negligible but materialized even so in dishes like the overly hot sauced and one-note Shrimp 'n Grits plate as well as the Family Style Fried Chicken Dinner only being available when ordered 48-hours in advance. Not to worry, I've already remedied the latter... field trip to The Southern full steam ahead! Keep the biscuits warm and the okra dirty, Outlaw Brett and crew are on their way back to this one horse town! Er, no horse town. I forgot, I ate the first one.

    (4)

  • Alyssa C.

    Amazeballs. Great brunch spot. I have been here twice for brunch now and I love it now as much as I did the first time. There was four of us and everyone had a great meal. We started off with the donuts to share, then we got 4 different brunch entrees and loved them all. The atmosphere was great - especially with nice weather. Great outdoor patio, but if you are inside, the doors are wide open and you feel like you are outside. I continue to bring visitors here!

    (5)

  • Aaron Jae M.

    It's a nice place and the service is ok. I went here for brunch on a Sunday. I had the duck gumbo. it was darn tasty. Hearty ingredients but a tiny portion. I felt like it was almost an appetizer. For $12 I should be getting more than a bowl of soup. I was definitely not full and definitely did not want to spent another $10+ on a second entree for myself. If there is one thing I hate it is leaving a restaurant hungry especially if the food was good. I think that they need to up their portion size and lower their prices, for what I had I would have thought it should cost $6, $8 tops if it was organic and all that other stuff.

    (3)

  • Dan E.

    So they bill themselves as: Kickassbar + Comfort Food. First, a review of the Kickassbar: All the drink categories showcase the southern part of the country and a serious penchant for quality. The beer selection features a number of craft breweries. Plus they sneak in one north of the Mason Dixon line: Three Floyds. The mixed drinks, likewise, are southern influenced and made with premium liquors. And they feature a geographically interesting wine list for those who are not into bourbon. To make a kickassbar you need music. I would describe the music as Q101ish. Despite the fact I qualify for AARP membership, my mental age is much younger so a pre-Creed Q101 playlist works for me. Although some in my party thought the music was too loud for dinnertime, I had no problem with it. My tolerance for loud music (ie deafness) stems from attending a Motorhead concert in 2001. Now for the comfort food aspect: Most of the reviews mention the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese but virtually everything is satisfying. I was there with a group so everyone got something different. If there are crabcakes on a menu I will order that. The peel and eat shrimp is impressive for the size of the shrimp. The burgoo is beef and pork on a bed of vegetables with a bourbon sauce. And the gumbo will transport you to Louisiana. And of course the hushpuppies are mandatory. Service is always attentive and friendly.

    (4)

  • Andre W.

    Good brunch here...who knew! I tried this place as Chaise Lounge and felt so-so about it. When I heard they were changing it to a southern type theme I was a little weary about it. 2 friends of mine seem to frequent this place quite often and they constantly brag about their experiences here. I thought this past scorching hot Sunday would be a great opportunity to take in the good eats as well as sitting outside on their nice patio. Was not too busy @ 11:30AM so we easily got a decent seat. Went with the mimosas to start off...pretty good blend of the OJ & champagne. Looked over the menu and did not see a whole lot that floated my boat, but I took one look at the Breakfast Sandwich ($11) and automatically knew that was what I wanted. The Breakfast Sandwich includes fried green tomato, arugula, scrambled eggs (I chose to go with egg whites), piquillo pepper and goat cheese....all I could say was outstanding. As I looked around almost every table has ordered that sandwich. I like this place and hope I can return to try their dinner & drinks everyone has been raving about! Nice upgrade from Chaise Lounge

    (5)

  • Bre F.

    Oh my goodness. I felt like I was transported straight back to Savannah, GA! Everything tasted like the most amazing southern cooking. We walked on this wonderful Sunday morning, and made it to here around 1pm. We were able to be seated right away on the patio since it was gorgeous out, and were given the corner table. Perfect for my group and our love of people watching. Anyways... I had the spiced doughnuts which came 5 cue ball sized doughnuts to a plate surrounded by fresh fruit (strawberries and blueberries for me - yum!) and with a coffee glaze at the bottom of the dish. They were super fresh out of (how ever they cook these delicious things) and they were still gooey in the middle! Just amazing, melt in your mouth greatness. I don't really like coffee but the glaze wasn't super strong and it tasted amazing with the doughnuts! And the fruit was the freshest fruit ever. The Sunday Mac n' Cheese was split amongst the table, and ohhh man it was delicious. It had smoked gouda, andouille sausage, and scrambled egg! I don't like sausage, but I still ate everything else, and ohhhh my goodness! It's perfect. There really isn't more to say about it. I can't comment other than they looked amazing and my friends said they tasted amazing, but the Southern M'am and the Chicken and Biscuit were also consumed at the table. Bad things, I can't give it 5 stars because of the service. We sat, and sat, and sat a lot. I hope it was mostly because our waiter was new, but I have no idea. We noticed a lot of other tables getting their food before us even though they were sat after us. He explained that the printer in the kitchen was out of tape for a minute and our order never got started. It happens, I know, but it took him almost 25 minutes to realize this. We also were not given a few beers that we ordered (but did not appear on the bill, so it was no big deal), and he was just very spacey when he was at the table. Nothing absolutely horrible, but just something to be worked on.

    (4)

  • Jacob G.

    Really big fan of their three dollar whiskey shots each day paired with a different beer. Wish the crowd was actually more southern than what it attracts. They should figure out how to better utilize the space upstairs, not a long of area to "hang-out" in at this place.

    (4)

  • Rhonda G.

    Maybe I was just in a great mood because of the weather, maybe I was just happy to be hanging with one of my best girlfriends, or maybe this place is just pretty awesome. Dining al fresco in the cute patio area made me very excited for what spring and summer in the city means...better attitudes all around. People were giddy as we all sipped Abita beer ($3 on special) and other southern specialties. Staff was attentive and quick to make suggestions (southern hospitality in Chicago! what?!). I also dug our servers handlebar-esque mustache. It seemed to fit somehow. At first glance the menu seems a bit limited but I think they offer a little something for everyone. Cute little crunchy fish tacos with spicy salsa. Cute and delicious take on this southwestern dish. If the only hushpuppy you know comes from Long John SIlver or the mall then you owe it to yourself to try the hush puppies with a smoked trout, scallion and artichoke dip,tasty! BUT the real star of the evening was the Smoked gouda mac and cheese ! Fantastic! I just felt very relaxed here, dining, drinking, and people watching. If only the south was actually as cool this ;)

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    This place is down the street from my apartment. Which would make it super convenient for me if I go there. And on weeknights it seems like it's alright and chances are there won't be a wait, but later in the week (Thursday-Saturday) I walk by this place and it's crazy busy. I get it, it's summertime. Chicagoans love their patios! But I just can't really justify waiting a long time for this place. The food is okay. I didn't have anything that was bad. But I didn't have anything that was amazing. The hushpuppies were okay, a little on the dry side. The chicken and a biscuit was delicious. The blackberry cobbler was a bust. Mine would put it to shame any day of the week. I mean, I still ate it all. It's not like it was awful, I just wouldn't order it again. 3$ drafts and 3$ shots of Evan Williams on Tuesdays. Don't mind if I do. Service was good. Our server was not very friendly or amazing, and at one point in time I think one round of our beers sat at the bar for a sweet minute before we got them. But it was in the middle of dinner rush, so I get it, no biggie. All in all, when my friends are trying to figure out where to go and were walking down North Ave...if this place isn't too packed, I'm in. But I don't think it's anything to wait forever for.

    (3)

  • Caroline A.

    I thought we were just going to do drinks here, and we ended up eating... a lot. And it was fantastic. Do not come to The Southern if you are on a diet. You are sure to break it. I was here with Ryan and Husky. It was pretty crowded on a Saturday night, but we snagged a table on the lower level. I started with two of their cocktails - the Dirty Peach and the Woo Woo. Sounds dirty, right? Awesome. I also tried their Diseno Malbec, which was very nice. Now the food. THE FOOD. We had: Poutine Cheese Straws Fried Green Tomatoes Hush Puppies I can't pick a favorite because they were all fantastic. I have to say that the Poutine was dangerously good. Chef Cary came by to introduce himself and talked to us for a while... what a super nice guy. I have to agree with MattLOL. It was the best part of the restaurant. I can see this place becoming a super hot spot this spring and summer. I will be back.

    (5)

  • Colin B.

    Rude man with shaved head, trimmed beard and glasses to move us from patio indoors. Barked orders at us, never smiled all night. Also, place is rather pricey for location and what you get. I'll go back to try food, as this price judgment is for drinks only

    (2)

  • Carol K.

    As a northern girl, I wondered if I was going to like the latest reincarnation of what once was the old Chaise Lounge. The Southern? Sounds so simple and, er . . . .south. After all, I loved the old concept and how could anything top it? Or so I thought before my visit last week. The space has been transformed. Gone are the white tablecloths, the communal table and the upscale, full plate menu. In now are high tops, booths for 6 and a rustic wood bar that will serve you a Southern beer, none of which I had ever heard of, but whose names I like to say, like the Southern Star Blonde Bombshell or the Abita Turbodog! Or how about some drinks with names like the "Woo-Woo" or the "Presbyterian"? The food is now more "comfort food" than anything else and perfect for sharing with friends. But those amazing outdoor spaces are still there- with the patio on the street level with the fire pit surrounded by tables, the roof top gathering area as well as the fact that all the walls roll up and bring the outdoors inside. This is truly one of the best places to enjoy the weather in Chicago. We had to try a little of everything as Chef Cary Taylor came out and described some of his favorites. We thought we would be taking a "doggie bag" or two home with us, but we seemingly ate most of it. To start with, we went with the fried green tomatoes, the poutine and the johnny cakes. The tomatoes were great with a large portion of goat cheese served on top. The poutine was the best I've had (funny- I never had poutine until a few months ago and now everyone seems to be serving it) fries drowned in gravy and topped with melted cheese curds- delicious. As for those johnny cakes, while not my favorite- my friend raved about the taste of that pork with the pickled tomato spread that accompanied them. And if that wasn't enough food- we tried the fried chicken special of the day, as well as the braised pork that just fell off of the bone. Be still my heart! The good news was by this time- there was no room for dessert or the mud pie or carrot cake might have also made it's way to our table. My friend said the food there may have changed his life. As for me? Do you think it's a coincidence that my speech is now peppered with words like "Y'all" , and "baws"? I think not. The Southern is one "fahn" restaurant, y'all! Now hush yewr mouth and take yewr kin there, y'heah?

    (5)

  • Jen O.

    The service here was excellent! The food was pretty good, but the drinks were ridiculously good. Very noisy due so if that's not your thing then choose something more quiet or upscale. Definitely fun for the younger crowd.

    (4)

  • Marina S.

    The service here was awful. Our waitress pretty much ignored us the whole time we were there. I looked around and saw the other wait staff taking forever to get to the other tables as well. The place wasn't that big and had a full staff. Their bourbon bacon bloody mary should not exist, and they should get a wait staff who checks on you more than once an hour. We were going to try the food, but the waitress needed to get our 3rd round of drinks first and didn't come back for minutes. We decided to go to big star, where the staff heard our story and helped move us up on the line to give us a better sunday.

    (1)

  • Joyce C.

    Tried the Kentucky Burgoo, the Crawfish Pistolettes, the mac and cheese and the cornbread. Burgoo is basically a stew with different kinds of meat (pork shoulder and beef shank) and a whole buncha veggies and potatoes with a thin beef broth around it. It was tasty and nicely done, but I wish there were a side dish or something else that came with it besides just that stark bowl. And, they don't give you a spoon for this dish, I guess you have to ask for it, but I ate mine with a fork. The Crawfish Pistolettes is basically crawfish etouffee that is ladled into two halfs of a small french loaf. The crawfish etouffee was excellent, just as good as what we'd gotten to try in New Orleans. It was flavorful, balanced and had just a touch of heat. I just wish there were more of it, and less french bread. The ratio was way off, where at the end of the meal we left a ton of white bread (without any sauce leftover) sitting on the plate. If they just sold this by the bowlful with french bread on the side, I would order vats of this stuff. The mac and cheese? Pretty tasty!! I had a much better reaction to this than the crappy stuff I had from the Southern Mac and Cheese truck. This mac and cheese was gooey, had some sharpness and was nicely seasoned. I would definitely get this dish again. The cornbread was not great, it was dense and tasteless. It came with a side of butter and a side of honey, but the honey was the clover kind and I wasn't a big fan. For $5 out came two sticks of cornbread, which I thought was overpriced and not worth it at all. So, what should be a four star review came out to three because I felt though the taste of the food was good, something about each dish (with the exception of the mac and cheese) needed to be tweaked. They do offer a nice outdoor patio and a good selection of drinks- I will have to partake in that when summer comes around.

    (3)

  • Amanda P.

    Went here over labor day weekend. Tried to book a cabana for a party but were told that it required a $500 min and could only be put on 2 credit cards (so basically impossible to split up), so we decided against hosting a party in a cabana. Showed up early to try and get a table, but soon found it's too calm downstairs, so once our friends showed up had to move upstairs. Overall Management was pretty nice about some of the "louder" friends of ours, I was pretty worried after reading some of the reviews on here, but they dealt with them pretty well! The only reason I am giving a lower review is that the party reserving process is insane, the only other option to reserve a cabana is wristbands at $33 a pop for TWO HOURS??? No other place is that expensive. And keep this in mind, the whole time we were there....the Cabanas were empty....that's right folks the precious cabana's were empty.

    (3)

  • Charlie z.

    Sooo can we say Bourbon bacon cocktail deliciousness?! I arrived at Southern with some friends to meet up with a few people. When we sat down I noticed a girl had bacon in her drink. Intrigued (mostly because I'd hook bacon up to my veins if I could) I asked about the drink. It was delicious. It was smoky, sweet, bourbony and bacony! Ok back to the restaurant. It is a casual bar like atmosphere with decent food and good drinks. The pros: The waitstaff was very attentive. They had a $3 beer special. The food was good. I had a fried chicken sandwich which had a slaw and a nice sauce on it. I also ordered the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was good, but it didn't blow my mind. It wasn't overly expensive. For my meal and about three beers my bill was $35 after tip. The cons: It gets a little loud. More bacon...on everything! As Arnold so famously said...I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Jo A.

    I've been to The Southern a few times since it's opening, and have been a repeat customer. I recently went on a Thursday night with a group of friends and had an amazing time. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share including the cheese fondue, hush puppies, Cesar salad, and mussels. Although every thing was delicious, I could have made a meal just eating the mussels and the fondue - highly recommended. For entrees, we ordered the fried chicken (with spicy sauce on the side), crab cakes, and piggly wiggly and shared. Crab cakes where packed with crab meat, chicken was very juicy and great crunchy skin, the piggly wiggly was super tender. If I had to pick a favorite, I think they make the best fried chicken (I like it plain without the sauce cause it was too much heat for me.) The portion was big as well. Overall, The Southern has delicious food, friendly service, and cool ambiance.

    (5)

  • Shauna D.

    This is a great place to grab an after-work "wind down" drink. Don't be misled by the name, (I was thinking over-the-top cliche southern pieces and accents to push the namesake) but the ambiance is upscale and relaxing. Simple style, low lighting, romantic and classy. I have not seen it too crowded, which is a big bonus. I have been there on a Tuesday when Estelle's was packed, and in the fine spirit of competition they offer $3 drafts on Tuesdays! Definitely a nice surprise. Bartender was very sweet and attentive. I have not eaten here yet but I'm totally that person that watches other peoples food go by and checks it out.. so far its all looked great and I will definitely have to order a bite next time. This might be my new Tuesday spot.

    (4)

  • Mary Ann C.

    We had been wanting to try the "reserve ahead" fried chicken dinner for a long time, and we finally got some friends organized to enjoy this meal over the holidays. It was fabulous and well worth the effort of making a reservation ahead of time. The Southern is a pretty cool spot, and we loved the huge booth that our group of 8 was seated in. We had been here many years ago when it was a different restaurant, and I like the current decor. Would love to come back in the summer and relax on the outdoor patio! Service was fine and attentive. The dinner....amazing! The fried chicken was served on a heaping platter and was delicious. Maybe not the best I have ever had, but it was certainly near the top. I loved the sides: mashed potatoes (yumm), greens (very tasty from someone who usually is not a fan), cheese grits (wow-would return for these alone!) and biscuits (simply devine). It was a great, huge meal, so come prepared to EAT! I am pregnant, so I could not partake in any of the fun cocktails. However, the cocktails got rave reviews from those at the table, and three of the drinkers were picky senior citizens! LOL! My husband had a manhattan with bacon, and he is still telling all of his buddies about it. Great spot!

    (5)

  • Anna P.

    I went to an event here sponsored by Redfin (entering the home-buying market - scary but exciting!) and so I got to try a variety of the food options and thought they were all fantastic! Also, the service we got for the event was top notch. The pulled pork sliders were out of this world, and the mac and cheese really is absolutely delectable. My personal favorite was the fried chicken sliders - an amazing little chunk of perfectly fried chicken with a pickle on a bun. Amazing. I stuffed myself silly with food and wine and felt verrrry happy afterwards.

    (4)

  • Katie C.

    This place comes close to being phenomenal. Something's missing--and it might be southern hospitality. Please, now, don't get me wrong. The food is amazing: the pimento mac 'n cheese, the fried green tomatoes, the country fried steak, the crabcakes, and the special fried chicken (order 24 hours in advance, ya'll!) have an edge on your home-cooked favorites. Even the mixologist knows what's up--last time I was in, I tried some special drink that was basically like an alcohol-filled horchata--and MAN was it deeelish! I called to make a reservation, made it, even called when our party was running late. When we arrived, our table wasn't ready. It wasn't ready for another 15 minutes. Punishment? Reshuffling of tables? New, naive hostess? Whatever. I'll consider that payback for our lack of punctuality. But then, when we were seated and I pulled out my industry card, the waitress came back saying my card was a one-time use card ONLY, and wouldn't return it. I'm pretty sure that if a different manager had been on staff that night (i.e., the one whom I received the card from), this wouldn't have happened. This definitely left a sour taste in my mouth, and quite honestly, there are other places I'd rather patronize who aren't gonna be shady like that. They say, "Third time's a charm," so it's going to take a little self-motivating to get myself back to The Southern to give them a shot at earning an extra star.

    (3)

  • Dom G.

    With a long wait at the bar and bartenders that were extremely slow...we were already off to a bad start. We were seated on the patio with a great evening breeze it served as a great place to hang with my wife and friends. The beer was semi-cold and the service was slow at best. We ordered the special, fried chicken with a spicy kick, and after what seemed like 15 minutes our waiter returned to let us know it was sold out. Something about only making so much "fried chicken"?? We had the mac and cheese...meh, I've had many better. The food over all reminded me of what people that are not from the south think southern food tastes like. Overall, not impressed and though the scene was hopping and the nights are right for this type of restaurant I will not be returning and I am pretty sure I will not be advising my friends to try it either.

    (1)

  • Sarah P.

    Love the Southern! Good beer options, tasty cocktails, and the only food I've had so far is the mac & cheese, but boy is it good! Some of the bartenders and waiters are super cool...Chris (a server) is awesome!!! The patio is amazing and the upstairs is all open as well so it's a perfect summer spot!

    (5)

  • Gary C.

    Maybe it's because I didn't wear my cowboy boots and hat, plaid shirt, giant belt buckle and Wranglers...The Southern just didn't do much for me. For however long I explored Wicker Park nightlife, I've always thought The Southern was some fancy-schmancy joint because of the exterior decor. I would always walk by and think to myself, "well this place is bumpin'." But I wound up coming here for dinner on a Friday night with a couple buddies and it wasn't anything like we expected... The decor is nice, especially the whole "turn the patio into an 'indoor' seating area." It felt a little more upscale than we anticipated. But something about the food just didn't click, and that's probably in part because the portion sizes were pretty small. With that said, the food prices were a bit high for what I was getting. The drinks, however, were decently priced. They're pretty much on par with other bar-types around the area. Yeah, maybe if I came back dressed up for brunch things would be better (they serve fried chicken for brunch!!). Until then, I highly doubt I'll be saying "howdy, partner" to anyone soon.

    (3)

  • Paul H.

    Great patio and staff! This place does southern food right. This place I would recommend for a casual hang.

    (3)

  • Adoley J.

    Went here for brunch yesterday and was highly disappointed in the food. We started out with the doughnuts for the table. They were a bit stale and the sauce that came didn't add to or compliment the doughnut. At the recommendation of our waitress I got the fried green tomatoes benedict. It was so bland. The breading was flavorless and the tomato was cut too thick. A friend got the crab cakes Benedict and was also disappointed. Another friend got the house bacon and that was delicious. Other than that I would only got here for drinks and to mingle and skip out on the food.

    (2)

  • Jonathan H.

    Fried Chicken and service for a 22 person table? = 5 stars. Well done. 1 star deduction for the Mac N Cheese. It was bland. It was unseasoned. I was amazed it has a truck of this stuff driving around in Chicago. We must have gotten a bad/unsalted/uncrunchied batch. The Fried Chicken was amazing though. The chicken breast were freakin' huge! Massive. They had a great selection of beers and I was very happy with the sides of Mashed Potato, collared greens and biscuits.

    (4)

  • Pierre W.

    My wife and I went to THE SOUTHERN!!(smile)... The reason I took so long to post about our visit is I was STUFFED THAT LONG!!! The food was good the service was VERY good. For the appitizer,we had Southern mess: fries, gravy, ham and cheese curds. They didn't have the cheese curds,so they served us Cheddar cheese instead. She and I made that stuff disappear!!! My wife had some crab cakes...I had some Fried Chicken. Both were VERY good!! The Collard Greens were good! I must add that some of the items that were had the pleasure of enjoying were NOT on the menu that day. I saw the items online,and they informed me that those items were not on the menue for the day..BUT they would make those items because I asked for them. NOW THAT was AWESOME 2 me!! It would have been easier,and perfectly OK, if she said those items weren't on the menue for the day,and offered me something else. They went out of their way to make sure that we were pleased,and COMPLETELY STUFFED!! I enjoyed my experience at THE Suothern.(smile)

    (4)

  • Kate W.

    Hello. I would like brunch. I would not like it to be served with any kind of healthy ingredient. I don't want sustainable eggs on a lovely bed of arugula. I don't want whole wheat english muffins with fruit. I want calories, and I want booze, and I want it now. Thank you. Came in on a Sunday around noon and were seated immediately. This menu is what I'm talking about. Fried chicken with biscuits and gravy. Breakfast sandwiches. Cheese grits. BREAKFAST MAC AND CHEESE. Um, yes please. I did, I went with the mac and cheese (hey, it had eggs in it, totally a breakfast food!). Lord all mighty, it was amazing. Perfect, really. It's Southern food. Think Paula Deen. Think butter. And cheese. And fat. And gravy. Think of wearing your stretchy pants!

    (4)

  • Gigi Y.

    Celebrated my birthday upstairs and the place was packed! Not in a bad way, but it's definitely a happening place on Saturday nights. It's too bad I couldn't RSVP the roasted pig in advanced, however, from the looks of it, it looked v. appetizing! My guests had a taste of everything -- but what stood out to me was their crab cakes. ( blue crab meat, shaved apple and arugula salad, dijon aioli) - DELISH. The only drink I had there all night was the Ginger Snap which was pretty good. If you like ginger and whiskey, def. give it a try. Be sure to check-in on Foursquare and get their 10yr aged vintage whiskey. My only (big) complaint was the set up of my birthday party - we put a "deposit' in order to RSVP for a certain amount of people, and it was a bit confusing when guests came in. Essentially what it was is RSVP'ing for a 30+ dinner/space where everyone got 20% off their drinks (which is great) but had to keep track & figure out what they had ordered in at the end after they've reached the deposit limit. :( Other than that, def. worth checking out! :)

    (3)

  • Tiffany T.

    SUPERFAB southern edamame. The flavor explodes in your mouth! I had the brisket, which was moist, perfectly done, dripping with sauce, and HUGE, I could only eat half of it, brought the rest home. Ambience great, I loved the casual rooftop covered outdoor space they have there! Small menu, so you know that what's on there they do well. Definitely will have to head there again!

    (4)

  • Liz G.

    Born and raised in northern Ohio, I've become a Southerner at heart. After extensive travel and some transplanted friends I have come to embrace all things Southern. I've even been known to develop a bit of a twang, especially when drinking. Eating at The Southern has been on my to do list for quite some time now and since my numero uno dining friend just moved to WP we jumped on the chance last Saturday night. Walking in the space was clean and chic, we were seated in the back with a great vantage point of the whole downstairs bar. After playing the 'blind date or not' game for a few minutes, it was time to get down to the reason we were there, the food. We started with drinks, Texas Toast & Cucumber Royale and hush puppies. The pups are served with a smoked trout artichoke tip that had just the perfect hint of spice. When all the perfectly fried pups were gone, I had half the sense to eat the dip with a spoon (that good) but I didn't since it was a nice place and all. The drinks were tasty as well, the Cucumber Royale a bit sweeter then I expected. Good but I wouldn't order a second. Next we ordered the fried green tomatoes, gumbo and the cheese grits. And my friend and I, who are usually chatty cathys, stopped talking for a good ten minutes. I think that silence factor is a great judge of just how good food is. The tomatoes were fried but light, topped with goat cheese and watermelon. The gumbo was spicy and flavorful packed with sausage, okra and other goodies. The cheese grits. Perfection. They just might make me move to WP, convince The Southern to open before work just so I can get a cup to keep me warm all winter. I think I would even invent a travel mug perfect for carrying and eating them. The cheese grits are the kind of thing you rearrange your life for. We were so full after dinner we couldn't even manage another drink. In fact I was so full the entire next day, I barely remembered to eat dinner. Oh Southern, I will be back and we can talk about those early morning cheese grits....

    (4)

  • Christy L.

    The Southern had homey comfort food, a robust drink menu, and options for gluten free dining. (GF options when we ate there: oatmeal, hash, crawfish & grits, and farmer's breakfast.) Get reservations if you can; our party of two would have had to wait an hour if we weren't willing to eat at the bar. My party tried both the oatmeal (fine, but nothing special) and the hash. The hash was delightful, a mix of roasted red potatoes in au jus with slow roasted, flavorful shredded meat. The arugula makes a nice accompaniment; however, the fried egg is the unifying element in the dish. I wished I had more yolk to go around. My bloody mary reminded me so much of a shrimp cocktail that I had to ask if they used shrimp juice in it; I was told that no, they just use a lot of horseradish. The drink comes with a straw, but do yourself the favor of drinking from the glass. The spices on the rim make the beverage really something special. I wanted to try more of their whiskey and bourbon cocktails, which seem to kind of be their thing. Another time!

    (4)

  • Jen G.

    I don't eat pork, and the menu here is pretty pork heavy. Totally makes sense. It is The *Southern*, after all. And yet, I love this place. The food is very rich, delicious, southern comfort. We generally go for brunch. I think I can confidently say they make the best cheesy grits I have ever tasted. I also usually get the french toast, which seems to change on the menu seasonally. My husband has tried many of the other items, and has always given rave reviews. I bet if you closed your eyes and pointed at the menu blindly, you'd be happy with whatever arrived for your belly. The drinks are equally delicious, and if you check in on Yelp, you get a free sample of their house bourbon as well. The patio is a great place to sit and people watch and hang out in the summer. They do have heat lamps they turn on when it starts to get colder. The inside is very well decorated in accordance with their theme; HOWEVER, it is most definitely not handicap friendly. They have a few booths, but most of the table are high tops with bar stools for seating. Service is great, and if you go when they aren't quite as busy, your server will probably chat with you about whatever questions/topics you can think of.

    (5)

  • Katy K.

    I really wanted to try a mint julep and The Southern did not disappoint. We tried the mac and cheese (awesome + comfort food), hush puppies (dry and the sauce was too lemony), and the Piggly Wiggly Brisket (fantastic). I will be showing this place off to family and friends.

    (4)

  • Rick T.

    My family and I had brunch here on a somewhat breezy October afternoon. We asked to sit by the fire pit since it was a bit brisk outside. With the heat from the fire and the warmth from sun, we were comfortable. For drinks we had the Jezebel which is their southern version of a Bellini...pretty sweet but tasty. Their Old Fashioned was spot on...very good, not too sweet and not too strong. Spicy Cinnamon Doughnuts along with pieces of fresh strawberries, blackberries and blueberries were a nice appetizer. Fried chicken & biscuit and Charleston Benedict (crab cakes) were good. My brother-in-law had the Southern Mess, which is their version of poutine. He said it was good although he would have preferred a second fried egg. Outdoor seating, tasty comfort food and our knowledgeable server made for a very enjoyable dining experience.

    (3)

  • Stacey P.

    A bunch of my friends and I came for dinner. Luckily, we came in 2 hours before a big party with a reserved table came in... so we made a deal. If we could get out of there in 1.5 hours, we'd get an immediate table for 7! Well, they were kinda rushing us which stunk a little, because we were out of there in like 40 minutes so nowhere near their limit... but we made a deal so what do you expect. I got the mac and cheese of the day, which was white cheese/truffle oil, I think. It was ok. Not great even. However, a friend also got it and LOVED it..... sooooo..maybe I'm a little defecto. Other dishes ordered: Shrimp and Grits (I give it a thumbs up, why didn't I order that?) Brisket ( also a thumbs up, that was probably the best dish) ... some other stuff I don't remember. We got to sit on the roof in a canopy type booth-- that thing was pretty cool, I must say. I really like the decor, especially of the roof. I'd go again, just order something different.

    (3)

  • Adam K.

    Really good comfort food, in a killer part of town, reasonable prices, very cool interior and exterior, neat little upstairs area, fancy drinks, attentive staff. This place should have a five star overall. Came for Brunch on Saturday, with my baby girl (6) in tow. Also a raspy voiced blonde kid, who would'nt know fine dining if it stabbed him with a salad fork. Then the drinks, I got: The Sunshine: So, I am on this low carb thing & I try not to drink beer as much. This drink was AWESOME. Tito's Handmade Vodka, Organic Carrot Juice, Lemon Thyme, Fresh Lime. Winner for me, did not stink like alcohol. Sage Advice: Farmer's Organic Gin, Fresh Lemon, House-made Blackberry Juice, Sage, Soda. Yeah, this is my favorite I have had here. Super tasty and gets you farked up. On the way home I was barking at strollers. Free shot of Evan Williams 20 year Single Barrell: Unlocked this on a 4square check in, it was pretty good. And the price was right. The food: Again, low carb thing, means I do not get full on one dish anymore. So now I am eating two dishes and leaving the cellulose on the plate. Look up cellulose, it is gross and in everything. Also my daughter is gluten intolerant and I end up eating half her food or more anyway. BRUNCH BURGER: Dietzler Farm ground beef, pimento, cheese, tomato, fried egg, hand cut fries. Got this for my nina, sans bun, cheese and fried egg. I actually did not order it without the bun but that is fine I would have discarded it anyway. A little happy accident. The fries were UNREAL. The meat was good, but we are used to organic grass fed beef so, you know. CHARLESTON BENEDICT: seared crab cakes, shaved apple, poached eggs, dijon mustard. Yes lord. I will be back for this one. The eggs were PERFECTLY poached and tasted much fresher than I expected. The crab cakes were divine, and they were not completely drowned in hollandaise sauce. Instead it was a tangier version with a dijon kick, I dug it. SHRIMP AND GRITS: baja blue prawns, Three Sister's Garden grits, cheddar, Frank's Red Hot. My raspy voiced blonde friend ordered this, I had two bites it was savory & wonderful, really wanted to scarf the whole thing down. But what is a grit? Corn. How long does it take you to make grits? About fifteen minutes. To see the whole exchange, watch; My Cousin Vinny with Joe Pesci. No carbs, right so I also got: BREAKFAST BLT: scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, roma tomato, red leaf lettuce, hand cut fries. These fries were not as good sadly. But everything else was great, especially the bacon. Overall, yes. I will be back.

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    I went to The Southern with 2 friends of mine. I hadn't been there since it was Iggy's, which I liked. I absolutely hated the Chaise Lounge, I thought is was too loud and annoying for the neighborhood. We live down the street. Anyway, the menu is a little small and not descriptive enough. But we thought the food and drinks were great! Our waiter was a dud, but we think an owner (our guess) came over a few times to chat and made me a custom drink, which was delicious! Apple Vodka, Prosecco, some more goodness, it was delish! The "owner" or whoever he was really saved the place. If our waiter had been good, he probably would have described the menu more which would have helped. Love the outdoor seating!

    (4)

  • grace s.

    Mostly, I'd advise DO NOT have a party at The Southern! My friend and I had a joint bday party here and I will NEVER go back! Our friend planned the party and said we had an option of purchasing $36 bracelets for all you can drink, but limited alcohol options and only till midnight, but we went for it anyway! Our friend then said the restaurant demands either everyone or no one had to get the bracelet...why this matters, I have no idea! When my friend explained to the staff we would like to but had no way of knowing if everyone wanted to participate, they made her sign a contract stating a minimum amount would be spent, aprox. $400. A CONTRACT FOR DRINKING BRACELETS, really?!?!?!?!? When I arrived, a dozen of my friends were already seated upstairs and we all had dinner and each had about 2-3 drinks a piece during dinner. Our waitress was rude! When all our first round of drinks arrived and one was left out, the person who ordered the missing drink asked about it and she said "They.Are.Working.On.It. Just.Hang.On." (very short). Why the other mixed drinks made it to the table, but not this one, I'll never know. She continued with her bad attitude for while. Having been a server, I understand when a bad night can take over sometimes and she did lighten up later and was actually a sweet girl so this was the very least of this places problems. Our total bill for the dinner was about $650 for the party. The bracelets we were not included in any of this and the drinks we had at dinner did not count towards the bracelets. We finished up dinner about 9:30 and then got our bracelets. More guests had showed up by this time and there was about 20 people. Unfortunately, b/c of the timing, only about 8-9 of us got the bracelets, which they just handed over to my friend to handle giving everyone their bracelet and collect the funds. Now my friend is working the party??? I got it b/c I knew my friend was forced into a stupid contract! When we paid for them, the waitress said we didnt meet the minimum $400. My friend explained we spent $650 at dinner and with the additional $300-ish in bracelets, they should not be asking for additional money when none of us got our moneys worth from the bracelets anyway. They made her pay the difference anyway. So disappointing! And side note,... dont order the mac and cheese! It was awful! Tasted stale and bland. I will never return to this restaurant!

    (1)

  • jesy b.

    Ok, so full disclosure, I had really low expectations for this place going in. Mostly because of the fist-pumping-beats that I've heard while walking past on weekend nights. And because of one inappropriately douche-filled night I unwillingly spent there a while back. I will admit that I probably judged too quickly on too little information. Someone else picked a spot for dinner for New Years Eve, and I obediently, if skeptically, headed over with our large group. Things started looking up pretty quickly. We were greeted, served drinks, and given meal suggestions in record time. The cocktails were lovely and the guy who tried the bacon Manhattan was beside-himself-happy. We got the hushpuppies to share as an app and they were perfect. I was unsure about the vegetarian options at a place focused on Southern comfort food, but the winter vegetable plate was amazing and so, so pretty! For $9 I really did not expect the level of flavor or presentation I was served, but it was a very pleasant surprise. Some of our party got cornbread that was a bit over done, but all things considered, our meal was great and very reasonably priced. The high-top tables and bar stools in the main room are perfect for me and the decor was fitting and not over the top. I will gladly be back to the Southern. ...but maybe not on a weekend.

    (4)

  • Robyn T.

    When your favorite spot is that good, you often forget to tell folks just how much you love it. In Summer, The Southern is THE place to be. It's relaxed vibe and southern charm help to make this my go to destination. There is nothing better than sitting out on the patio, sipping and Abita beer, and enjoying some of the seasonally fresh food (though I still am addicted to my weekend favorite the breakfast mac and cheese). I highly recommend planning ahead and celebrating with friends and family over the fried chicken dinner. It is ridiculously good! Family style dinners are wonderful and when the come with buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes, greens with ham, black eyed peas and fluffy buttermilk biscuits you can't go wrong!

    (5)

  • Santiago A.

    I really liked this place. I think it's one of the most well-rounded bars in the city. It's got the look, it's got the food, and it's definitely got the drinks down. I love beer, but if I'm in the mood for a very well made mixed drink, then this place is definitely on the short list. I like the Smoking Gun - both in name and taste. I liked the fact that they serve hush puppies. I love those things. This is definitely a place that you want to go with several friends to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Rating: 4.5 stars

    (4)

  • Martin R.

    Love the whiskey cocktails here and the fried chicken sandwich is superb. The scene on weekend nights after dinner is surprisingly fratty, though, which I wouldn't expect in wicker park.

    (4)

  • Emann B.

    Excellent cocktails and service with a smile. The crabcakes benedict were really tasty and the cream sauce was divine. Mix it in with the greens then top a bit of crabcake before popping it in your mouth. Cheesy grits could have been cheesier, but tasty nonetheless. My three companions had fried chicken, oatmeal, and the Southern mess...satisfaction all around. Loved the easy and comfortable space. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Whitney K.

    Let's go to The Southern, you say. I say, The Southern? Well, I'm from the South and I've been missing some of that good home cooking, so sure! Arrived for brunch on Saturday afternoon. Not too crowded, got sat right away. Walking into the space reminded me of one of my favorite bar/restaurants in Austin. So we were off to a good start. Then my southern benedict came. Oh no, no, no. It was cold. The ham was super tough and salty, which is fine if you liked cured meat...but not what I was expecting. The egg was cooked good...but would have been much better if still warm. Honestly the ham overtook the whole dish, and the hollandaise just couldnt keep up so it came across as dry. Probably my least favorite benedict, ever. Ouch, sorry. However, my friend got the fried chicken and it was delish. He shared because his plate was so big, and I wasn't really into mine. The gravy was flavorfull, and the crisp skin was perfect. Little bits of rosemary added just the right boost of flavor. Still love the space and will probably be back with more friends, but only at dinner because I am still thinking about that fried chicken. And because of the beautiful cocktails that other tables were ordering. Yes, a mint julep sounds lovely.

    (3)

  • Joanne W.

    I am a fan, indeed! The fried chicken dinner was well worth the price of admission. If you can muster up a party of 6 or more...I highly suggest you get in on this action. Me? I decided 6 was way too few and opted to dine with a party of 20 fine finger licking good folks! For $19 you will get a family style meal of: greens, black eyed peas, biscuits, mashed taters, gravy and fried chicken of course! The fried chicken was really tasty...moist, crispy and hot! The breasts are where it's at. Heh. The mashed potatoes w/gravy was my second fav dish...the taters were creamy smooth and the gravy had ham in it. HAM! The service for our large party was top notch. We were taken care of and we rolled out of there happy...and full. The $3 dollar drink specials also contributed to our very full bellies. I was digging the vibe that The Southern had to offer but what I was not digging was the mac & cheese. Spare yourself and get the Johnny Cakes instead. Southern, your mac & cheese may be we whack but for your chicken I'll be back! Holla!

    (4)

  • Dustin L.

    The food is amazing! I was blown away. The service was great as well. Our server knew her beers for sure.

    (5)

  • Jack M.

    All style and no substance. There are some great ideas on the menu. My friends and I got a Punch Bowl of Agave y Flores. For $56, it supposedly serves about 10-15 drinks, but when you fill the bowl with about 90% Ice, it serves about 8 drinks and 2-3 cups of melted, slightly pink ice. I guess I had forgotten about the merits of melted, pastel hued ice product. The menu was pricey, and the food was a letdown. I've spent three summers in Charleston, SC, and this is not exactly what I would call high quality southern food. I found the cornbread to be quite dry, and the BBQ brisket to be passable. The Mac Truck special was also just OK; It almost had a waterly, flavorless quality, and was definitely not in the southern style. Our waiter was pretty terrible, but I hate to cast a generalization of the whole place because of one waiter. I do think this is a really cool place to maybe grab a drink (light ice, please), and if the entrees were priced at a more appropriate point for their quality, I would have less of a problem. I does have a great energy, it just needs to back that potential up now.

    (3)

  • Alphonso N.

    Came here Friday June 27 for a friends birthday. Nice atmosphere. Pretty cool wait staff. I had the Odd Couple. Delicious. I got the brisket. I don't like brisket. I'm an idiot for that. Prices seem reasonable. 52 bucks for my wife and I. Will go back. Tried some of the wife's shrimp and grits. Oh my goodness! Delicious.

    (3)

  • Caitlin H.

    Don't ask questions. Just order the mussels. The drinks, service, and atmosphere are all awesome.

    (5)

  • Adam R.

    Amazing service. Despite there size, the entire staff is so glad to have you there. I had a great experience. Started with some great mussles. Ordered the spectacular off bone beef ribs. the meal was enhanced by the well made knob creek Manhattan.

    (5)

  • Tricia D.

    Since coming here for a bachelorette party in May, I have had this place on my list to try out the comfort food. Mission: order that mac 'n cheese! And alas, it was only ok. The two of us both felt like we could've made better mac 'n cheese (and I have... shout out to allrecipes.com ). The breadcrumbs were a nice touch, but it was a pretty ordinary dish. I ordered the pork and rice boudin for my dinner, and I totally feel like a (wanna-be) Chopped (a la Food Network) judge when I say this Each component of the dish was good, though it wasn't really tied together. As a whole, the entree was disjointed and kind of all over the place. Sausage - alright, but a little salty. Mashed potatoes - good. Arugula salad/giardiniera - ok, but salty. Poached egg - good. Bf liked the duck confit , but I agreed the black eyed pea casserole threw it off a bit, esp since the peas seemed to be a little underdone. Service was polite and nice, but Wicker Park has other Southern restaurants to offer that are much better.

    (2)

  • Diana D.

    A little high in price bar but with a nice atmosphere. If I have to pick a good bar to meet a friend in Wicker park I choose Southern.

    (3)

  • Amy R.

    This is a nice little spot for "re-imagined" southern food. We had the hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, and macaroni and cheese. All three dishes were fine, nothing fantastic. Both the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes were served with a remoulade sauce that were virtually flavorless. Nonetheless, it was a nice experience. It is a cute place and the service was good.

    (3)

  • Ryne D.

    I've done the big fried chicken dinner here a couple of times now (and a couple times just eating here), and now I feel better qualified to give a good review of it. First of all, if you do plan on doing the fried chicken dinner, you'll need to call ahead for a party of at least six (or come get it a la carte on Wednesday). Your meal will come with fried chicken, giant biscuits, and a couple of seasonal sides (we had mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts). You'll be offered the chance to order appetizers as well - while they are good, it's probably better to leave room for the chicken feast you're about to have. The brussels sprouts were top-notch, cooked perfectly with just a hint of bitterness. The potatoes were ok, but definitely enhanced by the sausage gravy they give. The chicken is crisp and juicy, but I think I was already having food coma by the time I got to my second piece. I believe they used to have a catfish on the menu, but I guess their menu changed enough that whatever I got before isn't there now. Their dinner items are a bit on the pricier side, but are of good quality. Be sure to check out their daily $3 beer/whisky specials. I had a nice draught of pecan cider to start, but realized that a couple bottles of Tecate work well with pigging out. I'm not entirely sure I would make this a regular spot - I'm not a huge whisky drinker and mostly stick to fried chicken when it comes to Southern food - but if you ever need a place to host a Friendsgiving dinner it's a great option.

    (4)

  • Marquetta S.

    I've been there twice once with my girlfriends and again with my husband last night. The food was great both times and the service was fantastic. The only thing is that both times they ran out of menu items before the end of the night. Would highly recommend.... just get there early!!

    (4)

  • Vincent C.

    We had the Groupon for brunch (2 entrees, plus either a mimosa or Bloody for each of us), and it was late brunch, so we added an apple fritter from Stan's (sweet, fluffy on the inside, just enough sugar ... perfect!) downed our drinks with brunch burgers, and finished the meal off with craft cocktails. The burger entree was AMAZING. First of all, you can totally make it two meals in one: I placed the top bun upside-down, slid the egg on top, and sprinkled it with half the bacon: Bam! Open-faced breakfast sandwich!! There was still PLENTY of bacon to top off the double-burger and pimento cheese (there was TONS of the delicious cheese), and knife-and-forking it didn't feel weird because the burger was such high quality that I didn't want to miss out on its taste of texture with too much bread. Oh, and the fries were just how we like them: crispy, salty, and just soft enough inside to contrast the edges. The service was tremendous; our server was present and aware without being overly intrusive, and everything came at a perfect pace. The hubby's gin cocktail ("Something Manly" .. no jokes, please) combined Fords Gin, Amaretto, Lime, Lavender, Mint Leaves ... incredible! My Rye Old Fashioned was impeccably built. All in all, a fantastic meal, and thanks to Groupon, an pretty darn good bargain! (And we'll go back an do it all at full price!)

    (5)

  • Angela G.

    I really liked this bar! I went on an evening when it was quite warm out and the patio was open, as well as the windows of the bar. I sat inside, but it felt like I was sitting outside. Nice ambience, good service, they had a $3 beer special for an Abita beer. Can't complain! I didn't try the food, though, so I can't speak for that.

    (4)

  • K S.

    Im only giving this place 3 stars because the food portion was way too small on the brunch menu for how much it cost. Although it was presented beautifully and tasted great it was not filling at all. We went here during the college football time to watch the UGA game. They were kind enough to even turn on one of the TVs to the Purdue came so our friends could watch their game as well. The staff however, in the upstairs area, were so slow. One thing I hate is my glass being empty. I shouldnt have to wave down a waiter. We were ready to go and I had to get up from the table and find the waiter again to close out. I plan on going back for dinner and will update my review based on that experience.

    (3)

  • Rachel V.

    My friends make fun of me because of my love for apples, but hey, at least there's ONE healthy thing that I like. Anyway, The Southern has a delicious apple salad. It's got goat cheese in it and really delectable dressing and seasonings. It's sweet meets salty perfection. I really want to go back just for the salad! And hey, any place that features a jazz band/parade on Halloween is okay in my book.

    (4)

  • Kelly R.

    Just returned from what is probably my 15th visit to The Southern over the last 4 years. I'll admit, it helps that it's in the hood, but this place is worth a visit even if you're trekking from such far-flung locales as Lakeview. Definitely get a whiskey cocktail (you can't go wrong with the maple bacon manhattan), and the shrimp and grits are always the bomb. On this particular visit we ordered a new appetizer called the hog fries that were just ... Oh my GOD. So. Good. Solid 4 stars overall for reliably good comfort food in a trendy setting.

    (4)

  • Ronald P.

    Thrillist told me that The Southern was one of the best places in Chicago for Mac & Cheese. On a snowy day, that was enough to get me to try it especially as I had to run some errands on North St anyway. My date and I had the hush puppies, chili mac & cheese, fried chicken dinner and kale salad. Well, she had the kale salad and I had all the rest (hello, Fat Ron). Everything was awesome ! I tried to tell my server that the chicken was just ok but the carnage on my plate told him otherwise. Put it this way, if you bring me a 3-piece and you get back a few bones, that means it was pretty damn delicious! For traditional fried chicken, this is my new Chicago favorite. Non-traditional is the duck fat-fried addiction found at The Slurping Turtle but that's a different review.

    (4)

  • John R.

    Tell your waitstaff upstairs that gouging $12 for the house cabernet to pad the tab was noticed by me and I will not be spending any more money at your bar. If it was an honest mistake, then get your sh*t together.

    (1)

  • Laura B.

    The service was incredibly slow. Drinks took forever to come out, even just a beer. The food was inedible to the point that 2/4 diners did not eat their meals. Nothing was done about it. Mac and cheese, a staple at a southern restaurant, came out cold the first time, and the second time it was flavorless. The crepes were inedible. The one saving grace seemed to be the bloody marys and the fried chicken benedict, which were delicious. Every single time we needed a server there were none to be found. Getting refills, hot sauce, our check, etc seemed to be impossible. I would not return.

    (1)

  • Mary S.

    I came here on a Monday evening after work to meet a girlfriend for drinks and a light dinner. I had walked past this place throughout the Fall when in the area and always wanted to try it out because the ambiance looked so nice. I had 515pm reservations, and when I walked in noticed there was just one booth occupied by 3 people....and that was it. I was therefore promptly seated in the bar area and waited for my friend. The waitress was very quick to come over and greet me, asking if I wanted to start with a drink so I asked her about what the good whiskey drinks were, since I'm not much of a whiskey drinker. She suggested The Good, The Bad & The Wiskey which I thought was very strong, but not being a whiskey drinker to begin with, still thought it was a great flavor. (My friend ordered some craft beer...boring.) The great thing about this place on Mondays is they do Mac n Cheese specials. So we ordered their special which had artichokes and goat cheese in it and was AMAZING. I kept telling my friend I could eat two more dishes of that stuff. We also split the Kale Salad which initially my friend said she didn't like kale, but I got her to try it, and she loved the spiciness to it. Again, I could eat that salad every day. We then of course had to order their pumpkin bread pudding...FANTASTIC! I'm a major lover of anything pumpkin, and this definitely was worth it. This place has a few negative reviews on Yelp, and not sure if people who were upset went on a night when it was crazy busy, but my experience was fantastic from the great people who work there to the amazing food. I would definitely go again.

    (5)

  • Erin W.

    This was really a let down. We walked in without a reservation and the host told us there was a 15 min wait but there were 12 tables open. The manager saw us standing there and immediately sat us. We waited a while for a sever but the food came out fast. The table next to us walked out because they had waited long enough for service. Another table next to us had to get up and get their own silverware. They had also been waiting at the bar for a table as well whole there were tons open. We got lucky with the manager approaching us. I have it 3 stars BC our food came out fast and it was good. We had the fried chicken and brunch burger. Both were on point but the service was so bizarre. They only have 5 items on their brunch menu so don't come here is you're looking for a light meal.

    (3)

  • Lucia P.

    Wandered in around 2:30-3:00 PM on Sunday and was told that I wouldn't be able to order food because the kitchen was "still pissed" that the brunch rush had been so busy. I'm sorry. It was a 3-day weekend (MLK on Monday). Yes, Sunday brunch is going to be busy. But so busy that the kitchen pitches a hissy fit and the bartender comes back from confirming this information with a wince and a *hand slices across throat* "Umm, nope?" No thanks.

    (1)

  • Dawn T.

    That hit the spot! I'd been craving shrimp and grits for weeks. WEEKS! And it's entirely possible to botch them...but let me tell you, The Southern got it right! We went full out. Ribs on one plate, Fried Chicken and Mac 'n Cheese on the other. I tend to like what I call "Old Man" drinks, so ordered up an Old Fashioned. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to order anything else now, though I'll at least peruse the rest of the menu in a vain attempt to change up my order. It was the first nice weekend of the year so the garage doors were rolled up and the patio was open. It's such a cozy space! The stools are obviously made for tall people, so I just sat cross legged on mine. Good thing I was wearing a maxi skirt. Sometimes short legs get tired of dangling all over the place.

    (5)

  • Chad E.

    The staff here is always so nice and welcoming. They're happy to chat with you about their beer selection, which is not huge, but well curated. Brunch is pretty solid here, not perfect but good, and during the warmer months they open up the entire frontside of the place and you can sit outside with your biscuits and gravy. Or gumbo. Or fried green tomato and egg sandwich. I see them tearing through a lot of their Bloody Mary bottles, so I guess they're doing something right with that. Mary's not my kind of gal, but if you get along with her, you should probably get one of those poured (or two or three).

    (4)

  • Mike A.

    This place is not memorable, tbph. The food was meh, the drinks were meh. Go here if you feel like meh in a nice atmosphere. Meh though. Meh. Fried green tomatoes were underhelming, and he mac n cheese was nothin to write home about. I see wht they are going for, but they are not quite gettin there.

    (3)

  • Cory G.

    FANTASTIC!!!! Had original brunch reservations at Another restaurant, that we waited 45 mins after reservation time, when we decided to come here and get a table instantly. We were sat upstairs at a great table with great service. Had a wonderful time with great friends and cocktails. Food was fantastic, the breakfast macaroni was amazing. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Noy And Alan T.

    I have driven by The Southern so many times and was happy to finally have tried it tonight. Overall, I thought it was an average experience. The service was good. We didn't wait too long for the food either. Ordered the maple bacon manhattan. I thought it was a fairly decent cocktail. I can't exactly complain about the price because coming from new england (CT & Boston)...any cocktail prices in Chicago is cheaper. We ordered the Shrimp boil and the Piggly Wiggly to share. The shrimp boil was disappointing. It lacked flavor and the dipping sauce it came with did not go well. Also, since we were sitting outdoors...it attracted so many flies! We tried to waive the busboy down to hurry up and take the plates away, but he didn't get the picture. The Piggly Wiggly was tender. I enjoyed that dish although I wished it had a little more flavor to it. I'm usually not a fan of grits but I didn't mind it so much here. For dessert, we had the blueberry johnny. That was probably the best part of our meal. It wasn't overly sweet and had the right amount of cream to it. I would be willing to try The Southern again...for their fried chicken. Looking forward to our next visit.

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    I went here for brunch with a large group of friends. We were unable to all sit together and had to sit in separate booths. We also had to put down a credit card to hold our reservation. We started with drinks. They had a good selection of craft beer and interesting cocktails. A couple people ordered the bacon infused Manhattan, which they raved about. The brunch menu was pretty small, but they had a lot of interesting options. I decided on the fried chicken because of the waitresses suggestion. It was perfectly crunchy and buttery and came with sweet potato home fries. It was a very small piece of $14 chicken with a cold poached egg on top. Also, we had to wait a very long time for our food. I also tried the Mac n cheese. It had a very smoky flavor and was adequately cheesy, but it was not my favorite. Overall, the slow service and small portions were a turnoff.

    (2)

  • Pyro P.

    The Mac & cheeze is delicious and the MVP of Southern. The drinks were forgettable, the bartenders were nice but didn't seem to know any of the specials or the day of the week. The fried chicken was good but overhyped IMO. would come again for the Mac and cheeze if I happened to be in the neighborhood

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    I gave this place another try and was underwhelmed. It was a Thursday, so the fried chicken was their special. I was told the hot sauce was four times hotter than anything I'd ever had and was like hell. So I opted for it on the side. The meat was all dark and full of ligaments. Plus it was overcooked -- the whole thing was hard to pierce with a fork. I've definitely had better from chicken shacks at half the price. We got fries for the table, and those were actually pretty tasty. Service was good, but the place was nearly empty. The time I was here before that, the service was terrible. We made a point at the beginning before we ordered to ask for separate checks (to be nice), and we were treated poorly for the rest of the meal. Then she rudely made a big deal about showing us our separate checks at the end. Unnecessary. They have a beautiful patio, and it's a great space. But there are much better places to get this kind of food in the city.

    (3)

  • Harold S.

    Great southern food and first class service. Fried chicken and steak were outstanding dishes. Our steak came to us over cooked. When the staff were told they replaced it and removed the charge. This is good management. We will return with more guests. Harold S.

    (4)

  • Lois A.

    Don't have any reason to return. $16 steak benedict had 4 tiny slices of steak and little flavor. The kicker was that it took 30 minutes to get our drinks. Nothing like being given your drink when you are halfway done eating. Also, being told by the hostess that it may be awhile before your server can come to your table is never a good sign when you are sitting down. Get yourself together and hire enough people. Also...that bloody mary had zero kick. Very bland. My husband's bloody at least had an olive garnish but I wasn't so lucky. After waiting 30 minutes I think I deserved an olive too. I could have walked to Smoke Daddy, bought a bottle of bloody mary mix, came back and and made one for myself in the time it took. And THAT would have tasted good. What gives??

    (2)

  • Crystal J.

    My hubby and I went here on a Saturday night. It was bustling and the bar was packed. We sat down for dinner and cocktails, and what a treat! The Food Was well prepared, and the drinks were bangin! I suggest the Fallen Apple, it was delicious! We had the Hog Chili fries...the was so flavorful and tender. And due to chili cheese fries being an addiction of mine, it was my fave for the night. My husband had the alligator gumbo, and ate the whole bowl. The fried chicken was okay, and the shrimp and grits were alright (lacking in flavor somewhat). But the service and atmosphere made up for that. The food is good, but the drinks and service are the shining star at this establishment. We will definitely be coming back with friends!

    (5)

  • Mary F.

    Went here with my husband and kids using a Groupon. Having read all about the fried chicken and honey corn bread, we ordered four entrees, two fried chicken, one pork chop, one risotto. The pork chop and risotto were great, both perfectly cooked and nicely served. But the fried chicken -- it was terrible. It was SO salty, we couldn't eat it. My kids, who LOVE fried chicken -- ate two bites and then pushed it aside. It was absolutely inedible. And the cornbread was burned black on the outside. When we complained to the waitress she (literally) said "Chefs eat a lot of rich food during the day so they don't really taste the salt when they are making food. Sorry" (!) If we hadn't been using a Groupon, we would have asked for our money back, the chicken was that bad. I can't believe a restaurant that advertises itself as a place for fried chicken would serve something that salty, but they did. I'd probably go back again with a Groupon, but wouldn't order the fried chicken -- we had ours wrapped to go but then had to throw it out because even after running under cold water, the salt just ruined it. And the corn bread was so burned we had to throw that out too. So -- we had two good entrees and two terrible ones. Atmosphere was fun, but a little noisy for a family.

    (2)

  • Meredith B.

    I only had cocktails here, so feels somewhat unfair to review, but my friend and I were definitely inspired to come back for food! Our server was friendly in that fun way that almost makes you wonder if he's flirting. Whiskey seems to be the specialty here on the cocktail menu, and the bar was decorated with what looks like the tops of whiskey barrels. The whole atmosphere is sort of Southern country casual. Country like a back porch with a bottle of bourbon. They have a great patio, but we were too chilly. Our server seemed quite knowledgeable about the bourbon, but so was my friend so she was immune to his speech about the whiskey weekly special and got her favorite one. They can make their whiskey cocktails with whatever you choose, so her Old Fashioned got a $2 upcharge but was worth it to her for it's smoky, complex flavor. I can't deal with the stuff so don't ask me, but she loved it. I got the Prairie Rose with gin, lemon, orange liqueur, and Luxardo bitters. This was a strong drink, for sipping and not for chugging. It was well crafted and memorable. Packs a punch! I think my drink was $10, fair enough for something so good and with the strength of two crappy cocktails. We can't wait to come back for more drinks and some comfort food.

    (4)

  • Morgan N.

    The Southern mac & cheese is AMAZING! That's usually my whole dinner when I'm there. They also have an extensive whiskey list and the bartenders are very helpful in making a suggestion. The Southern shines in the summer time with their outdoor seating and they take down the glass that faces the street. The crowd has been pretty mixed with hipsters, young professionals, and residents from other parts of the city or out of town. They've also started doing brunch which is decent, but good if don't want to wait for hours for a table like at the Bongo Room.

    (4)

  • April K.

    We had such a wonderful time here for a late Mothers Day brunch. The food was excellent and atmosphere was amazing! Ben worked there today and gave us the best southern hospitality we have ever had!!! The apple pie was a delightful ending to this southern experience. Thumbs up for sure!!!

    (5)

  • samantha b.

    I usually really like this place, but I just went today and the hostess was completely rude. So bad we just had to walk out! The place had about 5 open tables and she refused to seat us for another hour and a half. She said it was because she had reservations in one hour and she needed to make sure they were all open. I'm pretty sure it only takes two people one hour to eat. So upset by their service, the hostess sets the mood for people walking in and if they want people to come I and stay I hope they fix their attitudes before coming into work. To make matters worse she was texting the whole time!

    (3)

  • Johanna O.

    This food is very not great. Lol. The appetizer Nashville Hot wings are just hot. No flavor. Just hot. Then the main course "fried chicken" is flavorless. Absolutely flavorless. There isn't an ounce of garlic powder, salt, or onion powder in sight! This chicken just tastes fried. I wouldn't waste my time at The Southern.

    (1)

  • Fa R.

    Love! Love!love! This place! Did a Sunday brunch with 11 people and the staff was so accommodating! I made a reservation 4 days ahead and everything was set! Food is amazing and very well priced for wicker park area! Southern chicken, biscuits with gravy, and mimosas are so delicious and great portions for price! Our waiter John was funny, accommodating, had all our orders correct and helped us pick great drinks! Fun outside patio and able to open doors/windows all the way so you feel outside ambience! WISH they would open upstairs area for small groups

    (5)

  • Benjamin D.

    I've been three times now and can safely say that while the place has a decent patio, it really is too pricey and mediocre. Of course i'm going to love a "Bacon Manhattan" but beyond that, the food is dull, the service isn't top tier, and the prices are a bit much. My girlfriend went to Georgia so of course I will have to go back during football season, but I'll be sure to eat elsewhere first and just stick to beers. Such a shame because when taking on the idea of "southern" cooking, it really has the potential to be great. Maybe one day they'll bring a manager up from some famous bbq house down south to run this place properly. Sorry Southern.

    (2)

  • Steven M.

    I tried the Boudin Blanc. It's definitely not what I think of when I hear boudin (I'm from Louisiana), but it's a good solid sausage plate. I'd recommend it. I also tried their spicier bloody mary (don't remember what they called it) and it was alright. Nothing too special, just spicier than normal.

    (3)

  • Greg H.

    Food okay. Service okay. Not impressed, but maybe I'm just not a fan of southern food.

    (2)

  • Greg R.

    Great time at the Southern watching UGA thump the Gators. The southern put on a special low country boil which was perfect! Always great food, great drinks and great service! Keep going back to this place over and over again.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    I'm a Southern girl trapped in a Northern world, and I'd been waiting Forever & Ever (Amen) to try The Southern out for dinner. On the weekend of my 30-something-ist birthday, I decided it was time. I called the required 24-hours ahead of time & reserved the Chicken dinner for a party of 6, and man am I glad that I have friends that are willing to eat very, very unhealthily on a special occasion. We were seated promptly, ordered some delicious drinks (I went with the Yellow Rose, YUM) and the Hush Puppies as an appetizer while we waited for the others to arrive. The Hush Puppies were great... they were small, crispy nuggets, which I love. I don't like when they're all big and mushy in the middle. Moving on to the main point of this review... the chicken. Oh, the chicken! They bring out a HUGE, GIANT, ENORMOUS (did I say HUGE) plate of golden, crispy chicken. Bowls of collard greens, sweet potatoes, a plate of biscuits (with honey) and a plate of corn on the cob... oh man. I was in heaven. Literally, every single thing I ate was fantastic. The crust on the chicken was some of the best I've ever had, and trust me. I've eaten a lot of fried chicken in my day, made by grandma's, mom's & just great southern chefs in general. This shizz was amazing. The only sounds you heard at the table were "mmmmm" and "oooooh" and "pass me some of..." for a good 30 minutes. And in case we didn't have enough fried stuff by now, they brought out a deep-fried Twinkie with a candle for dessert. I've never ever been tempted to try one of those (yes, I even resist at state fairs), but I figured what the heck and dug in. It, too, was delicious. Our server(s) were super friendly, funny & accommodating... the drinks were great... dinner was delicious. I won't be back anytime too soon for fear of hurting my arteries more, but for a special occasion sign me up! But you (yes, you) should go in my absence. It's so good.

    (5)

  • Mikey M.

    I lived down South and their take on Southern food is not bad but I've had better. The atmosphere of the place is pretty yuppie as well with no shortage of bros popping in after 9-10pm and it isn't a quiet, chill environment so you will be talking louder than usual to get heard. Service wasn't bad but for any parties above 5, servers take longer than usual to fill drink orders and followup on meal orders. On the up side, we didn't have to wait long to get seated and the staff was prompt in setting up a table and getting our bill processed and done.

    (2)

  • Brigit T.

    I love going to the Southern! The staff is extremely friendly and I enjoy chatting with the bartenders. The atmosphere is fun too - especially in the summer when they open the garage doors on the side of the dining area to expand their already great patio. I have been here on weeknights and on weekends, and especially enjoy the "Industry Night" on Sundays for other people who work in the bar and restaurant industry. I like the variety of the menu that changes every few months, and always enjoy the tasty southern-themed drinks. The servers are great at making suggestions if I'm not sure what I'm craving, and have never lead me astray. Even one of the managers always come by to see how I'm enjoying my food and drinks, which is always a nice added touch! I've always enjoyed myself and can always count on great company when I visit The Southern! Thanks to the staff of The Southern for all your hard work and making your bar/restaurant a place for all to enjoy!

    (5)

  • Elina S.

    Okay, I wanted to LOVEE this place, but it fell just a tad short of like. I usually love all southern food, had a food ball at New Orleans and pigged out on just about everything so I was really hoping for a similar experience here, but that's okay, I'm still happy that I went with a group of ten to try the fried chicken feast. I made reservations and they were very accommodating to us. When we arrived, there was only 5 of us but they let us get seated even without a complete party, so yay for that. I love when restaurants do that, so keep that up Southern! Once everyone got there, our server was very nice and asked if we were ready for our pre ordered feast to start coming out and I said absolutely. And so it started, we first received a bunch of warm cheddar biscuits, and boy were they huge, like wow, and we got more than the amount of our party. They were yummy, served with butter and honey, but they were probably my faves of the night so I could have done without the butter. Then came the greens, which were like spinach with bacon pieces and they just didn't do it for our party, they didn't look good, nor did they taste yummy. We also got the cheddar grits and the potato salad. The grits weren't bad at all, but the potato salad was gross. I would have preferred mashed potatoes and corn on the cob for that Southern experience. Now onto the main course, the fried chicken. Wow, they definitely prepared enough to feed an army of 20 not 10 of us, with only 3 guys, and you know how ladies eat. The chicken was tasty for fried chicken but I would have preferred a little more flavor or spice. The breading was delish but it definitely isn't the best fried chicken I've had in Chicago. Overall, we had a nice time. There was plenty of food leftover so you get your money's worth for $19 per person, but I just didn't love it in terms of quality of food. We were too full for dessert, and felt like I needed a cold shake to push down all the chicken that was stuck in my tummy. Southern, you have a very nice staff but you could do a little better with your food. But, if I do come back, I'm ordering a la carte and trying those Johnny Cakes.

    (3)

  • Casey F.

    I've been to the Southern several times, a few to eat, a few to drink. The first time I ate here I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Is it amazing? No. But considering it's a bar and I got tasty jambalaya here, it was pretty good in my book. I've also been for brunch, which I won't ever do again. The food was just ok and it was really expensive for what you get. I got eggs benedict, and it was super small and came with no sides and was $14. I was still hungry when I left, which is not ideal when you are hungover trying to get your greasy fix. Cocktails here are good but expensive. I do appreciate the $3 High Lifes, I believe on Fridays, you know for those classy kind of nights.

    (3)

  • Anne F.

    Nice patio that allows for some super chilling during those hot Chicago nights. Nothing really special after that: the crowd never gets crazy interesting nor are the prices cray cray high. I have been struggling to write this review for a bit because The Southern is a place that just makes you say, "Ho, hum."

    (3)

  • Heather P.

    Smaller inside than I had envisioned it. I remember it as Chaise Lounge and so that's what I was expecting, but it was a lot more rustic. Dark, refurbished wood high top tables with hooks for purses, nice touch. I didn't bother to check out the upstairs; which is unfortunate since I'm pretty sure that's where the character is. Service was excellent. Our server was very attentive, apologetic for things he didn't need to be apologizing for, he offered great tips on apps to try and drinks not to be missed. I asked about the bacon manhatten and he went through the entire process of how they come up with the seasonal drink menu. Apparently, the bacon manhatten is required to be on year-round because it's so good. I got a little of the smokey taste, but otherwise it was just a piece of soggy, booze soaked bacon in a strong bourbon drink, not complaining though. The mac and cheese was slightly underwhelming. Good, but the cheese sauce was a little thick and goopy if that is a clear enough description. The shining star of the experience was the crawfish and andoulie fondue. Creamy, spicy, warm and hearty. This is an absolute must order any time you are choosing an app at The Southern.

    (3)

  • Candy P.

    My husband and I gave a couples shower on the rooftop. We can not say enough about how accommodating Alette (event planner) was from the start. We had 30 guest, the food was great but the friendly, professional and attending service was outstanding! Alette, Ethan and the bartender out did themselves! Thank you!

    (5)

  • Marlon F.

    I thought I would like The Southern a whole lot more. The menu seemed too small for my liking and too put together. Although I like the fact that you can choose a fare amount of sides. I just wished this place had a variety of dishes, or more MEAT options. I was disappointed that the fried chicken is served only on Thursdays, although the waitress mentioned they have it on Wednesdays too. Anyway, it was our first time (party of three) at this place. The lack of a menu made it hard for us to figure out what we wanted. We almost decided to just drink and go some place else. We ordered Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ales (my new FAV) for $7, and today (Sunday) there was a special for $3 Maker's Mark shots. Pretty good sized shots I must say. Finally, we ordered the smoked mac and cheese, collard greens with bacon and the N'awlins Style Debris sandwich. The mac and collard greens were really delicious, and I loved the sandwich as well. I shared this meal with one of the members of my party. Another member of our party ordered shrimp and grits, I tried some and thought that dish was really good as well. I'll have to come here on a Thursday when fried chicken is served, otherwise the menu is a little scarce. I wanted a variety of different options to choose from. Where's the biscuits, gravy, mashed potatoes, cornbread, various meats and why not serve fried chicken everyday? All in all, the food was great, I will be back, I just wont be in a rush to get back.

    (3)

  • Grace M.

    Great patio but they close it up at midnight, so don't get too comfy. Note: that's not by choice, its a law they have to enforce so I won't hold it against them.

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    The joint's booked up, the menu is wet. Cramped with no coat hangers calls for a change of tables. The dish names invoke a pipe dream of sultry heat that only our country's lowlands can afford and only bourbon and barbecue can cure. Garage door portals make the Milwaukee strip a peep show, inside and out. My favorite style of water pitcher and napkins indicative of quality can't make up for the Boston and Kansas concert in Chicago being changed to the Chicago and Kansas concert in Boston. Superb warehouse-style lighting appeasing but appeasing a particular crowd stuffs the atmosphere into a dark duffle bag. Were it warmer, the patio would be a welcoming option. Perhaps upstairs is more tame. Lower level akin to anthems called into the lushed-up night by a generation of young professionals. I feel as though I keep seeing the same persons enter the door again and again. Louisiana's Pure Crystal Hot Sauce. The waitress asked, "how does everything look?" Can you return an order to the kitchen based on looks alone? This is unappealing to my visual palate, miss, send it back posthaste. A house of sour milk cornbread lay atop a sturdy foundation of mussels. Content with the plot of my own bowl but my accompaniment's slim portion was dismally reflected in his face. A spoonful of everything around the table as hardened familial rituals often go. Glance shifts, taught mouths, brows furrowed with finales of shoulder shrugs. It would seem flavor decided not to join us this evening. Crab chowder tastes of the late record holder for oldest geezer in the sea, they had him to hobble into the pot at knifepoint. Supplement the emptiness with lost bread and sides. I keep at the dredges of the mussel bowl in a desperate attempt to unearth that wallop of gusto; unresolved. The cornbread was like a trip to Florida. Sure it's kind of lousy, but it's still a vacation. Lost bread was semi-redemptive in the way a kid says sorry when forced into an apology. If not for the mustard, the corn dogs would be as bland as Sunday morning mass north of Vegas, a second-rate preacher's sermon. Overpaid, underwhelmed, left still-seeking. Marketing attempts came with the cheque. I should be smiling in resplendent joy after giving up two hard-earned Jacksons but we all sit sullen, utterly lacking. Claiming southern soul can be a sin when the slightest tinge of love was absent in everything I put in me save the beers.

    (2)

  • Aimee T.

    Walked into The Southern for a Derby Party and was greeted nicely by the host and complimented on our attire, we had a group of 8 donning hats and/or pastel dress shirts. We had mint juleps at the downstairs bar that were hand crafted with the appropriate little ice cubes and hand shaken mint. Perfect Julep (not the case at the last derby bar party we left due to lameness)! A + for the bartender and hostess. We then proceeded upstairs and Benjamin, the manager noticed we had a big group and were in need of a table so he offered up the porch area that overlooks the downstairs patio. We had so much fun and were able to see the entire party and tv in our own little private section. He checked on us every 15 minutes or so and made sure we were well taken care of. Empty glasses and bottles were cleared minutes after putting them down and we had the best mac and cheese ever! Benjamin was awesome and brought out a delicious strawberry/biscuit desert we all shared and loved. We had such a great day and I know it was because we had a great venue and great service to celebrate. Much thanks to Benjamin and The Southern for a super fun bday/derby day. Service, Food, and Drinks-A+

    (5)

  • Megan W.

    The food really is hit or miss. We got the French toast and it was aesthetically gorgeous; however making it out of a thin baguette made it almost impossible to cut and we could only eat the middle third of the bread. Tenderloin hash was pretty good. The crown jewel of my life was the fried chicken eggs Benedict. Seriously only get that when you come here you don't need anything else

    (4)

  • Eugene E.

    Solid 4 stars. The term Southern can totally take on different parts of the south to use as a basis. I felt this was more like a Georgia, closer to Savannah. Not vegeterian friendly *and didn't go with these intentions* however, typically can get by with an offering along the lines of (vegetables, veggie burger option, etc.) - but struggled a bit. Nicely surprised by the Fried Green Tomato option. A pricey but good mac + cheese. I felt the cornbread was slightly dry, but did have a good base flavor. The drinks were on point and service was very attentive and upbeat. The menu is executed well, being a very simple front + back one pager. It may prove a slight benefit for them to travel to the south and visit some real southern restaurants (from mom+pop to 4 & 5 star) and bring back a little more of "The Southern". A bit of room for expansion/differentiation menu wise. Hope the service level remains.

    (4)

  • Brenna B.

    I helped organize my cousin's bachelorette party. After dinner, we headed over to The Southern for drinks. Originally, I had reserved a cabana on the rooftop when The Southern was still Chaise Lounge... Somehow, through the change in management, my reservation was lost. Michelle (The Southern) was very accommodating though and reserved our group a VERY large booth/table in the corner on the main floor (it sat 13 women)! She always got back to me right away via email... Our waiter was extremely attentive and kept coming back to our table throughout the night re-filling our cocktails and helping with our strange requests... (bachelorette party related). Overall, the desserts and drinks we ordered were great and VERY inexpensive. Our party was 13 people and we sat and drank (a lot) for 3-1/2 hours and our bill was only about $250. The BEST deal they offer for large groups, in my opinion, are the Punch Bowls. They say they serve 8-10 people so we ordered 1 with the plan of ordering 2 or 3 more, but there was no need. One Punch Bowl served about 30 drinks... all for about $42. I would love to go back for dinner. Their menu looks great. The ONLY negative I can give is the line for the rest rooms. There is only 1 mens and 1 womens rest room inside. Someone said there was a rest room located outside but it was pouring that night. So, with a party of 13 girls... you can imagine how long the rest room line was.

    (4)

  • bridget j.

    YUMMY! Went there on Father's Day with husband and toddler. The food was great - Johnny Cakes, Southern Mess and the Crazy BBQ were all tasty and good size portions. Wish we had time to try the desserts - they looked amazing. The patio is perfect on a warm day. Only issue was the slow service. Our waitress would chit chat at every table and also got our order wrong. She gave us Johnny Cakes instead of Mac N Cheese, but that turned out to be the best thing we tried. She apologized and gave our daughter a grilled cheese (not on the menu) at no charge. Highly recommend if you're not in a rush.

    (4)

  • rebecca f.

    my colleague and i went on a friday night around 8PM. we were seated at a really awkwardly small, solitary table across from the bar upstairs and ordered some cocktails (nothing special - and i'm guessing they dont have a soda machine upstairs b/c our mixed drinks were flat and probably poured from a carafe). the food was pleasant enough - cornbread salad was dressed well (but the cornbread croutons WAY too salty), johnny cakes were delish, fried green tomatoes a little too soft, but tasty. but i have to say, starting about 9PM the upstairs area became more of a bar than a restaurant, and lots of young people began standing around our table having casual conversation. it got so crowded at one point i was concerned some of the bar patrons were going to knock me in the head with their purses slung over their arms. my friend an i left, mostly b/c it was so loud we could hardly hear ourselves talk, and sitting at a solitary table surrounded by boozy bar patrons was getting pretty awkward. so, if you check out southern, be sure you dont take that crazy table upstairs to help guarantee a smooth meal!

    (3)

  • Brian P.

    The service was abysmally slow, and they ran out of crab cakes, yet the table right behind us, who walked in 20 minutes after us got them. Getting a glass of water was like pulling teeth, and and at least 1/4 of my pork chop was fat.

    (1)

  • Alli N.

    Such a great use of space- The Southern does not disappoint! Got there early to snag a table for drinks and some small bites. Good thing, too since this bar has apparently become quite popular. By the time we left the line at the bar was 3-4 deep and there was over an hour wait for a table. The food was delicious- had the cheese straws, mac n' cheese and hush puppies and the drinks were a nice change of pace from a typical Chicago Irish bar (not that there is anything wrong with those)! I am excited to go back here for brunch. My new favorite place in Chicago!

    (5)

  • shivi d.

    I first learned about this place through the Mac and Cheese food truck that spins through the city. Their mac and cheese is truly great with creative varieties and recipes. Then I came to know that they are actually known for their Fried Chicken. So I just had to try it. The chicken though, be warned, is kind of hard to come by. I learned that you can only have it in the restaurant (no take out) and you can only have it on Wednesdays and Sundays, unless you call ahead 24 hours in advance and place an order for the Chicken dinner for a minimum of 6 people at $19/person. I had to get by with trying the Fried Chicken Salad. Based on what I tried, I will definitely try to get back there to order the fried chicken at some point. In the meanwhile, I had the Piggly Wiggly (braised pork shank) and OMG. yum! They had very strong cocktails as well and I was told I was crazy for not trying the deep fried Twinkie...don't make the same mistakes I did!

    (4)

  • Connie S.

    I HAVE NEVER HAD AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS!!!! My husband, daughter and I met friends from Nebraska and Wicker Park for dinner. We got there early so my 11 year old daughter was playing trivial pursuit on my iPad. We had a fabulous dinner, including appetizers (fried green tomatoes and soft-shell crab - yum!!!) I loved my shrimp and grits. When we left, we forgot my iPad. 2 hours later, we went to the restaurant and were told that the next customers in our booth turned it in, but the staff could not find it. The next day, at 5 pm, they called and said they found my Ipad and were holding it for us in the office. Evan, Kevin, Amy our waitress and Erin, are incredible, HONEST and trustworthy people. I am SO glad I can go back to The Southern, because we had a wonderful dinner and I really wanted to go back there. Thank you to everyone who helped us. Thank you for your honesty and for doing the right thing. We will never forget your kindness. We will be back!!!

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    searched for places that served late brunch on sundays and the southern advertised they served until 4pm. they also had a chalk board outside stating the same hours. my friend arrived befor me and was given a brunch menu and ordered a mimosa. i arrived around 3:35 and also ordered a mimosa. when the server dropped off my drink she took away the brunch menu and gave us the dinner menu saying the kitchen stopped serving brunch because it was slow. Even more reason to serve us if they were slow. All the while the clock was ticking on our second choice of brunch spots. We asked if she could please ask if we could order brunch which is the only reason we went. 5 min later the mgr came over and began a long winded response. I cut him off saying so what you're saying is that we can't get brunch. he told us they stopped serving at 3! what a joke. will never go back

    (1)

  • Weifei Z.

    Spurred to try this place by the Groupon deal, but walked away disappointed by the taste and quality of food. I was initially excited by the hog fries, which came out quickly and tasted of cheesy goodness. But my excitement and patience waned as we had to wait another 30-40 minutes for our two entrees This was on a Wednesday night, when the restaurant didn't seem extremely busy. We had the shrimp and grits and the steak. The only word to describe the shrimp and grits was that it tasted funny. It somewhat overly milky and didn't taste like grits at all. The steak was doused in bearnaise, which wasn't bad, except it definitely was not cooked medium rare as stated, lacked the "sear," and had a very chewy texture. The mushroom that came with the steak was over-salted. But at least the fried potatoes were crispy. The service was fine, but I don't think i will come back here based on the food.

    (2)

  • Al E.

    I visit Chicago 4 times a year and look for the best restaurants with the best reviews and tasteful dishes. The Southern was listed as a great restaurant for southern style cooking right in Chicago. We were seated right away when we entered and the ambiance was a beautiful dim setting to match the mix colored wood. I asked the waiter if he could accommodate my shellfish allergy and he checked with the chef and stated they would have no problems. I ordered the Alligator Gumbo to start. The rice stuck together and the gumbo was as dark as whiskey. It tasted just ok and did not live up to the expectation of gumbo from the south. My date ordered the fried chicken only to be told they were out of it again, just as the reviews list over and over. I ordered the Andouille sausage and grits. There was no menu item for this but asked if they could put together the sides they offer into one dish. (My visit to Wishbone in Chicago was able to accommodate Andouille sausage and grits with no problem.) I was presented the dish and assured that it was shellfish free. After eating half of the dish I discovered they included shellfish in my meal. I was extremely disappointed and knew I would later regret the decision for this restaurant. To: The Southern owner's thank you for failing at your job of customer service. Your lack of attention to your customer allergies and poor ordering of your menu items for stock will never have me visit your establishment. Open Table, Yelp, and Trip Advisor provides an inaccurate view of your business. Shame on you!

    (1)

  • Todd G.

    This place is great. Amazing food awesome people. The service is uncomparable. Fried chicken and mac and cheese are a must. The selection of whiskey is incredible. The manager even came out and gave a great impression.

    (5)

  • Diva G.

    3 1/2 Stars... Bought a Groupon and ventured in on a Sunday around 5pm. Outside patio was busy. Inside is small, but plenty of room and comfy. If you like whisky, scotch and/or bourbon, this is definitely your place for drinks! Flights range from $15-$25. I ordered the Freaks N Geeks flight and started with the cheese plate, which was very good with a nice variety- cheese, grapes, pickled fruits, fig & crostini. I had the 1/2 fried chicken as my entree which comes with collard greens, whipped potatoes, cornbread and honey butter. The chicken was good, but nothing special or worth a return trip. The collard greens were surprisingly very good. The whipped potatoes were smooth, creamy and DE-LISH! And the cornbread was a perfect compliment for the meal. Our server, Alaine, was okay- not great service, but not bad service either. The manager, Alette, on the hand provided EXCEPTIONAL service and really seemed to be on top of everything and making sure her staff worked together as a team. Glad I tried it, but I probably will not return.

    (3)

  • Jesse T.

    Brunch is easily 5 stars, the best I've had in Chicago. Dinner is 4 stars. I liked things that weren't Southern the best; the fried chicken and barbecue is *good* but not great. The bourbon list is awesome, though, and the staff is VERY helpful. All in all, I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Margaret G.

    We were disappointed - in the menu and the food. Everything we had was just so-so.

    (2)

  • Erin B.

    We went to celebrate my fiance's 30th birthday, and had a wonderful experience. The only downside? A few items, and the ones we planned on enjoying, were so popular they were out (fried chicken and Artic Char). Thankfully the wait staff was awesome and diligent, and turned what could have been disastrous into a great evening! After seeing our disappointment that the items we wanted were no longer available, they comped a round of drinks and treated the birthday boy to a delicious dessert. It was totally unexpected, and a went above and beyond great service. The food we did end up eating (short rib) was incredible and full of flavor. We were not disappointed! We will definitely be back, and hope this time they are not out of the fried chicken!

    (4)

  • Nina P.

    Love the atmosphere and food here! Our server was attentive and and accommodated my needs perfectly. The mac n cheese was what drew us here to begin with, and it exceeded my expectations. We were told the recipe was recently updated so we will definitely be back to try more things on the menu!

    (5)

  • Tracy H.

    Hmm, I am conflicted here. On the whole me and my group of 5 had a nice time here. Service/drinks were good, nice ambiance. The food to me was just okay. We shared the mac and cheese (good, but I feel it's missing something, like a kick) and the fried green tomatoes (also good, bit over salted). I had the fried chicken plate. Now, the fried chicken was pretty stellar, but the sides to me really lacked. The potatoes were kind of flavorless, and the collard greens were meh to me. My fiancé had the pork sandwich and fries, which he liked, but said it was just kinda average. Basically everything was good, but nothing blew me away.

    (3)

  • Dustin H.

    It was a Tuesday evening and I was stir crazy. I wasn't even hungry! I just needed to get out of the apartment. I fired up the yelp app, and found that The Southern was within easy walking distance from my home base for the week. After a short stroll, I was in. I headed straight for the bar, and was greeted warmly by the bartender. He mentioned the special beer of the evening as well as the special shot and I ordered one of each. After I was handed the menu, I asked what he recommended. He asked if i was hungry, and honestly I wasn't, but I said yes and he told me to get the fried chicken, which I did. I glanced around the room for a moment. I watched happy patrons from the mirror behind the bar and I felt at home.Out of nowhere my food arrived. I hadn't even finished my shot of whiskey. Seriously, it came out fast and normally that would worry me. You can't cook a 1/2 chicken that quickly. Can you? Super crispy and oily on the outside with incredibly tender meat, my chicken laid peacefully on a bed of sausage gravy. Along side sat a most delightful sheet pan biscuit. The bottom of the biscuit was buttery and crisp and the body was fluffy and perfect. In fact, everything on the place was just wonderful. A couple splashes here and there of the provided Crystal hot sauce took me to a zen like place. I became one with my plate. Like I said, I wasn't even hungry, but I ate everything. I got a knowing smile from my bartender, I ordered another celebratory shot and then headed out on my merry way.

    (4)

  • Corie S.

    The Southern is a solid brunch place in Wicker Park. They have a really nice patio area and both times I went we did not have to wait for a table. Also they have a nice upstairs area with TVs which was great in the winter when my bf wanted to watch a hawks game. Both times I was there the service was decent as well. Drinks: they have a decent Bloody Mary and decent mimosas. Nothing too amazing but definitely not bad either. Food: First time I went they were out of the fried chicken Benedict which was disappointing. I ended up getting the breakfast Mac and cheese and that was pretty good. Nice comfort food for the winter. The second time I went I got the fried chicken Benedict and it was decent. The chicken itself was really good but the biscuit it was on was rock hard! Overall this is a good brunch place and look for the groupon if it's still out.

    (3)

  • Grant P.

    YUM! Do you need much more than that? Cuz I sure didn't. Awesome service. Awesomer food. Great easy-to-get-to location. And when we came (5 p.m. on a Monday) it was super easy to find street parking nearby. We ordered the fried chicken, shrimp and grits, bleu cheese mac 'n cheese and fried green tomatoes. (Geeze. Are we pigs or what?) The tomatoes were amazing. Best I've had. I loved that they came with bits of goat cheese and diced red tomatoes. The chicken was cooked perfectly and came with a giant biscuit and gravy. The shrimp and grits, which I don't even normally like, were delicious. And the mac 'n cheese, which they're known for, was divine. The only sadness was when we took half of everything home, my server did not put the leftover gravy in the container so I had to throw out the dried up biscuit when I went back for it the next day. Maybe a little extra touch would be to add a dollop of that or at least scrape what was left on my plate into the container. But overall, I wasn't fussed about that. Wonderful place, and I'll definitely add it to my places to return to. (plus there's a great early bird check-in offer on Yelp)

    (5)

  • Kathryn S.

    I've been here twice for dinner and ordered some of the same items to compare as well as new dishes. I want to like this place and may be back for drinks, but the food is not for me... it's been either bland or salty.

    (2)

  • Jaime E.

    The Southern is one of my favorite spots in Chicago. I would say I prefer it for brunch though. I got a Groupon for brunch and a Groupon for dinner and the dinner left me a little bit disappointed, though my expectations after the brunch trip may have been too high. I went to a Bachelorette party here once and eating their family style dinner was incredible, more Mac n Cheese please!

    (4)

  • Kaylyn W.

    I was so excited to give this place a try! I went with a friend for lunch when he was visiting for his birthday. I got the bloody mary with bacon bourbon and the fried green tomato sandwich. The sandwich was not anything to be desired. There were two slices of fried tomato, an egg, and some arugula. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't worth ever ordering again. I'd like to give this place another go at some point.

    (3)

  • Julie W.

    Came here for dinner on a groupon deal - ordered the cheese plate for appetizer which came together with toasted sliced bread - it was a great combination of fresh ingredients which gave palette a nice experience of the crunch and tartness of the chutney and the cheese plus the okra and the grapes. Great dish! The Arctic char was served beautifully on a rectangle plate with some red sauce and seared half Brussel sprouts and something cheesy and milky (pardon I should be more concise in my description but I had forgotten what it was). Fresh but fish could have been salted more. Light dish. The pork chop was very well seasoned and tender - and presented. I was so tempted to continually suck on that bone but manners and courtesy didn't permit me to follow through.The dish was presented well (see picture) Will return to try out the risotto, fried green tomato and the fried chicken. Great dining experience and service!

    (5)

  • Jorge M.

    Found a groupon for this place and reviews were ok so decided on a Sunday brunch me, my bf and mom to check it out. Place it was very big and look very nice. We got table right away because it was not completely full. I ordered some sausage Mac and cheese, my mom the fry chicken and my BF pork hash. I have to say the waiting for food was a little odd took to long to bring 3 plates buttttt once they served us I kinda forgot about the wait. I tasted the 3 plates and it was so so good each of then. My macc and cheese had some juices sausage and cheese that was just so good, then my mom's friend chicken was on point very good and my BF pork hash was so tender and with so much flavor that I can't wanna to switch plate. I don't give this place more than 3 Star because first the waiting for the food, second drinks not that good kinda like not alcohol on it and third the menu for the brunch it is so simple that if u go there 3-4 you will be done.

    (3)

  • Arlene G.

    Ate here for a friends birthday dinner using the "for 4" groupon. Let me say, this was a fantastic deal! There were, unfortunately, some hits and misses. The shrimp and grits and hog fries were hands down the best thing we had and absolutely delicious! Please skip on the fried green tomatoes...they were over cooked and just poorly conceptualized. The chicken was ok, but I'm not running back for it.

    (3)

  • Gerry T.

    Street parking is fine north of North avenue but watch out for permit 514 parking only spots. The service was professional and attentive. I like the big glass sliding doors which links the patio to the the indoor dining area. That must be great in the summer time. The lighting was really low key and it made hard to read the menu without the illumination from my IPhone. But we managed and ordered the Hog fries and 2 Hanger steaks (medium rare). The hog fries are like Canadian poutine fries (fries with assorted toppings). It was hearty, heavy and meaty as an appetizer. The hanger steak came with an excellent hollandaise sauce. The steak was a nice portion and not over cooked but could have come out a bit hotter. It seemed like it was room temperature when I had mine. The decor is nice with tables that can seat 8 in the back. They also have a downstairs dining area which was intriguing but we didn't get a chance to see it. It also seems that the restroom needs to catch up with the outside decor. All in all a good experience and we'll come back for the shrimp and grits.

    (3)

  • Elle M.

    Came here last night after getting a quote for an hour and a half wait at Piece "depending on the World Cup game." Seriously, people? Nobody gave a shit about soccer two weeks ago. Anyway, I'm glad we left Piece because the food here was awesome. We had the hush puppies and that Southern style poutine mess. It was all friggin delicious. Those fries were gone in like five minutes flat. I didn't even get a second helping because the men I was with practically battle royaled for bowl. For my main I had the pork confit sandwich, which was SO good. Sometimes I bite into sandwiches and let out a little sexy noise- I did that with this one. Highly recommend. We also got an order of the mac n cheese for the table and that was really great too- not anything groundbreaking, but a really delicious pile of good old fashioned mac n cheese. The cocktails were pretty good too, but our server seemed a bit confused. I think she was new. Must go back to try the pimento cheese burger.

    (4)

  • Sarah V.

    Here are a few tidbits about me: 1. I'm Southern 2. I can hold my liquor better than most grown men 3. I judge every new-age Southern restaurant against my momma's cooking 4. I capitalize Southern, because I can Now that that's out of the way, I endorse The Southern as one of my favorite eats representing my God-blessed home. Yup. I went there. A typical dinner back home consisted of 10-12 friends and family, a huge spread of potluck favorites that each woman in the group claimed to be their "signature dish" (God help us if more than one lady claimed okra as her dish...) and a bar setup that would make Jack Daniels himself cry with joy. The Southern embodies all of those qualities in their dining experience. I absolutely adore bringing a big group of friends and sitting at one of their oblong tables and ordering a smorgasbord of small bites and a big plate of shrimp and grits. But first thing's first, the cocktails. If you're a tequila kid like me, get the Way South (El Jimador Reposado, Pamplemouse, lemon, Ginger Beer, Old Fashion Bitters). If you're a gin kid, also like me, get Luke's Revenge (Nolets Gin, lime, mint, muddled red pepper, celery bitters). And if you're an adventurer, again, like me, get the Brass Knuckles (Jeppson's Malort, Luxardo Aperitivo, Tank 7, rosemary syrup, ruby red grapefruit juice). At $10 a piece, the cocktails are slightly on the higher side, but worth the kick in the sobriety they pack. On to the food. I'm just going to lay out what your party should order, and you can thank me later. COLLARDS & CORNBREAD (2) sweet corn cake, braised greens with bacon, honey butter FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (1) Pistachio Pesto, Watercress, Pickled Rhubarb, Goat Cheese MACARONI & CHEESE (2) elbow noodles, aged cheddar mornay, toasted breadcrumb GUMBO (a cup per person) chicken thigh, local andouille, steamed rice SHRIMP AND GRITS tomato okra stew, sharp cheddar FRIED CHICKEN 3 piece amish chicken, buttermilk biscuit, chicken gravy PORK CHOP Grilled Bone-In Chop, Swiss Chard and Cannellini Ragout, Smoked Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce, Ramp Green Chimichurri And there you have it. The best of what America's pride has to offer.

    (5)

  • Tracey M.

    Went here with friends for Sunday brunch. My friend had a Groupon that was honored. I had the mushroom omelet, which was fine but pretty basic. Full credit to our waitress: she told me that before I ordered it and I still went the boring route. In hindsight I should've gone for the short-rib hash like my friend did. It was outstanding, full of tender short rib. Or I could've gone for the French toast another friend got. May be the best French toast I've ever had. I can't comment on the mixed drinks; I had a mimosa and that suited me perfectly fine. All in all, a solid brunch place. I'd choose something other than the omelet. I've always done well when heeding the advice of the server. It was Sunday brunch. Forget healthy shmealthy: I should've gone for taste and grease!!!!!

    (5)

  • David N.

    Recent Friday night dinner was solid. Reservations got us in at 7:30 pm, and we were seated immediately. Chill atmosphere, dimly lit, casual crowd, and friendly staff. Above average drink menu showcasing with original mixed cocktails and several local craft brews. Given the location, it wasn't a shock to see overpriced libations, but a $4 Pabst Blue?!...that was a first. As for as the menu went, it had a mix of Southern classics and original takes on home-style cuisine. For the most part, ticket times were on target. We started with the CHEESE PLATE. Featured were a magnificent manchego, a buttery bleu, and a creamy goat cheese, all accompanied with toast and palatable side bits. Cranberries, pickled okra, and Granny Smith apples paired extremely well, making the plate a sure hit. I went with the ARCTIC CHAR for the main, and was pleasantly surprised. Very similar to salmon, and something I'd definitely recommend. It t was slightly undercooked, but I'd be hard pressed to complain considering my love of sushi. Accompaniments of brussel sprouts, sliced potato, and garlic butter were enjoyed thoroughly. The brussels were a bit inconsistent, with some undercooked and bitter. My wife's lobster risotto garnered complaints, but I'd be hesitant to say the risotto wasn't pretty freaking good (IMO). Decent first experience overall. I'd definitely come back before for another go. CHECK GROUPON beforehand....

    (4)

  • Marlene D.

    I absolutely love this place. I will say if we hadn't purchased a deal through groupon, I'm not sure we would have stopped by because it's a little hidden. Our deal included a snack and two entrees, and it was well worth it. To make it easy here's a list of pros & cons. Pros: 1. Easy to access from the Damen CTA stop 2. Amazing staff and service 3. One of the most delicious meals I've had in Chicago. The chef is a true culinary genius. I ordered the pork chop with baby carrots & creamed peas. It was brilliant! We also got the Mac & Cheese for our snack and it was seriously to die for! Cons: My only criticism is that it's a little small so the tables are close. It's only a problem if you happen to be seated next to a loud talker, but otherwise it's an awesome place and I'd highly recommend it. We will be repeat customers for sure.

    (5)

  • Val S.

    Dined at The Southern, had Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp n Grits, collard greens, all as good as I have had in South Carolina. Plus our server Jessica was a delight, wish all my servers were like her. Addressed every need we asked for......She gets 5 stars too

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    Food is great. And for that I will give 3 stars. I wished so much for this restaurant. I moved from Texas to Chicago a year ago and have been wanting to try this place for the longest time. My boyfriend got a groupon for this place. I work with groupon every day. I know to tip the full amount if not more. Anyway. We got to southern. There were two other tables besides us on a Monday evening. We ordered drinks immediately. Our waiter was a guy called Mellons. Mellons asked us what we wanted for our snack and dinner. We ordered Mac and cheese. A burger and short rib. An HOUR later we got our food. No refills on alcohol or water. No "snack" We simply got our entree from another guy we had never seen before. Every time Mellons had walked by to speak to us, he smelled like a fresh cigarette. If you have all of this time to smoke why not come see if your only table needs water or the appetizer they ordered? Anyway. Like I said, the food was delicious. We ate. After our meal, Mellons popped back over and inquired if we needed anything else. We mentioned that we never got our "snack" we ordered. After he apologized profusely that it was his "bad" he insisted that he buy us dessert. I watched the clock. 10 min passed and he came back with a bag and questioned us. "did you guys order Mac and cheese to go!??" I was stunned. I asked "You're kidding right?" He wasn't joking. He was dead serious. Within 10 min he had completely forgot his mistakes, dessert etc and was asking why we wanted to take Mac and cheese Togo. Fast forward. We get the check. We were charged for this dessert he offered us. We were charged for Mac and cheese we never got. Fast forward and 10 seconds of stern words, the entire bill was taken care of. I wanted more from this place so much. I just want to warn those that may come here expecting more. I have been warned about coming here and maybe that is why they launched the groupon. Anyway. Food is great. Maybe another server would be tremendous and make this a 5 star place. Try it out at least for the food quality but expect your waiter or waitress to be pretty awful.

    (3)

  • julie q.

    We still come here. We still love sitting at the bar. I still think it's overpriced. But - what the hey. We did have a groupon for one shared and two entrees. So we came for dinner. We had the cheese plate - that was a good value. Big ol chunks of goat, blue, and cheddar? and good cranberry jam and fruit. Husbo had the shrimp and grits. It was super good. I don't even like grits and I was stealing fork fulls from him. I went off the beaten path and got the artic char. It was great tasting but a little too frou-frou for a place that calls itself the southern (I'm KY bred...I can say that). Would I get it again? Probably because the brussel sprouts always call my name. The beers are always cold and different. I got the white manhattan - If you're not a fan of overly sweet things skip this one. The bacon manhattan is better. Had a bit of a money situation with the bartender but nothing that was terrible. I'll still come back and pay for overpriced food and bloody marys that are really fantastic but should be $5 on Sundays.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Nice beer garden! Had the pulled pork sandwich and it was very good. Fries are also really good. Great spot and friendly staff

    (4)

  • Monique D.

    I really wanted to like the Southern, but bad service forced me to give this place two stars. My boyfriend and I arrived at the Southern on a Sunday with a reservation for 11:00a.m.. The hostess greeted and asked us if we had a reservation. Before we could answer he told us curtly that we would have to wait till 12:30 to eat because we didn't have a reservation. My boyfriend explained we did and the hostess was apologetic and quickly sat us down near the open front window. However, I was cold and I wanted to sit in a cozier warmer spot and we wanted to watch the Bears Game. The hostess didn't notice my discomfort, but the busboy did and he moved us near a television in the north end of the restaurant which was much better. We waited for our waitress to introduce herself and ask us what we wanted to drink for twenty minutes! I had to watch my waitress wait on people who sat down after my boyfriend and I did. We finally had to ask her to serve us. And when she did she looked annoyed. she didn't even tell us her name. We ordered our drinks and our brunch entrees because we were nervous that she wouldn't come back. LOL. Our drinks took another 15 minutes! It wasn't even crowded in there. But I must say that my Bloody Mary was delicious and my boyfriends mimosa was perfect! Our food finally came out at a reasonable time, however she got our ORDER WRONG and we had to wait for her to check on us again so we could tell her!!! We waited....and waited...and waited!!!! Finally the same busboy who helped us before came out and took our food back. We waited for another 15 MINUTES and then we had the most delicious food I've had in quite some time. Too bad it was the busboy doing the waitresses job!

    (2)

  • Christi R.

    Went there last night with a friend and loved it! We had a Groupon, and ordered the mussels to share, we each had the lobster risotto, and we share a bottle of the red zinfandel (which was an excellent recommendation from our server). Everything was excellent from the food to the service to the atmosphere. The one thing change I would make would be more healthy options on the menu. While I loved everything we had, it was a caloric splurge, so I doubt I'll go often.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth W.

    The Southern isn't as good as it use to be. It took almost an hour for my husband and I to get any service. It wasn't even busy! The brunch burger ($16) was very bland and the fried chicken benedict ($14) was over-salted.

    (1)

  • Kelly A.

    When I'm craving food with a Southern flare, The Southern is always on my radar along with Big Jones. I've been here a handful of times over the past few years and always end up satisfied with both the food and the ambiance. That said, if you haven't been to The Southern in awhile it's worth noting that the menu has recently changed. At first I was skeptical to see some of my standby favorites (Shrimp & Grits and crab cakes) no longer on the brunch menu, but it turns out that skepticism was unwarranted. My boyfriend and I recently went for brunch and had Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, the Steak Eggs Benedict and Mac & Cheese with Sausage and everything was delicious. It is worth noting that brunch-time can be crowded around game time so if you don't want to wait it's worth getting a reservation. It's also worth noting that if you plan to watch the game, not every seat is in line of sight of the TVs. Love it here!

    (5)

  • Michelle S.

    I had a groupon for this spot and made a 1p reservation (not sure what regular waiting time is for brunch--though something tells me long because it was busy). I got there with my friend and got seated immediately in their upstairs level. I got the Fried Chicken Benedict and it was AMAZE-BALLS!!! Hearty servings of comfort food is never a bad thing. 1 Bloody Mary and 1 Mimosa--they weren't anything special but the food more than made up for it. Service was okay--we didn't get checked on as much as other places. Con: TVs. Come on, really?? Nice place, good food and then a patron asks to put on some college basketball game and there goes the chill ambiance for everyone else. This is not a sports bar. Blah. I'll go back though...for the food and cool-looking environment. p.s. Parking is a pain... then again, it's Wicker Park.

    (4)

  • Justin B.

    Came in for the Groupon deal for brunch. Of the two brunch dishes we tried, the biscuits and gravy were terrible but the pork hash was serviceable. This place is much better when it comes to cocktails or watching games upstairs on the covered patio. Our server was great and the food came out very, very fast...just wish it had tasted a little better!

    (2)

  • Raph V.

    I don't know why the reviews are so bad, but here's mine. My wife and I groupon'd this place for a nice little date on a Friday night. It wasn't too busy so we were seated right away. I choose the pork and beans for our appetizer she had the chicken and I picked the lobster roll. All and all good food, excellent service, and fair prices.

    (4)

  • Meredith K.

    I met a friend after work for an early dinner. We met at 6 on a week night and were the ONLY people in the restaurant. People started to roll in around 6:30 for their after work beverage and dinner. We split the macaroni and cheese as an app (delicious it was a special with chorizo) and I had the chopped salad for dinner. The salad had a ton of veggies with chicken and ran on the bigger side but I did manage to finish the salad. I love the open feel of the restaurant with the windows open on the first floor. I have heard great things about the upstairs area but it was closed when I went. A great place to grab a drink or dinner, very casual and great prices.

    (4)

  • Alex L.

    The food was delicious and service excellent. The Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict was the best part. Don't forget to get an Apple Fritter to satisfy your sweet tooth.

    (5)

  • Hillary L.

    This must have been a bad week for me - none of the food I ate really excited me, and the Southern was the same. All of the menu items at the Southern sounded delicious. I was originally just going to get either the mac and cheese or hush puppies but decided to order the gumbo as an entree since I was trying to stay away from meat that night. I was surprised how little flavor the gumbo had, and it didn't come with any type of bread or biscuit, so I'm glad I also decided to get the cornbread, which was only OK but not great. I should have ordered one of the appetizers instead! No one was really raving about any of the food that they decided to get either. I love Southern food- I'm from the South, but the food and service were both lacking. On a packed Saturday night, there should be more than what seemed like three servers- we could barely get her attention. The group decided to get the party punch (strong but good) that comes in an adorable pitcher with a spigot. There were six of us at the table and I was at the end so she ended up refilling our drinks many more times than the rest of the table - without even asking if we wanted more. Good thing no one was driving! Although I guess I really can't complain that I ended up getting more than the rest of my table... It sounds like brunch might be better - I love biscuits- but I don't think I'll be coming here again, especially if I'm not around the area to begin with.

    (2)

  • Bobby L.

    Me and my lady went here this past Sunday and our server was awesome. We had come in due to the half priced industry night on Sundays after 8pm. I normally would expect half priced service, but no! She was great. My girlfriend asked for a dish not on the menu that had fries, gravy, and cheese curds, and the server so kindly asked the chef if they would make it for her. They did! I see why she ordered it as well, as it was super tastey. The lady got what they listed as chicken and biscut, and she loved every bite. I got the grits and crawfish, but I felt the grits were a bit too soupy. Can't win them all, but you can come very close. It is hard to be impressed by something claiming to be southern food in the north, but these guys definatly do a great job with the hospitality aspect and the food floating on to other tables looked very spot on. We will be back, and I am down to restar this later as we try more stuff.

    (3)

  • Aaron N.

    I don't really venture out to Wicker Park too often, so I didn't really know what to expect from Southern. As soon as I got in the bar and checked out the atmosphere and scenery I quickly realized it was going to be a slamming time. I spent most of the time on the rooftop part of the bar, which was a small but cool place to chill and get your drink/lounge on. The service was actually really good and the prices weren't too shabby for a more upscale spot. Before I came to this place, all I heard about was how ridiculous the mac & cheese was, which I pretty much ignored because how good can such a simple dish be? I stand corrected. This m&c was by far the best I've ever had. If you come here you need to GET YOU SOME! Overall a good spot, with slamming food and a fun rooftop atmosphere. Southern may have to be my go to spot for Wicker Park. Booooooom!

    (4)

  • Dan G.

    I'm not the type to be late to a party, but it seems I'm one of the last of our adventurous lot to chime in on our feast of Southern fried chicken. About the time the Elite event wrapped up here, I knew I had to make this happen. So, I grabbed a couple of my favorite redheads and rounded up a group for some down home cookin. It was much easier to coordinate with the event planner at the Southern than it was with my finicky wife. Who, of course, had to go a la carte. I love the layout, feel and vibe of the Southern. The outdoor patio and the upstairs lounge, where we had the event, are really cool and remind me of a place that could be on Bourbon Street. If I lived in the area, this would no doubt be my bar of choice. It was already pretty crowded as we arrived for our Friday night chicken party. This is the perfect place for a bourbon lover, they have an outstanding selection, and I was ready to get my drink on. I started with the maple 46, which was sadly about the size of a shot. It was good, but done quickly. When our group was fully assembled and the introductions and pleasantries had been exchanged, it was time to eat. Kris opened up with some hush puppies that were tasty. Then the platters of food arrived. Chicken, collard greens, black eyed peas, biscuits and sinfully rich mashed and gravy. It was so much fun to share this feast family style and the plates were passed around the table to sample it all. Everything was very good. The biscuits and mashed and gravy were the best in my book. I just expected more food. After reading Angie's legendary tale, I was ready to strap on the feed bag. I felt like I had to limit myself to the polite sharing portion I was allotted. Good thing I got to bat clean up on Kris' basic shrimp and grits. I think our table could have gone for a few more plates of some of the sides. I don't know if they do that for this dinner, but it would have been great. The apple crisp dessert, minus the crisp, was a complete let down. Everyone that got the pumpkin creme brulee seemed to enjoy that, so I guess I made the wrong choice. I also expected that to be included with our dinner. The company was outstanding and I had a blast sharing stories. Our service by the Nachos doppelganger was a bit haphazard. He tried to keep up with us and knew his stuff, but there were often times when drinks were empty or we needed something. I had highly anticipated the feast for months and it just never blew me away. That being said, we had a great time and left stuffed. I'll have to get back to try this again. 3.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Jennifer I.

    Chicken Dance!! Na na na na na na na...Na na na na na na na...Na na na na na na na....CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP.... In terms of banquet hall wedding activities, IMHO the Chicken Dance ranks lower than the catching (or in my case, the dodging) of the bouquet, but in honor of The Southern's fried chicken feast, I'll get up and shake what my mama gave me. Not only was the food awesome (I. Want. Another. Biscuit. Now.), but the family-style situation is such a fun way to enjoy the company of friends. So for $22/pp, you get to stuff yourself silly with fried chicken and everything that goes with it (an extra shout to the gravy) and have a great dining experience to boot. Really, you must gather your troops and try this. If you are short a soldier, let me know, I am so there. The service could have been a little faster, but our waiter was Kyle H'.s doppelganger, so I'll let it go. The one solid complaint I have is regarding the drinks...while I think we all enjoyed the specialty beverages we ordered (I had the Mississippi Milk), they are ridiculously rinky-dink. For $8, it felt like a rip off. But still, for the chicken... CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

    (4)

  • Ela G.

    Here's my take on The Southern. For an evening drink in the neighborhood, it's great, but there isn't much discernable difference from it's predecessor Chaise Lounge. I haven't been for dinner, but I heard about Brunch and decided to check it out. First of all, we were upsold on the premium bloody mary with Belvedere Pepper Vodka...let me first say, there wasn't much pepper or premium about it. A bloody mary should be spicy first and foremost, and it wasn't, premium vodka or not. Secondly there was no delicious garnish to speak of...again, a bloody mary should be like a meal....hook me up with an olive at least! Next up, friends ordered the Benedict and shrimp and grits, I ordered the breakfast sandwich. Not only was it served on a huge doughy roll, of which I wasn't a fan, but the bread completely overwhelmed everything else on the dish. I ended up picking at the inside of the sandwich, wishing for something a little more interesting. My visit was a couple months ago and looks like the menu is a little more interesting now. Perhaps I'll go back for a 2nd try, but with so many excellent brunch options in the city, they're going to have to step up their game.

    (3)

  • Annie W.

    Well, I liked my free shot of whiskey or bourbon or whatever it was for checking in. There were seats open, yet they couldn't seat us on a Tuesday night due to "reservations" - the service was a little slow. The food was OK, nothing particularly special. I'd give it another shot, but meh. Also, too many TV's. I hate feeling like I'm in a "dude's bar" when there are just as many ladies at the establishment as men.

    (3)

  • Jaime N.

    So we had a rooftop deal to spend $1200 minimum and add 23% gratuity for a total of $1476 which was well spelled out. Wristbands were optional for $35 each and it was not understood by me that even if we met our minimum we would be responsible for the 23% gratuity that would be added to the wristbands separately. So surprisingly since I was hosting the party and supplied my credit card they charged me personally gratuity which was several hundred dollars (after they wouldn't allow me to put my 2 drinks and a drink for the birthday girl on my own tab). If I would have been aware of the gratuity I would be responsible for no matter what I would have been better prepared for the tab. That was the problem. Also, due to the fact that I was unaware of the extra wristband gratuity most people paid 5 over the wristband and the total was actually take from that (that I owed). Needless to say there was a definite miscommunication and misunderstand and somewhat disorganization. As far as the venue, service, and drinks everyone was very satisfied. The venue is absolutely amazing in the summer for a rooftop patio. The service was good considering the amount of people. I heard the food was good and have tried in the past but the menu is somewhat limited. Also, there was one bathroom for everyone in the place including rooftop and the regular bar/restaurant (males and females) which really made a difference when we were on a time crunch. Jaime

    (2)

  • Ann M.

    I went here recently with three other displaced Southerners - we enjoyed a variety of traditional Southern fare that was authetic but with updated twists. What a great place to get my fix of comfort food - I had the mac and cheese which was creamy and delicious with the arugula salad which was oversalted - the dressing, I think. Hushpuppies were first rate. The drinks are glorious libations. I'm planning to book a fried chicken table on my birthday this year - can't wait!

    (4)

  • Kim A.

    I've been wanting to try this place for some time, but never got around to it. I really am a sucker for "cheese" grits, and am determined to get them in Chicago whenever I can. Firstly, this space is REALLY cool. Think the inside of a really modern looking Cracker Barrel minus the antique sleds, skates, and milk jugs hanging from the walls. The lighting is slightly dimmed, but not so much that you don't realize who you are sitting across from. Just right. We started off with some of their signature cocktails. I had a peach julep, and my date had a hot coffee booze extravaganza. Both were great and just strong enough. And... their beer specials look pretty badass. Since neither of us was really hungry, we jumped straight into entrees. I had the crab cakes, and he had the special of the day, which was this hot, open faced sandwich with all sorts of things on it (turkey, cheese, tomato, bacon, some sort of cheesy concoction) . Both were delicious! I ordered grits on the side, and ELM ordered the mashed potatoes. I chose poorly. The grits were a little on the runny side, and had an unexpected acidity. Pepper? Tomato maybe? I guess because they had a reddish orange tint. I had side envy. Three stars. Food was good, service was a little inattentive, but not to the point of serious error (I do want to note that my water was ALWAYS cold and filled, which I LOVE!). I will definitely be back for delicious things we saw being served to others (mac and cheese, corn bread, FRIED CHICKEN). Also, I think this would be a great place to bring a group, order a few of the main dishes and share family style.

    (3)

  • Stephanie L.

    Went here for Saturday brunch with a group of six on a hot summer day - yay for the drink menu and open air seating! The brunch burger was a hit at our table; half of us ordered it and we were all quiet as a mouse as soon as the food came. Sunny side up egg was a nice edition to the juicy burger with melted cheese. Great service, fun atmosphere, laid back vibe. We can't wait to go back for the fried chicken dinner - will have to round up another group of six. ; ) Cocktail tip: Go for the yellow rose, it's a refreshing combo of white grapefruit and tequila served up in a tumbler ready for the taking. BM's were also good, and as an extra bonus the bar is stocked with Belvedere Bloody Mary.

    (4)

  • Dana M.

    We sat outside which was nice atmosphere. Our waiter was great. We ate the CRAB CAKES, COLLARD GREENS WITH BACON, CRAWFISH FONDUE, SMOKED MAC 'N' CHEESE. All were pretty tasty, however I think I like the crab cakes and collard greens the best out of all those.

    (4)

  • Carri A.

    The first time I became aware of this establishment was the multiple sightings of its Mac & Cheese Truck. A TRUCK FULL OF MAC & CHEESE??!!?? Sold. I'm already there, honey. My friend and I dropped in one nice afternoon to enjoy their lovely outdoor seating. It's secluded but still has the prime people-watching of Wicker Park. We were stoked for the Shiner and Lone Star beers (we're Texas ladies) and split some apps. The fried green tomatoes were divine, the crab cakes were most excellent, the hush puppies were phenomenal and the mac & cheese du jour was AMAZING. So so soooo good. I love you, Southern. Be back soon.

    (5)

  • Laurie V.

    Met some girlfriends for brunch today at The Southern. Excellent choice! The space is decked out with heavy wood tables and booths but the windows keep the place from seeming dark or dreary. We had one of the large wooden booths and it kind of felt like we were sitting in a sauna, minus the heat. This was a good thing. It gave us the feeling of privacy while still being able to people watch. The food was great. I had the Chicken and Biscuit and it was so perfect. Sometimes when you get fried chicken all the flavor is left on the skin and the actual meat can be dry or boring. Not here! It was almost like the chicken had been infused with the rosemary and buttermilk because it was so moist and flavorful bite after bite. The gravy was so good I wanted to ask for extra to soak up with the biscuit. My dining partners had the Breakfast Sandwich and the Charleston Benedict and I heard nothing but raves. We split an order of cheese grits which were yummy. They serve Metropolis coffee in cute little cups and the refills were non stop. Great service! I was just looking over the dinner menu and now I want to go back for the hush puppies. And I do mean NOW...

    (5)

  • Kim T.

    I really wanted to love this place, but I arrived with the bf on a Sunday night and was swiftly told they had run out of fried chicken for the evening. Gasp, horror!!! I proceeded to break out in a cold sweat while the waitress tried to make other recommendations for me from the menu. I wasn't hearing her, in one ear and out the.....you get my drift. I did eventually regain my composure to order the crab cakes. Overbreaded and overhandled, not at all to my liking. Fast forward to the following Sunday bright and early for brunch. Ordered the chicken and biscuit, but it arrived overcooked and underseasoned. Boo and hiss!!! Then my bf was told the duck gumbo had been changed to crawfish gumbo, but it actually arrived as andouille sausage pate gumbo. WTF!!! That was just the final straw that broke this girl's back.

    (2)

  • Blake B.

    Great food, nice selection of beer and an awesome Yelp check-in prize! What else could you ask for? Excellent seating, in fact the best indoor/outdoor seating combination on North Ave. I only wish they had more brews from Chicago.

    (5)

  • Erin J.

    Aw, man! I REALLY wanted to like this place! I'd walked by it often in the summer and early fall, wistfully admiring the outdoor seating and the vibe of the place, the smells of the food, clinks of glasses and hushed conversations and boisterous laughter. So WHY, whywhywhyWHY did the service have to be so terrible? I was considering hosting a girl night at The Southern in a few weeks and thought I should check it out first. So, the man and I hit up the place last night for dinner. We walked in and were sat immediately in a largely empty house. Within a few moments our server brought our menus over and then...strode back to the bar where he, the barkeep and 3 other employees stood around talking for the next approximately 15 minutes. My guy and I were looking around like...anybody gonna take our drink order, at least? and then the server came over and took our drink order, starter and entree order. So, okay. After he left, two men came in and were seated next to us. They sat for about 10 minutes before they got up and walked out. The server attempted interception before they got too far, but was rebuffed. Our starter was the pimiento cheese, as what I came for - the fried green tomatoes - were out of season and unavailable. We found that many items listed online for the menu weren't on the menu when we got there, which was mildly disappointing. The pimiento cheese - decidedly not a seasonal item - wasn't on there either, but the server said he'd ask if the kitchen would make it anyhow and to their credit, they did. It wasn't bad, but...I'm a Yankee and I've made better. I mean, it's cheese and peppers on toast; it can't be super-bad even if you tried...but nothing terribly special. After that plate was whisked away, the entrees came a good 20 minutes later. I had the fried chicken sandwich and my guy got the Piggly Wiggly. He was pleased with his dish and marvelled at how at one point the meat actually fell right off the bone. My sandwich was just okay. Lots of competing flavors and the crispy breading was really sogged-out by the collard greens, so much so that it slid right off. Which defeats the purpose of even frying it. For dessert we got the banana bread pudding with the peanut butter sauce. My guy LOVED it, but I thought it was tooth-acheingly sweet and couldn't have more than a few spoonfuls. So at the end of the night, it was $60, reasonable for two drinks, a starter, two entrees and a shared dessert. I just really wish the service had been more attentive, especially at the beginning. Throughout our meal, the staff - including someone from the kitchen in a clean chef's coat and jeans - were chatting it up at the bar and largely neglecting the dining room. I'm not saying when it's not busy no one should talk, but people walked out because the server's priority was talking with his co-workers instead of providing service. So, sadly, no spendy girl night for you, The Southern. And it will be awhile before I give you another shot. I certainly hope the service improves.

    (2)

  • Hayley S.

    Stopped in for dinner while I was visiting my sister who lives in Wicker Park. The atmosphere is great, wether you sit inside or outside you still feel apart of the restaurant. The food is AMAZING, I got the crab cakes and they were to die for. The drinks are strong, but good. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because it took a long time for our server to great us and get us our drinks, other than that it was spectacular and I will definitely be returning next time I'm in the area!

    (4)

  • CJ J.

    The Southern is literally 10 steps from my condo, so of course I had to check out it a few times. It is sooo hit or miss. One night it's empty, another it is packed. That's fine, but makes ya think. The food is really average in my book. The burger is decent, nothing to seek out. Great daily drink specials: a cheap whiskey and a beer every night to choose from. If you're local, check it out. If not, head North. Literally.

    (3)

  • Colleen R.

    Southern in name but not in spirit. This bar (definitely not a restaurant) rides the crest of the recent Southern restaurant trend in Chicagoland. Much of the menu at The Southern is a perfunctory nod toward Southern cuisine -- johnny cakes, fried okra, Abita beer -- that only scratches the surface of the Southern expat's deep longings for food with warmth, comfort and familiarity. I can't say that I had a bad meal, but I ordered strategically so as to avoid items like the $15 gumbo, which I knew would just annoy me. Seriously? In a bar? John Besh doesn't even charge $15 for gumbo. And $22 for fried chicken? Really? What is this place? Service is chipper and efficient, but the creation of the ambiance is largely left to what sounds like an employee's iPod shuffle. Overall, It'll probably suit you just fine if you don't expect authentic Southern fare, just know before you go that you ain't in the dirty dirty.

    (3)

  • Shayna N.

    First off, I might be a little jaded because I used to work a soul food restaurant in New Orleans. That being said, I was underwhelmed with the food here. Nothing was horrible, but nothing really stood out either. The gouda mac and cheese was pretty bland and not cheesy enough. The fried okra was nicely fried and had a good texture, but the batter was bland. The cheese grits were totally imbalanced: mostly cheese and not enough grits. It was way too rich. The collard greens were definitely delicious, and as good as anything i'd find down in Nola. I would certainly get those again, and highly recommend them to all. We had another pork started dish, I forgot what it was, but I wouldn't get it again. I would like to go back and try the shrimp and grits, AND the 6 person fried chicken meal. The outdoor seating is AWESOME.

    (3)

  • Jeremiah L.

    The Southern rocks. Growing up in Virginia I ate a lot of great southern food. Now I just have to go to WP to get it. I love the style of the restaurant too. It's got a cool, minimalist decor. The patio area looks perfect for the Spring. It was a little cold when I went but once it warms up that looks like the place to be. The drink selection is awesome. They have quite a few southern beers. Try the Bombshell Blonde. It's a great beer from Texas. Good selection of bourbon and whiskey too. We tried the Johnny Cakes as an app. They were amazing. They are like little pancakes that you top with pork and chow chow. I could have eaten that all night. My friend had the shrimp and grits. That's probably my favorite southern meal and this place cooked it to perfection. I had the burger. It was decent. I wish I would have gone with something else but I was in the mood for one. This place looks awesome for groups. They have a fried chicken meal that you have to order in advance that looks delicious. Also they serve punchbowls of a couple southern cocktails. I'm already planning my next trip with some Virginians who will appreciate this place. Oh, and the server was great too. He made great suggestions and really friendly.

    (5)

  • Tasha K.

    I tried to fight it, but yes, I DIG THE SOUTHERN! I was weary of the Southern hospitality BS vibe in Wicker Park but.... I like it! Feed it to me more! ;) I like the food to snack on, love the drinks, and like most of the people that go there. Great atmosphere to hang out with friends or take a date. The service is very attentive, courteous, and sincere. I like the bartender with the 'stache who was able to navigate my boyfriend thru their list of fine scotches. BF was smitten with the place. We had the fried green tomatoes and they were yummy. I would def get them again, along with the pot of pimento dip I saw everyone else around me order. Looked amazing. Not so sure I would want to eat an entire sit down meal here only b/c I'm not a fan of Southern food (fried chicken, pork, greens, etc.) but I def have been here a few times and always enjoy whatever I chose to nibble on. It's getting cold now but it has a great outdoor patio perfect for mingling in warm weather. If you go later at night when it's busier, they open the upstairs part and you get more of a lounge vibe there. Great little hang out in Wicker Park.

    (4)

  • Todd L.

    I'm always excited about new restaurants in my neighborhood and The Southern is definitely a welcome addition. My excitement for this new spot is pretty obvious since I've been there twice in one weekend. My wife and I enjoyed dinner so much on Friday, that we vowed to return for brunch on Sunday, which we did today. I had the braised pork for dinner, which was excellent (you can't go wrong with braised meats) and the crab cakes benedict at brunch today might have been the best I've had. The dijon mustard hollandaise was awesome. They also have a unique beer/drink selection that is the perfect compliment to their well executed take on southern comfort food. We will definitely be back often.

    (5)

  • mike f.

    The whole time I was there I kept asking myself 'why has no one done this before?' I had many firsts when I visited The Southern. My first punchbowl served at a restaurant, my first poutine (why wouldn't you want fries with ham and gravy? seriously...), and the first time I've fit 10 people in a booth without getting claustrophobic (sp?). Insane value! $24 dollars for the punchbowl that I think I got 5 or 6 drinks out of (everyone else had AT LEAST 3). Went back a few days later for brunch and was blown away yet again. Shrimp and grits were out of this world. Andoullie sausage w/ onions and apple mashed potatoes hit the spot, too. If you slept on this place while it was chaise lounge you owe it to yourself to go back again. great food, great drinks, very comfortable.

    (5)

  • Jeremy G.

    I visit Chicago fairly regularly and love when I can stop by The Southern for weekend brunch. Some of the best cheesy grits I've had anywhere. The fried chicken is done to perfection, with thick, crisp, flavorful breading and moist, tender meat. This is true southern comfort food, so loosen your belt a notch and go in hungry! Great bloody marys and a decent beer selection, too. The staff always seems cheerful and welcoming, and I can't wait to go back again soon.

    (5)

  • Tina C.

    We went here last Sunday for dinner, as we saw the Yelp special for half off food (it was one entree). I'd been wanting to go to The Southern for awhile, and I was excited that we finally had a chance! We ordered the mac and cheese for an appetizer, I got the Nawlins Po'Boy, and my friend got the shrimp and grits. Everything was so tasty! I loved the smoky flavor of the gruyere in the mac and cheese, and while the cheese was smooth and creamy, it wasn't runny. My po'boy was also really great- I loved the flavor of the grilled fish along with the cole slaw. The homemade potato chips were the perfect complement! What really took the cake, though, was the shrimp and grits. The grits were incredible! I've never liked grits, but I could eat these all day. Creamy, flavorful, yum! I also loved the atmosphere- we were able to talk, but we also watched some good basketball games. I thought the raised tables would be uncomfortable, but they weren't. The service was also good. Next time I'll try some of their drinks- hopefully it will be warm enough to sit outside :)

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    I'm amazed that Chicagoans still ask me, "Where can I get shrimp and grits?" There's been a long wait, but we finally have a place with fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, Mississippi mud pie, and every other southern delicacy I devour when visiting my grandparents in South Carolina. The Southern serves this soul satisfying comfort food and more, steps away from the six corners in Bucktown/Wicker Park. In a space formerly known as Chaise Lounge, executive chef Cary Taylor offers patrons a relaxed, laid-back setting, while being backed up by the most genuine wait staff I've ever met. I usually go to dinner expecting to spend 2-3 hours socializing and sharing countless physical manifestations of a chef's passion. My first visit lasted five plus hours on a Sunday night before having to wake up at 4am for work--and it was worth it. Between pours of Matilda and Numbers Ale, I dined on johnny cakes (pictured), fried green tomatoes, braised pork, duck orleans, carollina mahi tacos, and a southern take on bangers and mash, while making new friends and discussing where to eat in Paris. My favorite dish, the johnny cakes, are served with gunthorp pork and chow chow, a relish of green tomatoes and cabbage that varies between Southern households. The braised pork is large enough to satisfy a Stash-sized appetite, and falls off the bone into a bed of wheatberries and kabocha squash. The duck orleans is another must, presented by chef Taylor with a burning twig of rosemary. Every time I detect that distinct aroma, I smile, knowing what fellow patrons are about to indulge in. To accommodate those of us who demand 'morning food' at one on Sunday, The Southern offers one of the best brunch menus the city has to offer. The best shrimp and grits this side of the Mason-Dixon (but you know that already), beignets, chicken and biscuits, 'bacon/chocolate,' and a personal favorite, 'Ode to Waffle House.' Thankfully, these hashbrowns aren't the culmination of a night of bad decisions--and they taste a lot better than the original too. Chicagoans--you know where to get your southern fix now. If you've got southern visitors going through culture shock, bring them here and they'll feel at home. Don't have plans on a Saturday night? Come by to indulge, relax, and sort out the best of Paris.

    (4)

  • Diana S.

    Paula Deen must have been an influence here. The food is hearty, butter, and heavy. We came here for brunch and this is definitely the kind of food that sticks to your ribs, and then some. I really liked the drink list and several whiskey options. The place is fun and inviting. The service was decent. There were a number of things that were enticing on the brunch menu. All of them were pretty heavy, so this is not the place to go if you are on a diet. We were very impressed with brunch and will definitely come back to try dinner. Excellent choices: chicken and biscuits crabcake benedict creamed spinach, eggs benedict shrimp and grits

    (4)

  • Martha D.

    My friends and I wandered over to the Southern after not wanting to wait for a table at Big Star tonight... It was my second visit and liked it even more this go around. Outside seating - laid back and comfortable. The Gouda Mac and Cheese is perfect. Actually, I was thinking that adding tomatoes would be a nice touch, but I'm a little strange and like tomatoes with pretty much everything. They have excellent drinks. Tasty, strong and reasonably priced. My favorites: Stormy Monday - ginger goodness & Mint Julep - yummm. I wanted to try the Bacon Manhattan, but the mustache waiter talked me out of it. I'm kind of annoyed that I listened to him, and by the fact that he had that stupid mustache.

    (4)

  • Luis C.

    This place is great! It definitely is a different feel from the ordinary restauraunt. Food was great, variety of different beers that i never heard of before was a plus. Service was incredible. Friendly atmosphere & the outdoor patio really put this place up several notches above the other places i have visited.....hands down.

    (5)

  • Christine F.

    I went to the Southern last night with my friend and my husband. I was VERY excited, because I love everything with cheese and carbs and deliciousness. Can't go wrong with that combination. It's a very cool place. It has a patio, and even the inside is part of an open-air atmosphere. It was a cool, summer night (rare these days), so that was great. I ordered a Planter's Punch, my husband got a Bullet and my friend got a Kentucky Lemonade. The drinks were pretty strong and not terribly expensive, which was refreshing. In terms of food, I ordered the Mac and cheese and my husband/friend got the Chicken Sammich. Moving onto sides, we ordered the cornbread, the cheese grits and fries. I ordered 2/3 of these sides along with the mac and cheese, and the waiter looked at me like I was a fatass. LOLsauce. I swear, I ordered them to share! I promise! Mac and cheese was good and simple. It was made with gouda, which is one of my favorite cheeses. The breadcrumbs were a nice touch. The cheese grits were THE BOMMBBBBBBB, the cornbread was sweet and delicious (interesting butter it came with....there was a spice in it I couldn't place) and the fries were cooked perfectly. My friend and husband really liked their fried chicken sammiches as well. It IS a little pricey, and it's not a place I would go all the time because of that, but it was very, very good. Being that my entire meal was carbs, I felt like I was being rolled down the streets like a keg. It was a really great meal though and I would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Kryste N.

    If you like gigantic chunks of meat this is your place! Went with a group over the weekend, we ran the gambit on the manu and ordered quite a variety of items, all were good. I even give them two thumbs up on my spicy as hell, blackened Mahi. It was delicious, and hot, but not so hot that you needed to down a gallon of milk, Just enough to get you to fan your face a little and say "whooo that's spicy". Somebody else ordered something that rhymed with "Magoo" - it got passed around the table, It was like a BBQ pot raost. and it was fantastic! I have to go back for the one of the family style items that are ordered in advance. Me thinks this place is going to have brisket that is to die for.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    The food here is delicious. I've only ever been for brunch. The biscuits are yummy and served w/ honey and salted butter. Service is always good. My favorite thing here is the crawfish and grits.

    (4)

  • Viper B.

    Came here for drinks one night and it was lame. Didn't warrant a review. Could have been too new or the wrong night/time. Came back for brunch and it was quite good. Great outdoor seating and open-air 'inside' seating. Service was friendly and helpful. Place exhudes a 'cool' vibe with clean lines on furniture and classy decor. I had the brunch special which was an egg/BLT sandwich and it was great. Johnny Cakes were said to be good but a bit lacking (in size and flavor range). Friendly service was very accomodating and the bloody mary(s) (and mimosas, maybe apricot, for the ladies in tow) banished hangovers to the next weekend (or at least morning). It's getting cold as I type, so we'll have to see how a southern themed space handles the Chi-city winters, but food/space/service were solid.

    (3)

  • Ian M.

    This is solely on my time on the second level bar/cabana experience. I'll be sure to edit my review once I've tried the cuisine about which I've read great things. I arrived for a birthday on a cold rainy night, so even though the second floor was covered by the tent, there were only a couple spots where you could feel drafts. I was happy to see Bell's beer was served and the Abita beers were ok too. I wish I would've taken advantage of the bacon-infused whiskey sample offered to me as 4Sq user checking into the location for the first time. The music selection was just ok, but I heard it was controlled by an iPod at the bar on that level. I wasn't about to request something but when you hear of that, there better be some good music to lounge to. Finally, the bartender was pretty cool (and cute) while serving me. Since it was a slow night, he could've just prepared my drinks and moved me along, but he was attentive and took the time to make sure I was taken care of. When I ordered two of the beers I mentioned above, he got frustrated at the fact that he had to get another one from the downstairs bar. No biggie; he was back in a flash. During my next visit, he was nice with the chit-chat, capitalizing on just serving the customers well.

    (3)

  • Jay S.

    Great experience. Had a bit of an email miscommunication for a Mother's Day reservation for 10 ppl, including a wheelchair. Fortunately, staff ensured that we had a a wonderful experience, wonderful service, and overall great food. Crab Benedict, Shrimp and Grits, Brunch Burger, and Fried Chicken and Biscuits were all given a thumbs up. Jeremiah (waiter), Ricardo (table staff), and Michael (the chef who we met later in the evening) were all amazing. The hostess was also quick on her feet with accommodating our wheelchair needs. I've been to a lot of great restaurants around the world, and must say if you're looking for hospitality, good service, and a good comfy meal - The Southern is it. I don't give this place a 5 star for one reason only (I hate to complain), Bloody Mary needs some work and overall disappointed that these guys didn't offer a Bloody Mary special on Sunday. This is pretty common in New York so maybe I'm being a bit of a spoiled brat. Many thanks to all who contributed to an amazing mother's day for my family of 10 today. Will be eating here again very soon.

    (4)

  • Leah P.

    I went to Southern with a vegetarian friend (who eats fish...pescatarian?). Since we decided to try a few different things and split them, I didn't get to order everything I wanted, but I can tell you about what we did try: THE GOOD The drinks: Can't remember. We're off to a good start with this review, right? I do know that it was girlie, pricey, and that I was buzzed after just one. If you're going to spend $10 on a drink at least The Southern makes them strong enough to be worth it. They also have an extensive whiskey selection...if you're into that. Mahi tacos -- Fish tacos at a southern comfort place? I thought that was weird until I tried them. They were actually mini-tacos, great for an appetizer. They were crispy on the outside with a big chunk of juicy white fish on the inside. They also had a little kick to them that I couldn't put my finger on. Would, hands down, order them again. Mac and cheese -- YUM! Although I wish they gave you the option to order it meal-sized. The portion is so small, by splitting it, we each only got about 4 bites! Carrot Cake: DELICIOUS! I'd order this by the pound. It was moist, not too sweet and...pretty much perfect...if I can be so bold as to call something in this world perfect. THE BAD Truffled fingerling potatoes -- Basically, these tasted like dried up, overcooked, baked potatoes that they threw cheese on at the last minute. Even ketchup (classy, I know) or some kind of dipping sauce would have made these so much more bearable. The owner (or whoever he was): When someone came around at the end of our meal to ask us if we liked our food, we said we loved everything, but the potatoes were really dry. He then passive aggressively blamed us and said that we should have ordered the Southern Poutine (which had ham in it) because it was cooked differently. How are we supposed to know how something is cooked unless it specifically says it on the menu? Once again...was out to dinner with a non-meat eater, so...thanks for the suggestion, but ham wasn't an option for us. If he would have been a little nicer and not blamed us for ordering the wrong thing, I would have rounded this review up to a 4 instead of down to a 3. Also, be prepared to look like a fool when trying to use the restroom. The door handle makes the door look like it swings back and forth and when you walk in, you're expecting stalls. In actuality, the bathroom is just made for one person and the door locks. If you push the door and it doesn't open, don't keep trying. Someone's probably in there and you're probably scaring her.

    (3)

  • sheena r.

    holy crab cakes batman. seriously good. hush puppies, yes please. mac and cheese. god yes. bourbon bread pudding dessert. yep. yep. yep.

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    This was not our first visit to the Southern, nor will it be our last by far. A group of 6 of us went here on a Tuesday night and we got in right away. It was a perfect night to eat here. It was hot and humid, but with a slight breeze coming through the open garage doors, it felt perfect. We ordered some drinks (may I suggest the Stormy Monday) and started with an appetizer of Pimento cheese. Really tasty! The rest of our group showed up shortly thereafter and we decided to get another appetizer of the cornbread panzanella. Really interesting take on the traditional italian salad. The cornbread really makes this salad along with the fresh vegetables. Then we ordered our entrees of Shrimp and Grits and Johnny Cakes with a side of green beans with pecans. Again, all of which was absolutely delicious. During dinner, we had the planters punch, which was a nice sweet compliment to our savory entrees, and polished it off soon after our meal ended. I can't wait to try the Tasty Burger next time as it got rave reviews from some of our friends. It was a wonderful summer evening and we'll be back very soon.

    (5)

  • Natalie B.

    Quickly becoming one of my favorite places in Chicago! I thought they were primary a food place, but I discovered that on the weekends it quickly turns into a popular bar. You can definitely find the "southern character" in the food. Think of it as extremely advanced comfort food. I had the pulled pork and wasn't even sure I was eating meat... it was beyond meat. They also have a tendency to put eggs on top of a lot of their dishes, which I like. The bar part of The Southern is just as good. They have a strawberry beer from Louisiana which is incredible. Bartenders definitely know their whiskey, ask them to surprise you with something and you won't be disappointed :)

    (5)

  • Omar L.

    This is my first time at The Southern and I like it. The beer selection is not terribly big but the selections are good. The specialty drinks sound amazing and the apps that I tasted were very good. We had the shuck and Jive (grilled English peas that are made to resemble edamame) and the Pimento Cheese. Thumbs up on both. Beer of choice was the Belgian White. Outdoor seating was plentiful and the service was good. I would come again.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    Last night I came in with my friends who were visiting and we wanted to try the new food and cocktail menu and heard about the Whisper Creek party that night as well! We all LOVED what we had for dinner. I highly recommend the She Crab Soup, Shrimp Roll and the crawfish fondue!! All veryyyyy tasty. Our service was above and beyond as it has been every time I have been here. After dinner we went upstairs for the Whisper Creek party. We got to have a tasting of the whisper creek and overall it was pretty good. They came up with 3 different cocktails for the party using the Whisper Creek and my favorite was called The Great Pumpkin which has house made pumpkin butter in it! Yum! They really did a good job making fun drinks using this stuff! Also, The Southern came out with a brand new cocktail menu. You MUST TRY the Southern Jerry! Such an awesome and unique tasting cocktail and a really fun name for the drink! Another popular one was the NOLA sunset.

    (5)

  • Laura M.

    Only serves brunch on the weekends and boy is it worth it! We had a bit of a wait (40 mins), but it didn't matter... Between my group of 4, we got a mimosa, a bloody mary, a bacon manhatten (yes.. infused and w a strip in it) and something with bourbon! All food is southern themed: crab cake eggs benedict, egg sandwich with black eyed peas, warmed banana french toast.. oh ya! we all were stuffed after, but had to top it off with a side of the fried donut holes that come with fresh fruit and an espresso sauce.. so good! we went on a sunday afternoon, it was full of fun people watching the game

    (4)

  • Mandy P.

    Weather definitely improves my mood, so basically The Southern would have had to ultimately suck to destroy the serenity I felt on yesterday's enjoyable Sunday evening. Imagine if I were a Bears fan how much more elation would have had to be destroyed? There wasn't much I didn't get to try here. It was a veritable smorgasbord and I felt like the rat from Charlotte's Web. My group sampled the hushpuppies, Mac & Cheese, cornbread (smothered in butter and honey, the way it - and many other things - should be), crab cakes, corn, coleslaw, and po'boy. All was delicious and none was left behind. The only thing not tickling my palate while here was dessert. Unlike Templeton, I just couldn't manage it. I would recommend. As would my company, including a real southerner from N'Awlins.

    (4)

  • Chris w.

    I hate to give such a harsh rating to a place I like so much. Me and My buddies LOVE to come here on friday and saturday night in the upstairs...have some food, some drinks the atmousphere...Thats where the Stars are from. Food, fucking fantastic. I would have recommended people to come here from just that alone. (shrimp &grits and The Piggly Wiggly are amazing) The Drinks, where do I even begin...Their beer selection is great bloody marys are the best in town.... Whoever their Mixologist who designed these drinks needs to live in my home bar because they are tasty and creative. [I am drinking outside of the box if you will]. But I will NOT stand to give 3 more stars to this place because of the upstairs friday/saturday staff..The bartender dude...I would trust him better taking my food order over those women there. some short tan im guessing Hispanic girl seems like she knows what she is doing but the quality of service just doesn't live up to it. I've gotten her before and she is slow to respond. she forgets things and isn't very upbeat whenever she visits our table. I REALLY would love to book a private birthday party here...but not if i am going to getting service like this. I wont be recommending this place to anyone. maybe next time, IF there is a next time.

    (2)

  • Haley A.

    The Southern has great food and service. Pete is on point!

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    I headed over to the Southern for their Mardi Gras party a while ago. I'm a big fan of Cary Taylor and liked his Chaise Lounge menu, so it was pretty easy to sell me on the place. FREE GUMBO??? Um, um, um, YES! Cary's gumbo chock-full of shrimp, crawfish, Andouille sausage was so excellent....better than the gumbo my southern grandma makes (DON'T TELL HER I SAID THAT). I really like the way they've redecorated the place since changing from Chaise Lounge. The drinks were flowing and fabulous, and the servers were really friendly. I'll definitely be back to try the full menu.

    (4)

  • Dan N.

    This place has a good atmosphere, a good draft beer selection, and (most importantly) Nashville Hot Chicken on Thursdays. If you go a little early, you can almost always get a seat without any trouble. The Hot Chicken is good (not off the charts good by Nashville standards), but good enough and The Southern should get a lot of credit for bringing this awesome dish to Chicago. The mixed drinks, while expensive, are good, too. The negatives are that the hot chicken is insanely expensive and the food on whole is sort of mediocre and expensive. The food is definitely a step above normal bar food, but there are way better eats in the neighborhood if that's what you're looking for. Overall, great place to go after work for a beer and hot chicken. Not so much for a fancy date-night out on the town.

    (4)

  • Tara M.

    This place is ok, but not as good as I was expecting based on reviews. The service was excellent, but the food was just ok. The corn bread was nothing special. It tasted like something I could have easily made at home. The food all looks really fancy, but the taste just isn't there. I had the "gulf catch," which the server described as a sort of blackened sea bass. In reality, it was hardly blackened and tasted like it was smoked. I am not a fan of smoked anything, so it was a little disappointing. I think this restaurant caters towards a very young crowd, which might account for the high reviews.

    (3)

  • Rachel G.

    My Advice - If you order anything with meat - make sure it is cooked all the way through before diving in. My friend and I went to the Southern for brunch on Sunday. It was kind of crowded, but we were able to get seats at the bar and eat there right away. The staff was nice and attentive. I ordered the Caroline Benedict and was perfectly delighted. My friend ordered the Fried Chicken and Biscuit and dubbed it amazing. Based on our experience at the restaurant, this place deserves 5 stars. However, we took a piece of the chicken home only to discover that the chicken was bright pink on the inside. This was incredibly disappointing. Her other pieces (a wing and a leg) were totally fine, but clearly, the breast was undercooked. Had we still been in the restaurant when it was eaten, she would have had to send it back. There are so many other brunch spots in the city (and right in Wicker Park) that I am not sure if I can justify going back. Raw chicken is kind of a non-starter.

    (2)

  • Scott F.

    I have lived in this neighborhood for 7 years. 3 places have come and gone in this space since I have lived here. This was my first time in since the Southern has taken it over. For 2 Abitas and 2 Woodford Reserves it was $40 bucks. The bartender told me it was going to be last call soon, and asked if I wanted to keep the tab open, which I didn't. 15 minutes later, we heard "If you don't work here, you have 5 minutes to finish your drinks!" I looked at my phone to note the time, it was 1:11. At 1:14, she shouted "If you don't work here, you have to leave!". The bartender then poured drinks for the staff - they didn't NEED us to leave because of Chicago law/hours, they just wanted to hang out in there with no patrons for their shift drinks. If you look at my other ratings, you will see that I am more than enthusiastic about the places which treat me right. Conversely, this is the first negative review I have written, and for good reason. Go down the street to Bluebird, Francesca's, Lokal, Ripasso, Enso, or any number of places in the neighborhood. Your experience will be better.

    (1)

  • Bryan R.

    The Southern... no more "Chaise Lounge" - at first I was extremely worried. I loved brunch at Chaise Lounge and was terrified that Cary's cooking was going to somehow disappear behind the awesome booze list I saw. Fear not though, I came in this last Sunday and was yet again... blown away. It's saying something when I also came in that Friday for the grand opening and had a great time with some of their giant punch bowls. I was in one of the giant 10 person booths and was excited that there was fun music playing and I could still hear my friends talk to one another. Also let's be honest, when you can drink for a couple of hours and still order some Mac n' Cheese, who's not happy? I loved this venue when it was Chaise and I love it even more now that it's The Southern. I checked out upstairs and it was packed full of good looking people in a much more spacious environment than it had been previously. The downstairs bar is also huge now so it's not like you have to battle the current to get yourself a drink anymore. I'm pretty excited to have a place I'm comfortable drinking at and a place I'm equally excited to grab some solid food at. Nice job guys, this concept change is awesome!

    (5)

  • Maura S.

    I would come back here for a drink or two- there are a number of great spots to sit (especially on a nice summer night). The bar opens up to a large patio and the upstairs is open to the outside as well. That said, I would not come back here for the food. Or the service. I came in with a friend on a Wednesday night. We sat on the very large and very crowded patio. From what we could tell there was only one waiter working the entire patio. This made for slow/inattentive service. The waiter was nice, but he had too much going on to do his job properly. Our food was okay- I had the shrimp/grits and my friend had the mac n' cheese.... but I wouldn't go back for it. My suggestion: Stop in on a nice summer night and have a drink, but skip the food.

    (3)

  • Renee B.

    You got it, Yelp. A-OK. This place is super hyped up, and while the food they give you is great, the portions aren't really up to par with similar restaurants. I know it's an "in" restaurant but the prices are a bit inflated for the food as well. Would I go again? Sure, I guess so. But I'd probably bring some Icy Hot next time since the backless stools aren't exactly spine-friendly.

    (3)

  • Michelle A.

    I went in a few months ago and just remembered to put up a review... This place was the old Chaise Lounge (and I actually liked Chaise) But the Southern is WAY better. I think the set up works and on a gorgeous day it's one of the nices places on North to chill on a Sunday:) The bartender was super cool and super nice. Not one of those douchebag bartenders that thinks they're hot and mixes up drinks fashionably and lets you know how good he is at it. He merely served us drinks let us know what was good and what wasn't... You could tell he knew what he was doing. The other employees were more friendly.. Not sure what was up with Chaise... they were kinda snotty and for what reason.. not sure. food was super tasty.. The chef went for southern style comfort food. and I think he succeeded. The food is rich. I wish they had a bigger menu but I guess it is a bar after all. VERY sad they don't have sweet potato fries tho.

    (4)

  • Chantal L.

    OK so my 1st review involves a spot known as "The Southern"....ironic considering I'm from NC ...which despite the naming convention, is very southern! First - the ambiance is quaint & inviting....the night was warm enough to have both "garage like" large doors leading to the patio open, allowing a warm breeze to join us for dinner ;). Although the patio was full, we were able to find nice standing room out in the front patio area with a view of the animation going by, and were seated not too long after. The wait staff was attentive and friendly. The cheese grits and crab cakes were delivered by the head chef, who personally came by to check on us. The black eyed peas were tasty and reminded me of home.......Yummy! C'est tres bien.....bon appetit!

    (4)

  • Elle K.

    We tried the mac and cheese with smoked gouda, piggly wiggly, shrimp/grits! omg each dish was delicious in its own way! mac&cheese had a different kick to it and i loved each and every bite! the gouda added a different flair. piggly wiggly was so scrumptious with the peach/apricot bbq sauce and to top it off i fell in love with the wheatberry that comes with it! finally, the shrimp/grits was creamy goodness! theres lots of grits for the amount of shrimp but the grits is soo good: cheesy&creamy. its definitely a place to hit up. its more of a bar, but the plates are not just regular bar food. its gourmet bar food =) definitely worth a try. the place is so cute with it being a garage style and wonderful seating for groups as well as two people. ill be back to try the other plates and more of the bar menu.

    (5)

  • caroline e.

    I ask you...where else in this city can you get a killer brunch without waiting at least 45 minutes? No where. I wanted pretty much everything on the menu, but unfortunately had to pick just one item. Crab cake benedict it was. Delicious. Perfect. Wonderful. Also had a taste of a friend's mac n' cheese. Very rich, but also crazy good. I will be back...enough times to try everything on the menu at least once.

    (5)

  • Stacie B.

    The Southern gets 2 stars from me not because of the food, but because of the service. Went to brunch today. The restaurant was half full. The waitress who "served' us got our order wrong and was extremely lax (at best) in making sure we had what we needed. Brunch for 3 took 2 hours. Half an hour was spent trying to check out. The service was straight up terrible. Either serious training or housecleaning of substandard staff is in order. With that said, this place would get a 4 star review for the food. The charleston (crab cakes on english muffin with a delicous sauce and a salad) was delicious as were the stuffed doughnuts the table shared. I also tasted and enjoyed the cheese grits. I would be very interested in returning if I knew the restaurant completely revamped its service staff, either by training or firing those who need it. Unless or until then I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Daniel P.

    Loved the patio. Really nice relaxed place. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else on a sunny day. Have been twice and both were just ok. The first time was on a Sunday and they have a beer special. It was noon and they were already out. The second time was on a Saturday night. They were out of 5 different beers? It was a holiday weekend but someone really needs to get there pars right at the bar. Not really a big deal though. Only ate on the Sunday that I went and I was super excited to be there. Some local Chefs told me they had the whole menu and everything was great. My thoughts on the following: Brunch Burger- dietzler ground chuck, smoked bacon, aioli, cheddar, fried egg. Sounds great! It was very good. My only complaint was the 2 thin patties that were served. About the thickness of Mc Donald's burgers. The server asked me how I wanted my burger done and everything. I enjoy a Medium burger, not really possible with these patties. I would prefer one nice size patty with a real temp. Sunday Mac n' Cheese- smoked gouda, garlic sausage, toasted bread crumbs, scrambled egg. Liked this very much. Nice Smoked Gouda and Sausage. The egg was interesting didn't care if it was in there or not. Spicy Cheese Grits- Great grits, but not spicy at all. Over all everything was very good although I think the food could have been seasoned. An easy fix for me add salt. I will be back and have already sent numerous people in. I'm sure the patio will be a hit all summer long.

    (4)

  • Carrie F.

    The brunch was fantastic! Definitely try the Fried Chicken and Biscuits and the Charleston Benedict, both were stellar. We also loved the Bacon Bloody Mary. However, the doughnut holes were not very special or unique. I would suggest you save you just order the Manhattan made with maple syrup and bacon infused whiskey instead (I didn't have it but the waitress said it was super good).

    (4)

  • Eman S.

    Breakfast Tacos. Yes please! If I was feeling a little better this morning, I would have remembered to take a picture, but I will just have to describe it as best I could. The dish came with two tacos. A soft-shell with black beans spread on it. The black beans attach it to a hard shell. The bottom layer of the taco is scrambled eggs. That layer is topped with salsa and then slices of avocado. Delicious! My wife had the quiche pie and she liked it. I tasted it and thought it was just okay. We had a perfect view of the waiter coming out with the other dishes which was nice. The chicken look yummy, but deadly. The crabcakes looked normal and nothing else really stood out. Those two dishes and a bloody mary came out to $28...not bad, but not that good. I don't know if I would pick this place over other Sunday brunch places, but if I needed a place to go, I would try it again.

    (3)

  • Christian F.

    Large selection of Whisky and a lot of great food! A friend of mine and i worked our way through most of the small plate offerings. We had the mac and cheese that was perfectly creamy and smokey from the gouda. The poutine was great with the added ham flavor and the johnny cakes were my favorite. Also had the hush puppies which I'm no expert on by my friend said they were spot on. Being a carrot cake snob I had to try theirs and was prepared to be disappointed, especially when I realized it was a sheet cake and not a layer. Oh how wrong I was. I would come back if for no other reason than to have more cake! Service was at the bar as the place was packed. The bartender was very helpful, informative and even chatty on a busy night. Definitely gave it a neighborhood feel. Even the chef and owner stopped over to check on everything. nice touches. Great renovation from Chaise Lounge. Definitely will return to try some entrees next time.

    (4)

  • Heather K.

    Generally speaking, I"m pretty generous with my stars. I'm easily impressed and can find positives in just about anything. The Southern was fine but it wasn't great. With so many 4 & 5 star reviews I expected this place to be better than it actually was. There was country music so loud I couldn't hear my friends, single bathrooms that resulted in a line on a night with empty tables, weak macaroni and cheese, and the slowest service I've had since Daily's 2008. If I return, it will be during the summer so I can at least enjoy the outdoor area. Positives: Strong drinks made by a gimicky mustache man.

    (3)

  • Jonathan R.

    Great atmosphere! Friendly staff! A wicker park staple.

    (5)

  • John K.

    The Southern is definitely a place to see and be seen in Wicker Park, but thats not a bad thing. I've been here a few times, and every time has been tons of fun. I loved the flow between the patio, the inside bar area and the small seating area on the sidewalk. The crowd is more adult and laid back compared to rowdy Lincoln Park. I've been only on Saturdays, and it's Wicker Park, so it's expensive. But I remember they had a deal on Old Style cans. Great vibe and a good crowd. Worth checking out if you're in the area. Can't say anything about the food because I didn't eat here.

    (4)

  • ForTheLoveofFood M.

    I'll be the first to admit, Southern food is not my forte. It's not that I don't like southern food, I just haven't eaten enough of it to understand its art. I think I can count on one hand how many times I've had "real" southern food, but I digress. A friend of mine cannot get enough of the southern culture, especially the food. He travels to the south and always comes back raving about the exceptional food he sampled. So of course, when this trendy Wicker-park restaurant opened with southern charm as its theme, of course he was over-joyed to share the southern food experience with me. When I first walked into the restaurant I thought to myself, "I'm not in Wicker-Park anymore." I actually felt like I was at a hip downtown establishment, which was great! The atmosphere is very simple with high pub-style seating and a few very large booths (for large parties) off to the side. The bar is sleek and the entire restaurant is open, so you sort of feel like you're dining with everyone, but are not cramped... Make sense? The menu is small, I mean very small, which for people whom are indecisive (like me at times!) it's perfection. I'm a seafood eater, I love love LOVE seafood, so of course we got fresh oysters- and what is a southern meal without a hush-puppie or two? The oysters to me were just ok... For being their most popular menu item, I wasn't as impressed as others must be, but hey, to each their own. The hush puppies were pretty good, I could eat those all day long. I got a mint martini, which was a really strong mint julip, which was pretty fantastic. I can hold my own when it comes to drinks, but wow- this was a strong drink, and compeltely worh the price. Let get down to the dirty.... Ok- I love pub-style seating, but these stools didn't have backs, hence why they are stools, and sitting on them for an exensive period of time gets pretty uncomfortable. The food was ok, but I wasn't super impressed. We only ordered 5 appetizers and 1 main course meal and shared everything tapas style, but again, I wasn't blown away. Not to mention the prices were a smidge on the high side, especially for Wicker-Park. If I go back, I want to try an actual meal and go with a group of people so I can get a booth or regular style seating with backs :) I am curious about their outdoor patio, so I may venture back. All in all, the restaurant was just O.K. Not mind blowing. I may need to expand on my "Southern" palate before I go back.

    (3)

  • Nyota W.

    This is a cool ambience restaurant in Bucktown. They even have an outdoor area for dining when it's nice out. We arrived around 8 pm and were told that there was atleast a 30 minute wait. We decided to wait by the bar, and stared at an empty table during our wait, but i digress. i was happy to see that they have 2 cider options on the menu- bonus for a cider lover! Once we were seated at our table, we proceeded to ordering lots of food- mac 'n pimiento cheese as an appetizer: pretty cheesy but sort of Kraft box mac 'n cheese like, and then shrimp 'n grits (cheese grits) for the entree and a side of cornbread. The grits were the cheesiest grits I've ever seen in my life- they were orange.Iit was a bit of overkill I think. I could barely finish it. The cornbread was cold and dry. My friend had the chicken and enjoyed it, but overall I wasn't very impressed with the food here. They did have a check-in offer which provided like half a shot for free. I love check-in offers. The service was pretty good, location seemed nice enough with lots of other restaurants and bars in the area, but the food definitely has room for improvement. This won't be at the top of my list to revisit.

    (2)

  • Alex P.

    I was surprised how limited the menu was, especially as it's mac and cheese truck is so famous. Like Eileen Z, I did not think the mac & cheese was great - mostly because the pasta itself was not cooked properly (the sauce was good). My date had the grits as he's from the south and had a craving but said it didn't taste like grits. I think this is a better bar than restaurant. I'd definitely go back for a drink.

    (2)

  • Erin A.

    This review is specifically about hosting an "event" at The Southern. Reserved a cabana on a Saturday evening in order for my friends to have a home base. Coordinating with Alette was convenient and she was very nice. I signed a contract stating that I had a reservation from 9P-12A and would meet a $400 minimum pre tax/tip or otherwise be charged. Fine. I arrived around 8:45 to grab our table that was reserved starting at 9P and our server was very friendly. I brought up the $400 minimum and asked that he'd make sure we were pacing to meet the $400 without an issue and that if things weren't pacing, I'd take care of it. He told me that he didn't think we'd have to meet the $400, my concerns exit my brain. At 11:20, he brings the current tab ($230) and says that it's 10 minutes to last call and we did in fact have to meet the $400. Great, thanks a lot buddy. I talked to the manager to discuss our options, as we had 10 minutes and everyone had fresh drinks. She was neither kind nor accommodating to any request I made. She also nearly shoved the signed contract in my face saying that the table shouldn't even have gone for $400. Not my problem. Thankfully they allowed us to stay past the allotted time and brought us some punch bowls to meet the $400. I would not recommend having an event at The Southern based upon my personal experience. Also, if you are going to have a reservation on the upstairs balcony/patio, keep in mind that your 3 hour event is technically only 2.5, as last call is 11:30P .

    (2)

  • Kelsey K.

    I'm really ashamed to say that we've lived in the neighborhood for 3 years and we hadn't ever been to The Southern. We've driven by it about 500 times and we've had the mac N cheese from the truck and we've always wanted to go in, but we just hadn't ever made it happen. WELL, last weekend we made a point to go there and I'm really glad that it lived up to our expectations. The hosts were cool and helpful without being cheesy and the bartender was legit. First off, he had a massive handlebar-in-training 'stache and he made killer drinks. All of the drinks were really labor-intensive and tasty to boot. If you're not a fan of bitter drinks, I recommend asking for the summer drink menu because they're a little softer and sweeter. We had the hush puppies to start and they were really good. Then I got the shrimp & grits and crab cakes and they were a-mazing!! Our server was a little rehearsed so I would say that I didn't love him so much. Oh yeah, and they lied about dessert. They said that they were serving us raspberry cobbler and it was most definitely BLUEBERRY cobbler. Not a huge deal... unless you're allergic to blueberries!!

    (4)

  • Jill S.

    Cozy place as with a lot of eateries in Wicker Park. The music was good and the staff was excellent!! The server had some great recemmendations and I went for one. The Fried Chicken. It is really one of the best around!! My husband had the Brunch Burger and just loved it!! We showed up on Saturday around 12:30 and that menu did not have the Mac n Cheese they are so famous for. I'm not sure why but if you ask the server they are more than happy to make you an order. We are sure glad we asked!! It was the best Mac n Cheese EVER!!!! It is creamy, flavorful and just comforting. They place on your table Tabasco Sauce and Crystal Hot Sauce both make a great additon to any dish. We will difentaly go back maybe in the summer when all the doors will be open. It would be a whole other kind of place then. Not that it needs to be but it gives it versatility!!

    (5)

  • Crista L.

    hooooly shit this place has the most amazing dijon mustard I will ever experience in a lifetime. a VEGGIE GIRLS "Southern" meal: Fried Green Tomato Sandwich (-goat cheese +dijon mustard) w/ black eyed pea soup. Couldn't resist the Stuffed Doughnuts. yum.

    (4)

  • Kenneth H.

    I was very much looking forward to this place, but ended with mixed feelings. Being my birthday I had to there for my birthday dinner. Now there were 13 of us, so I know it can be overwhelming for 1 waitress. Pros: Great food! (1 exception). I tasted the pork shoulder and the fried green tomatoes both top notch Great Booze! We had 2 giant buckets of mixed booze and a bunch of beer and it was very delicious. The only problem being we got 2 versions of the menu to the price of the buckets were a bit of a surprise to us at double the price of the old menu Cons: Pretty poor service, one food order got lost, beer we ordered arrived as a different brand, and at the end we made the bill easy to charge with the amounts written on the back but she just split the bill in 1/2 The Cheese Straws disappointed, while they were delicious it was not what anyone was expecting (cheese dip and long crackers). All and all a good time, hopefully some kinks will get worked out and I can up my rating!

    (3)

  • Kenisha R.

    Just went here for dinner tonight with my family...I had the "Piggly Wiggly" braised pork shoulder with roasted root veggies, this could have tasted much better if it had been served hot and not lukewarm. My daughter had the fried chicken dinner which she says was flavorless and came with a thick duck gravy (not so good). But I have to say the staff is very friendly and attentive...Half way through our dinner the vent above started blowing freakishly cold air (note: it was 20 degrees outside tonight.) After complaining to our waiter, a gentleman, who looked like a manager, stopped by to inform us that the circulation had been turned off, so the cold air should stop...It did not...so they sent another employee who taped cardboard over the vent, which fixed the problem. Because of our inconvience, our waiter Lee gave us 2 free desserts and a 20% off coupon at their Mac-n-cheese store. Which was nice, I was pleased with the service. Lee was an excellent waiter! Hence the 3 stars!! Otherwise I would have given them a 2 for food.

    (3)

  • bridget l.

    This place is pretty alright. I tried a few different things on the menu and none of it blew me away, but all was pretty fair across the board. I even waited for the fried chicken...6 out of 10. a-ok.

    (3)

  • Cherry V.

    First visit to the Southern for brunch. The crab cakes w/poached eggs were delish and substantial. Catfish w/grits was very spicy, but my husband loved it. The biscuits are among the very best I've had and I've had many. Unassuming decor, reasonably priced, friendly, but slow service. Can't wait to come back in the summer for some "que.

    (4)

  • Kristin R.

    When we arrived at the Southern, we were warmly greeted by a hostess and seated at a nearby table, which is when I noticed that they had DIXIE CHICKS on the stereo. I love the dixie chicks and it reminds me of my hick town, Modesto, and all of my country lovin' friends. So my first impression is that this place rocks. Unfortunately I think the food was just OK. We ordered the Mac n' Cheese which was quite good. It was smothered in gorgonzola cheese sauce with a bit of a bacon dusting. I really liked it but it could have used a few extra minutes in the oven. It was sort of just warm, not hot, which was bummer. For my main entree, I was deciding between the shrimp and grits, or the rice and bean croquette. Our waitress let me know that the shrimp and grits was one of their most popular dishes so I took her suggestion. Sadly, I didn't like it. Keep in mind this was maybe the first time I had tried a grit, and it's just not really my kind of food. I thought it would be a bit more creamy or something. And the shrimp was just OK. Very seasoned, but not seasoned to my liking. I also ordered a side of cornbread which I definitely was not a fan of. It tasted so blah. It was missing a key ingredient...maybe corn? It did not taste like corn bread! One of my dining partners (who loves the Southern and consistently raves about it) tried it and said it had more flour than normal. Whatever it had or didn't have, I didn't like it. And the bottom was burnt, which made it even more unexciting. Boo. I have been here for cocktails only though about a month ago or so. I really like the vibe of the Southern: good music, not too crowded, and a great place to come if you love whiskey. Which I've recently come to find out, I actually do really like whiskey, straight up. The bartenders were accommodating, fast and friendly, and I love that one of the bartenders has this totally old school saloon type mustache. Very on par with the ambiance. There is also a nice outdoor area, which I'm sure is great in the summer and they have a fire pit for those of you with a nicotine habit. If I came back, I might just stick to the mac n' cheese or try a totally new entree. Maybe I just chose wrong, but I also think I am the minority since most people apparently love the shrimp n' grits! Oh well...I definitely want to give them another try for dinner and will definitely return for my whiskey fix.

    (3)

  • Y G.

    I'm updating this review and removing a star because of the "southern hospitality" I was given recently by Cary Taylor, executive chef of "The Southern" "Hello Y.G. (if that is your real name) Sorry you didn't like the fried chicken dinner. You are the first complaint we've had in over 60 fried chicken dinners, so I'll take it with a grain of salt (haha!) A little clarification for you though - you got it after all of the other things you ordered because they were appetizers. Those usually come first. We gave every one a half chicken, which is quite a bit of food, plus all of the other sides. It's quite a value, to be honest, especially since we are buying local produce which costs us quite a bit. Furthermore, no where on the menu you received did it say that mashed potatoes were served. Not with the summer menu, sorry. I'm glad you thought the green beans tasted like green beans, because, well, that's what we were going for. And while the four apps you ordered between your (minimum of six people) friends didn't offer a heaping portion for yourself, then I guess you should have ordered one for yourself. Lastly, as to how we fry the chicken - I don't think you know much about southern food, because "just dusting it in flour" and frying chicken is how you fry chicken. Give us a call sometime and you can come spend a day in the kitchen with us and see how we season the chicken. We do season it by the way - with Old bay, salt, pepper, buttermilk and franks red hot. Oh one more thing - the 48 hours notice is because we order it special for you and we like to brine it for a day. Not that special, just typical good southern fried chicken. We just don't keep chickens rotting in the cooler like the other places I'm sure you love do so that anyone can grab it at a moments notice. Despite this insipid review you wrote, I'll give you three stars. One for having the balls to not say something to our face about your displeasure, like you could have. One for coming in with some cool friends that don't bitch and moan online and another for having a hearty appetite so important and self righteous that I only wish I could one day be able to emulate it. By the way, I was the Chef at Chaise Lounge too. Half the menu is the same." Hey chef. What happened to those southern manners your mom taught you? Oh, I get it. You are reopening your restaurant as "The Southern", and somehow bruised your ego and pride by calling your chicken bland. You wanted that "deep fried fame" huh? One bad review out of 60 dinners. That's golden. Why are you so upset? Somehow calling your food "decent" also made you feel like a sore loser. My bad. Maybe you had a bad batch of chicken, maybe your marinade isn't so special, or maybe trying to give your chicken that "KFC heat" just wasn't working. Your words right? There was no heat sorry to say. But, dude, no need to get nasty and making personal attacks. You are entitled to your own opinion, as am I. For your information, I know how fried chicken is made. I only meant to say that your ingredients contained nothing but the flour. As for the appetizers, nowhere on the menu did it say these were app portions. We assumed it because we all know a "$10" entree vs the $22/person fried chicken dinner seemed absurd. But then again $10 for 4 slices of fried green tomatoes seemed absurd. Thanks for the 3 star review. I'd rate you a 3 star as well. One for messaging me privately so nobody knows what a jerk you are. Though I should probably take one back since now everyone does. One for writing that review on Jane's restaurant about how unprofessional the owner was while you made fun of her, but obviously didn't have the "balls" to say it to her face. The third one for how classy you handle critiques on a site that well..are meant for reviews. Yes, YG are my real initials and..what does that prove? Did you want to look up my information or find that credit card bill I left at the restaurant so you can continue to charge me more than I think your food's worth? I tried to be professional by letting the owner James L know about how you are embarrassing yourself and your restaurant and how your personal attacks towards me are unwarranted. Why would anyone respond to your message? But you've forced my hand. Due to character limit, I can't post your follow up rant. Though I'm sure many people will be interested to read it. Way to kick off your new restaurant. Congrats. You are doing a really great job at gaining customers. If you can't take the heat on yelp..get out of the kitchen. Also, stop harassing the reviewers on yelp. This review is a 1 star because I still like the hooks under the table for purses. Not to put salt on an open wound (ha!), we were forced to take your chicken leftovers and we had to eat it with bbq sauce.

    (1)

  • Jared L.

    Went for a dual-birthday party and we were lucky that the person who planned it called and had them prepare the chicken dinner (you have to contact them 24-hours in advance). Probably the best Fried Chicken I've ever had...the way I like to gauge if the food is good is how much chatter happens during the meal, everyone was quiet. Most of their beers were half price too, try the Purple Haze (wheat beer) it was very good.

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    Of course Piece and Big Star were too busy on a Friday night, but I was super excited to get to try The Southern instead. The downstairs was loud and crowded and the only table was near the door (on a snowy night, it wasn't ideal). To our surprise though there was an upstairs which was much quieter and more peaceful. We had questions about the beer list and our waitness knew her stuff! She also gave us suggestions on the food. The crab cakes were good and so was the grits. We really enjoyed the hushpuppes too. For busy Wicker Park, this was wasn't too bad which was relaxing for a weekend night out.

    (4)

  • Brian W.

    The interior design and whiskey list are top notch, though the $30/plate fried chicken party deal boiled down to an experience equivalent to eating (elbow-to-elbow while standing) in a Boston Market that was about 3 times over capacity. The value and atmosphere (and 25-minute single drink wait times when you've paid $30 ahead) are rather absurd. It's not worth the money for large groups, but downstairs for a small party, you'll probably find a much better experience.

    (2)

  • Kate D.

    We went on a Saturday at 2:30 in the afternoon. Our waiter, Justin, was fantastic!!! He was so attentive and made our experience enjoyable (a stop on my best friends birthday party). Unfortunately the hostess made it know that we were less than welcome. We almost left even before we sat down because she made it seem like we were imposing on the restaurant due to the size of our group. I did not see a line around the block waiting to get in at that time of day. You're welcome for the $200 we spent in an hour. Sorry to be such an inconvenience. Likely won't go back.

    (1)

  • Sara W.

    I decided to make this place the spot for my going away party based on the large patio. I was a bit nervous if the staff would be ok with the set up I had in mind- friends coming and going over a 3-4 hour period. They were very ok with it (Sunday afternoon and not too busy) and very accommodating! They didn't get upset when we really didn't use one of the tables I had reserved until more people showed up an hour or so in. They made sure we had plenty of food and drinks but didn't hover. Great environment. Only complaint is that the mixed drinks are a bit pricey ($10-$12) but they were really very tasty and unique! Oh and they played some good music!

    (5)

  • Chase K.

    Short and easy to follow menu coupled with awesome soul food. Unbelievably fast service and cold beer.

    (5)

  • Mike N.

    Junk to this spot. Bad service, overpriced drinks(even for wicker park,) and mediocre food. Went with my lady recently in between bouts of heavy drinking and was extremely disappointed. I had the shrimp and grits and she had the east texas brisket. The shrimp and grits were okay, nothing special, but the brisket was offensive to us native Texans. Blasphemous. The chef must have made a quick tour though Texas, because I know E. Texans that would burn your house down over labeling something so mediocre as Texas-anything. Nothing special, won't be back.

    (2)

  • Chris P.

    mint julep was watery. green beans were tasty and the hush puppies were ok. good spot for drinks and people watching. not as southern as the name would suggest.

    (3)

  • aida r.

    Whenever my friends and I are in Wicker Park....the southern usually comes to the top of the list of places to eat, drink, and hang. We have been there several times and have yet to be disappointed. The food has always been tasty, the service has always been top notch, and it's a decent selection of southern beer. On our first visit to the Southern, me and my friends instantly fell for the johnny cakes. The way pork was cooked was amazing. It was the right amount of tenderness and seasoning. We also racked up quite tab on the southern star beer. At the end of the night our server, came around and said the last round was on the house. On subsequent visits, we have tried everything from the friend green tomatoes to carolina tuna tacos (which I think is no longer on the menu) to there pork dinner and everything was mouth watering. On our last visit yesterday, I had a taste for biscuits and gravy. The Southern does not serve biscuit and gravy for it's dinner menu. They do have it on the breakfast and brunch menus for the weekend, But I thought I would just ask for it just in case they could whip it up on the side. Our waiter went to talk to the chef to see if he could whip it off and the waiter said that he tried but it takes 40 minutes to prepare the biscuits and gravy but that I could come back during the weekend for the meal. I was totally fine with this response, I ordered the mac and cheese instead,which I like a lot here. About 30 minutes later the chef, himself came out of the restaurant and apologized profusely for not being able to make the biscuits and gravy. So he gave me a $10 meal/drink card to used when I came back and visit. I have to admit I was feeling pretty stoked about the meal card. About 10 minutes after I received my card, the chef came out again and apologize even further for not giving everyone else in the table the same gift cards. He explained that his southern hospitality required that he give everyone the meal/drink card. At this point, everyone was already chomping down the johnny cakes, the southern mess, and the mac that was ordered and excited to come back for more. At the end of the meal, our waiter comes back and ask us not to leave because the chef has something else in store. So our group waited, and what can you guess the waiter brought back out.....the biscuits and gravy on the house. Let me tell you it was awesome surprise, especially since their biscuits and gravy are delicious. If this is not hospitality, I don't know what is. I can't wait to go back for more.

    (5)

  • Brian P.

    After walking all around Wicker Park before a concert at the Double Door, we decided on The Southern for dinner. The atmosphere was great, our server was very nice and attentive and overall the food was good. The portions were very generous, especially the "cup" of soup: it was so large, I though they brought the bowl by mistake. We also ordered the hush puppies, and again the portion was very generous (I would guess between 10-12 pieces). The blackened catfish entree was delicious!

    (4)

  • Molly H.

    This review is being written as we are finishing our food. First of all, the food is awesome. Everyone knows that the mac and cheese is the best in the city, but the crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and johnny cakes were outstanding. The reason we are taking the time to write this review that one of our entrees did not arrive. The chef came out from the kitchen, apologized profusely, then offered us a round of drinks and desert for our trouble. But, then, here's the magic! He stayed at our table, joked around with us, and made us feel like welcome guests in his home. He came back after desert to make sure that everything was to our liking, and joked around some more. We have enjoyed this place since it opened, but now are true fans!

    (5)

  • Samuel M.

    I really wanted to love the Southern. It is surprisingly difficult to find good authentic Southern food in Chicago, and I was hoping that this place could satisfy my infrequent but overwhelming Dixie cravings. Alas, the food was pedestrian at best. Truffled mac and cheese (a "can't miss" special according to the menu) was quite sparsely truffled, and quite frankly tasted like Kraft's made with better noodles and white cheese powder instead of yella. It wasn't even baked with a divine crispy top, which I was expecting for $9. Hush puppies were good, and entrees were generally palatable (we had people order etoufee, pork belly, and ribs). The fried chicken looked delectable, but it must be ordered 24 hours in advance (which means that it is likely properly soaked in buttermilk overnight). All in all, the meal was perfectly average, and I would agree to come back if a group of friends were dead set on it. The drinks are another story. They do really interesting things with whiskey here, bourbon in particular. The old fashioned is actually potable, which I can only say for a handful of establishments in Chicago. I'd definitely much sooner drink here again than eat here again.

    (3)

  • Alison T.

    I was so excited to try this place after seeing how cool it looks from the outside. After not being able to get a table at Big Star, we decided to get dinner and drinks here since it was a really nice summer night. We were pretty disappointed. The food and drinks were overpriced and food portions were small. We got the shrimp n grits and fried green tomatoes. Both mediocre. I love the southern food idea and the restaurant/bar itself is sweet, so it's a bummer that this place could be awesome... But it's not. The only way I'd come back is if we have one of the sweet booths overlooking north ave!! And I'd only come for drinks!

    (2)

  • Tish N Aqui F.

    I was looking forward to coming here but had a bad experience, and will not be back. I ordered the Mac n Cheese since it is highly rated here on yelp. Yikes! Mac was not fully cooked, and I don't mean al dente, the dish had liquid smoke,.... Blaaaa! It was over powering and killed the dish. I could make better Mac, if you want my recipe Southern lemme kno. Last but not least our server was rude, oh thats right, her tip was included in the bill, so no wonder she didn't need to be pleasant. Big thumbs down. I'll be spending my cash elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Paige W.

    In case you haven't heard? The tweetup is the new Yelp event: More intimate. Cooler nametags. (Everything's cooler with an @ by your name!) No trolls, no question-mark-heads. No freeloaders. (And because everyone's paying their own way? There's actually enough food to go around without having to lord over the tables like a vulture.) So you know. Last night, I met a few of my "tweeps" (that's the Twitter equivalent for Yelpers) for The Southern's family-style fried chicken dinner. There were 16 of us, actually, and we took up the entire back of the restaurant, in two straight lines of mismatched tables and chairs. This is clearly the ONLY way to fly when you're about to get down with some serious homestyle chow. I pity the server who handled our big, nerdy group, but she did it with aplomb. Pitchers of sweet tea with huge hunks of lemon started us off, but the food soon followed. First? Collard greens, black-eyed peas and boats of homemade rosemary gravy. Then there were platters full of crumbling homemade biscuits and dishes lined with pats of salted butter and drizzled with honey. Then, the main event: The fried chicken, piled about a foot high off the table. Three platters full. The most glorious chicken I've seen since I left Kansas City (holla, Stroud's). Oh, and a side order of cheese grits, because I can't NOT order them when I see them on the menu Lawd a'mighty, that was a MESS of food. And that chicken was slap your mama good. It gave me religion. That kind of thing. We ate and ate and ate and didn't even THINK about the Internet for a good hour and a half during that feeding frenzy. It was refreshing, actually. But food overload will do that to you. My only regret for the night was having ridden my bike to Wicker Park. But the crisp night air helped work some of that Southern food baby out as I made my way home. So, I could have had this dinner without the aid of Twitter. As long as you reserve a table 48 hours in advance, you're in. But I might not have known its glories without those 140 characters inviting me to take a taste. And chances are, if the power of @GourmetRambler hadn't compelled me, I would have run screaming from the Southern: The Wicker Park force is strong with this one, from aviators and trucker hats to ironic T-shirts and too-skinny jeans. I'm looking at you, you (painful) hipsters stumbling out of there drunk at 5 p.m. on this particular Sunday Funday. So really, there are just as many pros and cons for Twitter as there are for Yelp. It's all the Internet, for God's sake. I needed an anecdote. But there are few downsides to this chicken dinner. So put your smartphone down and go eat some with 5-9 of your closest friends. Tweets. Yelpers. Whatever. Tell 'em @paigeworthy sent you. kthx.

    (4)

  • Courtney S.

    Great whiskey list - tons of good bourbon - and a very trendy/chill atmosphere. We had a big birthday party here recently and were very pleased with the way The Southern pulled it together for us. The private party space upstairs is fantastic (guests kept commenting on how cool it was), and the service was very impressive. When planning events it's always nice to work with serious professionals, and the staff at The Southern definitely fit that description. If you are hosting an event in Wicker Park/Bucktown, this place should be on your list!

    (5)

  • valiha s.

    Went on a Friday night... it was pretty busy but we were able to sit right down. Staff was really friendly and we felt like we were able to take our time and order at our own pace. Great drink selection of Bourbon, Scotch and Rye's and neat-o cocktails. Food was also good! The waiter was very helpful with the menu and giving recommendations. Pot Roast and Shrimp and grits were YUM! Also had hush puppies and a side of collard greens, which had this interesting sweet and spicy flavor to them. All in all a good evening... we'd definitely like to go back.

    (4)

  • Princesses M.

    This was my second time eating at Southern. The vibe is young hipsters who have no idea what good southern food is like. The best thing about this place is the location. Seating is uncomfortable.

    (2)

  • Christopher K.

    Having eaten here a few times, always for Sunday bunch, I'll have to make this an endorsement of brunching there. Favorites include the chicken and biscuit (great chicken and a great sauce), and also the Eggs Sardou. Also recommending the Johnny Cakes and crepes -- overall a great place for a winter brunch. Satisfying comfort food in a relaxed and casual setting. The staff has always been friendly, just once felt a bit rushed by aggressive busing of the table when the there was no waiting. I'll have to try it for dinner sometime.

    (4)

  • Jonathan D.

    Great atmosphere, good food, but more of a single girls mixed drink mecca than a full-on whiskey bar. As for the dishes, I tried the crab cakes and hush puppies. They were both good eats but something was missing in both, an bit of attention maybe. The crab cakes were a bit soft and mushy like they spent a little too much time under a heat lamp. The hush puppies were crispy but just not fantastic. Overall, it is a good place for drinks and dinner if you are looking for an active mingling environment.

    (3)

  • Kevin C.

    I cannot speak about the food as I have never eaten here but have only been here for drinks. The decor is fairly standard and somewhat trendy but it is a nice chill vibe. They have one of my favorite drink specials here which is unreal for Chicago. $3.00 Makers Mark shots on Friday!!! Unheard of, absolutely fun, and dangerous at the same time. Buyer beware.

    (3)

  • TC S.

    Very knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming staff. Excellent drinks. I got everything he recommended and he was absolutely right. Spot on service. No pretension. Great value for the price.

    (5)

  • Edie J.

    Had brunch here with friends a couple of weeks ago. Two vegetarians, surprised to find things to eat on the menu!! Yummy fried green tomato sandwich with grits :D so good!! The coffee and bloody marys were excellent as well. Very happy!

    (4)

  • Jackie S.

    I am giving this place 5 stars for brunch only. Down right great tasting and original food. First of all at 11:00am on a Sunday there was no wait fro brunch which is too good to be true. The service was a little green but very attentive. The food was what did it for me. I'm not a huge meat eater and there were several vegetarian options, all of which were great. I shared with two friends so we tried a few items. First we had the eggs sardou. Amazing! Basically a play on eggs benedict, an english muffin with cream spinach and a poached eggs and caramelized artichoke. We tried the fried green tomato sandwich with arugula and goat cheese. I thought the portion was pretty meager and the side of slaw was good but with such a small dish it needed a hardy side. The pancakes were beautiful with mint and blueberries and a slight ginger flavor with a basil whipped butter. Also a side of spicy cheese grits which were great. I also had plate envy when I saw other tables getting the breakfast mac and cheese and the fried chicken. I'm dying to go back. I also went here for drinks one night and all I can say is the up stairs is simply unbearable. I was literally drenched in sweat and had to leave. I think they are taking their name literally and I'm talking deep south heat. Please, something has to be done. Until then I will just be back for brunch over and over again!

    (5)

  • Brad S.

    I went here on Saturday for lunch with a friend and they were serving brunch at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. My water was filthy as well. We each had a beer and left.

    (1)

  • Charlene C.

    I've been a fan of fried green tomatoes for many years and have made them myself dozens of times. One suggestion to this restaurant: The green tomatoes should not still be hard when fried and served for that leaves them lacking in flavor. I had to cut mine with a knife - a good indicator that they weren't going to be prepared to my liking. As expected, while the topping was excellent, the tomatoes themselves had nearly no flavor. The tomatoes should be 'soft' to the fork...a little on the oozie side when cut to impart the best fried green tomato. ($12 for tomatoes is a bit exhorbitant, even for Chicago). The Dirty Rice was excellent as was the fried chicken & biscuit, the pan seared corn was over the top delicious and sweet. Portions are large enough to share and plates are provided for this purpose. We dined on the patio; service was very good in spite of a crowd. Great concept

    (4)

  • Jon C.

    Very nice time. Outdoor space is great and just an all around chill atmosphere. Will definitely go back and don't worry if you have a large group- they can accommodate.

    (4)

  • Ken N.

    I'm really surprised at the great reviews here. I mean it's not bad and certainly better than the dbag hot spot Chaise Lounge. they have a pretty short whiskey/ bourbon list for a "whiskey" bar. Ok but nothing you won't find at your typical well stocked bar. The food is decent if you like everything fried. Mac n Cheese - good but MUCH better at the Handlebar Okra - pretty flavorless Fried Tomatoes - ok It's a good addition, nice place to have a drink with friends and get a little bar food, but that is what it is bar food. It's a pretty typical bar with a southern twist on typical bar food. 2.5 stars

    (2)

  • Megan G.

    The Southern has poutine, and that alone earns an A-Ok in my book. I have to say that I still prefer the poutine at The Gage, but this one ain't bad. My friend and I arrived at 7:30 on a Friday. The downstairs was completely full, but there were several tables available on the second level. The Southern is really cute. I never went here when it was Chaise Lounge, but I understand why someone would say the vibe was "South Beach." The second floor appears to be able to be opened up to the outside and there are two cabana tables (that I covet...I'm going to have to come back in the summer to snag one of those). Our waitress popped up quickly to take our orders. I went with the Presbyterian drink (for the name alone), a side of cornbread and, of course, the poutine. The drinks came quickly, though for $8 I wasn't impressed. My Presbyterian was pretty watery and uninteresting. And, unfortunately, from this moment on service became atrocious. We waited, easily, 30 minutes for our food. The table next to us received and finished their food and were paying the bill before our order came up. We didn't get an update on the food situation until about 25 minutes in nor did our waitress come by our table. At the 25 minute mark she showed up to let us know the food would be just a moment and to ask if we wanted another drink. I didn't but asked for a glass of water. Which she came back to deliver about 30 minutes later as she picked up our empty plates. The Southern was not in any way busy enough to justify these service oversights. We didn't even SEE the waitress to flag her down to remind her we needed water. What I did see was a smashed plate of poutine outside the kitchen (not mine, we were done by then). I have a feeling a similar fate befell one of our dishes, which would account for the long wait time, but with no updates from the waitress who knows? My poutine was good, the cornbread seemed really dry and was more the savory rather than sweet variety I tend to prefer. Butter would have helped, but none came with it and, again, wait staff were completely absent. Our tab came out to about $30 per person, which was a little high but not unreasonable. I'd come back to The Southern again, particularly in the summer, but I have to say I wasn't overly impressed with this first visit.

    (3)

  • Audre L.

    Came here for a bday party. Table of 7, sat on the outdoor patio. The cocktails are wonderful, the punch bowls are fun. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share. BEST Mac and Cheese. The Pork taco type things were really tasty too. Great space. I dig it.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    This place is in between a "gastro pub" and a regular pub. The food is like the former, but the interior like the latter. Overall a versatile joint. The food is good and I can't complain about the beer selection. I'd be excited if I saw their mac'n'cheese truck in my neighborhood (big yum!).

    (3)

  • Ryan Y.

    It's been a few months since I went and I wish I could remember what I ordered besides the hush puppies (recommended!), but I definitely remember that the food is amazing! The Southern has two floors which are very different. Downstairs seemed rowdier, with lots of high-fivery going on. I thankfully ate upstairs, which had dimmer lighting and was much more quiet and romantic. Our server was very busy but still managed be attentive and friendly. The only downside was that the portions were on the small side for the asking price, but I've found that to generally be the case in Wicker Park/Buckown. Check it out!

    (4)

  • jessica m.

    my review is based solely upon their sunday brunch menu as i have yet to try their dinner menu (oh, but will i be back for that dinner menu!). went with my folks last weekend for my mom's birthday. brought my 8.5 month old son, and while this place is not suited to be kid-friendly (as it is, first and foremost, a bar) no one scoffed at us or gave us dirty looks as we dined with him in tow. in fact, everyone was really friendly and even interacted with him a few times throughout our meal. and the meal. was. to die for. southern fried chicken and biscuits with the crispy fried skin and meat that was so tender, you could lick the bones clean. sunday morning mac and cheese with scrambled eggs and andouille sausage? yes please. a burger for breakfast topped with an egg fried so perfectly that the yolk melts into every bite? count me in. and top everything off with metropolis coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice and super spicy bloody mary? i think i've died and gone to heaven. does anyone want to babysit so i can indulge in what i can only assume to be their equally amazing dinner menu?

    (5)

  • Laura B.

    Breakfast mess is so good! The service is excellent!

    (5)

  • Julie B.

    This was a mixed bag for us. Went here for Sat brunch with my friends and half of us were happy, half disappointed. I had the eggs benedict with crab cakes, whch was amazing. And my friend had the bananas foster french toast, which also rocked. And we split the breakfast mac n cheese, also really tasty. Other friends had the eggs sardou and gumbo, which were really disappointing. The place is really cute and looks like a nice place for cocktails. I would give the food another try, see how the dinner menu is.

    (3)

  • Dr. M.

    Despite the "rave" reviews...I can't see for the life of me how this place meets any expectations...well, maybe the bar babes & boyz??? I read the reviews and decided to try it out last night. Soooo, I get there and no one greets me, someone outside (don't who he was) says "just go in." So my guest & I walk in unnoticed. Still unnoticed, I asked an employee where to sit and he said, "anywhere..." that's it...that's all! OK, soooo...we sit...and sit...and sit... even the employee, who told us to sit, stood there, with his arms folded, looking outside. Finally someone from the kitchen notices us, maybe it was the darts he felt from me staring him down??? lol He delivers glasses of water & a paper menu that looks something like a kindergarten class could have made. But, he informs me that he doesn't know if the kitchen is open (@ 6pm)? Luckily, I can understand Spanish...picato...lol The menu had about 6 overly-priced appetizers & maybe 6 other food items to order...disgusted! I got up & walked out...still unnoticed. Wonder if I ordered, ate & walked out - would someone have noticed me then? Sure would have - "heyyy, wait..the check!!!"

    (1)

  • Noah P.

    Great food and drinks... Big fan of the infused bourbons and vodkas!

    (5)

  • Law S.

    Interesting concept, overall I liked it. we had the crab cakes, macaroni and cheese and some other various friend things. I thought I was going to miss Chaise Lounge, but this is a great replacement and doesn't get as "clubby" after nine.

    (3)

  • Tim B.

    Went here for brunch on a gorgeous Sunday and scored a spot under the tree outside. It wasn't very busy around 11am, but picked up quite a bit by noontime. Music was a bit loud, but it does drown out the noise from North Ave. I'd hate to be a neighbor in the summer. You could still converse easily enough, but I couldn't sit as far back as I'd like in those chairs and enjoy the conversation. I had the breakfast sandwich and my friends had the breakfast burger and the fried chicken. No complaints there and I wanted to try everything on the menu. Food wasn't crazy good or anything, but it was well done, fresh, and everything is done up a notch. Given that most of the better brunch spots in the area get crazy busy, this was a nice happy medium. Service was adequate, perhaps leisurely, but nothing special. I'll add this to my short list of brunch options in the area.

    (4)

  • David T.

    Everything that Chaise Lounge was not!! Great move by the ownership!! Great food, great drinks, and most important...A RELAXED NEIGHBORHOOD ATMOSPHERE!

    (5)

  • Will P.

    I'm so glad we finally ate here...quality service...great cocktails...tasty food...wonderful patio...all around a really good expirence! We're still relatively new to the Bucktown/WP 'hood....and, despite talking about coming here numerous times...there are SO many resturants in the area, that we just hadn't made it into The Southern until just recently. Food highlights included the andoullie gumbo and the Po Boy (not normally a brunch item, but they subbed it for something they were out of)...and the chicken -n-biscuts! The only miss was the famed mac-n-cheese...it was OK, but didn't live up to the hype. Our server (Nick, if I remember right?) was great! He knew both the food and the whiskey menu inside and out. He made some great pairing recommendations and even did a couple shots w/ us! While there are still a number of resturants on our "we need to try that place list", honestly, we'll probably end up back here before seeing the inside of some of those places!

    (4)

  • Ellen O.

    brunch on the southern's patio on the first warm day of the season = deeeeelightful. food was delicious and their patio is great. i didn't mind the small cups of coffee as mine was always kept full by our sever. i had the breakfast sandwich (itwas good!) and cheese grits (yum) but immediately regretted my order when i saw a plate of fried chicken go by. next time, next time.... one thing to note- they don't open until 11am on saturdays. we arrived 20 minutes before and were turned away - so sleep in!

    (4)

  • Blaise S.

    Made my way to The Southern on a nice, cool night and found my friends hanging out in the patio. I like the layout of this bar, with plenty of outdoor seating (as I mentioned, it was really nice out) and the two levels, the top being an enclosed roof. We tried the hush puppies (probably since it had been a while since we had been to Long John Silver's) and they were tasty. Next time I'll give the entrees a try. They had $3 Maker's Mark on special, but as you know from my past reviews, I HATE whiskey. So I settled for beer, and they have a good beer list. I tried a very good Abita Pale Ale. Only problem was drinks other than the specials are pricey. Our waitress was below par, but the bartender who recommended that Abita beer gets two thumbs up from me. I'll visit again, at least to try the food, but they'll have to really impress me next time to get more stars.

    (3)

  • Angela Z.

    Didn't really have a great experience here. Our server forgot about us for most of our night here and was MIA. The food and drinks were just o-k, nothing special at all. Our friend even sent back her Fried Green Tomatoes because there was no flavor. The mac and cheese wasn't bad but my eyes didn't roll back in my head or anything. (and I'm a big mac and cheese person.) It all just seemed overpriced for what it was and sounded soooo much better on a menu than in reality. Then when one of our friends tried to work out a special birthday treat with a candle to surprise our friend for her birthday they rudely pointed out that it would cost extra (uh, duh we weren't asking for a freebie) and then unceremoniously brought out a slab of bread pudding and plopped it on the table sans candle. Thanks. The concept is a good one in theory but the execution kind of fails here. Whatever happened to "southern hospitality"??

    (2)

  • Jims L.

    Great food! Good portions at realllly nice prices.

    (4)

  • Rosie S.

    Take 2 for The Southern--this time for Sunday Brunch. I decided to give The Southern another shot by trying their food. It was disappointing to say the least. Four of us went there for brunch only one person walked out loving their food. The menu sounds so delicious, but the meals were less than sub-par. Upon walking into The Southern, one booth was open and requested to sit there because the place was not that busy...we were denied. They are only for groups of 5 or more. Boo!! We then seated and promptly greated by our waitress. I had the Southern M'am---it sounded so delicious!! And I couldn't wait to get my order--the menu says it contains honey ham, pulled pork, fried egg, brioche, mustard, and mornay sauce I would describe this as an open face double decker sandwich--the bread became extremely soggy very fast. But the worse part of all--is that there were PICKLES on it! No where in the description did it mention pickles and I definetly did NOT want them on this sandwich. One friend ordered the breakfast burger--which is supposed to include a fried egg (hence the word breakfast) when it arrived--the egg was missing! She got the attention of the waitress and literally less then 30 seconds later her breakfast burger was back with a very sad looking friend egg added to the top! I kept joking that they must have taken it off someone else breakfast because I had no idea an egg could cook that fast. She stated that she would not be ordering it again. Another ordered the Shrimp/Grits---he said they were good but would get something different the next time. And the best dish of the day was Bacon/Chocolate Pancakes--i didn't try them but the eater loved them. It is also important to note, that I think our server forgot to put our order in because other tables recieved their food first even though we were there before them. And there was no apology!! I will say that it will take me a lot to go back to this place! 2 strikes is enough for me!!

    (2)

  • Curtis B.

    The staff at southern were amazing! The host started the whole experience to make for a great dining evening!

    (5)

  • Kohl F.

    Best Fried Chicken and biscuts in Chicago, it literally sells out every Sunday. Their other breakfast items are just as good (try the southern ma'am if you're into Cuban sandwiches, and the donuts are amazing with the coffee dipping sauce.) Great service all in all a great experience.

    (5)

  • anna k.

    Never ate here. Stopped in late on a recent Saturday with a friend. We were on our way home after a tough shift at the salt mines and decided we were in need of dirty martinis! We had the best dirty vodka martini ever, no joking. Perfect ratio of vodka to brine and ice... ugh! I haven't been that happy in a very long time. Bravo! I almost don't want to go back, so I can preserve that experience. Lying

    (5)

  • Tucker F.

    Food was ok. The gumbo was ok but could use more kick. The Mac n Cheese was lacking flavor. The service was sloooooooooooow (for all the tables around us).

    (2)

  • liz d.

    The menu alone in this place is fantastic. As the name suggests, all of your favorite southern comfort foods. From grits, mac n cheese, crab cakes, even hush puppies! This place is not for dieters.Great spacious bar, with an upstairs that appears to open completely up in the summer. Can't wait to come back when it's warm! Nice, small patio with fit place/pit to keep all you smokers warm. Not easy to find a table, but we did and our server was superb. Never without a drink, she was always near by. Mixed drinks were $7 for a small glass, but catch one of the decent weekday specials and it wont break the bank.

    (4)

  • James G.

    Our host was amazing, the crowd was fun, the food surprisingly delicious. I'll go back as soon as I get off this damn diet!

    (4)

  • Cory M.

    Food is OK, but not great (note I am from TX And my wife is from TN, so we know when it's done right). I cannot say enough bad things about the service. Total garbage. Will not return.

    (1)

  • Christina B.

    great spot for dinner or drinks!!! had a blast there last night...we tried the hushpuppies (amazing) and mac and cheese..mmm! to start with...had the 'woo woo' cocktail...nice and smooth. don't try the 'presbyterian' cocktail unless you like whiskey and soda water.....the delish sweet tea made me think i was back in texas again! i had the burger..great fries...just right! my boyfriend got the pork...it was outstanding!!! fell of the bone good. my sister got the mahi tacos..pretty good! probably a better appetizer than entree...and soon to be brother in law got the crab cakes...looked good, and he did finish the whole plate. great atmostphere...great for a date night, couples dinner or for a large group of friends. (upstairs was fun too, even in the winter time!) booths looked like they straight out of outback steak house...but they're big enough to fit 10 friends comfortably. so excited to go in the summer....even decided to host my sister's bridal shower/luncheon here!!!! DEF. recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Jack K.

    My meal today at the Southern was a lesson in customer service and these guys get an A+ in my book. I ordered the chicken and biscuits, which were unbelievable. The only downside was that my chicken breast was a little undercooked, as will happen sometimes when you fry chicken. Now, usually I dont send food back to the kitchen, but being as it was one of the best breakfasts I have had in a long time I kindly asked my waiter if there was anything he could do. Not only did they fry me up a new breast they also gave me a biscuit, bought me a fresh beer and gave me a giftcard. The hostess even came up to apologize to me. By going above and beyond what was expected they have definitely secured a second visit from me and my friends. Perfect sunday brunch.

    (5)

  • Sara L.

    Went here on a Friday night for dinner and had a really good meal. We started with the oysters, which were great. The only thing is that it was a little dark in there, and the oysters were on top of a substance that I thought was bread crumbs, so I put a little on my oyster. It was sooo salty that it made that oyster inedible (and I like my food salty)...so don't do that. My husband got the pork and I got the fish tacos. Both were great. I love that the fish in the tacos was not fried. And the pork was huge! We also tried the collard greens, which were delicious. We will definitly go back, as there were a lot of items on the menu that looked awesome. Can't wait until the weather gets nice and they can open up the doors! Great idea for a restaurant/bar.

    (5)

  • Kate N.

    Went a few weeks ago for dinner and drinks with a friend. Cool atmosphere and a nice menu and beer selection. I had the shrimp and grits...the grits were fabulous!! We were seated in the bar area which got a little loud...next time I'd like to go in warmer weather and try the patio . I thought it was a little pricey but would go back.

    (4)

  • Michael F.

    Went for the first time last night to celebrate a birthday and was blown away by the service. The staff went above and beyond what I expected for a restaurant/bar and will definitely bring me back. The GM, Evan, was especially attentive and treated our party extremely well. Kudos to the staff!

    (5)

  • Justin U.

    My girlfriend and i went to the southern on a sunday afternoon and aside from the good reviews from yelp and urban spoon, i had no expectations. We sat on the patio which had a feel i really liked. We were greeted be a nice server with dreadlocks and my girlfriend ordered a cocktail. I had water. Im not going to say i got a look, but the next 3 times the server stopped by our table it was to ask her if she wanted another cocktail and to goad me into buying one for myself. The mac and cheese was light and delicious, and if i hadnt ordered that as an appetizer, my meal would have been ruined. Next we both ordered po boy sandwiches for our entrees. These sandwhiches though having the perfect amount of seasonings and cloeslaw completely sucked! If it had been described as catfish, i would have understood the fishy taste, but since it was mahi mahi that tasted like catfish but came out dry like steakfish, it was pretty dissapointing. After telling the server my food sucked, he forgot to bring my girlfriend her last drink she ordered, which he then brought right away for free. Still nothing as for the shitty food. I would try it one more time, but if it sucks like this again, i'll never return.

    (2)

  • Kevin Ethan L.

    Clever theme that adds a bit of diversity to the Wicker Park area. Stick with their specialties on their menu, the traditional bar offerings are relatively standard. I fell in love with their Johnny cakes and Fried Chicken. They're very generous with their daily drink specials, and their outdoor seating makes for great people watching.

    (4)

  • Chinishka J.

    I was casually out shopping this past Sunday afternoon and ended up strolling by The Southern. I had read many reviews about it and so I decided to go on in and try out their brunch. Can you say yummy! I ordered the buttermilk chicken and biscuits and it was delish. I have Southern roots, so trust me when I say its good. Its not like how my Mississippi grandmother used to make but it definitely was close! Mimosas were great also. I definitely will be going back!

    (5)

  • steve c.

    I was very excited to finally get to go to the southern. I always passed by it and read all of the good reviews. I really wish I never went. The 2nd star is simply for the posh decor of the place. We went on a Saturday night and it wasn't that busy and got to sit outside on the nice patio without a wait. 15 minutes later the waiter asks to get us a drink. More than 10 minutes he returns with a jack and coke. How hard is it to make that?! Ordered food which came 30 minutes later. This slow service continued throughout the night. When our food came it was some of the bland food I have ever tasted. No salt. No pepper. No waiter to get us hot sauce. I had the johnny cakes and shared the chicken sandwich. At $14 a pop I was expecting something way better. I dont know if it was a bad night but I would not recommend this place other than sitting at the bar.

    (2)

  • Robin W.

    Big fan of the trout hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes!! So good. All the dishes are Southern inspired, but this ain't my grandma's Southern food! It's a nice lounge atmosphere with more refined Southern dishes. A little pricier than I expected, but the food is really finger-licking good. There's a good drink menu too. And you get a beer koozie if you order a beer in a can. Excellent parting gift!

    (4)

  • Scot F.

    Stopped in for Sunday Brunch. We both had the chicken and biscuits. It was incredible!!! Coffee was a bit strong but other than that everything was great. We will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Laura K.

    the food here is good, and our sever kirstin was really nice. BUT, the drinks take forever, i mean, forever. at one point during our visit it became comical how long it took to get a drink so we began timing the next round. 20 minutes for a glass of wine! ugh, super annoying. fortunately, the atmosphere is great, and the southern has a killer patio. in the future i'll just order two drinks at a time.

    (3)

  • Nicole C.

    Good food, location, service, and nice outdoor patio. I split the Johnny Cakes with a friend and thought they were pretty good, but nothing mind-blowing. My other friend didn't really enjoy her burger, but she is pretty picky when it comes to burgers. If I go back, I'm definitely going for the fried chicken.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Food was excellent. The Johnny Cake, Mac N Cheese and Carrot Cake were all stand-outs. Still need to iron out some kinks in the service but to be expected with a brand spanking new but super busy restaurant.

    (5)

  • Bess R.

    Nice patio, good $3 beer special on a Sunday. I wasn't a huge fan of their overall brunch menu (only option at 3pm when we arrived), but the mac and cheese was pretty good. I liked it, but will have to try a full meal to get the full effect.

    (4)

  • Shannon R.

    The one saving grace to this bar is Lonestar. The food is nothing to write home about and the service is mediocre. With all of the other options in the area, I don't see myself returning to this one anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Mary I.

    Came here for Dinner/Happy Hour w/ a few friends after work. We sat outisde on the patio under the white umbrellas. It was a nice atmosphere. They had a beer special which was nice, but the food was just mediocre. We ordered the chopped salad, which was not that great, fried green tomatoes were ok, fries are always good, and the shrimp and grits were buttery as HELL, and also ok. A litle too buttery for my taste. We also ordered the chocolate dessert which was so rich and a huge disappointment =( 2 stars for the food and 1 star for the patio. Probably wouldn't come back for food, maybe a drink on a nice day.

    (3)

  • Joanne S.

    pretty chill spot in the area. came here, smoked a cigarette on the patio, went inside. had a few beers, stared at the TV a bit. when i walked in, there were a lot of people, but as soon as 1 am started rounding, it became completely empty in here. the whole decor, of what i remember, is very warm and woodsy. it was very nice.

    (4)

  • Erica K.

    Well, the Southern certainly isn't cheap, but damn is it a good location. They roll open all the walls and have a rooftop area that is really splendid. You can basically feel like you're outside or be outside anywhere in the place. And they have a fun cocktail list and some interesting beers from the southland, so what's not to like?

    (4)

  • Cheryl M.

    The outside patio on a warm Saturday attracted me to try The Southern. Typically when I order lunch with a friend we split the food so that we can save some cash. Let me tell you... $12 for a fish sandwich... and ONLY the fish sandwich. Definitely not enough to make me feel full or to come back for that matter. Bathrooms were super clean though.

    (2)

  • Anne M.

    Maybe this is reflective of the standard of most bars in Wicker Park/Bucktown, I don't know. Places like this don't do much for me: clusters of 20-something groups shouting over blaring pop, sipping overly sweet drinks served in a martini glass (that's NOT a martini). This place perhaps suffers from drinking-establishments-of-the-past in the same location reinventing itself over and over in an attempt to be the next hot thing. Myeah. The hush puppies were OK, a little dry and the rest of the menu looked quite heavy. The place isn't terrible, just boring.

    (3)

  • Lauren G.

    any place that has mac and cheese as an entree and abita beer on tap is fine by me. they also have a great beer garden. definitely check it out.

    (4)

  • H S.

    This is strictly in regards to the infamous "Fried Chicken Dinner". I liked it- I liked it a lot! It wasn't "The Best Ever" but it was a fun meal to enjoy with a group of people and not the type of food you're going to have often. The fried chicken itself was 4-5 star worthy. The buttermilk biscuits were good, but not like the ones pictured (which I was excited about)- 3-4 stars Collard greens, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, black eyed peas,- all good but none really stood out. To me, it's all about the chicken first and everything else thereafter, so 4-stars must be!

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    The Southern occupies the space previously leased to Chase Lounge. The space is perfectly designed for outdoor seating, and was very pleasant at night. Their Tasty Burger was as big as my head and slathered in mayo-y goodness. Would get again. Also had some very good collard greens that were almost too intense to finish. My date had their mac & cheese appetizer as an entree. The mac was a little mediocre. The drinks were well mixed but a little heavy on the ice for what they cost. I was intrigued by the $56 punch bowls (serves ~10 - 15 cocktails). I was satisfied with the meal. My date was of the opinion that she would go back if someone else was paying, but that she wouldn't choose to go their again. Given how many restaurants Chicago has left to try, I agree.

    (3)

  • Alex F.

    Fab bar and patio. Great place for drinks and apps but skip the entrees which were just blah.

    (3)

  • Carrie H.

    Come hear to drink, not eat. Disappointed in the food. My boyfriend ordered the Gulf Catch, which states fresh fish, but his was either over cooked or frozen prior. I had the chicken and biscuits which should always be good! Chicken, gravy, and biscuits are a no fail. These were OK, but I wouldn't order them again. Oh and the corn bread! Nothing spectacular. Again I feel like cornbread is a no fail, always good!The drink selection is good, definitely a bar feel, but I'd eat somewhere else before I came here

    (2)

  • Megan M.

    I've been here 3 or 4 times now. On weekend afternoons, this place is great to enjoy some cocktails and sunshine. Great, relaxed vibe, attentive staff and a tasty brunch menu. Not a fan of the Saturday night crowd, but still a fun place in the summer.

    (4)

  • K B.

    Pretty awesome brunch spot. The first time I visited was the day of the kentucky derby, and they gave out free shots of Woodford Reserve, and dressed the part of the derby. Props that they use local ingredients. The shrimp in the shrimp and grits is killer, the cheese grits alone are super thick and make a great side, and the chicken and biscuits is the standout dish (only on Sundays).

    (4)

  • Emily P.

    Don't get me wrong the drink list is inventive and the food is delicious. But I found the service to be wanting. The waiter was a little absent, which is understandable on a busy Friday night but in an attempt to pick up the tab for my out of town family (4 out of the party of 6) the waiter was completely bewildered on how to split a tab into two bills (and I promise that we were not high maintenance in our ordering). Call me fickle but hunting down the waiter then talking too much about money at the end of a meal leaves a memory that not even a Mint Julep can erase.

    (3)

  • David A.

    Went here this past Saturday and will most certainly try this place again in the summer when the outdoors is open and the weather is good. The inside is nicely decorated, pretty open and the tables offer plenty of space. I had the Crab Cakes and the people I went with had the fried green Tomato's, Duck and a few sides. We also did one of the large drinks ($42) for 4 people. They said 2 to 4 drinks per person, which actually was a whole lot more. I will most certainly try the Chicken with the notice that is needed. I will say this is a nice addition to the area and offers an alternative to just your regular bar.

    (4)

  • d b.

    I wouldn't think that this place has good food considering it looks more like a bar and a lounge space and the previous restaurant's never had good food. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the apps I tried and of course being a whisky bar it felt pretty chill inside. I can't speak for the entrees, but if you're in the neighborhood it's a good option.

    (4)

  • Marc A.

    In case anyone didn't already know, this is the former Chaise Lounge. Guess the powers that be got bored of the South Beach swagger and decided to go pure old school redneck. I personally didn't think there was any need for the change since the prior place worked very well for me. I was more concerned what would happen to an already strong product. Despite the name alterations of several menu items and a serious whiskey/bourbon infusion, the overall concept hasn't changed as much as it might appear at first glance. The food selection, while limited, is still very tasty. The Mac n Cheese remains the same, which allows all a huge sigh of relief. My heart goes out to the waiters who thought it would be wicked awesome to sprout moustaches circa 1850, but I digress. One more thing still remains the same; the strong service. You will be taken care of here by these friendly dudes.

    (4)

  • Gina B.

    Went here for drinks and apps a couple weeks ago. The smoked gouda mac and cheese was ridiculously delicious. I really want to come back for a full meal. The service was really good, they were attentive and friendly.

    (4)

  • Jannie T.

    Came on Tuesday night for a going away happy hour for a coworker. The ceiling-to-floor windows were thrown wide open and the weather was perfect. Not much to say about the decor, but the crab cakes, salad, and fries were all very good. Friends were disappointed in the hush puppies, but how much can you do with fried dough? The beer special of the night was Numbers ale - nothing to write home about, tasted kind of like Miller Lite -- but it was only $3. Not sure I would go on a weekend evening, but for a post-work happy hour, it was perfect.

    (3)

  • Andrew H.

    The food was bland, nothing special, and it took much longer than it should have. One drawback of serving beer in cans, the bussers kept grabbing our beers to see if they were empty.

    (2)

  • Matt N.

    All I can say is - Carolina Mahi - by far the best Fish Tacos I have EVER had. I can say that as I have tried fish tacos at many restaurants throughout Chicago yet I am still dreaming about these at night. The service was fantastic and carafes are even better. This place is a great spot to go with a group of friends looking to just have a good time and relax on a weeknight or weekend. I would definitely suggest this place not just for dinner but for a night out with your friends. And come hungry, because everything on this menu is outstanding.

    (5)

  • Katherine B.

    Great food and atmosphere, but a terrible option for groups. I had a large group gathering in the reserved cabana area, but the service staff was unable to keep up with the pace of the night. Our bill was completely messed up - in numerous ways! We were told that the bill could be split between each couple, but this was not possible. When I called to request the charges be removed that we not even for the guests at my party, the management was not as responsive as they could have been. I'd suggest considering the options before selecting The Southern as a group spot! But, otherwise, a well done transition from The Chaise.

    (2)

  • Teresa W.

    I was only here for drinking, although a few of my friends ordered food which they enjoyed. The Good: --yummy, moderately priced drinks --laid back (but not dive-y) atmosphere The Bad: --There are a bunch of tables in, what I considered, the bar area, yet they aren't first come/ first serve. This was a bit confusing/ annoying. --It was hard to identify/ get the attention of the only hostess as she was walking around with a clip board and she doubled as the coat check girl. (Given the situation of being the only one, she did a great job) --Once we got a table, we had to flag down our waitress to order food. All in all it wasn't bad and I hope these are just "newness" kinks that work themselves out.

    (4)

  • Erika M.

    This was our first experience here & our last. The waiter came back several times, after we ordered, asking one of our friends what his order was (both drink & dinner). After waiting for over an hour for our food, we asked the waiter how much longer it would be, to which he replied "maybe 10 min, we had some tech difficulty with our computer system". After another 30-40 min, we asked to speak to a manager, who came over and immediately started making excuses as to why our food wasnt out (new menu, computer problems, etc). Since he never asked what the problem was, I had to interupt him to tell him we wanted him to take care of the issue. He became a little snippy and said "I said I would take a little off the bill", which I did not hear him say in his excuse monologue. I would never go back here again, as no one ever took responsibility for their isssues; we always had to seek them out vs them coming to us and apologizing.

    (1)

  • Lauren R.

    really enjoyed this place. met another couple to celebrate their recent marriage. we sat inside but close to the open air windows. great atmosphere! we started with an appetizer - i think it was called the southern mess? basically, was french fries mixed in with some cheese? i didn't really enjoy it. it was really sloppy & watery. i ordered the shrimp & grits for dinner. it was delicious! i think for the price, the portion was a little small. also, wasn't super impressed with the cornbread. i've had better. overall, a cool place w/great atmosphere. might go back...

    (4)

  • Madelyn H.

    i haven't eaten here so this will require a re-review, but otherwise, this place was pretty terrible on a saturday night. over-crowded with no waiters/waitresses to be found. the outdoor patio is kinda cool but there were so many drunk fools that i couldn't enjoy it.

    (2)

  • Spencer S.

    Sunday morning I received a phone call from my brother-in-law wanting to meet up for brunch. Thinking of places to try, The Southern popped into my head from a mention on Thrillist a little while ago so we headed over there in short order. I have not spent a lot of time in Wicker Park, but 11:30 must be the calm point before it gets busy on a Sunday. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly and seated at what appeared to be the last open table. We ordered 3 cups of coffee that were filled rather frequently during our stay. At $2, it was a steal for Chicago with the coffee being strong but not harsh or bitter. My companions had 2 orders of the special omelet (chicken, okra, peppers, and cheese, I believe) and the Sunday Mac n' Cheese while I got the breakfast burger and we all shared the beignets. I tried some of everything and while my burger was very good (definitely liked the remoulade sauce), it was probably my least favorite of the 3 (though I should never order anything medium, it seems to guarantee well-done). The omelet was one of the best I've tasted in a while - not overcooked and the ingredients were fresh. The sausage in the Mac n' Cheese really complemented the dish and the beignets, while not as solid as some you might find in New Orleans, were enjoyable with the added fruit a nice touch. Additionally, I discovered while there that they have a 10% coupon on Foursquare. Not sure when we'll be able to go back, but I definitely hope to do so - and definitely well before everyone shows up at noon.

    (5)

  • Cassie B.

    great location. great atmosphere (when it's warm, the patio is awesome - see and be seen but also lots of the stroller set early on). good respectable southern food and cocktails - though kinda expensive for both. turns into quite the hook-up bar late. something for everyone!

    (3)

  • Emily W.

    The food isn't my thing, but I've had some OK dishes--a little too heavy to eat on a regular basis. Usually, I just stop in for an afternoon cocktail on a weekend. Service is generally pretty friendly, although their wine lists aren't always updated, and the bartenders don't know much about what's on the list. I understand it's a whisky/beer kind of place, but if you're going to serve wine, it's reasonable to expect that the bartenders and servers will know a little something about the stuff on the list. Minor point, but worth noting.

    (3)

  • Jerry N.

    We asked for coffee 3 times and the salt and pepper never showed up, but other than some minor service issues, this place has been spot on in terms of quality food, and drink. We first stumbled upon this on the grand opening night; then came back again for Valentines Day brunch... our first experience being the better of the two. Poutain, and Johnny Cakes were fantastic, and for brunch, the Banana Fosters French Toast and Breakfast Tacos were top notch. Their southern selection of beers were nice and varied; I loved my Jockamo (which tastes kind of like a nicer Fat Tire) and my girlfriend really enjoyed the Blonde Bombshell (light with a complex flavor). Brunch started off on a struggle to get some coffee even though OJ was served up promptly. We were halfway through our Beignets (nice and fluffy, but no dipping sauce) when we finally wrangled a manager to get us coffee. Being short-staffed I can understand food coming in a bit late, but I didn't get why they were slow on the basics like coffee, water, and salt n pepper. BTW salt n pepper never even showed, which sucks because my side-order of eggs really needed it (and it was bit over seasoned with basil too boot). Also no spoons to stir my coffee, so we had to use the extra fork and knife that they left us on accident. With a few fundamental adjustments and some proper staff managing this spot could easily leap into the 5 star rating for me. Until they work out the kinks it's more of a 3.5. But thank god it's no longer the douche-bag cesspool that Chaise Lounge was. For that alone you should give it a shot.

    (4)

  • lauren b.

    Comfort food is putting it lightly. It was delicious. I was there with a group, so we tried the mac and cheese, johnny cakes with pork and chow chow, hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, and messy fries. Each was more delicious than the next. Washing it all down with some Planter's Punch (from the huge tap pitcher just for our table), which was just like a refreshing iced tea straight from the South with a twist. The atmosphere was welcoming with great music (which they stayed true to all night) and friendly service. We enjoyed staying for a while and enjoying the bar upstairs a bit too. Wish I could go back for brunch.

    (5)

  • joy m.

    oh man! this place is amazing! everything i ate made me wanna just melt into my seat. we had the doughnuts to start which were to die for, the coffee sauce they make for that is killer. for our brunch we had the sunday mac n cheese and the bannans foster french toast along with the home made biscuts. i seriously loved everything. who would have thought mac n cheese with scrambled eggs would be good?? well it is BIGTIME good. biscuts were insaine and the bannas foster french toast speaks for itself. i would highly reccommend this place for any food lovers! the service was great the place is cute. the manager Erin was extremly nice!! we will def be back!

    (5)

  • Borracho G.

    Where else can you see a table of dudes in expensive shirts eating a chicken dinner served family style and costing over $120, a group of women sharing a $42 punchbowl of liquor, next to couples making out as they enjoy bottle service with their fries covered in cheese curds. This is a great place to drink heavily and judge all the hipsters and d-bro's this place draws in but if your looking for excellent southern food then you might still be looking. Food was alright, good for sharing but nothing stood out and flavors were basic. I give this place an OK mainly because both upstairs and downstairs bars are open to the outside air so it feels like being on a balcony/porch which is good for drinking many, many Bohemia's and $3 lone stars, the Texas version of Schlitz. They also poured a stiff whiskey libation, I wanted to regret having a few of these at the end of the evening but the drink law is to make no regrets and just drink. I could see myself coming back to this place again just for drinking with friends at the end of the day but then bailing to another bar as crowd turns it into ultra-lounge.

    (3)

  • Jeff H.

    we had a horrible experience on Saturday. When 6 of us arrived we were told 30 mins. We were taken 10 mins later upstairs to a "table". It was actually a bar that they use in the summer that was covered with a table cloth to look like a high top. It was situated next to the door (10 degrees) and a huge tornado heater. we opted to wait and after 45 min were told it might be another 30-45 mins. The manager came to apologize and offered to buy us a round.... of bourbon shots. No one in our group is really that into bourbon, so we passed, but he didnt offer to buy us what we were actually drinking. We were finally seated after about an hour and 15 mins. The food was mediocre at best. The wine we ordered had been substituted with a cheaper bottle and the pork belly had been substituted with pork shank, both without lowering the prices. The manager decided to bring us the bourbon shots anyhow, and most of them just sat in front of us. No adjustments were made to our bill whatsoever. I will say the server was fine and tried to make up for it, but in the end it was a horrible operation with food that was a notch above typical bar food. We will not be returning. (obviously)

    (1)

  • Annie K.

    I've been twice and the first visit sold me. Great atmosphere, amazing food, and the chef/owner even stopped by to visit. So when I convinced a group of 9 friends to join me there, I was expecting the same. Sure, it was a Friday night, but good service should always be good service. The food was good and we were pleased with our selections (except for the fried chicken sandwich - it needed more fried chicken than anything else!), the service was not good. I would recommend stopping by for dinner on a week night when they are not busy - the weekend and a big group of us was just too much for them apparently.

    (3)

  • Lencho F.

    Holy crap this place was good. the 4 of us sat down and tried each others food and it all was bomb. The stand out for me was the french toast, I think they added rum to it.

    (5)

  • Juice R.

    I've been mostly there to have a drink or two with friends and only munched on food friends ordered. They're nothing hugely memorable, but nothing nasty either. They have a pretty respectable beer list that's certainly not as extensive as the maproom few blocks north, they're decently priced. Staffs/bartenders were friendly and not so loud music was hip enough to induce few of other inebriated patrons to dance to it. Crowd was a mixed bag everytime I was there. There are some beer drinker types, some that must've strayed from wrigleyville and even have been to upstairs full of rather older folks enjoying themselves. They have a nice looking front yard/beer garden but that's gonna be useless especially as things are getting cold. Otherwise, seating is somewhat varied but I didn't mind standing by mostly counter height and taller table/chairs. Street parking mostly sucks as typically of the neighborhood. Good thing that it's not too far from damen blue line station yet just detached enough to not having too much prob grabbing a cab. Anyways, I am not missing the Chase Lounge much.

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    We checked out this place a few Saturdays ago around 6pm. We were able to grab the last outdoor table and the inside was already packed, so I guess go early if you don't want to wait. The drink menu is really fun, in addition to all the bourbons there are some old school drinks (I had a Sidecar), and my friend had this super delicious peach drink that I totally should have ordered instead. We had the gouda mac and cheese, which was good but nothing to write home about especially with the cornucopia of gourmet macs and cheeses that you find on just about every hip menu these days. We also had the poutine, and although this is a new dish to me and I have nothing to compare it to, I must say it was unbelievably yummy even though it was fully of things that I don't usually enjoy, like fries and gravy (I know, I'm weird). But the combination of ingredients was more than the sum of its parts and this was definitely the highlight of our meal. We also had the asparagus (fine, not overcooked which is a plus), and I had the crab cake and my friend had the burger. Both well made and tasty enough, but the menu there is small, so now I feel like we've kind of "done" the Southern since the poutine is really the only thing I would rush back there for. Oh, and even though our waiter was nice the service was way super slow. Maybe it's supposed to be all "be laid back like you're in the South" but to me it felt neglectful slow, not relaxing slow, and we had to ask for silverware twice.

    (4)

  • lisa t.

    I am not impressed. I have been wanting to come here for a long time and I have to say, it was NOT worth the wait. I ordered mac n' cheese, and my friend ordered the pork chop. Her pork chop had to be taken back because it was raw in the middle...RAW. Then they brought back the same partially eaten pork chop flipped over and recooked. The mac n' cheese was elbow noodles and rue, not bad...just not what I expected. I gave them 2 stars because (even though they were severely understaffed)the Hostess was phenomenal and the atmosphere was very nice. But their chef needs to get it together. The food was shameful.

    (2)

  • L M.

    I've been to The Southern a couple of times now. The food is pretty good. I give it a B+. The atmosphere is overall fantastic. I give it an A-. The staff is hit or miss. I give it a C+. I've tried the Johnny Cakes, the Oysters, the Mac N Cheese, the Fancy BBQ, the Crab Cakes, and the Hush Puppies. Everything was pretty good. I guess the stand outs were the Mac N Cheese and the Johnny Cakes. That's not to say that their BBQ is fantastic - which for a place that totes its "southerness," you would think the BBQ would be better. It was good, but I've had waaay better - including at Smoke Daddys. However, out of everything I had, I liked those two dishes the most. Everything else was fine, just not stand outs. The atmosphere is great. It is chill, the music is good, and the outdoor seating in the patio is great. It's spacious and clean and very well-done. Highly recommend grabbing even just a beer here in the summer to enjoy the great patio seating. Now for the service. The first time I came, I had a hot waiter and he was super-attentive, quick, and gave us great service (even on a busy Friday night). The second time I came, I had a terrible, terrible, female server. It was busy, but not that busy. And the entire patio seemed to be split between 3 servers, so it's not like she had too many tables to focus on. I asked her about some of the beers and she had no clue what they were like. So then I asked her out of 2 brewing companies on the menu, if she knew whether either of them had a lighter beer. She said - yes, beer A and beer B are on the lighter side. I said - great, I'll try beer A. She brought me beer B. Then we ordered some oysters and some waters. Twenty minutes later - we hadn't gotten either. Then as she rushed by we asked her if we could order some food and she said - sure, I'll be there in a minute. About another 10-15 minutes later she casually strolled by to see if we needed anything (literally - as if we had never talked to her yet!). And I said - we ordered oysters a long time ago. Did you put that order in? And she said - omg, I totally forgot. Okay, I'll have the oysters, another round of drinks, and some waters. Let's see how this goes time #2. Well, the beer I ordered got sent to another table. So about 30+ minutes went by between the time I finished my drink before I finally got another one. The food came. Eventually. When the bill came, the waitress did seem to feel genuinely bad about the absurd crappy service we got and she comped the oysters. That was nice of her. So, even though time #2 was somewhat of a debacle in terms of service, I'm still going to say that this place deserves a visit - if for nothing else than hanging out and chilling on the patio alone. One last comment - there was a woman breast-feeding in the bar while I was there time #2. Gross. I don't put my bare boobs on tables where others eat and drink. You shouldn't either. Keep that sh&t at home.

    (3)

  • Michael S.

    For my girlfriend's birthday dinner, we headed out into the night looking for a good BBQ place, but we instead ended up at The Southern. We were directed to this restaurant by her mom, who had been here before and like it, so we were excited. We arrived and were greeted by our waitress, who was fairly nice. The ambiance of the restaurant is almost non-existent. I expected a homey atmosphere, but was greeted with prefab "wooden" sheets across the walls and doors to the patio made of glass-paned garage doors. We were sitting at a hightop table on some bar stools, which were not the most comfortable. We were informed that they had recently gone through a menu change, and everything that my girlfriend wanted to eat for her birthday dinner was no longer on the menu. We ordered some appetizers and resorted to picking second choices. For appetizers, we got the Andouille corndogs and the hushpuppies. The hushpuppies were some of the better ones I have ever tasted, but the andouille was lost on the corndogs, which tasted no different than the ones bought in the freezer aisle at Walmart. For our dinners, we were hoping good things. My girlfriend and her mom split a plate labeled "Chicken 'n' Biscuits" on the menu. The 'chicken gravy' that was on the biscuits turned out to me a few shredded pieces of chicken on top of a giant roll of bread. Her dad ordered the "Hoppin' John Burger", a black eye pea and rice burger that was fairly good, albeit bland. And I had the "Duck Season", a roasted duck leg with collard greens. As great as it tasted, the duck "leg" was a portion smaller than the palm of my hand. Each plate came with collard greens, which the restaurant serves warm with bacon, though the plate my girlfriend and her mom split had no bacon and was cold. I will say though, that the Three Sister's Grits was the single greatest bowl of creamy delicious grits that I have ever had north of the Mason-Dixon Line. The Southern was also very pricey for what you received, from the food to the drink list. I understand the restaurant is in Wicker Park, and they have an image to uphold, but being in such close proximity to restaurants that are truly class, its hard to believe they can't do better. Would I go back to The Southern again? No, probably not, unless a group of people were going or meeting there for drinks. Would I recommend the restaurant to someone? No, unless you want McDonald's portions for fru-fru fusion prices.

    (2)

  • Anthony P.

    We stopped in for a quick snack and a drink while walking past. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The variety of seating is great; one could sit at the bar, at tables inside, and there is a good patio area with an upper level. I enjoyed my "Johnny Cakes", some pancakes with pulled pork. The pork was positively juicy, and I was dripping juice every time I took a bite. I loved my drink, too. The "City Slicker" is sure to please any coffee fiend.

    (4)

  • Cycette H.

    I stumbled upon the Southern while strolling on North Ave. I remembered a friend mentioning it and so I stopped in. I've only been here when it's been warm out. I don't know how they fair during the winter given the limited amount of indoor seating, but- I LIKE IT!!! Plus they carried my Abita Purple Haze, albeit in a bottle and not on draft. I had a shrimp Po' Boy and it was decent-not great- but I ate it. The Macaroni and Cheese was really good. I love the garage doors that serve as walls and during the summer they are open, so it's like sitting outdoors. They also have a nice sized patio. If you are looking for a place to go around Wicker Park, I would check it out.

    (4)

  • Hissyfit S.

    My boyfriend had a taste for fried chicken, and it was the special at The Southern so we decided to give it a try. I checked out the menu on the web and saw a large number of things I wanted to try. Unfortunately, we didn't get there until about 8:30 because my boyfriend had to work late. Wanting to enjoy what is probably one of the last gorgeous nights in Chicago we sat on the patio. We immediately were served water and brought menus. When b'friend asked about the fried chicken special, we were told that unfortunately, they were out. A few minutes later we overheard our waiter tell the table next to us the chef said he could probably manage a couple more orders. While we were flagging him over to see if we could get in on the action (to be fair, the other couple was there before we were) another waiter quickly approached to see what we needed. Then our waiter came over too - they both said they'd go back to see if they could make another order of fried chicken - and YAY, they said the chef would make it happen. That right there? Is the kind of service that makes me fall in love with a place. There was a new cocktail menu for fall and I had a Maker's Mark 46 Maple (don't know if that's the name but that's what was in it). Maker's Mark 46, maple syrup and a twist of lemon. It went down REALLY easy, too easy. I could have had several, but it was a "school night". Our waiter stopped by to apologize for the wait on our food. Hey, fried chicken takes time, we could be patient, no worries. When it arrived, it was half a chicken on top of a huge biscuit and gravy. I had opted for the fried chicken sandwich. I only got a taste of the gravy from the fried chicken but it was tasty. I really liked the fried chicken sandwich - very moist and flavorful. The collard greens on the sandwich were a very nice touch. I had substituted fries for the mashed potatoes and they were perfect. I'm very picky about fries and these passed the test. I want to go back for the "Southern Mess" - fries with tasso ham and cheese curds. And the mac & cheese. And the fried green tomatoes. Seriously, there were too many awesome choices on the menu. The brunch menu looks great too. As we finished the chef came out to apologize for the wait on the fried chicken and to see how we enjoyed the meal - a nice touch. And no need for any apologies, everything was excellent. The food is very good but it's the service that really sealed the deal for us. It's easy to complain when service is bad (and all too often it is, or at least mediocre) so I want to say kudos to The Southern for being so friendly and accommodating - we will definitely come back and will bring friends.

    (4)

  • Keyona D.

    Always packed for weekend brunch. Good mac n cheese and variety of bourbon. Has an outdoor patio.

    (3)

  • Katie R.

    My review is solely based on the Southern poutine - fries, cheese curds, sausage gravy. I may have lost of a few years of my life that day, but it was worth it. Lovely decor and outside area.

    (4)

  • Constance H.

    Ann the bartender is amazing. Great drinks and handles the pressures of the fast pace very well. LOVED the crab cakes......my first visit and I will be back.

    (4)

  • Alexis B.

    "She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her, I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl." - Scout Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" Oh what it would do to my Alabama born grandmother to see me in the kitchen slaving over all the makings of a southern meal! Alas, I have no such desire or skill. Enter: The Southern. This tIny establishment offers up good southern fare and STRONG drinks in a non gimmicky, chic, and intimate setting. A friend of mine had been wanting to try out The Southern for a while, so we headed down for a late dinner and a few midweek drinks. The food here is served in a variety of small plates, so we ordered a few to share. We ordered the crab cakes, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and fries. The crab cakes came in the form of a pair of fairly large (3.5 in diameter, 3/4 in thick) patties full of lump crab (with a kick of citrus) severed with a small portion of a sweet arugula salad. We both loved the unexpected citrus in the crab cake, and it was the only dish that we both finished to completion! The other big win for me was the mashed potatoes and gravy dish. The gravy had scallions and all sorts of unidentifiable deliciousness blended it for a surprisingly flavorful spin on what is too often an extremely boring dish. While I was in mashed potato heaven, my friend fell in love with the gouda and bread crumbs in the mac and cheese. Like the mashed potatoes and crab cakes, it too was a spin on a classic that garnered high praise. The gouda was a smooth and delicious contrast to the traditional sharper cheddar. There were only a few mild things that didn't go over so well. First, the fries (although plentiful) were just blah. They weren't bad, but weren't up to par with the other dishes. Second, I ordered a drink with bourbon, sweet tea, and lemonade thinking the bourbon would be offset by the sweet mixer. Oh no. Not at all. That thing put hair on my chest! Our waiter was nice enough to bring me some sweet tea to dilute my drink, but it didn't work. It was only when I drank a sip of the sweet tea alone that I realized the sweet tea was not SWEET TEA. Anyone that understands and has had the real thing will be disappointed. Lastly, the backless chairs were not the most comfortable. I understand the simplicity that the designers were going for, but the stools are not the most comfortable for extended seating. All things considered, the many goods found at The Southern outweighed the few bads. My friend and I had a great time over good reasonably priced food in a hip Wicker Park locale. It's a great find, and parking is pretty easy on a Tuesday night!

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    Came here for a friend's birthday party and I left thinking that The Southern isn't sure if it wants to be a restaurant or a bar, and therefor it doesn't excel at either. We were upstairs on an open deck-like setup. It was great for a party with a lot of space to walk around and mingle with people. The downfall was finding a spot to sit when wanting to eat. The drinks were pretty good, I strongly suggest getting the Bacon Manhattan. The food was just meh. The crab cakes didn't have big lumps of crab and tasted rather processed. The mac and cheese, which I was thinking would be great seeing the popularity of the food truck, was bland and had an odd finish after each bite. Nothing really stood out to me as amazing or wanting to go back.

    (3)

  • Roberto F.

    This place falls between 4 and 5 stars. My tip is to skip the appetizers, especially the mac and go straight for the main courses.... We had The Fried Chicken. Yum Yum Yum. We gathered some friends here and had an amazing family style dinner. If you go family style, I guarantee that you won't go home hungry. This is one place that doesn't' skip on the servings. I will go on to say that they have some of the best friend chicken in North Chicago. What makes it special, homemade batter, lightly oiled and completely moist chicken breasts. Mash potatoes and cornbread are addictive good. Last but not least, the service was excellent and always on point. For a large group with a guaranteed tip they never let us feel left out.

    (4)

  • Ben K.

    A Saturday morning brunch on an outdoor patio in the sun? Yes please, I accept. The patio is quite comfortable and the atmosphere is nice. The food is solid as well, if not absolutely fantastic. I had a nice plate of shrimp & grits, which was tasty and surely full of butter. My only complaint would be that for a $16 dish you only really get 4 large shrimp (nicely cooked and seasoned) in a bowl of grits. This dish needs another note to really shine. Across the rest of my table, the crab cakes were enjoyed, the johnnycakes were enjoyed a lot, and the biscuits n gravy received no commentary. Also, the bloody mary was quite pedestrian. $8 for a bloody that's not particularly strong or delicious, with no garnishes but an olive and lemon slice? No thanks. This review almost got bumped up to 5 stars when the manager came over to thank us for coming in after finishing the urbanathlon. He told us that The Southern was a whiskey bar too, and that he wanted to offer us a free round of shots of some nice bourbon. It was 11:30am, but hey free is free. Mixed enthusiasm rapidly turned into disappointment however, when it turned out our free round of shots of "nice bourbon" was actually Southern Comfort, making it easy to pass on the AM hard stuff.

    (3)

  • Mehran F.

    I was on my way to a new wicker park restaurant called Lillie's Q and got in....took my seat, looked at the menu, and wow, realized i entered a few doors too early. I decided to stay... The waiter was very good, and with thinned out salvador dali moustaches .... i asked for his recommendation. I respected him qualifying his recommendation by saying "if you eat pork, it is very good"... i got that and a green bean dish. the food was fine. not great but was above average. I was there yesterday (tuesday)...and there happened to be an event filled with after work (i.e. not freshened up) people, having free drinks and being loud.....but everyone seemed to have fun so i enjoyed watching them.... the people next to me were nice and talked to them some. I would not go back there on my own (mainly because not my kinda place)....but i could easily see why many people would like the place and give it a rating of four.

    (3)

  • Eric V.

    If you like your calorie binges with southern flair then you've found your spot. Favorites for me include the Southern Mess, a spin on Poutine that features hand cut fries, cheddar cheese curds, and a flavorful gravy made from tasso. I definitely wouldn't classify the Mess as a "light" app and the portion size is pretty big, so sharing with a friend or two isn't a bad idea. Flavorful, well cooked shrimp and rich and creamy grits made the Shrimp N Grits another classic southern dish worth trying. A creative cocktail list and a good selection of southern beers are on hand as well. The Southern Star Blond Bombshell proved to be a perfect beer to wash down all that comfort foody goodness. The wifey and I happen to come here pretty late so the music was pretty much on full blast at this point. Not to sound like a cranky old man, but just FYI in case you're hoping to have a quiet conversation.

    (4)

  • Meredith P.

    I'm not sure if I agree with the yelpers who said that this is a place to "be seen" but it is definitely a cool place. Great outdoor seating and the decor inside worked well with the theme. I ordered the crab cakes and they were definitely above average, and my date got the fried chicken sandwich. I think it was fancier than he would have liked/expected but I thought it and the side of mashed potatoes were both pretty good. We split the mac and cheese and it's definitely a must get! It was AWESOME! Also really good, fun cocktails and always some sort of whiskey/bourbon specials if that's your style.

    (4)

  • KChicagoan S.

    I stopped by this place when the CF that is North/Milwakee/Damen got the best of me and I was too "disoriented" to remember where Salud was. Needless to say, I'm glad I accidentally found it because it's a great bar! The vibe is really cool - a nice crowd, good music and the lighting is just right. It seemed like whether you were in the mood to party down or just people watch, the Southern fit the bill either way. Drinks were normal price for the neighborhood, and I suggest going there in the warmer months - the rooftop area is super cool and the open-air feel in the rest of the bar is very unique!

    (4)

  • Erin S.

    I love this place! Conveniently located in my neighborhood, I love eating on the shady patio and enjoying a Woo Woo martini. Fried green tomatoes are awesome as is the mac and cheese. I went last Saturday night and this place was hopping--pretty people everywhere. Great service. I'll definately be back to try the Sunday brunch menu and check out the cabanas up top.

    (5)

  • Nicolas H.

    Still haven't had the food (but I will), but I really like the bar and the patio here. The bartenders are super attentive and friendly and make a great drink (and the whiskey menu is quite impressive). I'm also a big fan of the music. I always seem to hear exactly what I want to listen to while i'm here, maybe I'm just lucky. One of these days I'll get here early enough to try the food...

    (4)

  • Sally C.

    A friend decided to have her birthday party here. I was excited because I heard some good things about the fried chicken dinner, but I didn't feel like making the effort to call ahead for a group of 6-10 diners (seriously, people, let's get real. It's fried chicken - your rules are RIDICULOUS!). When we arrived, we were seated upstairs. This would have been nice if it were spring or fall. But it was about 20 degrees outside. The rooftop had some clear plastic tent thing surrounding it with a heater (yes, we only saw one heater). There were a couple cabana-type seating areas which would have been nice if the weather was nice. There was a long table that my group sat at along with several smaller high top tables. All-in-all, the roof atmosphere was nice - if it wasn't freezing. The chicken was delicious but there was A LOT! They served us for 10 people but the group ended up being about 16 people. We still had leftovers. It was $19 per person for the chicken dinner. I think they could lower the price and serve significantly less food. There were leftovers, but it's not like everyone got a doggie bag - it was all wrapped into as few containers as possible so not much of an option for sharing. In general, the food was really good but they served too much to justify an inflated price. The drinks were generally very good. We ordered one of the punch bowls which, for a large group, was totally worth it. They also had $3 Maker's shots - only available in shot glasses. Since we were eating dinner at first and holding off on getting stupid until later, we had to improvise and ask for glasses of ice and use the water carafes on the tables to make our own drinks. When we were done eating, we headed downstairs (where it wasn't freezing) and got a couple of tables. The waitress never asked if I wanted to open a tab - she brought a receipt on a small clip board every time I ordered a drink. I was paying cash so I went with it, but it just seemed odd. Friends who were paying with credit cards had to ask to open tabs so as to avoid the one receipt per drink trap - I think the waitress should have asked us if we wanted to open tabs instead of the other way around. In general, the food and drinks were very good, but the cold temperature upstairs, serving too much food to inflate the prices, and having to pay for each drink separately with a receipt on a clipboard left a bad taste in my mouth.

    (3)

  • Matt L.

    I don't know how they do it, but the poutine just won't quit. They changed up the menu a little, and now have fried okra and gumbo. I finally tried the Johnny cakes. They asserted their might without apology. Our bartender, Haley, was friendly. This place seems to be on the up and up. I suggest not waiting until summer to go here.

    (5)

  • Tita P.

    The Southern gets 4 1/2 stars because it was mmmm mmmm GOOD!! As a newbie I am really enjoying discovering new Chicago spots. I truly hope that The Southern is here to stay. The food is really good. I mean they had cheese grits!! I had the Mac n Cheese and the Rosemary black eyed peas and all I have to say is.....well see my previous comment about their food. I can't wait until it really gets warm and I can enjoy a nice glass of "special" lemonade on their patio and truly have THE Southern experience.

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    Was I at the same restaurant as everyone who gave this place rave reviews? We came here to watch the Derby. First issue was that my friend had called to make reservations and had been told they didn't take them, and then when he called again apparently they did take them but were full. Luckily I got there in time to get us a table. I started with an old fashioned which was only ok (I expected better at a bar that focuses on whiskey). Someone at the table ordered a sidecar which was undrinkable (and I LOVE sidecars). The 5 of us shared a slew of dishes: -fried okra: I didn't care for this but some friends like it, but we thought the sauce was kind of bland -johnnycakes: I thought the pork was a little over done and the pancake was nothing special. I liked the pickled cabbage, but the dish needed a sauce or something. It was just blah. -fried green tomatoes: too tart (yes, I know they are supposed to be a little tart) and the goat cheese was a bit too peppery, and I don't think the tomatoes were cooked enough -poutine: good but not the wow I had expected. I wish there had been more cheese and less gravy. -hush puppies: these were good, and I really liked the smoked trout dip. This is probably the only dish I would order again we also split two punchbowls (e.g. jugs) of kentucky lemonade and I think the first batch was a little weak but overall it is a good deal. I am disappointed, I really like southern food and I was looking forward to finding a new spot, but I don't know that I would go back.

    (2)

  • Katie H.

    I feel really harsh giving this place two stars, but "Meh, I've experienced better" totally sums up my experience. Service was okay, the big $42 punchbowls are a great deal ( you get about 10 drinks), but the food was not good. It's wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. I tried the johnny cakes - the pulled pork was tender, but flavorless. How about some sauce? - and the poutine. It was....fine. I mean, it was french fries topped with cheese and gravy, which sounds like it should be heavenly. But it was just...okay. I had about 5 fries before I decided the taste just didn't justify the calories. After that, I didn't even bother trying the fried okra or fried green tomatoes, both of which my husband said were "just okay." If I were walking by, I might stop in for a drink, but otherwise I see no reason to come back.

    (2)

  • Jason G.

    Lots of yum. We went on a Tuesday based on a Yelp search of what's near the Damen Blue Line and we found a winner. Tuesdays they have a brisket sandwich with BBQ black eyed peas and any beer off the menu for $10. Considering most of the beers on the menu are $6, I see that as an awesome deal. The brisket was fantastic. Right amount of tenderness, spice, juiceiness... Drool. Go now. Well, wait until Tuesday.

    (4)

  • Carolynne M.

    OK, poutine was ri-donk-luous first of all. (Forget any and all hopes of dieting after tasting this dish. I almost confiscated it because I didn't want to share.) The shrimp and grits? Heavenly. Huge shrimp atop a nicely spiced mound of silky, rich grits. Added bonus? Our waiter was hot, hot, hot (!!) on top of being very prompt and professional. And even though I am engaged that's OK, I am entitled to my eye candy every now and then...dammit. Ever order a Woo-Woo to someone that good looking while keeping a straight face? Try it. It's harder than it looks!

    (5)

  • Alece O.

    I was visiting my sister in Chicago and while walking around the neighborhood on Sunday, we discovered this place for Brunch. Usually I am a sweet breakfast eater but now and again I like savoy dishes. I decided to order the Charleston Benedict and it was DELICIOUS!!! The Charleston Benedict is a seasoned crab cake, on a bed of arugula, mustard sauce, sliced apples, topped with a poached egg. (the menu actually has it on top of an English muffin but order it without it, trust me) Everything was well seasoned and the flavors flowed seamlessly together. I tried the Strawberry Shorties too and it was also very good--who knew basil and strawberries make a great combination. I will be back next time for brunch when I'm in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Michelle T.

    Fried green tomatoes, collard greens, yummy biscuits, an AMAZING beer and bourbon/whiskey list and some pretty damn delicious mac and cheese. They had Flat Tire on the menu! Yeah! Can't remember if we ate here on a Fri or Sat night, but all I recall is that we couldn't have the Southern Fried chicken and that made me really sad :*( but everything we ate here was amazing! As was sitting outside on a nice October day. The menu is very Southern, not super greasy and not overwhelming portions. You definitely get your moneys worth. Awesome, awesome set up - would be a great place to have a large group for a birthday party. Love the lanai style layout - basically all the walls are huge open windows and on nice summer/fall nights this place is just refreshing. Nice crowd and in the heart of trendy Wicker Park. If you like the trendy/hipster crowd v the Michigan Ave, a def must to check out!

    (4)

  • Doris D.

    This place will eventually kill me. And that's fine, because at least I have a good excuse to die living this way. Oh Lordy. I imagine this is the food that the cast of True Blood probably dines on? So if we're gonna get a little redneck action up in here, then let's bring on the fried green tomatoes, the fried okra, the freakin Johnny Cakes and that awesome corn bread. I had the dirty peach, the woo woo (both martinis, both only $6!!!!) the Gouda mac and cheese, the freakin hand cut fries with the highly touted and uberpopular, Poutine- a big bowl of mushy gravy-laden fries covered in bacon and fried cheese. OH- and our waiter totally had a handlebar moustache. SCORE!!!!!

    (5)

  • Andy M.

    The Southern is a fun little Pub. The interior has the feel of a Canadian Logger bar. It looks and feels like the inside of a Log Cabin. Not that I'm complaining, the scene works. The first thing that I noticed is they offered Eight different Bourbons. Can you say Heaven? There are two different categories on the Menu. One is for Pub food, and the other is for the Southern Dinners that they specialize in. We started out with the Southern Poutine. This decadent little appetizer blew me away. I actually like it better than the Canadian version. The difference is that the Southern version is served with Ham and has more of a spicy kick to it. It took every shred of will power not to lick the plate. Most of the Southern En tree's involved some sort of Fish, so I decided to go with their Southern Burger as an entree. The Burger was delicious. It was served with a plate of seasoned fries that were mighty tasty. The bottom line is, the Southern was a fun way to spend a evening. The Bar was filled with people smiling, drinking and laughing. It was everything that a Friday night should be. I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

    (5)

  • jenise r.

    Fried chicken sandwich hello! It was so crunchy! It camee with collard greens, some veggies and gravy ON IT. And a tasty lil potato salad on the side. The smoked guoda mac and cheese was so bland, it broke my heart. Nothing has been as good as handlebars yet. Nice space, quick service. I want to check it out for brunch soon.

    (3)

  • Kevin A.

    {KICKASS BAR + COMFORT FOOD} ? It's a bold motto, but I think they got it right. I'm thrilled with the metamorphosis from Chaise Lounge which was just a little too South Beach and a little too Lincoln Park for the neighborhood. Enter The Southern, with an excellent selection of bourbons & whiskeys, an unpretentious atmosphere, and great food to boot. DRINKS: My first cocktail was a Manhattan with Buffalo Trace, straight up; perfectly mixed by Haley (kickass in her own right) Next up, I ordered a Sazerac; bonus points for #1) knowing what a Sazerac is, #2) knowing how to make it, and #3) making it extremely well. It was probably the best version of the drink I've ever had. The only disappointment was the mint julep. They use mint-infused syrup in lieu of adding fresh mint to the final product. Hopefully they fix this as the fresh mint is my favorite part of the drink. FOOD: Fattening and wonderful. Try the poutine (fries with cheese curds and gravy) and the shredded pork with johnnycakes. SERVICE: Staff was great. Excellent bartenders, friendly host, no complaints. I'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Evan S.

    This place is alright and architecturally it very pleasing. As a native Texan however, this place doesn't hold up to my expectations. I was real excited to hear that they had Lonestar Beer (aka The National Beer of Texas). So as I ordered what many have referred to as bottled horse urine (I love it however) my girlfriend when fancy and ordered a Goose Island Matilda. We are the pretty different. I was hungry so, it being my first time, I ordered their BBQ burger. I think burgers are a good way to get a feel for the place overall; if you skimp on your burgers, you skimp on everything else. The burger came and was visually unimpressive. A stocky narrow burger on a plain bun. The burger was juicy yet lacking on flavor. It came with hand-cut fries that seemed rather bland compared to other places. I'd go back for drinks because I love how the whole place opens up and is airy but the food leave little to be thrilled about. Don't mess with Texas.

    (2)

  • Char Y.

    The restaurant looked like a bar from the outside, and was easily missed. We ordered southern poutine - ok johnny cakes - very good hush puppies - ok mac & cheese - good fried okra - good shrimp/grits - good fried green tomatoes - good bbq - good Everything is good, but very expensive. I honestly don't know if it is worth $22 per person for chicken dinner. It's over $122 for fried chicken for a party of 6. I think that's insane.

    (2)

  • Lindsay R.

    Every time I've been to The Southen I leave with a smile on my face. Love the atmosphere, food is yum, and the drinks are amazing. When it comes to liquor I generally stick with vodka, but the house-infused apple bourbon? Ohhhh my god... it's unbelievable. During warmer months, the patio is the place to be. It's comfortable and inviting, and great for enjoying a few drinks. I personally have never had the fried chicken, but each time I've been someone near me has been enjoying and it looks to-die-for. Next time!

    (4)

  • Ernesto R.

    We were seated in the back underneath a stairwell which made it really cold. The food was ok, but we could have gotten the same at KFC... Do not go here for the food.

    (1)

  • Tammy H.

    I thought this place was excellent. We ordered: The cheese plate (hooray pimento cheese!), johnny cakes, the po' boy, and the special that evening (it was a braised short rib on mashed potatoes), and a side of grits. I had gotten there way before Joe did and after some joking around with the waiter, ordered a sweet tea. IT WAS SWEET. Like, really sweet. But not so sweet that you couldn't taste the tea. It was good. Then I sat and took in my surroundings a bit. The Southern is brown. There is lots of wood and the lights are dim... It was nice and cozy. And I loved all of the wood. Loved it. The food was excellent, well, except for the grits. Anyway, the pimento cheese was sharp and just the teeniest bit spicy.\ The po' boy was delicious, but spicy. I don't know if I would've been able to eat the whole thing as spicy as it was - good thing Joe ordered it. The spare ribs and potatoes were excellent.. I could've done with a few more veggies though - I think I got a cherry tomato and some grilled green onion. Other stuff could've gone into it and it would've been real good with that phenomenal red wine gravy. Right, it was like gravy over the whole dish but it was acidic. The johnny cakes were probably the best thing I ate and will eat at The Southern. I just wanted to have it keep on coming. The pulled pork was the perfect amount of smoky and juicy. My only complaint about the food was that I felt the grits needed to be cooked for another 15 minutes. Next time, we'll get the hush puppies. We saw a bunch of people ordering mac and cheese too. I thought that was a little strange with everything else that was on the menu, but sure... Whatever floats your boat!

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Good-bye Chaise Lounge ... HELLLOOOOOOO to The Southern! This little place took over the former Chaise Lounge space recently -- and it's fantastic! Cheese Straws (YUM) and Waldorf Salad (PERFECT) made my little stop in here well worth it. Keeping with my obsession for anything with truffles I had the truffled fingerling potatoes -- VERY GOOD. I'm definitely going back soon to try brunch!

    (5)

  • Kristen F.

    All day long I have been thinking about that Cornbread Salad. 1. The food. Cornbread salad: crisp romaine with crispy fried onions, shredded chicken and buttermilk dressing. Yes. Yes. Yes. Crab cakes: Just two, and a little soft but fresh and tasty. Fried Green Tomatoes: Oh. My. Gosh. Please and thank you. They were crisp, the coating stayed on well and the goat cheese was amazing. Carrot Cake: Soft and tasty. Mud Pie Mousse with peanuts: Creamy, super rich and amazing. Yes. Thank you. 2. The drinks were strong and they have pretty great drink specials. 3 dollar maker's mark shots on Friday? 3. The place is small but it's intimate and the waiters are super nice and not overly attentive. I love this place. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    House made Bacon is awesome. It's a must, plus the fried doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    I knew I would love this restaurant when I saw that the chef was a fan of John T. Edge, one of my favorite Southern food writers in Mississippi, but last night blew me away: Two well-crafted drinks, an appetizer and dinner for under $30, AND everything was delicious and up to my very picky standards for Southern food! The shrimp and grits might be as good as the famous shrimp and grits recipe at City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi that I ate on many occasions as a student at Ole Miss. Can't wait to go back this summer and sit on the patio with a pitcher of something tasty and a few oysters on the half-shell.

    (5)

  • Amanda Z.

    This true blue Texas gal says giddy on up to The Southern for unique, beyond delish southern eats, beer and bourbon in a super chill bar that makes you feel cozy and warm (or maybe you're just warm from all the bourbon...). I cannot say enough about my experience here Friday night, from the service to the drinks to the eats. Let me try to break it down: First thing to cross my lips: cornbread...is it cooked with bacon FAT??? omg, i think it may be because it was sinfully delicious. i'm giddy with happiness from my slice of cornbread and already looking forward to my next visit to The Southern to eat the cornbread again. Second stage: johnny cakes...johnny wha??? ummm, basically baby cornmeal pancakes that you load up fajita-style with braised shredded pork that will melt in your mouth and something they call chow-chow (my mind shoots to a very fluffy dog), which is pretty much pickled onions in a cute little jar. the combination of these things is mind blowing and i'm very easily entertained by all the little dishes on my plate. i can't imagine NOT ordering the johnny cakes every time i return to The Southern, which will be often. Third dish: mac n cheese...this is the only dish that was not blowing my mind...and perhaps cuz i've had abundant MnC lately but theirs is not nearly as good as most...it just wasn't cheesy enough, but it was still good. i just wouldn't order it again. Fourth dish: lest you think i am a heifer, might i explain that my friend is the culprit here...after scarfing down Mahi tacos that he says were amazing (they looked fab) and sharing the cornbread and MnC with me, he decides to order a large late of Duck Cassoulet. pretty much a crock filled with tender duck, sausage, black eyed peas and yumminess. it was super delish but HEAVY, i only tried one bite. it was funny for him to get heckled by our waiter for having such a large appetite though! BONUS ROUND: they serve Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka. nuff said...this southern gal was in a blissful state after swigging down about a whole pitcher of tea and lemonade. what a happy night it was. Every dish is priced fair (not high, not low), the waiter was cool and helpful, the owner (i'm assuming) came to our table like 3 times to check on us, and they play frickin AWESOME bluesy country music, kinda like Kingston Mines style. I think The Southern may be my new fave resto in the city...I have to go back and try the brunch before I crown them that glory though. Pretty sure that will be ASAP!

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    I will never go back. Went for brunch...$32 for a carafe of mimosas. Unbelievable ripoff. 'There is a bottle of champagne in there' they tell you. Ok, so they pay maybe 6 bucks for that bottle and then add some OJ. Ridiculous. How much profit do they need to make?? The brunch food was ok but nothing to justify the prices. There are so many better places to go, def skip this.

    (2)

  • Holly O.

    Great way to change up your brunch plans. The breakfast sandwich is my fave so far - it's got eggs, arugula, goat cheese - plus a fried green tomato! Warning - you may feel like drinking, though, while in the establishment :)

    (5)

  • Allison V.

    My boyfriend and I went here one night for dinner. There is a huge selection of whisky drinks, but beers were also available (just check with your server because there were a few of our selections ont he menu that they were out of). We had the hush puppies were good and served with an interesting artichoke and trout dip. I had the N'Awlins Po'Boy which is made with mahi mahi and was served with cole slaw and the house roumelade on the sandwich. It was okay. My boyfriend had the Pimento Cheeseburger which was okay too. Service was good. A number of different people bring you your drinks and food....I guess that is their thing. During better weather there is a patio and they even have a covered patio area upstairs. A helpful feature on the tables are hooks for your purse and/or coat. I might give this place a try in the summer to see how the patio actually is, but in regards to the food I will pass.

    (3)

  • Colleen S.

    After driving by numerous times, we decided to stop in one Sunday for brunch. The weather was gorgeous and we got a table right away on the outside. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. Wanting to experiment with a new type of drink, I decided to give their Sunshine a try (carrot juice, lemon thyme, fresh lime, and vodka). After a few sips, I definitely wasn't a fan. I didn't want to complain to the waitress (having worked in the service industry for years) so I just left it alone. She noticed when she brought our food that I had barely touched my drink and asked if I wanted to get something else instead, so I ordered a mimosa. Knowing how places can be sometimes, I figured they would charge us anyway for the drink. Imagine my surprise when it was comped off! Needless to say, the great service and great food keeps us coming back. Ordered the Brunch Burger which kick started my love of pimento cheese. My boyfriend has tried the Sunday Mac and Cheese and the Charleston Benedict and loved both. When his sister was visiting and we took her here, she about died for the Bananas Foster French Toast. An awesome place!

    (4)

  • Ang R.

    I'm not quite sure what to think of The Southern. On the one hand, the food was pretty darn good. We tried four dishes, and we definitely liked them all. The pimiento cheese and johnnycakes probably were the stand-outs, but as I said, we also enjoyed the fried green tomatoes and southern mess (southern poutine!). On the other hand, it feels like a bar. Like a fratty, drunky bar. Drinks were definitely emphasized over food, it seemed like. I even tried a drink (something I NEVER do), and it was okay, but it was just too strong for me. I had the Dirty Peach, and I wanted there to be a taste of lemonade and mint, and there certainly wasn't. Then again, the space is lovely. The patio was PERFECT at 6 pm on a hot summer day. It was shady and cool, and the chairs and tables were pretty comfortable. The crowd wasn't obnoxious, and the music was the right degree of loud. And it was good music. Sigh. I just don't know. I'd eat those johnnycakes in a heartbeat, but I'm not sure I want to go back to a bar to eat them.

    (4)

  • Hailey M.

    I like this place. I went here last night with some friends for the second time. I really like the ambiance - casual chic is the best way I can describe it - and you have to love outdoor seating. We all ordered entrees. The shrimp and grits was good and I really liked the heat, but the grits were a little oily for my liking. I had the catch of the day, which was fluke, with a corn and squash succotash. Very good and tasty. I got the "you win" vote from my friends. My bf had the Southern Mess (poutine), which was very good. To be honest, I've never had poutine before so I don't have anything to compare it to but this one tasted good. The last person in our party ordered the fried chicken sandwich. He was more interested in the poutine so I'm not sure it was as great as he wished, but he didn't leave any on his plate. I didn't taste it so can't really say. This place is across the street from my house so I will be back, even if it's just for a drink. I do wish it was just a bit cheaper, but there are reasonably priced options so I don't want to be too hard on them. Next time I definitely want to try the fried green tomatoes!

    (4)

  • Tiffany K.

    Came here for brunch with two friends on a Sunday. We got here around 11am (prime brunch hour) and were seated immediately. There were already groups of people inside, and the place filled up really fast after we got there. The interior is clean and dark, and I think it would be the perfect spot for dinner. Anyway, the brunch menu here is pretty amazing. The Chicken and Biscuits here are a special that is served on Sundays and Wednesdays, and all three of us ordered it. When our food came out, our plates were covered in ham gravy, three big pieces of chicken, a buttermilk biscuit, and rosemary. The food was amazing, and for $14 this meal could have fed a family of four! The food prices aren't dirt cheap (oh, and bottomless coffee is $3) but the portions are big and well worth the splurge. I am excited to try this place again!

    (4)

  • Janette L.

    I have to say I was somewhat reluctant when I first heard about The Southern. Over the past 5 years I have seen this space morph from Iggy's to Chaise to now The Southern. The other places seemed like they couldn't figure out if they wanted to be more of a bar/lounge or restaurant. With such premium real estate on North Ave it was a shame. I think The Southern may have figured it out. The food was very good. I highly recommend the poutine (could have licked the bowl), fish tacos, and mac and cheese. With both small and large plates this is a perfect place to meet friends for drinks or a meal. The drinks were equally good with southern cocktails and a pretty good selection of southern beers. Service was great and overall I had a great time here. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Evan S.

    I really liked this place. I had the fried chicken with the greens and loved both. I like how the owners have fused bar with southern food. A very cool concept matched with equally good food. Portion sizes were generous - food to take home.

    (4)

  • Kelly D.

    A group of friends and I went in for a bachelorette party. We were planning on bar hopping through Wicker Park/Bucktown and the Southern wasn't on our original plan but we walked by and I suggested to the group that we walk in and have a few drinks. We made our way up to the bar and some of the girls in the group spotted an empty table. They made their way over and the hostess walked over to tell them there were people waiting for it. But instead of being rude and not helpful, she offered us another open table in a much better spot. We stayed for a few drinks but wanted to move on to a few other spots, but I could have stayed longer. Our waiter was so sweet and despite having several other tables was so attentive and quick. Really felt like this place got our night started off on the right foot....oh and the drinks were good, too! It is amazing when you actually receive good service from nice people/

    (4)

  • cassie r.

    I may not want to live in the south (this girl + humidity = bad combo), but I can say I fully appreciate some southern style cookin. My Lord, frying and fat makes everything good. I mean, really. And everything I ate last night at The Southern WAS good - real good. My gal pals and I decided to try this place out after hearing incessant buzz about its fabulousness for the past few weeks. The buzz was apparently well founded, because the Southern has a lot to offer. The fried green tomatoes were yum (chevre cheese on top = sheer genius), the mac n' cheese was decent (I mean, gouda slathered noodles? How can they not be amazo), but the Johnny cakes were my absolute fave - chow chow is not only fun to say, but fun to eat as well. I could have easily had another serving (or two) of those bad boys. To add to the experience, their drink specials Rocked. My. Socks. Off. Abita beers for $3....Maker's Mark shots for $3...I'm sorry, come again? Giving away great alcohol will keep me coming back, for sure. I'll also be coming back soon to imbibe in what can only be described as a life altering experience - a.k.a. the fried chicken dinner of house made buttermilk biscuits, collard greens, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, black eyed peas, hot sauce and honey mustard. Just writing that makes me salivate in longing...even if I have to drag 6 strangers in there with me, it will undoubtedly be worth it.

    (5)

  • William M.

    Best fried chicken in Chicago. Great service. Fried chicken dinner can easily feed a party of 10 or 12 with hearty portions. The team at the southern really hooked it up, we didn't know that you needed to put in a 24 hour notice for a family dinner but they were still able to accommodate us within two hours of notice. Really a fantastic place to host a party. Really grateful that these guys are here in Chicago. Awesome!

    (5)

  • Samantha H.

    Yum! I went to The Southern on a whim; walking by on a pleasantly warm evening and a restaurant with no walls? I'll take two, please. There was a wide selection of (reasonably priced) "southern" themed drinks and southern beers (specifically from New Orleans). Our food was pretty slow coming out, but our waiter apologized and took one item off our bill because it took so long to arrive. Fine by me! I ate the hamburger, the fries were top notch. My dining partner raved about his fried green tomatoes. I especially liked the atmosphere of the restaurant. Reading other reviews, it looks like other patrons agree: everyone was relaxed on the patio. I'm looking forward to trying their punch bowls!

    (4)

  • Shida B.

    I had the Shrimp/Grits: blue prawns, aged cheddar, frank's red hot ($14). It was ... okay. The food arrived tepid and wasn't all that exciting. I liked the sauteed red pepper and onions situated in the middle of the bowl, on which the three large grilled shrimp were lodged ... but the halo of oil/hot sauce or whatever surrounding the orange grits was a bit unsightly. Wishbone still has the best shrimp & grits in the city so far. The Fried Green Tomatoes -- stickney farm chèvre, caper relish, lemon ($10) -- were cut medium thin and fried in a nice batter. The goat cheese added a little salt as did the, what amounted to, chimichurri sauce. Situated on a bed of fresh greens, the dish turned out to be a fairly nice salad, although, again, a heavy hand was used while pouring the olive oil. The Hush Puppies had a roasted artichoke, smoked trout and scallions dip, which was by far the best dish on the table. The HPs were light, unlike a lot of other cornmeal battered fried balls out there, and almost cake-like in their moistness. They were not greasy like fried dough, but more ... like baked doughnuts. The dip with which it was served turned out to be a surprisingly flavorful hummus-looking addition which I would've enjoyed spread on a cracker. Another surprise was the waitstaff--SUPER friendly. At one point, the Executive Chef, Cary Taylor, came to bus the table. WHAAA?! We were floored. He then came back to the table to ask if everything was good and to tell us about brunch (crab cake benedict? yes please!). He was soooo nice. He even gave us bourbon shots on the house. Mine was infused with bacon, and although it had a grainy look, was interesting enough to try again. Cary said that they use that in their bloody marys. Again, WHAAA?! So I will go back to try that. A plus: The Southern supports the Green City Market, local farms, and sustainable seafood. Right on!

    (2)

  • caroline k.

    Not really sure if this counts as real Southern food, but it's good, solid bar food served in a posh casual bar/lounge. Showed up early on a Saturday night with a friend for drinks before the rest joined for dinner. Was quickly seated at 6:30 pm but the place filled up quickly within the hour. Here's what we had: - Southern poutine: fried cheese over fries and gravy. The fries were great and double fried, but with there was more cheese, less gravy. - Mac n' cheese: ok but could have been cheesier. - Cheesy grits: surprisingly orange and for some reason a bit tart. - Mahi po-boy: grilled with a great remoulade, and a side of slaw. - Buttermilk salad: pulled chicken over greens with a creamy buttermilk dressing. Really strong drinks (woo woo and dirty peach cocktails at least were) and really great service - out waitress couldn't have been sweeter. Will be back to try the hush puppies even though the idea of smoked trout with them kind of weirds me out.

    (4)

  • Cindy A.

    I really want to like The Southern. I love Southern food; I have lived in the South; the patio is deck are amazing; they show sports games on TV's; and it's close to home. However, the food is just ok (judging relative to Southern food), especially for the price. I've had brunch and dinner there. While I would not turn down any biscuits, their biscuits are lacking. The mac 'n cheese is certainly edible and not horrible, but, again, not up to the standard of really good Southern mac 'n cheese. The bar and Southern cocktails are worth going for, and the atmosphere is very desirable, especially in nice weather.

    (3)

  • Adam M.

    Rounding up from 3.9... Dined here 5 days ago - for the most part, it was very tasty! We started with the Southern Poutine - a very tasty dish of french fries, ham pieces / gravy and cheese curds - we all found it delicious, although priced a bit high at $9. A few bucks lower and it would be a home run. Entrees: we ordered the Southern Burger, the gumbo, and Shrimp & Grits. My roommate, who is a certified grits specialist, said his dish was great, and the cheese grits were spot on. The burger got equally rave reviews. My gumbo was also delicious, and the chicken in it was phenomenal, although it was decidely lacking in seafood. As for sides, we got cornbread, and a side of collard greens. My roommate, also a greens specialist, said the greens were mediocre. Also - the cornbread that came with his greens was a bit stale. The side of cornbread was fresh, but it was pretty bad - "garbage" was the adjective used by my roommate. It was dry, and very bland, almost slightly salty. I thought cornbread was supposed to be sweet? Perhaps they use a recipe that I am not aware of. Overall, The Southern is a solid 4 stars, although the cornbread needs severe improvement, and a couple bucks could be shaved off of some of the dishes/apps. EDIT: forgot to mention: the service was good, although it took a little too long for the waiter to get to us once we had been seated. Overall, the staff was very amicable.

    (4)

  • Sam F.

    Having lived near Iggy's and then Chaise Lounge for nearly 5 years and never having a desire to step foot in either, I was pretty stoked to see the space re-branded as The Southern a few months ago... Finally a spot that I might want to try! My girlfriend and I just got back from having brunch there, and all I can say is that I was blown away by how unbelievably tasty everything was! First off, we ate out on the nice large patio, which was great, and the staff was all super friendly... The head chef was even happily bringing all the food to the tables. Also, the main dishes were all very reasonably priced, especially when you take into account the quality of the ingredients (lots of locally farmed/raised products from what I understand), and the generous size of the portions. As far as the food goes, make sure you try the biscuits... They were buttery and fluffy on the inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. Perfection. Also, I'm sure there are many great dishes on the menu, but I had the "Southern Ma'am" and couldn't imagine anything else tasting better! The dish was basically a large brioche sandwich (eaten with a knife and fork), which was filled with pulled pork, some ham that was almost like prosciutto, a few pickle slices, and some melted swiss. The whole thing was then topped off with some yummy gravy and a fried egg. Holy shit... It was SOOOOOOO GOOD! The Southern is not to be missed... I can't wait to go back for lunch & dinner!

    (5)

  • Kelly P.

    Went here on a Tuesday and specials included a $12 all-you-can-eat crawfish boil, $3 draft pints (about 5 to choose from) and the $3 whiskey of the day. After choosing a couple beers, we ordered the fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, cornbread and mashed potatoes. Everything came out quickly and the employees were great. The fried green tomatoes were just re-added to the menu for the summer that night and they are incredible, order them. Portions were good and both of us left full but not over-loaded. I will say that the prices are a bit high for what you receive and they could definitely have more tables on the floor but when the crawfish boil came out it looked incredible. Will be going back- especially for their brunch!

    (4)

  • Stan W.

    Oh my goodness gracious was this good. Just ridiculously delicious. I don't care how rich or fatty it probably was, it was beyond the point of caring. If I was being executed tomorrow, the Southern's fried chicken and biscuits might be my choice for a last meal. Often times when legit chef's try to sell you fried chicken, whatever they come up with turns out no better than what a good Popeyes or Church's can offer. This chicken was exploding off the table with flavor. I think it might've been brined, buttermilked, filled with crack. I could detect rosemary and the skin was probably had some panko in it.. We ate every last bit of skin and gristle, which is not common for me. Easily the best fried chicken I've ever had. The biscuits were fantastic - soft and buttery, and the whole thing was drenched in easily the tastiest gravy that I have ever tasted by a mile. The plate was licked clean. You could've soaked a piece of poo in this gravy and I would've gladly eaten it. We also got the Sunday Mac n Cheese, which was also fantastic. Just creamy goodness with chunks of kielbasa that matched perfectly with the dish. Other dishes that passed us by that looked great included some kind of crab cake dish. Next time I will force those one of these other dishes down after I clean off my chicken 'n biscuits plate. I will complain about a few things though. #1. It looks like they only offer the good menu on Sundays for brunch. It didn't look like the chicken n' biscuits is a regular item. That's just plain cruel. For the sake of benefiting society, I demand that the Southern offer their fried chicken, biscuits, and gravy every day and stay open 24/7 including holidays. #2. They made the chicken 'n biscuits dish too good. So good that I will be hard pressed to try any of their other dishes, which might be equally good, since I'll always have that dish on the brain. #3. The seating sucks. Mostly high wood-hewn tables and backless stools. When I want to get my eat on, it just isn't comfortable to stay awhile. Comfortable seating is a must for a comfort food joint, especially with rich, gluttonous food such as this. What if I wanted to down two orders of that chicken? My butt couldn't handle a double session on those stools. #4. The place looks too small. It scares me. Once word on this place gets out, it'll be so crowded I'll never get to eat here again. I dread the day.

    (5)

  • Justin R.

    What can I say? The Southern is great! I never went here when it was Chaise Lounge; new a guy who worked there and he liked it, but the whole concept was not my style. On the other hand, a sleek little place serving good drinks and awesome Southern-style cuisine is right up my alley. The Poutine, Johnny Cakes, Fancy BBQ, and the Shrimp and Grits were all excellent. As a matter of fact, the Shrimp and Grits was really, really good. My only complaint is we ordered too much food because the apps are actually large portions. Not really a bad thing, but I would order a bit less next time. If you haven't been, go. But be warned, it will be busy when the weather warms.

    (4)

  • Eric W.

    DRINK REVIEW ONLY We stopped in here for a few beers while we waited to get into Lillie's Q down the street. Perfect beer and whiskey menu. The bartenders all rocked mustaches... I'm not sure if that's a requirement. They let us hang out at open tables with the warning that we'd have to move when people showed up. Much appreciated. Beers run anywhere from $3 - $10 based on quality, quantity, etc. The bartenders were EXTREMELY knowledgeable about their whiskey. It was impressive to see them rattle off facts about stuff I've never even heard of.

    (4)

  • Chaz A.

    How can anyone give this absolutely nothing special place more than 3 stars? It's a place with an absolutely nothing special drink list. An absolutely nothing special food list. Absolutely nothing special, yet pretty tasty macaroni. Less than absolutely nothing special service. With so many places to go in this absolutely special neighborhood, why go to The Southern? good patio, though.

    (3)

  • lauren w.

    Went for dinner last night to check this spot out after we had gotten some drinks there one weekend. The menu is pretty small so I wasnt left with too many choices. We started with the johnny cakes with brisket which was AMAZING. super good...I should have just had this for my entree. I got the shrimp and grits as my entree which was tasted great but didnt rock my world. My fiance had the chicken dinner which was awesome. Great Fried chicken...so crispy! Service was fine until they started getting busy and then we were left in no mans land. I would recommend this place if you are craving fried chicken, but not much else past that.

    (3)

  • Sunshine A.

    Went on a Sunday morning for brunch, as I've been meaning to try this spot for a while. Good food, but not amazingly great. I did love the biscuits, so make sure you order a side with your meal. Decided to get eggs benedict, since I've never had the dish. Ehhh..I felt like it was too much work, but come to find out the English muffin may have been toasted a bit too long. Anytime you can't cut through an English Muffin something isn't right... I may give them another chance in the near future, or head there for dinner. My friend had the shrimp and grits which was good. Not amazingly flavorful, but it was alright. Another thing I did like was the coffee, Island Spice by Chicago coffee house Metropolis. Thumbs up for that! I'll be back though...

    (2)

  • Keith D.

    What a fun little place. They really did a good job putting this place together. We only had cocktails here, but the service was pretty great. I love the decor and the drinks are very southern themed and well done at that.

    (3)

  • Liz O.

    So a group of us came here because there has been a buzz about how great the change is from Chaise Lounge to The Southern (and Big Star's patio had a huge line). I had never been to Chaise Lounge but it must have been pretty bad if this is such a huge upgrade. I'll start out with the good things: if it's nice outside, it's great to chill in the bar or the outside patio. Great location for people watching and the employees here are really nice. Ok...so the food. Our server recommended the Okra ("the foodies are blogging about it"), Mac & Cheese ("best in Chicago"), Mahi tacos and Poutine. Nothing stood up to the hype, and the Poutine was just down right GROSS. It smelled like feet and the cheese was cold and we had to pick it off to get to the fries instead of it melting on top of them. To top it off, our beers were really warm. I could have gone to Small Bar, not had to wait 45 minutes to sit, and had better food for a cheaper price.

    (2)

  • Melissa K.

    It is a mystery to me why nothing seems to stick in what should be a foolproof location, but I'm placing my bet on The Southern. A group of 10 of us were there Friday night to celebrate my birthday. Originally from South Carolina, and feeling a little nostalgic, I had high hopes for southern favorites like fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and the fried chicken dinner. As my family likes to say, we'll fry anything in the south. Chef Cary far exceeded my expectations. We ordered the family style chicken dinner 48 hrs in advance, as requested. This may seem like a bit of a pain, but trust me, it is worth it! I think they need the notice to be able to get fresh chicken and have time to brine it and prep it so it will be perfectly tender and melt-in-your-mouth when you arrive. I don't know how the breading was made but it was perfect! Crispy and flavorful and not at all greasy. Top sides were the biscuits and potatoes and gravy. Collards and black eyed peas were nice too. $3 makers marks and Lonestar beers, along with friendly and excellent service made for a fabulous evening. I can't wait to return for brunch on the patio!

    (5)

  • Kathleen G.

    Last night was my third visit in as many weeks. So far I have eaten & enjoyed: mahi tacos Shrimp & grits Cheese straws Corn bread salad Oysters Poutain Crab cakes I also love the myriad of bourbon options and super chill space. It is even worth the trek to Wicker Park I will keep coming back

    (4)

  • Kelsey W.

    I do love The Southern. The first time I went with a friend, it was a Tuesday night in winter and I was craving comfort food. The place was nearly empty, service was great, including the chef personally bringing out our food and chatting with us. Best part: THE FOOD. I could have licked the plate after my amazing beef brisket. Every time I've gone back, the food has been amazing. Although I do miss the beef brisket (seasonal menu change), I've had the mac n' cheese, southern mess, johnny cakes, fried chicken salad, po' boy sandwich, and a full-on chicken dinner....and it's all been delicious. Just be prepared for a 45min+ wait if you go on a Saturday around 7pm. But take in the eye candy and a craft cocktail in the mean time.

    (4)

  • Michele L.

    I reserved the very front outdoor space facing North Ave for my birthday this past Saturday night for appx 15-20 people. We had a great time b/c the space was great and the weather was perfect. We had a warm welcome when we arrived by the hostess and our server was friendly. She was off to a great start but around 9:30 pm there was a long wait to order a drink or an appetizer. She did a great job considering they didn't have enough staff in that area to handle the business. I have to say the crab cake and pulled pork was especially delicious. Everyone pretty much cleaned their plates so that made up for the slow service. I would go back but not with a big party because there were a lot of complaints about not being able to order a drink or app.

    (3)

  • Carl W.

    I already had a place in mind on my way to the dentist, but an attractive young woman (d'oh) not only redirected me with her promises of $1 chicken sandwiches available on weekdays, but also, I assume coincidentally ran into me later and told me I was going the wrong way (I hate that intersection). The chicken was flavorful and cripsy, and two of these sandwiches were pretty satisfying, along with a pear salad and a beer/shot special (can't remember exact price). The people at the bar were friendly. But honestly, the high point was a free sample of some egg nog, something they aren't even selling yet, but was easily the best I've ever had. Folks, if you are reading this, I will come back if you start selling that, even though I am leaving Chicago in less than two weeks. No kidding.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    If looks and atmosphere were all that mattered, The Southern would deserve 5 stars. The dim lighting is appealing on the dark wooden furniture. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious. Unfortunately the food and the service doesn't matchup. I just want to echo the statements above that they seem understaffed. Our waitress was the sweetest person, but she seemed like one of only three servers handling the dining area. After she got our drinks, it took us about 30 minutes to flag her back for our food orders. In terms of food, it was very "meh." We started off with fried chicken, and it was just fine. It just didn't seem seasoned enough, and the breading got overwhelming at the edges, which is usually a sign that they just let the chicken sit in the oil without managing it. Also, you'll have to excuse my hatred for ranch because you get a pint (sort of exaggerating) of the evil stuff along with hot sauce. I got the crab cake as an entree, which was alright. Again, it seemed a little underseasoned, and the mustard that came with it wasn't strong enough to leave an impression. We got a punch to split amongst the 6 in the group, and it did its job. So, in closing, this is a place I want to like because of the casual atmosphere and the appealing decor, but the menu needs some work, and they need to hire a few more folks.

    (2)

  • Melissa F.

    I got a very kind message from the manager, apologizing for bad service. He said that I should let him know the next time I swing by, which was a nice touch. This sort of responsiveness bumps them up an extra star, I guess.

    (3)

  • Nirali S.

    New Years Eve here was AWESOME!!! Open bar, delicious appetizers and good service! I want to go back on a non-holiday, I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Caitlin G.

    Huge fan of this place. Their mac and cheese is great and I love that the flavors are always changing. The hott mess of fries with ham gravy and cheese curds is one of the best things I've ever eaten! Also, I love their beers and am a fan of their specials. It has great outdoor space as well.

    (4)

  • Britta V.

    The food was really great, had the crab cakes and the two people I was with had the burger and eggs sardou - both delicious. I'd say that the eggs sardou won, out of the 3. We really wanted to try some items off of their full brunch menu, but they only serve this on Sundays, and we were in on a Saturday. The Bloody Marys are SOO good and so was the sweet potato soup. Yum! They lost a star for me because of service. It wasn't crowded at all, yet we still had to wait some time for our food and there were only 3 of us. The waitress also seemed relatively new, and not completely comfortable. That being said, I'll definitely be back because of the food and comfy atmosphere - oh, and music too!

    (4)

  • Shaun S.

    Came here using a groupon for dinner and an appetizer. Ordered the hog fries and they were really good! Actually...that was the best part of our dinner. The chicken was moist...a tad bit greasy but very moist. The shrimp and grits were awful...tasted light microwave grits with ketchup.

    (2)

  • Hannah C.

    Really, this is a 3.5 star review. A few things you should know: 1. The menu is tiny, because this is really more of a bar than a restaurant (although don't tell that to the packed dinner crowd - you will need reservations at peak times, although you can sometimes get a seat at the bar). 2. Their drink selection is erratic. One member of our group had to go four rounds with the waitress before he managed to name a whiskey from their list that they actually had in stock. (He did this by going to the bar and looking at bottles because clearly the list was useless.) 3. Their non-whiskey options are pretty thin, both on the cocktail side and on the straight side. 4. That said, the food we got was actually really good! Mac and cheese appetizer was very tasty and brisket was delicious and perfectly cooked. If you see a food item you like and are willing to have a bit of variety in your drinks, go ahead and try to get a table!

    (3)

  • J. A. L.

    I'm a sucker for southern food and whiskey cocktails - The Southern did not disappoint! We had the mac n cheese (with breadcrumbs!), hush puppies, the vegetarian risotto, and a yummy arugula salad. We loved everything and could not finish it all. The "snack" portions were way bigger than anticipated, in the best kind of way. The hush puppies were were so plentiful it could have been my entire meal! I also had a few great regular Manhattans with rye whiskey and my friend had a few maple/bacon Manhattans. Overall we were very pleased. Yes the front patio is right on North Ave but that makes for done good people watching. I'll be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Pari P.

    Before I begin, I'm letting you know that I go to Memphis every 4th of July so my standards for southern cuisine are high. Basically, The Southern offers excellent southern cuisine if you have never been to the south. If you're originally from Chicago and tried deep dish pizza outside of Illinois, then you'll know that there is always something a bit off about it. It's kind of like that with The Southern. Although they had all of the staples like fried chicken, collard greens, biscuits and gravy, and corn bread, I was a bit disappointed. The chicken was crispy and juicy but lacked the level of seasoning a good fried chicken should have by southern standards. The biscuits and cornbread were dry and the gravy was too thick and clumpy. I was expecting more based on everyone's reviews and their price point. After waiting almost an hour for the food and the bill coming out to $25 a person for the fried chicken dinner, I won't be back anytime soon. If I do, I'll try something else on their menu. Otherwise, the service was fine and I can see how the venue would be great for drinks in the summertime.

    (3)

  • Lauren S.

    Great meal for the price! If you love fries/food/humanity/joy in life...ORDER THE HOG FRIES!!!!! They're seriously amazing. I also recommend the pimento burger and half chicken....also have a great selection of whiskey if that's what you're into

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Great food, friendly service, and I got a sazerac that reminded me why I love sazeracs. I'm not a big fried chicken guy, but my wife's order tasted like the platonic ideal I have in my head for what it should taste like. Massive whiskey selection (I got Journeyman Ravenswood Rye in my cocktail). Portions are big enough for take-home leftovers. A bit pricey--we went with a Groupon--but I think we'll return.

    (4)

  • B A.

    Summary: Pros: Good food, especially the lobster risotto, fried chicken, and hush puppies. Nice take on southern comfort food. Wait staff was very friendly. :-) Cons: Music was a little loud for conversation. Food came out warm but not hot, as though it may have been sitting a while. Long gaps between visits from wait staff to take order/bring bill, etc. Mac & cheese was not good. Price for lobster risotto was a little high in my opinion ($27). All things considered, the cons are not a big deal, which is why I still gave it 4 stars. I'm glad I had a Groupon which made the cost a non-factor this visit, but without it my bill 2 entrees, 2 apps and one drink came up to $74.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    Best risotto I've ever had. Friendly staff, great cocktails.

    (5)

  • J. K.

    We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Waitress should look for another job, being a server was not her cup of tea. But I won't let it detract from food. This was their first night serving mussels. What a great rendition with delicious corn bread for dipping. Very fresh too. Lobster roll was great. Large chunks of lobster not overpowered by garnishes. Delicious grilled bread. Skirt steak was prepared properly and it was good but the dish was a bit lukewarm. Great beer and wine.

    (4)

  • Hai D.

    Service was horrible! The waiter never filled our drinks or even asked us how our food was, and it took 1hr for us to get our food!

    (1)

  • Sara P.

    The biscuits and gravy here are incredible. I ordered them with sunny side up eggs on top for breakfast. Yum yum. The sausage gravy is so creamy and filled with sausage and the biscuits are freshly baked and amazingly flaky. With the yolks running through everything and my coffee on the side, I could have not asked for a better brunch. Not my first time here and definitely not my last.

    (4)

  • Roger G.

    I am with a small group and one of the parties is gluten free. When we first walked in we had a few options and decided to pass. One of the managers, Ben, followed us out and offered additional options. His perseverance and belief in his restaurant's ability to please us won me as a customer for life. Kudos. Anyone who works anywhere, have pride in what you do and where you do it. It matters.

    (5)

  • Joshua C.

    Good food, service was slow this past trip but the servers were friendly and sufficient. The restaurant wasnt't that crowded but it seem like after our Mac & Cheese came out, it took 20 min or so for the Entrees to arrive. Then when we wanted to pay our bill to leave our server took a while to cash us out.

    (4)

  • Maria A.

    I was here about a year and a half ago and loved it, so my expectations were high when we came with a friend to celebrate his birthday... but the Southern did not deliver. This place is kind of hard to review, since the food was really very good (we ordered some crepes, burger and deviled eggs for brunch), but service was SO.SLOW. Our server even shared she was sorry they did not have cream at hand for when they brought coffee, and that she'd have to find "something to put it in" and bring it to us. Not OK. The beignet we ordered took really long too, the reason being "we were waiting for a box of them to arrive". That, to me, says a lot about how this place is run. It was kind of empty too, even for Sunday brunch, so it's hard to wrap your head around how slow the service was. I sadly do no think I'll be returning anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Sonia B.

    The Southern is doing it right! We randomly came here for dinner last Friday night without reservations, and thankfully their bar upstairs is full service, so we decided to go for it. Our bartender/server was super nice, and very helpful as it was my first time there. I had the Fried Chicken along with the 8 Legged Cider. I would highly recommend both. The Fried Chicken was delicious and generously portioned. It could easily be taken home for leftovers. The 8 Legged Cider was also very good, and generous with the booze! My husband had the Pimento Burger with Mashed Potatoes. He loved it, as well. He also had the Maple Bacon Manhattan. Again, really tasty and boozy. I would love to come back when it's warmer to enjoy their beautiful patio. All in all, we were big fans of The Southern!

    (5)

  • Johnny E.

    Extremely great service! They were able to accommodate a fairly large party very quickly when the online order fell through. Alette is a great individual to work with.

    (5)

  • Susan K.

    My husband made reservations here for Mother's Day dinner with his 89 year old mother, and our family, which totaled five. When we arrived, the restaurant was not at all full, and the hostess lead us to a table with high bar seats by the door. I asked politely that since my tiny mother in law would not be comfortable at that table, if we could please be seated at a different table. She very rudely made the comment, " well I guess so, however we had that table reserved for another party, and you should have asked when you made the reservation." I was shocked at how rude she was. I had no clue given this was our first time at the restaurant that I should need to ask for a table without bar stool seats. This set the pace for the rest of the night. I am a southerner, from the south east, the home of the original shrimp and grits recipes. I ordered this, and it was very meh.... as was the rest of the food. We spent a goodly amount of money and we were polite during the experience. However, we asked to speak with the manager at the end of our meal, as the experience of the hostess was still lingering, and a big party never did come in and sit down. We told him, and all he said was, yes, they were expecting a larger party which never showed up, and gee, he was sorry... next time he give us a free drink on the house. Wow. There will not be a next time. I will say our waiter was very informational about the cocktails and did up-sell us on expensive liquor. It was overall an unpleasant experience and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone based primarily on the service and nonchalant attitude of the management. The food, too, is mediocre. Take if from a true foodie southerner.

    (1)

  • Molly B.

    We stopped here on Sunday night, Memorial Day weekend and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table for two. I'm so glad we waited - tasty brews paired with tasty appetizers! Perfect before a free show at Double Door right around the corner.

    (4)

  • Coll P.

    It was a quiet night, but their cocktails sneak up on you...just the way I like 'em.

    (4)

  • David M.

    This was my second time at The Southern and tonight wasn't quite up to par. First I couldn't get a straight up martini. I was given vodka on the rocks, which isn't what I asked for, and then I was given the drink in a champagne glass. I gave up and told them to just give it to me on the rocks. They do not have martini glasses apparently. Our server was nice, but if we needed him we had to flag him down every time. He never checked back to see how our food was. Usually the fried chicken dinner is amazing, but tonight my friend said it was very salty, and it wasn't the coating, it was the actual meat that seemed way too salty. The first time we dined there the mashed potatoes were ice cold, and sure enough, they were ice cold tonight too. They must use a piping bag that isn't kept hot. Fortunately the food is amazing, so that would get me back again. But they need to stay on it and work on their customer service. The lock in the men's room is broken, so I walked in on someone, and then someone walked in on me. My first visit was 100%, tonight was more of a 70% kind of night. I was surprised that with all of the issues that the server never had the manager come over. To top things off, I had made the reservation on Open Table and the hostess didn't confirm it when we got there, even though I asked her if she did. I got home and sure enough, she did not. So I lose points for her mistake. It will show up as me being a no show. I don't know...I was just very disappointed tonight.

    (4)

  • Catherine P.

    This underwhelming score is mostly due to the awkward/cold service we received when we dined at The Southern recently. I arrived early and the place was practically empty. I was greeted by a manager who said "is there something I can do for you?" As I approached the hostess stand. I was caught off guard and it made me thing the place was closed or something. When I said there would be two of us dining he rushed ahead of me, slapped menus down, and walk away... All of this before I had even made it over to the table. Sheesh!!! My friend and I ordered a salad, cornbread, chowder, and the gumbo. All of the food was great and the portions were just fine. I wish my friend had mentioned she would be avoiding all deep fried, southern cheesy goodness on the menu and I would have suggested going someplace else. The appetizers and po boys sounded great. Perhaps this was just a fluke of strange service but it will make me think twice about returning here, even on an SEC game day.

    (3)

  • Nat Z.

    I've had a few pretty solid experiences at the Southern, but I understand a lot of the less positive reviews. Why not five stars? Well, their barbecue is decent but it certainly isn't outstanding. You'd be better off at Lillie's Q. I had decent luck with the fried chicken but, again, not amay-zay-zing. The review that commented that it's southern cuisine with a Wicker Park twist was pretty spot-on. Or whatever Southern cuisine is for these Yankees, but it's solid. In other news, I had a pretty amazing salad. They also have a good drink list and a nice bar, and the servers are charming.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    So while I give it a 5 star, there's some downers. Sitting upstairs in the winter is sort of a hot cold thing as the heating tries to keep things balanced. Looks like it's an open area in the summer and they close it in for the winter (or so it appears). Also was a bit odd to get a martini in a rocks glass, but hey...alcohol is alcohol right? Finally as our group of 11 exited, we were out in the courtyard for about 30 seconds before someone walked over and said "you guys, thanks for coming but we don't allow people to hang out here". My guess is that neighbors have complained about the noise. Granted we were not planning on hanging out but were just gathering everyone together and deciding where to go next. All of those negatives don't really compete with the food, which was awesome. The one odd part of a dish that I went back and forth on was the cornbread. Normally I'm used to it being pretty sweet...and here it was not very sweet at all. I didn't like it at first, but then after tasting a variety of the dishes I didn't mind it. The dishes are certainly "hearty" and plentiful. If anyone calls this "southern comfort food", then they are lying to you. The only comfort you will have after eating the food is if you lay down after for a few hours. The reality is if you ate just a little bit...then it might be a "comfort", but it's quite good so you want to go ahead and just have one more bite, or ten or whatever. The foods I liked: Just about everything on the apps menu as well as the fries I tried from someones burger order. The only thing that I was a bit "meh" about were the hush puppies. Filling, not a lot of flavor. They're ok I guess.

    (5)

  • S L.

    Anne is to booze like Walter White is to meth. Her Old Fashioned is nothing short of perfection. Try it, then order another and another and another. I go to bars, assuming I can get an old fashioned anywhere. Not even worth it. Just go here, get Anne to make you and Old Fashioned and drink happily. You're welcome.

    (5)

  • Christoph B.

    Highly recommend! I came here with some meat eaters* and partook of the advertised "Chicken Dinner" for groups of 6 or more. We enjoyed homemade buttermilk biscuits with honey, mashed potatoes, collard greens, black eyed peas, bacon gravy, and a mountain of glorious golden brown fried CHICKEN. In addition to the fantastic food and unique drink specials, the Southern serves up some great hospitality too. Like Derek Rose our waitress was on point. Everyone was really friendly and on top of their game. Kudos! I can't wait to come back some lazy Sunday afternoon to enjoy their patio. Five Stars. *Disclaimer: This review is my own personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the opinion of the Meat Brigade (tm)

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    Southern darling, you might want to sit down. I have some pretty big news I need to tell you. Realize I want nothing from you, I just wanted to share the joy. Are you ready? You impregnated me with a fried chicken baby! Yes, I am a grown person and share in the responsibility of eating responsibly, however you are so irresistible that I had a moment of weakness. I couldn't stop myself from having another serving of fried chicken (and mashed potatoes). I know I was full, very full, sad/scary full even, but hot damn your chicken is so juicy and mouth-watering good and I just needed that last extra bit of satisfaction. Greedy of me I know. It's my own fault dinner was followed by stomach swelling, waddling, and general belly discomfort. Worth it though, my love. So very worth it. On a side note, perhaps you should warn your bus boys/girls to not hover around a large group of meat eating maniacs. There was a moment I wondered if there would be a chicken riot due to their attempts to remove food/plates/glasses. They could have lost a hand and that would have been the end of Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    Let me start by saying that I did not eat here. Started off upstairs where there is one makeshift bar and no washroom. Ok, so you get some exercise getting a drink and having to relieve yourself. But the one washroom fits one person leaving long lines all night. Good thing that it wasn't that crowded downstairs. I did like the bar and the crowd was filled with attractive 20-30 somethings. Update: I tried the COUNTRY CAPTAIN which is roasted chicken, curried tomato sauce, golden raisins, coconut, almond, rice for $15. It was basically a bowl of rice with some chicken. I finished it and was wondering what was next. If you're hungry, avoid this "dish." Also, if there are empty chairs outside that nobody is using and are willing to give up, let the customer move them. To the hostess who cited the fire code as a means of preventing a table of four from becoming an unwieldly table of seven, just stop it. This is going to happen and I'm sure the CFD won't come knocking when they see several people surrounding a metal table outside.

    (3)

  • Lori L.

    Brunch with the ladies heads South this time around. I'm going to get my one complaint out of the way. Turn down the music. It's Sunday, it's only 11am. I couldn't hear my friend who was just two seats away from me. Ok, now that is out of my system, I feel much better. On to the good stuff. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict. It wasn't served with the typical Hollandaise sauce which ended up being ok with me. Crab cakes can be rich on their own, and this dish didn't need the sauce. The eggs were poached to a slightly runny, slightly solidified consistency which I liked. Overall, I was very satisfied with my main dish. I ordered a side of their cheesy grits, which to my dismay, weren't my favorite. They were grittier than grits I have had in the past. Also, there was a little kick to them on the back end. Now some people may enjoy the spice; it's just not my cup of tea. Service was very friendly and our water glasses were always being filled. I had my eye on other items on their menu and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Hopefully when Spring finally decides to stay, I'll be lucky enough to grab a table on their patio.

    (4)

  • E.M. V.

    It started out promising. I ordered the Cucumber Royale cocktail which lived up to my expectations -- cool and crisp and very refreshing. It's made of Cucumber Vodka, Lime Juice, Prosecco, and Mint Leaves. Heavenly. I didn't even know there was such a thing as Cucumber Vodka. We ordered their famous Mac and Cheese which was ... underwhelming. There was nothing notable about it at all. It was no better than the mac and cheese they used to serve in the dormitories where I went to college. For the entree, I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes with watercress, watermelon, and goat cheese. Again, underwhelming. And the portion was so small, it was actually dishonest to call it an entree. It was really an appetizer. A very expensive appetizer. For dessert, I ordered their Fried Twinkie with raspberry sauce which was alright -- I mean, it was different. But it was hardly a culinary feat. A novelty and nothing more. My friend tried the Jambalaya and it was passable and edible. Nothing special. All in all, a disappointment. I don't expect to be going there again, except to drink. They have an impressive drinks menu and that is clearly their forte.

    (2)

  • Leslie G.

    After a disappointing first visit on a day when the fried chicken is not fried, the manager was kind enough to make a future reservation for us and offer us complimentary mimosas. My friends and I returned to only be delighted finally by the fried chicken! Service is friendly and personal!

    (5)

  • Jeka M.

    We decided that the cuisine (yes. very fried, even a cornbread salad) wasn't quite what we were looking for, but after eating somewhere else, the atmosphere was enough to have us return for a few drinks. It has a totally chill vibe, with dark wicker fans, thick wooden chairs, and great drinks. The lighting is low and they have white flowy decor, and the upstairs opens up during nice weather. The drinks didn't skimp on the alcohol and were around $8 or so for Kentucky Lemonade and the like. I liked the atmosphere, the bartenders, and the crowd, and would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Erin D.

    My mistake was that I came for brunch and not for the main event. We were too early for the pig roast on Saturday. None the less, I like this place and make note, I'll be back. The brunch menu is loaded with good stuff. I went with the smothered biscuits with a side of bacon! Everything that was coming out of the kitchen went past our table and it all looked and smelled good. Then a plate appeared before me. Oh yeah, the portion was huge. And I knew at that moment, I was in trouble I'm sure I'd be shot dead if the management of The Southern looked in my bag to see a copy if Forks Over Knives, after they saw me indulging in my smothered biscuits and bacon. Then the food coma set in, I ended up taking half it home. Over all, I can't wait to come back for dinner. Its a great location, cool interior and fast friendly service. Looks like I'll put off the lifestyle change for a few weeks :)

    (4)

  • David K.

    My new favorite restaurant in Bucktown. The fried chicken (servered only on Wednesdays) is the best I've ever had. The house whisky (can't remember the brand) was also the best I've had. The Mac and Cheese my son had was excellent.

    (5)

  • Kristin S.

    I really wanted to love The Southern. I read over the menu for weeks thinking about what I would order when I finally visited and read with jealousy the tweets of individuals that were enjoying The Southern when I was home making my own eggs. Social Media provided the hype inspiring me to visit the website and drool over the menu, unfortunately my fantasy was much better than the reality when I finally visited. I think people like The Southern because they like the people running The Southern and because the menu is not duplicated at every other restaurant. I don't think they like The Southern because it has excellent food. We went for a Sunday brunch and ordered the Spiced Donuts, Sunday Mac & Cheese, Chicken & Biscuit and Johnny Crepes. Overall just about everything, with the exception of the donuts, was without flavor and served lukewarm. It was like someone lost all of the seasonings and pulled our food from a buffet set up in the kitchen. I liked the idea of the Sunday M&C and the chicken was moist, but nothing, I repeat nothing had flavor. After eating the food I was very confused if all the good reviews were from people with bad taste, lemmings following the hype or perhaps we just went to The Southern on the wrong day. The service was good and she was kind when we sent the gravy back since it was not even lukewarm. The manager stopped by to see if we enjoyed our meal and apologize, we let him know that the gravy was just the coldest, everything else was no better than lukewarm. He was very friendly, comp'd the donuts and gave us a $10 certificate to come try them again. The certificate continues to hang on my refrigerator. I look at it every now and then, but I will probably never go back because I just can't handle that level of disappointment again. I really hope that we just went on a bad day because I find it hard to believe that people would give such good reviews if the food is always as bad as what we were served.

    (2)

  • Ben B.

    Not that anyone will be surprised by this...but this place is not very vegetarian-friendly. See? Anyone surprised? No. Me neither. But this vegetarian went anyway and actually made out just fine. A mish-mash of southern specialties (most of which were new to me seeing how 'southern' in my town means...uh...Boston) are all deliciously described on the simple menu, many of which were perfect for sharing feast-style in the gorgeous booth areas on the second floor. When I wasn't playing nice with others while suppressing my god-given need to get territorial over food, though, I was making sweet, cheesy love to their Mac 'n Cheese of the day which just so happened to be stuffed with blue cheese and truffle oil. In other words, the Mac 'n Cheese of the day was made with my hopes and dreams. Our server was really nice and attentive until the bill came at which point she got pretty elusive. Probably because she didn't want anything to do with a table of ten-ish people trying to figure out how to split the check...

    (4)

  • Casey L.

    We came here for brunch and had a great experience. The Sunday Mac and cheese was excellent, as were the biscuits and the Charleston Benedict. Everyone left happy! Great food, great service, and a really nice patio - can't wait to come back when the weathers nicer!

    (5)

  • Paymon K.

    The food was very good, and I was happy about that, having heard good things. I tried the hush puppies (ok), the shrimp and grits (amazing), and the fish of the day on the servers recommedation (very good). I've tried the drinks before, and they were pretty good. The beer is cheap too. The downside of this place is that the service was pretty bad. It wasn't that busy when we got there, and it was a Wednesday. However, it took ten minutes for someone to even recognize we were waiting, ten/fifteen more to get menus and water, and there was no real service to speak of in between that and getting our food. Finally, I ordered a side of French fries, reminded the waiter twice, and they still never brought them. I almost still wanted them, just to try, but I ended up cancelling. What a letdown. Good for food, good for drinks, maybe best for relaxing. Not for a date, because the service was mediocre at best.

    (3)

  • Jessica V.

    Great atmosphere, nice beer garden. Hushpuppies left something to be desired. Drinks were expensive if you weren't ordering off the specials ($9 for a small gin and tonic on a weeknight...no thank you!)

    (3)

  • Jacqui H.

    Great decor and friendly waitstaff. The drinks were strong and delicious. I had the shrimp and grits and my 9 year old had the fried chicken. We had fried green tomatoes And macaroni and cheese. Both appetizers were yummy, my favorite being the tomatoes. They were fresh and not oily, fried to perfection. The shrimp and grits did not meet my expectations. The shrimp were good and not overcooked but the grits were flavorless. Fried chicken had a nice batter but the greens were bland and there was nothing southern about them. Also there were no mashed potatoes and cornbread as advertised. I would return for drinks and would give their brunch a try.

    (3)

  • Valerie W.

    I've driven past The Southern a bunch of times in the past, but never really thought to step inside. Maybe it was the fear of the unknown? We had plans to dine at The Southern for a friend's birthday party a few weeks back - and I can definitely say it is a place I would return to. The host staff was accommodating to our changing needs and was happy to move our table due to a mix-up with the number of people listed on our reservation. Our server was fantastic with whiskey suggestions, refills, and general awesomeness, especially when a table of 9 asks that you take their picture. I don't drink whiskey, but was impressed that they have over 150 types available, and when you order a whiskey cocktail (old fashioned, manhattan, etc.,) you can choose what whiskey you'd like. My boyfriend definitely LOVED that, and was happy to taste several different types. The food was excellent! We started with the fried green tomato appetizer - 2 plates was plenty to feed our table of 9. They came garnished with feta cheese, watermelon, watercress, and a spicy piquillo aioli. I was at first a little worried about the watermelon - but what a great refreshing flavor. All of the garnish went really well together and complimented the fried green tomatoes perfectly. They weren't heavy or greasy - light and delicious! For dinner, I was really torn on what to order, so the birthday girl and I ended up splitting the pork chop and the fried chicken. Pork chop: bone-in Berkshire chop, white bean puree, bacon demi, rainbow chard. The pork chop itself was awesome, thick cut, juicy and flavorful. When they say bacon demi, they mean a thick cut smoky slice of bacon draped across the plate. That could've been the meal itself. I really enjoyed the chard, the white bean puree was okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat it again. Fried chicken: 1/2 amish chicken, chicken fat whipped potatoes, collard greens, corn bread, honey butter. The chicken itself was amazing. Juicy, well seasoned, crisp. The corn bread was also really REALLY good. The chicken fat whipped potatoes fell a little flat for me, they didn't taste like anything special, and I didn't try the collards. All in all, everything about The Southern was great. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Liz T.

    I do think the Southern is a solid, stable, Wicker Park establishment. It has a super chill vibe, great top floor deck with awesome outdoor seating all summer long, and really solid food. As far as the menu goes, it's solid--not the best I've ever had, but definitely a great southern comfort food option, especially when the wait at other places is too long. (There's usually immediate seating). Of the items we tried, I have to say the Fried Green Tomatoes are FABULOUS. Perfectly battered and deep fried with the kind of mayo they put on spicy tuna at sushi places over a bed of greens. Finger licking delish. The cheese plate was average. I think it would be better if they offered more bread or cracker carbs with it... it always bothers me when there isn't enough bread or cracker for the cheese. They also gave us 3 incredibly sharp/pungent cheeses. Not sure if that was intentional, and if "southern" cheese plates don't typically have a mild option. But the fruits and veggies were well paired. Overall, a great experience. Will definitely swing by when in the mood for relaxed, convenient neighborhood dining.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    Monday is special Mac & Cheese day at the The Southern. They listed some steak n bleu as their special of the day and when we went in, it was Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese which is cool...but always a good idea to keep the internets updated. I'm surprised they don't have more mac & cheese options on the daily since they did start out as a Mac & Cheese food truck. Side note in case you are wondering, the food truck is no longer in operation. With my dinner I usually get a nice, cold beer....but $5 for a PBR? $8 for Golden Monkey? You're loco en el coco, ese. It ain't happening. Their beer prices across the board are $1-2 above the restaurant norm so I ended up sticking with water. We started with the "Snack" aka Starter of the Philly Cheese Steak Macaroni ($10) and Cheese. It was tasty, albeit slightly grainy, but was pretty cool with the slight twist. We gobbled up every last bit and between the two of us...actually ended up pretty stuffed from just sharing that. For a starter, it was quite a good sized portion and could easily be a full meal for one person. For my entree I had their mushroom risotto ($16). I actually loved the interesting additions to this dish like a nice runny, kind of 5:10ish egg on top. Egg makes everything better for me. Another pretty big portion so I ended up taking the majority home. My friend had the burger and I tried some of his fries....those things were addictive! They were insanely salty which is usually a deterrent for me but something about these fries was just delicious. Great service, pretty good food, super chill atmosphere and an awesome patio - I'd definitely go back to The Southern.

    (4)

  • Anne M.

    Yum yum in my tum tum. The Southern delivered some delicious grub to my party of four recently. We stopped in for dinner and enjoyed a large appetizer of mac & cheese (split between 3 people). The mac was creamy and cheesy as it should be, and this app could have easily been my dinner had I ordered only that. I did proceed to order a proper meal though, and I chose the fried chicken. The plate was heaping with mashed potatoes, greens, a slice of corn bread, 3 big pieces of fried chicken, plus a little honey butter on the side. Yes please. The food was great and the portion was plentiful. Unfortunately the outdoor patio was closed because it was too cold outside, but this would be a great spot for a long dinner some summer night.

    (4)

  • Tina N.

    We had a groupon for this place & it was near the expiration so the reservations were made & we were off. Seated and greeted right away at a high top near a window in the bar area. I really liked the vibe of it. Moving on.. I ordered the red baron & although it was good, it tasted like a sweet tart.. That's not really what I was looking for but whatevs. We shared the cheese plate & enjoyed it. For dinner, I had the lobster risotto... there were a few shells here and there & although it was good, it didn't blow me away, you know? All in all our first visit was successful. We will see what the next one brings.

    (4)

  • Jamie H.

    I had been wanting to go here for a LONG time; Groupon had a deal so I bought it...then promptly forgot about it and the Groupon expired. I was still able to use the $25 it cost and put it towards the bill. Luckily! My boyfriend and I came on Wednesday night, around 7:45. He made reservations just in case, and we got in right away and were seated and greeted. Our server was very nice and knowledgable, the other staff was also very courteous. My boyfriend had two old fashioned, both of which he said were good. I tried the Something "Manly" first. It was OK, but I wasn't crazy about it. My second drink was the Peacock Tail. Again I thought it was just OK. I drank them up, no problem, but I wouldn't have ordered them again. As for the food, we started with mac and cheese...it was phenomenal. After a good amount of time (not right away) our meals came out. I got the fried chicken. It was nice and crispy, a little dry, but very delicious. My boyfriend got the Porkchop. He liked it, but was not a fan of the creamed peas. I took his leftovers and had them for lunch the next day, it was at least as good if not better the second time around...and I actually really liked the peas! I really liked the atmosphere of The Southern, cartoons were on one of the TV's so we thought that was odd...but it didn't bother me at all! I would like to come back and sit outside, and try more of the food!

    (4)

  • Erin M.

    The service here was legitimately laughable. We decided to grab a few drinks here while we waited for our table at Big Star to be ready. We sat down outdoors & were NEVER approached by a waiter. We asked the hostess and a few waiters several times if we could be served and were going to place a small appetizer order along with drinks. Still 2 hours later & we had to go up to the bar every time to get a new drink. There were multiple tables who got up & left after they were seated because no waiter helped them. I will never be coming back here & the two star review is solely because the bartender kicked ass-as he was the only one working who seemed to care about the patrons.

    (2)

  • Kat D.

    My boyfriend and I came here with a groupon and had the short rib, fried chicken and the Mac and cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious! Service was great and they have an awesome beer selection. I strongly suggest this place with or without a groupon.

    (5)

  • Omar R.

    After driving around Wicker Park looking for a place to eat brunch we stumbled upon Southern. We sat at the bar bc in order to sit outside in the patio or on any table we needed to make a reservation which I thought was weird being that it should be first come first serve and the tables were empty at the time. I ordered a burger with bacon and a fried egg on top. It was really good and so was the service. Next time I'll know to make a reservation so I can enjoy eating in the patio.

    (4)

  • Andrew D.

    If you are tough enough to walk past the filth associated with the 6 corners: gutter punks, garbage flying, panhandling homeless, hipsters who have apparently never heard of a shower, etc., you'll find one of my favorite joints in Wicker Park! It seems a lot of the nicer joints in Wicker are found past the main drag of garbage. Despite there being a consistent flow of people, the Southern is still amazing enough to their customers to routinely offer a Groupon for one of the best brunches in the entire city! Not only does their chef possess a certain ingenuity in crafting his southern inspired menu, but the food is fresh and delicious. I'd stick with savory dishes for brunch: the various varietals of hashes offered seasonally, the fried chicken benedict is arguably the best brunch dish I've ever had, and the mac & cheese is amongst the best in the city (see Ted Brunson's segment on Chicago's Best). Food is a slam dunk. The bartenders also know what's up. Solid craft cocktails that don't overwhelm with an overbearing menu make for an easy drinking experience. Also, they offer a shot and beer special every night of the week that isn't your usual industry-standard Jamo/PBR (yawn). For $6, I can have a shot of quality bourbon or rye (can't remember the brand...) with a solid craft, Lousiana's own Abita Jockamo IPA. What a deal! For brunch, the house made bloody mix hits the spot impeccably, and is inclusive with their awesome Groupon deal. To round out the 5 stars, this place is aesthetically pleasing, reminiscent of a Savannah patio in the middle of a lovely summer day. Have yet to have anything close to a bad experience here. Make OpenTable reservations for brunch, as it gets packed.

    (5)

  • Bao L.

    I came here for dinner w/ a group of 14 on a Saturday night, and they were able to accommodate us easily upstairs at a huge table. The atmosphere at The Southern is definitely a fun one - we were enjoying ourselves, and all of the other parties seemed to be having a good time as well. -Maple bacon manhattan: this was a good drink, albeit a little on the sweet side. My only gripe is that, if it weren't for the bacon garnish, you couldn't even tell that there was any bacon in the drink (not even w/ the "house infused bacon bourbon"). A friend of mine also ordered this and he thought the same thing. -Fried chicken sandwich: delicious! The entire piece of chicken was juicy and moist (seriously, not a single bite was dry). There was just the right amount of batter and it had a great crunch to it. The aioli was on point, and the fries were crispy and nicely salted. I think our party ordered most of the items on the menu. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food and no one really complained about any of the dishes. Unfortunately I can't comment specifically on the other food items, since I was too busy stuffing my face with my fried chicken sandwich to try them...oops. Note: the cornbread and honey butter isn't sold separately as a side, as it only comes w/ the fried chicken entree. I was really looking forward to trying it, since I've heard great things about it. Sadly, though, the fried chicken entree was sold out that night so I didn't get a chance to try the cornbread and honey butter.

    (4)

  • David B.

    I hesitated to give The Southern three stars, but decided to do so because the food was not consistent enough to merit four stars. I went with three friends from work and we got a lot of food - that's how I know that their menu is hit or miss. Fried chicken - excellent! With a good biscuit, too. Baby back ribs - pretty good too Hush puppies - very disappointing; pretty bland Fried green tomatoes - good I'm blanking on one other item that we shared that was so-so. The food is not bad, and most things were fine if not great. But I don't want to have to wonder whether the items will be good or not. The other reason I stand behind my 3 is that I give that to restaurants where the food is good but I'm not pining to go back. That's where I give out 4's - great food, and it's worth getting that type of food in that place. In Chicago, plenty of other places to get the same quality of fried chicken and other Southern meals. And plenty of places to get BETTER.

    (3)

  • Diana J.

    Beautiful outdoor patio with white string lights, indoor seating had open walls to the patio which I love! Brunch is excellent and not too crowded on a Saturday morning. I had the fried chicken Benedict which is two HUGE boneless thigh pieces on a split biscuit with poached egg and hollandaise sauce that was on point! Sweet potato hash rounded out the meal. I could only finish one! Bf's steak hash was also very good with a refreshing citrus sauce. Will return!

    (4)

  • Allie H.

    Friendly waitstaff and the cocktails are delicious. Love their unique breakfast dishes like the breakfast macaroni and French toast. Just wish they had a bit more options!

    (3)

  • Avanti H.

    So I went for my birthday this year and the food and everything was amazing, definitely a must go.

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    Everyone in our party of four thoroughly enjoyed their food. The fried green tomatoes were really good and served with cheese and marinated watermelon. The fried chicken was exceptional and hearty. They have a great selection of whiskeys and make great pretty stout cocktails.

    (5)

  • Dennis R.

    Why have a menu and specials on your website if you don't update it? My Groupon was to expire in 2 days and thankfully made it here. I saw they served Nashville hot chicken on Thursdays under the 'daily specials' on the website, I'm in!! Fought the traffic and made our reservation, first impression is good with the patio open and it isn't packed. The menu wad a bit different from the website so I ask about the hog fries. Nope, they don't serve it anymore because they stopped making the chili. Alright, how about the Nashville hot? Sorry, got rid of that a while ago, our menu changes. Thoroughly disappointed due to looking forward to these dishes but we move on. My mom's cocktail tasted good but was served in this dinky little glass. I ordered a flight of scotch but for $20 I would have liked more than 3 small shot glasses that were a sip a piece. Two great beers would have been more satisfying. The cheese plate was not worth the price either, and the strawberry and grapes were a pitiful component when compared to any other cheese plate I've ever had. The clincher? The big hair on top of the figs. We still ate the cheese but the server was nice and comp'ed us. We ordered the pickled shrimp which wasn't bad with 7 shrimp. Our entrees were the pork chop and the shrimp with grits. The pork wasn't seasoned or cooked in any unique fashion but at least it was moist, and while my mom said her shrimp grits were good they were just ok. The service was good and I didn't take out my disappointment on the tip but I won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Tina S.

    The Southern was a welcomed surprise! I typically dine in the south suburbs or south of Chinatown... my little trek up north was definitely worth the traffic and parking concerns (which were nonexistent last nigbt!) I generally stay away from outdoorsy, rustic looking places, but in an effort to take in my city, I agreed to accompany my sister to this little place... The menu is a little limited, so if you are picky and looking for a wide variety of options, this is not the place for you....If you are open to trying new and exciting twists on traditional fare... you will love it! The Southern strikes me as a whiskey bar/southern tavern that decided to offer food so patrons could stay and enjoy... The service was great and the whiskey we had was better than average... the only complaints I have are the broken bathroom and condensation from the pipe above my head, giving me a mini shower while I was trying to enjoy my dinner!!

    (4)

  • Mike W.

    The Southern has a minimal brunch menu but it does not disappoint! There are roughly 6 starters and 6 entrees. Between the 4 of us, we shared the breakfast macaroni starter. It was a generous portion that all of us had plenty to enjoy. The scrambled eggs, macaroni, cheese and little bacon cuts mixed together perfectly for an amazing start to the meal. I'm going to make this dish at home :) For meals, we each ordered different entrees. Every one raved about their meal. I had the "simple" bacon, egg and cheese. Its a basic dish but well done. Their thick cut bacon is amazing. My wife enjoyed the fried chicken Benedict. It was so good and plentiful that it was actually 2 great meals for her. Good brunch cocktails round out a solid experience.

    (4)

  • Jackie C.

    Ate here with a girlfriend for ladies' night. We had an amazing salad with bacon & eggs, enjoyed a delicious cheese/cracker platter and shared an order of fried chicken. The cocktails were strong and delicious. The setting was very cool and not too crowded on a Thursday night. Great place, will return.

    (4)

  • Beth C.

    Went here last night with a friend for dinner. We had a reservation and were seated right away. It definitely looks like it would be a blast in the summer where you could sit in the outdoor courtyard. This was not a lovely summer night, however. It was downright frigid out. But no worries, it was cozy inside. We were seated at a high top table near the "wall", which was actually a rolling door that would be open in warmer times. There was a little bit of a draft but it wasn't uncomfortable. Enough of that - the food! So good. Everything we ordered was divine. We started with the mac and cheese, which is enormous. Bring your appetite! Creamy with a crunchy crumb topping. We had to force ourselves to stop eating it so we'd have room for our dinner. She had the shrimp and grits. I had the fried chicken sandwich, which a special. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Because we had the mac and cheese to start, I wasn't overly concerned with my side. So I just got fries thinking I would eat a couple and move on. They were super yummy too! The cocktails were nice too. I had an Old Fashioned, which hit the spot as my liquid dessert. I can't wait to go back in the summer, but I might not be able to wait that long!

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Came here with a Groupon. Pretty great deal, $25 for an app and 2 entrees. Wouldn't come back here though, unless with a Groupon that somebody else paid for (can't resist free dinner). Food was good, but nothing exceptional. It's a try-once type of place. My boyfriend and I shared the Hog Fries. It was HUGE. We finished off the plate though because we have no shame. As entrees we got the fried chicken and mushroom risotto. Fried chicken was the only item on the menu that was really appealing to me. The meat was juicy and the breading had a great crisp without the gross oiliness other fried chickens have. Mushroom risotto was okay. Had a lot of potential. Flavorful, but the risotto itself was overcooked.

    (3)

  • Kevin M.

    Dear Chef - WHY OH WHY would you cancel the best thing on your menu???? The spicy fried chicken was soooo good, I am not a fried chicken or even fried food person in general, but that stuff had me daydreaming. Then I go yesterday for dinner and it's gone... Rest of review remains the same - good service, decent beer selection, great whiskeys choices, but a little overpriced.

    (3)

  • Delightful D.

    Loved this place. The happy hr from 3 to 7 can't be beat for the quality. Half off specialty cocktails. I loved the way south drink which had tequila in it. This place has a great outdoor seating area and rooftop. I loved it. I tried the mac n cheese which was cheesy deliciousness. I can't wait to return and try some more food. Service is awesome as well, lovely people working here so accommodating and helpful.

    (5)

  • John I.

    If this were a pre-school math class, the kids would have to learn negative numbers right when they walked in the door. Perhaps little Joey wouldn't be ordering from the drink menu, but if he were, he wouldn't have been able to partake in the Maple Bacon Manhattan kiddie cocktail in his sippy cup. "We're out of the infused bourbon. We make it here and we ran out." You make it here, and you ran out? And you say that like it's a valid excuse? If you make it there, you have complete control over all of the elements. Maybe you need an adult to mark the bottle with a crayon to see how much you use every day and lecture you on it. Negative number two: you put a "deal" on Yelp that is good for 10 percent off on Mondays through Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm? Are so many bubbies and zadies still living in Wicker Park that you need an early bird special? Yelping for myself, I find such a deal to be even offensive, both for when it's available and the measly percent. The food was pretty good - the beet salad was very tasty, though too elegantly small for ten bucks. The lobster roll was quite good, with well-crisped fries on the side. My friends liked their fried chicken, lobster risotto and shrimp and grits. The waiter we had was truly fantastic. I should have asked for his name, but he had the stylish blonde, full on the top, short on the sides hair. He regularly came to check on us, one of us had to be late because of a work emergency and the water immediately got him a drink and got his order in, and the waiter had a charming sense of humor. He knew both the drink and dinner menus well and easily accommodated my gluten-free friend (even to the point of asking if she had celiac disease vs. just intolerance, to expand her menu choices). I won't be rushing back, but if someone suggests it, I won't say no. And maybe I'll actually get a piece of bacon with which to stir the bourbon in my sippy cup.

    (3)

  • Cynthia R.

    The Southern must have read all the negative reviews and worked out the bugs 'cause they were on their game! Our experience was top notch from the amazing phone etiquette (when I called to say we were running g behind) to the incredible service from Eleni. Wow! Don't get me started on the food! Wait. That's the point of the review hehe. So we started with a carafe of mimosas, which is never a bad thing. The fried chicken Benedict was, well, ridiculous. Seriously. I can't even describe it, just get it. You'll understand. And also the short rib dish with the sweet potatoes. Sweet Georgia! I don't even like sweet potatoes all that much but dang how those flavors meld together! Deeelish! We can't WAIT to return!

    (5)

  • Zach T.

    This is almost 5 stars. Especially if you can go just for drinks. We arrived on a Saturday night and were told it'd be a 90-minute wait. Understandable for Saturday, so we bellied up to the bar. This was my favorite part, watching the talented, mustachioed, vested bartender ply his craft. The fruits of his labor were amazing and I remain haunted by the drink made with Tequila and clover honey. After 90 minutes, we went and asked about our table, and finally got seated about 20 minutes later. I ordered the Johnny cakes as an entree. They were outstanding, and the pork was good enough to forgo the sauce they give you. We also tried the hush puppies, which I'd skip, and the Fried Green tomatoes which were great. My wife loved the crab cakes. It can be an expensive endeavor, but you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Alison E.

    Really good Mac & cheese with a side of Lone Star.

    (4)

  • Kassandra L.

    I was told what a great place this was for the macaroni and cheese. It was pretty good but it needed a side dish like a vegetable or maybe chicken to throw in it. It has a bacon flavor, which I'm not even a bacon fan, but I loved it! But it would be more enjoyable with something else with it! The service was also not as great as I wish it woul be. I feel like she left us alone too much and only came to us when we were about to pay the bill! And it wasn't that busy either so I was a little upset! I would definitely give this place another chance! =)

    (3)

  • Julie R.

    I'm to keep this review short and straight to the point. Great place to eat Mac and Cheese! I ordered the piggly wiggly, it was okay. This place has an urban feel, good service, it's loud, and a bit over priced. I would give it a 3.5 rating, if I could.

    (3)

  • Matt M.

    A haiku: A mustached man will carefully make you the best Old Fashioned ever

    (4)

  • Josh H.

    Shrimp and Grits was pretty great. I've only been there once, but I'll be going back. They have drink specials on the weekends!!! That's hard to find. I took away a star because it's too expensive for me to frequent except for drinks.

    (4)

  • Linda K.

    I went here last week and this place has a really nice setting. My friend made reservations for about 10 people where we sat at high tables. They were actually really cool because they have hooks under the table to hang your coat and purse. For aps, we had the macaroni and cheese which was really good! As well as the fondue! I ordered the chicken sandwich with fries-the sandwich was huge..i was only able to finish half. My bf ordered the thursday night chicken meal where he got two thighs and two drumsticks-warning: it was VERY spicy!!! If you can't tolerate spiciness let them know you don't want it spicy or mild. He wasn't asked if he wanted it spicy or not, it just comes that way. Our waiter was very friendly and always made sure we had everything we needed. The beer/drink selections they have here were all really good.

    (4)

  • Virginia T.

    I went to the Southern for a date night and was thoroughly disappointed. The food wasn't great but the service was awful. The special was $3 draft beers, but there was no draft list. They had the breweries on a list (Goose Island, Half Acre, Abita, a few more) but that was it. I had to ask the waitress for what they had on draft and she wasn't 100% sure, had to look at the Tap handles and took 3 guesses as to which Half Acre they had (Gossamer). We ordered the mac 'n cheese special (that night was brisket and bacon) and two beers. After a good long while of wondering where our beers were we tracked down our server and got her attention. She said "oh were you ready to order?" - and we had to remind her that we HAD ordered an appetizer and two beers and we'd like them please. She rushed away muttering something about needing to put that in. We didn't even get to mention that we were also ready to order our entrees.....which slowed things down even more. We soon after got our beers which had NO head and were so flat we didn't even come close to finishing them. The mac and cheese came out quickly enough but I got a piece of gristly/dry meat that I had to spit out...and the bacon/brisket combo was tasty, but the flavors of both got lost in each other. It needed some brightness....or maybe even some green onions on top? Nothing popped, it was unimpressive. J said the mac from the truck was better. I ordered the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, watermelon, watercress, mint and fried pecans. The tomatoes were thick cut, but barely cooked. I could only cut them with a fork and knife and they were crunchy when I chewed them. I turned to J and asked if that little tiny speck of goat cheese could even be worth mentioning on the item description. The watermelon was beautifully cut into little cubes, but added little to the dish. All in all, I was left hungry and underwhelmed. J ordered the Andouille gumbo and we were both shocked at how thin it was. It was like broth south with a tiny scoop of rice in the middle. Similar to my dish, his mentioned "pickled okra" and there was ONE piece. I was shocked at the small portions and high prices ($14 for just about a tomatoes worth of fried green tomatoes!) It took just shy of forever to get and pay our check to top it all off. I most certainly won't be back.

    (2)

  • QB Chicago B.

    Just ok...the mac & cheese was good but nothing special. The fried green tomatoes were awful and hard...how do you mess that up? The cornbread was similar to the fried green tomatoes...hard & flavorless. The service not great...slow, forgetful. Our server seemed "special". However, my girlfriend had the blackened catfish & it had great flavor. In a pinch...a real pinch I would return but there are way 2 many great comfort food joints 2 consider returning. Step it up....cute spot!

    (3)

  • Angelina E.

    Great brunch spot! The giant wooden booths are perfect for big groups. Service Was really good and we couldn't pick What to order cause it all sounded so good! The mac and cheese was good but not that unique. The doughnuts were delish!!!! Highly recommend Splitting them for the table. Southern ma dish was awesome for meat lovers! Can't wait to go back for dinner menu. Cool space

    (4)

  • Justin C.

    Nice establishment in Bucktown. Came here with colleagues for dinner - it was a great time overall. We enjoyed the Mac 'n' Pimento Cheese, Fried Chicken Dinner (Wednesday) special, among other appetizers. The Chicken was a little on the dry side but overall an enjoyable time. Their whiskey menu is extensive, and the Sailor Cider was DELICIOUS (hot apple cider w/ spiced rum, and a stick of cinnamon). I still have to give The Southern Mac & Cheese foodtruck a whirl sometime.

    (4)

  • Vanessa P.

    So ever since my original rating, I have came back here several times. Absolutely love this place & it may be one of my favorite destinations in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area. Great food, atmosphere, and whiskey. Can't go wrong with that.

    (5)

  • W W.

    Being a true born and raised southerner my opinion may be a bit biased. While the drinks here are delicious and the staff very friendly, the food is just not really what I imagined when I hear "the southern". They definitely have some good dishes (the fried green tomatoes, this sort of chicken and dumplings thing, mac and cheese) there are some things that really missed the mark. The ham and cantaloupe was not good, neither was the pimento cheese with toast. I mean it wasn't so bad that it was inedible, but it just wasn't good or what I was expecting. But, the menu changes very often and I'm interested to see what their Winter menu is like. Regardless, it is still a really fun place to get a drink, but in a way I feel better treating it like a bar with southern food, rather then a southern food restaurant with a bar.

    (4)

  • RACHEL K.

    Went there on a Weds night around 7pm - was average busy, nothing crazy. The service was slow, the food was just ok. The menu is small with not a lot of options. We sat outside which was nice, and I think that's all we were really paying for - the ambiance. Wouldn't go back.

    (3)

  • George A.

    Anne is throwin down at the bar! She just made me a kick ass Grumpy Old Man! That's bourbon, ginger ale, and a line. Yum

    (4)

  • Tashween A.

    I'm giving this place a 3 because the service was slow and I didn't indulge myself with the mac and cheese which I'm certain is the most satisfying item on the menu, and I don't eat pork, so I'm sure I missed out on some of the more inspiring dishes. I went with a party of 4 on a Wednesday night. There wasn't a wait. They have a $14 chicken dinner special on Wednesdays which was tempting, but we all ordered vegetarian or fish items. I ordered the Hush Puppies with smoke trout and artichoke aioli. The waiter warned me that it is more like an appetizer rather than an entree. I was fine with that. They were perfectly crispy without being greasy. The Fried Green Tomatoes with a peas humas and strawberry, fresh mozzarella salad was my favorite. I couldn't believe how perfectly fried they were. I would go back just to have that. I also tried the blacken mahi mahi, which was spicy and well cooked. But the proportion seemed too small. The corn bread was moist, but I like my corn bread a little sweeter (My preference might be more tex-mex than southern, so that's alright). The presentation was pretty cool for some of the dishes. The Hush Puppies came in a pretty cool long, narrow tube like dish with 12 fried Hush Puppies. The Crawfish pistolette had cool cheese crisp thing and the french bread was presented like a standing sandwich. We didn't order any drinks but I loved how they had old glass bottles at the table for refills. Not only did I think this was a charming touch, but I'm afraid that otherwise, our waiter would never come to refill out glasses. I could see people giving this place a higher rating, if they just come here for drinks, instead of dinner. I do want to try brunch The atmosphere is comforting, relaxed, and had live music and the big games playing on flat screen tvs. Overall the place has potential with atmosphere and menu items, but proportions and service makes this place just okay.

    (3)

  • Joni R.

    We went for a girls night out dinner and wanted to try The Southern. We collectively ordered fried green tomatoes, mac n cheese, open faced brisket and crab cakes. The mac n cheese had some weird fishy taste to it that was not truffle oil( I know truffle oil and that stuff was not the bizness) The tomatoes were thickly sliced and cooked well but was begging for some acidity and salt( add a squeeze of lemon juice before breading the tomatoes...that's what my mom does to hers) The brisket.. nothing to talk about...sauce was bland bland bland. Oh and our drinks were terrible too. New mixologist please. I didn't taste any pineapple in my tequila infusion drink and the one I sent back tasted like Robitussin on ice..with a twist of lime. I may be biased 'cause I tend to like bolder flavors. The Southern's food was just boring and unflavorful. Sorry guys.. It's just the truth!

    (2)

  • Ha-ti N.

    I give Chef Steven 5 stars. His fried chicken is amazing. Crunchy and juicy! He makes customers happy and doesn't put up a fight when someone orders a "side of chicken" or an omelet when it's not even on the menu.

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    I really, really love Southern food and have visited the Southern Mac Truck so walking in here, I had a strong feeling I would like everything I had. Fortunately, that premonition was correct. First, my platonic man friend and I loved the decor. Lots of chalkboard walls, good size bar, high tables with hooks for purses or coats (THANK YOU) and a good amount of seating. The only thing that irked me a little bit is that they don't take reservations for parties of 6 or under. Not a biggie but a little peeved, especially because this place can get JAMMED. My friend and I sat at a high top table near the bar. Normally, I don't care to be right there because of the noise, but we could be seated right away so I went with it. We had the mac and cheese (good but I was hoping for a little sharper of a cheese) and the half-fried chicken. I LOVE FRIED CHICKEN. It's one of my favorite meals and something I would be happy to choke and die on. But this is only half-fried and the crust isn't as crispy as I like, but it's still good and pairs well with the sauces. Kinda pricey ($12) but still a nice appetizer. Then we split the Piggly Wiggly, which is a Berkshire pork shank with sweet potato puree and collard greens. I'm not a huge collard greens fan but I tried them and it was fine. The pork though was really good. Slow cooked and literally falling off the bone. I really, really enjoyed this and thank goodness we split it because it was a lot. We opted to skip dessert and I was disappointed that I forgot to order cornbread, next time! Fried green tomatoes weren't in season yet either so I'll be back for that too. Oh! And the poutine which I heard was good. Lots to go back for. The only other complaint I had about this place was the crowd, which I know can't be helped. Especially sitting near the bar, it was SO LOUD and douchey. I mean, it got to be really difficult to talk and even hear yourself think. Next time, I will go at an odd hour, this place during prime time is jammed. But the food was good and that's the main thing I care about.

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    We've been talking about going here since it opened. We finally made it in. Shared the hush puppies as an app. The artichoke dip it comes with is outstanding. Had the chicken and biscuit for my dinner - it was good, but not mind blowing. It was more of a stew than a regular plated meal. Would have loved for a fried chicken dish to be available without preorder.

    (4)

  • Joanne W.

    I've been here before for drinks on the rooftop, and had a blast. Returned for a dinner with friends and was not disappointed. The Andouille Gumbo was divine. I split a side of corn bread (my favorite side ever) and mac and cheese. The cornbread was gross, skip that. The mac and cheese - holy shit- I saw stars. If it was socially acceptable to lick cheese off of a plate in public, I would have. Great food, great whiskey, overall a great place.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    First time trying this place. It was quite easy to find and amazingly found street parking easily on a Friday night. I guess this part of Wicker Park does not get that busy?? Inside was packed though. First thing I will rave about is their service. I loved how accommodating, attentive, and fast they were. It all started when I asked if they had a coat rack. We sat upstairs (group of around 10 girls). Our waitress got the hostess to come up and coat check for us. They were very good about checking on us (but not annoyingly much) and knowing when to take our plates away, etc. Other waiters would bring us the food sometimes but the main waitress would make sure people got their correct dish. Next, the food. I originally wanted mac & cheese but the waitress had said it is too rich for just one person to eat, that it was best shared. She was very correct and my girlfriends wanted to try some too. I thought the mac & cheese was just okay. I have had much better elsewhere and yes, it is very rich here. We also shared the andouille corn dogs. This was just okay too but I really like the mustard dip. For my entree, I ordered the blackened catfish which came with grits. The grits did not taste like what I would have imagined or maybe it is because I have only tried instant grits. It reminded me more of mashed potatoes and it wasn't enough to balance the saltiness of the catfish. Boy, the catfish was super salty. My girlfriends at the table also complained of their dish being too salty: some got the crabcakes and another got the boudin blanc. My friend next to me ordered the cold fried chicken salad and another ordered the fried chicken sandwich which came with cornbread. Because my catfish was too salty, my friends offered the salad and the cornbread to offset the saltiness. It did help and wow their salad was really good. The lettuce was so velvety and smooth. Anyway, I decided to ask the waitress to see if they have any rice. She went to check with the kitchen and in the end they did bring me some jasmine rice. Jasmine rice! That is good rice. They knew how to cook it too, thank God. So fluffy. I actually took some leftover home. Anyhow, all in all it was a great experience. I will come back to try other things. I was telling my husband who stayed home but is a foodie like me, about the food and he checked out their menu and seemed intrigued. Maybe the two of us will come back next time.

    (3)

  • Chris P.

    Horrible experience...we stopped here based on the yelp reviews and the fantastic looking outdoor seating. After being seated it took over thirty minutes to get our first drink and order taken. And even then, we went to the bar to get our drink. The food options are extremely limited and despite having "almost world famous" fried chicken, it's only available to parties of 10 or more with preorder. The food is overpriced and mediocre at best. They were out of the first two bourbon's we ordered. I can't remember the last time I was this disappointed in a restaurant.

    (1)

  • Tamara P.

    We headed here on a gorgeous Sunday for Brunch. The Southern has FABULOUS alfresco dining. Also love their inner open air dining room. A definite perk! It's been a couple of years since we've been to The Southern and either the local competition is getting better or this visit wasn't as good as I remember it to be. We started with Bacon Bourbon Bloody Marys. Bacon & bourbon are two of my absolute favorites, so ordering this combo was a must. I wish it was fabulous, but it wasn't impressive at all. Such a bummer! Our most favorite brunch item was the Deviled Eggs. Amazing dijon & bacon flavors!!! Yum! I highly recommend this as an appetizer. My husband ordered one of the special omelets and he thought it was pretty good. I had the Brunch Burger. It comes with two 4oz patties and I ordered the burgers medium well. Our waitress pointed out that the burgers are only 4 oz each and pretty thin, so the beef is typically cooked medium to medium well just due to the thin patties, which was A-OK by me. Sadly, the burger came out super RARE and oddly very greasy. Fries were plentiful, but overdone and super greasy too. I only ate about 20% of my meal. In all fairness, I did not bring the rare burgers to my server's attention. After the point she made when I ordered it, I opted to just eat around the edges and forego the fries. The service overall was really slow and not very friendly or attentive. Our waitress was looking around at everything but us when we ordered. It was not slammed like you might expect for a place with amazing outdoor seating on a beautiful day, so it was puzzling that service, food & drinks seemed to take so long. Fortunately for us, we had an amazing sunny day to soak in, but a tip for The Southern... a little more attentive service and we would have definitely ordered another drink each while we enjoyed the day and waited for our food... we just didn't have the chance!

    (3)

  • Victoria E.

    Absolutely terrible service! First impressions are lasting impressions. Waited for 10 minutes just for water. Waited another 5 for the waiter, nowhere to be found. Needless to say, 15 minutes out for a no show, preposterous. We live in the neighborhood and are severely disappointed. Absolutely no SOUTHERN hospitality! Left and will not return.

    (1)

  • Anne W.

    Yum! I came here for brunch this past Saturday with my mom and my sister. We ordered: -Fried Chicken Benedict: So so so good! I loved it! The chicken was fried perfectly, still juicy and the sauce that came with it was divine. I loved that it came on top of biscuit because fried chicken and biscuits is the best thing ever. -Short Rib Hash: The short rib was very flavorful and I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the sweet potato as much as I did. I've gone somewhere else before where the sweet potato hash just wasn't executed as well. This was fantastic -French Toast: The only dud in my book. I mean it was good, but I felt that it was a bit too crunchy and I didn't get that custardy middle that I was looking for. My sister really enjoyed it though. -Mimosas: You can never mess these up! The service was pretty good also, nothing to write home about but very solid. Overall, a fantastic place for brunch. I would definitely come here again but would probably order a different sweet item and not the French Toast!

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    Drinks = 5/5 Food = 3/5 I came here on a double date. The server was attentive, but the food was overall too greasy, salty and rich although I enjoyed the 10$ fancy Mac and cheese with crumbled toppings. Oh well, it is southern food after all... The greens were slathered in bacon which might be pleasing for some, but not the most appealing to a mostly vegetarian palate like mine. The cornbread was moist and tasted great but that's also hard to screw up. I had the mushroom and grits and it had a creamy gel-like consistency and kind of had the same texture throughout with bits of squash and finely chopped mushroom in it. It was really flavored with sage but also was way too salty... I tasted chicken broth I suppose. Some interesting cocktails on the menu include maple bacon manhattan and white Manhattan but I opted for a white and then a sazerac, which was adequately strong. So maybe I'm not fond of this place for its rich ingredients but the drinks are decent.

    (3)

  • Mary C.

    Really loved the food. The outdoor patio made it a great place for lunch on a nice sunny day. The pork chop was delish, super moist. Loved the cornbread, one of the best I've ever had. I tried the purple haze beer, it was great with the pork chop

    (5)

  • Kara B.

    Have come here a few times now for brunch- it's a good, solid, comfort food place. Don't come here if you are wanting kale and quinoa...although gourmet, it's much more of a fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, only one meal today kind of place. Was pleasantly surprised today to see they had switched up their menu after not being super impressed on previous visits. Their bloody marys are super flavorful and definitely some of the best. They have a nice variety of tastes on their menu...everything from cornmeal crepes to fried chicken benedict to short rib hash. Atmosphere is nice but small...would definitely recommend a reservation for weekend brunch unless you want to sit at the bar. Service has always been good. Great Bucktown brunch spot. Looking forward to trying it for dinner and can't wait to try the patio come summer.

    (4)

  • Alyssa G.

    The food was good but I am giving The Southern a four star rating because a their cocktails were so good. We started out with a few old fashioneds. Delicious! They had an extensive bourbon list (you pick which one you want). Once we had our drinks, we started with the spring salad. I was not expecting much and was very pleasantly surprised. The salad was fresh and unique. The pickled rhubarb, fennel and snap peas with arugula is something we would definitely order again. For entrees, we ordered the salmon and shrimp & grits. Both were good, though I think the salmon was a little more flavorful. The shrimp and grits were also good but I would have enjoyed a little more spice. It was served with peppers but nothing very spicy. Overall: attentive service, great cocktails and good ole guilt-free (well, sort of) comfort food.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    Food was quite good. The surface of the outdoor patio was uneven which created some inconvenience.

    (4)

  • Courtney R.

    Bland. That really sums up my trip to The Southern. I'd purchased a Groupon for dinner and I was so excited to finally experience the food everyone had been raving about. We started our meal with the hot wings, they were really good sized wings but they were DRENCHED in what seemed like sriracha. All you could taste was the spicyness of the siracha. It didn't taste like the wings were seasoned aside from the extremely spicy sauce. I ordered the fried chicken, and I love chicken. Like, I would build a momument to the yardbird if I could. If this wasn't the most flavorless, unseasoned chicken I had ever experienced... I was completely taken aback because people I trust told me that the chicken was to die for. I give 2 stars because my server was extremely nice and attentive without being a pest, the drinks that we did have were made well and the upstairs looks like it's a place I would spend more time at when it's actually warm outside. I'm gonna come back and give it another chance, and hopefully be able to amend my review.

    (2)

  • Rebecca D.

    This review is for brunch. Service: Service was wonderful. The manager came by a couple times to make sure everything was good as well as to confirm a special request I had for my eggs. In general - it was very considerate and hit the spot. Food: started with the deviled eggs which had a nice bacon flavor. Fried Chicken Benedict was amazing with some complex flavors. Would definitely get it again! The Bloody Mary had a nice spice to it. We got to the restaurant at 10:45 and had no problem getting a table. It started getting really full by 11:30. I would recommend a reso if you plan to arrive at that time.

    (5)

  • Natalia K.

    I've been here twice now. The first time for the fried chicken, and the second time for the fried chicken. Both were good times for sure. The more recent visit came with a groupon deal. We received a shared app, which of course was going to be the huge bowl of mac n cheese, and an entree each. Both of us had the fried chicken. I don't think there's anything else on the menu I would honestly try because my eyes just stop at the fried chicken. The mac n cheese is cheesy and bread-crumby, and delicious, and enough for two to four to share as an appetizer, or a meal and some for one. The fried chicken is crispy and peppery and amazing. What I don't love about it, is that it sits on overcooked green beans and creamed corn, which makes the bottom of the chicken soggy. I don't eat the sides anyway, and next time I'm going to ask for my fried chicken without them because I hate wasting food, and when they affect the main part of the meal in a bad way, they're more than useless, they're annoying. My friend didn't eat his sides either. Though we both ate the mini cornbread muffins, because after eating half a bowl of mac n cheese, and about to devour fully battered and fried chicken skin, we both felt a little under-carbed, and they were tasty. The beverage selection is pretty awesome too and we both had beers- his was the chocolate stout, which is huge and desserty, and mine the old chubb scottish ale with "rare girth." Ambiance is welcoming and unpretentious and the service is friendly and attentive and happy to have a chat. Third time for the fried chicken? Yes, please.

    (4)

  • Natalie C.

    A coworker and I have vowed to not become total hermits this winter, so on a two-pairs-of-pants-on-it's-so-damn-cold night last week, we decided to stop by the Southern after work for dinner and drinks. After we defrosted sufficiently as one of their high tops near the bar, our super eager and friendly waiter (he reminded us a little of a puppy, jumping all over himself to chat and help us with our meal - I found it endearing, my coworker a little less so) took our drink orders and gave us a few minutes to decide on what foods we wanted to shovel into our faces. We landed on the mac n cheese to start with, and then I went with the shrimp and grits, and she went with the fried chicken sandwich with fries. The mac and cheese that came out was reaaaalllyyy good and reaaaaaaalllllyyy large. I think our waiter said something along the lines of "so if you order the mac and cheese, you either have to be prepared to eat way way too much where you probably will regret it, or you have to force yourself to stop midway so you can eat your entrees". We chose the latter - saving a good third of the dish to take home. My shrimp and grits were delicious - large shrimps perfectly cooked with a good sauce and creamy grits. My coworker's chicken sandwich was REALLY large. She actually had a little trouble eating it, but said it was delicious as well. We actually had a Groupon for the meal (1 app/snack plus two entrees), which we let our waiter know about at the start of our meal. That didn't stop us from spending about $50 bucks per person on all the drinks we had throughout and after the meal (their cocktails are onnnnnn point! especially the bacon bourbon manhattan hello!). Oh well - we knew going in we have very little self-control when it comes to good food and good drinks. Needless to say, I will definitely be coming back to The Southern for drinks and delectables in the future - it's not the cheapest meal, but the food is great and the portions are huge. They also look like they have a really cute patio in the summer, so I'll be sure to check it out once Chiberia ends (which might be never... meh).

    (4)

  • Kristin R.

    We went here for brunch once with some of my girlfriends. It's such a cute place! You can sit inside or out and they offer pretty decent prices for brunch options with a Southern twist. They also have some great brunch cocktails. The menu changes seasonally so the one cocktail I had isn't there anymore, but if you look at the cocktail list, it's a variety of liquor store (which make for a good bar program there). They also have a Fried Chicken Benedict. How awesome is that? Quick and good service, pricing is a little expensive but otherwise a place to go for yummy brunch with friends.

    (4)

  • Paloma C.

    I want to like this place, I really, really do. I have been to the Southern countless times and each time, somehow, I'm disappointed. I should note that I live in the area and love the idea of sitting outside during the warm months with my friends, kicking back with some drinks and food and just enjoying ourselves. The location is perfec and I was so excited when they opened but it seems like they're missing something. I thought there was suposed to be a southern vibe, so I'd expect some nice old-timey, twangy county music to play instead of the repetitive, top 40 radio that they insist on blaring. I've also been disappointed by the service; it's slow, and often disconnected. The staff all seem to be good friends.. to the point where they're too busy hanging out to do their jobs. I've seen servers just standing around and talking, clearly ignoring their customers. Food is brought out cold and sad. I haven't really enjoyed much that I've tried here, aside from some awesome cheese grits that I had ONCE, which were then taken off the menu and replaced with some herb grits that had absolutely zero flavor. Same can be said about the mac and cheese. Honestly, I'm suprised with such steep competition right down the street that people even eat here. Am I missing something? I will say this though: the maple bacon bourbon Manhattan is the shinning star and through it all, remains the one reason that I'll drag myself in. Served neat or on ice, this cocktail does not disappoint. They soak bacon in the bourbon so that it imparts such a delicious, rich flavor..not to mention they top it off with a nice slice of thick - cut bacon. Tasty treat but at $14 a pop, they're not the cheapest. I'd say, skip the grub, stay for the drinks.

    (2)

  • Dan M.

    The food was cooked, served warm by a prompt employee of the business. Other than that, I was disappointed For a restaurant that advertises a southern, comfort food style menu, it was a far cry from it. Yes they had biscuits and gravy, fried chicken, mac & cheese, etc. But those items weren't nearly as delicious or comforting as a hole-in-the-wall diner serving up the same foods. Food was overpriced and bland. I didn't have any drinks other than an iced tea that took 15 mins to get. Skip this place and go across the street to Piece Pizza.

    (1)

  • Buttermilk P.

    The food here was good, but nothing special. My wife had the salmon and it didn't taste like much. I had the fried chicken and it was it was very juicy. The chicken came with three small dollops of mashed taters, collard greens underneath, and a small wedge of cornbread. The salmon was served with slices of grapefruit, some sort of grapefruit bubble stuff, white asparagus and radishes. We also ordered the mac and cheese. We agreed that if we ever come back we will both get the chicken or one of us will try the shrimp and grits. One and done on the salmon. The space is nicely appointed and the servers were very nice, but when we arrived they had most of their doors flung open and one garage-styled door rolled up as well. The wind was gusting up to 30 mph and it was chilly inside. But instead of asking the staff to close the doors, the other diners simply acted like they didn't care and sat around shivering with their coats on. We asked them if they could close the doors and they obliged, especially after noticing how cold people really were. This wasn't surprising given the general tenor of the patrons here. They seemed to be the type to stare at you if you take home your leftovers, while they simply leave half their food on the table. Our bill came to $50. $50 for some fried chicken, mac n cheese and a fairly tasteless piece of fish. Thank goodness we had a Groupon, cause this wuh'nt no $50 wuff-a food. You wonder how everyone on the north side lives in a million-dollar condo and drives a BMW? Here's your answer. Two-and-a-half stars.

    (3)

  • Cindy P.

    The Southern will be a great place to hang out this summer, but we were seated upstairs and although heat was piped in, were pretty cold and left our jackets on for most of our dinner. Cheese plate was great, but they were out of the wine we ordered...expanding the wine selection would be nice. We both ordered the Berkshire pork and my pet peeve is when your dish arrives and your server still hasn't brought appropriate serving utensils to the table. Hey, we've been waiting for our dinner for 30 min, and you haven't had a chance to bring something more substantial than a butter knife to the table? About 10 minutes after dinner was served, by a runner not our server, she came by and didn't seem at all concerned that we didn't have anything to cut our chops with. The chops were good, but by then we were a tad annoyed with the service. Then we ordered dessert and it took so long to come out they comped one. All in all, the food was good but it felt like our service was more on par with what you'd find at a bar, not what you'd hope for when spending $24 on an entree. But if all you want are drinks and a great patio, summer's right around the corner.

    (3)

  • Tiffany H.

    Do I went with two friends on a week night. The ambiance was nice however the food was basic. I was looking for some great southern classics. They had them but in a upscale fashion. The noise level was moderate and the service was nice.

    (3)

  • Courtney G.

    Went to the southern on a Saturday night without a reservation. Hostess was friendly and got us a table within 30 minutes. Atmosphere was very nice, Mac and cheese was to die for! Had the pimento burger as an entree and it was very tasty. Mashed potatoes were horribly bland, but once I added salt and pepper it was all good. Would definitely come back here. Above average food with great service.

    (4)

  • S t.

    Fabulous brunch food and our server was great! Definitely going back very soon. Was surprisingly pleased.

    (5)

  • K O.

    Three stars because I still think this place has potential after a couple frustrating experiences. Two out of the three times I've been, it seemed like they were understaffed. Also had a weird experience with the hostess. We arrived at about 8 pm. The patio was full, so we asked if there was anything inside and she told us it would be a little wait. But there were so many empty tables. We opted out of waiting. Then my friend looked online and saw they were on Open Table. So he made a reservation for 8 pm and we went back up to the hostess and she seated us. I wasn't sure what the reason or logic was for not seating us in the first place. Besides the slow service, and the awkward seating situation, the food is OK (big plates). Their cocktails are delicious and I really really love the patio. I would suggest coming here for drinks and try to sit on the patio if it's a nice day!

    (3)

  • Benjamin J.

    This place has some great southern comfort food within a nice atmosphere conducive for those preferring to dine inside or out! I went there with a group of 10 on a Saturday night (made reservations ahead of time) and some of us arrived a bit earlier than our reservation. Regardless they sat us quickly and brought us drinks as we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. I had an old-fashioned made with Bulleit Bourbon which was good, but nothing more. We ordered several appetizers including the Cheese Plate, Mac N Cheese, Nashville Hot Wings, Hushpuppies, and Cornbread and Collards. Everyone LOVED the Hushpuppies and Hot Wings and I thought the Collards were great although the cornbread was just slightly too dry. For dinner I had the Lobster Roll which was buttery and the bread had a great crispy outside and doughy inside which was delightful. This was the first time I had ordered a Lobster Roll and was surprised to find the Lobster to be nearly cool in the middle. Maybe this is how they are supposed to be served but I was expecting buttery warm juices. Other meals I sampled were the Pork Belly, Shrimp and Grits, and Fried Chicken. All of which were fantastic! The carrot polenta was an excellent compliment to the braised pork and the Fried Chicken was lightly battered (not overly greasy) for a nice crunch with some of the juiciest, most tender meat on the inside (10/10!). And how can you go wrong with the Shrimp & Grits? (Hint: you cant). Overall, a fine experience for a large group, accommodating and attentive staff within a great section of Wicker Park.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    What a fantastic meal this place serves!!! Talk about southern hospitality located in the heart of Chicago!!! This place is in my top ten best experiences I have ever had in A restaurant! Everyone should come here!!!

    (5)

  • Melissah L.

    Came here on a whim with my boyfriend and was not too impressed. They were out of fried chicken AND collard greens. It's a Southern restaurant. They were out of FRIED CHICKEN and COLLARD GREENS. Come on. We ordered the poutine, the mac and cheese and the catfish sandwich (which came with a side of potatoes). Literally none of it was good. The poutine had been left sitting out, I could tell because the cheese was cooled and not melt-y anymore. This was probably the best dish we had, but still it was not that good. The mac and cheese was not good. I don't know what any of the other reviewers were talking about-- it tasted like boxes mac and cheese with panko on top. And the catfish sandwich was awful, you get a paper thin catfish filet which is drowned in some mayo sauce. I checked between the bread at one point to make sure I actually had a filet in there. Womp. Mashed potatoes had a weird tangy flavor that I didn't like. Even my Diet Coke was flat. The up side of all of this is that my boyfriend and I ate dinner for ~$36. But I would not recommend coming here, try a better Southern restaurant.

    (2)

  • Avanti H.

    So I went for my birthday this year and the food and everything was amazing, definitely a must go.

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    Everyone in our party of four thoroughly enjoyed their food. The fried green tomatoes were really good and served with cheese and marinated watermelon. The fried chicken was exceptional and hearty. They have a great selection of whiskeys and make great pretty stout cocktails.

    (5)

  • Rebecca D.

    This review is for brunch. Service: Service was wonderful. The manager came by a couple times to make sure everything was good as well as to confirm a special request I had for my eggs. In general - it was very considerate and hit the spot. Food: started with the deviled eggs which had a nice bacon flavor. Fried Chicken Benedict was amazing with some complex flavors. Would definitely get it again! The Bloody Mary had a nice spice to it. We got to the restaurant at 10:45 and had no problem getting a table. It started getting really full by 11:30. I would recommend a reso if you plan to arrive at that time.

    (5)

  • Allie H.

    Friendly waitstaff and the cocktails are delicious. Love their unique breakfast dishes like the breakfast macaroni and French toast. Just wish they had a bit more options!

    (3)

  • Dennis R.

    Why have a menu and specials on your website if you don't update it? My Groupon was to expire in 2 days and thankfully made it here. I saw they served Nashville hot chicken on Thursdays under the 'daily specials' on the website, I'm in!! Fought the traffic and made our reservation, first impression is good with the patio open and it isn't packed. The menu wad a bit different from the website so I ask about the hog fries. Nope, they don't serve it anymore because they stopped making the chili. Alright, how about the Nashville hot? Sorry, got rid of that a while ago, our menu changes. Thoroughly disappointed due to looking forward to these dishes but we move on. My mom's cocktail tasted good but was served in this dinky little glass. I ordered a flight of scotch but for $20 I would have liked more than 3 small shot glasses that were a sip a piece. Two great beers would have been more satisfying. The cheese plate was not worth the price either, and the strawberry and grapes were a pitiful component when compared to any other cheese plate I've ever had. The clincher? The big hair on top of the figs. We still ate the cheese but the server was nice and comp'ed us. We ordered the pickled shrimp which wasn't bad with 7 shrimp. Our entrees were the pork chop and the shrimp with grits. The pork wasn't seasoned or cooked in any unique fashion but at least it was moist, and while my mom said her shrimp grits were good they were just ok. The service was good and I didn't take out my disappointment on the tip but I won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Tina S.

    The Southern was a welcomed surprise! I typically dine in the south suburbs or south of Chinatown... my little trek up north was definitely worth the traffic and parking concerns (which were nonexistent last nigbt!) I generally stay away from outdoorsy, rustic looking places, but in an effort to take in my city, I agreed to accompany my sister to this little place... The menu is a little limited, so if you are picky and looking for a wide variety of options, this is not the place for you....If you are open to trying new and exciting twists on traditional fare... you will love it! The Southern strikes me as a whiskey bar/southern tavern that decided to offer food so patrons could stay and enjoy... The service was great and the whiskey we had was better than average... the only complaints I have are the broken bathroom and condensation from the pipe above my head, giving me a mini shower while I was trying to enjoy my dinner!!

    (4)

  • Mike W.

    The Southern has a minimal brunch menu but it does not disappoint! There are roughly 6 starters and 6 entrees. Between the 4 of us, we shared the breakfast macaroni starter. It was a generous portion that all of us had plenty to enjoy. The scrambled eggs, macaroni, cheese and little bacon cuts mixed together perfectly for an amazing start to the meal. I'm going to make this dish at home :) For meals, we each ordered different entrees. Every one raved about their meal. I had the "simple" bacon, egg and cheese. Its a basic dish but well done. Their thick cut bacon is amazing. My wife enjoyed the fried chicken Benedict. It was so good and plentiful that it was actually 2 great meals for her. Good brunch cocktails round out a solid experience.

    (4)

  • Jackie C.

    Ate here with a girlfriend for ladies' night. We had an amazing salad with bacon & eggs, enjoyed a delicious cheese/cracker platter and shared an order of fried chicken. The cocktails were strong and delicious. The setting was very cool and not too crowded on a Thursday night. Great place, will return.

    (4)

  • Beth C.

    Went here last night with a friend for dinner. We had a reservation and were seated right away. It definitely looks like it would be a blast in the summer where you could sit in the outdoor courtyard. This was not a lovely summer night, however. It was downright frigid out. But no worries, it was cozy inside. We were seated at a high top table near the "wall", which was actually a rolling door that would be open in warmer times. There was a little bit of a draft but it wasn't uncomfortable. Enough of that - the food! So good. Everything we ordered was divine. We started with the mac and cheese, which is enormous. Bring your appetite! Creamy with a crunchy crumb topping. We had to force ourselves to stop eating it so we'd have room for our dinner. She had the shrimp and grits. I had the fried chicken sandwich, which a special. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Because we had the mac and cheese to start, I wasn't overly concerned with my side. So I just got fries thinking I would eat a couple and move on. They were super yummy too! The cocktails were nice too. I had an Old Fashioned, which hit the spot as my liquid dessert. I can't wait to go back in the summer, but I might not be able to wait that long!

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Came here with a Groupon. Pretty great deal, $25 for an app and 2 entrees. Wouldn't come back here though, unless with a Groupon that somebody else paid for (can't resist free dinner). Food was good, but nothing exceptional. It's a try-once type of place. My boyfriend and I shared the Hog Fries. It was HUGE. We finished off the plate though because we have no shame. As entrees we got the fried chicken and mushroom risotto. Fried chicken was the only item on the menu that was really appealing to me. The meat was juicy and the breading had a great crisp without the gross oiliness other fried chickens have. Mushroom risotto was okay. Had a lot of potential. Flavorful, but the risotto itself was overcooked.

    (3)

  • Kevin M.

    Dear Chef - WHY OH WHY would you cancel the best thing on your menu???? The spicy fried chicken was soooo good, I am not a fried chicken or even fried food person in general, but that stuff had me daydreaming. Then I go yesterday for dinner and it's gone... Rest of review remains the same - good service, decent beer selection, great whiskeys choices, but a little overpriced.

    (3)

  • Delightful D.

    Loved this place. The happy hr from 3 to 7 can't be beat for the quality. Half off specialty cocktails. I loved the way south drink which had tequila in it. This place has a great outdoor seating area and rooftop. I loved it. I tried the mac n cheese which was cheesy deliciousness. I can't wait to return and try some more food. Service is awesome as well, lovely people working here so accommodating and helpful.

    (5)

  • John I.

    If this were a pre-school math class, the kids would have to learn negative numbers right when they walked in the door. Perhaps little Joey wouldn't be ordering from the drink menu, but if he were, he wouldn't have been able to partake in the Maple Bacon Manhattan kiddie cocktail in his sippy cup. "We're out of the infused bourbon. We make it here and we ran out." You make it here, and you ran out? And you say that like it's a valid excuse? If you make it there, you have complete control over all of the elements. Maybe you need an adult to mark the bottle with a crayon to see how much you use every day and lecture you on it. Negative number two: you put a "deal" on Yelp that is good for 10 percent off on Mondays through Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm? Are so many bubbies and zadies still living in Wicker Park that you need an early bird special? Yelping for myself, I find such a deal to be even offensive, both for when it's available and the measly percent. The food was pretty good - the beet salad was very tasty, though too elegantly small for ten bucks. The lobster roll was quite good, with well-crisped fries on the side. My friends liked their fried chicken, lobster risotto and shrimp and grits. The waiter we had was truly fantastic. I should have asked for his name, but he had the stylish blonde, full on the top, short on the sides hair. He regularly came to check on us, one of us had to be late because of a work emergency and the water immediately got him a drink and got his order in, and the waiter had a charming sense of humor. He knew both the drink and dinner menus well and easily accommodated my gluten-free friend (even to the point of asking if she had celiac disease vs. just intolerance, to expand her menu choices). I won't be rushing back, but if someone suggests it, I won't say no. And maybe I'll actually get a piece of bacon with which to stir the bourbon in my sippy cup.

    (3)

  • Cynthia R.

    The Southern must have read all the negative reviews and worked out the bugs 'cause they were on their game! Our experience was top notch from the amazing phone etiquette (when I called to say we were running g behind) to the incredible service from Eleni. Wow! Don't get me started on the food! Wait. That's the point of the review hehe. So we started with a carafe of mimosas, which is never a bad thing. The fried chicken Benedict was, well, ridiculous. Seriously. I can't even describe it, just get it. You'll understand. And also the short rib dish with the sweet potatoes. Sweet Georgia! I don't even like sweet potatoes all that much but dang how those flavors meld together! Deeelish! We can't WAIT to return!

    (5)

  • Kat D.

    My boyfriend and I came here with a groupon and had the short rib, fried chicken and the Mac and cheese. Everything was absolutely delicious! Service was great and they have an awesome beer selection. I strongly suggest this place with or without a groupon.

    (5)

  • Omar R.

    After driving around Wicker Park looking for a place to eat brunch we stumbled upon Southern. We sat at the bar bc in order to sit outside in the patio or on any table we needed to make a reservation which I thought was weird being that it should be first come first serve and the tables were empty at the time. I ordered a burger with bacon and a fried egg on top. It was really good and so was the service. Next time I'll know to make a reservation so I can enjoy eating in the patio.

    (4)

  • Tamara P.

    We headed here on a gorgeous Sunday for Brunch. The Southern has FABULOUS alfresco dining. Also love their inner open air dining room. A definite perk! It's been a couple of years since we've been to The Southern and either the local competition is getting better or this visit wasn't as good as I remember it to be. We started with Bacon Bourbon Bloody Marys. Bacon & bourbon are two of my absolute favorites, so ordering this combo was a must. I wish it was fabulous, but it wasn't impressive at all. Such a bummer! Our most favorite brunch item was the Deviled Eggs. Amazing dijon & bacon flavors!!! Yum! I highly recommend this as an appetizer. My husband ordered one of the special omelets and he thought it was pretty good. I had the Brunch Burger. It comes with two 4oz patties and I ordered the burgers medium well. Our waitress pointed out that the burgers are only 4 oz each and pretty thin, so the beef is typically cooked medium to medium well just due to the thin patties, which was A-OK by me. Sadly, the burger came out super RARE and oddly very greasy. Fries were plentiful, but overdone and super greasy too. I only ate about 20% of my meal. In all fairness, I did not bring the rare burgers to my server's attention. After the point she made when I ordered it, I opted to just eat around the edges and forego the fries. The service overall was really slow and not very friendly or attentive. Our waitress was looking around at everything but us when we ordered. It was not slammed like you might expect for a place with amazing outdoor seating on a beautiful day, so it was puzzling that service, food & drinks seemed to take so long. Fortunately for us, we had an amazing sunny day to soak in, but a tip for The Southern... a little more attentive service and we would have definitely ordered another drink each while we enjoyed the day and waited for our food... we just didn't have the chance!

    (3)

  • Victoria E.

    Absolutely terrible service! First impressions are lasting impressions. Waited for 10 minutes just for water. Waited another 5 for the waiter, nowhere to be found. Needless to say, 15 minutes out for a no show, preposterous. We live in the neighborhood and are severely disappointed. Absolutely no SOUTHERN hospitality! Left and will not return.

    (1)

  • Anne W.

    Yum! I came here for brunch this past Saturday with my mom and my sister. We ordered: -Fried Chicken Benedict: So so so good! I loved it! The chicken was fried perfectly, still juicy and the sauce that came with it was divine. I loved that it came on top of biscuit because fried chicken and biscuits is the best thing ever. -Short Rib Hash: The short rib was very flavorful and I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the sweet potato as much as I did. I've gone somewhere else before where the sweet potato hash just wasn't executed as well. This was fantastic -French Toast: The only dud in my book. I mean it was good, but I felt that it was a bit too crunchy and I didn't get that custardy middle that I was looking for. My sister really enjoyed it though. -Mimosas: You can never mess these up! The service was pretty good also, nothing to write home about but very solid. Overall, a fantastic place for brunch. I would definitely come here again but would probably order a different sweet item and not the French Toast!

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    Drinks = 5/5 Food = 3/5 I came here on a double date. The server was attentive, but the food was overall too greasy, salty and rich although I enjoyed the 10$ fancy Mac and cheese with crumbled toppings. Oh well, it is southern food after all... The greens were slathered in bacon which might be pleasing for some, but not the most appealing to a mostly vegetarian palate like mine. The cornbread was moist and tasted great but that's also hard to screw up. I had the mushroom and grits and it had a creamy gel-like consistency and kind of had the same texture throughout with bits of squash and finely chopped mushroom in it. It was really flavored with sage but also was way too salty... I tasted chicken broth I suppose. Some interesting cocktails on the menu include maple bacon manhattan and white Manhattan but I opted for a white and then a sazerac, which was adequately strong. So maybe I'm not fond of this place for its rich ingredients but the drinks are decent.

    (3)

  • Mary C.

    Really loved the food. The outdoor patio made it a great place for lunch on a nice sunny day. The pork chop was delish, super moist. Loved the cornbread, one of the best I've ever had. I tried the purple haze beer, it was great with the pork chop

    (5)

  • Kara B.

    Have come here a few times now for brunch- it's a good, solid, comfort food place. Don't come here if you are wanting kale and quinoa...although gourmet, it's much more of a fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, only one meal today kind of place. Was pleasantly surprised today to see they had switched up their menu after not being super impressed on previous visits. Their bloody marys are super flavorful and definitely some of the best. They have a nice variety of tastes on their menu...everything from cornmeal crepes to fried chicken benedict to short rib hash. Atmosphere is nice but small...would definitely recommend a reservation for weekend brunch unless you want to sit at the bar. Service has always been good. Great Bucktown brunch spot. Looking forward to trying it for dinner and can't wait to try the patio come summer.

    (4)

  • Alyssa G.

    The food was good but I am giving The Southern a four star rating because a their cocktails were so good. We started out with a few old fashioneds. Delicious! They had an extensive bourbon list (you pick which one you want). Once we had our drinks, we started with the spring salad. I was not expecting much and was very pleasantly surprised. The salad was fresh and unique. The pickled rhubarb, fennel and snap peas with arugula is something we would definitely order again. For entrees, we ordered the salmon and shrimp & grits. Both were good, though I think the salmon was a little more flavorful. The shrimp and grits were also good but I would have enjoyed a little more spice. It was served with peppers but nothing very spicy. Overall: attentive service, great cocktails and good ole guilt-free (well, sort of) comfort food.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    Food was quite good. The surface of the outdoor patio was uneven which created some inconvenience.

    (4)

  • Courtney R.

    Bland. That really sums up my trip to The Southern. I'd purchased a Groupon for dinner and I was so excited to finally experience the food everyone had been raving about. We started our meal with the hot wings, they were really good sized wings but they were DRENCHED in what seemed like sriracha. All you could taste was the spicyness of the siracha. It didn't taste like the wings were seasoned aside from the extremely spicy sauce. I ordered the fried chicken, and I love chicken. Like, I would build a momument to the yardbird if I could. If this wasn't the most flavorless, unseasoned chicken I had ever experienced... I was completely taken aback because people I trust told me that the chicken was to die for. I give 2 stars because my server was extremely nice and attentive without being a pest, the drinks that we did have were made well and the upstairs looks like it's a place I would spend more time at when it's actually warm outside. I'm gonna come back and give it another chance, and hopefully be able to amend my review.

    (2)

  • Natalia K.

    I've been here twice now. The first time for the fried chicken, and the second time for the fried chicken. Both were good times for sure. The more recent visit came with a groupon deal. We received a shared app, which of course was going to be the huge bowl of mac n cheese, and an entree each. Both of us had the fried chicken. I don't think there's anything else on the menu I would honestly try because my eyes just stop at the fried chicken. The mac n cheese is cheesy and bread-crumby, and delicious, and enough for two to four to share as an appetizer, or a meal and some for one. The fried chicken is crispy and peppery and amazing. What I don't love about it, is that it sits on overcooked green beans and creamed corn, which makes the bottom of the chicken soggy. I don't eat the sides anyway, and next time I'm going to ask for my fried chicken without them because I hate wasting food, and when they affect the main part of the meal in a bad way, they're more than useless, they're annoying. My friend didn't eat his sides either. Though we both ate the mini cornbread muffins, because after eating half a bowl of mac n cheese, and about to devour fully battered and fried chicken skin, we both felt a little under-carbed, and they were tasty. The beverage selection is pretty awesome too and we both had beers- his was the chocolate stout, which is huge and desserty, and mine the old chubb scottish ale with "rare girth." Ambiance is welcoming and unpretentious and the service is friendly and attentive and happy to have a chat. Third time for the fried chicken? Yes, please.

    (4)

  • Natalie C.

    A coworker and I have vowed to not become total hermits this winter, so on a two-pairs-of-pants-on-it's-so-damn-cold night last week, we decided to stop by the Southern after work for dinner and drinks. After we defrosted sufficiently as one of their high tops near the bar, our super eager and friendly waiter (he reminded us a little of a puppy, jumping all over himself to chat and help us with our meal - I found it endearing, my coworker a little less so) took our drink orders and gave us a few minutes to decide on what foods we wanted to shovel into our faces. We landed on the mac n cheese to start with, and then I went with the shrimp and grits, and she went with the fried chicken sandwich with fries. The mac and cheese that came out was reaaaalllyyy good and reaaaaaaalllllyyy large. I think our waiter said something along the lines of "so if you order the mac and cheese, you either have to be prepared to eat way way too much where you probably will regret it, or you have to force yourself to stop midway so you can eat your entrees". We chose the latter - saving a good third of the dish to take home. My shrimp and grits were delicious - large shrimps perfectly cooked with a good sauce and creamy grits. My coworker's chicken sandwich was REALLY large. She actually had a little trouble eating it, but said it was delicious as well. We actually had a Groupon for the meal (1 app/snack plus two entrees), which we let our waiter know about at the start of our meal. That didn't stop us from spending about $50 bucks per person on all the drinks we had throughout and after the meal (their cocktails are onnnnnn point! especially the bacon bourbon manhattan hello!). Oh well - we knew going in we have very little self-control when it comes to good food and good drinks. Needless to say, I will definitely be coming back to The Southern for drinks and delectables in the future - it's not the cheapest meal, but the food is great and the portions are huge. They also look like they have a really cute patio in the summer, so I'll be sure to check it out once Chiberia ends (which might be never... meh).

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    I'm a Southern girl trapped in a Northern world, and I'd been waiting Forever & Ever (Amen) to try The Southern out for dinner. On the weekend of my 30-something-ist birthday, I decided it was time. I called the required 24-hours ahead of time & reserved the Chicken dinner for a party of 6, and man am I glad that I have friends that are willing to eat very, very unhealthily on a special occasion. We were seated promptly, ordered some delicious drinks (I went with the Yellow Rose, YUM) and the Hush Puppies as an appetizer while we waited for the others to arrive. The Hush Puppies were great... they were small, crispy nuggets, which I love. I don't like when they're all big and mushy in the middle. Moving on to the main point of this review... the chicken. Oh, the chicken! They bring out a HUGE, GIANT, ENORMOUS (did I say HUGE) plate of golden, crispy chicken. Bowls of collard greens, sweet potatoes, a plate of biscuits (with honey) and a plate of corn on the cob... oh man. I was in heaven. Literally, every single thing I ate was fantastic. The crust on the chicken was some of the best I've ever had, and trust me. I've eaten a lot of fried chicken in my day, made by grandma's, mom's & just great southern chefs in general. This shizz was amazing. The only sounds you heard at the table were "mmmmm" and "oooooh" and "pass me some of..." for a good 30 minutes. And in case we didn't have enough fried stuff by now, they brought out a deep-fried Twinkie with a candle for dessert. I've never ever been tempted to try one of those (yes, I even resist at state fairs), but I figured what the heck and dug in. It, too, was delicious. Our server(s) were super friendly, funny & accommodating... the drinks were great... dinner was delicious. I won't be back anytime too soon for fear of hurting my arteries more, but for a special occasion sign me up! But you (yes, you) should go in my absence. It's so good.

    (5)

  • Mikey M.

    I lived down South and their take on Southern food is not bad but I've had better. The atmosphere of the place is pretty yuppie as well with no shortage of bros popping in after 9-10pm and it isn't a quiet, chill environment so you will be talking louder than usual to get heard. Service wasn't bad but for any parties above 5, servers take longer than usual to fill drink orders and followup on meal orders. On the up side, we didn't have to wait long to get seated and the staff was prompt in setting up a table and getting our bill processed and done.

    (2)

  • Brigit T.

    I love going to the Southern! The staff is extremely friendly and I enjoy chatting with the bartenders. The atmosphere is fun too - especially in the summer when they open the garage doors on the side of the dining area to expand their already great patio. I have been here on weeknights and on weekends, and especially enjoy the "Industry Night" on Sundays for other people who work in the bar and restaurant industry. I like the variety of the menu that changes every few months, and always enjoy the tasty southern-themed drinks. The servers are great at making suggestions if I'm not sure what I'm craving, and have never lead me astray. Even one of the managers always come by to see how I'm enjoying my food and drinks, which is always a nice added touch! I've always enjoyed myself and can always count on great company when I visit The Southern! Thanks to the staff of The Southern for all your hard work and making your bar/restaurant a place for all to enjoy!

    (5)

  • Elina S.

    Okay, I wanted to LOVEE this place, but it fell just a tad short of like. I usually love all southern food, had a food ball at New Orleans and pigged out on just about everything so I was really hoping for a similar experience here, but that's okay, I'm still happy that I went with a group of ten to try the fried chicken feast. I made reservations and they were very accommodating to us. When we arrived, there was only 5 of us but they let us get seated even without a complete party, so yay for that. I love when restaurants do that, so keep that up Southern! Once everyone got there, our server was very nice and asked if we were ready for our pre ordered feast to start coming out and I said absolutely. And so it started, we first received a bunch of warm cheddar biscuits, and boy were they huge, like wow, and we got more than the amount of our party. They were yummy, served with butter and honey, but they were probably my faves of the night so I could have done without the butter. Then came the greens, which were like spinach with bacon pieces and they just didn't do it for our party, they didn't look good, nor did they taste yummy. We also got the cheddar grits and the potato salad. The grits weren't bad at all, but the potato salad was gross. I would have preferred mashed potatoes and corn on the cob for that Southern experience. Now onto the main course, the fried chicken. Wow, they definitely prepared enough to feed an army of 20 not 10 of us, with only 3 guys, and you know how ladies eat. The chicken was tasty for fried chicken but I would have preferred a little more flavor or spice. The breading was delish but it definitely isn't the best fried chicken I've had in Chicago. Overall, we had a nice time. There was plenty of food leftover so you get your money's worth for $19 per person, but I just didn't love it in terms of quality of food. We were too full for dessert, and felt like I needed a cold shake to push down all the chicken that was stuck in my tummy. Southern, you have a very nice staff but you could do a little better with your food. But, if I do come back, I'm ordering a la carte and trying those Johnny Cakes.

    (3)

  • Casey F.

    I've been to the Southern several times, a few to eat, a few to drink. The first time I ate here I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Is it amazing? No. But considering it's a bar and I got tasty jambalaya here, it was pretty good in my book. I've also been for brunch, which I won't ever do again. The food was just ok and it was really expensive for what you get. I got eggs benedict, and it was super small and came with no sides and was $14. I was still hungry when I left, which is not ideal when you are hungover trying to get your greasy fix. Cocktails here are good but expensive. I do appreciate the $3 High Lifes, I believe on Fridays, you know for those classy kind of nights.

    (3)

  • Anne F.

    Nice patio that allows for some super chilling during those hot Chicago nights. Nothing really special after that: the crowd never gets crazy interesting nor are the prices cray cray high. I have been struggling to write this review for a bit because The Southern is a place that just makes you say, "Ho, hum."

    (3)

  • Heather P.

    Smaller inside than I had envisioned it. I remember it as Chaise Lounge and so that's what I was expecting, but it was a lot more rustic. Dark, refurbished wood high top tables with hooks for purses, nice touch. I didn't bother to check out the upstairs; which is unfortunate since I'm pretty sure that's where the character is. Service was excellent. Our server was very attentive, apologetic for things he didn't need to be apologizing for, he offered great tips on apps to try and drinks not to be missed. I asked about the bacon manhatten and he went through the entire process of how they come up with the seasonal drink menu. Apparently, the bacon manhatten is required to be on year-round because it's so good. I got a little of the smokey taste, but otherwise it was just a piece of soggy, booze soaked bacon in a strong bourbon drink, not complaining though. The mac and cheese was slightly underwhelming. Good, but the cheese sauce was a little thick and goopy if that is a clear enough description. The shining star of the experience was the crawfish and andoulie fondue. Creamy, spicy, warm and hearty. This is an absolute must order any time you are choosing an app at The Southern.

    (3)

  • Candy P.

    My husband and I gave a couples shower on the rooftop. We can not say enough about how accommodating Alette (event planner) was from the start. We had 30 guest, the food was great but the friendly, professional and attending service was outstanding! Alette, Ethan and the bartender out did themselves! Thank you!

    (5)

  • Marlon F.

    I thought I would like The Southern a whole lot more. The menu seemed too small for my liking and too put together. Although I like the fact that you can choose a fare amount of sides. I just wished this place had a variety of dishes, or more MEAT options. I was disappointed that the fried chicken is served only on Thursdays, although the waitress mentioned they have it on Wednesdays too. Anyway, it was our first time (party of three) at this place. The lack of a menu made it hard for us to figure out what we wanted. We almost decided to just drink and go some place else. We ordered Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ales (my new FAV) for $7, and today (Sunday) there was a special for $3 Maker's Mark shots. Pretty good sized shots I must say. Finally, we ordered the smoked mac and cheese, collard greens with bacon and the N'awlins Style Debris sandwich. The mac and collard greens were really delicious, and I loved the sandwich as well. I shared this meal with one of the members of my party. Another member of our party ordered shrimp and grits, I tried some and thought that dish was really good as well. I'll have to come here on a Thursday when fried chicken is served, otherwise the menu is a little scarce. I wanted a variety of different options to choose from. Where's the biscuits, gravy, mashed potatoes, cornbread, various meats and why not serve fried chicken everyday? All in all, the food was great, I will be back, I just wont be in a rush to get back.

    (3)

  • Grace M.

    Great patio but they close it up at midnight, so don't get too comfy. Note: that's not by choice, its a law they have to enforce so I won't hold it against them.

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    The joint's booked up, the menu is wet. Cramped with no coat hangers calls for a change of tables. The dish names invoke a pipe dream of sultry heat that only our country's lowlands can afford and only bourbon and barbecue can cure. Garage door portals make the Milwaukee strip a peep show, inside and out. My favorite style of water pitcher and napkins indicative of quality can't make up for the Boston and Kansas concert in Chicago being changed to the Chicago and Kansas concert in Boston. Superb warehouse-style lighting appeasing but appeasing a particular crowd stuffs the atmosphere into a dark duffle bag. Were it warmer, the patio would be a welcoming option. Perhaps upstairs is more tame. Lower level akin to anthems called into the lushed-up night by a generation of young professionals. I feel as though I keep seeing the same persons enter the door again and again. Louisiana's Pure Crystal Hot Sauce. The waitress asked, "how does everything look?" Can you return an order to the kitchen based on looks alone? This is unappealing to my visual palate, miss, send it back posthaste. A house of sour milk cornbread lay atop a sturdy foundation of mussels. Content with the plot of my own bowl but my accompaniment's slim portion was dismally reflected in his face. A spoonful of everything around the table as hardened familial rituals often go. Glance shifts, taught mouths, brows furrowed with finales of shoulder shrugs. It would seem flavor decided not to join us this evening. Crab chowder tastes of the late record holder for oldest geezer in the sea, they had him to hobble into the pot at knifepoint. Supplement the emptiness with lost bread and sides. I keep at the dredges of the mussel bowl in a desperate attempt to unearth that wallop of gusto; unresolved. The cornbread was like a trip to Florida. Sure it's kind of lousy, but it's still a vacation. Lost bread was semi-redemptive in the way a kid says sorry when forced into an apology. If not for the mustard, the corn dogs would be as bland as Sunday morning mass north of Vegas, a second-rate preacher's sermon. Overpaid, underwhelmed, left still-seeking. Marketing attempts came with the cheque. I should be smiling in resplendent joy after giving up two hard-earned Jacksons but we all sit sullen, utterly lacking. Claiming southern soul can be a sin when the slightest tinge of love was absent in everything I put in me save the beers.

    (2)

  • Aimee T.

    Walked into The Southern for a Derby Party and was greeted nicely by the host and complimented on our attire, we had a group of 8 donning hats and/or pastel dress shirts. We had mint juleps at the downstairs bar that were hand crafted with the appropriate little ice cubes and hand shaken mint. Perfect Julep (not the case at the last derby bar party we left due to lameness)! A + for the bartender and hostess. We then proceeded upstairs and Benjamin, the manager noticed we had a big group and were in need of a table so he offered up the porch area that overlooks the downstairs patio. We had so much fun and were able to see the entire party and tv in our own little private section. He checked on us every 15 minutes or so and made sure we were well taken care of. Empty glasses and bottles were cleared minutes after putting them down and we had the best mac and cheese ever! Benjamin was awesome and brought out a delicious strawberry/biscuit desert we all shared and loved. We had such a great day and I know it was because we had a great venue and great service to celebrate. Much thanks to Benjamin and The Southern for a super fun bday/derby day. Service, Food, and Drinks-A+

    (5)

  • Space Emperor Z.

    I had the Memphis-style brisket sandwich. The bread was a nice, soft Texas toast that admirably held up to the juicy fillings, and the pickles and slaw were both good, bright and flavorful. But the brisket was pretty flavorless, too thick, and too tough. It was an alright sandwich overall, but that brisket was a pale imitation of the kind of barbecue you can get at a place like Smoque (which has amazing Memphis brisket) and Lilly-Q (which doesn't have brisket but has amazing barbecue in general and is right next door). And at $14, the sandwich wasn't too cheap. It did come with a side of black-eyed peas, but they were too al dente for my taste. Sam got the she-crab soup which had similar lack-of-flavor problems. My wife got a catfish po'boy, which seemed like it was just-okay too. The service was good, and the food wasn't bad, but there are better places in Chicago for southern food.

    (3)

  • Stefanie F.

    Service was great. Wait staff was very attentive. Atmosphere was great. My boyfriend and I went last night with a Groupon that I purchased. We ordered the Maple Bacon Manhattan and the Thyme of the Season as our drinks. Both were delicious. We shared a plate of the Cornbread and Collards (my boyfriend didn't really care for the collards but I thought were very good), but we both agreed the cornbread with salted honey butter was really good. He had the pork belly as his entree which was very good and I ordered the Hanger steak which was so tender and full of flavor. We'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Jonathan E.

    4.5 really, but I can't give halves. Can I start off by saying that we happily stumbled across this little joint. We had set out to have some beer and pizza at Piece but the wait was out of control on Friday night. So we took a couple steps down North Ave and found The Southern! We opted to sit more inside even though it was finally a beautiful evening in Chicago. We really liked the decor of the bar area and it had those garage doors up so we could enjoy the evenings beautiful weather. It was nice to see that the place was really busy, but not so much so that we still could walk up and be seated right away. We enjoyed the diverse beers on draft as well as the draft special that night was tasty. I recommend the Flying Dog Doggy Style Pale Ale! I enjoyed the concise menu and the selection. My other half and I choose the Blacken Catfish Po' Boy and the N' awlins Style Derbis to sure between us. Let me just say that both were pretty tasty, but the catfish was wayyyyy better. I loved the catfish and fries which came with them were perfect in every way. I was confused and disappointed to see the N'awlins didn't come with fries. Just the sandwich. It was definitely lacking. We also ordered the English Peas as an appetizer. They were delightful! We weren't offered to order a side, surprisingly, but I asked about them and then the server totally sold us on them. The server was pleasant and attentive. Everyone there was very nice. I would highly, highly recommend this place! We will definitely be back here again to try a few other things that we've heard good things about!

    (5)

  • Stephanie N.

    The wait staff was trying but I don't think this place was ready to have outdoor seating. Service was so slow because it seemed there was not enough help. To add on to the situation they ran out of two out of six if the main entrees...how does that happen?? I really have no intention to go back.

    (1)

  • En L.

    Lovely day for the patio. The brunch is quite different. I had a risotto-like dish with shrimp, okra and sausage. Pretty good. Not what I expected. But good. The cocktail was STRONG! Woke me right up!

    (3)

  • Ryan J.

    My boyfriend and I adore this place. We went here for my boo's birthday and were treated to excellent service, which makes all the difference in the world, and great food. I had the mac and cheese (delicious!) and a side of greens (so tasty!) plus a Manhattan (also excellent!). I can't remember what my boo had exactly, but I'd be confident in most anything on the menu. In the past, I've also had and really enjoyed the fried green tomato entree. Our dessert (the blueberry johnny) was also divine. Only complaint (and this is very, very minor) was that out on the patio, I could hear two very different soundtracks playing -- country from inside the Southern and indie electropop from (I'm guessing?) the second floor. It was distracting at times. Otherwise, excellent!

    (5)

  • Alex T.

    I lived in Mississippi for three years so I was really excited to eat at the Southern, especially after hearing all the hype--I was sadly disappointed. I tried: -Artichoke dip--okay, I've had better -Grits and shrimp-not good -Mac N Cheese-Pretty good, probably the best thing I tried -Blackened catfish sandwich with fries-Pretty good, nothing to write home about. If I spent $6 I would have been happy -Spicy Hot Chicken Special-Great flavors, but dang it was stupid-spicy (and I like spicy food) Their saving grace was a great waitress, and the whiskey list looks good, although I didn't try it. Final thought is that nothing was horrible (except the grits and shrimp), there are a lot of better places in Chicago for the money.

    (2)

  • Ashley B.

    Holy crap. This place is amazing and I'm kicking myself for not having gone here last summer when the patio was open. First of all, the bar itself is really awesome. Everything is reclaimed wood and super low key, but still not a hole in the wall by any means. The bar has a couple tvs, but all you can hear is the awesome rockabilly and southern rock playlist consisting of Buddy Holiday, Roy Orbison, CCR, and others. The food itself was splendid. I probably could've ordered anything on the menu and been pleasantly surprised and satisfied, but I was in a burger mood so I went with the pimento cheeseburger and wowwwwww! The bf got the crab cakes and they were just as splendid (be sure to look at my pics bc the presentation was really nice!). Also, I got a bloody mary and it came with pepperjack cheese and sausage! Totally top notch. I cannot WAIT to come back! UPDATE: I just came back yesterday and the bf and I split the Southern mess and Kentucky Bucket. Let me tell you, this is probably the most unhealthy dinner I've eaten in a long time but it was sooo on point. The Southern Mess is basically gravy with chunks of ham, topped with handcut fries and cheese curds. To. Die. For. I'll be back, yet again!

    (5)

  • Saba A.

    Felt like I was back in College!! First time entering and will come back. Great place to have a conversation and laughs with friends in the prime spot of Wicker Park. Also, come for the eats! Great bar food. Considering the crowd was more "college-y" but I liked it. People weren't getting drunk but everyone here was having a great time! It seems like the "meet up" place as there were people in large groups! We came early around 10:30 but when we left at midnight, people grabbed our table! It's small, with one bathroom stall, but it's a great hang out place. I checked in on Yelp and got a free sample of bourbon! Tasted great! It came late so he ended getting one for each person in our crowd of three. We also got the friend green tomatoes and mac and cheese that were on the late night menu after 11 PM. Overall, we had a good time. The service is excellent. It was good to get out of the River North area and try something new!

    (4)

  • Jeremy N.

    Buttergasm. That is what you will have if you go with a group and get the family style chicken dinner. A goddam buttergasm. If this is how people in the south eat I'm leaving all my worldly possessions behind and hopping a train somewhere where food tastes like this. Sure I might have a coronary in a few years but I figure that's a small price to pay to be able to eat like this all the time. All of the food they brought out to other tables looked pretty impressive but since we all had the chicken dinner that's all I can comment on - fried chicken, collard greens, the most delicious cheesy grits, mashed potatoes, gravy and the corn bread... words won't do it justice. We were also drinking $3 Lagunitas Little Sumpin-Sumpins all the while. A damn fine night.

    (5)

  • Bryant L.

    They are well known for their mac and cheese which is great but it's the fried chicken controversy I'd like to join. Served with biscuits and gravy it is not to be missed. I've been here a half-dozen times and the staff is super friendly.

    (4)

  • Gabrielle S.

    Every time I go back to this place, the menu has changed and there is even more scrumptious things that I have to try!!! I go in on Saturday nights to start out a big night with a small glass of high class whiskey...only then I cannot resist trying a few appetizers which turns into a meal which turns into a FEAST!! The MUSSELS were absolutely amazing. The CRAB CAKES were delectable...possible in the top 3 in Chicago- and I have had a LOT of crab cakes. I rarely order them anywhere except the Southern because I am usually disappointed by the lack of crab and the overly fried and breaded but here....that is NEVER the case. They are light, yet rich with crab meat, the actual succulent kind and it is never overly shredded or thin. Think LUMP.... Worth it. And whatever salad the crab cakes were on was awesome...my only wish was that they would officially make a salad to offer on the menu out of it- the dressing had a tangy kick to it, and there were many delightful flavors there. Fresh, not at all heavy. Anyhoo, I love all the servers and people that work here, they are always cheerful and put up with my incredibly needy needs. Which of course, is the icing on the cake. Fantastic service every time. And try the aged Rye:)

    (5)

  • Derek C.

    TLDR version: Pork belly was awesome, sides... not so much a group of 14 came here for dinner for my bday so we did the family style dinner so it would be easier and cheaper for everyone. the only bad thing about doing the family style dinner is that you only get one choice of protein (we were deciding between the pork belly or fried chicken) and then they provided the sides of mashed potatoes, collard greens and corn bread. we also ordered a side of mac and cheese since we heard it was awesome here. the pork belly was awesome, and there was SOOOO much food we ended up taking half of the pork belly home. the collard greens and the mashed potatoes were nothing special and I was somewhat disappointed with the mac and cheese too as we felt that wasn't as tasty as we thought it would be. the cornbread was also just ok, and not very tasty. the meal was $25 pp, but then they forced a 23% tip!!! our waitress was good, but damn, 23%!!!???!!! after tax and tip it ended up being $33 pp. also, as it was my bday, nothing special was offered for dessert, I don't even think the girl asked. we were pretty stuffed at the end of the meal, and I am glad no one sang happy birthday to me, so that might have been a good thing, but where's my free dessert??

    (3)

  • Tish N.

    I wish I could give them 18239281 stars! There was a mishap with the reservation of my going away brunch, I didn't make it so I don't know the details. Well, let's not even get into that because it doesn't even matter. The manager, James (or St. James, King James, etc) rectified the hell out of that situation. It was a full house so we were worried about space. We thought we would have to go someplace else. The manager came through like "I'm going to fix this" and boy did he. He gave my party the entire upstairs and took care of us himself. I was so impressed with the service of the staff though. The customer service is amazing every time I've visited. I'm moving to California next week. I'll miss Chicago and I'll miss the Southern. I hope to find another restaurant that even comes close.

    (5)

  • Grace C.

    Their special beer of the day was tecate on tap for $4. So I got one after taking a walk along the street. Can't comment on food b/c I was only here to rest my feet alil and have a quick drink before heading back for dinner.

    (3)

  • Timothy L.

    The food at The Southern is fantastic and keeps me coming back for more. Some signature favorites are always on the menu such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and crab cake benedict (for brunch). If the fried chicken is available, don't hesitate and get it, especially for brunch when it's served with the most amazing interpretation of biscuits and gravy. While I absolutely rave about the food, I pray for one day to give The Southern more stars. Maybe it's because I've become such a cocktail shop with all of the other fine handcrafted options in the area, but the cocktails here always seem to fall flat. Maybe it's the generic ice they use, or maybe their simple syrup is too simple. The whiskey selection is simply the best, but don't bother letting them mix it up in a cocktail for you. To top it off, an old fashioned with a good bourbon runs about $12. Save your money on the cocktails and enjoy the great atmosphere and ingenious food.

    (3)

  • Jeff R.

    Last night we went to The Southern for a quick and easy meal in the neighborhood. I had been once before for drink and enjoyed myself, so I was happy and eager to get a meal experience. It was somewhat quiet but downstairs was pretty lively. The decor and scene is definitely more bar - with high tops and TVs - than restaurant but the menu has enough options for any meal. We also had the pleasure of hosting our friends from Kentucky in order to get their thoughts on the authenticity of the "southern" cooking style. I was pleasantly surprised with all of the food that we ate. Everyone ordered one dish (the menu isn't really separated by courses) and we had a side of cornbread and mashed potatoes. I really like the mashed potatoes - nice and creamy and buttery, delish. The cornbread was also nice and came with butter or honey. Erica ordered crab cakes (came with two good sized ones) and I had the Andouille Gumbo (with house made spicy sausage, Gunthorp Farm duck, steamed rice, pickled okra). I was very impressed with my gumbo. It had the required heat but not too overwhelming that would require breaks. The sausage was tasty and tender and there was the perfect amount of sauce with the rice. I heard similar compliments all around - especially from our KY friends that ordered the Burgoo and the Mushrooms & Dumplings (both things I had never heard of before). Our short and sweet meal was surprisingly good with every dish well prepared with great and simple flavors. The Southern's tagline is "Kickass Food + Comfort Food". I think they do both well and look forward to returning soon.

    (4)

  • Elibe E.

    I stumbled into The Southern after living in Chicago for (almost) one year. Here's what I ordered: - Jim Beam special (their take on a mint julep) - Hush Puppies (my buddy ordered this as an appetizer) - Shrimp + Cheesy Grits Everything was prepared well. The shrimp + grits were excellent. The Southern prepares them with roasted red peppers - new for me. I would have liked the dish to be prepared with a few more pieces of the smoked/barbecued shrimp. I'm looking to come back here for the infamous family-style dinners (i.e. chickens)

    (3)

  • Lauren B.

    There wasn't anything particularly special about The Southern.....keep in mind that I am not well versed in Southern cuisine. We started with the Crab Cakes as an app, even though its listed as a dinner.....rebels, I know :). Plenty of delicious lump crab meat, tasty, and paired well with arugula, radish, and apple that accompanied the cakes. My only complaint is that there was waaaaaayyyyy too much Dijon mustard sauce on the plate, it was like a pool. For my entree I had the Blackened Catfish....first time. It was tasty but served with a LOT of grits that in a way, i think, almost drowned the fish.....its funny because fish can swim :) The Hoppin John Burger was reported as delicious. The Fried Chicken, which I did not have as it is HOT and I cannot handle that, was reported as being soooooo HOT that it took away from the flavor the the chicken. Apparently they are not screwing around when they call it "extra spicy." Those in my party who chose this were a little disappointed. Gingered Beets and Collared Greens were ordered as sides for the table. The beets were delicious and the collared greens were good, but not as great as the ole beets. I say give it a try! One more thing......if you order Lone Star beer and when they bring it to the table you are like, why are they bringing it with the cap, even though they have taken the cap off??? Well, its because they are games under the cap.......food, booze, and brain training- What a Thursday night!

    (3)

  • Luis B.

    So-so. Thanks to Yelp we got a free shot of their house bourbon. Pretty good stuff. I didn't dig the lighting here, it was too dark and I couldn't read their menu clearly. From previous pictures and reviews, I wanted to try their bacon bloody mary. I wasn't too impressed. I was actually disappointed. We really wanted to try their fried chicken, but apparently that was something you're suppose to call ahead for? Go figure. The mac n cheese was pretty good, and so were their fries (they had a great seasoning on them). I also ordered their Kentucky Burgoo, it was pretty good. It had tons of pork and tons of veggies. They do offer daily specials so check them out before you go in. The Southern is pretty pricy, but it's worth a visit if you want to try something new.

    (3)

  • Palak Q.

    The arugula salad was a killer! I went there with a bunch for friends for their chicken eating contest. The food is a little pricey, but great! It is clean, fresh and they use the best ingredients. The ambiance is very cool too. Nice, young crowd. You can definitely take someone out on a date to this place. Their outdoor seating is fab! I would also recommend the mac and cheese and the chicken wings.

    (5)

  • Julie O.

    We waited 20 minutes for our drinks here on a normal night (not crazy packed at all). Ridiculous. The waitress was nice and blamed the wait on the bar. Don't know if that's true, but it was incredibly annoying regardless of whose fault it was.

    (2)

  • Scott M.

    Meh.

    (3)

  • Mari Y.

    I was skeptical of The Southern because of the unimpressive Zagat scores but I was curious to try it anyway. We went on a Wednesday night when the special was fried chicken. Hello, fried chicken! It was a cold night so there weren't that many folks in the restaurant. They also had a $3 Coors Light special. We ordered the fried chicken which came with a breast, thigh and leg with a mini biscuit loaf and gravy. Yum yum! We also split the cold fried chicken salad - this to me was a major winner. It was on a simple bed of lettuce with corn and other veggies and fried chicken. I loved it! I will definitely be back. Looks like a fun place when the weather is warmer when they open up the doors and can utilize the outdoor patio. I can't say how "Southern" this place actually is. If it was called "The Fried Chicken" I would say they did a good job living up to its name.

    (4)

  • Tim R.

    Went with a friend last night. He had a groupon! We wanted to try it because of the review about their fried chicken on Windy City Live. I can honestly say that it was the best Fried Chicken I have ever had! It was so moist . It was so good! The Collard greens that were served with it were amazing! The cheese platter that we had as an appetizer was amazing with the accompaniments on the plate! We both agreed, that the cheese platter with a glass of wine could of been enough for a great experience! I highly recommend this place! The only draw backs for the entire night, sat at the bar waiting for our table. Bartender was very busy. She acknowledged us and gave us a menu. The mashed potatoes that came with the chicken, were cold. Our server quickly replaced them! We went on a very cold night in Chicago, so every time the door opened when someone walked in, it was extremely cold! I will be revisiting! And I have been referring my guest and friends since my visit!

    (5)

  • Thomas C.

    Went to Southern for the "call ahead, credit card guarantee ahead" fried chicken diner. WOW. We were a group of six as required, and we can all put away some food. Still the massive plate of chicken conquered us, that and the delicious sides that come with (and since it was wednesday also had half priced signature cocktails). Wife and I were not certain what to expect, we know our way around some fried chicken and we expected it to be ok, but not a phenomenal as it was. Wow, did I say that already?

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    We went here for Sunday brunch the Sunday BEFORE Mother's Day. We didn't want to come on Mother's Day knowing that it will be crazy-crowded. The brunch menu is not very extensive which I appreciated. To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't have chicken and waffles on their brunch menu. However, I ordered the shrimp and grits. You do not get a lot of shrimp, but they are large. The shrimps were perfectly seasoned and prepared, and the texture was exquisite. The grits and shrimp were the perfect amalgamation. This dish receives FOUR stars, but the grits alone are worthy of FIVE stars! My husband had the biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs. He liked it, but said the gravy was very, very rich and a bit too thick for his taste. Our friend enjoyed the banana French toast. She said it was fluffy, light delectable with a super great flavor. The French toast receives FOUR stars. We enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant. Our total came to $51 and change (excluding tax and tip). A "side" of bacon was $4 and a side of toast is also $4. This was our Mother's Day celebration, so we did not mind dropping the $$$ that we dropped on that day. Service was worthy of four stars. Although toward the end our Server went "MIA" and it took a while for her to come back again. Did we enjoy our food? Yes. Was Service decent? Yes. Was the price point reasonable? Yes. Would we return again? Yes. Is parking in the area easy? No, it is challenging.

    (4)

  • Lupe D.

    Sadly, I am not able to comment on the food, only the bad service, except for the person at the front who kindly sent me to the bar to order takeout, where I stood, like an idiot as several staff members just stared at me, never once asking me "may I help you?" Finally, I had to ask some random waitstaff if the bar was really the location to place take out orders and he confirmed it - as a bartender saw the conversation - again I stood there, like an idiot and waited, and waited. When I finally got someone's attention and a menu, no one ever came back to ask me for my order. I left. Seriously, to Southern management work on your service issues. If you guys are content with the number of "regulars" then fine, ignore potential new customers, otherwise please meet with your staff and talk to them about improving their customer service levels or consider setting up a separate counter for takeout. UPDATE: Since posting my review, management has reached out to me and apologized for my experience, for that I am grateful.

    (1)

  • Josh G.

    I don't always drink in Wicker Park but when I do, I drink at the Southern Bar and Grill. I've been coming into the Southern at least once a week for well over 2 years so I feel I can speak to the consistent high quality of food, drinks, service, and atmosphere. The menu is always changing but the quality always remains top notch. (More the reason to come in again and again, since it seems like every time I come in there's something new on the menu!) My latest favorite is the jumbo. Delicious! They have a separate brunch menu which is also awesome. Get the fried chicken. You'll thank me later. Although my brunch favorite was always a generous portion of sausage/chicken gravy on top of buttermilk biscuits. I think it was called the Smothered Johnson? Something like that. Bring it back guys! Come by and see Anne behind the bar. She can pour a shot of whiskey like no one you've ever seen. Always a 3 dollar beer and/or 3 dollar shot of whiskey if you're on a budget. Saturday is Heaven & Hell shots. If you're into the mixology thing, they have an impressive option of original seasonal cocktails. (And infusions!) Try the Southern Gust! They also have a giant Packers logo on top of the bar, so I think they're maybe a Green Bay bar? I always forget to ask. If you want to grab a table, try to request a young man by the name of Chris Brickhouse. My friends and I sometimes wait 30 minutes just to sit in his section, because we love his style of service and great sense of humor. They have a very nice doorman named Joel and a young blonde girl (can't remember name) who is also very kind! They both always make me and my friends feel welcome. It's getting a little chilly out there so check out their amazing patio while you still can! It's without a doubt the best patio in the entire neighborhood. They also have a white statute outside of Jack Daniel, which is kind of creepy at first but it's actually kind of comforting knowing he is staring at you at all times. If you ever need to talk to a manager, feel free to ask for Edvin or Marcus. They're both very helpful and extremely understanding! They even bought me a shot one time. So in conclusion, if you're in the Wicker Park area (or even if you're not) I strongly recommend checking it out!

    (5)

  • Diana R.

    I can't find the words to describe this place...oh wait. Yes, I can. Mediocre, says it all. If you have taste buds and know good southern food, don't waste your time or money here. We ordered three different dishes and found them to be salty not southern. Maybe, they should change their name. Honestly, such a waste for such beautiful restaurant space.

    (2)

  • Antaash U.

    Never judge a book by its cover...or go to a place without checking Yelp reviews. Lesson learned. Whenever I've been shopping or dining in Wicker Park, I have had the impression that the Southern was some swanky, trendy, "I need an occasion to dine here" kind of establishment. WRONG! My friends and I wanted to have a fun girl's night out and that's when the Southern came to mind. I quickly made reservations and was excited to let my hair down with my girls. You can only imagine our surprise when we walked in and there were televisions...broadcasting COLLEGE FOOTBALL...with lots of cheering and whooping. Had I known that's the kind of place this was going to be, I would have 1) dressed differently... WAIT. Who am I kidding...I WOULD HAVE NEVER CHOSEN TO GO HERE FOR GIRLS NIGHT! It's a good thing my friends and I are easy-going and go with the flow kinda gals, because even though we don't care for football, we decided to stay. We had really worked up an appetite after a long afternoon of playing tennis and figured that good ole southern cooking would hit the spot. And boy did it! What the Southern lacked in a ladies night out venue, it made up in service, drink selection and good food. We ordered: collard greens (which I didn't have but that received rave reviews), mac and cheese, hot legs, crab cakes, and dirty rice. LOTS of food for 3 very hungry girls. They also had plenty of drink specials because of the game and a special menu. Everything we ordered was fantastic. It was the kind of food that sticks to your ribs and makes you smile from the inside out. Even though we had gone to town on our entrees, we still made sure to order dessert. I chose the deep fried twinkie...I mean, how could I not? It was covered in powdered sugar on top of a mixed berry compote. It took what should have been trashy, county fair delicacy to something tasteful! My other friend ordered the chocolate cake, which would have been perfect had it been served with a side of ice cream instead of the fresh whipped cream. The third member of our group ordered a sour cherry pie, which was excellent. I definitely see ourselves going back to the Southern...when it's not a big football day that is!

    (4)

  • Alexander Z.

    As a disclaimer, I only went here for drinks/appetizers and will need to update once I eat a full meal. That being said, the few things I experienced were all outstanding. Went on a Wednesday and the place wasn't crowded and had a nice ambiance. The bar also has a great look (at least on the main floor/bar area, need to check it out in the summer) Drinks: Bacon infused bourbon & honey with a bacon strip (drink was spectacular and the thick slice of bacon itself was worth it). $3 whiskey shots were very dangerous.... Food: only had the mussels but they were very good. The pulled pork was an excellent addition. Unfortunately the corn bread was very dry and inedible alone (dipped in the sauce of the mussels it became very good however) Service: excelleng. Our server was great & since he didn't drink, he wound up doing shots of Coke while we chugged the whiskey (just because)

    (4)

  • Mark O.

    Very good comfort food! The staff was nice but not great. Our server was nice enough but didn't really seem to enjoy what she was doing. Atmosphere was great. We really liked the open feel of the doors being rolled up and the windows all opened. It was a beautiful night so that really helped make it comfortable to eat outside. We got there early so it wasn't very busy at the time. The fried chicken was very good and the risotto my wife ordered was awesome! My wife ordered a Bloody Mary and she really liked it. I ordered the Maple Bacon Manhattan. Apparently bacon doesn't make everything taste better. You could see pools of fat at the top of the drink. Not an enjoyable drink. Overall all the service was good and the food was well prepared. Atmosphere was great. We will go back if in the area again.

    (4)

  • Diane M.

    Well if you want some carbs, this is the place to go. Bought a Groupon and tried mac and cheese (just okay), lobster po-boy, crab cake, hog fries. Service was great. Food was just okay, needs a little more spice and seasoning. We had an awesome booth, with lots of room for four people. Service was very friendly and the hostess was from Kentucky which is where we are from!

    (3)

  • Ashley C.

    Came here after returning home from a trip to South Carolina because I was craving shrimp and grits. It was our first time here, and we were really impressed. Great service! Cocktails were awesome. I got the Thyme of the Season which was perfect because it wasn't too sweet. Food was delicious and the portions were generous. We had the Shrimp and Grits and Fried Chicken. We plan on going back to try more cocktails and the pork belly!

    (5)

  • Eric Y.

    I've been here twice and thought it was great both times...the food is really well done as are the drinks. I got the chili fries which I highly recommend and the fried chicken is a great deal...not only is the chicken very well cooked, it seems like they make an entire chicken for you for just $14!

    (4)

  • Jen C.

    We had a groupon for 2 brunch entrees and drinks for $20 which seemed like a great deal. The drinks were fine but the food was downright terrible. I had the mushroom omelette and it was so small, I was still hungry. My friend had the mac and cheese which first came out barely warm and then she had to ask for hot sauce because it was so flavorless. I cant understand how such a cute looking restaurant could have such terrible food. Not even worth the groupon deal.

    (1)

  • Tania M.

    Came here with my boyfriend for a Saturday brunch. First off the service was not good. Our server never came back to refill our waters throughout our entire meal and he took forever for everything! They also had run out of Bloody Mary mix and tomato juice. Again, this is brunch. And they weren't even that busy! When we asked for a simple glass of orange juice the glass was a little over half full. Almost as if they had run out of oj too. It was ridiculous. Now the real reason why I'll never come back is because my entree, French toast. You think how can you go wrong with French toast right?! Well apparently you can at this place. They gave me like five awful pieces of a rock hard crostini, it wasn't even toast! It was smothered in some kind of cheap sugary icing and blood oranges along with a pinch of syrup. Oh, and for garnish they put some sort of cilantro-tasting greens on it which I accidentally had a tiny piece of and ruined it for me. So going back to how hard this "French toast" was, I quit after the second crostini because I literally could not cut it with just a butter knife and fork. It was awful. All I wanted was simple but lil more delicious French toast. And that was $12 by the way. Definitely not worth it at all. Never coming back and telling my friends about this as well.

    (1)

  • Aisha K.

    Came here with friends. The food was pretty good. The chicken was crispy and moist. The drinks are very strong and more of whiskey type of drinks on the menu. But of course the bar can make anything you would like. The service was great and the waitress was attentive. Overall a good experience.

    (3)

  • Keith R.

    Only came for a drink and a snack on the way to Violet Hour, so here's a short haiku to chronicle the visit. Vomit in restroom Had an okay mint julep Cornbread was just right.

    (3)

  • Alissa T.

    Great beer selection, nice patio, good service, and a tasty, but heavy meal. Several things sounded good, so we decided to do splitsies: Crab Cakes= 5 I'm usually hesitant to order crab cakes outside of seafood places because they tend to be very bready, but these were awesome! Mac= 3 A good thing to order if you're sharing with several people because after 2 bites, you're like whoa, crazy rich Green Beans= 5 crisp and delish! Chicken= 5 I've never ordered fried chicken before, but glad we did! It was as good as everyone has described :)

    (4)

  • samantha b.

    I usually really like this place, but I just went today and the hostess was completely rude. So bad we just had to walk out! The place had about 5 open tables and she refused to seat us for another hour and a half. She said it was because she had reservations in one hour and she needed to make sure they were all open. I'm pretty sure it only takes two people one hour to eat. So upset by their service, the hostess sets the mood for people walking in and if they want people to come I and stay I hope they fix their attitudes before coming into work. To make matters worse she was texting the whole time!

    (3)

  • Ericka A.

    If I had to write this review based solely on the gouda mac and cheese then there would be WAY less stars. It was a huge letdown and even the waitress' hype couldn't salvage it. It's big on the bucks, lacking on the flavor to warrant such a price tag. Luckily, The Meat Brigade (Working Title) was not here to judge the mac. We were here for some fried f***in' chicken! Our group of 20 had reservations for the Fried Chicken Dinner. It came out to about $25pp and included collared greens with bacon (I could take them or leave them), biscuits with whipped butter and honey (Pretty darn good), black eyed peas (Good flavor, but not my favorite), mashed potatoes and pork gravy (Delicious even cold, so you know that's quality!). The main event was without a doubt the fried chicken. It was perfectly battered with a flavorful thin coating atop crispy skin. Every piece was cooked so that it wasn't raw and no part of it was dry. I had a breast, thigh and drumstick. My stomach was begging for mercy, but I ate every bite of it and was so full that I couldn't even look at food the next day.

    (4)

  • Carrie S.

    So, how do you celebrate your Southern-born husband on his birthday? Well, you invite a bunch of his friends for a fried chicken dinner at the Southern. When my husband expressed interest in doing a birthday dinner with friends, I knew instantly where it should be. I knew that my Alabama man would appreciate a Southern comfort food feast shared among friends. Ever the planner, I booked a table and the fried chicken dinner special well in advance. In days leading up to the dinner, I called and confirmed our reservation with the event staff. The event staff is super friendly and great to work with. They answered all of my questions including bringing in outside treats from a nearby bakery. Last night, we indulged in an amazing Southern comfort food feast. For appetizers, we did the Southern Mess, known to one of our friends as "Southern Poutine." It's always one of my favorites at the Southern not be missed. We enjoyed some hushpuppies as well as bacon mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was creamy and delicious while the hushpuppies were just right! Many of us sampled the Southern's amazing drink menu. I tried the City Slicker for the first time and really enjoyed it while others had the Sunshine and Cucumber Royale. All of their drinks are so good and well made. Our fried chicken dinner consisted of generous portions of buttermilk battered chicken. Oh, this is how fried chicken should be. Every bite yielded a crispy skin and juicy chicken. The buttermilk batter had hints of pickle (don't tell my husband) and other flavors, the proper way fried chicken should be. For sides, we had sweet potatoes, spicy collard greens, biscuits, and corn. The corn won many raves among friends while the greens delighted as well. Served alongside our sides were hot sauce, butter, and honey. They were the perfect condiments for the perfect meal. Oh, this was one amazing birthday dinner meal! I can't suggest the Southern fried chicken dinner enough. So much bang for your buck with hearty servings of chicken and sides. All for $19/person! No birthday dinner is complete with a little birthday cake or eclair in this case. Our hardworking server arranged a plate of mini-eclairs from a nearby bakery with a few candles to toast to another year. Our server did a spectacular job last night with our giant table of 12. I saw her move my husband's drink next to him when he talked to guests. She also divided a massive number of checks up, so that our bill could be settled well. Most of our guests including myself tacked on extra gratituty for all of her hard work. If you want to celebrate a birthday Southern-style, do it here. We had incredible service and wonderful food. My husband declared his birthday dinner a rousing success.

    (5)

  • Geoff C.

    Was great to be back in the hood and was excited and disappointed at the same time to see Wicker Park/North all growed up into a slightly cooler version of Lincoln Park. Southern is a solid concept...who doesn't love bourbon and fried stuff?...but the execution left me wondering if the proprietors have actually been South of Illinois before. Let's start with the Hush Puppies, probably the easiest thing anyone in a kitchen could nail...here they were mushy and low on flavor. The Gumbo had more of an Indian curry consistency and tough on the belly...the andouille could have shined more. The mac and cheese was pretty insulting..with a Velveeta type quality. Kraft literally blows this away. Was here with a big crew and no one appeared to love the food. Great bourbon list, but there are no real deals, it's priced high. Expect more, Chicago!!

    (2)

  • Jen G.

    They've must have switched chefs since I visited last December. Their menu has also completely changed. The food was overcooked, over salted & just not good. I'd recommend just coming here for drinks now & skipping the entrees.

    (1)

  • Bryan C.

    This is our second time at the Southern. The first trip to the Southern was for one of their awesome pig roast events. The weather was unusually warm, the outside area was open, and nearly full. We were greeted by a wonderful hostess, she put us on a wait for an inside table and seated us outside. Service outside was beyond slow and before our drinks arrived, the hostess offered us a table inside. We moved inside and service actually got worse! We sat with menus for nearly 15 minutes before I went back to the hostess and asked her if there was a server assigned to our table. A few minutes later someone came and said "what do you want to eat." We finished our drinks about the same time the food arrived, no one came by to ask if we wanted another round. When we finally flagged down a server for more drinks, they were very slow to arrive as well. We also had to wave down a server for our check. Turns out the only real service came from the hostess, she was wonderful and I wanted to leave the tip for her, but she was gone when we finally left. We had Mac & Cheese and the Boudin Blanc; both were very good. The mac & Cheese has very good flavor and texture, the bread crumb top provides a nice crunchy texture to contrast the rich & creamy underneath. The Boudin Blanc sausage has a nice heat and texture, well complimented by the creamy and flavorful mashed potato, the egg adds some additional complexity and richness. We would order both again.

    (2)

  • Megan T.

    I literally wanted to order EVERYTHING off of the menu. Burger with pimento cheese? OKAY! Fried green tomatoes? JUST TAKE MY MONEY. Bourbon bacon drink complete with a sliced of bacon meaty goodness as a garnish? ENOUGH ALREADY I CAN'T HANDLE THIS. Awesome service, reasonable prices, close to the blue line. I can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Joshua M.

    We had an awful experience at The Southern when we went in for brunch. We were starving on a Sunday morning and randomly walked into this place. The brunch menu looked promising. I went for the crab cake eggs benedict. My friend ordered a few items a la carte... Some over-easy eggs, cheesy grits, and andouille sausage... With an order of fries. Then we sat. And sat. And sat. And sat. The tables next to us loaded up with more parties. We sat. These tables got their food (I saw several crab cake eggs benedicts float by my hungry face to our neighbors), but no sign of ours. Finally, after about 45 minutes went by, our waiter (Named Jerimiah, who had been walking around the dining room checking on all the other tables) stopped by our table to say "Your food will be right out." 15 minutes later, he stopped by to refill our drinks (finally) and to say "Your food is being plated right now." Meanwhile, 3 tables that had been seated after we ordered were already getting their checks. Finally, the food came out (no apologies or explanations for the long wait, no follow-up to see how the food was), and it was disappointing at best. The crab cake eggs benedict was absolutely swimming in this pungent dijon mustard. The greens on the plate were so bitter, and the crab cake had several pieces of cartilage I had to covertly spit out. None of the flavors worked together. Everything was completely overpowered by this foul dijon mustard that was slopped all over everything. The a la carte items all came on separate plates (really?). The grits tasted like they had kraft singles melted in them. The sausage was good. The fries were good... to start. But once the top later was gone, we noticed the salt content in the lower layers was off the charts. I love salty food. These fries were so salty they made me gag. We didn't finish them. Finally, we just asked for the check. This seems like the type of place where regulars get service first, and they don't take kindly to strangers. This isn't the way to run a business, and I won't be back. It's a pity since it's so close to home.

    (2)

  • Lindsay L.

    We went on a Thursday evening- which come to find out is "Country Night"... My boyfriend ordered the spicy fried chicken, if you can't handle heat I don't suggest ordering it. I ordered the crab cakes, they were average, not a lot of flavor. The overall experience was nice and we will be back.

    (4)

  • Nadling P.

    The food was incredible!!! Our server Brittney was super knowledgeable and visiting was a perfect close to an awesome Sunday! We WILL be back for brunch.

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    I went here last week with a group of 7 to try out the "fried chicken dinner." We made reservations a couple of weeks ago, and they were very nice and helpful accommodating us. We sat outside on their patio, and everyone really like the laid-back atmosphere. We started with some appetizers: the cornbread, pimento cheese dip, and mac and cheese. The waitress said she didn't love the cornbread, and I could not agree more. It definitely lacked flavor and was pretty dry. She mentioned the chef liked it this way because it made it more "Southern," but everyone hardly touched it. The pimento cheese dip and mac and cheese were very tasty. The fried chicken dinner comes with: a big platter of fried chicken (both white and dark meat), collard greens, grits, biscuits and potato salad. The chicken was delicious. Very tasty and perfectly cooked. I also really enjoyed the collard greens and potato salad. The potato salad was light and tasty-not loaded with mayo at all. The grits and biscuits could have used more flavor. We also added in some vegetable sides--corn and green beans. Both good. I would definitely recommend checking this place out!

    (4)

  • Amelia B.

    Though I'm the furthest thing from it, I secretly kinda wish I was a Southern girl. Instead, I'll just eat and drink like one. And the aptly-named the Southern may be the best place to do that in Chicago. Let's talk fried-green tomatoes. Yes, apparently its more than just the penultimate chick-flick. While I've experienced them a few times before (in Georgia, no less), these are by far and away the best fried fruit I've ever tasted. Get them. Get two. Make a meal. The mac & cheese. I'm an Easy Mac type of girl--in other words, easily impressed. And while I was impressed, I wasn't wowed like I thought I would be. It's good, don't get me wrong, in a "five-pounds of butter" type way. But butter's good. Alas, I did not try the fried chicken. The cocktail menu is a definite standout. You can't get more of a perfect drink than the Cucumber Royale. This is coming from a girl who doesn't even like cucumber. But vodka makes everything better. And you can't go wrong with a huge punch bowl of the sweet nectar. Obviously, a huge highlight is the outdoor space. It's absolutely perfect for large groups, Sunday Fundays, you name it. Ain't nothing like Southern hospitality. So go get you some.

    (4)

  • Kimberly L.

    Take a peek around you, Southern. All the ladies are drinking cocktails and picking at shared appetizers, which are most definitely fried and/or loaded with cheese or some other product that will induce bloating. They are not happy, food-wise. The men have drinks and plates stacked high with twelve pound slabs of pork. They are punching each other in the arms. They are in meat-tastic man heaven. Please put some real salads and vegetable dishes on your menu. People in the south do eat healthy food. I like the outdoor seating but I will never come here hungry again. If I even do come here again.

    (2)

  • Teri G.

    The Southern has solid whiskey drinks and a twist on Southern cuisine. In the summer, it's super difficult to get patio seating in Chicago but I never seem to have a problem when at any time of the day/night when I stop by. My bf is a fan of the Maple Bacon Manhattan. Service has always been solid. Jim Beam is there on the weekends handing out free samples/shots of their products, if you are into that sort of thing. I really liked their summer vegetable menu, my favorite was the pickled beets. The crab cakes are really tasty. When I feel like splurging, I go with the mac & cheese.

    (4)

  • Kyle H.

    Brunch update: The Southern brunch menu has so many attractive offerings, there has to be at least 2-3 dishes that would appeal to anyone. The Bananas Foster French Toast was comfort food at its best, and with this cold forecast, it was truly needed. Six thick cut pieces of bread, topped with carmelized bananas, with a nice carmel sauce; it was sinful. Coffee- all staff is pretty quick with a top-off, but coffee is served in little teacups and I'd much rather see big burly man-cups for coffee to start with. Stellar staff of note: the mustachioed bartender and the floor manager, Evan. Evan was great, sitting down with most parties to chat, and he let me know that the Chicken Dinner can now be ordered a la carte on Wednesdays and Sundays! The bartender gave me the lowdown on the brand new Southern Mac 'n' Cheese Truck, which can be followed on Twitter and "Liked" on Facebook. I was excited to try the Truck on its Maiden Voyage to the Willis *cough Sears Tower. But it didn't quite make it by lunchtime. Maybe nextime! Most certainly I will be back to try that Winner winner, Chicken Dinner, and definitely for brunch. So, please nudge me and let's go!

    (5)

  • Michael G.

    "Kiss your grits? Baby, I'd do such dirty things to your grits that you don't even want to know." Oh, sorry. I was just whispering "sweet" nothings to The Southern's grits. See, spooning them slowly into my mouth is not enough. I want to spoon with them. I want to dip my face in the little bowl (though, don't be fooled, it's satisfyingly filling) and lick the sides for every last tasty, slightly salty, soft morsel. The secret, I think, is in the cheese. The flavor is not too hard and not too soft. Not too absent and not too overpowering. Much like any good relationship, in my opinion. I think I'm ready to commit soon to these being my favorite "lady" in Chicago. But first I'm going to have a little more fun with them. At $5, they're a cheap date, so I can afford to take them out a lot. It's not disgusting, really! Just go with it! Once you've tried them, you won't be so quick to judge. Plus there's a ton of alcohols (from Texas beers I haven't seen anywhere else in Chicago to strong whiskeys) to enable the forgetting of any unnatural acts that might occur. Yes, comfort food doesn't begin to describe what is on the menu here. Unless you mean the comfort that follows the release of a full on, huge portioned, food orgy! There is no such thing as small plates here. It's all big. And satisfying. Even the hush puppies are large, flavorful balls. If you're into that sort of thing. My favorite example of the perverse excess though is the macaroni and cheese. It might not be as flavorful as some cheddar macs in the city; but its more sedate, leisurely, gouda fills my mouth (and heart) with joy. It's listed as an $8 appetizer, but don't be fooled. It's a full meal of lightly breadcrumbed (the best bites contain the topping) bliss. And underneath is a moist, drippy cheese sauce that is so good they're taking it on the road with a food truck. Yes! Baby's coming to me! I love a catch this good that I don't have to chase! Now, if you'll excuse me, I think it's time to get messy with some of said mac. It's going to get all over my face. Aw yeah!

    (5)

  • Stef M.

    Underwhelming and a bit of a disappointment. After reading the reviews on yelp I was pumped to try fried chicken, fried tomatoes and mac n cheese. So I arrive on time and the hostess has not a clue about the group I'm here with that rented the rooftop. Annoying. I find my way. My guest and I sampled each others drinks so we could try all 3 of that day's specialty cocktails. The Cold Toddy beverage and Mojitos were a-okay. The margarita truly sucked and truly wasn't a margarita - it did not contain sour mix or lime juice. Odd. Also didn't care for El Jimador tequila. Service was slow. They had 1 bartender and 1 cocktail server for the whole rooftop. Bad idea. So decide to get dinner. First I get a gratis sampling of today's mac-n-cheese: Cheddar & Hot dogs. Delicious. Made me a fan. Were it not for this dish, this review would be a 2 star. Especially...because...what...happened...next. I opened the menu and read: Fried Chicken meals must be ordered 24 hours in advance and in groups of 6 or more. Huh? Its just fried chicken people. So I was suprised nobody else mentioned this on yelp, I had been expecting to order this. So I review the fried tomatoes - made with goat cheese (yuck to me) and $16.00. I pass. So I decide not to eat here, leave disappointed, go to Skewerz down the street, and discover the best artichoke of my life for $5.00. Much better end to this story.

    (3)

  • Colleen D.

    Meh....went on a Saturday for lunch - sat at the bar. Service very attentive. The food menu was strange....very small and many things were not available. Besides the things your supposed to call ahead for. ...(?) ..the were out of many things - an older gentleman came down from upstairs up in arms because 2 of the 3 things his party ordered they did not have. I ordered smothered biscuits and my bf ordered fried chicken. They said he got the last order ....(? - it was only 2:00!). His chicken was very good and he got three large pieces. On the other hand my smothered biscuits - although good - was literally 2 giant biscuits with a tablespoon of what looks like chicken soup ...for $12? No thanks....

    (3)

  • Kori E.

    I've been here countless times and cant believe this is my first review. I love this place. It has an awesome outdoor patio, a fantastic rooftop space that you can rent for parties, and a super cute inside with community tables. It's obviously southern comfort food done well. I've had the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, which are to die for. I had the summer salad this past Saturday and it was a very light and fresh salad with green beans, pecans, feta and a tasty dressing. It's a whiskey bar, and they have a fun and inventive cocktail list.

    (4)

  • Taylor P.

    The southern's $22 brisket (with no sides) is the same a the $10 pre package meat you can buy at costco. It seems they have never been to the south or no what BBQ is. Go to smoke daddy.

    (1)

  • Daphne L.

    Luuhhhhvvve it! Finally, FINALLY made it to The Southern, and it was worth the cold, snow, and traffic after work to get there. We headed over a few days after Snowpocalypse/Snowmageddon on one of the coldest nights we've had, found parking on North Ave. (still not sure how that happened), and had a glorious night that warmed my belly and my heart. I was surprised that it's not very big inside, but it's very cozy. I like the long tables that run along the garage door. To be honest I was prepared to not enjoy myself. As previously mentioned, it was an especially cold night and we were seated directly in front of the garage door and it was cold as hell. I was trying to suck it up and deal since my two hearty dining companions didn't seem to mind, but, I was on the verge of copping a major attitude. Our waitress was very sweet, though, and addressed the temp right away, assuring us they were working on it. She suggested a bourbon drink to warm myself up, and while I'm not a huge bourbon fan, I loved my drink! I give it two thumbs up and a serious high five. I had the Maple 46: Maker's Mark, maple syrup, and lemon. It was exactly what I needed to get the party started. My husband, a beer aficionado, thoroughly enjoyed sampling their suds. We shared 2 apps: the hush puppies and the Southern Mess. I love hush puppies and these were on point, okay?!? Not dry, good flavor, nice dip to go with them. The Southern Mess..oh lawd. This dish was so damn good, so not good for you, and I have craved it several times since. Fries topped with cheese curds and tasso ham gravy. There really are no words for this dish, but I swear it's the best damn poutine I've ever had. I think it should be called the Hot Ass Southern Mess. I had the Kentucky Bucket for my entree, with the cheese grits and collard greens as sides. Now look, I grew up eatin' soul food, and both are a favorite of mine, so I consider myself an expert of both grits and greens. They were good, no doubt, but I have had better. The grits were very cheesy which is nice, but, a bit too grainy or mealy. I can't explain it other than they tasted like they'd been thickened with flour? Not necessary if you cook 'em right. The collards, I didn't love them. I like my collards savory, not sweet, and these were too sweet for me. They did have nice spicy kick which helped, but, I'm imploring the chef to please cook 'em old school with a ham hock, onion, garlic..no sugar! That, and that alone is the only reason I give them 4 instead of 5 stars. Our waitress was an absolute doll, and my other companion took a liking to her (I still say she's too young for you!) with her Gwyneth-like looks and excellent sense of humor. She totally added to the magic that was that evening. After an hour I'd forgotten my gripe about the cold and had a boot-scootin' good time, and was even enjoying the music. I can't wait to get back with a group for that chicken dinner!

    (4)

  • Jenny T.

    If you have diet restrictions or want something healthy, I would probably suggest going elsewhere. The dishes here tend to be on the greasier side. If you're really into fried chicken, though, you will probably love it. I've never been here at night, but people who are there seem to like it. Football seems to bring in a rowdier, less-pretentious crowd. It's just not my style of place. The food is okay, there really isn't much ambiance, and I'm not very interested in going out here for drinks.

    (2)

  • Kate M.

    Was it The Southern or the company that made for such a nice evening? I think it was both. Everything we had was very good. The hush puppies with a roasted artichoke dip were a great appetizer. They didn't even need the dip, they were tasty all by their little selves. The piggly wiggly, pork belly cooked to perfection with a yummy crisp side, was delicious. I seriously considered stealing the whole dish, but instead I just stole a few bites. The crab cakes were pretty good too. The mustard sauce that accompanied them was a little heavy, but paired very well with the two good sized cakes. A charming little place with a nice fire going on the patio, small, but not cozy, I'm sure it fills up awful quick on weekends. The only real problem I had was the stools at the tables, can I have a back for my chair please? Pretty please?? I'd like to be able to sit back and relax a bit while I enjoy my meal. I imagine brunch would make my head spin trying to decide what to order. I hope to find out some day...

    (4)

  • Eric H.

    Well friends, the host and our server were Creole darlings. And the drinks, well the drinks were big and easy, like a warm summer Sunday morning sunning on a Veranda overlooking the Bayou sipping a Hurricane. But Good Goobly Goop! They really must have worked over time to screw up gumbo, son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!! I mean this place makes the gumbo at Heaven on Seven almost seem authentic. I mean hey, I'm a jazz, blues, zydeco, hip hop man, so I know about improvising. But have some respect! Shucks, what these folks call gumbo taste like sweet and sour tar with unflavored pork rinds floating atop this goo in a fancy bowl. I'm saying, a righteous cocktail leaning all strategically next to a honest bowl of spicy gumbo, can even render the clueless suburbanites and baseball hatted bro-up(s) who frequent this place, comical, as opposed to annoyingly obnoxios like horse flies. Yea I'm duty bound to give this place a one star, which is generous cause if they pulled this in Nola, why they'd be horse whipped in Jackson Square.

    (1)

  • Laila C.

    HOLY SHIT. please just inject the Piggly Wiggly directly into my veins and I will be cracked out happy! So much gooey fatty pork belly goodness on one dish I always can't handle it. But...of course I can! A bite of brussels sprouts, maple sauce and pork belly is enough to help me mentally escape the horrors of this nasty Chicago winter. The mac & cheese is also delicious and HUGE for only $8. Fries are tasty as are the shrimp and grits. But don't forget the gold....if you go GET THE PIGGLY WIGGLY!

    (5)

  • Kyle P.

    Love the sauce the layout and the people along with the Fries. Wasn't thrilled with the non smoke flavor but can see going back. Try the fries

    (4)

  • Q M.

    Went for brunch. The Southern Mess is a mess, but it is such a delicious mess. Bacon, fries, gravy and cheese curds? What's not to love! Very, very filling though. After the mess I couldn't eat for the rest of the day. Worth it. Also, I should mention that we had the donuts. They were also really, really good. This might have contributed to the inability to eat for the rest of the day. Oh, and the Ginger Snap cocktail. Also part of the problem, but it was so good. I wouldn't take it back. Great brunch.

    (4)

  • Dasha B.

    I constantly go there for drinks and food which is absolutely delicious...but today's experience really left me upset. I went on OpenTable.com to make a reservation for a party of 10. I specifically put in instructions that we'd like a table outside as it's 80 degree weather. I had friends coming out from the suburbs to join this outing. As we arrived, I was told by the hostess "You asked for outside seating in your reservation, unfortunately we cannot do that for large parties". They had our table set up inside and I asked to move our party outside, as the whole point was to enjoy the outdoor patio with this beautiful weather. The hostess again says that due to their policy they cannot combine tables outside for large parties. I've asked to speak to a manager and Mark had come out to the front to assist me. He was very nice and polite but very unaccommodating to my large party's needs. I had 10 people coming and even a few more added last minute. He said due to fire codes...they cannot seat us outside. That's completely understandable but WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL AND TELL ME THIS BEFORE I SHOWED UP with my 10+ friends?!?!?!? Completely disrespectful and unprofessional for a business to do this. When the reservation was made, I specifically put in instructions for outdoor seating. OpenTable.com even had to take down my credit card and they had all of my information on file. If the reservation could not be fulfilled, why not and have the courtesy and appreciation for a customer bringing a large party to your establishment and CALL THEM to just simply say "we do not accept large parties for outdoor seating"! Many of my friends had to constantly flag our server. I felt like the server couldn't keep up with our needs and orders. We were piling up our glasses and plates in hopes someone will finally clear them. Constantly had to ask for water. Server would come back without the item we asked him to get (i.e. glasses for the beer that was served in a can). Mind you, they added a 20% gratuity tip for the total of the bill. Our bill was a mess, the server had to re-do it several times as a few people had their own tab but the main bill still had their food on it. Overall, yes a great place for a gathering with lots of outdoor space to accommodate under 5 people parties. I will never return there again because the service is unprofessional and unacceptable.

    (2)

  • Sadat A.

    Calling all Smurfs, calling all Smurfs, I found the Sasparilla. Yes they make the best Sasparilla in Chicago. Not to mention the awesome Texas beer selection with a huge Bourbon, Whiskey, and Scotch menu. The chicks that work there are super kick ass cool, and very welcoming when you walk inside. There is tons of indoor and outdoor seating. The patio is a huge plus, can't wait to bring my dog with me to The Southern this summer. The real reason that I came to The Southern is for the Fried Chicken and Grits and Shrimp. We decided to order the half chicken, the hush puppies, the special pork dish, mash potatoes, and collared greens.(Check the photo's) Chicken was perfectly made - super super tasty (the only negative is it was a very small portion of a half chicken) but it was cool for 2 people. The special Pork was some of best I've ever tasted. The waitress told me that it's her favorite dish hands down. So boom, we ordered it. (No negative all positive) Next would be the Hush Puppies. The flavors that come from those puppies will knock you out of your seat. Potatoes and Green were excellent. Next time Ill order the whole chicken with the mac and cheese. Overall this is a must try spot. We are already planning a group fried chicken gathering for next month.

    (4)

  • Weifei Z.

    Spurred to try this place by the Groupon deal, but walked away disappointed by the taste and quality of food. I was initially excited by the hog fries, which came out quickly and tasted of cheesy goodness. But my excitement and patience waned as we had to wait another 30-40 minutes for our two entrees This was on a Wednesday night, when the restaurant didn't seem extremely busy. We had the shrimp and grits and the steak. The only word to describe the shrimp and grits was that it tasted funny. It somewhat overly milky and didn't taste like grits at all. The steak was doused in bearnaise, which wasn't bad, except it definitely was not cooked medium rare as stated, lacked the "sear," and had a very chewy texture. The mushroom that came with the steak was over-salted. But at least the fried potatoes were crispy. The service was fine, but I don't think i will come back here based on the food.

    (2)

  • Al E.

    I visit Chicago 4 times a year and look for the best restaurants with the best reviews and tasteful dishes. The Southern was listed as a great restaurant for southern style cooking right in Chicago. We were seated right away when we entered and the ambiance was a beautiful dim setting to match the mix colored wood. I asked the waiter if he could accommodate my shellfish allergy and he checked with the chef and stated they would have no problems. I ordered the Alligator Gumbo to start. The rice stuck together and the gumbo was as dark as whiskey. It tasted just ok and did not live up to the expectation of gumbo from the south. My date ordered the fried chicken only to be told they were out of it again, just as the reviews list over and over. I ordered the Andouille sausage and grits. There was no menu item for this but asked if they could put together the sides they offer into one dish. (My visit to Wishbone in Chicago was able to accommodate Andouille sausage and grits with no problem.) I was presented the dish and assured that it was shellfish free. After eating half of the dish I discovered they included shellfish in my meal. I was extremely disappointed and knew I would later regret the decision for this restaurant. To: The Southern owner's thank you for failing at your job of customer service. Your lack of attention to your customer allergies and poor ordering of your menu items for stock will never have me visit your establishment. Open Table, Yelp, and Trip Advisor provides an inaccurate view of your business. Shame on you!

    (1)

  • Todd G.

    This place is great. Amazing food awesome people. The service is uncomparable. Fried chicken and mac and cheese are a must. The selection of whiskey is incredible. The manager even came out and gave a great impression.

    (5)

  • Diva G.

    3 1/2 Stars... Bought a Groupon and ventured in on a Sunday around 5pm. Outside patio was busy. Inside is small, but plenty of room and comfy. If you like whisky, scotch and/or bourbon, this is definitely your place for drinks! Flights range from $15-$25. I ordered the Freaks N Geeks flight and started with the cheese plate, which was very good with a nice variety- cheese, grapes, pickled fruits, fig & crostini. I had the 1/2 fried chicken as my entree which comes with collard greens, whipped potatoes, cornbread and honey butter. The chicken was good, but nothing special or worth a return trip. The collard greens were surprisingly very good. The whipped potatoes were smooth, creamy and DE-LISH! And the cornbread was a perfect compliment for the meal. Our server, Alaine, was okay- not great service, but not bad service either. The manager, Alette, on the hand provided EXCEPTIONAL service and really seemed to be on top of everything and making sure her staff worked together as a team. Glad I tried it, but I probably will not return.

    (3)

  • lisa t.

    I am not impressed. I have been wanting to come here for a long time and I have to say, it was NOT worth the wait. I ordered mac n' cheese, and my friend ordered the pork chop. Her pork chop had to be taken back because it was raw in the middle...RAW. Then they brought back the same partially eaten pork chop flipped over and recooked. The mac n' cheese was elbow noodles and rue, not bad...just not what I expected. I gave them 2 stars because (even though they were severely understaffed)the Hostess was phenomenal and the atmosphere was very nice. But their chef needs to get it together. The food was shameful.

    (2)

  • Erin B.

    We went to celebrate my fiance's 30th birthday, and had a wonderful experience. The only downside? A few items, and the ones we planned on enjoying, were so popular they were out (fried chicken and Artic Char). Thankfully the wait staff was awesome and diligent, and turned what could have been disastrous into a great evening! After seeing our disappointment that the items we wanted were no longer available, they comped a round of drinks and treated the birthday boy to a delicious dessert. It was totally unexpected, and a went above and beyond great service. The food we did end up eating (short rib) was incredible and full of flavor. We were not disappointed! We will definitely be back, and hope this time they are not out of the fried chicken!

    (4)

  • Nina P.

    Love the atmosphere and food here! Our server was attentive and and accommodated my needs perfectly. The mac n cheese was what drew us here to begin with, and it exceeded my expectations. We were told the recipe was recently updated so we will definitely be back to try more things on the menu!

    (5)

  • Tracy H.

    Hmm, I am conflicted here. On the whole me and my group of 5 had a nice time here. Service/drinks were good, nice ambiance. The food to me was just okay. We shared the mac and cheese (good, but I feel it's missing something, like a kick) and the fried green tomatoes (also good, bit over salted). I had the fried chicken plate. Now, the fried chicken was pretty stellar, but the sides to me really lacked. The potatoes were kind of flavorless, and the collard greens were meh to me. My fiancé had the pork sandwich and fries, which he liked, but said it was just kinda average. Basically everything was good, but nothing blew me away.

    (3)

  • Dustin H.

    It was a Tuesday evening and I was stir crazy. I wasn't even hungry! I just needed to get out of the apartment. I fired up the yelp app, and found that The Southern was within easy walking distance from my home base for the week. After a short stroll, I was in. I headed straight for the bar, and was greeted warmly by the bartender. He mentioned the special beer of the evening as well as the special shot and I ordered one of each. After I was handed the menu, I asked what he recommended. He asked if i was hungry, and honestly I wasn't, but I said yes and he told me to get the fried chicken, which I did. I glanced around the room for a moment. I watched happy patrons from the mirror behind the bar and I felt at home.Out of nowhere my food arrived. I hadn't even finished my shot of whiskey. Seriously, it came out fast and normally that would worry me. You can't cook a 1/2 chicken that quickly. Can you? Super crispy and oily on the outside with incredibly tender meat, my chicken laid peacefully on a bed of sausage gravy. Along side sat a most delightful sheet pan biscuit. The bottom of the biscuit was buttery and crisp and the body was fluffy and perfect. In fact, everything on the place was just wonderful. A couple splashes here and there of the provided Crystal hot sauce took me to a zen like place. I became one with my plate. Like I said, I wasn't even hungry, but I ate everything. I got a knowing smile from my bartender, I ordered another celebratory shot and then headed out on my merry way.

    (4)

  • Corie S.

    The Southern is a solid brunch place in Wicker Park. They have a really nice patio area and both times I went we did not have to wait for a table. Also they have a nice upstairs area with TVs which was great in the winter when my bf wanted to watch a hawks game. Both times I was there the service was decent as well. Drinks: they have a decent Bloody Mary and decent mimosas. Nothing too amazing but definitely not bad either. Food: First time I went they were out of the fried chicken Benedict which was disappointing. I ended up getting the breakfast Mac and cheese and that was pretty good. Nice comfort food for the winter. The second time I went I got the fried chicken Benedict and it was decent. The chicken itself was really good but the biscuit it was on was rock hard! Overall this is a good brunch place and look for the groupon if it's still out.

    (3)

  • Grant P.

    YUM! Do you need much more than that? Cuz I sure didn't. Awesome service. Awesomer food. Great easy-to-get-to location. And when we came (5 p.m. on a Monday) it was super easy to find street parking nearby. We ordered the fried chicken, shrimp and grits, bleu cheese mac 'n cheese and fried green tomatoes. (Geeze. Are we pigs or what?) The tomatoes were amazing. Best I've had. I loved that they came with bits of goat cheese and diced red tomatoes. The chicken was cooked perfectly and came with a giant biscuit and gravy. The shrimp and grits, which I don't even normally like, were delicious. And the mac 'n cheese, which they're known for, was divine. The only sadness was when we took half of everything home, my server did not put the leftover gravy in the container so I had to throw out the dried up biscuit when I went back for it the next day. Maybe a little extra touch would be to add a dollop of that or at least scrape what was left on my plate into the container. But overall, I wasn't fussed about that. Wonderful place, and I'll definitely add it to my places to return to. (plus there's a great early bird check-in offer on Yelp)

    (5)

  • Kathryn S.

    I've been here twice for dinner and ordered some of the same items to compare as well as new dishes. I want to like this place and may be back for drinks, but the food is not for me... it's been either bland or salty.

    (2)

  • Jaime E.

    The Southern is one of my favorite spots in Chicago. I would say I prefer it for brunch though. I got a Groupon for brunch and a Groupon for dinner and the dinner left me a little bit disappointed, though my expectations after the brunch trip may have been too high. I went to a Bachelorette party here once and eating their family style dinner was incredible, more Mac n Cheese please!

    (4)

  • Kaylyn W.

    I was so excited to give this place a try! I went with a friend for lunch when he was visiting for his birthday. I got the bloody mary with bacon bourbon and the fried green tomato sandwich. The sandwich was not anything to be desired. There were two slices of fried tomato, an egg, and some arugula. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't worth ever ordering again. I'd like to give this place another go at some point.

    (3)

  • Julie W.

    Came here for dinner on a groupon deal - ordered the cheese plate for appetizer which came together with toasted sliced bread - it was a great combination of fresh ingredients which gave palette a nice experience of the crunch and tartness of the chutney and the cheese plus the okra and the grapes. Great dish! The Arctic char was served beautifully on a rectangle plate with some red sauce and seared half Brussel sprouts and something cheesy and milky (pardon I should be more concise in my description but I had forgotten what it was). Fresh but fish could have been salted more. Light dish. The pork chop was very well seasoned and tender - and presented. I was so tempted to continually suck on that bone but manners and courtesy didn't permit me to follow through.The dish was presented well (see picture) Will return to try out the risotto, fried green tomato and the fried chicken. Great dining experience and service!

    (5)

  • Jorge M.

    Found a groupon for this place and reviews were ok so decided on a Sunday brunch me, my bf and mom to check it out. Place it was very big and look very nice. We got table right away because it was not completely full. I ordered some sausage Mac and cheese, my mom the fry chicken and my BF pork hash. I have to say the waiting for food was a little odd took to long to bring 3 plates buttttt once they served us I kinda forgot about the wait. I tasted the 3 plates and it was so so good each of then. My macc and cheese had some juices sausage and cheese that was just so good, then my mom's friend chicken was on point very good and my BF pork hash was so tender and with so much flavor that I can't wanna to switch plate. I don't give this place more than 3 Star because first the waiting for the food, second drinks not that good kinda like not alcohol on it and third the menu for the brunch it is so simple that if u go there 3-4 you will be done.

    (3)

  • Arlene G.

    Ate here for a friends birthday dinner using the "for 4" groupon. Let me say, this was a fantastic deal! There were, unfortunately, some hits and misses. The shrimp and grits and hog fries were hands down the best thing we had and absolutely delicious! Please skip on the fried green tomatoes...they were over cooked and just poorly conceptualized. The chicken was ok, but I'm not running back for it.

    (3)

  • Gerry T.

    Street parking is fine north of North avenue but watch out for permit 514 parking only spots. The service was professional and attentive. I like the big glass sliding doors which links the patio to the the indoor dining area. That must be great in the summer time. The lighting was really low key and it made hard to read the menu without the illumination from my IPhone. But we managed and ordered the Hog fries and 2 Hanger steaks (medium rare). The hog fries are like Canadian poutine fries (fries with assorted toppings). It was hearty, heavy and meaty as an appetizer. The hanger steak came with an excellent hollandaise sauce. The steak was a nice portion and not over cooked but could have come out a bit hotter. It seemed like it was room temperature when I had mine. The decor is nice with tables that can seat 8 in the back. They also have a downstairs dining area which was intriguing but we didn't get a chance to see it. It also seems that the restroom needs to catch up with the outside decor. All in all a good experience and we'll come back for the shrimp and grits.

    (3)

  • Elle M.

    Came here last night after getting a quote for an hour and a half wait at Piece "depending on the World Cup game." Seriously, people? Nobody gave a shit about soccer two weeks ago. Anyway, I'm glad we left Piece because the food here was awesome. We had the hush puppies and that Southern style poutine mess. It was all friggin delicious. Those fries were gone in like five minutes flat. I didn't even get a second helping because the men I was with practically battle royaled for bowl. For my main I had the pork confit sandwich, which was SO good. Sometimes I bite into sandwiches and let out a little sexy noise- I did that with this one. Highly recommend. We also got an order of the mac n cheese for the table and that was really great too- not anything groundbreaking, but a really delicious pile of good old fashioned mac n cheese. The cocktails were pretty good too, but our server seemed a bit confused. I think she was new. Must go back to try the pimento cheese burger.

    (4)

  • Sarah V.

    Here are a few tidbits about me: 1. I'm Southern 2. I can hold my liquor better than most grown men 3. I judge every new-age Southern restaurant against my momma's cooking 4. I capitalize Southern, because I can Now that that's out of the way, I endorse The Southern as one of my favorite eats representing my God-blessed home. Yup. I went there. A typical dinner back home consisted of 10-12 friends and family, a huge spread of potluck favorites that each woman in the group claimed to be their "signature dish" (God help us if more than one lady claimed okra as her dish...) and a bar setup that would make Jack Daniels himself cry with joy. The Southern embodies all of those qualities in their dining experience. I absolutely adore bringing a big group of friends and sitting at one of their oblong tables and ordering a smorgasbord of small bites and a big plate of shrimp and grits. But first thing's first, the cocktails. If you're a tequila kid like me, get the Way South (El Jimador Reposado, Pamplemouse, lemon, Ginger Beer, Old Fashion Bitters). If you're a gin kid, also like me, get Luke's Revenge (Nolets Gin, lime, mint, muddled red pepper, celery bitters). And if you're an adventurer, again, like me, get the Brass Knuckles (Jeppson's Malort, Luxardo Aperitivo, Tank 7, rosemary syrup, ruby red grapefruit juice). At $10 a piece, the cocktails are slightly on the higher side, but worth the kick in the sobriety they pack. On to the food. I'm just going to lay out what your party should order, and you can thank me later. COLLARDS & CORNBREAD (2) sweet corn cake, braised greens with bacon, honey butter FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (1) Pistachio Pesto, Watercress, Pickled Rhubarb, Goat Cheese MACARONI & CHEESE (2) elbow noodles, aged cheddar mornay, toasted breadcrumb GUMBO (a cup per person) chicken thigh, local andouille, steamed rice SHRIMP AND GRITS tomato okra stew, sharp cheddar FRIED CHICKEN 3 piece amish chicken, buttermilk biscuit, chicken gravy PORK CHOP Grilled Bone-In Chop, Swiss Chard and Cannellini Ragout, Smoked Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce, Ramp Green Chimichurri And there you have it. The best of what America's pride has to offer.

    (5)

  • Tracey M.

    Went here with friends for Sunday brunch. My friend had a Groupon that was honored. I had the mushroom omelet, which was fine but pretty basic. Full credit to our waitress: she told me that before I ordered it and I still went the boring route. In hindsight I should've gone for the short-rib hash like my friend did. It was outstanding, full of tender short rib. Or I could've gone for the French toast another friend got. May be the best French toast I've ever had. I can't comment on the mixed drinks; I had a mimosa and that suited me perfectly fine. All in all, a solid brunch place. I'd choose something other than the omelet. I've always done well when heeding the advice of the server. It was Sunday brunch. Forget healthy shmealthy: I should've gone for taste and grease!!!!!

    (5)

  • David N.

    Recent Friday night dinner was solid. Reservations got us in at 7:30 pm, and we were seated immediately. Chill atmosphere, dimly lit, casual crowd, and friendly staff. Above average drink menu showcasing with original mixed cocktails and several local craft brews. Given the location, it wasn't a shock to see overpriced libations, but a $4 Pabst Blue?!...that was a first. As for as the menu went, it had a mix of Southern classics and original takes on home-style cuisine. For the most part, ticket times were on target. We started with the CHEESE PLATE. Featured were a magnificent manchego, a buttery bleu, and a creamy goat cheese, all accompanied with toast and palatable side bits. Cranberries, pickled okra, and Granny Smith apples paired extremely well, making the plate a sure hit. I went with the ARCTIC CHAR for the main, and was pleasantly surprised. Very similar to salmon, and something I'd definitely recommend. It t was slightly undercooked, but I'd be hard pressed to complain considering my love of sushi. Accompaniments of brussel sprouts, sliced potato, and garlic butter were enjoyed thoroughly. The brussels were a bit inconsistent, with some undercooked and bitter. My wife's lobster risotto garnered complaints, but I'd be hesitant to say the risotto wasn't pretty freaking good (IMO). Decent first experience overall. I'd definitely come back before for another go. CHECK GROUPON beforehand....

    (4)

  • Jacqui H.

    Great decor and friendly waitstaff. The drinks were strong and delicious. I had the shrimp and grits and my 9 year old had the fried chicken. We had fried green tomatoes And macaroni and cheese. Both appetizers were yummy, my favorite being the tomatoes. They were fresh and not oily, fried to perfection. The shrimp and grits did not meet my expectations. The shrimp were good and not overcooked but the grits were flavorless. Fried chicken had a nice batter but the greens were bland and there was nothing southern about them. Also there were no mashed potatoes and cornbread as advertised. I would return for drinks and would give their brunch a try.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    Monday is special Mac & Cheese day at the The Southern. They listed some steak n bleu as their special of the day and when we went in, it was Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese which is cool...but always a good idea to keep the internets updated. I'm surprised they don't have more mac & cheese options on the daily since they did start out as a Mac & Cheese food truck. Side note in case you are wondering, the food truck is no longer in operation. With my dinner I usually get a nice, cold beer....but $5 for a PBR? $8 for Golden Monkey? You're loco en el coco, ese. It ain't happening. Their beer prices across the board are $1-2 above the restaurant norm so I ended up sticking with water. We started with the "Snack" aka Starter of the Philly Cheese Steak Macaroni ($10) and Cheese. It was tasty, albeit slightly grainy, but was pretty cool with the slight twist. We gobbled up every last bit and between the two of us...actually ended up pretty stuffed from just sharing that. For a starter, it was quite a good sized portion and could easily be a full meal for one person. For my entree I had their mushroom risotto ($16). I actually loved the interesting additions to this dish like a nice runny, kind of 5:10ish egg on top. Egg makes everything better for me. Another pretty big portion so I ended up taking the majority home. My friend had the burger and I tried some of his fries....those things were addictive! They were insanely salty which is usually a deterrent for me but something about these fries was just delicious. Great service, pretty good food, super chill atmosphere and an awesome patio - I'd definitely go back to The Southern.

    (4)

  • Anne M.

    Yum yum in my tum tum. The Southern delivered some delicious grub to my party of four recently. We stopped in for dinner and enjoyed a large appetizer of mac & cheese (split between 3 people). The mac was creamy and cheesy as it should be, and this app could have easily been my dinner had I ordered only that. I did proceed to order a proper meal though, and I chose the fried chicken. The plate was heaping with mashed potatoes, greens, a slice of corn bread, 3 big pieces of fried chicken, plus a little honey butter on the side. Yes please. The food was great and the portion was plentiful. Unfortunately the outdoor patio was closed because it was too cold outside, but this would be a great spot for a long dinner some summer night.

    (4)

  • Tina N.

    We had a groupon for this place & it was near the expiration so the reservations were made & we were off. Seated and greeted right away at a high top near a window in the bar area. I really liked the vibe of it. Moving on.. I ordered the red baron & although it was good, it tasted like a sweet tart.. That's not really what I was looking for but whatevs. We shared the cheese plate & enjoyed it. For dinner, I had the lobster risotto... there were a few shells here and there & although it was good, it didn't blow me away, you know? All in all our first visit was successful. We will see what the next one brings.

    (4)

  • Jamie H.

    I had been wanting to go here for a LONG time; Groupon had a deal so I bought it...then promptly forgot about it and the Groupon expired. I was still able to use the $25 it cost and put it towards the bill. Luckily! My boyfriend and I came on Wednesday night, around 7:45. He made reservations just in case, and we got in right away and were seated and greeted. Our server was very nice and knowledgable, the other staff was also very courteous. My boyfriend had two old fashioned, both of which he said were good. I tried the Something "Manly" first. It was OK, but I wasn't crazy about it. My second drink was the Peacock Tail. Again I thought it was just OK. I drank them up, no problem, but I wouldn't have ordered them again. As for the food, we started with mac and cheese...it was phenomenal. After a good amount of time (not right away) our meals came out. I got the fried chicken. It was nice and crispy, a little dry, but very delicious. My boyfriend got the Porkchop. He liked it, but was not a fan of the creamed peas. I took his leftovers and had them for lunch the next day, it was at least as good if not better the second time around...and I actually really liked the peas! I really liked the atmosphere of The Southern, cartoons were on one of the TV's so we thought that was odd...but it didn't bother me at all! I would like to come back and sit outside, and try more of the food!

    (4)

  • Erin M.

    The service here was legitimately laughable. We decided to grab a few drinks here while we waited for our table at Big Star to be ready. We sat down outdoors & were NEVER approached by a waiter. We asked the hostess and a few waiters several times if we could be served and were going to place a small appetizer order along with drinks. Still 2 hours later & we had to go up to the bar every time to get a new drink. There were multiple tables who got up & left after they were seated because no waiter helped them. I will never be coming back here & the two star review is solely because the bartender kicked ass-as he was the only one working who seemed to care about the patrons.

    (2)

  • Andrew D.

    If you are tough enough to walk past the filth associated with the 6 corners: gutter punks, garbage flying, panhandling homeless, hipsters who have apparently never heard of a shower, etc., you'll find one of my favorite joints in Wicker Park! It seems a lot of the nicer joints in Wicker are found past the main drag of garbage. Despite there being a consistent flow of people, the Southern is still amazing enough to their customers to routinely offer a Groupon for one of the best brunches in the entire city! Not only does their chef possess a certain ingenuity in crafting his southern inspired menu, but the food is fresh and delicious. I'd stick with savory dishes for brunch: the various varietals of hashes offered seasonally, the fried chicken benedict is arguably the best brunch dish I've ever had, and the mac & cheese is amongst the best in the city (see Ted Brunson's segment on Chicago's Best). Food is a slam dunk. The bartenders also know what's up. Solid craft cocktails that don't overwhelm with an overbearing menu make for an easy drinking experience. Also, they offer a shot and beer special every night of the week that isn't your usual industry-standard Jamo/PBR (yawn). For $6, I can have a shot of quality bourbon or rye (can't remember the brand...) with a solid craft, Lousiana's own Abita Jockamo IPA. What a deal! For brunch, the house made bloody mix hits the spot impeccably, and is inclusive with their awesome Groupon deal. To round out the 5 stars, this place is aesthetically pleasing, reminiscent of a Savannah patio in the middle of a lovely summer day. Have yet to have anything close to a bad experience here. Make OpenTable reservations for brunch, as it gets packed.

    (5)

  • Bao L.

    I came here for dinner w/ a group of 14 on a Saturday night, and they were able to accommodate us easily upstairs at a huge table. The atmosphere at The Southern is definitely a fun one - we were enjoying ourselves, and all of the other parties seemed to be having a good time as well. -Maple bacon manhattan: this was a good drink, albeit a little on the sweet side. My only gripe is that, if it weren't for the bacon garnish, you couldn't even tell that there was any bacon in the drink (not even w/ the "house infused bacon bourbon"). A friend of mine also ordered this and he thought the same thing. -Fried chicken sandwich: delicious! The entire piece of chicken was juicy and moist (seriously, not a single bite was dry). There was just the right amount of batter and it had a great crunch to it. The aioli was on point, and the fries were crispy and nicely salted. I think our party ordered most of the items on the menu. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food and no one really complained about any of the dishes. Unfortunately I can't comment specifically on the other food items, since I was too busy stuffing my face with my fried chicken sandwich to try them...oops. Note: the cornbread and honey butter isn't sold separately as a side, as it only comes w/ the fried chicken entree. I was really looking forward to trying it, since I've heard great things about it. Sadly, though, the fried chicken entree was sold out that night so I didn't get a chance to try the cornbread and honey butter.

    (4)

  • David B.

    I hesitated to give The Southern three stars, but decided to do so because the food was not consistent enough to merit four stars. I went with three friends from work and we got a lot of food - that's how I know that their menu is hit or miss. Fried chicken - excellent! With a good biscuit, too. Baby back ribs - pretty good too Hush puppies - very disappointing; pretty bland Fried green tomatoes - good I'm blanking on one other item that we shared that was so-so. The food is not bad, and most things were fine if not great. But I don't want to have to wonder whether the items will be good or not. The other reason I stand behind my 3 is that I give that to restaurants where the food is good but I'm not pining to go back. That's where I give out 4's - great food, and it's worth getting that type of food in that place. In Chicago, plenty of other places to get the same quality of fried chicken and other Southern meals. And plenty of places to get BETTER.

    (3)

  • Diana J.

    Beautiful outdoor patio with white string lights, indoor seating had open walls to the patio which I love! Brunch is excellent and not too crowded on a Saturday morning. I had the fried chicken Benedict which is two HUGE boneless thigh pieces on a split biscuit with poached egg and hollandaise sauce that was on point! Sweet potato hash rounded out the meal. I could only finish one! Bf's steak hash was also very good with a refreshing citrus sauce. Will return!

    (4)

  • Christi R.

    Went there last night with a friend and loved it! We had a Groupon, and ordered the mussels to share, we each had the lobster risotto, and we share a bottle of the red zinfandel (which was an excellent recommendation from our server). Everything was excellent from the food to the service to the atmosphere. The one thing change I would make would be more healthy options on the menu. While I loved everything we had, it was a caloric splurge, so I doubt I'll go often.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth W.

    The Southern isn't as good as it use to be. It took almost an hour for my husband and I to get any service. It wasn't even busy! The brunch burger ($16) was very bland and the fried chicken benedict ($14) was over-salted.

    (1)

  • Kelly A.

    When I'm craving food with a Southern flare, The Southern is always on my radar along with Big Jones. I've been here a handful of times over the past few years and always end up satisfied with both the food and the ambiance. That said, if you haven't been to The Southern in awhile it's worth noting that the menu has recently changed. At first I was skeptical to see some of my standby favorites (Shrimp & Grits and crab cakes) no longer on the brunch menu, but it turns out that skepticism was unwarranted. My boyfriend and I recently went for brunch and had Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, the Steak Eggs Benedict and Mac & Cheese with Sausage and everything was delicious. It is worth noting that brunch-time can be crowded around game time so if you don't want to wait it's worth getting a reservation. It's also worth noting that if you plan to watch the game, not every seat is in line of sight of the TVs. Love it here!

    (5)

  • Michelle S.

    I had a groupon for this spot and made a 1p reservation (not sure what regular waiting time is for brunch--though something tells me long because it was busy). I got there with my friend and got seated immediately in their upstairs level. I got the Fried Chicken Benedict and it was AMAZE-BALLS!!! Hearty servings of comfort food is never a bad thing. 1 Bloody Mary and 1 Mimosa--they weren't anything special but the food more than made up for it. Service was okay--we didn't get checked on as much as other places. Con: TVs. Come on, really?? Nice place, good food and then a patron asks to put on some college basketball game and there goes the chill ambiance for everyone else. This is not a sports bar. Blah. I'll go back though...for the food and cool-looking environment. p.s. Parking is a pain... then again, it's Wicker Park.

    (4)

  • Justin B.

    Came in for the Groupon deal for brunch. Of the two brunch dishes we tried, the biscuits and gravy were terrible but the pork hash was serviceable. This place is much better when it comes to cocktails or watching games upstairs on the covered patio. Our server was great and the food came out very, very fast...just wish it had tasted a little better!

    (2)

  • Raph V.

    I don't know why the reviews are so bad, but here's mine. My wife and I groupon'd this place for a nice little date on a Friday night. It wasn't too busy so we were seated right away. I choose the pork and beans for our appetizer she had the chicken and I picked the lobster roll. All and all good food, excellent service, and fair prices.

    (4)

  • Meredith K.

    I met a friend after work for an early dinner. We met at 6 on a week night and were the ONLY people in the restaurant. People started to roll in around 6:30 for their after work beverage and dinner. We split the macaroni and cheese as an app (delicious it was a special with chorizo) and I had the chopped salad for dinner. The salad had a ton of veggies with chicken and ran on the bigger side but I did manage to finish the salad. I love the open feel of the restaurant with the windows open on the first floor. I have heard great things about the upstairs area but it was closed when I went. A great place to grab a drink or dinner, very casual and great prices.

    (4)

  • Alex L.

    The food was delicious and service excellent. The Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict was the best part. Don't forget to get an Apple Fritter to satisfy your sweet tooth.

    (5)

  • Shaun S.

    Came here using a groupon for dinner and an appetizer. Ordered the hog fries and they were really good! Actually...that was the best part of our dinner. The chicken was moist...a tad bit greasy but very moist. The shrimp and grits were awful...tasted light microwave grits with ketchup.

    (2)

  • Hannah C.

    Really, this is a 3.5 star review. A few things you should know: 1. The menu is tiny, because this is really more of a bar than a restaurant (although don't tell that to the packed dinner crowd - you will need reservations at peak times, although you can sometimes get a seat at the bar). 2. Their drink selection is erratic. One member of our group had to go four rounds with the waitress before he managed to name a whiskey from their list that they actually had in stock. (He did this by going to the bar and looking at bottles because clearly the list was useless.) 3. Their non-whiskey options are pretty thin, both on the cocktail side and on the straight side. 4. That said, the food we got was actually really good! Mac and cheese appetizer was very tasty and brisket was delicious and perfectly cooked. If you see a food item you like and are willing to have a bit of variety in your drinks, go ahead and try to get a table!

    (3)

  • J. A. L.

    I'm a sucker for southern food and whiskey cocktails - The Southern did not disappoint! We had the mac n cheese (with breadcrumbs!), hush puppies, the vegetarian risotto, and a yummy arugula salad. We loved everything and could not finish it all. The "snack" portions were way bigger than anticipated, in the best kind of way. The hush puppies were were so plentiful it could have been my entire meal! I also had a few great regular Manhattans with rye whiskey and my friend had a few maple/bacon Manhattans. Overall we were very pleased. Yes the front patio is right on North Ave but that makes for done good people watching. I'll be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Sara P.

    The biscuits and gravy here are incredible. I ordered them with sunny side up eggs on top for breakfast. Yum yum. The sausage gravy is so creamy and filled with sausage and the biscuits are freshly baked and amazingly flaky. With the yolks running through everything and my coffee on the side, I could have not asked for a better brunch. Not my first time here and definitely not my last.

    (4)

  • Pari P.

    Before I begin, I'm letting you know that I go to Memphis every 4th of July so my standards for southern cuisine are high. Basically, The Southern offers excellent southern cuisine if you have never been to the south. If you're originally from Chicago and tried deep dish pizza outside of Illinois, then you'll know that there is always something a bit off about it. It's kind of like that with The Southern. Although they had all of the staples like fried chicken, collard greens, biscuits and gravy, and corn bread, I was a bit disappointed. The chicken was crispy and juicy but lacked the level of seasoning a good fried chicken should have by southern standards. The biscuits and cornbread were dry and the gravy was too thick and clumpy. I was expecting more based on everyone's reviews and their price point. After waiting almost an hour for the food and the bill coming out to $25 a person for the fried chicken dinner, I won't be back anytime soon. If I do, I'll try something else on their menu. Otherwise, the service was fine and I can see how the venue would be great for drinks in the summertime.

    (3)

  • Lauren S.

    Great meal for the price! If you love fries/food/humanity/joy in life...ORDER THE HOG FRIES!!!!! They're seriously amazing. I also recommend the pimento burger and half chicken....also have a great selection of whiskey if that's what you're into

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Great food, friendly service, and I got a sazerac that reminded me why I love sazeracs. I'm not a big fried chicken guy, but my wife's order tasted like the platonic ideal I have in my head for what it should taste like. Massive whiskey selection (I got Journeyman Ravenswood Rye in my cocktail). Portions are big enough for take-home leftovers. A bit pricey--we went with a Groupon--but I think we'll return.

    (4)

  • B A.

    Summary: Pros: Good food, especially the lobster risotto, fried chicken, and hush puppies. Nice take on southern comfort food. Wait staff was very friendly. :-) Cons: Music was a little loud for conversation. Food came out warm but not hot, as though it may have been sitting a while. Long gaps between visits from wait staff to take order/bring bill, etc. Mac & cheese was not good. Price for lobster risotto was a little high in my opinion ($27). All things considered, the cons are not a big deal, which is why I still gave it 4 stars. I'm glad I had a Groupon which made the cost a non-factor this visit, but without it my bill 2 entrees, 2 apps and one drink came up to $74.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    Best risotto I've ever had. Friendly staff, great cocktails.

    (5)

  • J. K.

    We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Waitress should look for another job, being a server was not her cup of tea. But I won't let it detract from food. This was their first night serving mussels. What a great rendition with delicious corn bread for dipping. Very fresh too. Lobster roll was great. Large chunks of lobster not overpowered by garnishes. Delicious grilled bread. Skirt steak was prepared properly and it was good but the dish was a bit lukewarm. Great beer and wine.

    (4)

  • Hai D.

    Service was horrible! The waiter never filled our drinks or even asked us how our food was, and it took 1hr for us to get our food!

    (1)

  • Roger G.

    I am with a small group and one of the parties is gluten free. When we first walked in we had a few options and decided to pass. One of the managers, Ben, followed us out and offered additional options. His perseverance and belief in his restaurant's ability to please us won me as a customer for life. Kudos. Anyone who works anywhere, have pride in what you do and where you do it. It matters.

    (5)

  • Joshua C.

    Good food, service was slow this past trip but the servers were friendly and sufficient. The restaurant wasnt't that crowded but it seem like after our Mac & Cheese came out, it took 20 min or so for the Entrees to arrive. Then when we wanted to pay our bill to leave our server took a while to cash us out.

    (4)

  • Maria A.

    I was here about a year and a half ago and loved it, so my expectations were high when we came with a friend to celebrate his birthday... but the Southern did not deliver. This place is kind of hard to review, since the food was really very good (we ordered some crepes, burger and deviled eggs for brunch), but service was SO.SLOW. Our server even shared she was sorry they did not have cream at hand for when they brought coffee, and that she'd have to find "something to put it in" and bring it to us. Not OK. The beignet we ordered took really long too, the reason being "we were waiting for a box of them to arrive". That, to me, says a lot about how this place is run. It was kind of empty too, even for Sunday brunch, so it's hard to wrap your head around how slow the service was. I sadly do no think I'll be returning anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Sonia B.

    The Southern is doing it right! We randomly came here for dinner last Friday night without reservations, and thankfully their bar upstairs is full service, so we decided to go for it. Our bartender/server was super nice, and very helpful as it was my first time there. I had the Fried Chicken along with the 8 Legged Cider. I would highly recommend both. The Fried Chicken was delicious and generously portioned. It could easily be taken home for leftovers. The 8 Legged Cider was also very good, and generous with the booze! My husband had the Pimento Burger with Mashed Potatoes. He loved it, as well. He also had the Maple Bacon Manhattan. Again, really tasty and boozy. I would love to come back when it's warmer to enjoy their beautiful patio. All in all, we were big fans of The Southern!

    (5)

  • Johnny E.

    Extremely great service! They were able to accommodate a fairly large party very quickly when the online order fell through. Alette is a great individual to work with.

    (5)

  • Susan K.

    My husband made reservations here for Mother's Day dinner with his 89 year old mother, and our family, which totaled five. When we arrived, the restaurant was not at all full, and the hostess lead us to a table with high bar seats by the door. I asked politely that since my tiny mother in law would not be comfortable at that table, if we could please be seated at a different table. She very rudely made the comment, " well I guess so, however we had that table reserved for another party, and you should have asked when you made the reservation." I was shocked at how rude she was. I had no clue given this was our first time at the restaurant that I should need to ask for a table without bar stool seats. This set the pace for the rest of the night. I am a southerner, from the south east, the home of the original shrimp and grits recipes. I ordered this, and it was very meh.... as was the rest of the food. We spent a goodly amount of money and we were polite during the experience. However, we asked to speak with the manager at the end of our meal, as the experience of the hostess was still lingering, and a big party never did come in and sit down. We told him, and all he said was, yes, they were expecting a larger party which never showed up, and gee, he was sorry... next time he give us a free drink on the house. Wow. There will not be a next time. I will say our waiter was very informational about the cocktails and did up-sell us on expensive liquor. It was overall an unpleasant experience and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone based primarily on the service and nonchalant attitude of the management. The food, too, is mediocre. Take if from a true foodie southerner.

    (1)

  • David M.

    This was my second time at The Southern and tonight wasn't quite up to par. First I couldn't get a straight up martini. I was given vodka on the rocks, which isn't what I asked for, and then I was given the drink in a champagne glass. I gave up and told them to just give it to me on the rocks. They do not have martini glasses apparently. Our server was nice, but if we needed him we had to flag him down every time. He never checked back to see how our food was. Usually the fried chicken dinner is amazing, but tonight my friend said it was very salty, and it wasn't the coating, it was the actual meat that seemed way too salty. The first time we dined there the mashed potatoes were ice cold, and sure enough, they were ice cold tonight too. They must use a piping bag that isn't kept hot. Fortunately the food is amazing, so that would get me back again. But they need to stay on it and work on their customer service. The lock in the men's room is broken, so I walked in on someone, and then someone walked in on me. My first visit was 100%, tonight was more of a 70% kind of night. I was surprised that with all of the issues that the server never had the manager come over. To top things off, I had made the reservation on Open Table and the hostess didn't confirm it when we got there, even though I asked her if she did. I got home and sure enough, she did not. So I lose points for her mistake. It will show up as me being a no show. I don't know...I was just very disappointed tonight.

    (4)

  • Catherine P.

    This underwhelming score is mostly due to the awkward/cold service we received when we dined at The Southern recently. I arrived early and the place was practically empty. I was greeted by a manager who said "is there something I can do for you?" As I approached the hostess stand. I was caught off guard and it made me thing the place was closed or something. When I said there would be two of us dining he rushed ahead of me, slapped menus down, and walk away... All of this before I had even made it over to the table. Sheesh!!! My friend and I ordered a salad, cornbread, chowder, and the gumbo. All of the food was great and the portions were just fine. I wish my friend had mentioned she would be avoiding all deep fried, southern cheesy goodness on the menu and I would have suggested going someplace else. The appetizers and po boys sounded great. Perhaps this was just a fluke of strange service but it will make me think twice about returning here, even on an SEC game day.

    (3)

  • Nat Z.

    I've had a few pretty solid experiences at the Southern, but I understand a lot of the less positive reviews. Why not five stars? Well, their barbecue is decent but it certainly isn't outstanding. You'd be better off at Lillie's Q. I had decent luck with the fried chicken but, again, not amay-zay-zing. The review that commented that it's southern cuisine with a Wicker Park twist was pretty spot-on. Or whatever Southern cuisine is for these Yankees, but it's solid. In other news, I had a pretty amazing salad. They also have a good drink list and a nice bar, and the servers are charming.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    So while I give it a 5 star, there's some downers. Sitting upstairs in the winter is sort of a hot cold thing as the heating tries to keep things balanced. Looks like it's an open area in the summer and they close it in for the winter (or so it appears). Also was a bit odd to get a martini in a rocks glass, but hey...alcohol is alcohol right? Finally as our group of 11 exited, we were out in the courtyard for about 30 seconds before someone walked over and said "you guys, thanks for coming but we don't allow people to hang out here". My guess is that neighbors have complained about the noise. Granted we were not planning on hanging out but were just gathering everyone together and deciding where to go next. All of those negatives don't really compete with the food, which was awesome. The one odd part of a dish that I went back and forth on was the cornbread. Normally I'm used to it being pretty sweet...and here it was not very sweet at all. I didn't like it at first, but then after tasting a variety of the dishes I didn't mind it. The dishes are certainly "hearty" and plentiful. If anyone calls this "southern comfort food", then they are lying to you. The only comfort you will have after eating the food is if you lay down after for a few hours. The reality is if you ate just a little bit...then it might be a "comfort", but it's quite good so you want to go ahead and just have one more bite, or ten or whatever. The foods I liked: Just about everything on the apps menu as well as the fries I tried from someones burger order. The only thing that I was a bit "meh" about were the hush puppies. Filling, not a lot of flavor. They're ok I guess.

    (5)

  • Paloma C.

    I want to like this place, I really, really do. I have been to the Southern countless times and each time, somehow, I'm disappointed. I should note that I live in the area and love the idea of sitting outside during the warm months with my friends, kicking back with some drinks and food and just enjoying ourselves. The location is perfec and I was so excited when they opened but it seems like they're missing something. I thought there was suposed to be a southern vibe, so I'd expect some nice old-timey, twangy county music to play instead of the repetitive, top 40 radio that they insist on blaring. I've also been disappointed by the service; it's slow, and often disconnected. The staff all seem to be good friends.. to the point where they're too busy hanging out to do their jobs. I've seen servers just standing around and talking, clearly ignoring their customers. Food is brought out cold and sad. I haven't really enjoyed much that I've tried here, aside from some awesome cheese grits that I had ONCE, which were then taken off the menu and replaced with some herb grits that had absolutely zero flavor. Same can be said about the mac and cheese. Honestly, I'm suprised with such steep competition right down the street that people even eat here. Am I missing something? I will say this though: the maple bacon bourbon Manhattan is the shinning star and through it all, remains the one reason that I'll drag myself in. Served neat or on ice, this cocktail does not disappoint. They soak bacon in the bourbon so that it imparts such a delicious, rich flavor..not to mention they top it off with a nice slice of thick - cut bacon. Tasty treat but at $14 a pop, they're not the cheapest. I'd say, skip the grub, stay for the drinks.

    (2)

  • Buttermilk P.

    The food here was good, but nothing special. My wife had the salmon and it didn't taste like much. I had the fried chicken and it was it was very juicy. The chicken came with three small dollops of mashed taters, collard greens underneath, and a small wedge of cornbread. The salmon was served with slices of grapefruit, some sort of grapefruit bubble stuff, white asparagus and radishes. We also ordered the mac and cheese. We agreed that if we ever come back we will both get the chicken or one of us will try the shrimp and grits. One and done on the salmon. The space is nicely appointed and the servers were very nice, but when we arrived they had most of their doors flung open and one garage-styled door rolled up as well. The wind was gusting up to 30 mph and it was chilly inside. But instead of asking the staff to close the doors, the other diners simply acted like they didn't care and sat around shivering with their coats on. We asked them if they could close the doors and they obliged, especially after noticing how cold people really were. This wasn't surprising given the general tenor of the patrons here. They seemed to be the type to stare at you if you take home your leftovers, while they simply leave half their food on the table. Our bill came to $50. $50 for some fried chicken, mac n cheese and a fairly tasteless piece of fish. Thank goodness we had a Groupon, cause this wuh'nt no $50 wuff-a food. You wonder how everyone on the north side lives in a million-dollar condo and drives a BMW? Here's your answer. Two-and-a-half stars.

    (3)

  • Cindy P.

    The Southern will be a great place to hang out this summer, but we were seated upstairs and although heat was piped in, were pretty cold and left our jackets on for most of our dinner. Cheese plate was great, but they were out of the wine we ordered...expanding the wine selection would be nice. We both ordered the Berkshire pork and my pet peeve is when your dish arrives and your server still hasn't brought appropriate serving utensils to the table. Hey, we've been waiting for our dinner for 30 min, and you haven't had a chance to bring something more substantial than a butter knife to the table? About 10 minutes after dinner was served, by a runner not our server, she came by and didn't seem at all concerned that we didn't have anything to cut our chops with. The chops were good, but by then we were a tad annoyed with the service. Then we ordered dessert and it took so long to come out they comped one. All in all, the food was good but it felt like our service was more on par with what you'd find at a bar, not what you'd hope for when spending $24 on an entree. But if all you want are drinks and a great patio, summer's right around the corner.

    (3)

  • Tiffany H.

    Do I went with two friends on a week night. The ambiance was nice however the food was basic. I was looking for some great southern classics. They had them but in a upscale fashion. The noise level was moderate and the service was nice.

    (3)

  • Courtney G.

    Went to the southern on a Saturday night without a reservation. Hostess was friendly and got us a table within 30 minutes. Atmosphere was very nice, Mac and cheese was to die for! Had the pimento burger as an entree and it was very tasty. Mashed potatoes were horribly bland, but once I added salt and pepper it was all good. Would definitely come back here. Above average food with great service.

    (4)

  • Dan M.

    The food was cooked, served warm by a prompt employee of the business. Other than that, I was disappointed For a restaurant that advertises a southern, comfort food style menu, it was a far cry from it. Yes they had biscuits and gravy, fried chicken, mac & cheese, etc. But those items weren't nearly as delicious or comforting as a hole-in-the-wall diner serving up the same foods. Food was overpriced and bland. I didn't have any drinks other than an iced tea that took 15 mins to get. Skip this place and go across the street to Piece Pizza.

    (1)

  • S t.

    Fabulous brunch food and our server was great! Definitely going back very soon. Was surprisingly pleased.

    (5)

  • K O.

    Three stars because I still think this place has potential after a couple frustrating experiences. Two out of the three times I've been, it seemed like they were understaffed. Also had a weird experience with the hostess. We arrived at about 8 pm. The patio was full, so we asked if there was anything inside and she told us it would be a little wait. But there were so many empty tables. We opted out of waiting. Then my friend looked online and saw they were on Open Table. So he made a reservation for 8 pm and we went back up to the hostess and she seated us. I wasn't sure what the reason or logic was for not seating us in the first place. Besides the slow service, and the awkward seating situation, the food is OK (big plates). Their cocktails are delicious and I really really love the patio. I would suggest coming here for drinks and try to sit on the patio if it's a nice day!

    (3)

  • Benjamin J.

    This place has some great southern comfort food within a nice atmosphere conducive for those preferring to dine inside or out! I went there with a group of 10 on a Saturday night (made reservations ahead of time) and some of us arrived a bit earlier than our reservation. Regardless they sat us quickly and brought us drinks as we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. I had an old-fashioned made with Bulleit Bourbon which was good, but nothing more. We ordered several appetizers including the Cheese Plate, Mac N Cheese, Nashville Hot Wings, Hushpuppies, and Cornbread and Collards. Everyone LOVED the Hushpuppies and Hot Wings and I thought the Collards were great although the cornbread was just slightly too dry. For dinner I had the Lobster Roll which was buttery and the bread had a great crispy outside and doughy inside which was delightful. This was the first time I had ordered a Lobster Roll and was surprised to find the Lobster to be nearly cool in the middle. Maybe this is how they are supposed to be served but I was expecting buttery warm juices. Other meals I sampled were the Pork Belly, Shrimp and Grits, and Fried Chicken. All of which were fantastic! The carrot polenta was an excellent compliment to the braised pork and the Fried Chicken was lightly battered (not overly greasy) for a nice crunch with some of the juiciest, most tender meat on the inside (10/10!). And how can you go wrong with the Shrimp & Grits? (Hint: you cant). Overall, a fine experience for a large group, accommodating and attentive staff within a great section of Wicker Park.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    What a fantastic meal this place serves!!! Talk about southern hospitality located in the heart of Chicago!!! This place is in my top ten best experiences I have ever had in A restaurant! Everyone should come here!!!

    (5)

  • Cory G.

    FANTASTIC!!!! Had original brunch reservations at Another restaurant, that we waited 45 mins after reservation time, when we decided to come here and get a table instantly. We were sat upstairs at a great table with great service. Had a wonderful time with great friends and cocktails. Food was fantastic, the breakfast macaroni was amazing. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Melissah L.

    Came here on a whim with my boyfriend and was not too impressed. They were out of fried chicken AND collard greens. It's a Southern restaurant. They were out of FRIED CHICKEN and COLLARD GREENS. Come on. We ordered the poutine, the mac and cheese and the catfish sandwich (which came with a side of potatoes). Literally none of it was good. The poutine had been left sitting out, I could tell because the cheese was cooled and not melt-y anymore. This was probably the best dish we had, but still it was not that good. The mac and cheese was not good. I don't know what any of the other reviewers were talking about-- it tasted like boxes mac and cheese with panko on top. And the catfish sandwich was awful, you get a paper thin catfish filet which is drowned in some mayo sauce. I checked between the bread at one point to make sure I actually had a filet in there. Womp. Mashed potatoes had a weird tangy flavor that I didn't like. Even my Diet Coke was flat. The up side of all of this is that my boyfriend and I ate dinner for ~$36. But I would not recommend coming here, try a better Southern restaurant.

    (2)

  • Michael C.

    Unfortunate circumstances at my visit to the southern. My girlfriend and I decided to try dinner here for our three year, and also because I love fried chicken. After seeing the glowing reviews about southern comfort food here, I was anticipating a fantastic experience here. It is unfortunate that when we arrived, our waitress notified us that there were no more fried chicken sandwiches as brunch was crazy that day and they were all out of them. So I asked myself, "why are we still here?" But my girlfriend and I agreed to try some other things on the menu. We started off with the poutine which had nice homemade fries in gravy topped with cheese. It was a good starter dish and very filling! The flavor of cheese used was fantastic, however it must have been sitting out for awhile because it was not very melty and was lukewarm. Entrees were next and my girlfriend had the mac and cheese while I had the catfish po boy and a side of mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious and the mac and cheese had a nice balance of crisp breadcrumb to macaroni, though I wish it were a bit cheesier. My catfish po boy was well seasoned and filling, but nothing spectacular. Really sad I came here at this time, and it makes me worry that I might have to call places to see if they still have food available.

    (3)

  • Brianna W.

    Dear Brunch Burger, You have changed my life. You're the best burger I've ever had. I just have to take the cheese you come with and swap it for goat cheese. Cause it's just better. Also, your friends, French fries. They're so good as well, I add goat cheese to them too. Something about the goat cheese that just makes everything 100 times better. Okay, I've been here for brunch, lunch and dinner. I have had quite a few servers. I've tried a couple drinks. I keep going back cause everything is so great. They have drink specials that are reasonable, but I don't come here to drink. I come for the great food. You will not be disappointed, especially if you have the brunch burger.

    (5)

  • Michelangelo V.

    Honest review went here because i love southern food it was over priced n not good n the service was horrible its more of a bar type of place with no special drinks like how could a southern restaurant not have good fried chicken trust me when i say that it is not worth coming here

    (1)

  • Evelyn B.

    went here yesterday with my girlfriends for dinner and fell in love! The atmosphere when you walk in is warm and casual, youthful yet elegant. we were seated immediately, it was a rainy tuesday night but there were several groups there. The cocktail list is short but the drinks seem very detailed and customized. we didn't order any but i definitely will next time. we ordered the fried chicken, mac and cheese, hush puppies, shrimp and grits, and a side order of collard greens. everything to share. when I say everything was delicious, EVERYTHING was delicious. the "snacks" (mac and cheese and hush puppies) are large enough to share. we left full and satisfied, definitely will go back!

    (5)

  • Beena D.

    Came here with a Groupon, and left so so so so soooo impressed. All the classic comforts of the South are elevated into a world-class presentation of balanced textures and flavors. If you're not the type to pick up on nuances in flavor and texture, then the entire menu will seem overpriced. But if you can appreciate stuff like that, it's worth every penny. Atmosphere is nice, and servers are just as nice, too.

    (5)

  • Angie K.

    I've been to The Southern for a private rehearsal brunch, a regular brunch, dinner and post-dinner drinks. Every time I've been, I've had an awesome time. The restaurant itself is great in both the cold and summer months and the rooftop is an awesome spot in Wicker Park. The restaurant consists of 2 floors, but usually the second is open in warmer months or when it's really really packed. There's dark wood tables and walls and really taps into the whole "South" theme while maintaining a classy look. I think it's a Mis U bar. I saw a huge crowd of people wearing red and screaming at the TVs on a big game and that was cool. It's a pretty varied space so it can take on and accomodate all kinds of moods or events. I've always been seated promptly (reservations recommended) and had great customer service. I've had their crab cakes (to die for), french toast, mac and cheese (of course), biscuits and sampled a bunch of their whiskeys. On some nights of the week (Tuesdays, I think), they have live music which is actually good. My fiance loves the drink with the piece of bacon in it and they have every type of fancy liquor under the sun. This place is good for families, couples, friends or college kids. Food and drinks are great and I definitely can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Lucy C.

    Though the circumstances by which I found myself at The Southern is a story in itself, I'm really glad I got the opportunity to hit up this place. The service was sooo phenomenal; our server knew the menu (and whiskey!) well and was able to offer great suggestions while frequently checking up on us to make sure we're liking everything. Here are the things I liked: Drinks: Millstone for sure, if you're a fan of scotch. I also liked the good, the bad, the whisk(e)y which is made with a ginger liqueur. The guys got the maple bacon manhattan which is literally served with a slice of bacon. It was smooth and smokey, but not really what I was feeling that evening. Food: I had the chicken thigh sandwich with crispy sunchokes as my side. The sandwich made all the boys at my table drool so I cut up half of it and shared. Despite that, my half a sandwich was plenty to keep me full and soak up all the booze I was about to consume. The sunchokes were also great-- light and crispy and not too greasy! I definitely do not regret trying them rather than going with my typical side of fries. We also got the bread pudding to share for dessert. If I wasn't so full, I would have gobbled that stuff up! The ambiance was also fantastic. Though we were a party of three, they seated us in one of the big, back booths. It allowed us to chat with ease despite it being pretty loud. My only complaint is that there is only one bathroom stall in that ladies room. General rule: if you're going to serve alcohol, you need more than one toilet. But at least I got to chat with some cool ladies while waiting in line.

    (4)

  • Julia D.

    Skip the food and stick to the drink options. Good outdoor space and nice intimate interior. Great place for groups and private parties with an upstairs area that can be rented out. Bartenders are always friendly and take their time making great cocktails.

    (3)

  • Marlene D.

    I absolutely love this place. I will say if we hadn't purchased a deal through groupon, I'm not sure we would have stopped by because it's a little hidden. Our deal included a snack and two entrees, and it was well worth it. To make it easy here's a list of pros & cons. Pros: 1. Easy to access from the Damen CTA stop 2. Amazing staff and service 3. One of the most delicious meals I've had in Chicago. The chef is a true culinary genius. I ordered the pork chop with baby carrots & creamed peas. It was brilliant! We also got the Mac & Cheese for our snack and it was seriously to die for! Cons: My only criticism is that it's a little small so the tables are close. It's only a problem if you happen to be seated next to a loud talker, but otherwise it's an awesome place and I'd highly recommend it. We will be repeat customers for sure.

    (5)

  • Val S.

    Dined at The Southern, had Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp n Grits, collard greens, all as good as I have had in South Carolina. Plus our server Jessica was a delight, wish all my servers were like her. Addressed every need we asked for......She gets 5 stars too

    (5)

  • Megan W.

    The food really is hit or miss. We got the French toast and it was aesthetically gorgeous; however making it out of a thin baguette made it almost impossible to cut and we could only eat the middle third of the bread. Tenderloin hash was pretty good. The crown jewel of my life was the fried chicken eggs Benedict. Seriously only get that when you come here you don't need anything else

    (4)

  • Jesse T.

    Brunch is easily 5 stars, the best I've had in Chicago. Dinner is 4 stars. I liked things that weren't Southern the best; the fried chicken and barbecue is *good* but not great. The bourbon list is awesome, though, and the staff is VERY helpful. All in all, I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Margaret G.

    We were disappointed - in the menu and the food. Everything we had was just so-so.

    (2)

  • Emily W.

    The food isn't my thing, but I've had some OK dishes--a little too heavy to eat on a regular basis. Usually, I just stop in for an afternoon cocktail on a weekend. Service is generally pretty friendly, although their wine lists aren't always updated, and the bartenders don't know much about what's on the list. I understand it's a whisky/beer kind of place, but if you're going to serve wine, it's reasonable to expect that the bartenders and servers will know a little something about the stuff on the list. Minor point, but worth noting.

    (3)

  • Amanda M.

    Food is great. And for that I will give 3 stars. I wished so much for this restaurant. I moved from Texas to Chicago a year ago and have been wanting to try this place for the longest time. My boyfriend got a groupon for this place. I work with groupon every day. I know to tip the full amount if not more. Anyway. We got to southern. There were two other tables besides us on a Monday evening. We ordered drinks immediately. Our waiter was a guy called Mellons. Mellons asked us what we wanted for our snack and dinner. We ordered Mac and cheese. A burger and short rib. An HOUR later we got our food. No refills on alcohol or water. No "snack" We simply got our entree from another guy we had never seen before. Every time Mellons had walked by to speak to us, he smelled like a fresh cigarette. If you have all of this time to smoke why not come see if your only table needs water or the appetizer they ordered? Anyway. Like I said, the food was delicious. We ate. After our meal, Mellons popped back over and inquired if we needed anything else. We mentioned that we never got our "snack" we ordered. After he apologized profusely that it was his "bad" he insisted that he buy us dessert. I watched the clock. 10 min passed and he came back with a bag and questioned us. "did you guys order Mac and cheese to go!??" I was stunned. I asked "You're kidding right?" He wasn't joking. He was dead serious. Within 10 min he had completely forgot his mistakes, dessert etc and was asking why we wanted to take Mac and cheese Togo. Fast forward. We get the check. We were charged for this dessert he offered us. We were charged for Mac and cheese we never got. Fast forward and 10 seconds of stern words, the entire bill was taken care of. I wanted more from this place so much. I just want to warn those that may come here expecting more. I have been warned about coming here and maybe that is why they launched the groupon. Anyway. Food is great. Maybe another server would be tremendous and make this a 5 star place. Try it out at least for the food quality but expect your waiter or waitress to be pretty awful.

    (3)

  • julie q.

    We still come here. We still love sitting at the bar. I still think it's overpriced. But - what the hey. We did have a groupon for one shared and two entrees. So we came for dinner. We had the cheese plate - that was a good value. Big ol chunks of goat, blue, and cheddar? and good cranberry jam and fruit. Husbo had the shrimp and grits. It was super good. I don't even like grits and I was stealing fork fulls from him. I went off the beaten path and got the artic char. It was great tasting but a little too frou-frou for a place that calls itself the southern (I'm KY bred...I can say that). Would I get it again? Probably because the brussel sprouts always call my name. The beers are always cold and different. I got the white manhattan - If you're not a fan of overly sweet things skip this one. The bacon manhattan is better. Had a bit of a money situation with the bartender but nothing that was terrible. I'll still come back and pay for overpriced food and bloody marys that are really fantastic but should be $5 on Sundays.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Nice beer garden! Had the pulled pork sandwich and it was very good. Fries are also really good. Great spot and friendly staff

    (4)

  • Monique D.

    I really wanted to like the Southern, but bad service forced me to give this place two stars. My boyfriend and I arrived at the Southern on a Sunday with a reservation for 11:00a.m.. The hostess greeted and asked us if we had a reservation. Before we could answer he told us curtly that we would have to wait till 12:30 to eat because we didn't have a reservation. My boyfriend explained we did and the hostess was apologetic and quickly sat us down near the open front window. However, I was cold and I wanted to sit in a cozier warmer spot and we wanted to watch the Bears Game. The hostess didn't notice my discomfort, but the busboy did and he moved us near a television in the north end of the restaurant which was much better. We waited for our waitress to introduce herself and ask us what we wanted to drink for twenty minutes! I had to watch my waitress wait on people who sat down after my boyfriend and I did. We finally had to ask her to serve us. And when she did she looked annoyed. she didn't even tell us her name. We ordered our drinks and our brunch entrees because we were nervous that she wouldn't come back. LOL. Our drinks took another 15 minutes! It wasn't even crowded in there. But I must say that my Bloody Mary was delicious and my boyfriends mimosa was perfect! Our food finally came out at a reasonable time, however she got our ORDER WRONG and we had to wait for her to check on us again so we could tell her!!! We waited....and waited...and waited!!!! Finally the same busboy who helped us before came out and took our food back. We waited for another 15 MINUTES and then we had the most delicious food I've had in quite some time. Too bad it was the busboy doing the waitresses job!

    (2)

  • Anna W.

    Don't bother coming for the Mardi Gras event! They are not bringing crawfish out often enough to satisfy the long line you have to wait in. Forget about talking to the people in your party, the band is so loud, and they are filming in he band, so expect a blinding light in your face!

    (2)

  • Nicholas D.

    Came in for drinks one night. I like a good cocktail, and they made for me what I wanted really well. The bartender was friendly, smart, and attentive. Been meaning to make it back in for my fussy cocktail needs, because they were met.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    This past Sunday I decided to finally use one of my many groupons and venture out to a new brunch spot. I called ahead of time (Friday) and made 11 am reservations. Thankfully I did since as soon as I got there people were already putting their names on the list. Now, since I used a groupon (2 entrees+2mimosas for $20) this review will only be based on their service and quality of the food. The items on the brunch menu don't give you much to choose from nor should you bring a small child as they would be very limited to their options. All in all, the food was amazing, the wait was little to none with a reservation, and they were very kind all the way from the host to the bartender.

    (5)

  • Melissa P.

    A little bummed that the tables were for reservations only. If there hadn't been open spots at the bar we would have headed elsewhere. I'm very glad we did find seats! This place is incredible. Our bartenders were extremely friendly, but not over the top. We ordered the French toast and the pimento, bacon and eggs dish. Both were outstanding. The thick cut bacon just melted in our mouths and the combination of blood oranges, pomegranate, and butter for the French toast was outrageous. A little on the pricy side. If we didn't have a Groupon our tab would have been about $53. Regardless, I would and will definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Kim O.

    We sat at the bar because the restaurant was full and the bartender was very helpful in helping us decide what to eat and drink! We ended up getting the Bye Felicia and the Bacon Manhattan, both wonderful. Then we split the frog legs, fried green tomatoes, and shrimp and grits. The fried green tomatoes were by far the best! The flavors that come on the plate are amazing. Everything else was delicious too! I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jaramiah S.

    Awful. Refused to sit us without a reservation...even though there were literally a dozen open tables. Too many great alternatives in the area to waste your time and money here. The hostess was also pretty rude about the situation. Go across the street to the Monarch.

    (1)

  • Alphonso N.

    Came here Friday June 27 for a friends birthday. Nice atmosphere. Pretty cool wait staff. I had the Odd Couple. Delicious. I got the brisket. I don't like brisket. I'm an idiot for that. Prices seem reasonable. 52 bucks for my wife and I. Will go back. Tried some of the wife's shrimp and grits. Oh my goodness! Delicious.

    (3)

  • Caitlin H.

    Don't ask questions. Just order the mussels. The drinks, service, and atmosphere are all awesome.

    (5)

  • Adam R.

    Amazing service. Despite there size, the entire staff is so glad to have you there. I had a great experience. Started with some great mussles. Ordered the spectacular off bone beef ribs. the meal was enhanced by the well made knob creek Manhattan.

    (5)

  • Tricia D.

    Since coming here for a bachelorette party in May, I have had this place on my list to try out the comfort food. Mission: order that mac 'n cheese! And alas, it was only ok. The two of us both felt like we could've made better mac 'n cheese (and I have... shout out to allrecipes.com ). The breadcrumbs were a nice touch, but it was a pretty ordinary dish. I ordered the pork and rice boudin for my dinner, and I totally feel like a (wanna-be) Chopped (a la Food Network) judge when I say this Each component of the dish was good, though it wasn't really tied together. As a whole, the entree was disjointed and kind of all over the place. Sausage - alright, but a little salty. Mashed potatoes - good. Arugula salad/giardiniera - ok, but salty. Poached egg - good. Bf liked the duck confit , but I agreed the black eyed pea casserole threw it off a bit, esp since the peas seemed to be a little underdone. Service was polite and nice, but Wicker Park has other Southern restaurants to offer that are much better.

    (2)

  • Diana D.

    A little high in price bar but with a nice atmosphere. If I have to pick a good bar to meet a friend in Wicker park I choose Southern.

    (3)

  • Amy R.

    This is a nice little spot for "re-imagined" southern food. We had the hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, and macaroni and cheese. All three dishes were fine, nothing fantastic. Both the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes were served with a remoulade sauce that were virtually flavorless. Nonetheless, it was a nice experience. It is a cute place and the service was good.

    (3)

  • Ryne D.

    I've done the big fried chicken dinner here a couple of times now (and a couple times just eating here), and now I feel better qualified to give a good review of it. First of all, if you do plan on doing the fried chicken dinner, you'll need to call ahead for a party of at least six (or come get it a la carte on Wednesday). Your meal will come with fried chicken, giant biscuits, and a couple of seasonal sides (we had mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts). You'll be offered the chance to order appetizers as well - while they are good, it's probably better to leave room for the chicken feast you're about to have. The brussels sprouts were top-notch, cooked perfectly with just a hint of bitterness. The potatoes were ok, but definitely enhanced by the sausage gravy they give. The chicken is crisp and juicy, but I think I was already having food coma by the time I got to my second piece. I believe they used to have a catfish on the menu, but I guess their menu changed enough that whatever I got before isn't there now. Their dinner items are a bit on the pricier side, but are of good quality. Be sure to check out their daily $3 beer/whisky specials. I had a nice draught of pecan cider to start, but realized that a couple bottles of Tecate work well with pigging out. I'm not entirely sure I would make this a regular spot - I'm not a huge whisky drinker and mostly stick to fried chicken when it comes to Southern food - but if you ever need a place to host a Friendsgiving dinner it's a great option.

    (4)

  • Marquetta S.

    I've been there twice once with my girlfriends and again with my husband last night. The food was great both times and the service was fantastic. The only thing is that both times they ran out of menu items before the end of the night. Would highly recommend.... just get there early!!

    (4)

  • Vincent C.

    We had the Groupon for brunch (2 entrees, plus either a mimosa or Bloody for each of us), and it was late brunch, so we added an apple fritter from Stan's (sweet, fluffy on the inside, just enough sugar ... perfect!) downed our drinks with brunch burgers, and finished the meal off with craft cocktails. The burger entree was AMAZING. First of all, you can totally make it two meals in one: I placed the top bun upside-down, slid the egg on top, and sprinkled it with half the bacon: Bam! Open-faced breakfast sandwich!! There was still PLENTY of bacon to top off the double-burger and pimento cheese (there was TONS of the delicious cheese), and knife-and-forking it didn't feel weird because the burger was such high quality that I didn't want to miss out on its taste of texture with too much bread. Oh, and the fries were just how we like them: crispy, salty, and just soft enough inside to contrast the edges. The service was tremendous; our server was present and aware without being overly intrusive, and everything came at a perfect pace. The hubby's gin cocktail ("Something Manly" .. no jokes, please) combined Fords Gin, Amaretto, Lime, Lavender, Mint Leaves ... incredible! My Rye Old Fashioned was impeccably built. All in all, a fantastic meal, and thanks to Groupon, an pretty darn good bargain! (And we'll go back an do it all at full price!)

    (5)

  • Angela G.

    I really liked this bar! I went on an evening when it was quite warm out and the patio was open, as well as the windows of the bar. I sat inside, but it felt like I was sitting outside. Nice ambience, good service, they had a $3 beer special for an Abita beer. Can't complain! I didn't try the food, though, so I can't speak for that.

    (4)

  • K S.

    Im only giving this place 3 stars because the food portion was way too small on the brunch menu for how much it cost. Although it was presented beautifully and tasted great it was not filling at all. We went here during the college football time to watch the UGA game. They were kind enough to even turn on one of the TVs to the Purdue came so our friends could watch their game as well. The staff however, in the upstairs area, were so slow. One thing I hate is my glass being empty. I shouldnt have to wave down a waiter. We were ready to go and I had to get up from the table and find the waiter again to close out. I plan on going back for dinner and will update my review based on that experience.

    (3)

  • Rachel V.

    My friends make fun of me because of my love for apples, but hey, at least there's ONE healthy thing that I like. Anyway, The Southern has a delicious apple salad. It's got goat cheese in it and really delectable dressing and seasonings. It's sweet meets salty perfection. I really want to go back just for the salad! And hey, any place that features a jazz band/parade on Halloween is okay in my book.

    (4)

  • Kelly R.

    Just returned from what is probably my 15th visit to The Southern over the last 4 years. I'll admit, it helps that it's in the hood, but this place is worth a visit even if you're trekking from such far-flung locales as Lakeview. Definitely get a whiskey cocktail (you can't go wrong with the maple bacon manhattan), and the shrimp and grits are always the bomb. On this particular visit we ordered a new appetizer called the hog fries that were just ... Oh my GOD. So. Good. Solid 4 stars overall for reliably good comfort food in a trendy setting.

    (4)

  • Ronald P.

    Thrillist told me that The Southern was one of the best places in Chicago for Mac & Cheese. On a snowy day, that was enough to get me to try it especially as I had to run some errands on North St anyway. My date and I had the hush puppies, chili mac & cheese, fried chicken dinner and kale salad. Well, she had the kale salad and I had all the rest (hello, Fat Ron). Everything was awesome ! I tried to tell my server that the chicken was just ok but the carnage on my plate told him otherwise. Put it this way, if you bring me a 3-piece and you get back a few bones, that means it was pretty damn delicious! For traditional fried chicken, this is my new Chicago favorite. Non-traditional is the duck fat-fried addiction found at The Slurping Turtle but that's a different review.

    (4)

  • John R.

    Tell your waitstaff upstairs that gouging $12 for the house cabernet to pad the tab was noticed by me and I will not be spending any more money at your bar. If it was an honest mistake, then get your sh*t together.

    (1)

  • Laura B.

    The service was incredibly slow. Drinks took forever to come out, even just a beer. The food was inedible to the point that 2/4 diners did not eat their meals. Nothing was done about it. Mac and cheese, a staple at a southern restaurant, came out cold the first time, and the second time it was flavorless. The crepes were inedible. The one saving grace seemed to be the bloody marys and the fried chicken benedict, which were delicious. Every single time we needed a server there were none to be found. Getting refills, hot sauce, our check, etc seemed to be impossible. I would not return.

    (1)

  • Mary S.

    I came here on a Monday evening after work to meet a girlfriend for drinks and a light dinner. I had walked past this place throughout the Fall when in the area and always wanted to try it out because the ambiance looked so nice. I had 515pm reservations, and when I walked in noticed there was just one booth occupied by 3 people....and that was it. I was therefore promptly seated in the bar area and waited for my friend. The waitress was very quick to come over and greet me, asking if I wanted to start with a drink so I asked her about what the good whiskey drinks were, since I'm not much of a whiskey drinker. She suggested The Good, The Bad & The Wiskey which I thought was very strong, but not being a whiskey drinker to begin with, still thought it was a great flavor. (My friend ordered some craft beer...boring.) The great thing about this place on Mondays is they do Mac n Cheese specials. So we ordered their special which had artichokes and goat cheese in it and was AMAZING. I kept telling my friend I could eat two more dishes of that stuff. We also split the Kale Salad which initially my friend said she didn't like kale, but I got her to try it, and she loved the spiciness to it. Again, I could eat that salad every day. We then of course had to order their pumpkin bread pudding...FANTASTIC! I'm a major lover of anything pumpkin, and this definitely was worth it. This place has a few negative reviews on Yelp, and not sure if people who were upset went on a night when it was crazy busy, but my experience was fantastic from the great people who work there to the amazing food. I would definitely go again.

    (5)

  • Erin W.

    This was really a let down. We walked in without a reservation and the host told us there was a 15 min wait but there were 12 tables open. The manager saw us standing there and immediately sat us. We waited a while for a sever but the food came out fast. The table next to us walked out because they had waited long enough for service. Another table next to us had to get up and get their own silverware. They had also been waiting at the bar for a table as well whole there were tons open. We got lucky with the manager approaching us. I have it 3 stars BC our food came out fast and it was good. We had the fried chicken and brunch burger. Both were on point but the service was so bizarre. They only have 5 items on their brunch menu so don't come here is you're looking for a light meal.

    (3)

  • Lucia P.

    Wandered in around 2:30-3:00 PM on Sunday and was told that I wouldn't be able to order food because the kitchen was "still pissed" that the brunch rush had been so busy. I'm sorry. It was a 3-day weekend (MLK on Monday). Yes, Sunday brunch is going to be busy. But so busy that the kitchen pitches a hissy fit and the bartender comes back from confirming this information with a wince and a *hand slices across throat* "Umm, nope?" No thanks.

    (1)

  • Dawn T.

    That hit the spot! I'd been craving shrimp and grits for weeks. WEEKS! And it's entirely possible to botch them...but let me tell you, The Southern got it right! We went full out. Ribs on one plate, Fried Chicken and Mac 'n Cheese on the other. I tend to like what I call "Old Man" drinks, so ordered up an Old Fashioned. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to order anything else now, though I'll at least peruse the rest of the menu in a vain attempt to change up my order. It was the first nice weekend of the year so the garage doors were rolled up and the patio was open. It's such a cozy space! The stools are obviously made for tall people, so I just sat cross legged on mine. Good thing I was wearing a maxi skirt. Sometimes short legs get tired of dangling all over the place.

    (5)

  • Chad E.

    The staff here is always so nice and welcoming. They're happy to chat with you about their beer selection, which is not huge, but well curated. Brunch is pretty solid here, not perfect but good, and during the warmer months they open up the entire frontside of the place and you can sit outside with your biscuits and gravy. Or gumbo. Or fried green tomato and egg sandwich. I see them tearing through a lot of their Bloody Mary bottles, so I guess they're doing something right with that. Mary's not my kind of gal, but if you get along with her, you should probably get one of those poured (or two or three).

    (4)

  • Mike A.

    This place is not memorable, tbph. The food was meh, the drinks were meh. Go here if you feel like meh in a nice atmosphere. Meh though. Meh. Fried green tomatoes were underhelming, and he mac n cheese was nothin to write home about. I see wht they are going for, but they are not quite gettin there.

    (3)

  • Noy And Alan T.

    I have driven by The Southern so many times and was happy to finally have tried it tonight. Overall, I thought it was an average experience. The service was good. We didn't wait too long for the food either. Ordered the maple bacon manhattan. I thought it was a fairly decent cocktail. I can't exactly complain about the price because coming from new england (CT & Boston)...any cocktail prices in Chicago is cheaper. We ordered the Shrimp boil and the Piggly Wiggly to share. The shrimp boil was disappointing. It lacked flavor and the dipping sauce it came with did not go well. Also, since we were sitting outdoors...it attracted so many flies! We tried to waive the busboy down to hurry up and take the plates away, but he didn't get the picture. The Piggly Wiggly was tender. I enjoyed that dish although I wished it had a little more flavor to it. I'm usually not a fan of grits but I didn't mind it so much here. For dessert, we had the blueberry johnny. That was probably the best part of our meal. It wasn't overly sweet and had the right amount of cream to it. I would be willing to try The Southern again...for their fried chicken. Looking forward to our next visit.

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    I went here for brunch with a large group of friends. We were unable to all sit together and had to sit in separate booths. We also had to put down a credit card to hold our reservation. We started with drinks. They had a good selection of craft beer and interesting cocktails. A couple people ordered the bacon infused Manhattan, which they raved about. The brunch menu was pretty small, but they had a lot of interesting options. I decided on the fried chicken because of the waitresses suggestion. It was perfectly crunchy and buttery and came with sweet potato home fries. It was a very small piece of $14 chicken with a cold poached egg on top. Also, we had to wait a very long time for our food. I also tried the Mac n cheese. It had a very smoky flavor and was adequately cheesy, but it was not my favorite. Overall, the slow service and small portions were a turnoff.

    (2)

  • Pyro P.

    The Mac & cheeze is delicious and the MVP of Southern. The drinks were forgettable, the bartenders were nice but didn't seem to know any of the specials or the day of the week. The fried chicken was good but overhyped IMO. would come again for the Mac and cheeze if I happened to be in the neighborhood

    (3)

  • Stephanie S.

    I gave this place another try and was underwhelmed. It was a Thursday, so the fried chicken was their special. I was told the hot sauce was four times hotter than anything I'd ever had and was like hell. So I opted for it on the side. The meat was all dark and full of ligaments. Plus it was overcooked -- the whole thing was hard to pierce with a fork. I've definitely had better from chicken shacks at half the price. We got fries for the table, and those were actually pretty tasty. Service was good, but the place was nearly empty. The time I was here before that, the service was terrible. We made a point at the beginning before we ordered to ask for separate checks (to be nice), and we were treated poorly for the rest of the meal. Then she rudely made a big deal about showing us our separate checks at the end. Unnecessary. They have a beautiful patio, and it's a great space. But there are much better places to get this kind of food in the city.

    (3)

  • Harold S.

    Great southern food and first class service. Fried chicken and steak were outstanding dishes. Our steak came to us over cooked. When the staff were told they replaced it and removed the charge. This is good management. We will return with more guests. Harold S.

    (4)

  • Lois A.

    Don't have any reason to return. $16 steak benedict had 4 tiny slices of steak and little flavor. The kicker was that it took 30 minutes to get our drinks. Nothing like being given your drink when you are halfway done eating. Also, being told by the hostess that it may be awhile before your server can come to your table is never a good sign when you are sitting down. Get yourself together and hire enough people. Also...that bloody mary had zero kick. Very bland. My husband's bloody at least had an olive garnish but I wasn't so lucky. After waiting 30 minutes I think I deserved an olive too. I could have walked to Smoke Daddy, bought a bottle of bloody mary mix, came back and and made one for myself in the time it took. And THAT would have tasted good. What gives??

    (2)

  • Crystal J.

    My hubby and I went here on a Saturday night. It was bustling and the bar was packed. We sat down for dinner and cocktails, and what a treat! The Food Was well prepared, and the drinks were bangin! I suggest the Fallen Apple, it was delicious! We had the Hog Chili fries...the was so flavorful and tender. And due to chili cheese fries being an addiction of mine, it was my fave for the night. My husband had the alligator gumbo, and ate the whole bowl. The fried chicken was okay, and the shrimp and grits were alright (lacking in flavor somewhat). But the service and atmosphere made up for that. The food is good, but the drinks and service are the shining star at this establishment. We will definitely be coming back with friends!

    (5)

  • Mary F.

    Went here with my husband and kids using a Groupon. Having read all about the fried chicken and honey corn bread, we ordered four entrees, two fried chicken, one pork chop, one risotto. The pork chop and risotto were great, both perfectly cooked and nicely served. But the fried chicken -- it was terrible. It was SO salty, we couldn't eat it. My kids, who LOVE fried chicken -- ate two bites and then pushed it aside. It was absolutely inedible. And the cornbread was burned black on the outside. When we complained to the waitress she (literally) said "Chefs eat a lot of rich food during the day so they don't really taste the salt when they are making food. Sorry" (!) If we hadn't been using a Groupon, we would have asked for our money back, the chicken was that bad. I can't believe a restaurant that advertises itself as a place for fried chicken would serve something that salty, but they did. I'd probably go back again with a Groupon, but wouldn't order the fried chicken -- we had ours wrapped to go but then had to throw it out because even after running under cold water, the salt just ruined it. And the corn bread was so burned we had to throw that out too. So -- we had two good entrees and two terrible ones. Atmosphere was fun, but a little noisy for a family.

    (2)

  • Meredith B.

    I only had cocktails here, so feels somewhat unfair to review, but my friend and I were definitely inspired to come back for food! Our server was friendly in that fun way that almost makes you wonder if he's flirting. Whiskey seems to be the specialty here on the cocktail menu, and the bar was decorated with what looks like the tops of whiskey barrels. The whole atmosphere is sort of Southern country casual. Country like a back porch with a bottle of bourbon. They have a great patio, but we were too chilly. Our server seemed quite knowledgeable about the bourbon, but so was my friend so she was immune to his speech about the whiskey weekly special and got her favorite one. They can make their whiskey cocktails with whatever you choose, so her Old Fashioned got a $2 upcharge but was worth it to her for it's smoky, complex flavor. I can't deal with the stuff so don't ask me, but she loved it. I got the Prairie Rose with gin, lemon, orange liqueur, and Luxardo bitters. This was a strong drink, for sipping and not for chugging. It was well crafted and memorable. Packs a punch! I think my drink was $10, fair enough for something so good and with the strength of two crappy cocktails. We can't wait to come back for more drinks and some comfort food.

    (4)

  • Morgan N.

    The Southern mac & cheese is AMAZING! That's usually my whole dinner when I'm there. They also have an extensive whiskey list and the bartenders are very helpful in making a suggestion. The Southern shines in the summer time with their outdoor seating and they take down the glass that faces the street. The crowd has been pretty mixed with hipsters, young professionals, and residents from other parts of the city or out of town. They've also started doing brunch which is decent, but good if don't want to wait for hours for a table like at the Bongo Room.

    (4)

  • April K.

    We had such a wonderful time here for a late Mothers Day brunch. The food was excellent and atmosphere was amazing! Ben worked there today and gave us the best southern hospitality we have ever had!!! The apple pie was a delightful ending to this southern experience. Thumbs up for sure!!!

    (5)

  • Edwin W.

    My friends and I decided to come here for sunday brunch after a failed attempt to beat the Chicago brunch crowd at LoKal, Feast, and Bongo Room. We should have took the no wait, and half empty dining area (at this place) as a sign that this was going to be mistake. The experience first started off well as we got our drinks and was very impressed with their Bacon infused Bourbon Bloody Mary. Our server was very attentive and is the reason I am not giving this place 1 star. 3 of us ordered the Beef Hash and I went with the Bloody Mary Benedict. Everything sounded good on the menu, but that was about to change real quick. I'll get to the food later as that was how long we had to wait for our food. We were probably 2 drinks in and yet to any sign of hope that our food was going to be arriving anytime soon. 30 minutes goes by and we start questioning why it was taking so long especially with the place not even busy. 45 minutes goes by and our server finally comes to our table and apologizes about the wait as the kitchen did not have the brisket ready this morning that went in the Beef Hash. a few minutes later, the beef hash finally comes out but no benedict. After I tell my group to start without me, the server comes back and informs me that the Benedict will be coming our shortly because they had to remake a poached egg as the one that should have been plated for me fell on the floor. At this point, there was only one way for this place to redeem itself and that was with amazing food. My Benedict arrives and I literally felt like I was the sauce was made with sour patch kids. There was so much salt in the country ham and the sauce was so over-powering that each bite was worse than the one before. I thought maybe it was just me being bias because of the long wait, but as I offered the other half of the Benedict to my table, they all took a bite and regretted it. Not sure if I will be coming back here, but I did hear that the fried chicken is amazing and that it seemed to be a very popular item with the other customers that day. I now understand why you really have to wait in line for good brunch.

    (2)

  • Cristina P.

    Yay: Praire Rose, Fried Chicken Sandwich Nay: Hushpuppies, Grits I was expecting the fried chicken to be too greasy but it was soooo good. They used some veggies which added freshness and it was served on thick toast. Drinks were well made.

    (4)

  • Michelle T.

    Came here for brunch yesterday. Sat on the patio because it was a beautiful summer day in the city! I ordered the chicken salad and from the description didn't realize that it was a mayo based chicken salad (which the server informed me when I ordered it) but I decided to go with that anyway. Really wanted to order the fried chicken but I'm gluten intolerant so I unfortunately couldn't. A couple people did at my table and they said it was amazing! We also god a side of French fries for the table and they were very good hangover food!!! Will be back again to enjoy their patio!

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    First off id rate this place 3 1/2 stars but not sure how to do that. I came here on a sunday night with the boyfriend. I found out about this place because i saw a groupon and it looked and sounded enticing. We ordered two maple bacon manhattans which were delicious but on the sweeter side (which im ok with). For our appitizer we got the mac & chesse. I thought it was just ordinary but i would come back and add chilli to it too make it more interesting. Our entrees were pork belly and hanger steak. Unfortunately they ran out of fried chicken which is really the main reason why i wanted to go there because most of the reviews made it sound superb. But the hanger steak was delicious, very tasty. I love the fried onions straws with the little potatoes and random mushrooms. This dish was put together very well and looked amazing! The pork belly was ok. My boyfriends not really a huge fan of pork belly but wanted to try something different! Overall food presentation was great, taste profile was good. I'd definitely come back to try more dishes especially the fried chicken!

    (3)

  • Carol M.

    I love The Southern. I've done a few boils here so far. They always have tons of food to pour out and keep up with the crowd. They've also always been very respectful of food allergies. Friendly staff has always told me which gluteny things to avoid without attitude. Great cocktails here too. Bacon in a drink?!! SOLD!

    (4)

  • Qianqian L.

    nice mac and cheese

    (4)

  • Michelle S.

    As a southern girl myself, I really wanted to like The Southern, but the experIence fell short on almost every measure. We went on a Sunday evening. The dining room was very loud--okay for drinks with buds but not good for a date night wIth a special someone. Service and drinks were good, but the meal was a real disappointment. We shared beet salad, which was pretty but bland. My spouse enjoyed his shrimp grits, which seemed well seasoned. But my order of mushroom grits was so salty I had to leave them on the plate. With so many good restaurants to choose from in Bucktown, I won't be going back soon.

    (2)

  • DORA J.

    It was a sunday afternoon and our first time there. My son had the brunch burger and I had the ridiculously excellent fried chicken. It was all very delicious and the service was average. They have a roof but we dined indoors. Maybe next time because we would definitely return. We had a hard time deciding because it all sounded so wonderful. Go for the food and the roof. Do it.

    (4)

  • Alexandria T.

    The Southern is where I always end up with huge groups of people after we make the attempt to go to Piece. I know this might not seem like it makes sense, given that one is pizza and the other is comfort food, but it's the only place close by that you can walk right into with a large group and not have a wait. In fact, I don't think I've ever waited for a table at The Southern. I was out as a group of 8, and Piece's wait was an hour and a half. We were all starving after being at a block party all day, so we ended up at The Southern at a huge booth that makes it impossible for servers/bussers to access most of the glasses and dishes on the table. The server, god bless her, was basically screaming everything at us. It wasn't extremely loud in the restaurant, but she had a mouth on her. It was to the point where it was almost offensive. She did have an impressive highlight description of all of their draft beers, which was nice because most people in the group ordered beers. I hadn't been here since the fall and they made several changes to the menu. They have a relatively small menu to begin with and didn't add more dishes, but replaced some with other options. I believe the fried green tomatoes used to be an appetizer, which makes way more sense to me, and the server informed us that they were a good app. The table next to us had a big ol' plate of fried chicken, which is normally a Thursday special. The server told us that the only way you can order on other days is with a 24 hour call ahead order and that the process of basting/roasting, etc. was a 36 hour process...well folks, the math in that somehow doesn't work out. Anyway, the majority of the table with with the piggly wiggly sandwich, which they all loved. I got the catfish po'boy, which was also good, but didn't taste like catfish to me. The server overall was really good. The Southern is just one of those places for me that's there. It's not particularly amazing, nor particularly awful. I find it to be pretty overpriced, even for the area, and it's never really my first choice.

    (3)

  • Thomas M.

    This place is awesome. We ate at the bar but the entire staff went out of their way to make sure we were taken care of. Drinks were great and prepared quickly. The bar tender i belueve ryan, was attentive and courteous. As for the food, amazing. We had the shrimp, frog legs, mac and cheese, salmon, fried chicken, and the pork chop. They were all great. Im glad i dong live clise by or i eould be ordering the mac every day. The corn bread is more trafitional cornbread made in a frying pan . Not sweet and dry. It was so good i ordered some to take home. Will def be back for more.

    (5)

  • Brandon T.

    I've been here a few different times and I've always left with a full belly and a smile on my face. As a Southerner who's living in Chicago, I found the name a little misleading. I would say it's more Texan than Southern. And yes, they're different. That being said, I have nothing but positive remarks on this establishment. The waitresses are hot and attentive, which is a great combination. Their brunch menu (I only come for brunch) serve large portions. I've had the 'shrimp & grits' and their famous 'fried chicken.' Both are top notch and I highly recommend them, especially the fried chicken. You'll want to pair both dishes with Lonestar (I think they're either $2 or $3 during brunch) and at least one shot of bourbon.

    (5)

  • Jane M.

    In mid-December, I reached out to The Southern to organize a get-together for a group of friends. Over the next two weeks, I worked with three different people to try to set up my event. Finally, I was able to secure a space for 10-12 people for dinner. Of course, since this was the weekend after Christmas, we had a few last-minute cancellations which came within the hour of the event. Upon arriving at the restaurant, - which, despite being 7:30 PM on a Saturday night, had no other people waiting - I let them know that our group would be only 8 for dinner. The man at the host stand stared me down and in stated, "you're down for 15". I apologized, and as he stood there silently staring me down, asked if this was a problem and if they could still accommodate us. Without a word, he walked away in a huff to rearrange the tables. We sat down with our group, and straight away were asked for our drink order. I ordered, but it was quickly clear that I was the only one who was ready, so we asked the waiter for a minute. About 10 minutes later, the waiter returned, and took everyone else's order. When he got to me, he said, "oh, do you still want that drink?" Yes. Obviously. From there, it took them over 20 minutes to get our drinks, and at one point there was absolutely no one behind the bar at all. While I understand that I wasn't the easiest client to work with - I live out of the country and for a few days was definitely a little hard to get in touch with, not to mention the last minute change - I definitely don't think that I put them out enough to warrant that kind of treatment. We definitely felt we were being "punished" for changing our number. Overall, I was disappointed with the service and felt as if I had done something wrong by bringing in 15 people to eat and drink.

    (3)

  • Rocco L.

    Boiling it down to the essence, here. Good for: *Post-Doobie Chow *Outdoor Patio Partytime *Maple Bacon Manhattan Sipping *Low-key Weekday Hangsesh *Smiling Sunshine Brunch Bad for: *Fried Green Tomato Sandwiches *Orgasmic Food Experience *Weekend Bro Hideaway *Hangover Prevention *Music That Doesn't Blow

    (3)

  • Caroline J.

    I've been to The Southern for both dinner and drinks, and both times I've had a great night. For dinner, I split the she-crab soup and hush puppies with my date, and got a sandwich that was on special (the debris sandwich). All of the food was absolutely delicious. It's a little expensive, but it's Chicago and I definitely got what I paid for! As for drinks, my friends got a craft beer that was on special for $3 (great deal for Wicker Park) and I tried a few different cocktails. Delicious, but at $10 each I wasn't exactly up for having enough to get me tipsy. Overall, this place has a great atmosphere, cool people, and delicious food. Bonus: they have a wonderful patio!

    (4)

  • J P.

    Great brunch and amazing craft cocktail selection. Outdoor patio space is perfect to enjoy Chicago at its best. For a nice fall drink, try the Fallen Apple...a perfect match for a fall Sunday brunch!

    (5)

  • Cat O.

    Went to The Southern after dinner at Lillie Q's next door. Just went in for drinks on a Monday night. I AM NOT a difficult person, but we struggled even to order a beer. The overly tan bartender made me feel stupid when I asked to taste a beer that was listed on the blackboard. He said he had no idea what type of beer it was and when I pressed forward he acted like I was a pain. In the end I just ordered something easy. The awkward interaction continued when it came time for a refill. I asked if they had half sizes as I was driving. He looked at me like I had two heads. What good Chicago self respecting beer establishment hasn't heard of quantity pours. He could have just said we don't do that here. I would have been fine if there was a modicum of customer service. Then today I see he over charged my card by upwards of $30, even after I left a nice tip despite my experience (once a server always a tipper). I won't be back.

    (1)

  • WP L.

    1. Service was very good. The waitress put up with our unruly table very well. I appreciate that. Took a lil to get her in the friendly fun mood but she came around. 2. Food was average. Its Southern food with a Wicker Park twist. Three of us ordered the country fried chicken (the most expensive thing no the menu) and it was just not good. Too much breading and the meat was dry. Other items on the menu were good but nothing wow-ing! 3. The atmosphere is good dark, cozy, but loud.

    (3)

  • Zorin D.

    For dinner that night I ate at The Southern. I wanted to love this place, I really did. The decor was awesome. It's set up as to be a restaurant that serves upscale southern food. The servers were awesome. I started out by having one of the Maple Bacon Manhattans, which was really the selling point to get me into the place. It winded up being not disappointing but more of an excuse to have a slice of bacon to accompany your drink. I enjoyed the drink quite a bit but it was still a little disappointing. The overall big complaint I have about the Southern was that all of their food was way under seasoned. The fried chicken had crispy skin and was perfectly fried, but if there wasn't hot sauce on the table, I wouldn't have been able to eat it because it was so bland. Also I have no idea how you can even make a Cajun dish like an andouille corn dog so completely pedestrian. The batter needs flavor and seasoning. Southern dishes deliver strong bold flavors rich well seasoned dishes. Not a average corn dog with a mustard dipping sauce that tasted like somebody popped open a bottle of French's. All that aside I would probably go back for just drinks.

    (2)

  • Lissette A.

    Relaxed, intimate def. A nice hang out for a weed day supper or a weekend out with friends. Husband took me here for Birthday dinner and it was deeelish. Out server Carley was just very upbeat but very down to earth. I def. Will recommend. Awesome job and hats off to the chef !

    (5)

  • Omar A.

    I was here for an event that my class had hosted/reserved for unlimited drinks/wristband deal. The bartender was god awfully rude to EVERYONE even though The "tip" was included ln the fee without notice. The manager never smiled the entire night and was a complete jackass. Worst service i have ever had. The manager needs to be fired.

    (1)

  • H G.

    As promised, there was a return visit in February 2015. It was enough for me to conclude that The Southern is not a preferred spot. I dined for brunch with 4 other girlfriends. Only 2 of the party seemed to enjoy their dishes, not including myself. The dishes for the 2 likes were a KALE SALAD ($10?) and SHORT RIB HASH ($17). Here's a quick summary of the problems: - There is a "no substitutions" policy. When did that happen? I received a very bland and strangely-textured BREAKFAST MACARONI ($12). The cheese tasted like it was unmelted cheese powder (beyond the breadcrumbs). I simply wanted some veggies thrown in to substitute for the bacon, then I got the forementioned policy bomb dropped on me. (Yes, it was listed in smaller print at the bottom of the menu.) The end result was a bland bowl of unappetizingly cheesy macaroni on top of an unseasoned egg clump. - A newly-arrived southern gal tried the GRITS ($4). I tried the grits. It was gross. Bland, gummy and sweetened butter is not the way to go. - I don't remember what the third friend ate, but it got a "Meh". - Then, the first-floor indoor bathroom toilet was clogged or not clogged? Why am I running around a restaurant for help? I talk to manager. He says he'll check it out, but there's one upstairs. On my way upstairs, I'm told by a waitress that there wasn't one upstairs but there's one outside. The temperature was really way below zero. I was not trying to go to the "outhouse" unless absolutely necessary. Before I prepared to make some major moves, I decided to check in with the manager. He said, "Oh yeah, it's fine. The toilet was never really clogged." I guess the bathroom situation didn't require an immediate follow-up with the customer or the table. After this last attempt, The Southern is off the return list.

    (1)

  • Ashley M.

    BLACKENED CATFISH Amazing. tasted delish, and was not skimpy, a full meal. Drinks are strong and delish. They have a little bit of everything for everyone. This place is a gem!

    (5)

  • Randy R.

    Tried three items from their "snacks" menu (hush puppies, mac & cheese, bbq pork belly) - all were very good, although also very rich. The Southern also has a small, but very interesting, cocktail menu. The Maple Bacon Manhattan was pretty good, but too sweet. The Good, the Bad & the Whisk(e)y was tart and spicy. Ultimately, the best cocktail that we had was a mint julep, which was excellently made. Highly recommended if you want to feel a bit like you're at the Kentucky Derby.

    (3)

  • Matt W.

    I'll have to update when I actually eat there. It seems like a very nice place. We were St. Patrick's Day-ing a few doors down and someone wanted to eat here, we quickly figured out that it was not bar food or a place you could stand around with a beer. The staff didn't look too happy about people in green tee shirts walking in, maybe not actually eating anything and not really sitting down. Our bad. lol. I would for sure go there for dinner.

    (4)

  • Olga Q.

    Let me begin by saying if I could add a half star I would make it 3 1/2 star review. My husband and I just stopped by Kate on a Saturday night for dinner and it was our first time here. I ordered a sangria and my husband ordered a beer, and the sangria was awful! If you take nothing else away from my review take this advice...do NOT order the "sangria". It tasted like they made it with tequila it was just terrible. When our waitress came to take our order we attempted to order the fried chicken, but we're told they had run out....back to the drawing board. My husband ended up ordering the pimento burger and I had mac and cheese with corn bread. The flavor of all the food was amazing! The mac and cheese was delicious the burger was great the corn bread...I mean really I can't express how much I enjoyed the food. Everything was going great when suddenly my husband starts freaking out about a hair he pulled out of his burger!!!! I understand that no one purposefully put a hair in our burger BUT it ruined everything because now we were suddenly feely queazy. The waitress was really nice and took my husbands beer and burger off of our tab but I can't disregard the hair in our food in was just awful. The prices are above average as well. The sangria I ordered came in a champagne flute and costs $10 which is pretty outrageous. Overall the prices are not great but the food is really good despite the small selection.

    (3)

  • Sylvia O.

    Boycotting this place, not a dog friendly place. Outdoor area was completely empty and my small dog was in his bag. Went to Lillie's Q and spent my money there. Great ribs and Mac and Cheese.

    (1)

  • Anna L.

    AMAZING.. SIMPLY AMAZING! We stopped in on a brisk Saturday for brunch. The waitress could tell we were shivering so she suggested one of their warm drink specials. I posted a pic of it. It has apple pie moon shine and hot tea in it. WOW.. it was good. It warmed us right up. We were feeling adventurous and decided to get several things to share. We couldn't decide what to get.. so many yummy things on the brunch menu. We opted for the Biscuits and Gravy, Pumpkin french toast, fried green tomatoes and cheesy grits. Every bite was delicious. I can't stop thinking about that pumpkin french toast. It had pumpkin puree on the bottom of the stack.. it was a perfect surprise in every bite. The staff was really friendly and the place was really comfortable. I can't wait to go back! In fact... my friend called me the next day and said "is it bad that I want to go back there again today?" Go.. you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Chantal M.

    I was really surprised to find this place doesn't have 4-5 stars because it was truly wonderful! I kind of wish I could give it 4.5 for not having cider on draft but apart from that small detail their beer list was excellent. Fabulous food and great service (and we had a Groupon too). Our waitress was attentive and we had a few others check in on us throughout the night. We especially loved the appetizer we got (fries with a sauce and pork mixed in) as well as the grits, which was a surprise because normally I dislike the texture but these were smooth, cheesy and delicious!

    (5)

  • Karolina S.

    Came here yesterday for dinner. It started raining right when we got there so we had to sit in the downstairs area at a high top table. They had the windows up so it still gave a great outside feel and a nice breeze. I really liked the staff. The host was very friendly and attentive... seemed like a very nice dedicated guy. He checked up on us a few times which was much appreciated. I believe Natalie was our server's name and she was a good combo of laid back but also attentive. For food we had hog fries, the burger and the fried chicken. EVERYTHING WAS SOOOOO GOOD! The stand-out was the pimento burger. Seriously, I am a burger lover and I REALLY enjoyed this one. Sometimes burgers are so over the top and this one was done just right. Not too much, not too little... lots of flavor, cheesy, meaty, salty goodness! We were very gluttonous and had two cocktails and a bottle of wine. Everything was great but the stand out was the maple bacon cocktail. This may have been because liquor and bacon are my favorite things and when combined, I'm a happy camper. No complaints for The Southern. Keep up the great service and never take that burger off the menu!

    (5)

  • Aimee M.

    You bet I hid the leftovers from my husband. Sorry, I wasn't going to share! I loved my dinner at the Southern. I've been wanting to come her for a while now and finally had the chance. I was not let down at all. Thursday evening 830pm, seated immediately. Joanne W and I made our way here because of the promise of Hot Fried Chicken. Now I know the Southern has it's regular fried chix but this the special on Thursday nights. And Special food nights are always special in my book so I had to check it out! For starters we opted to share an appetizer--andouille corn dogs with spicy remoulade. The corn dogs itself were just ok, but I really loved the spicy remoulade sauce, I could have dipped fries, tater tots, anything else in it. It was delicious. For the Tennessee Hot Fried Chicken ($14) you get 4 huge pieces of spicy fried chicken. 2 legs and 2 bone out thighs. The chicken wasn't super spicy (to me) but had a nice lingering spice. Kind of peppery, but definitely delicious. The chicken was tender, juicy, all the good things fried chicken should be. I loved every bit of it. And as I alluded to earlier, this is a huge portion. I had a very nice lunch of leftovers the next day. We also shared 2 sides, Collard Greens with Bacon and the Mashed Red Skin Potatoes. The greens were cooked well, tasted good, but I didn't find anything too special about them. The potatoes were served with a ham gravy. The gravy was good, but to me, the potatoes didn't even need the gravy, they were flavorful on its own (a mark of well made mashed taters!) Service was stellar. Jason was on point and definitely made us feel at home. I won't go into detail about an unruly patron, but let's just say thankfully management got on that fast.

    (4)

  • Marsha F.

    Not worth your time. Rag tag staff who does not know what they are doing. I will never go back. Hostess, door man and staff are incompetent and need to learn about customer service and how to run a restaurant

    (1)

  • Yesenia L.

    1. Appetizer arrive before drinks , over priced, the meat was over cooked, slow service... My one star is for the great fries they have.

    (1)

  • LaDarian D.

    Much better for brunch than dinner. Dinner menu is quite limited & lacks a southern presence

    (3)

  • Mitch K.

    Was looking for a new place to try for brunch when I stumbled upon The Southern. Went with the Brunch Burger and was not disappointed; exceedingly good. In addition to great food the restaurant had fantastic whisky and a unique atmosphere. I will most definitely be coming back again in the near-future.

    (5)

  • Lacey S.

    The food was good.. not excellent but good. My main complaint revolves around the hovering wait staff and bussers. I have never felt more smothered by staff in my life. Legitimately felt like they were standing 2 feet from our table just watching us and waiting for us to set down a fork so they could ask if they could take our plates. It was really uncomfortable. The busboy just awkwardly watched as we ate. My friends and I were engaged in conversation the whole dinner, because we had not seen each other in a while, and we could not get over how awkward the hovering was. Next time, if there is a next time, I'll sit outside on the patio and pray it's less awkward than inside.

    (3)

  • Mike W.

    I was really amped up for some souther food, especially after being at Carriage House not too long ago. I have to say the food was ok but def not as good as the other place. We started with the fried green tomatoes which I totally regret not getting the Mac n cheese :( while they were fried well the batter was not very flavorful. For an entree we both got the chicken thigh sandwich and it was almost the polar opposite, pretty good flavor but the batter was very thin and couldn't stand up to the slaw and pickles they put on top = a semi soggy friend chicken thing. On the upside they have Kentucky Bourbon Ale beer that takes like vanilla, bourbon and beer, GET IT!

    (3)

  • Kathleen C.

    The Southern has slightly grown on me as I've been back a few times, but I have to say that the service this week was horrendous. Up until my last visit, I would have given it a 3 because I think the food is a bit too greasy, and service is sometimes off, but it's a good looking spot. However, my last visit took the cake...sitting at the bar, we could not get helped. We had to flag down the bartender at least three times at one point to order! I arrived after my friend and I couldn't get anyone to help me...the spot was not crowded when I got there! We probably would have had more drinks/eaten more if we had been waited on, but the service was so terribly poor, we gave up. This spot is so hit or miss. If you like an outdoor patio and don't mind the sometimes ok, sometimes terrible service, this is for you.

    (2)

  • Dana F.

    Comfort food is supposed to lift the spirits, but every time I've come to the Southern, whether it's for dinner or just drinks, I feel little consolation. The cocktails are poorly mixed. Having tried the Prairie Rose (a gin based cocktail with citrus notes) and the Red Hot Mama (essentially a jalapeno margarita), both were so bad to the point I was tempted to send them back to the bar. I decided not to, just because service was pretty slow given that the restaurant and bar were packed. The balance of the base liquor to bitters and juices was just all wrong for both of these drinks. Having tried the shiner bock mussels, which are steamed with beer, hot sauce, and ham hock, I was also unimpressed. I was not given a seafood fork for the mussels, but service SNAFUs aside, the broth for the mussels did not taste much different than a simple meat-infused broth. Because this is the "Southern" version of moules frites, the dish included a piece of overly dry, stale-tasting cornbread (you know when you break the bread and it's a bit softer in the middle than the portion that was cut on the outside?) in lieu of french fries. Goodness gracious, does it get bro-tastic later in the evening for drinks. I'm going to blame the North Ave bus because very loud, belligerent sports-bar types a la Lakeview invade the place in droves after about 10pm. It's not to say that the crowd is the root cause of the problem, I think it may have something to do with The Southern's identity. The upscale "south" theme (with the lovely roof deck that's open in the summer) have such great potential; there are some great whiskeys and craft beers available. It's when you combine upscale with large flat-screen TVs a-la sports bars that the clientele that you attract gets a little strange. I also don't like it when the bartender ignores me after I have been waiting patiently to order a drink, just because some big guy muscles his way to the bar and is louder and more aggressive about getting his Bud Light or Jack and Coke.

    (2)

  • A S.

    We just had a fourth event The Southern. The bar peeps are extremely friendly/easygoing; the drinks and snacks are good; and the atmosphere is super enjoyable. To be able to be on a patio but still have a roof in case of rain (as it did last night) is the best of both worlds. And it is a perfect volume level (i.e. not too quiet, but not loud to the extent that you have to scream to have a conversation), especially for events where you want to be catching up with friends. We have been and will be back! Thanks, Alette!

    (5)

  • Evan R.

    This place was great. We sat up at the bar. The bartender and manager were so great and fun. The food was amazing. Some of the best food I've had in Chicago. We used a groupon and ordered a ton more than covered under groupon as it was awesome food and drink. The southern signature cocktails were incredible. You gotta go. We will be back soon. The fried chicken with honey butter and macaroni and cheese were to die for.

    (5)

  • Jessica N.

    Southern is definitely worth a try. Nice atmosphere and i bet it's so pleasant in the Summer with the side windows/walls open. Thursday Fried Chicken night - holy WOW HOT! I like spicy food and it was almost too spicy that it detracted from the fried chicken. All of us at the table were hurtin' a little bit (though they do warn you!). Later that night I had some of the leftovers and it does do better when the temperature isn't right out of the kitchen hot. The chicken is well cooked and extremely juicy. Crab Cakes - tasty but nothing to right home about. I like mine a little chunkier, these were pretty thoroughly shredded Beets - Definitely get these. Really tasty, light, and a good mix to balance the spicy chicken! Collard Greens - just ok. Can't compare to the greens at Smoke Daddy. These were a little bland. They did bring a chili vinegar that would've added some complexity but while eating the spicy chk I couldn't bear to add it to the greens! :) Coca-cola cake - Tasty! Though I was a little disappointed NONE of their desserts are served with ice cream! Not the best Southern food I'd have but quite tasty.

    (3)

  • Johanna O.

    This food is very not great. Lol. The appetizer Nashville Hot wings are just hot. No flavor. Just hot. Then the main course "fried chicken" is flavorless. Absolutely flavorless. There isn't an ounce of garlic powder, salt, or onion powder in sight! This chicken just tastes fried. I wouldn't waste my time at The Southern.

    (1)

  • Irene L.

    At the behest of my friend, I went to the Southern on a Wednesday night with 5 other people for the fried chicken special: fried chicken, biscuit, and gravy. The fried chicken itself was pretty good: crispy skin and so tender. Even the white meat was good. My only problem with the chicken was that it lacked a bit of seasoning, so it needed the gravy. Not that big of a problem, but I feel like fried chicken should be good on its own too. I also ordered the collard greens, which was supposed to have bacon in it. Nary a bacon bit was found :( They were ok. Cooked well but could be better. The food alone was a solid 3.5-4, but the reason why I can't bump up the rating is because I had the worst Old Fashioned of my life here. It was incredibly sweet. All I could taste was the agave they used, or maybe it was the house made maraschino cherries. Where are my bitters?? There was also a bit too much ice so it got watered down into a nasty syrup. Waste of damn good whiskey. And a damn shame that they can't make a balanced classic cocktail. Anyway...onward to the beer list. Points for trying to bring in some craft beers, but they could use a much better list. Also, I noticed that they had Founders Red's Rye written up on the board but not on the menu. Yum! One of my faves! Oh wait it isn't in season again (in bottles) until September. Mmm. Stale beer... I'm pretty particular about my booze when an establishment tries to be ambitious with their booze. Pretty hard fail for me this run, but I'd still return (mostly for food)! I'd just stick with whiskey--served neat. Maybe beer if the list changes.

    (3)

  • Fa R.

    Love! Love!love! This place! Did a Sunday brunch with 11 people and the staff was so accommodating! I made a reservation 4 days ahead and everything was set! Food is amazing and very well priced for wicker park area! Southern chicken, biscuits with gravy, and mimosas are so delicious and great portions for price! Our waiter John was funny, accommodating, had all our orders correct and helped us pick great drinks! Fun outside patio and able to open doors/windows all the way so you feel outside ambience! WISH they would open upstairs area for small groups

    (5)

  • Benjamin D.

    I've been three times now and can safely say that while the place has a decent patio, it really is too pricey and mediocre. Of course i'm going to love a "Bacon Manhattan" but beyond that, the food is dull, the service isn't top tier, and the prices are a bit much. My girlfriend went to Georgia so of course I will have to go back during football season, but I'll be sure to eat elsewhere first and just stick to beers. Such a shame because when taking on the idea of "southern" cooking, it really has the potential to be great. Maybe one day they'll bring a manager up from some famous bbq house down south to run this place properly. Sorry Southern.

    (2)

  • Steven M.

    I tried the Boudin Blanc. It's definitely not what I think of when I hear boudin (I'm from Louisiana), but it's a good solid sausage plate. I'd recommend it. I also tried their spicier bloody mary (don't remember what they called it) and it was alright. Nothing too special, just spicier than normal.

    (3)

  • Greg H.

    Food okay. Service okay. Not impressed, but maybe I'm just not a fan of southern food.

    (2)

  • Greg R.

    Great time at the Southern watching UGA thump the Gators. The southern put on a special low country boil which was perfect! Always great food, great drinks and great service! Keep going back to this place over and over again.

    (4)

  • Fuji J.

    Their brunch menu & cocktails are awesome! I tried Shrimp and Grits, which was perfect portion, liked creamy grits and there were not just only 3 shrimps but more. My friend had Fried Chicken with Biscuit and Gravy. Good portion & he shared a piece chicken for me. We finished with donuts....mmmmm good choice! But, my best choice for the day...was THE TENNESSEE WAKE-UP cocktail. Coffee with House Blueberry Orange liquor & plenty of whip cream... I NEED THIS EVERY MORNING that will make me happyyyyyy!!! Can't wait for patio season! The reason of 4 stars are just my wish of bill to be a little smaller... But, they have great weekday special too.

    (4)

  • Mandi P.

    Just a quick update regarding the food!!! We dined at The Southern this past weekend and I fell in LOVE with this place!!! I am from The South and this place is spot on for my taste!!! I ordered some of my favs...fried green tomatoes, red slaw (vinegar), and cheese grits for dinner. The fried green tomatoes were AMAZING!!! The red slaw...I can't even tell you the last time I was able to find red slaw...was soooo good!!! The cheese grits...eh...not so much. The bartender (yes, we ate at the bar) noticed I didn't seem to care for my grits so she had it removed from our bill...so was not going to ask for that, but how awesome is that? The 3 bartenders working that night were all so friendly and attentive...Jeremiah, Deb, and Tim (hope I got them all right!!!)!!! I will definitely be returning to The Southern!!!

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    Come here for drinks, the selection booze selection is way larger than the food menu. I had the mussels and was impressed with them.

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    I went here while on vacation, based on some awesome Yelp reviews. When I first got here, I was really disappointed to find out some of my "southern" favorites are on a special menu that you have to call ahead and order for a group (fried chicken, smoked pork, shrimp and grits). They didn't have any of the stuff on the online menu either...which had gotten me pretty excited. So, I was sitting at the bar and second guessing my decision to come here. The server recommends the Kentucky Burgoo. I have no idea what burgoo is, but he says it's the best thing on the menu and if I don't like it then he will buy me something else. How can you turn down an offer like that? He didn't need to buy me anything else. The burgoo is like a stew, but with no real broth or liquid factor. Just real tender, fall-apart pork and beef chunks with lots of potatoes, white beans, corn, etc. The meal was really unique and delicious. The menu was a disappointment, the food I got was not. Plus, they have Abita beer. That's a plus.

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    If Yelp gave half ratings - I'd be giving this place a 3.5. This is a hard place to review. I've been here twice now. First time I organised a group of us to get together as part of my quest to find the best fried chicken in Chicago. The reviews on here mentioned it was good and lots of pics etc. However when we go there (on Fri night) fired chicken wasn't on the menu. We were told you had to preorder ahead. So I guess I was a bit bummed about that, but I probably should have looked this up on the site... its just something that didn't occur to me! So to me the food ended up being just OK. ITs a not a big food menu anyways and everyone on my table except me ordered off the special list. My bf got the chicken fried steak which he said was just ok... it was pretty large though! I got the fried chicken sandwhich. Unfortunately there wasn't much chicken and because there was a lot of mayo (? cant remember) it wasn't very crispy and so I didn't taste much chicken over the bread etc. On the other hand, the service was great they even allowed us to move into a booth later when we had unexpected extras arrive. Drinks were good.. I loved the maple bacon cocktail. The drinks list is very whiskey focus so don't come here looking for a lot of sweet chick cocktails. We eneded up staying a fair while drinking a lot of drinks but I wouldn't come back here for the food, and the good company probably had more with us staying than the drinks which from memory ended up hitting the wallet a bit at the end of the night! On the second visit, I came on a Sunday night with my parents who were visiting from overseas. Our others plans had fallen through so we had planned to go to dinner but we thought wed have a drink somewhere before. We had tried a few places but they were either packed or very loud. My dad has hearing problems so we asked around and people directed us here as they said it is usually quiet. It was and worked very well with my parents. We just sat in the bar area and had a few beers / cocktails. My mum actually loved the place as they were playing some old school tunes which she knew. So it worked for us well however I'm not really sure the Southern is trying for the parent age group with their hipster bar staff etc. All in all I would come here for a few quiet drinks, but prob wont organise any more meals or all night groups things here again.

    (3)

  • Leslie G.

    I don't really understand the hype about this place. I ate here for the first time several months ago and felt my meal was ok, but didn't really warrant the steep prices. The second time I ate here more recently, I was very disappointed. I ordered the summer salad and a side of cornbread (15 dollars total). The salad seemed like it would be good since it had heirloom tomatoes, lots of greens, etc., but the dressing was pretty awful. It was just rather watery and tasteless. The cornbread arrived looking exactly like cheesecake and was extremely dry. I had to drink about 4 sips of my beverage just to get down one bite of cornbread. One of my friends ordered the brisket and was similarly unimpressed. I really expect better food for these prices. Also, the music they were playing was extremely loud punk rock. My friends and I practically had to shout to hear each other. At this point, I have no need to return to this place.

    (2)

  • Lauren H.

    I only stopped in here for a drink after dinner with some friends but the bar and patio are really inviting. Our waiter was very patient with our questions and knowledgable about the drink menu. I would love to go back and try the food.

    (4)

  • An P.

    Sometimes - I just need that southern food. When that Popeye's just isn't going to do you right no matter how crunchy that chicken may be, and you need something a bit more classier or you want to have some fine southern eats with cocktail in your hand, you're going to have to head down to Wicker Park and get to the Southern! It's summertime - the windows are open, the patio is alive and there are people everywhere. In most places, being crowded is a perfect excuse to toss off second rate service and we just have to take it. Fortunately for denizens such as you and I, the Southern lives up to its name and offers up its southern hospitality. Do you like drinking? I thought so. You get can get your drink beer on, your fish bowl on, and sure as hell you can get your rye whiskey and Johnny Walker Blue Label on. The refreshing imbibing is sure to leave you anywhere from sweaty to HOT MESS! The Southern has so many things on the menu and their brunch menu is stacked to the brim. Despite this, you should always have these two dishes when stopping by The Southern: MAC N CHEESE - Have you ever seen the macaroni food truck downtown? Well in case you didn't know, it comes from THE SOUTHERN! Every day is a dice roll that lands on WIN. The white cheddar truffle infused mac n cheese is bliss - I don't know how many cheeses or how that cheese sauce gets so rich, but I'll eat it in a heart beat. FRIED CHICKEN - Deep frying is one of the magics of the deep south. This chicken defies the laws of universe as it's both extra tasty crispy on the outside, but under the batter it's tender, juicy, and soaked in flavor. I'd been told that the fried chicken at The Southern's was phenomenal but the recommendations proved false: it's OTHERWORLDLY. After this, go in peace and thank The Southern for such enlightenment.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    I really liked this place! I've been here twice recently: once for food and once for cocktails. The food is awesome. I had the boudin blanc, which was really exceptional: spicy, but not overpowering, and served with really good sides. We also shared the mac and cheese, which is great; but, as a regular customer at their mac and cheese truck, I found myself bored by regular old noodles and cheese: I'm clearly spoiled. The mussels and the hush puppies were also really good. Only downside, I think, is portion size: I eat like a bird, so I was perfectly happy with the amount of food I got, but I think people with more normal appetites would find it a little small for the price. Service is nice, friendly, quick, and accommodating. It's not overly loud here, either, which is difficult to find in Wicker Park. The cocktails I've been less thrilled by - they tend to be a little strong and non-complex for my taste, but they do have really interesting concepts, and I may have just ordered the wrong thing. Their beer selection is great, and the staff is really knowledgeable about it. All in all, I plan to eat here lots!

    (4)

  • Era N.

    It was the worst experience for me. I came in around 8:20 and was seated almost right away, but we ended up just sitting at the table for about 20 minutes before our waiter stopped by our table to introduce himself. 10 minutes later we got our water...10 more mites went by and we place our order for drinks....20 minutes later we got those drinks and ordered food....which came out almost 2 minutes later, so I can only assume it was sitting under a heating lamp waiting for someone to order it. Hushpuppies were dry, bland and burnt, the only edible thing on that place was aioli. My crayfish sandwich was again dry, bland and inedible, thank god there were fries on my plate, otherwise id walk out hungry. My friends brisket was salty and mash potatoes were soupy and sticky, like they just added raw flour to it. After we left semi hungry still, I got the worst stomach pain. I was doubled over for half the night in my bed, cursing the whole restaurant and the food. I will never go back there again, it was much better when it just opened, now its just a plate to stop and eat if you cant get a table right away anywhere else.

    (1)

  • Felice O.

    My friend and I shared the Catfish and Grits, Pimento Cheese Dip, and Mac and Cheese. The Grits were very very tasty... A+, The Mac and Cheese flavor was "off" a little tart, a little less cheesy. The catfish was Sublime, light, peppery and fresh. Pimento Cheese Dip: The name says it all! Pimentos, cheese nothing spectacular. The crowd on a Saturday night was very very trendy, slightly obnoxious and "yuppy," (for "soul food")and the service no better. They were out of Biscuits!! and the waitress wasn't too sad about it. I pressed my luck, and asked to see a dessert menu. I was told there was no dessert menu. But she could recite it from memory. She couldn't and we left. Needless to say I will not be back. The food is not worth braving the Yuppies, nor the horrendous service.

    (2)

  • Mahsa T.

    I love it when the management is proactive and not just reactive. When it was taking a long time to get my drink and our appetizer order, the manager came over to our table and apologized and assured us that everything would be out shortly. He also comped our appetizer, which was much appreciated and made up for our unusually long wait. Yes, the upstairs lounge got totally slammed about 15 minutes after we arrived, but we had already put in our drink and appetizer order so I don't know why it was taking so long. Despite all that, my friends and I still enjoyed our pre-dinner drinks at the Southern. I liked this place when it used to be Chaise Lounge and I still like it. My drink, Mississippi Milk, served in a martini glass was chocolate-y and delicious with pecans in it. The hush puppies we ordered were hot from the deep fryer and delicious, I'll definitely have to come back and try some of the other Southern comfort foods.

    (4)

  • Eden W.

    Mmm hushpuppies. Good service. Friendly locals too. $3 drink specials. Cant go wrong.

    (4)

  • Susie L.

    I'd give it a 4.25 star actually. So, I usually come for drinks, but this week I sat down for dinner in their nice patio. Very casual environment, decent sized place. We started with drinks. The Trolley Dolly martini and Aunt Bee's Sweet Tea. Both were fabulous, and by that I mean strong. Our waitress was awesome. She was so nice and started throwing out suggestions even before I asked her. I love a good, loud, confident waitress like that. We ordered the Cornbread with Honey and Butter side dish $5... didn't think it would be anything special but wow, it was amazing! I don't know why I hadn't thought to try it before. The Friend Green Tomatoes $12 (should be priced around $9 though) were large slices, very tasty, the tomatoes themselves were a little hard.. perhaps not ripe enough? For entrees, we split the Country Captain $15 (roasted chicken, curried tomato sauce, golden raisins, coconut, almond, rice), delicious, kinda sweet. I'm a sucker for anything curry so obviously I liked it. We also tried the Blackened Catfish $16 (fresh catfish, hot spice mix, Three Sister's grits, Nassau peppers). AH.maze.ing . Kinda salty, super spicy, amazing texture between the grits and catfish. It was actually perfect with the sweetness of the chicken dish. Both entrees were large portions, right for the price for sure! I would recommend this place if you like great service, not too pretentious crowd, whimsy patio feeling on a warm day, and awesome food. Parking is easy too. Must try their brunch next.

    (4)

  • Melanie S.

    My obsession with fried chicken is fairly well-documented around here and after reading Angie M's review of The Southern, I knew I had to make my way here to try the fried chicken feast. The only hurdle was finding 5 other people willing to take the plunge with me into greasy, high-calorie nirvana. Of course, also scheduling said people on a Friday night with no conflicts took an Act of Congress, but in the end all the stars came together and so we dined. Service (by Kyle (Nachos) H's doppelganger) started out slow. The first round of drinks took at least twenty minutes. I asked if they had cider, which Kyle ( I think his name was actually Alex) said they did. Imagine my chagrin when the cider was put in front of me and I took a sip. It was actual apple cider. As in NON-ALCOHOLIC! What, am I ten years old? I asked if they had Crispin or Woodchuck but apparently when I asked about the cider, he thought I wanted actual cider. Um, no. No. I drank it anyway, figuring I'd switch to something else later, but I never did. The chicken and assorted sides arrived in earnest. We all dug in. Hands were flying across the table. We couldn't pass the plates fast enough. Everything was delicious, from the buttermilk biscuits to the mashed potatoes to the chicken itself. We all gorged and were stuffed. Not that this stopped any of us from ordering dessert. Only two choices were offered: a pumpkin creme brulee and apple crisp. I opted to split the crisp and while it was good, there was no actual "crisp" part to it at all. It was just basically warm, soft apples. I was also able to taste the creme brulee and if you like pumpkin, you will like this dessert. I have to say that while there was a couple pieces of chicken left, I was under the impression from Angie M and Brett D that we'd all be leaving with bags full of chicken, which was not the case. Maybe they're daintier eaters than our group, or maybe we were supposed to ask for more; I'm not sure. Not that any of us left unsatisfied by any means. If, like me, you'd relinquish your first-born child for good fried chicken, then grab some pals and get yourself to The Southern. Tell Nachos Jr. I sent you ;-)

    (4)

  • Veronica M.

    Yet another too cool for school restaurant with crappy food. I felt that guilty feeling when you eat McDonalds. I know southern food is not the healthiest but what I had was treasurer thing ever.

    (1)

  • Magen R.

    I've tried the Southern Mac & Cheese Truck a few times and have always wanted to try The Southern. A friend from out of town came in this weekend and we headed there for dinner. For an appetizer we started with the southern mess. It was amazing! I loved the gravy combo with the fries and cheese curds. I also really enjoyed how the cheese curds were seared instead of fried. For my meal I tried the country fried steak - it was delicious! A friend and I also tried the corn, it was awesome! I do wish they didn't serve it on the cob though, it's kind of difficult to manage. I also sampled the pimento mac and cheese which was great as well. Others had the crab cakes, the shrimp and grits and the gumbo. No one was disappointed with their meal. The only thing I did not enjoy was the bite of cornbread I stole from a fellow diner. It was very thick and not very moist. Not something I would order. I also thought the service was great and the ambiance was enjoyable. I wish it had been a little warmer so we could have sat outside or had the covers taken back (we were upstairs which can be indoor or outdoor). I would recommend The Southern - great eats!

    (4)

  • A S.

    I'm not sure I can add much to the 400+ reviews of this restaurant that already exist. I just want to comment on a specific menu item, in the hopes that someone in the kitchen will read it and take action. The item: Cold Fried Chicken Salad. Overall, it's good. It's fine. But it is CRYING OUT for hard-boiled eggs! It's almost weird that they aren't included. Also, the dressing could use a little zip. There is almost no flavor to it as it is now. I shook some Tabasco sauce on it and it improved it tenfold. Lastly, just so people know, you're not going to get big pieces of fried chicken in the salad. It is basically shredded fried chicken, with very little fried bits included. I'd change that too. That is all.

    (3)

  • Stacey A.

    Dear The Southern, Here are some things that I like about you: - Fried Green Tomatoes - The patio - $3 High Life bottles (It's the champagne of beer!) - When your servers actually bring you a champagne flute and pour your High Life into it so that you can properly enjoy said Champagne of Beers - The fact that you had a fried chicken eating contest yesterday - Your face Well done, you. I like your face. And the rest of you. Kisses, Stacey

    (4)

  • Jeff F.

    The Southern has a well-curated menu, and plays a great selection of legit Southern tunes (Skynyrd and Cash featured heavily tonight -- aka a return to childhood for me). The burger was excellent from the bun, through the copious pickles, to the double 4oz patties. The fries were great. For a drink, I had the Revolver (some whisky, some praline paste, what could go wrong?). It was good, but next time I might go with my gut and pair a beer with the burger -- they're meant to be together.

    (4)

  • Len L.

    I drive through Wicker Park all the time and never knew this Southern gem was here. I was glad that I was invited to a friends b-day party over the past weekend. On the first floor there a plenty of tables indoor and outdoor for dinner and the second floor had a few small bar tables and a couple of cabanas. The party was on the second floor which overlook the patio and North Ave. The entire night we had southern drinks galore, drinks like Kentucky Lemonade (bourbon, lemonade, sweet tea) served in a gallon jug with a spigot and Dirty Peach (Vodka, Peach Schnapps, lemonade). The bartenders were kicking the drinks out non-stop and was very friendly. The party ended at midnight and we were forced downstairs, other than ending the party early, I definitely had a very great time at the Southern. This is my new southern home.

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    Drinks are good and the vibe is right for a hot Friday night. But the best thing is the fried chicken dinner. For $19/person, you get fried chicken, mashed sweet poatatoes, collard greens, biscuits, corn. All were served family style and delicious! You can ask for more of anything. Service was just passable, as described by many reviewers, but they were nice and tried hard.

    (3)

  • matt w.

    I am writing this review based on a nice experience we had here just for drinks. I will be back and add to this review once I have dined here. We arrived and were greeted by a friendly host person, we asked for a seat in the sun, they accommodated. We were quickly approached by a nice guy who took our drink order and offered some feedback on the menu, We tried some fun drinks: mint julep was pretty qual and my lady had the drink with Hendricks gin and strawberries in it ( sorry I cant recall the name.. lets call it Ginberry ), she really liked this! I also had a Lone Star beer for 3$, which is a nice addition to the neighborhood since you don't see this Texas staple often up in these here parts.. I really wanted to try some fried chicken but just ate.. cant wait to come back!!

    (4)

  • Rob Y.

    Came here for the fried chicken dinner. The chicken was great! Perfectly seasoned and fried with a lighter batter. Lighter than you would see at a KFC or Popeye's. More authentic to a southern style fried chicken. The biscuits were also very fresh and tasty. The mac and cheese, grits and collard greens were good but not great. The service is a tad slow paced. I would come back here when craving southern food, but not for my birthday.

    (3)

  • Karen M.

    We ordered the fried chicken and a dish with collard greens and let me tell you as a north Floridian (pretty much Georgia) it was all delicious. Very good comfort food at a reasonable price, it cured my homesickness! I definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Angie M.

    Here's what you should do immediately: Gather up your closest friends and family to assemble a party of 6-10. Call The Southern at least 48 hours in advance and book yourself a family style fried chicken dinner. Chicken dinner is not for the faint of heart nor the calorie conscious. It's for people who love food, love sharing food and love seeing just how much fried chicken they can actually consume in one sitting. My fearless group of seven friends dared to attempt the impossible, which is finishing all the chicken that was served to us. We definitely failed. I mean, no group of seven people can eat three huge platters overflowing with fried chicken, can they? It wasn't for a lack of effort. The chicken was, in a word, heaven. I don't know if I've been on a diet for too long or the chicken really was that good, but damn if I wasn't singing the praises of the kitchen staff when I took my first bite into the crispy, crunchy, well-seasoned skin of my tender, moist chicken breast. Not only did I completely dominate a seriously oversized breast, I killed a thigh, too. No shame in my game. Along with the glorious fried meat come all the traditional sides like mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, biscuits, greens and black-eyed peas. I ate everything and I don't even like greens or black-eyed peas. I supposed when they're cooked right (read: with lots of love... and probably actual lard) anything is good. The 'taters were whipped to perfection. The gravy was delightfully slightly lumpy (just like Mom made!). The biscuits? Oh... the biscuits. They came to our table in a HUGE cast-iron baking pan. You pulled them apart since they were all cooked in one, big pan. And when you bite into them? Buttery deliciousness. I would die for these biscuits. Because clearly we didn't get enough food with the chicken dinner, we decided to order a side of mac and cheese. Here's my stance on mac 'n' cheese: If you're going to take down the obnoxious amount of fat and calories residing in a serving of the stuff, it better be damn good. Usually restaurant mac 'n' cheese leaves me less than impressed, but The Southern does it right. Very well seasoned (Tom Colicchio would approve) and super cheesy with a nice crusty topping. Well done, Southern! Something must be said, too, for the incredible staff serving us. I love it when a restaurant makes me feel 'well taken care of' and that's just what The Southern did. Gratis whiskey shots? Sure! Lots of take-out boxes for the oodles of leftover chicken and sides? You betcha. Smiling faces and great attitudes? Absolutely! Just an all around great group of folks working at The Southern for sure. So what are you waiting for? Indulge your inner fat kid and set up a family style fried chicken dinner. You really should. It's to die for. Just be prepared to take your stomach to the limit.

    (5)

  • Tera D.

    Really, I thought it was more of a 3.5, but I'm a sucker for comfort food so I'll bump them up. Went for brunch on a Saturday with 3 people around 11. I was worried it would be a long wait, but we were seated right away. The weather was good, so the patio area was full, but we sat just inside the open doors. Despite planning on not drinking, we were sucked in by the bloody mary's, which were pretty good. My friend and I split the shrimp and grits and the crab cake benedict. I'm kind of picky on shrimp and grits, and these were good but not very special. The crab cake benedict on the other hand was fantastic. Great lemony sauce, huge crab cakes with a great sear on the sides. Highly recommend, and a good dish to split since you get two and the crab cakes are so big. Need to go back soon, since there was a lot more on the menu I wanted to try!

    (4)

  • Theresa R.

    After reading rave reviews about the menu, I attempted to bring my family in for a meal on a Thursday night at about 7pm. We ended up leaving before getting seated. The noise of the TV and country music was so loud that the customers in the bar had to shout over it to hear themselves. The bar side clearly out weighs the dining section in size, drowning out any chance of a peaceful country cooked meal. It was seeing customers carry in fake pink cowboy hats that convinced us to leave as the bar patrons were clearly there for a night of drinking and noise making and not a meal. What does The Southern want to be? A bar or a respectable dining establishment that serves drinks with a meal? This particular Thursday evening it was a noisy bar. We at first left disappointed but found another great quieter venue near by that served great food.

    (2)

  • Jennifer P.

    Nothing special. The selling point is the huge patio and a decent beer list. The food is overpriced and mediocre compared to alternatives. I paid $18 for a burger and fries, of which the best part was the pimento cheese.

    (3)

  • Candice G.

    A skeptical 4, but I'll defo be back to give it another try. I think my carnal sin here was not getting the smoked gouda mac and cheese. In fact, a little tear may or may not have rolled down my cheek when I saw tables around us getting the dish that I had actually wanted to order. Next time, Southern. Next time. What we did get was the Dirty South Okra and the Shrimp and Grits. Both were good, but the okra didn't live up to all the hype, IMO. To me, the okra tasted mostly like the plain fried shell, no seasoning, not much okra, and though the pimento cheese sauce was good, it was hard to taste given that there was so.very.little of it in our teeny cuppy. There was barely enough to even canvas the bottom of the smaller than a silver dollar sized petri dish. The shrimp and grits were better, in my opinion, just not out of this world and I probably wouldn't flock to order it again, though my BF would beg to differ. But like I said, I will be back and I will be getting the smoked gouda mac and cheese, and I will likely feel the need to give a bump in my star rating. For bevy I got The Southern's Mint Julep... which I was so excited about until I realized that what I had in my head was a mojito. Nevertheless, I'm up for trying new things and this could be my chance to pretend I was at the Kentucky Derby. Erm, I kind of hated it. The mint flavor was so suttle that I thought for a while it was just a plain ole leaf in my drink and for a drink that was on the smaller side, it took me 2 hours to even get half way and then I had to quit on it. In fact, most of my drinking progress happened after the ice had melted, making the drink much more drinkable. Next time, I'm getting a Woo Woo, damn it! The atmosphere is adorable and perfect for the 78 degree night we stopped by. We probably would've sat outside but the BF and I were a little confused about the seating situation on a Thursday night (do we just sit down or do we wait for someone, is there even a someone to wait for?) but luckily we spotted some fellow yelpers belly up at the bar and cozied up with them instead. Next time, I want to come with a group, set up the fried chicken dinner beforehand, and sit on that gorgeous rooftop. All in all, we had a good time, despite having a few misses as far as our menu choices went. What really put the visit on the next level was meeting Chef Cary, who is smart and personable, not to mention handsome as hell and defo won us over by coming out to meet and greet his fan base. Loved it!

    (4)

  • Tim S.

    Still good. Southern Mess (aka Poutine) was delicious Tasty Burger was tasty - perhaps that is why it has the name Fish looked appealing on bed of creamed corn, beans and squash and a few Stormy Mondays (aka dark and stormys) Service was attentive and comfortable. My only complaint was that there seemed to be a bit to much salt for my taste. (I have been cutting salt out of my diet as much as possible so perhaps I am a little sensitive to it.)

    (4)

  • Christina M.

    yum...Went with Jenise R for a quick bite... Fried chicken sandwich had delicious breading. so crispy....gravy and collard greens, Oh my god. It was a little messy because u have to keep pushing the chicken into the bread but i guess it was worth the messy fingers. the side salad was great. Smoked gouda mac and cheese needed something...maybe seasoning. I couldn't find myself to finish it and i love mac and cheese. our server was super cute and sweet great service. NICE SPACE!

    (3)

  • Jennifer Y.

    Brunch here is ammmazing. Decor is modern, country chic. I.e. like you walked into your southern bestfriend's modern but cozy home. The spiced donuts are a MUST to polish off a gluttonous lunch. Southern Benedict is a classic but delicious. Drinks are inventive and vary with the season. I had a pumpkin spiced hot toddy during the fall. Delicioso. Next time I have to try the fried chicken (why must I love fried food!) and Charleston Benedict. I will definitely be back. Maybe even for dinner or drinks. It's a great neighborhood spot.

    (4)

  • Charla W.

    I think the food here is just ok. However, this is because I have many southerners in my family who truly know how to cook southern food. This restaurant definitely did not live up to the southern food I have had in my past. I guess you could therefore say I came to the restaurant with high expectations. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice. Although the food left much to be desired, it wasn't just because of taste. It was also because of how the food was served. In order to try more than just your actual entree, you had to order everything separately as sides. This left the meal being expensive since everything had to be ordered separately. I have been to this restaurant twice and probably won't be back. I just didn't see what all the hype was about.

    (2)

  • Amanda Z.

    Worst experience ever. They had a bunch of drunk jerks there. One lady even threw her hat on our table and hit our waters. Our server came by twice, never asked us if we wanted dinner... This was after we had our appetizer for a half an hour. The menu online was old, but surprisingly had a day of specials. Wellll then. This was terrible, I was so angry when I left I was shaking. Should of gone to Smoke Daddy.

    (1)

  • Anne C.

    This place was packed for our late Saturday night dinner, but was surprisingly dead when we left around 11 PM. The staff is super friendly and the menu is small and a little bit confusing-- there is a Dinner section and a Sides section, but it's somewhat unclear what is intended to be a starter, an entree, or for sharing. That said, the food is all really good-- the mac and cheese is, of course, delicious and so was basically everything we ordered. I had the crabcakes for my entree which were light and flavorful and we also shared hushpuppies (I was skeptical about the smoked trout dipping sauce, but it was delish) and cornbread at the table. Great southern-inspired craft cocktails too-- the Dixie Cup and the Big Easy were amazing! The only reason I wouldn't give The Southern 5 stars is because some of the most appealing items on their menu (brisket, pork shoulder, fried chicken) are only available upon early request with a reservation for a large group. I understand that you won't necessarily be serving up whole roasted pigs on demand for random small groups, but you would think that brisket and fried chicken wouldn't be that big of a deal. It's just unfortunate because the menu is fairly limited and when you take those items away it's pretty slim pickings.

    (4)

  • Krsna V.

    LOLycakes: You wanna be my date tonight? Me: Hell the fuck no. Why do I even want to be in the same city as you? LOLycakes: Because I am inviting you to The Southern. Me: Alright, I have been meaning to try this place. I'll be your date, whatever. The mention of fried okra and Johnny Cakes lured me to Southern. Not to mention LOLycakes' unflinching love for me. We ordered a whole bunch of stuff. Poutine, fried okra, Johnny cakes, hushpuppies for appetizers. Gumbo, the southern burger, more poutine, braised pork, and crabcakes for entrees. Oh, the poutine! Where do we even begin with this thing? Melted cheese curds, gravy, fries, and bacon bits are pretty much what heaven comes wrapped in. I could give up sex for this poutine. Wait, scratch that. I didn't say that. The fried okra is probably even better than the traditional fried okra I had when I lived down south. If there is one dish you have to order from The Southern, it is the fried okra. The johnny cakes were pretty stellar. Pork, pickled cabbage served with light fluffy pancakces. I made johnny tacos out of them. The hushpuppies were pretty good. I did not get a chance to taste all the entrees. It is not polite to reach across a table of 9 to get a bite. . LOLycakes ordered the crab cakes. He was trying to be dainty, I guess. I took a bite out of the crabcakes and they were full of win. I tried to eat more of it because he is fat anyway and shouldn't eat all that food, but I felt bad for him. My gumbo was good. I was trying to get LOLycakes fat so I could make more fun of him. So, I ordered the Mississippi Mud Pie. A fantastic twist on a classic mud pie. Instead of getting him fat, I ended up eating most of it. In the end, I had to roll LOLycakes out of the restaurant to his car. I walked him to his car because I was afraid he wouldn't make it. That, and the fact that I am a gentlemen and I don't let my dates walk by themselves to their car. Repeat visits will be scheduled soon.

    (4)

  • Christie d.

    Awesome patio. Terrific drinks. Excellent service. FRIED TWINKIES!!!! Fried chicken sandwich is ridiculous. Beet salad - GOOD. FRIED TWINKIES!!! Live music. Good people. Great scene. Loved it. Did I mention they have fried twinkies?

    (5)

  • Tracy C.

    I just had "date night" with the hubs at The Southern and we were sorely disappointed. I was really looking forward to having some fried green tomatoes as listed on their online menu, but the menu at the restaurant didn't even list them! But onto the meal... We started by sharing the cornbread with honey and butter and it was so-so. Nothing great, but not bad. I could make it in my kitchen. I got a Ginger Snap and he got a beer--both were yummy beverages. We also cashed in on the "Check-in" deal and got two free shots of bourbon. Not my drink, but the bartender brought it out and told us the history behind their bourbon (I guess they got to personally pick the barrel they wanted). Nice touch, but it didn't off set the food... The menu doesn't have an appetizer section. It says entrees, sides to share and then lists their big family meal deal that you have to order ahead of time. I ordered the hush puppies thinking it was a full blown meal of some sort since it was listed under the entree section. I got 11 hush puppies with artichoke dip. They were decent, but I would DEFINITELY not call it an entree. It was an appetizer. He got the some sort of stew (can't remember the name...something Kadoo?) which was rather tasteless. It was a mix of some pork like meat with corn, tomatos, potatoes, beets and a variety of other veggies brought out with a cup of broth which they dump on top upon delivery. Again, nothing special. Not wanting to give up we ordered dessert--again the exact name escapes me--but it was essentially two TASTELESS (I cannot stress this enough--THEY HAD NO TASTE) dark chocolate whoopie pies filled with some creamy unidentifiable white stuff. The whoopie pies were horrible. The white fluffy stuff sprinkled with bacon and peanuts that came on the side were pretty good. Needless to say, we won't be back. I'd say this place is good for the booze (they had some fun drinks listed) but not for the food.

    (2)

  • Amanda F.

    This place is close to home and looks cute. I'm a sucker for a low-lit patio. My friend and I decided to check it out one Wednesday evening. We showed up and asked to sit outside, and we were not disappointed! The ambience is cool but not too cool, like so many places around here can be. We enjoyed Southern- themed cocktails and food. I had the fried green tomatoes, which when drizzled with Frank's Red Hot, were absolutely fantastic. My friend had the 2-inch thick crab cakes. They were amazing. We also shared a side of really creamy cheese grits. I washed them down with Aunt Bee's Sweet Tea. This is essentially a Bourbon-infused Arnie Palmer. It is dangerously tasty! My friend's choice was the Debutante, a take on the margarita. The Southern added cucumber, and it was really refreshing. The service was friendly. I asked for suggestions and our waiter accommodated with excellent choices. Price-wise, it was probably a little high for the cocktails and sides, $10 and $5 each, respectively. But like I said, the food and drinks were delish, so overall worth it. Can't wait to try the whole menu!

    (4)

  • Troy H.

    The SOuthern takes Southern favorites and dolls them up a bit. No "low class" black eyed peas and rice, but hoppin john with extra. I can't fault them for it, and depending on my mood I can get peeved at it, but the food IS good, so they have that going for them.

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    I really like this space, but I think we just ordered wrong. And by "wrong" I mean that everything we ordered was kinda blah. And by "blah" I mean flavorless. I'm a girl who loves a good sidecar and The Southern couldn't even get that right. It was the worst drink that I have ever had and I had to send it back. Me?! Sending back alcohol?!? It's true. The drink that THAT bad. I enjoyed the poutine, because it had a spicy gravy and at the point that we ordered it all of the other food had been so uninspired that I had barely eaten anything (and we were almost halfway through a giant punchbowl!) I needed to grub. The johnnycakes? Meh. I didn't get it. The fried green tomatoes? This girl hates goat cheese and there's a big slab on every golden 'mater. Plus they were bland. The hushpuppies? Again, very bland. I thought Southerners used Old Bay in everything. Guess not. I also liked the fried okra, probably because it was the only thing with any flavor. As I said, I really like the space. The Southern has a nice little alfresco and an open air restaurant. So, based on that alone, I would probably go back. I might even give some of the entrees a try, but fool me twice Southern and it's shame on YOU.

    (3)

  • Brett F.

    Oh Lordy, I just ate me up a storm!! The phrase "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse" certainly comes to mind, though in my particular case it would be more like, "I'm so full, I think I just ate a horse, y'all"... yep, put on yer expandable pantaloons and bring your kissin' cousins, The Southern makes good on fabulous feeding and in wholly gluttonous country fashion no less. Not for the faint of coronary artery, be sure to pop a Lipitor before ya head down South to get your good eats on. You'll need one after this down-home durrrty decimation... Try the utterly divine Johnny Cakes - smoked pulled pork, warm and scrumptious cornmeal cakes and 'chow chow', a tangy, sweet pepper mixture - they're the tastiest make-your-own piled up high little backwoods tacos you ever could eat! Highly recommended and fabulously executed... absolutely love 'em. Can I get a Yee-Haw?! Next up sample some perfect finger food in the Dirty South (fried) Okra app served up with a smooth, tasty pimento cheese for dippin' and the lovely-as-a-Southern-breeze Fried Green Tomatoes lathered in goat cheese and a lemon, caper relish. Trust me, even Idgie Threadgoode never had 'em so choice! Obviously not to be forgotten is the highly touted and uberpopular, Poutine. Can I be honest? It scared me. I wasn't sure what to make of this big bowl of mushy gravy-laden fries covered in bits 'o meat and fried cheese. Will I die if I eat this? Probably not, but my tummy might explode. And boy, did it! Super heavy, tremendously greasy, enormously unwholesome... and totally delicious. Gluttony to the nth degree! Plan to share the Poutine for your own benefit, there can't be anything safe or advised in having this caloric monstrosity to oneself. Small disappointments were negligible but materialized even so in dishes like the overly hot sauced and one-note Shrimp 'n Grits plate as well as the Family Style Fried Chicken Dinner only being available when ordered 48-hours in advance. Not to worry, I've already remedied the latter... field trip to The Southern full steam ahead! Keep the biscuits warm and the okra dirty, Outlaw Brett and crew are on their way back to this one horse town! Er, no horse town. I forgot, I ate the first one.

    (4)

  • Ryan L.

    Dust off your Tae Bo videos, go through your closet for your trendiest Lululemon workout gear, you'll need it later. You may gain a couple pounds from just reading this review alone. Don't say I didn't warn you. Having visited here multiple times now, I feel comfortable writing this. They have a dangerous little special on Friday nights of $3 shots of Maker's Mark. Husky and I may have possibly boogied our way through a bottle or two. You can't go wrong with that special! The food here is pretty slammin. I feel like I'm right smack in the middle of the dirty dirty when sampling some of the dishes. I've tried most of the menu, so I'll highlight my favorites: Dirty South Fried Okra - as a stout meatatarian I'm shocked my favorite dish was this masterpiece, complete with pimento cheese spread. Poutine - Fries, cheese curds, and ham smothered in gravy? Why can't I eat this every day? My fans know I would, too. Oh wait, that's right, I'll get fat. Johnny Cakes - Genius! Shredded pork on cornmeal, with a sweet giardiniera-like topping (but not), is genius! Genius! The hush puppies are good also, but not as large as the ones I've eaten in the ATL, so just a solid thumbs-up. Chef Cary has visited our group each time we've stopped in. When I mentioned my disappointment in not seeing the gumbo on the menu before we ordered, he sent us a LARGE sample of it on him. Needless to say we were quite full and satisfied! Our bartender also has been super warm and friendly, making multiple visits quite easy. What a very friendly staff! With ample outdoor seating and excellent viewpoints for people watching, I predict this place will be popular in the summer. Though not quite like being in the dirty dirty, I bet it will be filled with people throwin' pretty-ass 'bos.

    (5)

  • Alyssa C.

    Amazeballs. Great brunch spot. I have been here twice for brunch now and I love it now as much as I did the first time. There was four of us and everyone had a great meal. We started off with the donuts to share, then we got 4 different brunch entrees and loved them all. The atmosphere was great - especially with nice weather. Great outdoor patio, but if you are inside, the doors are wide open and you feel like you are outside. I continue to bring visitors here!

    (5)

  • Dan E.

    So they bill themselves as: Kickassbar + Comfort Food. First, a review of the Kickassbar: All the drink categories showcase the southern part of the country and a serious penchant for quality. The beer selection features a number of craft breweries. Plus they sneak in one north of the Mason Dixon line: Three Floyds. The mixed drinks, likewise, are southern influenced and made with premium liquors. And they feature a geographically interesting wine list for those who are not into bourbon. To make a kickassbar you need music. I would describe the music as Q101ish. Despite the fact I qualify for AARP membership, my mental age is much younger so a pre-Creed Q101 playlist works for me. Although some in my party thought the music was too loud for dinnertime, I had no problem with it. My tolerance for loud music (ie deafness) stems from attending a Motorhead concert in 2001. Now for the comfort food aspect: Most of the reviews mention the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese but virtually everything is satisfying. I was there with a group so everyone got something different. If there are crabcakes on a menu I will order that. The peel and eat shrimp is impressive for the size of the shrimp. The burgoo is beef and pork on a bed of vegetables with a bourbon sauce. And the gumbo will transport you to Louisiana. And of course the hushpuppies are mandatory. Service is always attentive and friendly.

    (4)

  • Andre W.

    Good brunch here...who knew! I tried this place as Chaise Lounge and felt so-so about it. When I heard they were changing it to a southern type theme I was a little weary about it. 2 friends of mine seem to frequent this place quite often and they constantly brag about their experiences here. I thought this past scorching hot Sunday would be a great opportunity to take in the good eats as well as sitting outside on their nice patio. Was not too busy @ 11:30AM so we easily got a decent seat. Went with the mimosas to start off...pretty good blend of the OJ & champagne. Looked over the menu and did not see a whole lot that floated my boat, but I took one look at the Breakfast Sandwich ($11) and automatically knew that was what I wanted. The Breakfast Sandwich includes fried green tomato, arugula, scrambled eggs (I chose to go with egg whites), piquillo pepper and goat cheese....all I could say was outstanding. As I looked around almost every table has ordered that sandwich. I like this place and hope I can return to try their dinner & drinks everyone has been raving about! Nice upgrade from Chaise Lounge

    (5)

  • Bre F.

    Oh my goodness. I felt like I was transported straight back to Savannah, GA! Everything tasted like the most amazing southern cooking. We walked on this wonderful Sunday morning, and made it to here around 1pm. We were able to be seated right away on the patio since it was gorgeous out, and were given the corner table. Perfect for my group and our love of people watching. Anyways... I had the spiced doughnuts which came 5 cue ball sized doughnuts to a plate surrounded by fresh fruit (strawberries and blueberries for me - yum!) and with a coffee glaze at the bottom of the dish. They were super fresh out of (how ever they cook these delicious things) and they were still gooey in the middle! Just amazing, melt in your mouth greatness. I don't really like coffee but the glaze wasn't super strong and it tasted amazing with the doughnuts! And the fruit was the freshest fruit ever. The Sunday Mac n' Cheese was split amongst the table, and ohhh man it was delicious. It had smoked gouda, andouille sausage, and scrambled egg! I don't like sausage, but I still ate everything else, and ohhhh my goodness! It's perfect. There really isn't more to say about it. I can't comment other than they looked amazing and my friends said they tasted amazing, but the Southern M'am and the Chicken and Biscuit were also consumed at the table. Bad things, I can't give it 5 stars because of the service. We sat, and sat, and sat a lot. I hope it was mostly because our waiter was new, but I have no idea. We noticed a lot of other tables getting their food before us even though they were sat after us. He explained that the printer in the kitchen was out of tape for a minute and our order never got started. It happens, I know, but it took him almost 25 minutes to realize this. We also were not given a few beers that we ordered (but did not appear on the bill, so it was no big deal), and he was just very spacey when he was at the table. Nothing absolutely horrible, but just something to be worked on.

    (4)

  • Jacob G.

    Really big fan of their three dollar whiskey shots each day paired with a different beer. Wish the crowd was actually more southern than what it attracts. They should figure out how to better utilize the space upstairs, not a long of area to "hang-out" in at this place.

    (4)

  • Rhonda G.

    Maybe I was just in a great mood because of the weather, maybe I was just happy to be hanging with one of my best girlfriends, or maybe this place is just pretty awesome. Dining al fresco in the cute patio area made me very excited for what spring and summer in the city means...better attitudes all around. People were giddy as we all sipped Abita beer ($3 on special) and other southern specialties. Staff was attentive and quick to make suggestions (southern hospitality in Chicago! what?!). I also dug our servers handlebar-esque mustache. It seemed to fit somehow. At first glance the menu seems a bit limited but I think they offer a little something for everyone. Cute little crunchy fish tacos with spicy salsa. Cute and delicious take on this southwestern dish. If the only hushpuppy you know comes from Long John SIlver or the mall then you owe it to yourself to try the hush puppies with a smoked trout, scallion and artichoke dip,tasty! BUT the real star of the evening was the Smoked gouda mac and cheese ! Fantastic! I just felt very relaxed here, dining, drinking, and people watching. If only the south was actually as cool this ;)

    (5)

  • Aaron Jae M.

    It's a nice place and the service is ok. I went here for brunch on a Sunday. I had the duck gumbo. it was darn tasty. Hearty ingredients but a tiny portion. I felt like it was almost an appetizer. For $12 I should be getting more than a bowl of soup. I was definitely not full and definitely did not want to spent another $10+ on a second entree for myself. If there is one thing I hate it is leaving a restaurant hungry especially if the food was good. I think that they need to up their portion size and lower their prices, for what I had I would have thought it should cost $6, $8 tops if it was organic and all that other stuff.

    (3)

  • Amy S.

    This place is down the street from my apartment. Which would make it super convenient for me if I go there. And on weeknights it seems like it's alright and chances are there won't be a wait, but later in the week (Thursday-Saturday) I walk by this place and it's crazy busy. I get it, it's summertime. Chicagoans love their patios! But I just can't really justify waiting a long time for this place. The food is okay. I didn't have anything that was bad. But I didn't have anything that was amazing. The hushpuppies were okay, a little on the dry side. The chicken and a biscuit was delicious. The blackberry cobbler was a bust. Mine would put it to shame any day of the week. I mean, I still ate it all. It's not like it was awful, I just wouldn't order it again. 3$ drafts and 3$ shots of Evan Williams on Tuesdays. Don't mind if I do. Service was good. Our server was not very friendly or amazing, and at one point in time I think one round of our beers sat at the bar for a sweet minute before we got them. But it was in the middle of dinner rush, so I get it, no biggie. All in all, when my friends are trying to figure out where to go and were walking down North Ave...if this place isn't too packed, I'm in. But I don't think it's anything to wait forever for.

    (3)

  • Caroline A.

    I thought we were just going to do drinks here, and we ended up eating... a lot. And it was fantastic. Do not come to The Southern if you are on a diet. You are sure to break it. I was here with Ryan and Husky. It was pretty crowded on a Saturday night, but we snagged a table on the lower level. I started with two of their cocktails - the Dirty Peach and the Woo Woo. Sounds dirty, right? Awesome. I also tried their Diseno Malbec, which was very nice. Now the food. THE FOOD. We had: Poutine Cheese Straws Fried Green Tomatoes Hush Puppies I can't pick a favorite because they were all fantastic. I have to say that the Poutine was dangerously good. Chef Cary came by to introduce himself and talked to us for a while... what a super nice guy. I have to agree with MattLOL. It was the best part of the restaurant. I can see this place becoming a super hot spot this spring and summer. I will be back.

    (5)

  • Carol K.

    As a northern girl, I wondered if I was going to like the latest reincarnation of what once was the old Chaise Lounge. The Southern? Sounds so simple and, er . . . .south. After all, I loved the old concept and how could anything top it? Or so I thought before my visit last week. The space has been transformed. Gone are the white tablecloths, the communal table and the upscale, full plate menu. In now are high tops, booths for 6 and a rustic wood bar that will serve you a Southern beer, none of which I had ever heard of, but whose names I like to say, like the Southern Star Blonde Bombshell or the Abita Turbodog! Or how about some drinks with names like the "Woo-Woo" or the "Presbyterian"? The food is now more "comfort food" than anything else and perfect for sharing with friends. But those amazing outdoor spaces are still there- with the patio on the street level with the fire pit surrounded by tables, the roof top gathering area as well as the fact that all the walls roll up and bring the outdoors inside. This is truly one of the best places to enjoy the weather in Chicago. We had to try a little of everything as Chef Cary Taylor came out and described some of his favorites. We thought we would be taking a "doggie bag" or two home with us, but we seemingly ate most of it. To start with, we went with the fried green tomatoes, the poutine and the johnny cakes. The tomatoes were great with a large portion of goat cheese served on top. The poutine was the best I've had (funny- I never had poutine until a few months ago and now everyone seems to be serving it) fries drowned in gravy and topped with melted cheese curds- delicious. As for those johnny cakes, while not my favorite- my friend raved about the taste of that pork with the pickled tomato spread that accompanied them. And if that wasn't enough food- we tried the fried chicken special of the day, as well as the braised pork that just fell off of the bone. Be still my heart! The good news was by this time- there was no room for dessert or the mud pie or carrot cake might have also made it's way to our table. My friend said the food there may have changed his life. As for me? Do you think it's a coincidence that my speech is now peppered with words like "Y'all" , and "baws"? I think not. The Southern is one "fahn" restaurant, y'all! Now hush yewr mouth and take yewr kin there, y'heah?

    (5)

  • Jen O.

    The service here was excellent! The food was pretty good, but the drinks were ridiculously good. Very noisy due so if that's not your thing then choose something more quiet or upscale. Definitely fun for the younger crowd.

    (4)

  • Marina S.

    The service here was awful. Our waitress pretty much ignored us the whole time we were there. I looked around and saw the other wait staff taking forever to get to the other tables as well. The place wasn't that big and had a full staff. Their bourbon bacon bloody mary should not exist, and they should get a wait staff who checks on you more than once an hour. We were going to try the food, but the waitress needed to get our 3rd round of drinks first and didn't come back for minutes. We decided to go to big star, where the staff heard our story and helped move us up on the line to give us a better sunday.

    (1)

  • Joyce C.

    Tried the Kentucky Burgoo, the Crawfish Pistolettes, the mac and cheese and the cornbread. Burgoo is basically a stew with different kinds of meat (pork shoulder and beef shank) and a whole buncha veggies and potatoes with a thin beef broth around it. It was tasty and nicely done, but I wish there were a side dish or something else that came with it besides just that stark bowl. And, they don't give you a spoon for this dish, I guess you have to ask for it, but I ate mine with a fork. The Crawfish Pistolettes is basically crawfish etouffee that is ladled into two halfs of a small french loaf. The crawfish etouffee was excellent, just as good as what we'd gotten to try in New Orleans. It was flavorful, balanced and had just a touch of heat. I just wish there were more of it, and less french bread. The ratio was way off, where at the end of the meal we left a ton of white bread (without any sauce leftover) sitting on the plate. If they just sold this by the bowlful with french bread on the side, I would order vats of this stuff. The mac and cheese? Pretty tasty!! I had a much better reaction to this than the crappy stuff I had from the Southern Mac and Cheese truck. This mac and cheese was gooey, had some sharpness and was nicely seasoned. I would definitely get this dish again. The cornbread was not great, it was dense and tasteless. It came with a side of butter and a side of honey, but the honey was the clover kind and I wasn't a big fan. For $5 out came two sticks of cornbread, which I thought was overpriced and not worth it at all. So, what should be a four star review came out to three because I felt though the taste of the food was good, something about each dish (with the exception of the mac and cheese) needed to be tweaked. They do offer a nice outdoor patio and a good selection of drinks- I will have to partake in that when summer comes around.

    (3)

  • Amanda P.

    Went here over labor day weekend. Tried to book a cabana for a party but were told that it required a $500 min and could only be put on 2 credit cards (so basically impossible to split up), so we decided against hosting a party in a cabana. Showed up early to try and get a table, but soon found it's too calm downstairs, so once our friends showed up had to move upstairs. Overall Management was pretty nice about some of the "louder" friends of ours, I was pretty worried after reading some of the reviews on here, but they dealt with them pretty well! The only reason I am giving a lower review is that the party reserving process is insane, the only other option to reserve a cabana is wristbands at $33 a pop for TWO HOURS??? No other place is that expensive. And keep this in mind, the whole time we were there....the Cabanas were empty....that's right folks the precious cabana's were empty.

    (3)

  • Charlie z.

    Sooo can we say Bourbon bacon cocktail deliciousness?! I arrived at Southern with some friends to meet up with a few people. When we sat down I noticed a girl had bacon in her drink. Intrigued (mostly because I'd hook bacon up to my veins if I could) I asked about the drink. It was delicious. It was smoky, sweet, bourbony and bacony! Ok back to the restaurant. It is a casual bar like atmosphere with decent food and good drinks. The pros: The waitstaff was very attentive. They had a $3 beer special. The food was good. I had a fried chicken sandwich which had a slaw and a nice sauce on it. I also ordered the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was good, but it didn't blow my mind. It wasn't overly expensive. For my meal and about three beers my bill was $35 after tip. The cons: It gets a little loud. More bacon...on everything! As Arnold so famously said...I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Jo A.

    I've been to The Southern a few times since it's opening, and have been a repeat customer. I recently went on a Thursday night with a group of friends and had an amazing time. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share including the cheese fondue, hush puppies, Cesar salad, and mussels. Although every thing was delicious, I could have made a meal just eating the mussels and the fondue - highly recommended. For entrees, we ordered the fried chicken (with spicy sauce on the side), crab cakes, and piggly wiggly and shared. Crab cakes where packed with crab meat, chicken was very juicy and great crunchy skin, the piggly wiggly was super tender. If I had to pick a favorite, I think they make the best fried chicken (I like it plain without the sauce cause it was too much heat for me.) The portion was big as well. Overall, The Southern has delicious food, friendly service, and cool ambiance.

    (5)

  • Shauna D.

    This is a great place to grab an after-work "wind down" drink. Don't be misled by the name, (I was thinking over-the-top cliche southern pieces and accents to push the namesake) but the ambiance is upscale and relaxing. Simple style, low lighting, romantic and classy. I have not seen it too crowded, which is a big bonus. I have been there on a Tuesday when Estelle's was packed, and in the fine spirit of competition they offer $3 drafts on Tuesdays! Definitely a nice surprise. Bartender was very sweet and attentive. I have not eaten here yet but I'm totally that person that watches other peoples food go by and checks it out.. so far its all looked great and I will definitely have to order a bite next time. This might be my new Tuesday spot.

    (4)

  • Anna P.

    I went to an event here sponsored by Redfin (entering the home-buying market - scary but exciting!) and so I got to try a variety of the food options and thought they were all fantastic! Also, the service we got for the event was top notch. The pulled pork sliders were out of this world, and the mac and cheese really is absolutely delectable. My personal favorite was the fried chicken sliders - an amazing little chunk of perfectly fried chicken with a pickle on a bun. Amazing. I stuffed myself silly with food and wine and felt verrrry happy afterwards.

    (4)

  • Colin B.

    Rude man with shaved head, trimmed beard and glasses to move us from patio indoors. Barked orders at us, never smiled all night. Also, place is rather pricey for location and what you get. I'll go back to try food, as this price judgment is for drinks only

    (2)

  • Mary Ann C.

    We had been wanting to try the "reserve ahead" fried chicken dinner for a long time, and we finally got some friends organized to enjoy this meal over the holidays. It was fabulous and well worth the effort of making a reservation ahead of time. The Southern is a pretty cool spot, and we loved the huge booth that our group of 8 was seated in. We had been here many years ago when it was a different restaurant, and I like the current decor. Would love to come back in the summer and relax on the outdoor patio! Service was fine and attentive. The dinner....amazing! The fried chicken was served on a heaping platter and was delicious. Maybe not the best I have ever had, but it was certainly near the top. I loved the sides: mashed potatoes (yumm), greens (very tasty from someone who usually is not a fan), cheese grits (wow-would return for these alone!) and biscuits (simply devine). It was a great, huge meal, so come prepared to EAT! I am pregnant, so I could not partake in any of the fun cocktails. However, the cocktails got rave reviews from those at the table, and three of the drinkers were picky senior citizens! LOL! My husband had a manhattan with bacon, and he is still telling all of his buddies about it. Great spot!

    (5)

  • Katie C.

    This place comes close to being phenomenal. Something's missing--and it might be southern hospitality. Please, now, don't get me wrong. The food is amazing: the pimento mac 'n cheese, the fried green tomatoes, the country fried steak, the crabcakes, and the special fried chicken (order 24 hours in advance, ya'll!) have an edge on your home-cooked favorites. Even the mixologist knows what's up--last time I was in, I tried some special drink that was basically like an alcohol-filled horchata--and MAN was it deeelish! I called to make a reservation, made it, even called when our party was running late. When we arrived, our table wasn't ready. It wasn't ready for another 15 minutes. Punishment? Reshuffling of tables? New, naive hostess? Whatever. I'll consider that payback for our lack of punctuality. But then, when we were seated and I pulled out my industry card, the waitress came back saying my card was a one-time use card ONLY, and wouldn't return it. I'm pretty sure that if a different manager had been on staff that night (i.e., the one whom I received the card from), this wouldn't have happened. This definitely left a sour taste in my mouth, and quite honestly, there are other places I'd rather patronize who aren't gonna be shady like that. They say, "Third time's a charm," so it's going to take a little self-motivating to get myself back to The Southern to give them a shot at earning an extra star.

    (3)

  • Dom G.

    With a long wait at the bar and bartenders that were extremely slow...we were already off to a bad start. We were seated on the patio with a great evening breeze it served as a great place to hang with my wife and friends. The beer was semi-cold and the service was slow at best. We ordered the special, fried chicken with a spicy kick, and after what seemed like 15 minutes our waiter returned to let us know it was sold out. Something about only making so much "fried chicken"?? We had the mac and cheese...meh, I've had many better. The food over all reminded me of what people that are not from the south think southern food tastes like. Overall, not impressed and though the scene was hopping and the nights are right for this type of restaurant I will not be returning and I am pretty sure I will not be advising my friends to try it either.

    (1)

  • Sarah P.

    Love the Southern! Good beer options, tasty cocktails, and the only food I've had so far is the mac & cheese, but boy is it good! Some of the bartenders and waiters are super cool...Chris (a server) is awesome!!! The patio is amazing and the upstairs is all open as well so it's a perfect summer spot!

    (5)

  • Gary C.

    Maybe it's because I didn't wear my cowboy boots and hat, plaid shirt, giant belt buckle and Wranglers...The Southern just didn't do much for me. For however long I explored Wicker Park nightlife, I've always thought The Southern was some fancy-schmancy joint because of the exterior decor. I would always walk by and think to myself, "well this place is bumpin'." But I wound up coming here for dinner on a Friday night with a couple buddies and it wasn't anything like we expected... The decor is nice, especially the whole "turn the patio into an 'indoor' seating area." It felt a little more upscale than we anticipated. But something about the food just didn't click, and that's probably in part because the portion sizes were pretty small. With that said, the food prices were a bit high for what I was getting. The drinks, however, were decently priced. They're pretty much on par with other bar-types around the area. Yeah, maybe if I came back dressed up for brunch things would be better (they serve fried chicken for brunch!!). Until then, I highly doubt I'll be saying "howdy, partner" to anyone soon.

    (3)

  • Paul H.

    Great patio and staff! This place does southern food right. This place I would recommend for a casual hang.

    (3)

  • Adoley J.

    Went here for brunch yesterday and was highly disappointed in the food. We started out with the doughnuts for the table. They were a bit stale and the sauce that came didn't add to or compliment the doughnut. At the recommendation of our waitress I got the fried green tomatoes benedict. It was so bland. The breading was flavorless and the tomato was cut too thick. A friend got the crab cakes Benedict and was also disappointed. Another friend got the house bacon and that was delicious. Other than that I would only got here for drinks and to mingle and skip out on the food.

    (2)

  • Jonathan H.

    Fried Chicken and service for a 22 person table? = 5 stars. Well done. 1 star deduction for the Mac N Cheese. It was bland. It was unseasoned. I was amazed it has a truck of this stuff driving around in Chicago. We must have gotten a bad/unsalted/uncrunchied batch. The Fried Chicken was amazing though. The chicken breast were freakin' huge! Massive. They had a great selection of beers and I was very happy with the sides of Mashed Potato, collared greens and biscuits.

    (4)

  • Pierre W.

    My wife and I went to THE SOUTHERN!!(smile)... The reason I took so long to post about our visit is I was STUFFED THAT LONG!!! The food was good the service was VERY good. For the appitizer,we had Southern mess: fries, gravy, ham and cheese curds. They didn't have the cheese curds,so they served us Cheddar cheese instead. She and I made that stuff disappear!!! My wife had some crab cakes...I had some Fried Chicken. Both were VERY good!! The Collard Greens were good! I must add that some of the items that were had the pleasure of enjoying were NOT on the menu that day. I saw the items online,and they informed me that those items were not on the menue for the day..BUT they would make those items because I asked for them. NOW THAT was AWESOME 2 me!! It would have been easier,and perfectly OK, if she said those items weren't on the menue for the day,and offered me something else. They went out of their way to make sure that we were pleased,and COMPLETELY STUFFED!! I enjoyed my experience at THE Suothern.(smile)

    (4)

  • Kate W.

    Hello. I would like brunch. I would not like it to be served with any kind of healthy ingredient. I don't want sustainable eggs on a lovely bed of arugula. I don't want whole wheat english muffins with fruit. I want calories, and I want booze, and I want it now. Thank you. Came in on a Sunday around noon and were seated immediately. This menu is what I'm talking about. Fried chicken with biscuits and gravy. Breakfast sandwiches. Cheese grits. BREAKFAST MAC AND CHEESE. Um, yes please. I did, I went with the mac and cheese (hey, it had eggs in it, totally a breakfast food!). Lord all mighty, it was amazing. Perfect, really. It's Southern food. Think Paula Deen. Think butter. And cheese. And fat. And gravy. Think of wearing your stretchy pants!

    (4)

  • Gigi Y.

    Celebrated my birthday upstairs and the place was packed! Not in a bad way, but it's definitely a happening place on Saturday nights. It's too bad I couldn't RSVP the roasted pig in advanced, however, from the looks of it, it looked v. appetizing! My guests had a taste of everything -- but what stood out to me was their crab cakes. ( blue crab meat, shaved apple and arugula salad, dijon aioli) - DELISH. The only drink I had there all night was the Ginger Snap which was pretty good. If you like ginger and whiskey, def. give it a try. Be sure to check-in on Foursquare and get their 10yr aged vintage whiskey. My only (big) complaint was the set up of my birthday party - we put a "deposit' in order to RSVP for a certain amount of people, and it was a bit confusing when guests came in. Essentially what it was is RSVP'ing for a 30+ dinner/space where everyone got 20% off their drinks (which is great) but had to keep track & figure out what they had ordered in at the end after they've reached the deposit limit. :( Other than that, def. worth checking out! :)

    (3)

  • Tiffany T.

    SUPERFAB southern edamame. The flavor explodes in your mouth! I had the brisket, which was moist, perfectly done, dripping with sauce, and HUGE, I could only eat half of it, brought the rest home. Ambience great, I loved the casual rooftop covered outdoor space they have there! Small menu, so you know that what's on there they do well. Definitely will have to head there again!

    (4)

  • Liz G.

    Born and raised in northern Ohio, I've become a Southerner at heart. After extensive travel and some transplanted friends I have come to embrace all things Southern. I've even been known to develop a bit of a twang, especially when drinking. Eating at The Southern has been on my to do list for quite some time now and since my numero uno dining friend just moved to WP we jumped on the chance last Saturday night. Walking in the space was clean and chic, we were seated in the back with a great vantage point of the whole downstairs bar. After playing the 'blind date or not' game for a few minutes, it was time to get down to the reason we were there, the food. We started with drinks, Texas Toast & Cucumber Royale and hush puppies. The pups are served with a smoked trout artichoke tip that had just the perfect hint of spice. When all the perfectly fried pups were gone, I had half the sense to eat the dip with a spoon (that good) but I didn't since it was a nice place and all. The drinks were tasty as well, the Cucumber Royale a bit sweeter then I expected. Good but I wouldn't order a second. Next we ordered the fried green tomatoes, gumbo and the cheese grits. And my friend and I, who are usually chatty cathys, stopped talking for a good ten minutes. I think that silence factor is a great judge of just how good food is. The tomatoes were fried but light, topped with goat cheese and watermelon. The gumbo was spicy and flavorful packed with sausage, okra and other goodies. The cheese grits. Perfection. They just might make me move to WP, convince The Southern to open before work just so I can get a cup to keep me warm all winter. I think I would even invent a travel mug perfect for carrying and eating them. The cheese grits are the kind of thing you rearrange your life for. We were so full after dinner we couldn't even manage another drink. In fact I was so full the entire next day, I barely remembered to eat dinner. Oh Southern, I will be back and we can talk about those early morning cheese grits....

    (4)

  • Christy L.

    The Southern had homey comfort food, a robust drink menu, and options for gluten free dining. (GF options when we ate there: oatmeal, hash, crawfish & grits, and farmer's breakfast.) Get reservations if you can; our party of two would have had to wait an hour if we weren't willing to eat at the bar. My party tried both the oatmeal (fine, but nothing special) and the hash. The hash was delightful, a mix of roasted red potatoes in au jus with slow roasted, flavorful shredded meat. The arugula makes a nice accompaniment; however, the fried egg is the unifying element in the dish. I wished I had more yolk to go around. My bloody mary reminded me so much of a shrimp cocktail that I had to ask if they used shrimp juice in it; I was told that no, they just use a lot of horseradish. The drink comes with a straw, but do yourself the favor of drinking from the glass. The spices on the rim make the beverage really something special. I wanted to try more of their whiskey and bourbon cocktails, which seem to kind of be their thing. Another time!

    (4)

  • Jen G.

    I don't eat pork, and the menu here is pretty pork heavy. Totally makes sense. It is The *Southern*, after all. And yet, I love this place. The food is very rich, delicious, southern comfort. We generally go for brunch. I think I can confidently say they make the best cheesy grits I have ever tasted. I also usually get the french toast, which seems to change on the menu seasonally. My husband has tried many of the other items, and has always given rave reviews. I bet if you closed your eyes and pointed at the menu blindly, you'd be happy with whatever arrived for your belly. The drinks are equally delicious, and if you check in on Yelp, you get a free sample of their house bourbon as well. The patio is a great place to sit and people watch and hang out in the summer. They do have heat lamps they turn on when it starts to get colder. The inside is very well decorated in accordance with their theme; HOWEVER, it is most definitely not handicap friendly. They have a few booths, but most of the table are high tops with bar stools for seating. Service is great, and if you go when they aren't quite as busy, your server will probably chat with you about whatever questions/topics you can think of.

    (5)

  • Katy K.

    I really wanted to try a mint julep and The Southern did not disappoint. We tried the mac and cheese (awesome + comfort food), hush puppies (dry and the sauce was too lemony), and the Piggly Wiggly Brisket (fantastic). I will be showing this place off to family and friends.

    (4)

  • Rick T.

    My family and I had brunch here on a somewhat breezy October afternoon. We asked to sit by the fire pit since it was a bit brisk outside. With the heat from the fire and the warmth from sun, we were comfortable. For drinks we had the Jezebel which is their southern version of a Bellini...pretty sweet but tasty. Their Old Fashioned was spot on...very good, not too sweet and not too strong. Spicy Cinnamon Doughnuts along with pieces of fresh strawberries, blackberries and blueberries were a nice appetizer. Fried chicken & biscuit and Charleston Benedict (crab cakes) were good. My brother-in-law had the Southern Mess, which is their version of poutine. He said it was good although he would have preferred a second fried egg. Outdoor seating, tasty comfort food and our knowledgeable server made for a very enjoyable dining experience.

    (3)

  • Stacey P.

    A bunch of my friends and I came for dinner. Luckily, we came in 2 hours before a big party with a reserved table came in... so we made a deal. If we could get out of there in 1.5 hours, we'd get an immediate table for 7! Well, they were kinda rushing us which stunk a little, because we were out of there in like 40 minutes so nowhere near their limit... but we made a deal so what do you expect. I got the mac and cheese of the day, which was white cheese/truffle oil, I think. It was ok. Not great even. However, a friend also got it and LOVED it..... sooooo..maybe I'm a little defecto. Other dishes ordered: Shrimp and Grits (I give it a thumbs up, why didn't I order that?) Brisket ( also a thumbs up, that was probably the best dish) ... some other stuff I don't remember. We got to sit on the roof in a canopy type booth-- that thing was pretty cool, I must say. I really like the decor, especially of the roof. I'd go again, just order something different.

    (3)

  • Adam K.

    Really good comfort food, in a killer part of town, reasonable prices, very cool interior and exterior, neat little upstairs area, fancy drinks, attentive staff. This place should have a five star overall. Came for Brunch on Saturday, with my baby girl (6) in tow. Also a raspy voiced blonde kid, who would'nt know fine dining if it stabbed him with a salad fork. Then the drinks, I got: The Sunshine: So, I am on this low carb thing & I try not to drink beer as much. This drink was AWESOME. Tito's Handmade Vodka, Organic Carrot Juice, Lemon Thyme, Fresh Lime. Winner for me, did not stink like alcohol. Sage Advice: Farmer's Organic Gin, Fresh Lemon, House-made Blackberry Juice, Sage, Soda. Yeah, this is my favorite I have had here. Super tasty and gets you farked up. On the way home I was barking at strollers. Free shot of Evan Williams 20 year Single Barrell: Unlocked this on a 4square check in, it was pretty good. And the price was right. The food: Again, low carb thing, means I do not get full on one dish anymore. So now I am eating two dishes and leaving the cellulose on the plate. Look up cellulose, it is gross and in everything. Also my daughter is gluten intolerant and I end up eating half her food or more anyway. BRUNCH BURGER: Dietzler Farm ground beef, pimento, cheese, tomato, fried egg, hand cut fries. Got this for my nina, sans bun, cheese and fried egg. I actually did not order it without the bun but that is fine I would have discarded it anyway. A little happy accident. The fries were UNREAL. The meat was good, but we are used to organic grass fed beef so, you know. CHARLESTON BENEDICT: seared crab cakes, shaved apple, poached eggs, dijon mustard. Yes lord. I will be back for this one. The eggs were PERFECTLY poached and tasted much fresher than I expected. The crab cakes were divine, and they were not completely drowned in hollandaise sauce. Instead it was a tangier version with a dijon kick, I dug it. SHRIMP AND GRITS: baja blue prawns, Three Sister's Garden grits, cheddar, Frank's Red Hot. My raspy voiced blonde friend ordered this, I had two bites it was savory & wonderful, really wanted to scarf the whole thing down. But what is a grit? Corn. How long does it take you to make grits? About fifteen minutes. To see the whole exchange, watch; My Cousin Vinny with Joe Pesci. No carbs, right so I also got: BREAKFAST BLT: scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, roma tomato, red leaf lettuce, hand cut fries. These fries were not as good sadly. But everything else was great, especially the bacon. Overall, yes. I will be back.

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    I went to The Southern with 2 friends of mine. I hadn't been there since it was Iggy's, which I liked. I absolutely hated the Chaise Lounge, I thought is was too loud and annoying for the neighborhood. We live down the street. Anyway, the menu is a little small and not descriptive enough. But we thought the food and drinks were great! Our waiter was a dud, but we think an owner (our guess) came over a few times to chat and made me a custom drink, which was delicious! Apple Vodka, Prosecco, some more goodness, it was delish! The "owner" or whoever he was really saved the place. If our waiter had been good, he probably would have described the menu more which would have helped. Love the outdoor seating!

    (4)

  • grace s.

    Mostly, I'd advise DO NOT have a party at The Southern! My friend and I had a joint bday party here and I will NEVER go back! Our friend planned the party and said we had an option of purchasing $36 bracelets for all you can drink, but limited alcohol options and only till midnight, but we went for it anyway! Our friend then said the restaurant demands either everyone or no one had to get the bracelet...why this matters, I have no idea! When my friend explained to the staff we would like to but had no way of knowing if everyone wanted to participate, they made her sign a contract stating a minimum amount would be spent, aprox. $400. A CONTRACT FOR DRINKING BRACELETS, really?!?!?!?!? When I arrived, a dozen of my friends were already seated upstairs and we all had dinner and each had about 2-3 drinks a piece during dinner. Our waitress was rude! When all our first round of drinks arrived and one was left out, the person who ordered the missing drink asked about it and she said "They.Are.Working.On.It. Just.Hang.On." (very short). Why the other mixed drinks made it to the table, but not this one, I'll never know. She continued with her bad attitude for while. Having been a server, I understand when a bad night can take over sometimes and she did lighten up later and was actually a sweet girl so this was the very least of this places problems. Our total bill for the dinner was about $650 for the party. The bracelets we were not included in any of this and the drinks we had at dinner did not count towards the bracelets. We finished up dinner about 9:30 and then got our bracelets. More guests had showed up by this time and there was about 20 people. Unfortunately, b/c of the timing, only about 8-9 of us got the bracelets, which they just handed over to my friend to handle giving everyone their bracelet and collect the funds. Now my friend is working the party??? I got it b/c I knew my friend was forced into a stupid contract! When we paid for them, the waitress said we didnt meet the minimum $400. My friend explained we spent $650 at dinner and with the additional $300-ish in bracelets, they should not be asking for additional money when none of us got our moneys worth from the bracelets anyway. They made her pay the difference anyway. So disappointing! And side note,... dont order the mac and cheese! It was awful! Tasted stale and bland. I will never return to this restaurant!

    (1)

  • jesy b.

    Ok, so full disclosure, I had really low expectations for this place going in. Mostly because of the fist-pumping-beats that I've heard while walking past on weekend nights. And because of one inappropriately douche-filled night I unwillingly spent there a while back. I will admit that I probably judged too quickly on too little information. Someone else picked a spot for dinner for New Years Eve, and I obediently, if skeptically, headed over with our large group. Things started looking up pretty quickly. We were greeted, served drinks, and given meal suggestions in record time. The cocktails were lovely and the guy who tried the bacon Manhattan was beside-himself-happy. We got the hushpuppies to share as an app and they were perfect. I was unsure about the vegetarian options at a place focused on Southern comfort food, but the winter vegetable plate was amazing and so, so pretty! For $9 I really did not expect the level of flavor or presentation I was served, but it was a very pleasant surprise. Some of our party got cornbread that was a bit over done, but all things considered, our meal was great and very reasonably priced. The high-top tables and bar stools in the main room are perfect for me and the decor was fitting and not over the top. I will gladly be back to the Southern. ...but maybe not on a weekend.

    (4)

  • Robyn T.

    When your favorite spot is that good, you often forget to tell folks just how much you love it. In Summer, The Southern is THE place to be. It's relaxed vibe and southern charm help to make this my go to destination. There is nothing better than sitting out on the patio, sipping and Abita beer, and enjoying some of the seasonally fresh food (though I still am addicted to my weekend favorite the breakfast mac and cheese). I highly recommend planning ahead and celebrating with friends and family over the fried chicken dinner. It is ridiculously good! Family style dinners are wonderful and when the come with buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes, greens with ham, black eyed peas and fluffy buttermilk biscuits you can't go wrong!

    (5)

  • Santiago A.

    I really liked this place. I think it's one of the most well-rounded bars in the city. It's got the look, it's got the food, and it's definitely got the drinks down. I love beer, but if I'm in the mood for a very well made mixed drink, then this place is definitely on the short list. I like the Smoking Gun - both in name and taste. I liked the fact that they serve hush puppies. I love those things. This is definitely a place that you want to go with several friends to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Rating: 4.5 stars

    (4)

  • Martin R.

    Love the whiskey cocktails here and the fried chicken sandwich is superb. The scene on weekend nights after dinner is surprisingly fratty, though, which I wouldn't expect in wicker park.

    (4)

  • Emann B.

    Excellent cocktails and service with a smile. The crabcakes benedict were really tasty and the cream sauce was divine. Mix it in with the greens then top a bit of crabcake before popping it in your mouth. Cheesy grits could have been cheesier, but tasty nonetheless. My three companions had fried chicken, oatmeal, and the Southern mess...satisfaction all around. Loved the easy and comfortable space. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Whitney K.

    Let's go to The Southern, you say. I say, The Southern? Well, I'm from the South and I've been missing some of that good home cooking, so sure! Arrived for brunch on Saturday afternoon. Not too crowded, got sat right away. Walking into the space reminded me of one of my favorite bar/restaurants in Austin. So we were off to a good start. Then my southern benedict came. Oh no, no, no. It was cold. The ham was super tough and salty, which is fine if you liked cured meat...but not what I was expecting. The egg was cooked good...but would have been much better if still warm. Honestly the ham overtook the whole dish, and the hollandaise just couldnt keep up so it came across as dry. Probably my least favorite benedict, ever. Ouch, sorry. However, my friend got the fried chicken and it was delish. He shared because his plate was so big, and I wasn't really into mine. The gravy was flavorfull, and the crisp skin was perfect. Little bits of rosemary added just the right boost of flavor. Still love the space and will probably be back with more friends, but only at dinner because I am still thinking about that fried chicken. And because of the beautiful cocktails that other tables were ordering. Yes, a mint julep sounds lovely.

    (3)

  • Joanne W.

    I am a fan, indeed! The fried chicken dinner was well worth the price of admission. If you can muster up a party of 6 or more...I highly suggest you get in on this action. Me? I decided 6 was way too few and opted to dine with a party of 20 fine finger licking good folks! For $19 you will get a family style meal of: greens, black eyed peas, biscuits, mashed taters, gravy and fried chicken of course! The fried chicken was really tasty...moist, crispy and hot! The breasts are where it's at. Heh. The mashed potatoes w/gravy was my second fav dish...the taters were creamy smooth and the gravy had ham in it. HAM! The service for our large party was top notch. We were taken care of and we rolled out of there happy...and full. The $3 dollar drink specials also contributed to our very full bellies. I was digging the vibe that The Southern had to offer but what I was not digging was the mac & cheese. Spare yourself and get the Johnny Cakes instead. Southern, your mac & cheese may be we whack but for your chicken I'll be back! Holla!

    (4)

  • Dustin L.

    The food is amazing! I was blown away. The service was great as well. Our server knew her beers for sure.

    (5)

  • Jack M.

    All style and no substance. There are some great ideas on the menu. My friends and I got a Punch Bowl of Agave y Flores. For $56, it supposedly serves about 10-15 drinks, but when you fill the bowl with about 90% Ice, it serves about 8 drinks and 2-3 cups of melted, slightly pink ice. I guess I had forgotten about the merits of melted, pastel hued ice product. The menu was pricey, and the food was a letdown. I've spent three summers in Charleston, SC, and this is not exactly what I would call high quality southern food. I found the cornbread to be quite dry, and the BBQ brisket to be passable. The Mac Truck special was also just OK; It almost had a waterly, flavorless quality, and was definitely not in the southern style. Our waiter was pretty terrible, but I hate to cast a generalization of the whole place because of one waiter. I do think this is a really cool place to maybe grab a drink (light ice, please), and if the entrees were priced at a more appropriate point for their quality, I would have less of a problem. I does have a great energy, it just needs to back that potential up now.

    (3)

  • S L.

    Anne is to booze like Walter White is to meth. Her Old Fashioned is nothing short of perfection. Try it, then order another and another and another. I go to bars, assuming I can get an old fashioned anywhere. Not even worth it. Just go here, get Anne to make you and Old Fashioned and drink happily. You're welcome.

    (5)

  • Christoph B.

    Highly recommend! I came here with some meat eaters* and partook of the advertised "Chicken Dinner" for groups of 6 or more. We enjoyed homemade buttermilk biscuits with honey, mashed potatoes, collard greens, black eyed peas, bacon gravy, and a mountain of glorious golden brown fried CHICKEN. In addition to the fantastic food and unique drink specials, the Southern serves up some great hospitality too. Like Derek Rose our waitress was on point. Everyone was really friendly and on top of their game. Kudos! I can't wait to come back some lazy Sunday afternoon to enjoy their patio. Five Stars. *Disclaimer: This review is my own personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the opinion of the Meat Brigade (tm)

    (5)

  • Karen C.

    Southern darling, you might want to sit down. I have some pretty big news I need to tell you. Realize I want nothing from you, I just wanted to share the joy. Are you ready? You impregnated me with a fried chicken baby! Yes, I am a grown person and share in the responsibility of eating responsibly, however you are so irresistible that I had a moment of weakness. I couldn't stop myself from having another serving of fried chicken (and mashed potatoes). I know I was full, very full, sad/scary full even, but hot damn your chicken is so juicy and mouth-watering good and I just needed that last extra bit of satisfaction. Greedy of me I know. It's my own fault dinner was followed by stomach swelling, waddling, and general belly discomfort. Worth it though, my love. So very worth it. On a side note, perhaps you should warn your bus boys/girls to not hover around a large group of meat eating maniacs. There was a moment I wondered if there would be a chicken riot due to their attempts to remove food/plates/glasses. They could have lost a hand and that would have been the end of Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    Let me start by saying that I did not eat here. Started off upstairs where there is one makeshift bar and no washroom. Ok, so you get some exercise getting a drink and having to relieve yourself. But the one washroom fits one person leaving long lines all night. Good thing that it wasn't that crowded downstairs. I did like the bar and the crowd was filled with attractive 20-30 somethings. Update: I tried the COUNTRY CAPTAIN which is roasted chicken, curried tomato sauce, golden raisins, coconut, almond, rice for $15. It was basically a bowl of rice with some chicken. I finished it and was wondering what was next. If you're hungry, avoid this "dish." Also, if there are empty chairs outside that nobody is using and are willing to give up, let the customer move them. To the hostess who cited the fire code as a means of preventing a table of four from becoming an unwieldly table of seven, just stop it. This is going to happen and I'm sure the CFD won't come knocking when they see several people surrounding a metal table outside.

    (3)

  • Lori L.

    Brunch with the ladies heads South this time around. I'm going to get my one complaint out of the way. Turn down the music. It's Sunday, it's only 11am. I couldn't hear my friend who was just two seats away from me. Ok, now that is out of my system, I feel much better. On to the good stuff. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict. It wasn't served with the typical Hollandaise sauce which ended up being ok with me. Crab cakes can be rich on their own, and this dish didn't need the sauce. The eggs were poached to a slightly runny, slightly solidified consistency which I liked. Overall, I was very satisfied with my main dish. I ordered a side of their cheesy grits, which to my dismay, weren't my favorite. They were grittier than grits I have had in the past. Also, there was a little kick to them on the back end. Now some people may enjoy the spice; it's just not my cup of tea. Service was very friendly and our water glasses were always being filled. I had my eye on other items on their menu and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Hopefully when Spring finally decides to stay, I'll be lucky enough to grab a table on their patio.

    (4)

  • E.M. V.

    It started out promising. I ordered the Cucumber Royale cocktail which lived up to my expectations -- cool and crisp and very refreshing. It's made of Cucumber Vodka, Lime Juice, Prosecco, and Mint Leaves. Heavenly. I didn't even know there was such a thing as Cucumber Vodka. We ordered their famous Mac and Cheese which was ... underwhelming. There was nothing notable about it at all. It was no better than the mac and cheese they used to serve in the dormitories where I went to college. For the entree, I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes with watercress, watermelon, and goat cheese. Again, underwhelming. And the portion was so small, it was actually dishonest to call it an entree. It was really an appetizer. A very expensive appetizer. For dessert, I ordered their Fried Twinkie with raspberry sauce which was alright -- I mean, it was different. But it was hardly a culinary feat. A novelty and nothing more. My friend tried the Jambalaya and it was passable and edible. Nothing special. All in all, a disappointment. I don't expect to be going there again, except to drink. They have an impressive drinks menu and that is clearly their forte.

    (2)

  • Leslie G.

    After a disappointing first visit on a day when the fried chicken is not fried, the manager was kind enough to make a future reservation for us and offer us complimentary mimosas. My friends and I returned to only be delighted finally by the fried chicken! Service is friendly and personal!

    (5)

  • Jeka M.

    We decided that the cuisine (yes. very fried, even a cornbread salad) wasn't quite what we were looking for, but after eating somewhere else, the atmosphere was enough to have us return for a few drinks. It has a totally chill vibe, with dark wicker fans, thick wooden chairs, and great drinks. The lighting is low and they have white flowy decor, and the upstairs opens up during nice weather. The drinks didn't skimp on the alcohol and were around $8 or so for Kentucky Lemonade and the like. I liked the atmosphere, the bartenders, and the crowd, and would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Erin D.

    My mistake was that I came for brunch and not for the main event. We were too early for the pig roast on Saturday. None the less, I like this place and make note, I'll be back. The brunch menu is loaded with good stuff. I went with the smothered biscuits with a side of bacon! Everything that was coming out of the kitchen went past our table and it all looked and smelled good. Then a plate appeared before me. Oh yeah, the portion was huge. And I knew at that moment, I was in trouble I'm sure I'd be shot dead if the management of The Southern looked in my bag to see a copy if Forks Over Knives, after they saw me indulging in my smothered biscuits and bacon. Then the food coma set in, I ended up taking half it home. Over all, I can't wait to come back for dinner. Its a great location, cool interior and fast friendly service. Looks like I'll put off the lifestyle change for a few weeks :)

    (4)

  • David K.

    My new favorite restaurant in Bucktown. The fried chicken (servered only on Wednesdays) is the best I've ever had. The house whisky (can't remember the brand) was also the best I've had. The Mac and Cheese my son had was excellent.

    (5)

  • Molly B.

    We stopped here on Sunday night, Memorial Day weekend and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table for two. I'm so glad we waited - tasty brews paired with tasty appetizers! Perfect before a free show at Double Door right around the corner.

    (4)

  • Coll P.

    It was a quiet night, but their cocktails sneak up on you...just the way I like 'em.

    (4)

  • Kristin S.

    I really wanted to love The Southern. I read over the menu for weeks thinking about what I would order when I finally visited and read with jealousy the tweets of individuals that were enjoying The Southern when I was home making my own eggs. Social Media provided the hype inspiring me to visit the website and drool over the menu, unfortunately my fantasy was much better than the reality when I finally visited. I think people like The Southern because they like the people running The Southern and because the menu is not duplicated at every other restaurant. I don't think they like The Southern because it has excellent food. We went for a Sunday brunch and ordered the Spiced Donuts, Sunday Mac & Cheese, Chicken & Biscuit and Johnny Crepes. Overall just about everything, with the exception of the donuts, was without flavor and served lukewarm. It was like someone lost all of the seasonings and pulled our food from a buffet set up in the kitchen. I liked the idea of the Sunday M&C and the chicken was moist, but nothing, I repeat nothing had flavor. After eating the food I was very confused if all the good reviews were from people with bad taste, lemmings following the hype or perhaps we just went to The Southern on the wrong day. The service was good and she was kind when we sent the gravy back since it was not even lukewarm. The manager stopped by to see if we enjoyed our meal and apologize, we let him know that the gravy was just the coldest, everything else was no better than lukewarm. He was very friendly, comp'd the donuts and gave us a $10 certificate to come try them again. The certificate continues to hang on my refrigerator. I look at it every now and then, but I will probably never go back because I just can't handle that level of disappointment again. I really hope that we just went on a bad day because I find it hard to believe that people would give such good reviews if the food is always as bad as what we were served.

    (2)

  • Ben B.

    Not that anyone will be surprised by this...but this place is not very vegetarian-friendly. See? Anyone surprised? No. Me neither. But this vegetarian went anyway and actually made out just fine. A mish-mash of southern specialties (most of which were new to me seeing how 'southern' in my town means...uh...Boston) are all deliciously described on the simple menu, many of which were perfect for sharing feast-style in the gorgeous booth areas on the second floor. When I wasn't playing nice with others while suppressing my god-given need to get territorial over food, though, I was making sweet, cheesy love to their Mac 'n Cheese of the day which just so happened to be stuffed with blue cheese and truffle oil. In other words, the Mac 'n Cheese of the day was made with my hopes and dreams. Our server was really nice and attentive until the bill came at which point she got pretty elusive. Probably because she didn't want anything to do with a table of ten-ish people trying to figure out how to split the check...

    (4)

  • Casey L.

    We came here for brunch and had a great experience. The Sunday Mac and cheese was excellent, as were the biscuits and the Charleston Benedict. Everyone left happy! Great food, great service, and a really nice patio - can't wait to come back when the weathers nicer!

    (5)

  • Paymon K.

    The food was very good, and I was happy about that, having heard good things. I tried the hush puppies (ok), the shrimp and grits (amazing), and the fish of the day on the servers recommedation (very good). I've tried the drinks before, and they were pretty good. The beer is cheap too. The downside of this place is that the service was pretty bad. It wasn't that busy when we got there, and it was a Wednesday. However, it took ten minutes for someone to even recognize we were waiting, ten/fifteen more to get menus and water, and there was no real service to speak of in between that and getting our food. Finally, I ordered a side of French fries, reminded the waiter twice, and they still never brought them. I almost still wanted them, just to try, but I ended up cancelling. What a letdown. Good for food, good for drinks, maybe best for relaxing. Not for a date, because the service was mediocre at best.

    (3)

  • Jessica V.

    Great atmosphere, nice beer garden. Hushpuppies left something to be desired. Drinks were expensive if you weren't ordering off the specials ($9 for a small gin and tonic on a weeknight...no thank you!)

    (3)

  • Zach T.

    This is almost 5 stars. Especially if you can go just for drinks. We arrived on a Saturday night and were told it'd be a 90-minute wait. Understandable for Saturday, so we bellied up to the bar. This was my favorite part, watching the talented, mustachioed, vested bartender ply his craft. The fruits of his labor were amazing and I remain haunted by the drink made with Tequila and clover honey. After 90 minutes, we went and asked about our table, and finally got seated about 20 minutes later. I ordered the Johnny cakes as an entree. They were outstanding, and the pork was good enough to forgo the sauce they give you. We also tried the hush puppies, which I'd skip, and the Fried Green tomatoes which were great. My wife loved the crab cakes. It can be an expensive endeavor, but you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Alison E.

    Really good Mac & cheese with a side of Lone Star.

    (4)

  • W W.

    Being a true born and raised southerner my opinion may be a bit biased. While the drinks here are delicious and the staff very friendly, the food is just not really what I imagined when I hear "the southern". They definitely have some good dishes (the fried green tomatoes, this sort of chicken and dumplings thing, mac and cheese) there are some things that really missed the mark. The ham and cantaloupe was not good, neither was the pimento cheese with toast. I mean it wasn't so bad that it was inedible, but it just wasn't good or what I was expecting. But, the menu changes very often and I'm interested to see what their Winter menu is like. Regardless, it is still a really fun place to get a drink, but in a way I feel better treating it like a bar with southern food, rather then a southern food restaurant with a bar.

    (4)

  • Tashween A.

    I'm giving this place a 3 because the service was slow and I didn't indulge myself with the mac and cheese which I'm certain is the most satisfying item on the menu, and I don't eat pork, so I'm sure I missed out on some of the more inspiring dishes. I went with a party of 4 on a Wednesday night. There wasn't a wait. They have a $14 chicken dinner special on Wednesdays which was tempting, but we all ordered vegetarian or fish items. I ordered the Hush Puppies with smoke trout and artichoke aioli. The waiter warned me that it is more like an appetizer rather than an entree. I was fine with that. They were perfectly crispy without being greasy. The Fried Green Tomatoes with a peas humas and strawberry, fresh mozzarella salad was my favorite. I couldn't believe how perfectly fried they were. I would go back just to have that. I also tried the blacken mahi mahi, which was spicy and well cooked. But the proportion seemed too small. The corn bread was moist, but I like my corn bread a little sweeter (My preference might be more tex-mex than southern, so that's alright). The presentation was pretty cool for some of the dishes. The Hush Puppies came in a pretty cool long, narrow tube like dish with 12 fried Hush Puppies. The Crawfish pistolette had cool cheese crisp thing and the french bread was presented like a standing sandwich. We didn't order any drinks but I loved how they had old glass bottles at the table for refills. Not only did I think this was a charming touch, but I'm afraid that otherwise, our waiter would never come to refill out glasses. I could see people giving this place a higher rating, if they just come here for drinks, instead of dinner. I do want to try brunch The atmosphere is comforting, relaxed, and had live music and the big games playing on flat screen tvs. Overall the place has potential with atmosphere and menu items, but proportions and service makes this place just okay.

    (3)

  • Joni R.

    We went for a girls night out dinner and wanted to try The Southern. We collectively ordered fried green tomatoes, mac n cheese, open faced brisket and crab cakes. The mac n cheese had some weird fishy taste to it that was not truffle oil( I know truffle oil and that stuff was not the bizness) The tomatoes were thickly sliced and cooked well but was begging for some acidity and salt( add a squeeze of lemon juice before breading the tomatoes...that's what my mom does to hers) The brisket.. nothing to talk about...sauce was bland bland bland. Oh and our drinks were terrible too. New mixologist please. I didn't taste any pineapple in my tequila infusion drink and the one I sent back tasted like Robitussin on ice..with a twist of lime. I may be biased 'cause I tend to like bolder flavors. The Southern's food was just boring and unflavorful. Sorry guys.. It's just the truth!

    (2)

  • Ha-ti N.

    I give Chef Steven 5 stars. His fried chicken is amazing. Crunchy and juicy! He makes customers happy and doesn't put up a fight when someone orders a "side of chicken" or an omelet when it's not even on the menu.

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    I really, really love Southern food and have visited the Southern Mac Truck so walking in here, I had a strong feeling I would like everything I had. Fortunately, that premonition was correct. First, my platonic man friend and I loved the decor. Lots of chalkboard walls, good size bar, high tables with hooks for purses or coats (THANK YOU) and a good amount of seating. The only thing that irked me a little bit is that they don't take reservations for parties of 6 or under. Not a biggie but a little peeved, especially because this place can get JAMMED. My friend and I sat at a high top table near the bar. Normally, I don't care to be right there because of the noise, but we could be seated right away so I went with it. We had the mac and cheese (good but I was hoping for a little sharper of a cheese) and the half-fried chicken. I LOVE FRIED CHICKEN. It's one of my favorite meals and something I would be happy to choke and die on. But this is only half-fried and the crust isn't as crispy as I like, but it's still good and pairs well with the sauces. Kinda pricey ($12) but still a nice appetizer. Then we split the Piggly Wiggly, which is a Berkshire pork shank with sweet potato puree and collard greens. I'm not a huge collard greens fan but I tried them and it was fine. The pork though was really good. Slow cooked and literally falling off the bone. I really, really enjoyed this and thank goodness we split it because it was a lot. We opted to skip dessert and I was disappointed that I forgot to order cornbread, next time! Fried green tomatoes weren't in season yet either so I'll be back for that too. Oh! And the poutine which I heard was good. Lots to go back for. The only other complaint I had about this place was the crowd, which I know can't be helped. Especially sitting near the bar, it was SO LOUD and douchey. I mean, it got to be really difficult to talk and even hear yourself think. Next time, I will go at an odd hour, this place during prime time is jammed. But the food was good and that's the main thing I care about.

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    We've been talking about going here since it opened. We finally made it in. Shared the hush puppies as an app. The artichoke dip it comes with is outstanding. Had the chicken and biscuit for my dinner - it was good, but not mind blowing. It was more of a stew than a regular plated meal. Would have loved for a fried chicken dish to be available without preorder.

    (4)

  • Joanne W.

    I've been here before for drinks on the rooftop, and had a blast. Returned for a dinner with friends and was not disappointed. The Andouille Gumbo was divine. I split a side of corn bread (my favorite side ever) and mac and cheese. The cornbread was gross, skip that. The mac and cheese - holy shit- I saw stars. If it was socially acceptable to lick cheese off of a plate in public, I would have. Great food, great whiskey, overall a great place.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    First time trying this place. It was quite easy to find and amazingly found street parking easily on a Friday night. I guess this part of Wicker Park does not get that busy?? Inside was packed though. First thing I will rave about is their service. I loved how accommodating, attentive, and fast they were. It all started when I asked if they had a coat rack. We sat upstairs (group of around 10 girls). Our waitress got the hostess to come up and coat check for us. They were very good about checking on us (but not annoyingly much) and knowing when to take our plates away, etc. Other waiters would bring us the food sometimes but the main waitress would make sure people got their correct dish. Next, the food. I originally wanted mac & cheese but the waitress had said it is too rich for just one person to eat, that it was best shared. She was very correct and my girlfriends wanted to try some too. I thought the mac & cheese was just okay. I have had much better elsewhere and yes, it is very rich here. We also shared the andouille corn dogs. This was just okay too but I really like the mustard dip. For my entree, I ordered the blackened catfish which came with grits. The grits did not taste like what I would have imagined or maybe it is because I have only tried instant grits. It reminded me more of mashed potatoes and it wasn't enough to balance the saltiness of the catfish. Boy, the catfish was super salty. My girlfriends at the table also complained of their dish being too salty: some got the crabcakes and another got the boudin blanc. My friend next to me ordered the cold fried chicken salad and another ordered the fried chicken sandwich which came with cornbread. Because my catfish was too salty, my friends offered the salad and the cornbread to offset the saltiness. It did help and wow their salad was really good. The lettuce was so velvety and smooth. Anyway, I decided to ask the waitress to see if they have any rice. She went to check with the kitchen and in the end they did bring me some jasmine rice. Jasmine rice! That is good rice. They knew how to cook it too, thank God. So fluffy. I actually took some leftover home. Anyhow, all in all it was a great experience. I will come back to try other things. I was telling my husband who stayed home but is a foodie like me, about the food and he checked out their menu and seemed intrigued. Maybe the two of us will come back next time.

    (3)

  • RACHEL K.

    Went there on a Weds night around 7pm - was average busy, nothing crazy. The service was slow, the food was just ok. The menu is small with not a lot of options. We sat outside which was nice, and I think that's all we were really paying for - the ambiance. Wouldn't go back.

    (3)

  • George A.

    Anne is throwin down at the bar! She just made me a kick ass Grumpy Old Man! That's bourbon, ginger ale, and a line. Yum

    (4)

  • Blake B.

    Great food, nice selection of beer and an awesome Yelp check-in prize! What else could you ask for? Excellent seating, in fact the best indoor/outdoor seating combination on North Ave. I only wish they had more brews from Chicago.

    (5)

  • Hillary L.

    This must have been a bad week for me - none of the food I ate really excited me, and the Southern was the same. All of the menu items at the Southern sounded delicious. I was originally just going to get either the mac and cheese or hush puppies but decided to order the gumbo as an entree since I was trying to stay away from meat that night. I was surprised how little flavor the gumbo had, and it didn't come with any type of bread or biscuit, so I'm glad I also decided to get the cornbread, which was only OK but not great. I should have ordered one of the appetizers instead! No one was really raving about any of the food that they decided to get either. I love Southern food- I'm from the South, but the food and service were both lacking. On a packed Saturday night, there should be more than what seemed like three servers- we could barely get her attention. The group decided to get the party punch (strong but good) that comes in an adorable pitcher with a spigot. There were six of us at the table and I was at the end so she ended up refilling our drinks many more times than the rest of the table - without even asking if we wanted more. Good thing no one was driving! Although I guess I really can't complain that I ended up getting more than the rest of my table... It sounds like brunch might be better - I love biscuits- but I don't think I'll be coming here again, especially if I'm not around the area to begin with.

    (2)

  • Bobby L.

    Me and my lady went here this past Sunday and our server was awesome. We had come in due to the half priced industry night on Sundays after 8pm. I normally would expect half priced service, but no! She was great. My girlfriend asked for a dish not on the menu that had fries, gravy, and cheese curds, and the server so kindly asked the chef if they would make it for her. They did! I see why she ordered it as well, as it was super tastey. The lady got what they listed as chicken and biscut, and she loved every bite. I got the grits and crawfish, but I felt the grits were a bit too soupy. Can't win them all, but you can come very close. It is hard to be impressed by something claiming to be southern food in the north, but these guys definatly do a great job with the hospitality aspect and the food floating on to other tables looked very spot on. We will be back, and I am down to restar this later as we try more stuff.

    (3)

  • Aaron N.

    I don't really venture out to Wicker Park too often, so I didn't really know what to expect from Southern. As soon as I got in the bar and checked out the atmosphere and scenery I quickly realized it was going to be a slamming time. I spent most of the time on the rooftop part of the bar, which was a small but cool place to chill and get your drink/lounge on. The service was actually really good and the prices weren't too shabby for a more upscale spot. Before I came to this place, all I heard about was how ridiculous the mac & cheese was, which I pretty much ignored because how good can such a simple dish be? I stand corrected. This m&c was by far the best I've ever had. If you come here you need to GET YOU SOME! Overall a good spot, with slamming food and a fun rooftop atmosphere. Southern may have to be my go to spot for Wicker Park. Booooooom!

    (4)

  • Dan G.

    I'm not the type to be late to a party, but it seems I'm one of the last of our adventurous lot to chime in on our feast of Southern fried chicken. About the time the Elite event wrapped up here, I knew I had to make this happen. So, I grabbed a couple of my favorite redheads and rounded up a group for some down home cookin. It was much easier to coordinate with the event planner at the Southern than it was with my finicky wife. Who, of course, had to go a la carte. I love the layout, feel and vibe of the Southern. The outdoor patio and the upstairs lounge, where we had the event, are really cool and remind me of a place that could be on Bourbon Street. If I lived in the area, this would no doubt be my bar of choice. It was already pretty crowded as we arrived for our Friday night chicken party. This is the perfect place for a bourbon lover, they have an outstanding selection, and I was ready to get my drink on. I started with the maple 46, which was sadly about the size of a shot. It was good, but done quickly. When our group was fully assembled and the introductions and pleasantries had been exchanged, it was time to eat. Kris opened up with some hush puppies that were tasty. Then the platters of food arrived. Chicken, collard greens, black eyed peas, biscuits and sinfully rich mashed and gravy. It was so much fun to share this feast family style and the plates were passed around the table to sample it all. Everything was very good. The biscuits and mashed and gravy were the best in my book. I just expected more food. After reading Angie's legendary tale, I was ready to strap on the feed bag. I felt like I had to limit myself to the polite sharing portion I was allotted. Good thing I got to bat clean up on Kris' basic shrimp and grits. I think our table could have gone for a few more plates of some of the sides. I don't know if they do that for this dinner, but it would have been great. The apple crisp dessert, minus the crisp, was a complete let down. Everyone that got the pumpkin creme brulee seemed to enjoy that, so I guess I made the wrong choice. I also expected that to be included with our dinner. The company was outstanding and I had a blast sharing stories. Our service by the Nachos doppelganger was a bit haphazard. He tried to keep up with us and knew his stuff, but there were often times when drinks were empty or we needed something. I had highly anticipated the feast for months and it just never blew me away. That being said, we had a great time and left stuffed. I'll have to get back to try this again. 3.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Jennifer I.

    Chicken Dance!! Na na na na na na na...Na na na na na na na...Na na na na na na na....CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP.... In terms of banquet hall wedding activities, IMHO the Chicken Dance ranks lower than the catching (or in my case, the dodging) of the bouquet, but in honor of The Southern's fried chicken feast, I'll get up and shake what my mama gave me. Not only was the food awesome (I. Want. Another. Biscuit. Now.), but the family-style situation is such a fun way to enjoy the company of friends. So for $22/pp, you get to stuff yourself silly with fried chicken and everything that goes with it (an extra shout to the gravy) and have a great dining experience to boot. Really, you must gather your troops and try this. If you are short a soldier, let me know, I am so there. The service could have been a little faster, but our waiter was Kyle H'.s doppelganger, so I'll let it go. The one solid complaint I have is regarding the drinks...while I think we all enjoyed the specialty beverages we ordered (I had the Mississippi Milk), they are ridiculously rinky-dink. For $8, it felt like a rip off. But still, for the chicken... CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

    (4)

  • Ela G.

    Here's my take on The Southern. For an evening drink in the neighborhood, it's great, but there isn't much discernable difference from it's predecessor Chaise Lounge. I haven't been for dinner, but I heard about Brunch and decided to check it out. First of all, we were upsold on the premium bloody mary with Belvedere Pepper Vodka...let me first say, there wasn't much pepper or premium about it. A bloody mary should be spicy first and foremost, and it wasn't, premium vodka or not. Secondly there was no delicious garnish to speak of...again, a bloody mary should be like a meal....hook me up with an olive at least! Next up, friends ordered the Benedict and shrimp and grits, I ordered the breakfast sandwich. Not only was it served on a huge doughy roll, of which I wasn't a fan, but the bread completely overwhelmed everything else on the dish. I ended up picking at the inside of the sandwich, wishing for something a little more interesting. My visit was a couple months ago and looks like the menu is a little more interesting now. Perhaps I'll go back for a 2nd try, but with so many excellent brunch options in the city, they're going to have to step up their game.

    (3)

  • Annie W.

    Well, I liked my free shot of whiskey or bourbon or whatever it was for checking in. There were seats open, yet they couldn't seat us on a Tuesday night due to "reservations" - the service was a little slow. The food was OK, nothing particularly special. I'd give it another shot, but meh. Also, too many TV's. I hate feeling like I'm in a "dude's bar" when there are just as many ladies at the establishment as men.

    (3)

  • Jaime N.

    So we had a rooftop deal to spend $1200 minimum and add 23% gratuity for a total of $1476 which was well spelled out. Wristbands were optional for $35 each and it was not understood by me that even if we met our minimum we would be responsible for the 23% gratuity that would be added to the wristbands separately. So surprisingly since I was hosting the party and supplied my credit card they charged me personally gratuity which was several hundred dollars (after they wouldn't allow me to put my 2 drinks and a drink for the birthday girl on my own tab). If I would have been aware of the gratuity I would be responsible for no matter what I would have been better prepared for the tab. That was the problem. Also, due to the fact that I was unaware of the extra wristband gratuity most people paid 5 over the wristband and the total was actually take from that (that I owed). Needless to say there was a definite miscommunication and misunderstand and somewhat disorganization. As far as the venue, service, and drinks everyone was very satisfied. The venue is absolutely amazing in the summer for a rooftop patio. The service was good considering the amount of people. I heard the food was good and have tried in the past but the menu is somewhat limited. Also, there was one bathroom for everyone in the place including rooftop and the regular bar/restaurant (males and females) which really made a difference when we were on a time crunch. Jaime

    (2)

  • Ann M.

    I went here recently with three other displaced Southerners - we enjoyed a variety of traditional Southern fare that was authetic but with updated twists. What a great place to get my fix of comfort food - I had the mac and cheese which was creamy and delicious with the arugula salad which was oversalted - the dressing, I think. Hushpuppies were first rate. The drinks are glorious libations. I'm planning to book a fried chicken table on my birthday this year - can't wait!

    (4)

  • Kim A.

    I've been wanting to try this place for some time, but never got around to it. I really am a sucker for "cheese" grits, and am determined to get them in Chicago whenever I can. Firstly, this space is REALLY cool. Think the inside of a really modern looking Cracker Barrel minus the antique sleds, skates, and milk jugs hanging from the walls. The lighting is slightly dimmed, but not so much that you don't realize who you are sitting across from. Just right. We started off with some of their signature cocktails. I had a peach julep, and my date had a hot coffee booze extravaganza. Both were great and just strong enough. And... their beer specials look pretty badass. Since neither of us was really hungry, we jumped straight into entrees. I had the crab cakes, and he had the special of the day, which was this hot, open faced sandwich with all sorts of things on it (turkey, cheese, tomato, bacon, some sort of cheesy concoction) . Both were delicious! I ordered grits on the side, and ELM ordered the mashed potatoes. I chose poorly. The grits were a little on the runny side, and had an unexpected acidity. Pepper? Tomato maybe? I guess because they had a reddish orange tint. I had side envy. Three stars. Food was good, service was a little inattentive, but not to the point of serious error (I do want to note that my water was ALWAYS cold and filled, which I LOVE!). I will definitely be back for delicious things we saw being served to others (mac and cheese, corn bread, FRIED CHICKEN). Also, I think this would be a great place to bring a group, order a few of the main dishes and share family style.

    (3)

  • Stephanie L.

    Went here for Saturday brunch with a group of six on a hot summer day - yay for the drink menu and open air seating! The brunch burger was a hit at our table; half of us ordered it and we were all quiet as a mouse as soon as the food came. Sunny side up egg was a nice edition to the juicy burger with melted cheese. Great service, fun atmosphere, laid back vibe. We can't wait to go back for the fried chicken dinner - will have to round up another group of six. ; ) Cocktail tip: Go for the yellow rose, it's a refreshing combo of white grapefruit and tequila served up in a tumbler ready for the taking. BM's were also good, and as an extra bonus the bar is stocked with Belvedere Bloody Mary.

    (4)

  • Dana M.

    We sat outside which was nice atmosphere. Our waiter was great. We ate the CRAB CAKES, COLLARD GREENS WITH BACON, CRAWFISH FONDUE, SMOKED MAC 'N' CHEESE. All were pretty tasty, however I think I like the crab cakes and collard greens the best out of all those.

    (4)

  • Carri A.

    The first time I became aware of this establishment was the multiple sightings of its Mac & Cheese Truck. A TRUCK FULL OF MAC & CHEESE??!!?? Sold. I'm already there, honey. My friend and I dropped in one nice afternoon to enjoy their lovely outdoor seating. It's secluded but still has the prime people-watching of Wicker Park. We were stoked for the Shiner and Lone Star beers (we're Texas ladies) and split some apps. The fried green tomatoes were divine, the crab cakes were most excellent, the hush puppies were phenomenal and the mac & cheese du jour was AMAZING. So so soooo good. I love you, Southern. Be back soon.

    (5)

  • Laurie V.

    Met some girlfriends for brunch today at The Southern. Excellent choice! The space is decked out with heavy wood tables and booths but the windows keep the place from seeming dark or dreary. We had one of the large wooden booths and it kind of felt like we were sitting in a sauna, minus the heat. This was a good thing. It gave us the feeling of privacy while still being able to people watch. The food was great. I had the Chicken and Biscuit and it was so perfect. Sometimes when you get fried chicken all the flavor is left on the skin and the actual meat can be dry or boring. Not here! It was almost like the chicken had been infused with the rosemary and buttermilk because it was so moist and flavorful bite after bite. The gravy was so good I wanted to ask for extra to soak up with the biscuit. My dining partners had the Breakfast Sandwich and the Charleston Benedict and I heard nothing but raves. We split an order of cheese grits which were yummy. They serve Metropolis coffee in cute little cups and the refills were non stop. Great service! I was just looking over the dinner menu and now I want to go back for the hush puppies. And I do mean NOW...

    (5)

  • Kim T.

    I really wanted to love this place, but I arrived with the bf on a Sunday night and was swiftly told they had run out of fried chicken for the evening. Gasp, horror!!! I proceeded to break out in a cold sweat while the waitress tried to make other recommendations for me from the menu. I wasn't hearing her, in one ear and out the.....you get my drift. I did eventually regain my composure to order the crab cakes. Overbreaded and overhandled, not at all to my liking. Fast forward to the following Sunday bright and early for brunch. Ordered the chicken and biscuit, but it arrived overcooked and underseasoned. Boo and hiss!!! Then my bf was told the duck gumbo had been changed to crawfish gumbo, but it actually arrived as andouille sausage pate gumbo. WTF!!! That was just the final straw that broke this girl's back.

    (2)

  • Erin J.

    Aw, man! I REALLY wanted to like this place! I'd walked by it often in the summer and early fall, wistfully admiring the outdoor seating and the vibe of the place, the smells of the food, clinks of glasses and hushed conversations and boisterous laughter. So WHY, whywhywhyWHY did the service have to be so terrible? I was considering hosting a girl night at The Southern in a few weeks and thought I should check it out first. So, the man and I hit up the place last night for dinner. We walked in and were sat immediately in a largely empty house. Within a few moments our server brought our menus over and then...strode back to the bar where he, the barkeep and 3 other employees stood around talking for the next approximately 15 minutes. My guy and I were looking around like...anybody gonna take our drink order, at least? and then the server came over and took our drink order, starter and entree order. So, okay. After he left, two men came in and were seated next to us. They sat for about 10 minutes before they got up and walked out. The server attempted interception before they got too far, but was rebuffed. Our starter was the pimiento cheese, as what I came for - the fried green tomatoes - were out of season and unavailable. We found that many items listed online for the menu weren't on the menu when we got there, which was mildly disappointing. The pimiento cheese - decidedly not a seasonal item - wasn't on there either, but the server said he'd ask if the kitchen would make it anyhow and to their credit, they did. It wasn't bad, but...I'm a Yankee and I've made better. I mean, it's cheese and peppers on toast; it can't be super-bad even if you tried...but nothing terribly special. After that plate was whisked away, the entrees came a good 20 minutes later. I had the fried chicken sandwich and my guy got the Piggly Wiggly. He was pleased with his dish and marvelled at how at one point the meat actually fell right off the bone. My sandwich was just okay. Lots of competing flavors and the crispy breading was really sogged-out by the collard greens, so much so that it slid right off. Which defeats the purpose of even frying it. For dessert we got the banana bread pudding with the peanut butter sauce. My guy LOVED it, but I thought it was tooth-acheingly sweet and couldn't have more than a few spoonfuls. So at the end of the night, it was $60, reasonable for two drinks, a starter, two entrees and a shared dessert. I just really wish the service had been more attentive, especially at the beginning. Throughout our meal, the staff - including someone from the kitchen in a clean chef's coat and jeans - were chatting it up at the bar and largely neglecting the dining room. I'm not saying when it's not busy no one should talk, but people walked out because the server's priority was talking with his co-workers instead of providing service. So, sadly, no spendy girl night for you, The Southern. And it will be awhile before I give you another shot. I certainly hope the service improves.

    (2)

  • Hayley S.

    Stopped in for dinner while I was visiting my sister who lives in Wicker Park. The atmosphere is great, wether you sit inside or outside you still feel apart of the restaurant. The food is AMAZING, I got the crab cakes and they were to die for. The drinks are strong, but good. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because it took a long time for our server to great us and get us our drinks, other than that it was spectacular and I will definitely be returning next time I'm in the area!

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    For my girlfriend's birthday dinner, we headed out into the night looking for a good BBQ place, but we instead ended up at The Southern. We were directed to this restaurant by her mom, who had been here before and like it, so we were excited. We arrived and were greeted by our waitress, who was fairly nice. The ambiance of the restaurant is almost non-existent. I expected a homey atmosphere, but was greeted with prefab "wooden" sheets across the walls and doors to the patio made of glass-paned garage doors. We were sitting at a hightop table on some bar stools, which were not the most comfortable. We were informed that they had recently gone through a menu change, and everything that my girlfriend wanted to eat for her birthday dinner was no longer on the menu. We ordered some appetizers and resorted to picking second choices. For appetizers, we got the Andouille corndogs and the hushpuppies. The hushpuppies were some of the better ones I have ever tasted, but the andouille was lost on the corndogs, which tasted no different than the ones bought in the freezer aisle at Walmart. For our dinners, we were hoping good things. My girlfriend and her mom split a plate labeled "Chicken 'n' Biscuits" on the menu. The 'chicken gravy' that was on the biscuits turned out to me a few shredded pieces of chicken on top of a giant roll of bread. Her dad ordered the "Hoppin' John Burger", a black eye pea and rice burger that was fairly good, albeit bland. And I had the "Duck Season", a roasted duck leg with collard greens. As great as it tasted, the duck "leg" was a portion smaller than the palm of my hand. Each plate came with collard greens, which the restaurant serves warm with bacon, though the plate my girlfriend and her mom split had no bacon and was cold. I will say though, that the Three Sister's Grits was the single greatest bowl of creamy delicious grits that I have ever had north of the Mason-Dixon Line. The Southern was also very pricey for what you received, from the food to the drink list. I understand the restaurant is in Wicker Park, and they have an image to uphold, but being in such close proximity to restaurants that are truly class, its hard to believe they can't do better. Would I go back to The Southern again? No, probably not, unless a group of people were going or meeting there for drinks. Would I recommend the restaurant to someone? No, unless you want McDonald's portions for fru-fru fusion prices.

    (2)

  • Anthony P.

    We stopped in for a quick snack and a drink while walking past. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The variety of seating is great; one could sit at the bar, at tables inside, and there is a good patio area with an upper level. I enjoyed my "Johnny Cakes", some pancakes with pulled pork. The pork was positively juicy, and I was dripping juice every time I took a bite. I loved my drink, too. The "City Slicker" is sure to please any coffee fiend.

    (4)

  • Cycette H.

    I stumbled upon the Southern while strolling on North Ave. I remembered a friend mentioning it and so I stopped in. I've only been here when it's been warm out. I don't know how they fair during the winter given the limited amount of indoor seating, but- I LIKE IT!!! Plus they carried my Abita Purple Haze, albeit in a bottle and not on draft. I had a shrimp Po' Boy and it was decent-not great- but I ate it. The Macaroni and Cheese was really good. I love the garage doors that serve as walls and during the summer they are open, so it's like sitting outdoors. They also have a nice sized patio. If you are looking for a place to go around Wicker Park, I would check it out.

    (4)

  • Hissyfit S.

    My boyfriend had a taste for fried chicken, and it was the special at The Southern so we decided to give it a try. I checked out the menu on the web and saw a large number of things I wanted to try. Unfortunately, we didn't get there until about 8:30 because my boyfriend had to work late. Wanting to enjoy what is probably one of the last gorgeous nights in Chicago we sat on the patio. We immediately were served water and brought menus. When b'friend asked about the fried chicken special, we were told that unfortunately, they were out. A few minutes later we overheard our waiter tell the table next to us the chef said he could probably manage a couple more orders. While we were flagging him over to see if we could get in on the action (to be fair, the other couple was there before we were) another waiter quickly approached to see what we needed. Then our waiter came over too - they both said they'd go back to see if they could make another order of fried chicken - and YAY, they said the chef would make it happen. That right there? Is the kind of service that makes me fall in love with a place. There was a new cocktail menu for fall and I had a Maker's Mark 46 Maple (don't know if that's the name but that's what was in it). Maker's Mark 46, maple syrup and a twist of lemon. It went down REALLY easy, too easy. I could have had several, but it was a "school night". Our waiter stopped by to apologize for the wait on our food. Hey, fried chicken takes time, we could be patient, no worries. When it arrived, it was half a chicken on top of a huge biscuit and gravy. I had opted for the fried chicken sandwich. I only got a taste of the gravy from the fried chicken but it was tasty. I really liked the fried chicken sandwich - very moist and flavorful. The collard greens on the sandwich were a very nice touch. I had substituted fries for the mashed potatoes and they were perfect. I'm very picky about fries and these passed the test. I want to go back for the "Southern Mess" - fries with tasso ham and cheese curds. And the mac & cheese. And the fried green tomatoes. Seriously, there were too many awesome choices on the menu. The brunch menu looks great too. As we finished the chef came out to apologize for the wait on the fried chicken and to see how we enjoyed the meal - a nice touch. And no need for any apologies, everything was excellent. The food is very good but it's the service that really sealed the deal for us. It's easy to complain when service is bad (and all too often it is, or at least mediocre) so I want to say kudos to The Southern for being so friendly and accommodating - we will definitely come back and will bring friends.

    (4)

  • Keyona D.

    Always packed for weekend brunch. Good mac n cheese and variety of bourbon. Has an outdoor patio.

    (3)

  • Katie R.

    My review is solely based on the Southern poutine - fries, cheese curds, sausage gravy. I may have lost of a few years of my life that day, but it was worth it. Lovely decor and outside area.

    (4)

  • Constance H.

    Ann the bartender is amazing. Great drinks and handles the pressures of the fast pace very well. LOVED the crab cakes......my first visit and I will be back.

    (4)

  • Chris P.

    Horrible experience...we stopped here based on the yelp reviews and the fantastic looking outdoor seating. After being seated it took over thirty minutes to get our first drink and order taken. And even then, we went to the bar to get our drink. The food options are extremely limited and despite having "almost world famous" fried chicken, it's only available to parties of 10 or more with preorder. The food is overpriced and mediocre at best. They were out of the first two bourbon's we ordered. I can't remember the last time I was this disappointed in a restaurant.

    (1)

  • Roberto F.

    This place falls between 4 and 5 stars. My tip is to skip the appetizers, especially the mac and go straight for the main courses.... We had The Fried Chicken. Yum Yum Yum. We gathered some friends here and had an amazing family style dinner. If you go family style, I guarantee that you won't go home hungry. This is one place that doesn't' skip on the servings. I will go on to say that they have some of the best friend chicken in North Chicago. What makes it special, homemade batter, lightly oiled and completely moist chicken breasts. Mash potatoes and cornbread are addictive good. Last but not least, the service was excellent and always on point. For a large group with a guaranteed tip they never let us feel left out.

    (4)

  • Ben K.

    A Saturday morning brunch on an outdoor patio in the sun? Yes please, I accept. The patio is quite comfortable and the atmosphere is nice. The food is solid as well, if not absolutely fantastic. I had a nice plate of shrimp & grits, which was tasty and surely full of butter. My only complaint would be that for a $16 dish you only really get 4 large shrimp (nicely cooked and seasoned) in a bowl of grits. This dish needs another note to really shine. Across the rest of my table, the crab cakes were enjoyed, the johnnycakes were enjoyed a lot, and the biscuits n gravy received no commentary. Also, the bloody mary was quite pedestrian. $8 for a bloody that's not particularly strong or delicious, with no garnishes but an olive and lemon slice? No thanks. This review almost got bumped up to 5 stars when the manager came over to thank us for coming in after finishing the urbanathlon. He told us that The Southern was a whiskey bar too, and that he wanted to offer us a free round of shots of some nice bourbon. It was 11:30am, but hey free is free. Mixed enthusiasm rapidly turned into disappointment however, when it turned out our free round of shots of "nice bourbon" was actually Southern Comfort, making it easy to pass on the AM hard stuff.

    (3)

  • Alexis B.

    "She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her, I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl." - Scout Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" Oh what it would do to my Alabama born grandmother to see me in the kitchen slaving over all the makings of a southern meal! Alas, I have no such desire or skill. Enter: The Southern. This tIny establishment offers up good southern fare and STRONG drinks in a non gimmicky, chic, and intimate setting. A friend of mine had been wanting to try out The Southern for a while, so we headed down for a late dinner and a few midweek drinks. The food here is served in a variety of small plates, so we ordered a few to share. We ordered the crab cakes, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and fries. The crab cakes came in the form of a pair of fairly large (3.5 in diameter, 3/4 in thick) patties full of lump crab (with a kick of citrus) severed with a small portion of a sweet arugula salad. We both loved the unexpected citrus in the crab cake, and it was the only dish that we both finished to completion! The other big win for me was the mashed potatoes and gravy dish. The gravy had scallions and all sorts of unidentifiable deliciousness blended it for a surprisingly flavorful spin on what is too often an extremely boring dish. While I was in mashed potato heaven, my friend fell in love with the gouda and bread crumbs in the mac and cheese. Like the mashed potatoes and crab cakes, it too was a spin on a classic that garnered high praise. The gouda was a smooth and delicious contrast to the traditional sharper cheddar. There were only a few mild things that didn't go over so well. First, the fries (although plentiful) were just blah. They weren't bad, but weren't up to par with the other dishes. Second, I ordered a drink with bourbon, sweet tea, and lemonade thinking the bourbon would be offset by the sweet mixer. Oh no. Not at all. That thing put hair on my chest! Our waiter was nice enough to bring me some sweet tea to dilute my drink, but it didn't work. It was only when I drank a sip of the sweet tea alone that I realized the sweet tea was not SWEET TEA. Anyone that understands and has had the real thing will be disappointed. Lastly, the backless chairs were not the most comfortable. I understand the simplicity that the designers were going for, but the stools are not the most comfortable for extended seating. All things considered, the many goods found at The Southern outweighed the few bads. My friend and I had a great time over good reasonably priced food in a hip Wicker Park locale. It's a great find, and parking is pretty easy on a Tuesday night!

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    Came here for a friend's birthday party and I left thinking that The Southern isn't sure if it wants to be a restaurant or a bar, and therefor it doesn't excel at either. We were upstairs on an open deck-like setup. It was great for a party with a lot of space to walk around and mingle with people. The downfall was finding a spot to sit when wanting to eat. The drinks were pretty good, I strongly suggest getting the Bacon Manhattan. The food was just meh. The crab cakes didn't have big lumps of crab and tasted rather processed. The mac and cheese, which I was thinking would be great seeing the popularity of the food truck, was bland and had an odd finish after each bite. Nothing really stood out to me as amazing or wanting to go back.

    (3)

  • Mehran F.

    I was on my way to a new wicker park restaurant called Lillie's Q and got in....took my seat, looked at the menu, and wow, realized i entered a few doors too early. I decided to stay... The waiter was very good, and with thinned out salvador dali moustaches .... i asked for his recommendation. I respected him qualifying his recommendation by saying "if you eat pork, it is very good"... i got that and a green bean dish. the food was fine. not great but was above average. I was there yesterday (tuesday)...and there happened to be an event filled with after work (i.e. not freshened up) people, having free drinks and being loud.....but everyone seemed to have fun so i enjoyed watching them.... the people next to me were nice and talked to them some. I would not go back there on my own (mainly because not my kinda place)....but i could easily see why many people would like the place and give it a rating of four.

    (3)

  • Eric V.

    If you like your calorie binges with southern flair then you've found your spot. Favorites for me include the Southern Mess, a spin on Poutine that features hand cut fries, cheddar cheese curds, and a flavorful gravy made from tasso. I definitely wouldn't classify the Mess as a "light" app and the portion size is pretty big, so sharing with a friend or two isn't a bad idea. Flavorful, well cooked shrimp and rich and creamy grits made the Shrimp N Grits another classic southern dish worth trying. A creative cocktail list and a good selection of southern beers are on hand as well. The Southern Star Blond Bombshell proved to be a perfect beer to wash down all that comfort foody goodness. The wifey and I happen to come here pretty late so the music was pretty much on full blast at this point. Not to sound like a cranky old man, but just FYI in case you're hoping to have a quiet conversation.

    (4)

  • Meredith P.

    I'm not sure if I agree with the yelpers who said that this is a place to "be seen" but it is definitely a cool place. Great outdoor seating and the decor inside worked well with the theme. I ordered the crab cakes and they were definitely above average, and my date got the fried chicken sandwich. I think it was fancier than he would have liked/expected but I thought it and the side of mashed potatoes were both pretty good. We split the mac and cheese and it's definitely a must get! It was AWESOME! Also really good, fun cocktails and always some sort of whiskey/bourbon specials if that's your style.

    (4)

  • KChicagoan S.

    I stopped by this place when the CF that is North/Milwakee/Damen got the best of me and I was too "disoriented" to remember where Salud was. Needless to say, I'm glad I accidentally found it because it's a great bar! The vibe is really cool - a nice crowd, good music and the lighting is just right. It seemed like whether you were in the mood to party down or just people watch, the Southern fit the bill either way. Drinks were normal price for the neighborhood, and I suggest going there in the warmer months - the rooftop area is super cool and the open-air feel in the rest of the bar is very unique!

    (4)

  • Erin S.

    I love this place! Conveniently located in my neighborhood, I love eating on the shady patio and enjoying a Woo Woo martini. Fried green tomatoes are awesome as is the mac and cheese. I went last Saturday night and this place was hopping--pretty people everywhere. Great service. I'll definately be back to try the Sunday brunch menu and check out the cabanas up top.

    (5)

  • Nicolas H.

    Still haven't had the food (but I will), but I really like the bar and the patio here. The bartenders are super attentive and friendly and make a great drink (and the whiskey menu is quite impressive). I'm also a big fan of the music. I always seem to hear exactly what I want to listen to while i'm here, maybe I'm just lucky. One of these days I'll get here early enough to try the food...

    (4)

  • Sally C.

    A friend decided to have her birthday party here. I was excited because I heard some good things about the fried chicken dinner, but I didn't feel like making the effort to call ahead for a group of 6-10 diners (seriously, people, let's get real. It's fried chicken - your rules are RIDICULOUS!). When we arrived, we were seated upstairs. This would have been nice if it were spring or fall. But it was about 20 degrees outside. The rooftop had some clear plastic tent thing surrounding it with a heater (yes, we only saw one heater). There were a couple cabana-type seating areas which would have been nice if the weather was nice. There was a long table that my group sat at along with several smaller high top tables. All-in-all, the roof atmosphere was nice - if it wasn't freezing. The chicken was delicious but there was A LOT! They served us for 10 people but the group ended up being about 16 people. We still had leftovers. It was $19 per person for the chicken dinner. I think they could lower the price and serve significantly less food. There were leftovers, but it's not like everyone got a doggie bag - it was all wrapped into as few containers as possible so not much of an option for sharing. In general, the food was really good but they served too much to justify an inflated price. The drinks were generally very good. We ordered one of the punch bowls which, for a large group, was totally worth it. They also had $3 Maker's shots - only available in shot glasses. Since we were eating dinner at first and holding off on getting stupid until later, we had to improvise and ask for glasses of ice and use the water carafes on the tables to make our own drinks. When we were done eating, we headed downstairs (where it wasn't freezing) and got a couple of tables. The waitress never asked if I wanted to open a tab - she brought a receipt on a small clip board every time I ordered a drink. I was paying cash so I went with it, but it just seemed odd. Friends who were paying with credit cards had to ask to open tabs so as to avoid the one receipt per drink trap - I think the waitress should have asked us if we wanted to open tabs instead of the other way around. In general, the food and drinks were very good, but the cold temperature upstairs, serving too much food to inflate the prices, and having to pay for each drink separately with a receipt on a clipboard left a bad taste in my mouth.

    (3)

  • Matt L.

    I don't know how they do it, but the poutine just won't quit. They changed up the menu a little, and now have fried okra and gumbo. I finally tried the Johnny cakes. They asserted their might without apology. Our bartender, Haley, was friendly. This place seems to be on the up and up. I suggest not waiting until summer to go here.

    (5)

  • Lauren H.

    Was I at the same restaurant as everyone who gave this place rave reviews? We came here to watch the Derby. First issue was that my friend had called to make reservations and had been told they didn't take them, and then when he called again apparently they did take them but were full. Luckily I got there in time to get us a table. I started with an old fashioned which was only ok (I expected better at a bar that focuses on whiskey). Someone at the table ordered a sidecar which was undrinkable (and I LOVE sidecars). The 5 of us shared a slew of dishes: -fried okra: I didn't care for this but some friends like it, but we thought the sauce was kind of bland -johnnycakes: I thought the pork was a little over done and the pancake was nothing special. I liked the pickled cabbage, but the dish needed a sauce or something. It was just blah. -fried green tomatoes: too tart (yes, I know they are supposed to be a little tart) and the goat cheese was a bit too peppery, and I don't think the tomatoes were cooked enough -poutine: good but not the wow I had expected. I wish there had been more cheese and less gravy. -hush puppies: these were good, and I really liked the smoked trout dip. This is probably the only dish I would order again we also split two punchbowls (e.g. jugs) of kentucky lemonade and I think the first batch was a little weak but overall it is a good deal. I am disappointed, I really like southern food and I was looking forward to finding a new spot, but I don't know that I would go back.

    (2)

  • Katie H.

    I feel really harsh giving this place two stars, but "Meh, I've experienced better" totally sums up my experience. Service was okay, the big $42 punchbowls are a great deal ( you get about 10 drinks), but the food was not good. It's wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. I tried the johnny cakes - the pulled pork was tender, but flavorless. How about some sauce? - and the poutine. It was....fine. I mean, it was french fries topped with cheese and gravy, which sounds like it should be heavenly. But it was just...okay. I had about 5 fries before I decided the taste just didn't justify the calories. After that, I didn't even bother trying the fried okra or fried green tomatoes, both of which my husband said were "just okay." If I were walking by, I might stop in for a drink, but otherwise I see no reason to come back.

    (2)

  • Kassandra L.

    I was told what a great place this was for the macaroni and cheese. It was pretty good but it needed a side dish like a vegetable or maybe chicken to throw in it. It has a bacon flavor, which I'm not even a bacon fan, but I loved it! But it would be more enjoyable with something else with it! The service was also not as great as I wish it woul be. I feel like she left us alone too much and only came to us when we were about to pay the bill! And it wasn't that busy either so I was a little upset! I would definitely give this place another chance! =)

    (3)

  • Julie R.

    I'm to keep this review short and straight to the point. Great place to eat Mac and Cheese! I ordered the piggly wiggly, it was okay. This place has an urban feel, good service, it's loud, and a bit over priced. I would give it a 3.5 rating, if I could.

    (3)

  • Matt M.

    A haiku: A mustached man will carefully make you the best Old Fashioned ever

    (4)

  • Josh H.

    Shrimp and Grits was pretty great. I've only been there once, but I'll be going back. They have drink specials on the weekends!!! That's hard to find. I took away a star because it's too expensive for me to frequent except for drinks.

    (4)

  • Linda K.

    I went here last week and this place has a really nice setting. My friend made reservations for about 10 people where we sat at high tables. They were actually really cool because they have hooks under the table to hang your coat and purse. For aps, we had the macaroni and cheese which was really good! As well as the fondue! I ordered the chicken sandwich with fries-the sandwich was huge..i was only able to finish half. My bf ordered the thursday night chicken meal where he got two thighs and two drumsticks-warning: it was VERY spicy!!! If you can't tolerate spiciness let them know you don't want it spicy or mild. He wasn't asked if he wanted it spicy or not, it just comes that way. Our waiter was very friendly and always made sure we had everything we needed. The beer/drink selections they have here were all really good.

    (4)

  • Virginia T.

    I went to the Southern for a date night and was thoroughly disappointed. The food wasn't great but the service was awful. The special was $3 draft beers, but there was no draft list. They had the breweries on a list (Goose Island, Half Acre, Abita, a few more) but that was it. I had to ask the waitress for what they had on draft and she wasn't 100% sure, had to look at the Tap handles and took 3 guesses as to which Half Acre they had (Gossamer). We ordered the mac 'n cheese special (that night was brisket and bacon) and two beers. After a good long while of wondering where our beers were we tracked down our server and got her attention. She said "oh were you ready to order?" - and we had to remind her that we HAD ordered an appetizer and two beers and we'd like them please. She rushed away muttering something about needing to put that in. We didn't even get to mention that we were also ready to order our entrees.....which slowed things down even more. We soon after got our beers which had NO head and were so flat we didn't even come close to finishing them. The mac and cheese came out quickly enough but I got a piece of gristly/dry meat that I had to spit out...and the bacon/brisket combo was tasty, but the flavors of both got lost in each other. It needed some brightness....or maybe even some green onions on top? Nothing popped, it was unimpressive. J said the mac from the truck was better. I ordered the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, watermelon, watercress, mint and fried pecans. The tomatoes were thick cut, but barely cooked. I could only cut them with a fork and knife and they were crunchy when I chewed them. I turned to J and asked if that little tiny speck of goat cheese could even be worth mentioning on the item description. The watermelon was beautifully cut into little cubes, but added little to the dish. All in all, I was left hungry and underwhelmed. J ordered the Andouille gumbo and we were both shocked at how thin it was. It was like broth south with a tiny scoop of rice in the middle. Similar to my dish, his mentioned "pickled okra" and there was ONE piece. I was shocked at the small portions and high prices ($14 for just about a tomatoes worth of fried green tomatoes!) It took just shy of forever to get and pay our check to top it all off. I most certainly won't be back.

    (2)

  • QB Chicago B.

    Just ok...the mac & cheese was good but nothing special. The fried green tomatoes were awful and hard...how do you mess that up? The cornbread was similar to the fried green tomatoes...hard & flavorless. The service not great...slow, forgetful. Our server seemed "special". However, my girlfriend had the blackened catfish & it had great flavor. In a pinch...a real pinch I would return but there are way 2 many great comfort food joints 2 consider returning. Step it up....cute spot!

    (3)

  • Angelina E.

    Great brunch spot! The giant wooden booths are perfect for big groups. Service Was really good and we couldn't pick What to order cause it all sounded so good! The mac and cheese was good but not that unique. The doughnuts were delish!!!! Highly recommend Splitting them for the table. Southern ma dish was awesome for meat lovers! Can't wait to go back for dinner menu. Cool space

    (4)

  • Justin C.

    Nice establishment in Bucktown. Came here with colleagues for dinner - it was a great time overall. We enjoyed the Mac 'n' Pimento Cheese, Fried Chicken Dinner (Wednesday) special, among other appetizers. The Chicken was a little on the dry side but overall an enjoyable time. Their whiskey menu is extensive, and the Sailor Cider was DELICIOUS (hot apple cider w/ spiced rum, and a stick of cinnamon). I still have to give The Southern Mac & Cheese foodtruck a whirl sometime.

    (4)

  • Vanessa P.

    So ever since my original rating, I have came back here several times. Absolutely love this place & it may be one of my favorite destinations in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area. Great food, atmosphere, and whiskey. Can't go wrong with that.

    (5)

  • Kevin A.

    {KICKASS BAR + COMFORT FOOD} ? It's a bold motto, but I think they got it right. I'm thrilled with the metamorphosis from Chaise Lounge which was just a little too South Beach and a little too Lincoln Park for the neighborhood. Enter The Southern, with an excellent selection of bourbons & whiskeys, an unpretentious atmosphere, and great food to boot. DRINKS: My first cocktail was a Manhattan with Buffalo Trace, straight up; perfectly mixed by Haley (kickass in her own right) Next up, I ordered a Sazerac; bonus points for #1) knowing what a Sazerac is, #2) knowing how to make it, and #3) making it extremely well. It was probably the best version of the drink I've ever had. The only disappointment was the mint julep. They use mint-infused syrup in lieu of adding fresh mint to the final product. Hopefully they fix this as the fresh mint is my favorite part of the drink. FOOD: Fattening and wonderful. Try the poutine (fries with cheese curds and gravy) and the shredded pork with johnnycakes. SERVICE: Staff was great. Excellent bartenders, friendly host, no complaints. I'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Evan S.

    This place is alright and architecturally it very pleasing. As a native Texan however, this place doesn't hold up to my expectations. I was real excited to hear that they had Lonestar Beer (aka The National Beer of Texas). So as I ordered what many have referred to as bottled horse urine (I love it however) my girlfriend when fancy and ordered a Goose Island Matilda. We are the pretty different. I was hungry so, it being my first time, I ordered their BBQ burger. I think burgers are a good way to get a feel for the place overall; if you skimp on your burgers, you skimp on everything else. The burger came and was visually unimpressive. A stocky narrow burger on a plain bun. The burger was juicy yet lacking on flavor. It came with hand-cut fries that seemed rather bland compared to other places. I'd go back for drinks because I love how the whole place opens up and is airy but the food leave little to be thrilled about. Don't mess with Texas.

    (2)

  • Char Y.

    The restaurant looked like a bar from the outside, and was easily missed. We ordered southern poutine - ok johnny cakes - very good hush puppies - ok mac & cheese - good fried okra - good shrimp/grits - good fried green tomatoes - good bbq - good Everything is good, but very expensive. I honestly don't know if it is worth $22 per person for chicken dinner. It's over $122 for fried chicken for a party of 6. I think that's insane.

    (2)

  • Lindsay R.

    Every time I've been to The Southen I leave with a smile on my face. Love the atmosphere, food is yum, and the drinks are amazing. When it comes to liquor I generally stick with vodka, but the house-infused apple bourbon? Ohhhh my god... it's unbelievable. During warmer months, the patio is the place to be. It's comfortable and inviting, and great for enjoying a few drinks. I personally have never had the fried chicken, but each time I've been someone near me has been enjoying and it looks to-die-for. Next time!

    (4)

  • Ernesto R.

    We were seated in the back underneath a stairwell which made it really cold. The food was ok, but we could have gotten the same at KFC... Do not go here for the food.

    (1)

  • Tammy H.

    I thought this place was excellent. We ordered: The cheese plate (hooray pimento cheese!), johnny cakes, the po' boy, and the special that evening (it was a braised short rib on mashed potatoes), and a side of grits. I had gotten there way before Joe did and after some joking around with the waiter, ordered a sweet tea. IT WAS SWEET. Like, really sweet. But not so sweet that you couldn't taste the tea. It was good. Then I sat and took in my surroundings a bit. The Southern is brown. There is lots of wood and the lights are dim... It was nice and cozy. And I loved all of the wood. Loved it. The food was excellent, well, except for the grits. Anyway, the pimento cheese was sharp and just the teeniest bit spicy.\ The po' boy was delicious, but spicy. I don't know if I would've been able to eat the whole thing as spicy as it was - good thing Joe ordered it. The spare ribs and potatoes were excellent.. I could've done with a few more veggies though - I think I got a cherry tomato and some grilled green onion. Other stuff could've gone into it and it would've been real good with that phenomenal red wine gravy. Right, it was like gravy over the whole dish but it was acidic. The johnny cakes were probably the best thing I ate and will eat at The Southern. I just wanted to have it keep on coming. The pulled pork was the perfect amount of smoky and juicy. My only complaint about the food was that I felt the grits needed to be cooked for another 15 minutes. Next time, we'll get the hush puppies. We saw a bunch of people ordering mac and cheese too. I thought that was a little strange with everything else that was on the menu, but sure... Whatever floats your boat!

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Good-bye Chaise Lounge ... HELLLOOOOOOO to The Southern! This little place took over the former Chaise Lounge space recently -- and it's fantastic! Cheese Straws (YUM) and Waldorf Salad (PERFECT) made my little stop in here well worth it. Keeping with my obsession for anything with truffles I had the truffled fingerling potatoes -- VERY GOOD. I'm definitely going back soon to try brunch!

    (5)

  • Kristen F.

    All day long I have been thinking about that Cornbread Salad. 1. The food. Cornbread salad: crisp romaine with crispy fried onions, shredded chicken and buttermilk dressing. Yes. Yes. Yes. Crab cakes: Just two, and a little soft but fresh and tasty. Fried Green Tomatoes: Oh. My. Gosh. Please and thank you. They were crisp, the coating stayed on well and the goat cheese was amazing. Carrot Cake: Soft and tasty. Mud Pie Mousse with peanuts: Creamy, super rich and amazing. Yes. Thank you. 2. The drinks were strong and they have pretty great drink specials. 3 dollar maker's mark shots on Friday? 3. The place is small but it's intimate and the waiters are super nice and not overly attentive. I love this place. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Carolynne M.

    OK, poutine was ri-donk-luous first of all. (Forget any and all hopes of dieting after tasting this dish. I almost confiscated it because I didn't want to share.) The shrimp and grits? Heavenly. Huge shrimp atop a nicely spiced mound of silky, rich grits. Added bonus? Our waiter was hot, hot, hot (!!) on top of being very prompt and professional. And even though I am engaged that's OK, I am entitled to my eye candy every now and then...dammit. Ever order a Woo-Woo to someone that good looking while keeping a straight face? Try it. It's harder than it looks!

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    House made Bacon is awesome. It's a must, plus the fried doughnuts.

    (4)

  • Allison V.

    My boyfriend and I went here one night for dinner. There is a huge selection of whisky drinks, but beers were also available (just check with your server because there were a few of our selections ont he menu that they were out of). We had the hush puppies were good and served with an interesting artichoke and trout dip. I had the N'Awlins Po'Boy which is made with mahi mahi and was served with cole slaw and the house roumelade on the sandwich. It was okay. My boyfriend had the Pimento Cheeseburger which was okay too. Service was good. A number of different people bring you your drinks and food....I guess that is their thing. During better weather there is a patio and they even have a covered patio area upstairs. A helpful feature on the tables are hooks for your purse and/or coat. I might give this place a try in the summer to see how the patio actually is, but in regards to the food I will pass.

    (3)

  • Colleen S.

    After driving by numerous times, we decided to stop in one Sunday for brunch. The weather was gorgeous and we got a table right away on the outside. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. Wanting to experiment with a new type of drink, I decided to give their Sunshine a try (carrot juice, lemon thyme, fresh lime, and vodka). After a few sips, I definitely wasn't a fan. I didn't want to complain to the waitress (having worked in the service industry for years) so I just left it alone. She noticed when she brought our food that I had barely touched my drink and asked if I wanted to get something else instead, so I ordered a mimosa. Knowing how places can be sometimes, I figured they would charge us anyway for the drink. Imagine my surprise when it was comped off! Needless to say, the great service and great food keeps us coming back. Ordered the Brunch Burger which kick started my love of pimento cheese. My boyfriend has tried the Sunday Mac and Cheese and the Charleston Benedict and loved both. When his sister was visiting and we took her here, she about died for the Bananas Foster French Toast. An awesome place!

    (4)

  • Amanda Z.

    This true blue Texas gal says giddy on up to The Southern for unique, beyond delish southern eats, beer and bourbon in a super chill bar that makes you feel cozy and warm (or maybe you're just warm from all the bourbon...). I cannot say enough about my experience here Friday night, from the service to the drinks to the eats. Let me try to break it down: First thing to cross my lips: cornbread...is it cooked with bacon FAT??? omg, i think it may be because it was sinfully delicious. i'm giddy with happiness from my slice of cornbread and already looking forward to my next visit to The Southern to eat the cornbread again. Second stage: johnny cakes...johnny wha??? ummm, basically baby cornmeal pancakes that you load up fajita-style with braised shredded pork that will melt in your mouth and something they call chow-chow (my mind shoots to a very fluffy dog), which is pretty much pickled onions in a cute little jar. the combination of these things is mind blowing and i'm very easily entertained by all the little dishes on my plate. i can't imagine NOT ordering the johnny cakes every time i return to The Southern, which will be often. Third dish: mac n cheese...this is the only dish that was not blowing my mind...and perhaps cuz i've had abundant MnC lately but theirs is not nearly as good as most...it just wasn't cheesy enough, but it was still good. i just wouldn't order it again. Fourth dish: lest you think i am a heifer, might i explain that my friend is the culprit here...after scarfing down Mahi tacos that he says were amazing (they looked fab) and sharing the cornbread and MnC with me, he decides to order a large late of Duck Cassoulet. pretty much a crock filled with tender duck, sausage, black eyed peas and yumminess. it was super delish but HEAVY, i only tried one bite. it was funny for him to get heckled by our waiter for having such a large appetite though! BONUS ROUND: they serve Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka. nuff said...this southern gal was in a blissful state after swigging down about a whole pitcher of tea and lemonade. what a happy night it was. Every dish is priced fair (not high, not low), the waiter was cool and helpful, the owner (i'm assuming) came to our table like 3 times to check on us, and they play frickin AWESOME bluesy country music, kinda like Kingston Mines style. I think The Southern may be my new fave resto in the city...I have to go back and try the brunch before I crown them that glory though. Pretty sure that will be ASAP!

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    I will never go back. Went for brunch...$32 for a carafe of mimosas. Unbelievable ripoff. 'There is a bottle of champagne in there' they tell you. Ok, so they pay maybe 6 bucks for that bottle and then add some OJ. Ridiculous. How much profit do they need to make?? The brunch food was ok but nothing to justify the prices. There are so many better places to go, def skip this.

    (2)

  • William M.

    Best fried chicken in Chicago. Great service. Fried chicken dinner can easily feed a party of 10 or 12 with hearty portions. The team at the southern really hooked it up, we didn't know that you needed to put in a 24 hour notice for a family dinner but they were still able to accommodate us within two hours of notice. Really a fantastic place to host a party. Really grateful that these guys are here in Chicago. Awesome!

    (5)

  • Ang R.

    I'm not quite sure what to think of The Southern. On the one hand, the food was pretty darn good. We tried four dishes, and we definitely liked them all. The pimiento cheese and johnnycakes probably were the stand-outs, but as I said, we also enjoyed the fried green tomatoes and southern mess (southern poutine!). On the other hand, it feels like a bar. Like a fratty, drunky bar. Drinks were definitely emphasized over food, it seemed like. I even tried a drink (something I NEVER do), and it was okay, but it was just too strong for me. I had the Dirty Peach, and I wanted there to be a taste of lemonade and mint, and there certainly wasn't. Then again, the space is lovely. The patio was PERFECT at 6 pm on a hot summer day. It was shady and cool, and the chairs and tables were pretty comfortable. The crowd wasn't obnoxious, and the music was the right degree of loud. And it was good music. Sigh. I just don't know. I'd eat those johnnycakes in a heartbeat, but I'm not sure I want to go back to a bar to eat them.

    (4)

  • Hailey M.

    I like this place. I went here last night with some friends for the second time. I really like the ambiance - casual chic is the best way I can describe it - and you have to love outdoor seating. We all ordered entrees. The shrimp and grits was good and I really liked the heat, but the grits were a little oily for my liking. I had the catch of the day, which was fluke, with a corn and squash succotash. Very good and tasty. I got the "you win" vote from my friends. My bf had the Southern Mess (poutine), which was very good. To be honest, I've never had poutine before so I don't have anything to compare it to but this one tasted good. The last person in our party ordered the fried chicken sandwich. He was more interested in the poutine so I'm not sure it was as great as he wished, but he didn't leave any on his plate. I didn't taste it so can't really say. This place is across the street from my house so I will be back, even if it's just for a drink. I do wish it was just a bit cheaper, but there are reasonably priced options so I don't want to be too hard on them. Next time I definitely want to try the fried green tomatoes!

    (4)

  • Tiffany K.

    Came here for brunch with two friends on a Sunday. We got here around 11am (prime brunch hour) and were seated immediately. There were already groups of people inside, and the place filled up really fast after we got there. The interior is clean and dark, and I think it would be the perfect spot for dinner. Anyway, the brunch menu here is pretty amazing. The Chicken and Biscuits here are a special that is served on Sundays and Wednesdays, and all three of us ordered it. When our food came out, our plates were covered in ham gravy, three big pieces of chicken, a buttermilk biscuit, and rosemary. The food was amazing, and for $14 this meal could have fed a family of four! The food prices aren't dirt cheap (oh, and bottomless coffee is $3) but the portions are big and well worth the splurge. I am excited to try this place again!

    (4)

  • Janette L.

    I have to say I was somewhat reluctant when I first heard about The Southern. Over the past 5 years I have seen this space morph from Iggy's to Chaise to now The Southern. The other places seemed like they couldn't figure out if they wanted to be more of a bar/lounge or restaurant. With such premium real estate on North Ave it was a shame. I think The Southern may have figured it out. The food was very good. I highly recommend the poutine (could have licked the bowl), fish tacos, and mac and cheese. With both small and large plates this is a perfect place to meet friends for drinks or a meal. The drinks were equally good with southern cocktails and a pretty good selection of southern beers. Service was great and overall I had a great time here. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Evan S.

    I really liked this place. I had the fried chicken with the greens and loved both. I like how the owners have fused bar with southern food. A very cool concept matched with equally good food. Portion sizes were generous - food to take home.

    (4)

  • Kelly D.

    A group of friends and I went in for a bachelorette party. We were planning on bar hopping through Wicker Park/Bucktown and the Southern wasn't on our original plan but we walked by and I suggested to the group that we walk in and have a few drinks. We made our way up to the bar and some of the girls in the group spotted an empty table. They made their way over and the hostess walked over to tell them there were people waiting for it. But instead of being rude and not helpful, she offered us another open table in a much better spot. We stayed for a few drinks but wanted to move on to a few other spots, but I could have stayed longer. Our waiter was so sweet and despite having several other tables was so attentive and quick. Really felt like this place got our night started off on the right foot....oh and the drinks were good, too! It is amazing when you actually receive good service from nice people/

    (4)

  • cassie r.

    I may not want to live in the south (this girl + humidity = bad combo), but I can say I fully appreciate some southern style cookin. My Lord, frying and fat makes everything good. I mean, really. And everything I ate last night at The Southern WAS good - real good. My gal pals and I decided to try this place out after hearing incessant buzz about its fabulousness for the past few weeks. The buzz was apparently well founded, because the Southern has a lot to offer. The fried green tomatoes were yum (chevre cheese on top = sheer genius), the mac n' cheese was decent (I mean, gouda slathered noodles? How can they not be amazo), but the Johnny cakes were my absolute fave - chow chow is not only fun to say, but fun to eat as well. I could have easily had another serving (or two) of those bad boys. To add to the experience, their drink specials Rocked. My. Socks. Off. Abita beers for $3....Maker's Mark shots for $3...I'm sorry, come again? Giving away great alcohol will keep me coming back, for sure. I'll also be coming back soon to imbibe in what can only be described as a life altering experience - a.k.a. the fried chicken dinner of house made buttermilk biscuits, collard greens, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, black eyed peas, hot sauce and honey mustard. Just writing that makes me salivate in longing...even if I have to drag 6 strangers in there with me, it will undoubtedly be worth it.

    (5)

  • Samantha H.

    Yum! I went to The Southern on a whim; walking by on a pleasantly warm evening and a restaurant with no walls? I'll take two, please. There was a wide selection of (reasonably priced) "southern" themed drinks and southern beers (specifically from New Orleans). Our food was pretty slow coming out, but our waiter apologized and took one item off our bill because it took so long to arrive. Fine by me! I ate the hamburger, the fries were top notch. My dining partner raved about his fried green tomatoes. I especially liked the atmosphere of the restaurant. Reading other reviews, it looks like other patrons agree: everyone was relaxed on the patio. I'm looking forward to trying their punch bowls!

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    I knew I would love this restaurant when I saw that the chef was a fan of John T. Edge, one of my favorite Southern food writers in Mississippi, but last night blew me away: Two well-crafted drinks, an appetizer and dinner for under $30, AND everything was delicious and up to my very picky standards for Southern food! The shrimp and grits might be as good as the famous shrimp and grits recipe at City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi that I ate on many occasions as a student at Ole Miss. Can't wait to go back this summer and sit on the patio with a pitcher of something tasty and a few oysters on the half-shell.

    (5)

  • Holly O.

    Great way to change up your brunch plans. The breakfast sandwich is my fave so far - it's got eggs, arugula, goat cheese - plus a fried green tomato! Warning - you may feel like drinking, though, while in the establishment :)

    (5)

  • Shida B.

    I had the Shrimp/Grits: blue prawns, aged cheddar, frank's red hot ($14). It was ... okay. The food arrived tepid and wasn't all that exciting. I liked the sauteed red pepper and onions situated in the middle of the bowl, on which the three large grilled shrimp were lodged ... but the halo of oil/hot sauce or whatever surrounding the orange grits was a bit unsightly. Wishbone still has the best shrimp & grits in the city so far. The Fried Green Tomatoes -- stickney farm chèvre, caper relish, lemon ($10) -- were cut medium thin and fried in a nice batter. The goat cheese added a little salt as did the, what amounted to, chimichurri sauce. Situated on a bed of fresh greens, the dish turned out to be a fairly nice salad, although, again, a heavy hand was used while pouring the olive oil. The Hush Puppies had a roasted artichoke, smoked trout and scallions dip, which was by far the best dish on the table. The HPs were light, unlike a lot of other cornmeal battered fried balls out there, and almost cake-like in their moistness. They were not greasy like fried dough, but more ... like baked doughnuts. The dip with which it was served turned out to be a surprisingly flavorful hummus-looking addition which I would've enjoyed spread on a cracker. Another surprise was the waitstaff--SUPER friendly. At one point, the Executive Chef, Cary Taylor, came to bus the table. WHAAA?! We were floored. He then came back to the table to ask if everything was good and to tell us about brunch (crab cake benedict? yes please!). He was soooo nice. He even gave us bourbon shots on the house. Mine was infused with bacon, and although it had a grainy look, was interesting enough to try again. Cary said that they use that in their bloody marys. Again, WHAAA?! So I will go back to try that. A plus: The Southern supports the Green City Market, local farms, and sustainable seafood. Right on!

    (2)

  • caroline k.

    Not really sure if this counts as real Southern food, but it's good, solid bar food served in a posh casual bar/lounge. Showed up early on a Saturday night with a friend for drinks before the rest joined for dinner. Was quickly seated at 6:30 pm but the place filled up quickly within the hour. Here's what we had: - Southern poutine: fried cheese over fries and gravy. The fries were great and double fried, but with there was more cheese, less gravy. - Mac n' cheese: ok but could have been cheesier. - Cheesy grits: surprisingly orange and for some reason a bit tart. - Mahi po-boy: grilled with a great remoulade, and a side of slaw. - Buttermilk salad: pulled chicken over greens with a creamy buttermilk dressing. Really strong drinks (woo woo and dirty peach cocktails at least were) and really great service - out waitress couldn't have been sweeter. Will be back to try the hush puppies even though the idea of smoked trout with them kind of weirds me out.

    (4)

  • Cindy A.

    I really want to like The Southern. I love Southern food; I have lived in the South; the patio is deck are amazing; they show sports games on TV's; and it's close to home. However, the food is just ok (judging relative to Southern food), especially for the price. I've had brunch and dinner there. While I would not turn down any biscuits, their biscuits are lacking. The mac 'n cheese is certainly edible and not horrible, but, again, not up to the standard of really good Southern mac 'n cheese. The bar and Southern cocktails are worth going for, and the atmosphere is very desirable, especially in nice weather.

    (3)

  • Adam M.

    Rounding up from 3.9... Dined here 5 days ago - for the most part, it was very tasty! We started with the Southern Poutine - a very tasty dish of french fries, ham pieces / gravy and cheese curds - we all found it delicious, although priced a bit high at $9. A few bucks lower and it would be a home run. Entrees: we ordered the Southern Burger, the gumbo, and Shrimp & Grits. My roommate, who is a certified grits specialist, said his dish was great, and the cheese grits were spot on. The burger got equally rave reviews. My gumbo was also delicious, and the chicken in it was phenomenal, although it was decidely lacking in seafood. As for sides, we got cornbread, and a side of collard greens. My roommate, also a greens specialist, said the greens were mediocre. Also - the cornbread that came with his greens was a bit stale. The side of cornbread was fresh, but it was pretty bad - "garbage" was the adjective used by my roommate. It was dry, and very bland, almost slightly salty. I thought cornbread was supposed to be sweet? Perhaps they use a recipe that I am not aware of. Overall, The Southern is a solid 4 stars, although the cornbread needs severe improvement, and a couple bucks could be shaved off of some of the dishes/apps. EDIT: forgot to mention: the service was good, although it took a little too long for the waiter to get to us once we had been seated. Overall, the staff was very amicable.

    (4)

  • Sam F.

    Having lived near Iggy's and then Chaise Lounge for nearly 5 years and never having a desire to step foot in either, I was pretty stoked to see the space re-branded as The Southern a few months ago... Finally a spot that I might want to try! My girlfriend and I just got back from having brunch there, and all I can say is that I was blown away by how unbelievably tasty everything was! First off, we ate out on the nice large patio, which was great, and the staff was all super friendly... The head chef was even happily bringing all the food to the tables. Also, the main dishes were all very reasonably priced, especially when you take into account the quality of the ingredients (lots of locally farmed/raised products from what I understand), and the generous size of the portions. As far as the food goes, make sure you try the biscuits... They were buttery and fluffy on the inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. Perfection. Also, I'm sure there are many great dishes on the menu, but I had the "Southern Ma'am" and couldn't imagine anything else tasting better! The dish was basically a large brioche sandwich (eaten with a knife and fork), which was filled with pulled pork, some ham that was almost like prosciutto, a few pickle slices, and some melted swiss. The whole thing was then topped off with some yummy gravy and a fried egg. Holy shit... It was SOOOOOOO GOOD! The Southern is not to be missed... I can't wait to go back for lunch & dinner!

    (5)

  • Kelly P.

    Went here on a Tuesday and specials included a $12 all-you-can-eat crawfish boil, $3 draft pints (about 5 to choose from) and the $3 whiskey of the day. After choosing a couple beers, we ordered the fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, cornbread and mashed potatoes. Everything came out quickly and the employees were great. The fried green tomatoes were just re-added to the menu for the summer that night and they are incredible, order them. Portions were good and both of us left full but not over-loaded. I will say that the prices are a bit high for what you receive and they could definitely have more tables on the floor but when the crawfish boil came out it looked incredible. Will be going back- especially for their brunch!

    (4)

  • Chaz A.

    How can anyone give this absolutely nothing special place more than 3 stars? It's a place with an absolutely nothing special drink list. An absolutely nothing special food list. Absolutely nothing special, yet pretty tasty macaroni. Less than absolutely nothing special service. With so many places to go in this absolutely special neighborhood, why go to The Southern? good patio, though.

    (3)

  • lauren w.

    Went for dinner last night to check this spot out after we had gotten some drinks there one weekend. The menu is pretty small so I wasnt left with too many choices. We started with the johnny cakes with brisket which was AMAZING. super good...I should have just had this for my entree. I got the shrimp and grits as my entree which was tasted great but didnt rock my world. My fiance had the chicken dinner which was awesome. Great Fried chicken...so crispy! Service was fine until they started getting busy and then we were left in no mans land. I would recommend this place if you are craving fried chicken, but not much else past that.

    (3)

  • Stan W.

    Oh my goodness gracious was this good. Just ridiculously delicious. I don't care how rich or fatty it probably was, it was beyond the point of caring. If I was being executed tomorrow, the Southern's fried chicken and biscuits might be my choice for a last meal. Often times when legit chef's try to sell you fried chicken, whatever they come up with turns out no better than what a good Popeyes or Church's can offer. This chicken was exploding off the table with flavor. I think it might've been brined, buttermilked, filled with crack. I could detect rosemary and the skin was probably had some panko in it.. We ate every last bit of skin and gristle, which is not common for me. Easily the best fried chicken I've ever had. The biscuits were fantastic - soft and buttery, and the whole thing was drenched in easily the tastiest gravy that I have ever tasted by a mile. The plate was licked clean. You could've soaked a piece of poo in this gravy and I would've gladly eaten it. We also got the Sunday Mac n Cheese, which was also fantastic. Just creamy goodness with chunks of kielbasa that matched perfectly with the dish. Other dishes that passed us by that looked great included some kind of crab cake dish. Next time I will force those one of these other dishes down after I clean off my chicken 'n biscuits plate. I will complain about a few things though. #1. It looks like they only offer the good menu on Sundays for brunch. It didn't look like the chicken n' biscuits is a regular item. That's just plain cruel. For the sake of benefiting society, I demand that the Southern offer their fried chicken, biscuits, and gravy every day and stay open 24/7 including holidays. #2. They made the chicken 'n biscuits dish too good. So good that I will be hard pressed to try any of their other dishes, which might be equally good, since I'll always have that dish on the brain. #3. The seating sucks. Mostly high wood-hewn tables and backless stools. When I want to get my eat on, it just isn't comfortable to stay awhile. Comfortable seating is a must for a comfort food joint, especially with rich, gluttonous food such as this. What if I wanted to down two orders of that chicken? My butt couldn't handle a double session on those stools. #4. The place looks too small. It scares me. Once word on this place gets out, it'll be so crowded I'll never get to eat here again. I dread the day.

    (5)

  • Justin R.

    What can I say? The Southern is great! I never went here when it was Chaise Lounge; new a guy who worked there and he liked it, but the whole concept was not my style. On the other hand, a sleek little place serving good drinks and awesome Southern-style cuisine is right up my alley. The Poutine, Johnny Cakes, Fancy BBQ, and the Shrimp and Grits were all excellent. As a matter of fact, the Shrimp and Grits was really, really good. My only complaint is we ordered too much food because the apps are actually large portions. Not really a bad thing, but I would order a bit less next time. If you haven't been, go. But be warned, it will be busy when the weather warms.

    (4)

  • Eric W.

    DRINK REVIEW ONLY We stopped in here for a few beers while we waited to get into Lillie's Q down the street. Perfect beer and whiskey menu. The bartenders all rocked mustaches... I'm not sure if that's a requirement. They let us hang out at open tables with the warning that we'd have to move when people showed up. Much appreciated. Beers run anywhere from $3 - $10 based on quality, quantity, etc. The bartenders were EXTREMELY knowledgeable about their whiskey. It was impressive to see them rattle off facts about stuff I've never even heard of.

    (4)

  • Sunshine A.

    Went on a Sunday morning for brunch, as I've been meaning to try this spot for a while. Good food, but not amazingly great. I did love the biscuits, so make sure you order a side with your meal. Decided to get eggs benedict, since I've never had the dish. Ehhh..I felt like it was too much work, but come to find out the English muffin may have been toasted a bit too long. Anytime you can't cut through an English Muffin something isn't right... I may give them another chance in the near future, or head there for dinner. My friend had the shrimp and grits which was good. Not amazingly flavorful, but it was alright. Another thing I did like was the coffee, Island Spice by Chicago coffee house Metropolis. Thumbs up for that! I'll be back though...

    (2)

  • Keith D.

    What a fun little place. They really did a good job putting this place together. We only had cocktails here, but the service was pretty great. I love the decor and the drinks are very southern themed and well done at that.

    (3)

  • Liz O.

    So a group of us came here because there has been a buzz about how great the change is from Chaise Lounge to The Southern (and Big Star's patio had a huge line). I had never been to Chaise Lounge but it must have been pretty bad if this is such a huge upgrade. I'll start out with the good things: if it's nice outside, it's great to chill in the bar or the outside patio. Great location for people watching and the employees here are really nice. Ok...so the food. Our server recommended the Okra ("the foodies are blogging about it"), Mac & Cheese ("best in Chicago"), Mahi tacos and Poutine. Nothing stood up to the hype, and the Poutine was just down right GROSS. It smelled like feet and the cheese was cold and we had to pick it off to get to the fries instead of it melting on top of them. To top it off, our beers were really warm. I could have gone to Small Bar, not had to wait 45 minutes to sit, and had better food for a cheaper price.

    (2)

  • Melissa K.

    It is a mystery to me why nothing seems to stick in what should be a foolproof location, but I'm placing my bet on The Southern. A group of 10 of us were there Friday night to celebrate my birthday. Originally from South Carolina, and feeling a little nostalgic, I had high hopes for southern favorites like fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and the fried chicken dinner. As my family likes to say, we'll fry anything in the south. Chef Cary far exceeded my expectations. We ordered the family style chicken dinner 48 hrs in advance, as requested. This may seem like a bit of a pain, but trust me, it is worth it! I think they need the notice to be able to get fresh chicken and have time to brine it and prep it so it will be perfectly tender and melt-in-your-mouth when you arrive. I don't know how the breading was made but it was perfect! Crispy and flavorful and not at all greasy. Top sides were the biscuits and potatoes and gravy. Collards and black eyed peas were nice too. $3 makers marks and Lonestar beers, along with friendly and excellent service made for a fabulous evening. I can't wait to return for brunch on the patio!

    (5)

  • Kathleen G.

    Last night was my third visit in as many weeks. So far I have eaten & enjoyed: mahi tacos Shrimp & grits Cheese straws Corn bread salad Oysters Poutain Crab cakes I also love the myriad of bourbon options and super chill space. It is even worth the trek to Wicker Park I will keep coming back

    (4)

  • Kelsey W.

    I do love The Southern. The first time I went with a friend, it was a Tuesday night in winter and I was craving comfort food. The place was nearly empty, service was great, including the chef personally bringing out our food and chatting with us. Best part: THE FOOD. I could have licked the plate after my amazing beef brisket. Every time I've gone back, the food has been amazing. Although I do miss the beef brisket (seasonal menu change), I've had the mac n' cheese, southern mess, johnny cakes, fried chicken salad, po' boy sandwich, and a full-on chicken dinner....and it's all been delicious. Just be prepared for a 45min+ wait if you go on a Saturday around 7pm. But take in the eye candy and a craft cocktail in the mean time.

    (4)

  • Michele L.

    I reserved the very front outdoor space facing North Ave for my birthday this past Saturday night for appx 15-20 people. We had a great time b/c the space was great and the weather was perfect. We had a warm welcome when we arrived by the hostess and our server was friendly. She was off to a great start but around 9:30 pm there was a long wait to order a drink or an appetizer. She did a great job considering they didn't have enough staff in that area to handle the business. I have to say the crab cake and pulled pork was especially delicious. Everyone pretty much cleaned their plates so that made up for the slow service. I would go back but not with a big party because there were a lot of complaints about not being able to order a drink or app.

    (3)

  • Carl W.

    I already had a place in mind on my way to the dentist, but an attractive young woman (d'oh) not only redirected me with her promises of $1 chicken sandwiches available on weekdays, but also, I assume coincidentally ran into me later and told me I was going the wrong way (I hate that intersection). The chicken was flavorful and cripsy, and two of these sandwiches were pretty satisfying, along with a pear salad and a beer/shot special (can't remember exact price). The people at the bar were friendly. But honestly, the high point was a free sample of some egg nog, something they aren't even selling yet, but was easily the best I've ever had. Folks, if you are reading this, I will come back if you start selling that, even though I am leaving Chicago in less than two weeks. No kidding.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    If looks and atmosphere were all that mattered, The Southern would deserve 5 stars. The dim lighting is appealing on the dark wooden furniture. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious. Unfortunately the food and the service doesn't matchup. I just want to echo the statements above that they seem understaffed. Our waitress was the sweetest person, but she seemed like one of only three servers handling the dining area. After she got our drinks, it took us about 30 minutes to flag her back for our food orders. In terms of food, it was very "meh." We started off with fried chicken, and it was just fine. It just didn't seem seasoned enough, and the breading got overwhelming at the edges, which is usually a sign that they just let the chicken sit in the oil without managing it. Also, you'll have to excuse my hatred for ranch because you get a pint (sort of exaggerating) of the evil stuff along with hot sauce. I got the crab cake as an entree, which was alright. Again, it seemed a little underseasoned, and the mustard that came with it wasn't strong enough to leave an impression. We got a punch to split amongst the 6 in the group, and it did its job. So, in closing, this is a place I want to like because of the casual atmosphere and the appealing decor, but the menu needs some work, and they need to hire a few more folks.

    (2)

  • Melissa F.

    I got a very kind message from the manager, apologizing for bad service. He said that I should let him know the next time I swing by, which was a nice touch. This sort of responsiveness bumps them up an extra star, I guess.

    (3)

  • Nirali S.

    New Years Eve here was AWESOME!!! Open bar, delicious appetizers and good service! I want to go back on a non-holiday, I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Caitlin G.

    Huge fan of this place. Their mac and cheese is great and I love that the flavors are always changing. The hott mess of fries with ham gravy and cheese curds is one of the best things I've ever eaten! Also, I love their beers and am a fan of their specials. It has great outdoor space as well.

    (4)

  • Britta V.

    The food was really great, had the crab cakes and the two people I was with had the burger and eggs sardou - both delicious. I'd say that the eggs sardou won, out of the 3. We really wanted to try some items off of their full brunch menu, but they only serve this on Sundays, and we were in on a Saturday. The Bloody Marys are SOO good and so was the sweet potato soup. Yum! They lost a star for me because of service. It wasn't crowded at all, yet we still had to wait some time for our food and there were only 3 of us. The waitress also seemed relatively new, and not completely comfortable. That being said, I'll definitely be back because of the food and comfy atmosphere - oh, and music too!

    (4)

  • Jason G.

    Lots of yum. We went on a Tuesday based on a Yelp search of what's near the Damen Blue Line and we found a winner. Tuesdays they have a brisket sandwich with BBQ black eyed peas and any beer off the menu for $10. Considering most of the beers on the menu are $6, I see that as an awesome deal. The brisket was fantastic. Right amount of tenderness, spice, juiceiness... Drool. Go now. Well, wait until Tuesday.

    (4)

  • Alece O.

    I was visiting my sister in Chicago and while walking around the neighborhood on Sunday, we discovered this place for Brunch. Usually I am a sweet breakfast eater but now and again I like savoy dishes. I decided to order the Charleston Benedict and it was DELICIOUS!!! The Charleston Benedict is a seasoned crab cake, on a bed of arugula, mustard sauce, sliced apples, topped with a poached egg. (the menu actually has it on top of an English muffin but order it without it, trust me) Everything was well seasoned and the flavors flowed seamlessly together. I tried the Strawberry Shorties too and it was also very good--who knew basil and strawberries make a great combination. I will be back next time for brunch when I'm in Chicago.

    (5)

  • Michelle T.

    Fried green tomatoes, collard greens, yummy biscuits, an AMAZING beer and bourbon/whiskey list and some pretty damn delicious mac and cheese. They had Flat Tire on the menu! Yeah! Can't remember if we ate here on a Fri or Sat night, but all I recall is that we couldn't have the Southern Fried chicken and that made me really sad :*( but everything we ate here was amazing! As was sitting outside on a nice October day. The menu is very Southern, not super greasy and not overwhelming portions. You definitely get your moneys worth. Awesome, awesome set up - would be a great place to have a large group for a birthday party. Love the lanai style layout - basically all the walls are huge open windows and on nice summer/fall nights this place is just refreshing. Nice crowd and in the heart of trendy Wicker Park. If you like the trendy/hipster crowd v the Michigan Ave, a def must to check out!

    (4)

  • Doris D.

    This place will eventually kill me. And that's fine, because at least I have a good excuse to die living this way. Oh Lordy. I imagine this is the food that the cast of True Blood probably dines on? So if we're gonna get a little redneck action up in here, then let's bring on the fried green tomatoes, the fried okra, the freakin Johnny Cakes and that awesome corn bread. I had the dirty peach, the woo woo (both martinis, both only $6!!!!) the Gouda mac and cheese, the freakin hand cut fries with the highly touted and uberpopular, Poutine- a big bowl of mushy gravy-laden fries covered in bacon and fried cheese. OH- and our waiter totally had a handlebar moustache. SCORE!!!!!

    (5)

  • Andy M.

    The Southern is a fun little Pub. The interior has the feel of a Canadian Logger bar. It looks and feels like the inside of a Log Cabin. Not that I'm complaining, the scene works. The first thing that I noticed is they offered Eight different Bourbons. Can you say Heaven? There are two different categories on the Menu. One is for Pub food, and the other is for the Southern Dinners that they specialize in. We started out with the Southern Poutine. This decadent little appetizer blew me away. I actually like it better than the Canadian version. The difference is that the Southern version is served with Ham and has more of a spicy kick to it. It took every shred of will power not to lick the plate. Most of the Southern En tree's involved some sort of Fish, so I decided to go with their Southern Burger as an entree. The Burger was delicious. It was served with a plate of seasoned fries that were mighty tasty. The bottom line is, the Southern was a fun way to spend a evening. The Bar was filled with people smiling, drinking and laughing. It was everything that a Friday night should be. I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

    (5)

  • Tita P.

    The Southern gets 4 1/2 stars because it was mmmm mmmm GOOD!! As a newbie I am really enjoying discovering new Chicago spots. I truly hope that The Southern is here to stay. The food is really good. I mean they had cheese grits!! I had the Mac n Cheese and the Rosemary black eyed peas and all I have to say is.....well see my previous comment about their food. I can't wait until it really gets warm and I can enjoy a nice glass of "special" lemonade on their patio and truly have THE Southern experience.

    (4)

  • CJ J.

    The Southern is literally 10 steps from my condo, so of course I had to check out it a few times. It is sooo hit or miss. One night it's empty, another it is packed. That's fine, but makes ya think. The food is really average in my book. The burger is decent, nothing to seek out. Great daily drink specials: a cheap whiskey and a beer every night to choose from. If you're local, check it out. If not, head North. Literally.

    (3)

  • Colleen R.

    Southern in name but not in spirit. This bar (definitely not a restaurant) rides the crest of the recent Southern restaurant trend in Chicagoland. Much of the menu at The Southern is a perfunctory nod toward Southern cuisine -- johnny cakes, fried okra, Abita beer -- that only scratches the surface of the Southern expat's deep longings for food with warmth, comfort and familiarity. I can't say that I had a bad meal, but I ordered strategically so as to avoid items like the $15 gumbo, which I knew would just annoy me. Seriously? In a bar? John Besh doesn't even charge $15 for gumbo. And $22 for fried chicken? Really? What is this place? Service is chipper and efficient, but the creation of the ambiance is largely left to what sounds like an employee's iPod shuffle. Overall, It'll probably suit you just fine if you don't expect authentic Southern fare, just know before you go that you ain't in the dirty dirty.

    (3)

  • jenise r.

    Fried chicken sandwich hello! It was so crunchy! It camee with collard greens, some veggies and gravy ON IT. And a tasty lil potato salad on the side. The smoked guoda mac and cheese was so bland, it broke my heart. Nothing has been as good as handlebars yet. Nice space, quick service. I want to check it out for brunch soon.

    (3)

  • Shayna N.

    First off, I might be a little jaded because I used to work a soul food restaurant in New Orleans. That being said, I was underwhelmed with the food here. Nothing was horrible, but nothing really stood out either. The gouda mac and cheese was pretty bland and not cheesy enough. The fried okra was nicely fried and had a good texture, but the batter was bland. The cheese grits were totally imbalanced: mostly cheese and not enough grits. It was way too rich. The collard greens were definitely delicious, and as good as anything i'd find down in Nola. I would certainly get those again, and highly recommend them to all. We had another pork started dish, I forgot what it was, but I wouldn't get it again. I would like to go back and try the shrimp and grits, AND the 6 person fried chicken meal. The outdoor seating is AWESOME.

    (3)

  • Jeremiah L.

    The Southern rocks. Growing up in Virginia I ate a lot of great southern food. Now I just have to go to WP to get it. I love the style of the restaurant too. It's got a cool, minimalist decor. The patio area looks perfect for the Spring. It was a little cold when I went but once it warms up that looks like the place to be. The drink selection is awesome. They have quite a few southern beers. Try the Bombshell Blonde. It's a great beer from Texas. Good selection of bourbon and whiskey too. We tried the Johnny Cakes as an app. They were amazing. They are like little pancakes that you top with pork and chow chow. I could have eaten that all night. My friend had the shrimp and grits. That's probably my favorite southern meal and this place cooked it to perfection. I had the burger. It was decent. I wish I would have gone with something else but I was in the mood for one. This place looks awesome for groups. They have a fried chicken meal that you have to order in advance that looks delicious. Also they serve punchbowls of a couple southern cocktails. I'm already planning my next trip with some Virginians who will appreciate this place. Oh, and the server was great too. He made great suggestions and really friendly.

    (5)

  • Tasha K.

    I tried to fight it, but yes, I DIG THE SOUTHERN! I was weary of the Southern hospitality BS vibe in Wicker Park but.... I like it! Feed it to me more! ;) I like the food to snack on, love the drinks, and like most of the people that go there. Great atmosphere to hang out with friends or take a date. The service is very attentive, courteous, and sincere. I like the bartender with the 'stache who was able to navigate my boyfriend thru their list of fine scotches. BF was smitten with the place. We had the fried green tomatoes and they were yummy. I would def get them again, along with the pot of pimento dip I saw everyone else around me order. Looked amazing. Not so sure I would want to eat an entire sit down meal here only b/c I'm not a fan of Southern food (fried chicken, pork, greens, etc.) but I def have been here a few times and always enjoy whatever I chose to nibble on. It's getting cold now but it has a great outdoor patio perfect for mingling in warm weather. If you go later at night when it's busier, they open the upstairs part and you get more of a lounge vibe there. Great little hang out in Wicker Park.

    (4)

  • Todd L.

    I'm always excited about new restaurants in my neighborhood and The Southern is definitely a welcome addition. My excitement for this new spot is pretty obvious since I've been there twice in one weekend. My wife and I enjoyed dinner so much on Friday, that we vowed to return for brunch on Sunday, which we did today. I had the braised pork for dinner, which was excellent (you can't go wrong with braised meats) and the crab cakes benedict at brunch today might have been the best I've had. The dijon mustard hollandaise was awesome. They also have a unique beer/drink selection that is the perfect compliment to their well executed take on southern comfort food. We will definitely be back often.

    (5)

  • mike f.

    The whole time I was there I kept asking myself 'why has no one done this before?' I had many firsts when I visited The Southern. My first punchbowl served at a restaurant, my first poutine (why wouldn't you want fries with ham and gravy? seriously...), and the first time I've fit 10 people in a booth without getting claustrophobic (sp?). Insane value! $24 dollars for the punchbowl that I think I got 5 or 6 drinks out of (everyone else had AT LEAST 3). Went back a few days later for brunch and was blown away yet again. Shrimp and grits were out of this world. Andoullie sausage w/ onions and apple mashed potatoes hit the spot, too. If you slept on this place while it was chaise lounge you owe it to yourself to go back again. great food, great drinks, very comfortable.

    (5)

  • Jeremy G.

    I visit Chicago fairly regularly and love when I can stop by The Southern for weekend brunch. Some of the best cheesy grits I've had anywhere. The fried chicken is done to perfection, with thick, crisp, flavorful breading and moist, tender meat. This is true southern comfort food, so loosen your belt a notch and go in hungry! Great bloody marys and a decent beer selection, too. The staff always seems cheerful and welcoming, and I can't wait to go back again soon.

    (5)

  • Tina C.

    We went here last Sunday for dinner, as we saw the Yelp special for half off food (it was one entree). I'd been wanting to go to The Southern for awhile, and I was excited that we finally had a chance! We ordered the mac and cheese for an appetizer, I got the Nawlins Po'Boy, and my friend got the shrimp and grits. Everything was so tasty! I loved the smoky flavor of the gruyere in the mac and cheese, and while the cheese was smooth and creamy, it wasn't runny. My po'boy was also really great- I loved the flavor of the grilled fish along with the cole slaw. The homemade potato chips were the perfect complement! What really took the cake, though, was the shrimp and grits. The grits were incredible! I've never liked grits, but I could eat these all day. Creamy, flavorful, yum! I also loved the atmosphere- we were able to talk, but we also watched some good basketball games. I thought the raised tables would be uncomfortable, but they weren't. The service was also good. Next time I'll try some of their drinks- hopefully it will be warm enough to sit outside :)

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    I'm amazed that Chicagoans still ask me, "Where can I get shrimp and grits?" There's been a long wait, but we finally have a place with fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, Mississippi mud pie, and every other southern delicacy I devour when visiting my grandparents in South Carolina. The Southern serves this soul satisfying comfort food and more, steps away from the six corners in Bucktown/Wicker Park. In a space formerly known as Chaise Lounge, executive chef Cary Taylor offers patrons a relaxed, laid-back setting, while being backed up by the most genuine wait staff I've ever met. I usually go to dinner expecting to spend 2-3 hours socializing and sharing countless physical manifestations of a chef's passion. My first visit lasted five plus hours on a Sunday night before having to wake up at 4am for work--and it was worth it. Between pours of Matilda and Numbers Ale, I dined on johnny cakes (pictured), fried green tomatoes, braised pork, duck orleans, carollina mahi tacos, and a southern take on bangers and mash, while making new friends and discussing where to eat in Paris. My favorite dish, the johnny cakes, are served with gunthorp pork and chow chow, a relish of green tomatoes and cabbage that varies between Southern households. The braised pork is large enough to satisfy a Stash-sized appetite, and falls off the bone into a bed of wheatberries and kabocha squash. The duck orleans is another must, presented by chef Taylor with a burning twig of rosemary. Every time I detect that distinct aroma, I smile, knowing what fellow patrons are about to indulge in. To accommodate those of us who demand 'morning food' at one on Sunday, The Southern offers one of the best brunch menus the city has to offer. The best shrimp and grits this side of the Mason-Dixon (but you know that already), beignets, chicken and biscuits, 'bacon/chocolate,' and a personal favorite, 'Ode to Waffle House.' Thankfully, these hashbrowns aren't the culmination of a night of bad decisions--and they taste a lot better than the original too. Chicagoans--you know where to get your southern fix now. If you've got southern visitors going through culture shock, bring them here and they'll feel at home. Don't have plans on a Saturday night? Come by to indulge, relax, and sort out the best of Paris.

    (4)

  • Diana S.

    Paula Deen must have been an influence here. The food is hearty, butter, and heavy. We came here for brunch and this is definitely the kind of food that sticks to your ribs, and then some. I really liked the drink list and several whiskey options. The place is fun and inviting. The service was decent. There were a number of things that were enticing on the brunch menu. All of them were pretty heavy, so this is not the place to go if you are on a diet. We were very impressed with brunch and will definitely come back to try dinner. Excellent choices: chicken and biscuits crabcake benedict creamed spinach, eggs benedict shrimp and grits

    (4)

  • Martha D.

    My friends and I wandered over to the Southern after not wanting to wait for a table at Big Star tonight... It was my second visit and liked it even more this go around. Outside seating - laid back and comfortable. The Gouda Mac and Cheese is perfect. Actually, I was thinking that adding tomatoes would be a nice touch, but I'm a little strange and like tomatoes with pretty much everything. They have excellent drinks. Tasty, strong and reasonably priced. My favorites: Stormy Monday - ginger goodness & Mint Julep - yummm. I wanted to try the Bacon Manhattan, but the mustache waiter talked me out of it. I'm kind of annoyed that I listened to him, and by the fact that he had that stupid mustache.

    (4)

  • Luis C.

    This place is great! It definitely is a different feel from the ordinary restauraunt. Food was great, variety of different beers that i never heard of before was a plus. Service was incredible. Friendly atmosphere & the outdoor patio really put this place up several notches above the other places i have visited.....hands down.

    (5)

  • Christine F.

    I went to the Southern last night with my friend and my husband. I was VERY excited, because I love everything with cheese and carbs and deliciousness. Can't go wrong with that combination. It's a very cool place. It has a patio, and even the inside is part of an open-air atmosphere. It was a cool, summer night (rare these days), so that was great. I ordered a Planter's Punch, my husband got a Bullet and my friend got a Kentucky Lemonade. The drinks were pretty strong and not terribly expensive, which was refreshing. In terms of food, I ordered the Mac and cheese and my husband/friend got the Chicken Sammich. Moving onto sides, we ordered the cornbread, the cheese grits and fries. I ordered 2/3 of these sides along with the mac and cheese, and the waiter looked at me like I was a fatass. LOLsauce. I swear, I ordered them to share! I promise! Mac and cheese was good and simple. It was made with gouda, which is one of my favorite cheeses. The breadcrumbs were a nice touch. The cheese grits were THE BOMMBBBBBBB, the cornbread was sweet and delicious (interesting butter it came with....there was a spice in it I couldn't place) and the fries were cooked perfectly. My friend and husband really liked their fried chicken sammiches as well. It IS a little pricey, and it's not a place I would go all the time because of that, but it was very, very good. Being that my entire meal was carbs, I felt like I was being rolled down the streets like a keg. It was a really great meal though and I would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Kryste N.

    If you like gigantic chunks of meat this is your place! Went with a group over the weekend, we ran the gambit on the manu and ordered quite a variety of items, all were good. I even give them two thumbs up on my spicy as hell, blackened Mahi. It was delicious, and hot, but not so hot that you needed to down a gallon of milk, Just enough to get you to fan your face a little and say "whooo that's spicy". Somebody else ordered something that rhymed with "Magoo" - it got passed around the table, It was like a BBQ pot raost. and it was fantastic! I have to go back for the one of the family style items that are ordered in advance. Me thinks this place is going to have brisket that is to die for.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    The food here is delicious. I've only ever been for brunch. The biscuits are yummy and served w/ honey and salted butter. Service is always good. My favorite thing here is the crawfish and grits.

    (4)

  • Viper B.

    Came here for drinks one night and it was lame. Didn't warrant a review. Could have been too new or the wrong night/time. Came back for brunch and it was quite good. Great outdoor seating and open-air 'inside' seating. Service was friendly and helpful. Place exhudes a 'cool' vibe with clean lines on furniture and classy decor. I had the brunch special which was an egg/BLT sandwich and it was great. Johnny Cakes were said to be good but a bit lacking (in size and flavor range). Friendly service was very accomodating and the bloody mary(s) (and mimosas, maybe apricot, for the ladies in tow) banished hangovers to the next weekend (or at least morning). It's getting cold as I type, so we'll have to see how a southern themed space handles the Chi-city winters, but food/space/service were solid.

    (3)

  • Ian M.

    This is solely on my time on the second level bar/cabana experience. I'll be sure to edit my review once I've tried the cuisine about which I've read great things. I arrived for a birthday on a cold rainy night, so even though the second floor was covered by the tent, there were only a couple spots where you could feel drafts. I was happy to see Bell's beer was served and the Abita beers were ok too. I wish I would've taken advantage of the bacon-infused whiskey sample offered to me as 4Sq user checking into the location for the first time. The music selection was just ok, but I heard it was controlled by an iPod at the bar on that level. I wasn't about to request something but when you hear of that, there better be some good music to lounge to. Finally, the bartender was pretty cool (and cute) while serving me. Since it was a slow night, he could've just prepared my drinks and moved me along, but he was attentive and took the time to make sure I was taken care of. When I ordered two of the beers I mentioned above, he got frustrated at the fact that he had to get another one from the downstairs bar. No biggie; he was back in a flash. During my next visit, he was nice with the chit-chat, capitalizing on just serving the customers well.

    (3)

  • Jay S.

    Great experience. Had a bit of an email miscommunication for a Mother's Day reservation for 10 ppl, including a wheelchair. Fortunately, staff ensured that we had a a wonderful experience, wonderful service, and overall great food. Crab Benedict, Shrimp and Grits, Brunch Burger, and Fried Chicken and Biscuits were all given a thumbs up. Jeremiah (waiter), Ricardo (table staff), and Michael (the chef who we met later in the evening) were all amazing. The hostess was also quick on her feet with accommodating our wheelchair needs. I've been to a lot of great restaurants around the world, and must say if you're looking for hospitality, good service, and a good comfy meal - The Southern is it. I don't give this place a 5 star for one reason only (I hate to complain), Bloody Mary needs some work and overall disappointed that these guys didn't offer a Bloody Mary special on Sunday. This is pretty common in New York so maybe I'm being a bit of a spoiled brat. Many thanks to all who contributed to an amazing mother's day for my family of 10 today. Will be eating here again very soon.

    (4)

  • Leah P.

    I went to Southern with a vegetarian friend (who eats fish...pescatarian?). Since we decided to try a few different things and split them, I didn't get to order everything I wanted, but I can tell you about what we did try: THE GOOD The drinks: Can't remember. We're off to a good start with this review, right? I do know that it was girlie, pricey, and that I was buzzed after just one. If you're going to spend $10 on a drink at least The Southern makes them strong enough to be worth it. They also have an extensive whiskey selection...if you're into that. Mahi tacos -- Fish tacos at a southern comfort place? I thought that was weird until I tried them. They were actually mini-tacos, great for an appetizer. They were crispy on the outside with a big chunk of juicy white fish on the inside. They also had a little kick to them that I couldn't put my finger on. Would, hands down, order them again. Mac and cheese -- YUM! Although I wish they gave you the option to order it meal-sized. The portion is so small, by splitting it, we each only got about 4 bites! Carrot Cake: DELICIOUS! I'd order this by the pound. It was moist, not too sweet and...pretty much perfect...if I can be so bold as to call something in this world perfect. THE BAD Truffled fingerling potatoes -- Basically, these tasted like dried up, overcooked, baked potatoes that they threw cheese on at the last minute. Even ketchup (classy, I know) or some kind of dipping sauce would have made these so much more bearable. The owner (or whoever he was): When someone came around at the end of our meal to ask us if we liked our food, we said we loved everything, but the potatoes were really dry. He then passive aggressively blamed us and said that we should have ordered the Southern Poutine (which had ham in it) because it was cooked differently. How are we supposed to know how something is cooked unless it specifically says it on the menu? Once again...was out to dinner with a non-meat eater, so...thanks for the suggestion, but ham wasn't an option for us. If he would have been a little nicer and not blamed us for ordering the wrong thing, I would have rounded this review up to a 4 instead of down to a 3. Also, be prepared to look like a fool when trying to use the restroom. The door handle makes the door look like it swings back and forth and when you walk in, you're expecting stalls. In actuality, the bathroom is just made for one person and the door locks. If you push the door and it doesn't open, don't keep trying. Someone's probably in there and you're probably scaring her.

    (3)

  • sheena r.

    holy crab cakes batman. seriously good. hush puppies, yes please. mac and cheese. god yes. bourbon bread pudding dessert. yep. yep. yep.

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    This was not our first visit to the Southern, nor will it be our last by far. A group of 6 of us went here on a Tuesday night and we got in right away. It was a perfect night to eat here. It was hot and humid, but with a slight breeze coming through the open garage doors, it felt perfect. We ordered some drinks (may I suggest the Stormy Monday) and started with an appetizer of Pimento cheese. Really tasty! The rest of our group showed up shortly thereafter and we decided to get another appetizer of the cornbread panzanella. Really interesting take on the traditional italian salad. The cornbread really makes this salad along with the fresh vegetables. Then we ordered our entrees of Shrimp and Grits and Johnny Cakes with a side of green beans with pecans. Again, all of which was absolutely delicious. During dinner, we had the planters punch, which was a nice sweet compliment to our savory entrees, and polished it off soon after our meal ended. I can't wait to try the Tasty Burger next time as it got rave reviews from some of our friends. It was a wonderful summer evening and we'll be back very soon.

    (5)

  • Natalie B.

    Quickly becoming one of my favorite places in Chicago! I thought they were primary a food place, but I discovered that on the weekends it quickly turns into a popular bar. You can definitely find the "southern character" in the food. Think of it as extremely advanced comfort food. I had the pulled pork and wasn't even sure I was eating meat... it was beyond meat. They also have a tendency to put eggs on top of a lot of their dishes, which I like. The bar part of The Southern is just as good. They have a strawberry beer from Louisiana which is incredible. Bartenders definitely know their whiskey, ask them to surprise you with something and you won't be disappointed :)

    (5)

  • Omar L.

    This is my first time at The Southern and I like it. The beer selection is not terribly big but the selections are good. The specialty drinks sound amazing and the apps that I tasted were very good. We had the shuck and Jive (grilled English peas that are made to resemble edamame) and the Pimento Cheese. Thumbs up on both. Beer of choice was the Belgian White. Outdoor seating was plentiful and the service was good. I would come again.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    Last night I came in with my friends who were visiting and we wanted to try the new food and cocktail menu and heard about the Whisper Creek party that night as well! We all LOVED what we had for dinner. I highly recommend the She Crab Soup, Shrimp Roll and the crawfish fondue!! All veryyyyy tasty. Our service was above and beyond as it has been every time I have been here. After dinner we went upstairs for the Whisper Creek party. We got to have a tasting of the whisper creek and overall it was pretty good. They came up with 3 different cocktails for the party using the Whisper Creek and my favorite was called The Great Pumpkin which has house made pumpkin butter in it! Yum! They really did a good job making fun drinks using this stuff! Also, The Southern came out with a brand new cocktail menu. You MUST TRY the Southern Jerry! Such an awesome and unique tasting cocktail and a really fun name for the drink! Another popular one was the NOLA sunset.

    (5)

  • Laura M.

    Only serves brunch on the weekends and boy is it worth it! We had a bit of a wait (40 mins), but it didn't matter... Between my group of 4, we got a mimosa, a bloody mary, a bacon manhatten (yes.. infused and w a strip in it) and something with bourbon! All food is southern themed: crab cake eggs benedict, egg sandwich with black eyed peas, warmed banana french toast.. oh ya! we all were stuffed after, but had to top it off with a side of the fried donut holes that come with fresh fruit and an espresso sauce.. so good! we went on a sunday afternoon, it was full of fun people watching the game

    (4)

  • Mandy P.

    Weather definitely improves my mood, so basically The Southern would have had to ultimately suck to destroy the serenity I felt on yesterday's enjoyable Sunday evening. Imagine if I were a Bears fan how much more elation would have had to be destroyed? There wasn't much I didn't get to try here. It was a veritable smorgasbord and I felt like the rat from Charlotte's Web. My group sampled the hushpuppies, Mac & Cheese, cornbread (smothered in butter and honey, the way it - and many other things - should be), crab cakes, corn, coleslaw, and po'boy. All was delicious and none was left behind. The only thing not tickling my palate while here was dessert. Unlike Templeton, I just couldn't manage it. I would recommend. As would my company, including a real southerner from N'Awlins.

    (4)

  • Chris w.

    I hate to give such a harsh rating to a place I like so much. Me and My buddies LOVE to come here on friday and saturday night in the upstairs...have some food, some drinks the atmousphere...Thats where the Stars are from. Food, fucking fantastic. I would have recommended people to come here from just that alone. (shrimp &grits and The Piggly Wiggly are amazing) The Drinks, where do I even begin...Their beer selection is great bloody marys are the best in town.... Whoever their Mixologist who designed these drinks needs to live in my home bar because they are tasty and creative. [I am drinking outside of the box if you will]. But I will NOT stand to give 3 more stars to this place because of the upstairs friday/saturday staff..The bartender dude...I would trust him better taking my food order over those women there. some short tan im guessing Hispanic girl seems like she knows what she is doing but the quality of service just doesn't live up to it. I've gotten her before and she is slow to respond. she forgets things and isn't very upbeat whenever she visits our table. I REALLY would love to book a private birthday party here...but not if i am going to getting service like this. I wont be recommending this place to anyone. maybe next time, IF there is a next time.

    (2)

  • Haley A.

    The Southern has great food and service. Pete is on point!

    (5)

  • Dan N.

    This place has a good atmosphere, a good draft beer selection, and (most importantly) Nashville Hot Chicken on Thursdays. If you go a little early, you can almost always get a seat without any trouble. The Hot Chicken is good (not off the charts good by Nashville standards), but good enough and The Southern should get a lot of credit for bringing this awesome dish to Chicago. The mixed drinks, while expensive, are good, too. The negatives are that the hot chicken is insanely expensive and the food on whole is sort of mediocre and expensive. The food is definitely a step above normal bar food, but there are way better eats in the neighborhood if that's what you're looking for. Overall, great place to go after work for a beer and hot chicken. Not so much for a fancy date-night out on the town.

    (4)

  • Tara M.

    This place is ok, but not as good as I was expecting based on reviews. The service was excellent, but the food was just ok. The corn bread was nothing special. It tasted like something I could have easily made at home. The food all looks really fancy, but the taste just isn't there. I had the "gulf catch," which the server described as a sort of blackened sea bass. In reality, it was hardly blackened and tasted like it was smoked. I am not a fan of smoked anything, so it was a little disappointing. I think this restaurant caters towards a very young crowd, which might account for the high reviews.

    (3)

  • Rachel G.

    My Advice - If you order anything with meat - make sure it is cooked all the way through before diving in. My friend and I went to the Southern for brunch on Sunday. It was kind of crowded, but we were able to get seats at the bar and eat there right away. The staff was nice and attentive. I ordered the Caroline Benedict and was perfectly delighted. My friend ordered the Fried Chicken and Biscuit and dubbed it amazing. Based on our experience at the restaurant, this place deserves 5 stars. However, we took a piece of the chicken home only to discover that the chicken was bright pink on the inside. This was incredibly disappointing. Her other pieces (a wing and a leg) were totally fine, but clearly, the breast was undercooked. Had we still been in the restaurant when it was eaten, she would have had to send it back. There are so many other brunch spots in the city (and right in Wicker Park) that I am not sure if I can justify going back. Raw chicken is kind of a non-starter.

    (2)

  • Scott F.

    I have lived in this neighborhood for 7 years. 3 places have come and gone in this space since I have lived here. This was my first time in since the Southern has taken it over. For 2 Abitas and 2 Woodford Reserves it was $40 bucks. The bartender told me it was going to be last call soon, and asked if I wanted to keep the tab open, which I didn't. 15 minutes later, we heard "If you don't work here, you have 5 minutes to finish your drinks!" I looked at my phone to note the time, it was 1:11. At 1:14, she shouted "If you don't work here, you have to leave!". The bartender then poured drinks for the staff - they didn't NEED us to leave because of Chicago law/hours, they just wanted to hang out in there with no patrons for their shift drinks. If you look at my other ratings, you will see that I am more than enthusiastic about the places which treat me right. Conversely, this is the first negative review I have written, and for good reason. Go down the street to Bluebird, Francesca's, Lokal, Ripasso, Enso, or any number of places in the neighborhood. Your experience will be better.

    (1)

  • Bryan R.

    The Southern... no more "Chaise Lounge" - at first I was extremely worried. I loved brunch at Chaise Lounge and was terrified that Cary's cooking was going to somehow disappear behind the awesome booze list I saw. Fear not though, I came in this last Sunday and was yet again... blown away. It's saying something when I also came in that Friday for the grand opening and had a great time with some of their giant punch bowls. I was in one of the giant 10 person booths and was excited that there was fun music playing and I could still hear my friends talk to one another. Also let's be honest, when you can drink for a couple of hours and still order some Mac n' Cheese, who's not happy? I loved this venue when it was Chaise and I love it even more now that it's The Southern. I checked out upstairs and it was packed full of good looking people in a much more spacious environment than it had been previously. The downstairs bar is also huge now so it's not like you have to battle the current to get yourself a drink anymore. I'm pretty excited to have a place I'm comfortable drinking at and a place I'm equally excited to grab some solid food at. Nice job guys, this concept change is awesome!

    (5)

  • Maura S.

    I would come back here for a drink or two- there are a number of great spots to sit (especially on a nice summer night). The bar opens up to a large patio and the upstairs is open to the outside as well. That said, I would not come back here for the food. Or the service. I came in with a friend on a Wednesday night. We sat on the very large and very crowded patio. From what we could tell there was only one waiter working the entire patio. This made for slow/inattentive service. The waiter was nice, but he had too much going on to do his job properly. Our food was okay- I had the shrimp/grits and my friend had the mac n' cheese.... but I wouldn't go back for it. My suggestion: Stop in on a nice summer night and have a drink, but skip the food.

    (3)

  • Renee B.

    You got it, Yelp. A-OK. This place is super hyped up, and while the food they give you is great, the portions aren't really up to par with similar restaurants. I know it's an "in" restaurant but the prices are a bit inflated for the food as well. Would I go again? Sure, I guess so. But I'd probably bring some Icy Hot next time since the backless stools aren't exactly spine-friendly.

    (3)

  • Michelle A.

    I went in a few months ago and just remembered to put up a review... This place was the old Chaise Lounge (and I actually liked Chaise) But the Southern is WAY better. I think the set up works and on a gorgeous day it's one of the nices places on North to chill on a Sunday:) The bartender was super cool and super nice. Not one of those douchebag bartenders that thinks they're hot and mixes up drinks fashionably and lets you know how good he is at it. He merely served us drinks let us know what was good and what wasn't... You could tell he knew what he was doing. The other employees were more friendly.. Not sure what was up with Chaise... they were kinda snotty and for what reason.. not sure. food was super tasty.. The chef went for southern style comfort food. and I think he succeeded. The food is rich. I wish they had a bigger menu but I guess it is a bar after all. VERY sad they don't have sweet potato fries tho.

    (4)

  • Chantal L.

    OK so my 1st review involves a spot known as "The Southern"....ironic considering I'm from NC ...which despite the naming convention, is very southern! First - the ambiance is quaint & inviting....the night was warm enough to have both "garage like" large doors leading to the patio open, allowing a warm breeze to join us for dinner ;). Although the patio was full, we were able to find nice standing room out in the front patio area with a view of the animation going by, and were seated not too long after. The wait staff was attentive and friendly. The cheese grits and crab cakes were delivered by the head chef, who personally came by to check on us. The black eyed peas were tasty and reminded me of home.......Yummy! C'est tres bien.....bon appetit!

    (4)

  • Elle K.

    We tried the mac and cheese with smoked gouda, piggly wiggly, shrimp/grits! omg each dish was delicious in its own way! mac&cheese had a different kick to it and i loved each and every bite! the gouda added a different flair. piggly wiggly was so scrumptious with the peach/apricot bbq sauce and to top it off i fell in love with the wheatberry that comes with it! finally, the shrimp/grits was creamy goodness! theres lots of grits for the amount of shrimp but the grits is soo good: cheesy&creamy. its definitely a place to hit up. its more of a bar, but the plates are not just regular bar food. its gourmet bar food =) definitely worth a try. the place is so cute with it being a garage style and wonderful seating for groups as well as two people. ill be back to try the other plates and more of the bar menu.

    (5)

  • caroline e.

    I ask you...where else in this city can you get a killer brunch without waiting at least 45 minutes? No where. I wanted pretty much everything on the menu, but unfortunately had to pick just one item. Crab cake benedict it was. Delicious. Perfect. Wonderful. Also had a taste of a friend's mac n' cheese. Very rich, but also crazy good. I will be back...enough times to try everything on the menu at least once.

    (5)

  • Stacie B.

    The Southern gets 2 stars from me not because of the food, but because of the service. Went to brunch today. The restaurant was half full. The waitress who "served' us got our order wrong and was extremely lax (at best) in making sure we had what we needed. Brunch for 3 took 2 hours. Half an hour was spent trying to check out. The service was straight up terrible. Either serious training or housecleaning of substandard staff is in order. With that said, this place would get a 4 star review for the food. The charleston (crab cakes on english muffin with a delicous sauce and a salad) was delicious as were the stuffed doughnuts the table shared. I also tasted and enjoyed the cheese grits. I would be very interested in returning if I knew the restaurant completely revamped its service staff, either by training or firing those who need it. Unless or until then I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Laura W.

    I headed over to the Southern for their Mardi Gras party a while ago. I'm a big fan of Cary Taylor and liked his Chaise Lounge menu, so it was pretty easy to sell me on the place. FREE GUMBO??? Um, um, um, YES! Cary's gumbo chock-full of shrimp, crawfish, Andouille sausage was so excellent....better than the gumbo my southern grandma makes (DON'T TELL HER I SAID THAT). I really like the way they've redecorated the place since changing from Chaise Lounge. The drinks were flowing and fabulous, and the servers were really friendly. I'll definitely be back to try the full menu.

    (4)

  • Daniel P.

    Loved the patio. Really nice relaxed place. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else on a sunny day. Have been twice and both were just ok. The first time was on a Sunday and they have a beer special. It was noon and they were already out. The second time was on a Saturday night. They were out of 5 different beers? It was a holiday weekend but someone really needs to get there pars right at the bar. Not really a big deal though. Only ate on the Sunday that I went and I was super excited to be there. Some local Chefs told me they had the whole menu and everything was great. My thoughts on the following: Brunch Burger- dietzler ground chuck, smoked bacon, aioli, cheddar, fried egg. Sounds great! It was very good. My only complaint was the 2 thin patties that were served. About the thickness of Mc Donald's burgers. The server asked me how I wanted my burger done and everything. I enjoy a Medium burger, not really possible with these patties. I would prefer one nice size patty with a real temp. Sunday Mac n' Cheese- smoked gouda, garlic sausage, toasted bread crumbs, scrambled egg. Liked this very much. Nice Smoked Gouda and Sausage. The egg was interesting didn't care if it was in there or not. Spicy Cheese Grits- Great grits, but not spicy at all. Over all everything was very good although I think the food could have been seasoned. An easy fix for me add salt. I will be back and have already sent numerous people in. I'm sure the patio will be a hit all summer long.

    (4)

  • Carrie F.

    The brunch was fantastic! Definitely try the Fried Chicken and Biscuits and the Charleston Benedict, both were stellar. We also loved the Bacon Bloody Mary. However, the doughnut holes were not very special or unique. I would suggest you save you just order the Manhattan made with maple syrup and bacon infused whiskey instead (I didn't have it but the waitress said it was super good).

    (4)

  • Eman S.

    Breakfast Tacos. Yes please! If I was feeling a little better this morning, I would have remembered to take a picture, but I will just have to describe it as best I could. The dish came with two tacos. A soft-shell with black beans spread on it. The black beans attach it to a hard shell. The bottom layer of the taco is scrambled eggs. That layer is topped with salsa and then slices of avocado. Delicious! My wife had the quiche pie and she liked it. I tasted it and thought it was just okay. We had a perfect view of the waiter coming out with the other dishes which was nice. The chicken look yummy, but deadly. The crabcakes looked normal and nothing else really stood out. Those two dishes and a bloody mary came out to $28...not bad, but not that good. I don't know if I would pick this place over other Sunday brunch places, but if I needed a place to go, I would try it again.

    (3)

  • Christian F.

    Large selection of Whisky and a lot of great food! A friend of mine and i worked our way through most of the small plate offerings. We had the mac and cheese that was perfectly creamy and smokey from the gouda. The poutine was great with the added ham flavor and the johnny cakes were my favorite. Also had the hush puppies which I'm no expert on by my friend said they were spot on. Being a carrot cake snob I had to try theirs and was prepared to be disappointed, especially when I realized it was a sheet cake and not a layer. Oh how wrong I was. I would come back if for no other reason than to have more cake! Service was at the bar as the place was packed. The bartender was very helpful, informative and even chatty on a busy night. Definitely gave it a neighborhood feel. Even the chef and owner stopped over to check on everything. nice touches. Great renovation from Chaise Lounge. Definitely will return to try some entrees next time.

    (4)

  • Heather K.

    Generally speaking, I"m pretty generous with my stars. I'm easily impressed and can find positives in just about anything. The Southern was fine but it wasn't great. With so many 4 & 5 star reviews I expected this place to be better than it actually was. There was country music so loud I couldn't hear my friends, single bathrooms that resulted in a line on a night with empty tables, weak macaroni and cheese, and the slowest service I've had since Daily's 2008. If I return, it will be during the summer so I can at least enjoy the outdoor area. Positives: Strong drinks made by a gimicky mustache man.

    (3)

  • Jonathan R.

    Great atmosphere! Friendly staff! A wicker park staple.

    (5)

  • ForTheLoveofFood M.

    I'll be the first to admit, Southern food is not my forte. It's not that I don't like southern food, I just haven't eaten enough of it to understand its art. I think I can count on one hand how many times I've had "real" southern food, but I digress. A friend of mine cannot get enough of the southern culture, especially the food. He travels to the south and always comes back raving about the exceptional food he sampled. So of course, when this trendy Wicker-park restaurant opened with southern charm as its theme, of course he was over-joyed to share the southern food experience with me. When I first walked into the restaurant I thought to myself, "I'm not in Wicker-Park anymore." I actually felt like I was at a hip downtown establishment, which was great! The atmosphere is very simple with high pub-style seating and a few very large booths (for large parties) off to the side. The bar is sleek and the entire restaurant is open, so you sort of feel like you're dining with everyone, but are not cramped... Make sense? The menu is small, I mean very small, which for people whom are indecisive (like me at times!) it's perfection. I'm a seafood eater, I love love LOVE seafood, so of course we got fresh oysters- and what is a southern meal without a hush-puppie or two? The oysters to me were just ok... For being their most popular menu item, I wasn't as impressed as others must be, but hey, to each their own. The hush puppies were pretty good, I could eat those all day long. I got a mint martini, which was a really strong mint julip, which was pretty fantastic. I can hold my own when it comes to drinks, but wow- this was a strong drink, and compeltely worh the price. Let get down to the dirty.... Ok- I love pub-style seating, but these stools didn't have backs, hence why they are stools, and sitting on them for an exensive period of time gets pretty uncomfortable. The food was ok, but I wasn't super impressed. We only ordered 5 appetizers and 1 main course meal and shared everything tapas style, but again, I wasn't blown away. Not to mention the prices were a smidge on the high side, especially for Wicker-Park. If I go back, I want to try an actual meal and go with a group of people so I can get a booth or regular style seating with backs :) I am curious about their outdoor patio, so I may venture back. All in all, the restaurant was just O.K. Not mind blowing. I may need to expand on my "Southern" palate before I go back.

    (3)

  • Nyota W.

    This is a cool ambience restaurant in Bucktown. They even have an outdoor area for dining when it's nice out. We arrived around 8 pm and were told that there was atleast a 30 minute wait. We decided to wait by the bar, and stared at an empty table during our wait, but i digress. i was happy to see that they have 2 cider options on the menu- bonus for a cider lover! Once we were seated at our table, we proceeded to ordering lots of food- mac 'n pimiento cheese as an appetizer: pretty cheesy but sort of Kraft box mac 'n cheese like, and then shrimp 'n grits (cheese grits) for the entree and a side of cornbread. The grits were the cheesiest grits I've ever seen in my life- they were orange.Iit was a bit of overkill I think. I could barely finish it. The cornbread was cold and dry. My friend had the chicken and enjoyed it, but overall I wasn't very impressed with the food here. They did have a check-in offer which provided like half a shot for free. I love check-in offers. The service was pretty good, location seemed nice enough with lots of other restaurants and bars in the area, but the food definitely has room for improvement. This won't be at the top of my list to revisit.

    (2)

  • John K.

    The Southern is definitely a place to see and be seen in Wicker Park, but thats not a bad thing. I've been here a few times, and every time has been tons of fun. I loved the flow between the patio, the inside bar area and the small seating area on the sidewalk. The crowd is more adult and laid back compared to rowdy Lincoln Park. I've been only on Saturdays, and it's Wicker Park, so it's expensive. But I remember they had a deal on Old Style cans. Great vibe and a good crowd. Worth checking out if you're in the area. Can't say anything about the food because I didn't eat here.

    (4)

  • Alex P.

    I was surprised how limited the menu was, especially as it's mac and cheese truck is so famous. Like Eileen Z, I did not think the mac & cheese was great - mostly because the pasta itself was not cooked properly (the sauce was good). My date had the grits as he's from the south and had a craving but said it didn't taste like grits. I think this is a better bar than restaurant. I'd definitely go back for a drink.

    (2)

  • Erin A.

    This review is specifically about hosting an "event" at The Southern. Reserved a cabana on a Saturday evening in order for my friends to have a home base. Coordinating with Alette was convenient and she was very nice. I signed a contract stating that I had a reservation from 9P-12A and would meet a $400 minimum pre tax/tip or otherwise be charged. Fine. I arrived around 8:45 to grab our table that was reserved starting at 9P and our server was very friendly. I brought up the $400 minimum and asked that he'd make sure we were pacing to meet the $400 without an issue and that if things weren't pacing, I'd take care of it. He told me that he didn't think we'd have to meet the $400, my concerns exit my brain. At 11:20, he brings the current tab ($230) and says that it's 10 minutes to last call and we did in fact have to meet the $400. Great, thanks a lot buddy. I talked to the manager to discuss our options, as we had 10 minutes and everyone had fresh drinks. She was neither kind nor accommodating to any request I made. She also nearly shoved the signed contract in my face saying that the table shouldn't even have gone for $400. Not my problem. Thankfully they allowed us to stay past the allotted time and brought us some punch bowls to meet the $400. I would not recommend having an event at The Southern based upon my personal experience. Also, if you are going to have a reservation on the upstairs balcony/patio, keep in mind that your 3 hour event is technically only 2.5, as last call is 11:30P .

    (2)

  • Sara W.

    I decided to make this place the spot for my going away party based on the large patio. I was a bit nervous if the staff would be ok with the set up I had in mind- friends coming and going over a 3-4 hour period. They were very ok with it (Sunday afternoon and not too busy) and very accommodating! They didn't get upset when we really didn't use one of the tables I had reserved until more people showed up an hour or so in. They made sure we had plenty of food and drinks but didn't hover. Great environment. Only complaint is that the mixed drinks are a bit pricey ($10-$12) but they were really very tasty and unique! Oh and they played some good music!

    (5)

  • Chase K.

    Short and easy to follow menu coupled with awesome soul food. Unbelievably fast service and cold beer.

    (5)

  • Kelsey K.

    I'm really ashamed to say that we've lived in the neighborhood for 3 years and we hadn't ever been to The Southern. We've driven by it about 500 times and we've had the mac N cheese from the truck and we've always wanted to go in, but we just hadn't ever made it happen. WELL, last weekend we made a point to go there and I'm really glad that it lived up to our expectations. The hosts were cool and helpful without being cheesy and the bartender was legit. First off, he had a massive handlebar-in-training 'stache and he made killer drinks. All of the drinks were really labor-intensive and tasty to boot. If you're not a fan of bitter drinks, I recommend asking for the summer drink menu because they're a little softer and sweeter. We had the hush puppies to start and they were really good. Then I got the shrimp & grits and crab cakes and they were a-mazing!! Our server was a little rehearsed so I would say that I didn't love him so much. Oh yeah, and they lied about dessert. They said that they were serving us raspberry cobbler and it was most definitely BLUEBERRY cobbler. Not a huge deal... unless you're allergic to blueberries!!

    (4)

  • Jill S.

    Cozy place as with a lot of eateries in Wicker Park. The music was good and the staff was excellent!! The server had some great recemmendations and I went for one. The Fried Chicken. It is really one of the best around!! My husband had the Brunch Burger and just loved it!! We showed up on Saturday around 12:30 and that menu did not have the Mac n Cheese they are so famous for. I'm not sure why but if you ask the server they are more than happy to make you an order. We are sure glad we asked!! It was the best Mac n Cheese EVER!!!! It is creamy, flavorful and just comforting. They place on your table Tabasco Sauce and Crystal Hot Sauce both make a great additon to any dish. We will difentaly go back maybe in the summer when all the doors will be open. It would be a whole other kind of place then. Not that it needs to be but it gives it versatility!!

    (5)

  • Crista L.

    hooooly shit this place has the most amazing dijon mustard I will ever experience in a lifetime. a VEGGIE GIRLS "Southern" meal: Fried Green Tomato Sandwich (-goat cheese +dijon mustard) w/ black eyed pea soup. Couldn't resist the Stuffed Doughnuts. yum.

    (4)

  • Kenneth H.

    I was very much looking forward to this place, but ended with mixed feelings. Being my birthday I had to there for my birthday dinner. Now there were 13 of us, so I know it can be overwhelming for 1 waitress. Pros: Great food! (1 exception). I tasted the pork shoulder and the fried green tomatoes both top notch Great Booze! We had 2 giant buckets of mixed booze and a bunch of beer and it was very delicious. The only problem being we got 2 versions of the menu to the price of the buckets were a bit of a surprise to us at double the price of the old menu Cons: Pretty poor service, one food order got lost, beer we ordered arrived as a different brand, and at the end we made the bill easy to charge with the amounts written on the back but she just split the bill in 1/2 The Cheese Straws disappointed, while they were delicious it was not what anyone was expecting (cheese dip and long crackers). All and all a good time, hopefully some kinks will get worked out and I can up my rating!

    (3)

  • Kenisha R.

    Just went here for dinner tonight with my family...I had the "Piggly Wiggly" braised pork shoulder with roasted root veggies, this could have tasted much better if it had been served hot and not lukewarm. My daughter had the fried chicken dinner which she says was flavorless and came with a thick duck gravy (not so good). But I have to say the staff is very friendly and attentive...Half way through our dinner the vent above started blowing freakishly cold air (note: it was 20 degrees outside tonight.) After complaining to our waiter, a gentleman, who looked like a manager, stopped by to inform us that the circulation had been turned off, so the cold air should stop...It did not...so they sent another employee who taped cardboard over the vent, which fixed the problem. Because of our inconvience, our waiter Lee gave us 2 free desserts and a 20% off coupon at their Mac-n-cheese store. Which was nice, I was pleased with the service. Lee was an excellent waiter! Hence the 3 stars!! Otherwise I would have given them a 2 for food.

    (3)

  • bridget l.

    This place is pretty alright. I tried a few different things on the menu and none of it blew me away, but all was pretty fair across the board. I even waited for the fried chicken...6 out of 10. a-ok.

    (3)

  • Cherry V.

    First visit to the Southern for brunch. The crab cakes w/poached eggs were delish and substantial. Catfish w/grits was very spicy, but my husband loved it. The biscuits are among the very best I've had and I've had many. Unassuming decor, reasonably priced, friendly, but slow service. Can't wait to come back in the summer for some "que.

    (4)

  • Brian W.

    The interior design and whiskey list are top notch, though the $30/plate fried chicken party deal boiled down to an experience equivalent to eating (elbow-to-elbow while standing) in a Boston Market that was about 3 times over capacity. The value and atmosphere (and 25-minute single drink wait times when you've paid $30 ahead) are rather absurd. It's not worth the money for large groups, but downstairs for a small party, you'll probably find a much better experience.

    (2)

  • Kate D.

    We went on a Saturday at 2:30 in the afternoon. Our waiter, Justin, was fantastic!!! He was so attentive and made our experience enjoyable (a stop on my best friends birthday party). Unfortunately the hostess made it know that we were less than welcome. We almost left even before we sat down because she made it seem like we were imposing on the restaurant due to the size of our group. I did not see a line around the block waiting to get in at that time of day. You're welcome for the $200 we spent in an hour. Sorry to be such an inconvenience. Likely won't go back.

    (1)

  • Kristin R.

    When we arrived at the Southern, we were warmly greeted by a hostess and seated at a nearby table, which is when I noticed that they had DIXIE CHICKS on the stereo. I love the dixie chicks and it reminds me of my hick town, Modesto, and all of my country lovin' friends. So my first impression is that this place rocks. Unfortunately I think the food was just OK. We ordered the Mac n' Cheese which was quite good. It was smothered in gorgonzola cheese sauce with a bit of a bacon dusting. I really liked it but it could have used a few extra minutes in the oven. It was sort of just warm, not hot, which was bummer. For my main entree, I was deciding between the shrimp and grits, or the rice and bean croquette. Our waitress let me know that the shrimp and grits was one of their most popular dishes so I took her suggestion. Sadly, I didn't like it. Keep in mind this was maybe the first time I had tried a grit, and it's just not really my kind of food. I thought it would be a bit more creamy or something. And the shrimp was just OK. Very seasoned, but not seasoned to my liking. I also ordered a side of cornbread which I definitely was not a fan of. It tasted so blah. It was missing a key ingredient...maybe corn? It did not taste like corn bread! One of my dining partners (who loves the Southern and consistently raves about it) tried it and said it had more flour than normal. Whatever it had or didn't have, I didn't like it. And the bottom was burnt, which made it even more unexciting. Boo. I have been here for cocktails only though about a month ago or so. I really like the vibe of the Southern: good music, not too crowded, and a great place to come if you love whiskey. Which I've recently come to find out, I actually do really like whiskey, straight up. The bartenders were accommodating, fast and friendly, and I love that one of the bartenders has this totally old school saloon type mustache. Very on par with the ambiance. There is also a nice outdoor area, which I'm sure is great in the summer and they have a fire pit for those of you with a nicotine habit. If I came back, I might just stick to the mac n' cheese or try a totally new entree. Maybe I just chose wrong, but I also think I am the minority since most people apparently love the shrimp n' grits! Oh well...I definitely want to give them another try for dinner and will definitely return for my whiskey fix.

    (3)

  • Y G.

    I'm updating this review and removing a star because of the "southern hospitality" I was given recently by Cary Taylor, executive chef of "The Southern" "Hello Y.G. (if that is your real name) Sorry you didn't like the fried chicken dinner. You are the first complaint we've had in over 60 fried chicken dinners, so I'll take it with a grain of salt (haha!) A little clarification for you though - you got it after all of the other things you ordered because they were appetizers. Those usually come first. We gave every one a half chicken, which is quite a bit of food, plus all of the other sides. It's quite a value, to be honest, especially since we are buying local produce which costs us quite a bit. Furthermore, no where on the menu you received did it say that mashed potatoes were served. Not with the summer menu, sorry. I'm glad you thought the green beans tasted like green beans, because, well, that's what we were going for. And while the four apps you ordered between your (minimum of six people) friends didn't offer a heaping portion for yourself, then I guess you should have ordered one for yourself. Lastly, as to how we fry the chicken - I don't think you know much about southern food, because "just dusting it in flour" and frying chicken is how you fry chicken. Give us a call sometime and you can come spend a day in the kitchen with us and see how we season the chicken. We do season it by the way - with Old bay, salt, pepper, buttermilk and franks red hot. Oh one more thing - the 48 hours notice is because we order it special for you and we like to brine it for a day. Not that special, just typical good southern fried chicken. We just don't keep chickens rotting in the cooler like the other places I'm sure you love do so that anyone can grab it at a moments notice. Despite this insipid review you wrote, I'll give you three stars. One for having the balls to not say something to our face about your displeasure, like you could have. One for coming in with some cool friends that don't bitch and moan online and another for having a hearty appetite so important and self righteous that I only wish I could one day be able to emulate it. By the way, I was the Chef at Chaise Lounge too. Half the menu is the same." Hey chef. What happened to those southern manners your mom taught you? Oh, I get it. You are reopening your restaurant as "The Southern", and somehow bruised your ego and pride by calling your chicken bland. You wanted that "deep fried fame" huh? One bad review out of 60 dinners. That's golden. Why are you so upset? Somehow calling your food "decent" also made you feel like a sore loser. My bad. Maybe you had a bad batch of chicken, maybe your marinade isn't so special, or maybe trying to give your chicken that "KFC heat" just wasn't working. Your words right? There was no heat sorry to say. But, dude, no need to get nasty and making personal attacks. You are entitled to your own opinion, as am I. For your information, I know how fried chicken is made. I only meant to say that your ingredients contained nothing but the flour. As for the appetizers, nowhere on the menu did it say these were app portions. We assumed it because we all know a "$10" entree vs the $22/person fried chicken dinner seemed absurd. But then again $10 for 4 slices of fried green tomatoes seemed absurd. Thanks for the 3 star review. I'd rate you a 3 star as well. One for messaging me privately so nobody knows what a jerk you are. Though I should probably take one back since now everyone does. One for writing that review on Jane's restaurant about how unprofessional the owner was while you made fun of her, but obviously didn't have the "balls" to say it to her face. The third one for how classy you handle critiques on a site that well..are meant for reviews. Yes, YG are my real initials and..what does that prove? Did you want to look up my information or find that credit card bill I left at the restaurant so you can continue to charge me more than I think your food's worth? I tried to be professional by letting the owner James L know about how you are embarrassing yourself and your restaurant and how your personal attacks towards me are unwarranted. Why would anyone respond to your message? But you've forced my hand. Due to character limit, I can't post your follow up rant. Though I'm sure many people will be interested to read it. Way to kick off your new restaurant. Congrats. You are doing a really great job at gaining customers. If you can't take the heat on yelp..get out of the kitchen. Also, stop harassing the reviewers on yelp. This review is a 1 star because I still like the hooks under the table for purses. Not to put salt on an open wound (ha!), we were forced to take your chicken leftovers and we had to eat it with bbq sauce.

    (1)

  • Jared L.

    Went for a dual-birthday party and we were lucky that the person who planned it called and had them prepare the chicken dinner (you have to contact them 24-hours in advance). Probably the best Fried Chicken I've ever had...the way I like to gauge if the food is good is how much chatter happens during the meal, everyone was quiet. Most of their beers were half price too, try the Purple Haze (wheat beer) it was very good.

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    Of course Piece and Big Star were too busy on a Friday night, but I was super excited to get to try The Southern instead. The downstairs was loud and crowded and the only table was near the door (on a snowy night, it wasn't ideal). To our surprise though there was an upstairs which was much quieter and more peaceful. We had questions about the beer list and our waitness knew her stuff! She also gave us suggestions on the food. The crab cakes were good and so was the grits. We really enjoyed the hushpuppes too. For busy Wicker Park, this was wasn't too bad which was relaxing for a weekend night out.

    (4)

  • aida r.

    Whenever my friends and I are in Wicker Park....the southern usually comes to the top of the list of places to eat, drink, and hang. We have been there several times and have yet to be disappointed. The food has always been tasty, the service has always been top notch, and it's a decent selection of southern beer. On our first visit to the Southern, me and my friends instantly fell for the johnny cakes. The way pork was cooked was amazing. It was the right amount of tenderness and seasoning. We also racked up quite tab on the southern star beer. At the end of the night our server, came around and said the last round was on the house. On subsequent visits, we have tried everything from the friend green tomatoes to carolina tuna tacos (which I think is no longer on the menu) to there pork dinner and everything was mouth watering. On our last visit yesterday, I had a taste for biscuits and gravy. The Southern does not serve biscuit and gravy for it's dinner menu. They do have it on the breakfast and brunch menus for the weekend, But I thought I would just ask for it just in case they could whip it up on the side. Our waiter went to talk to the chef to see if he could whip it off and the waiter said that he tried but it takes 40 minutes to prepare the biscuits and gravy but that I could come back during the weekend for the meal. I was totally fine with this response, I ordered the mac and cheese instead,which I like a lot here. About 30 minutes later the chef, himself came out of the restaurant and apologized profusely for not being able to make the biscuits and gravy. So he gave me a $10 meal/drink card to used when I came back and visit. I have to admit I was feeling pretty stoked about the meal card. About 10 minutes after I received my card, the chef came out again and apologize even further for not giving everyone else in the table the same gift cards. He explained that his southern hospitality required that he give everyone the meal/drink card. At this point, everyone was already chomping down the johnny cakes, the southern mess, and the mac that was ordered and excited to come back for more. At the end of the meal, our waiter comes back and ask us not to leave because the chef has something else in store. So our group waited, and what can you guess the waiter brought back out.....the biscuits and gravy on the house. Let me tell you it was awesome surprise, especially since their biscuits and gravy are delicious. If this is not hospitality, I don't know what is. I can't wait to go back for more.

    (5)

  • Brian P.

    After walking all around Wicker Park before a concert at the Double Door, we decided on The Southern for dinner. The atmosphere was great, our server was very nice and attentive and overall the food was good. The portions were very generous, especially the "cup" of soup: it was so large, I though they brought the bowl by mistake. We also ordered the hush puppies, and again the portion was very generous (I would guess between 10-12 pieces). The blackened catfish entree was delicious!

    (4)

  • Mike N.

    Junk to this spot. Bad service, overpriced drinks(even for wicker park,) and mediocre food. Went with my lady recently in between bouts of heavy drinking and was extremely disappointed. I had the shrimp and grits and she had the east texas brisket. The shrimp and grits were okay, nothing special, but the brisket was offensive to us native Texans. Blasphemous. The chef must have made a quick tour though Texas, because I know E. Texans that would burn your house down over labeling something so mediocre as Texas-anything. Nothing special, won't be back.

    (2)

  • Chris P.

    mint julep was watery. green beans were tasty and the hush puppies were ok. good spot for drinks and people watching. not as southern as the name would suggest.

    (3)

  • Molly H.

    This review is being written as we are finishing our food. First of all, the food is awesome. Everyone knows that the mac and cheese is the best in the city, but the crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and johnny cakes were outstanding. The reason we are taking the time to write this review that one of our entrees did not arrive. The chef came out from the kitchen, apologized profusely, then offered us a round of drinks and desert for our trouble. But, then, here's the magic! He stayed at our table, joked around with us, and made us feel like welcome guests in his home. He came back after desert to make sure that everything was to our liking, and joked around some more. We have enjoyed this place since it opened, but now are true fans!

    (5)

  • Samuel M.

    I really wanted to love the Southern. It is surprisingly difficult to find good authentic Southern food in Chicago, and I was hoping that this place could satisfy my infrequent but overwhelming Dixie cravings. Alas, the food was pedestrian at best. Truffled mac and cheese (a "can't miss" special according to the menu) was quite sparsely truffled, and quite frankly tasted like Kraft's made with better noodles and white cheese powder instead of yella. It wasn't even baked with a divine crispy top, which I was expecting for $9. Hush puppies were good, and entrees were generally palatable (we had people order etoufee, pork belly, and ribs). The fried chicken looked delectable, but it must be ordered 24 hours in advance (which means that it is likely properly soaked in buttermilk overnight). All in all, the meal was perfectly average, and I would agree to come back if a group of friends were dead set on it. The drinks are another story. They do really interesting things with whiskey here, bourbon in particular. The old fashioned is actually potable, which I can only say for a handful of establishments in Chicago. I'd definitely much sooner drink here again than eat here again.

    (3)

  • Alison T.

    I was so excited to try this place after seeing how cool it looks from the outside. After not being able to get a table at Big Star, we decided to get dinner and drinks here since it was a really nice summer night. We were pretty disappointed. The food and drinks were overpriced and food portions were small. We got the shrimp n grits and fried green tomatoes. Both mediocre. I love the southern food idea and the restaurant/bar itself is sweet, so it's a bummer that this place could be awesome... But it's not. The only way I'd come back is if we have one of the sweet booths overlooking north ave!! And I'd only come for drinks!

    (2)

  • Tish N Aqui F.

    I was looking forward to coming here but had a bad experience, and will not be back. I ordered the Mac n Cheese since it is highly rated here on yelp. Yikes! Mac was not fully cooked, and I don't mean al dente, the dish had liquid smoke,.... Blaaaa! It was over powering and killed the dish. I could make better Mac, if you want my recipe Southern lemme kno. Last but not least our server was rude, oh thats right, her tip was included in the bill, so no wonder she didn't need to be pleasant. Big thumbs down. I'll be spending my cash elsewhere.

    (1)

  • valiha s.

    Went on a Friday night... it was pretty busy but we were able to sit right down. Staff was really friendly and we felt like we were able to take our time and order at our own pace. Great drink selection of Bourbon, Scotch and Rye's and neat-o cocktails. Food was also good! The waiter was very helpful with the menu and giving recommendations. Pot Roast and Shrimp and grits were YUM! Also had hush puppies and a side of collard greens, which had this interesting sweet and spicy flavor to them. All in all a good evening... we'd definitely like to go back.

    (4)

  • Princesses M.

    This was my second time eating at Southern. The vibe is young hipsters who have no idea what good southern food is like. The best thing about this place is the location. Seating is uncomfortable.

    (2)

  • Christopher K.

    Having eaten here a few times, always for Sunday bunch, I'll have to make this an endorsement of brunching there. Favorites include the chicken and biscuit (great chicken and a great sauce), and also the Eggs Sardou. Also recommending the Johnny Cakes and crepes -- overall a great place for a winter brunch. Satisfying comfort food in a relaxed and casual setting. The staff has always been friendly, just once felt a bit rushed by aggressive busing of the table when the there was no waiting. I'll have to try it for dinner sometime.

    (4)

  • Paige W.

    In case you haven't heard? The tweetup is the new Yelp event: More intimate. Cooler nametags. (Everything's cooler with an @ by your name!) No trolls, no question-mark-heads. No freeloaders. (And because everyone's paying their own way? There's actually enough food to go around without having to lord over the tables like a vulture.) So you know. Last night, I met a few of my "tweeps" (that's the Twitter equivalent for Yelpers) for The Southern's family-style fried chicken dinner. There were 16 of us, actually, and we took up the entire back of the restaurant, in two straight lines of mismatched tables and chairs. This is clearly the ONLY way to fly when you're about to get down with some serious homestyle chow. I pity the server who handled our big, nerdy group, but she did it with aplomb. Pitchers of sweet tea with huge hunks of lemon started us off, but the food soon followed. First? Collard greens, black-eyed peas and boats of homemade rosemary gravy. Then there were platters full of crumbling homemade biscuits and dishes lined with pats of salted butter and drizzled with honey. Then, the main event: The fried chicken, piled about a foot high off the table. Three platters full. The most glorious chicken I've seen since I left Kansas City (holla, Stroud's). Oh, and a side order of cheese grits, because I can't NOT order them when I see them on the menu Lawd a'mighty, that was a MESS of food. And that chicken was slap your mama good. It gave me religion. That kind of thing. We ate and ate and ate and didn't even THINK about the Internet for a good hour and a half during that feeding frenzy. It was refreshing, actually. But food overload will do that to you. My only regret for the night was having ridden my bike to Wicker Park. But the crisp night air helped work some of that Southern food baby out as I made my way home. So, I could have had this dinner without the aid of Twitter. As long as you reserve a table 48 hours in advance, you're in. But I might not have known its glories without those 140 characters inviting me to take a taste. And chances are, if the power of @GourmetRambler hadn't compelled me, I would have run screaming from the Southern: The Wicker Park force is strong with this one, from aviators and trucker hats to ironic T-shirts and too-skinny jeans. I'm looking at you, you (painful) hipsters stumbling out of there drunk at 5 p.m. on this particular Sunday Funday. So really, there are just as many pros and cons for Twitter as there are for Yelp. It's all the Internet, for God's sake. I needed an anecdote. But there are few downsides to this chicken dinner. So put your smartphone down and go eat some with 5-9 of your closest friends. Tweets. Yelpers. Whatever. Tell 'em @paigeworthy sent you. kthx.

    (4)

  • Courtney S.

    Great whiskey list - tons of good bourbon - and a very trendy/chill atmosphere. We had a big birthday party here recently and were very pleased with the way The Southern pulled it together for us. The private party space upstairs is fantastic (guests kept commenting on how cool it was), and the service was very impressive. When planning events it's always nice to work with serious professionals, and the staff at The Southern definitely fit that description. If you are hosting an event in Wicker Park/Bucktown, this place should be on your list!

    (5)

  • Jonathan D.

    Great atmosphere, good food, but more of a single girls mixed drink mecca than a full-on whiskey bar. As for the dishes, I tried the crab cakes and hush puppies. They were both good eats but something was missing in both, an bit of attention maybe. The crab cakes were a bit soft and mushy like they spent a little too much time under a heat lamp. The hush puppies were crispy but just not fantastic. Overall, it is a good place for drinks and dinner if you are looking for an active mingling environment.

    (3)

  • Kevin C.

    I cannot speak about the food as I have never eaten here but have only been here for drinks. The decor is fairly standard and somewhat trendy but it is a nice chill vibe. They have one of my favorite drink specials here which is unreal for Chicago. $3.00 Makers Mark shots on Friday!!! Unheard of, absolutely fun, and dangerous at the same time. Buyer beware.

    (3)

  • Jackie S.

    I am giving this place 5 stars for brunch only. Down right great tasting and original food. First of all at 11:00am on a Sunday there was no wait fro brunch which is too good to be true. The service was a little green but very attentive. The food was what did it for me. I'm not a huge meat eater and there were several vegetarian options, all of which were great. I shared with two friends so we tried a few items. First we had the eggs sardou. Amazing! Basically a play on eggs benedict, an english muffin with cream spinach and a poached eggs and caramelized artichoke. We tried the fried green tomato sandwich with arugula and goat cheese. I thought the portion was pretty meager and the side of slaw was good but with such a small dish it needed a hardy side. The pancakes were beautiful with mint and blueberries and a slight ginger flavor with a basil whipped butter. Also a side of spicy cheese grits which were great. I also had plate envy when I saw other tables getting the breakfast mac and cheese and the fried chicken. I'm dying to go back. I also went here for drinks one night and all I can say is the up stairs is simply unbearable. I was literally drenched in sweat and had to leave. I think they are taking their name literally and I'm talking deep south heat. Please, something has to be done. Until then I will just be back for brunch over and over again!

    (5)

  • Brad S.

    I went here on Saturday for lunch with a friend and they were serving brunch at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. My water was filthy as well. We each had a beer and left.

    (1)

  • TC S.

    Very knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming staff. Excellent drinks. I got everything he recommended and he was absolutely right. Spot on service. No pretension. Great value for the price.

    (5)

  • Charlene C.

    I've been a fan of fried green tomatoes for many years and have made them myself dozens of times. One suggestion to this restaurant: The green tomatoes should not still be hard when fried and served for that leaves them lacking in flavor. I had to cut mine with a knife - a good indicator that they weren't going to be prepared to my liking. As expected, while the topping was excellent, the tomatoes themselves had nearly no flavor. The tomatoes should be 'soft' to the fork...a little on the oozie side when cut to impart the best fried green tomato. ($12 for tomatoes is a bit exhorbitant, even for Chicago). The Dirty Rice was excellent as was the fried chicken & biscuit, the pan seared corn was over the top delicious and sweet. Portions are large enough to share and plates are provided for this purpose. We dined on the patio; service was very good in spite of a crowd. Great concept

    (4)

  • Jon C.

    Very nice time. Outdoor space is great and just an all around chill atmosphere. Will definitely go back and don't worry if you have a large group- they can accommodate.

    (4)

  • Megan G.

    The Southern has poutine, and that alone earns an A-Ok in my book. I have to say that I still prefer the poutine at The Gage, but this one ain't bad. My friend and I arrived at 7:30 on a Friday. The downstairs was completely full, but there were several tables available on the second level. The Southern is really cute. I never went here when it was Chaise Lounge, but I understand why someone would say the vibe was "South Beach." The second floor appears to be able to be opened up to the outside and there are two cabana tables (that I covet...I'm going to have to come back in the summer to snag one of those). Our waitress popped up quickly to take our orders. I went with the Presbyterian drink (for the name alone), a side of cornbread and, of course, the poutine. The drinks came quickly, though for $8 I wasn't impressed. My Presbyterian was pretty watery and uninteresting. And, unfortunately, from this moment on service became atrocious. We waited, easily, 30 minutes for our food. The table next to us received and finished their food and were paying the bill before our order came up. We didn't get an update on the food situation until about 25 minutes in nor did our waitress come by our table. At the 25 minute mark she showed up to let us know the food would be just a moment and to ask if we wanted another drink. I didn't but asked for a glass of water. Which she came back to deliver about 30 minutes later as she picked up our empty plates. The Southern was not in any way busy enough to justify these service oversights. We didn't even SEE the waitress to flag her down to remind her we needed water. What I did see was a smashed plate of poutine outside the kitchen (not mine, we were done by then). I have a feeling a similar fate befell one of our dishes, which would account for the long wait time, but with no updates from the waitress who knows? My poutine was good, the cornbread seemed really dry and was more the savory rather than sweet variety I tend to prefer. Butter would have helped, but none came with it and, again, wait staff were completely absent. Our tab came out to about $30 per person, which was a little high but not unreasonable. I'd come back to The Southern again, particularly in the summer, but I have to say I wasn't overly impressed with this first visit.

    (3)

  • Audre L.

    Came here for a bday party. Table of 7, sat on the outdoor patio. The cocktails are wonderful, the punch bowls are fun. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share. BEST Mac and Cheese. The Pork taco type things were really tasty too. Great space. I dig it.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    This place is in between a "gastro pub" and a regular pub. The food is like the former, but the interior like the latter. Overall a versatile joint. The food is good and I can't complain about the beer selection. I'd be excited if I saw their mac'n'cheese truck in my neighborhood (big yum!).

    (3)

  • Ryan Y.

    It's been a few months since I went and I wish I could remember what I ordered besides the hush puppies (recommended!), but I definitely remember that the food is amazing! The Southern has two floors which are very different. Downstairs seemed rowdier, with lots of high-fivery going on. I thankfully ate upstairs, which had dimmer lighting and was much more quiet and romantic. Our server was very busy but still managed be attentive and friendly. The only downside was that the portions were on the small side for the asking price, but I've found that to generally be the case in Wicker Park/Buckown. Check it out!

    (4)

  • jessica m.

    my review is based solely upon their sunday brunch menu as i have yet to try their dinner menu (oh, but will i be back for that dinner menu!). went with my folks last weekend for my mom's birthday. brought my 8.5 month old son, and while this place is not suited to be kid-friendly (as it is, first and foremost, a bar) no one scoffed at us or gave us dirty looks as we dined with him in tow. in fact, everyone was really friendly and even interacted with him a few times throughout our meal. and the meal. was. to die for. southern fried chicken and biscuits with the crispy fried skin and meat that was so tender, you could lick the bones clean. sunday morning mac and cheese with scrambled eggs and andouille sausage? yes please. a burger for breakfast topped with an egg fried so perfectly that the yolk melts into every bite? count me in. and top everything off with metropolis coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice and super spicy bloody mary? i think i've died and gone to heaven. does anyone want to babysit so i can indulge in what i can only assume to be their equally amazing dinner menu?

    (5)

  • Laura B.

    Breakfast mess is so good! The service is excellent!

    (5)

  • Julie B.

    This was a mixed bag for us. Went here for Sat brunch with my friends and half of us were happy, half disappointed. I had the eggs benedict with crab cakes, whch was amazing. And my friend had the bananas foster french toast, which also rocked. And we split the breakfast mac n cheese, also really tasty. Other friends had the eggs sardou and gumbo, which were really disappointing. The place is really cute and looks like a nice place for cocktails. I would give the food another try, see how the dinner menu is.

    (3)

  • Dr. M.

    Despite the "rave" reviews...I can't see for the life of me how this place meets any expectations...well, maybe the bar babes & boyz??? I read the reviews and decided to try it out last night. Soooo, I get there and no one greets me, someone outside (don't who he was) says "just go in." So my guest & I walk in unnoticed. Still unnoticed, I asked an employee where to sit and he said, "anywhere..." that's it...that's all! OK, soooo...we sit...and sit...and sit... even the employee, who told us to sit, stood there, with his arms folded, looking outside. Finally someone from the kitchen notices us, maybe it was the darts he felt from me staring him down??? lol He delivers glasses of water & a paper menu that looks something like a kindergarten class could have made. But, he informs me that he doesn't know if the kitchen is open (@ 6pm)? Luckily, I can understand Spanish...picato...lol The menu had about 6 overly-priced appetizers & maybe 6 other food items to order...disgusted! I got up & walked out...still unnoticed. Wonder if I ordered, ate & walked out - would someone have noticed me then? Sure would have - "heyyy, wait..the check!!!"

    (1)

  • Tim B.

    Went here for brunch on a gorgeous Sunday and scored a spot under the tree outside. It wasn't very busy around 11am, but picked up quite a bit by noontime. Music was a bit loud, but it does drown out the noise from North Ave. I'd hate to be a neighbor in the summer. You could still converse easily enough, but I couldn't sit as far back as I'd like in those chairs and enjoy the conversation. I had the breakfast sandwich and my friends had the breakfast burger and the fried chicken. No complaints there and I wanted to try everything on the menu. Food wasn't crazy good or anything, but it was well done, fresh, and everything is done up a notch. Given that most of the better brunch spots in the area get crazy busy, this was a nice happy medium. Service was adequate, perhaps leisurely, but nothing special. I'll add this to my short list of brunch options in the area.

    (4)

  • Rosie S.

    Take 2 for The Southern--this time for Sunday Brunch. I decided to give The Southern another shot by trying their food. It was disappointing to say the least. Four of us went there for brunch only one person walked out loving their food. The menu sounds so delicious, but the meals were less than sub-par. Upon walking into The Southern, one booth was open and requested to sit there because the place was not that busy...we were denied. They are only for groups of 5 or more. Boo!! We then seated and promptly greated by our waitress. I had the Southern M'am---it sounded so delicious!! And I couldn't wait to get my order--the menu says it contains honey ham, pulled pork, fried egg, brioche, mustard, and mornay sauce I would describe this as an open face double decker sandwich--the bread became extremely soggy very fast. But the worse part of all--is that there were PICKLES on it! No where in the description did it mention pickles and I definetly did NOT want them on this sandwich. One friend ordered the breakfast burger--which is supposed to include a fried egg (hence the word breakfast) when it arrived--the egg was missing! She got the attention of the waitress and literally less then 30 seconds later her breakfast burger was back with a very sad looking friend egg added to the top! I kept joking that they must have taken it off someone else breakfast because I had no idea an egg could cook that fast. She stated that she would not be ordering it again. Another ordered the Shrimp/Grits---he said they were good but would get something different the next time. And the best dish of the day was Bacon/Chocolate Pancakes--i didn't try them but the eater loved them. It is also important to note, that I think our server forgot to put our order in because other tables recieved their food first even though we were there before them. And there was no apology!! I will say that it will take me a lot to go back to this place! 2 strikes is enough for me!!

    (2)

  • Curtis B.

    The staff at southern were amazing! The host started the whole experience to make for a great dining evening!

    (5)

  • Kohl F.

    Best Fried Chicken and biscuts in Chicago, it literally sells out every Sunday. Their other breakfast items are just as good (try the southern ma'am if you're into Cuban sandwiches, and the donuts are amazing with the coffee dipping sauce.) Great service all in all a great experience.

    (5)

  • anna k.

    Never ate here. Stopped in late on a recent Saturday with a friend. We were on our way home after a tough shift at the salt mines and decided we were in need of dirty martinis! We had the best dirty vodka martini ever, no joking. Perfect ratio of vodka to brine and ice... ugh! I haven't been that happy in a very long time. Bravo! I almost don't want to go back, so I can preserve that experience. Lying

    (5)

  • Tucker F.

    Food was ok. The gumbo was ok but could use more kick. The Mac n Cheese was lacking flavor. The service was sloooooooooooow (for all the tables around us).

    (2)

  • liz d.

    The menu alone in this place is fantastic. As the name suggests, all of your favorite southern comfort foods. From grits, mac n cheese, crab cakes, even hush puppies! This place is not for dieters.Great spacious bar, with an upstairs that appears to open completely up in the summer. Can't wait to come back when it's warm! Nice, small patio with fit place/pit to keep all you smokers warm. Not easy to find a table, but we did and our server was superb. Never without a drink, she was always near by. Mixed drinks were $7 for a small glass, but catch one of the decent weekday specials and it wont break the bank.

    (4)

  • James G.

    Our host was amazing, the crowd was fun, the food surprisingly delicious. I'll go back as soon as I get off this damn diet!

    (4)

  • Cory M.

    Food is OK, but not great (note I am from TX And my wife is from TN, so we know when it's done right). I cannot say enough bad things about the service. Total garbage. Will not return.

    (1)

  • Christina B.

    great spot for dinner or drinks!!! had a blast there last night...we tried the hushpuppies (amazing) and mac and cheese..mmm! to start with...had the 'woo woo' cocktail...nice and smooth. don't try the 'presbyterian' cocktail unless you like whiskey and soda water.....the delish sweet tea made me think i was back in texas again! i had the burger..great fries...just right! my boyfriend got the pork...it was outstanding!!! fell of the bone good. my sister got the mahi tacos..pretty good! probably a better appetizer than entree...and soon to be brother in law got the crab cakes...looked good, and he did finish the whole plate. great atmostphere...great for a date night, couples dinner or for a large group of friends. (upstairs was fun too, even in the winter time!) booths looked like they straight out of outback steak house...but they're big enough to fit 10 friends comfortably. so excited to go in the summer....even decided to host my sister's bridal shower/luncheon here!!!! DEF. recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Jack K.

    My meal today at the Southern was a lesson in customer service and these guys get an A+ in my book. I ordered the chicken and biscuits, which were unbelievable. The only downside was that my chicken breast was a little undercooked, as will happen sometimes when you fry chicken. Now, usually I dont send food back to the kitchen, but being as it was one of the best breakfasts I have had in a long time I kindly asked my waiter if there was anything he could do. Not only did they fry me up a new breast they also gave me a biscuit, bought me a fresh beer and gave me a giftcard. The hostess even came up to apologize to me. By going above and beyond what was expected they have definitely secured a second visit from me and my friends. Perfect sunday brunch.

    (5)

  • Sara L.

    Went here on a Friday night for dinner and had a really good meal. We started with the oysters, which were great. The only thing is that it was a little dark in there, and the oysters were on top of a substance that I thought was bread crumbs, so I put a little on my oyster. It was sooo salty that it made that oyster inedible (and I like my food salty)...so don't do that. My husband got the pork and I got the fish tacos. Both were great. I love that the fish in the tacos was not fried. And the pork was huge! We also tried the collard greens, which were delicious. We will definitly go back, as there were a lot of items on the menu that looked awesome. Can't wait until the weather gets nice and they can open up the doors! Great idea for a restaurant/bar.

    (5)

  • Kate N.

    Went a few weeks ago for dinner and drinks with a friend. Cool atmosphere and a nice menu and beer selection. I had the shrimp and grits...the grits were fabulous!! We were seated in the bar area which got a little loud...next time I'd like to go in warmer weather and try the patio . I thought it was a little pricey but would go back.

    (4)

  • Michael F.

    Went for the first time last night to celebrate a birthday and was blown away by the service. The staff went above and beyond what I expected for a restaurant/bar and will definitely bring me back. The GM, Evan, was especially attentive and treated our party extremely well. Kudos to the staff!

    (5)

  • Justin U.

    My girlfriend and i went to the southern on a sunday afternoon and aside from the good reviews from yelp and urban spoon, i had no expectations. We sat on the patio which had a feel i really liked. We were greeted be a nice server with dreadlocks and my girlfriend ordered a cocktail. I had water. Im not going to say i got a look, but the next 3 times the server stopped by our table it was to ask her if she wanted another cocktail and to goad me into buying one for myself. The mac and cheese was light and delicious, and if i hadnt ordered that as an appetizer, my meal would have been ruined. Next we both ordered po boy sandwiches for our entrees. These sandwhiches though having the perfect amount of seasonings and cloeslaw completely sucked! If it had been described as catfish, i would have understood the fishy taste, but since it was mahi mahi that tasted like catfish but came out dry like steakfish, it was pretty dissapointing. After telling the server my food sucked, he forgot to bring my girlfriend her last drink she ordered, which he then brought right away for free. Still nothing as for the shitty food. I would try it one more time, but if it sucks like this again, i'll never return.

    (2)

  • Kevin Ethan L.

    Clever theme that adds a bit of diversity to the Wicker Park area. Stick with their specialties on their menu, the traditional bar offerings are relatively standard. I fell in love with their Johnny cakes and Fried Chicken. They're very generous with their daily drink specials, and their outdoor seating makes for great people watching.

    (4)

  • Chinishka J.

    I was casually out shopping this past Sunday afternoon and ended up strolling by The Southern. I had read many reviews about it and so I decided to go on in and try out their brunch. Can you say yummy! I ordered the buttermilk chicken and biscuits and it was delish. I have Southern roots, so trust me when I say its good. Its not like how my Mississippi grandmother used to make but it definitely was close! Mimosas were great also. I definitely will be going back!

    (5)

  • steve c.

    I was very excited to finally get to go to the southern. I always passed by it and read all of the good reviews. I really wish I never went. The 2nd star is simply for the posh decor of the place. We went on a Saturday night and it wasn't that busy and got to sit outside on the nice patio without a wait. 15 minutes later the waiter asks to get us a drink. More than 10 minutes he returns with a jack and coke. How hard is it to make that?! Ordered food which came 30 minutes later. This slow service continued throughout the night. When our food came it was some of the bland food I have ever tasted. No salt. No pepper. No waiter to get us hot sauce. I had the johnny cakes and shared the chicken sandwich. At $14 a pop I was expecting something way better. I dont know if it was a bad night but I would not recommend this place other than sitting at the bar.

    (2)

  • Robin W.

    Big fan of the trout hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes!! So good. All the dishes are Southern inspired, but this ain't my grandma's Southern food! It's a nice lounge atmosphere with more refined Southern dishes. A little pricier than I expected, but the food is really finger-licking good. There's a good drink menu too. And you get a beer koozie if you order a beer in a can. Excellent parting gift!

    (4)

  • Scot F.

    Stopped in for Sunday Brunch. We both had the chicken and biscuits. It was incredible!!! Coffee was a bit strong but other than that everything was great. We will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Laura K.

    the food here is good, and our sever kirstin was really nice. BUT, the drinks take forever, i mean, forever. at one point during our visit it became comical how long it took to get a drink so we began timing the next round. 20 minutes for a glass of wine! ugh, super annoying. fortunately, the atmosphere is great, and the southern has a killer patio. in the future i'll just order two drinks at a time.

    (3)

  • Nicole C.

    Good food, location, service, and nice outdoor patio. I split the Johnny Cakes with a friend and thought they were pretty good, but nothing mind-blowing. My other friend didn't really enjoy her burger, but she is pretty picky when it comes to burgers. If I go back, I'm definitely going for the fried chicken.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Food was excellent. The Johnny Cake, Mac N Cheese and Carrot Cake were all stand-outs. Still need to iron out some kinks in the service but to be expected with a brand spanking new but super busy restaurant.

    (5)

  • Bess R.

    Nice patio, good $3 beer special on a Sunday. I wasn't a huge fan of their overall brunch menu (only option at 3pm when we arrived), but the mac and cheese was pretty good. I liked it, but will have to try a full meal to get the full effect.

    (4)

  • Shannon R.

    The one saving grace to this bar is Lonestar. The food is nothing to write home about and the service is mediocre. With all of the other options in the area, I don't see myself returning to this one anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Mary I.

    Came here for Dinner/Happy Hour w/ a few friends after work. We sat outisde on the patio under the white umbrellas. It was a nice atmosphere. They had a beer special which was nice, but the food was just mediocre. We ordered the chopped salad, which was not that great, fried green tomatoes were ok, fries are always good, and the shrimp and grits were buttery as HELL, and also ok. A litle too buttery for my taste. We also ordered the chocolate dessert which was so rich and a huge disappointment =( 2 stars for the food and 1 star for the patio. Probably wouldn't come back for food, maybe a drink on a nice day.

    (3)

  • Joanne S.

    pretty chill spot in the area. came here, smoked a cigarette on the patio, went inside. had a few beers, stared at the TV a bit. when i walked in, there were a lot of people, but as soon as 1 am started rounding, it became completely empty in here. the whole decor, of what i remember, is very warm and woodsy. it was very nice.

    (4)

  • Erica K.

    Well, the Southern certainly isn't cheap, but damn is it a good location. They roll open all the walls and have a rooftop area that is really splendid. You can basically feel like you're outside or be outside anywhere in the place. And they have a fun cocktail list and some interesting beers from the southland, so what's not to like?

    (4)

  • Cheryl M.

    The outside patio on a warm Saturday attracted me to try The Southern. Typically when I order lunch with a friend we split the food so that we can save some cash. Let me tell you... $12 for a fish sandwich... and ONLY the fish sandwich. Definitely not enough to make me feel full or to come back for that matter. Bathrooms were super clean though.

    (2)

  • Anne M.

    Maybe this is reflective of the standard of most bars in Wicker Park/Bucktown, I don't know. Places like this don't do much for me: clusters of 20-something groups shouting over blaring pop, sipping overly sweet drinks served in a martini glass (that's NOT a martini). This place perhaps suffers from drinking-establishments-of-the-past in the same location reinventing itself over and over in an attempt to be the next hot thing. Myeah. The hush puppies were OK, a little dry and the rest of the menu looked quite heavy. The place isn't terrible, just boring.

    (3)

  • Lauren G.

    any place that has mac and cheese as an entree and abita beer on tap is fine by me. they also have a great beer garden. definitely check it out.

    (4)

  • H S.

    This is strictly in regards to the infamous "Fried Chicken Dinner". I liked it- I liked it a lot! It wasn't "The Best Ever" but it was a fun meal to enjoy with a group of people and not the type of food you're going to have often. The fried chicken itself was 4-5 star worthy. The buttermilk biscuits were good, but not like the ones pictured (which I was excited about)- 3-4 stars Collard greens, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, black eyed peas,- all good but none really stood out. To me, it's all about the chicken first and everything else thereafter, so 4-stars must be!

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    The Southern occupies the space previously leased to Chase Lounge. The space is perfectly designed for outdoor seating, and was very pleasant at night. Their Tasty Burger was as big as my head and slathered in mayo-y goodness. Would get again. Also had some very good collard greens that were almost too intense to finish. My date had their mac & cheese appetizer as an entree. The mac was a little mediocre. The drinks were well mixed but a little heavy on the ice for what they cost. I was intrigued by the $56 punch bowls (serves ~10 - 15 cocktails). I was satisfied with the meal. My date was of the opinion that she would go back if someone else was paying, but that she wouldn't choose to go their again. Given how many restaurants Chicago has left to try, I agree.

    (3)

  • Alex F.

    Fab bar and patio. Great place for drinks and apps but skip the entrees which were just blah.

    (3)

  • Carrie H.

    Come hear to drink, not eat. Disappointed in the food. My boyfriend ordered the Gulf Catch, which states fresh fish, but his was either over cooked or frozen prior. I had the chicken and biscuits which should always be good! Chicken, gravy, and biscuits are a no fail. These were OK, but I wouldn't order them again. Oh and the corn bread! Nothing spectacular. Again I feel like cornbread is a no fail, always good!The drink selection is good, definitely a bar feel, but I'd eat somewhere else before I came here

    (2)

  • Megan M.

    I've been here 3 or 4 times now. On weekend afternoons, this place is great to enjoy some cocktails and sunshine. Great, relaxed vibe, attentive staff and a tasty brunch menu. Not a fan of the Saturday night crowd, but still a fun place in the summer.

    (4)

  • K B.

    Pretty awesome brunch spot. The first time I visited was the day of the kentucky derby, and they gave out free shots of Woodford Reserve, and dressed the part of the derby. Props that they use local ingredients. The shrimp in the shrimp and grits is killer, the cheese grits alone are super thick and make a great side, and the chicken and biscuits is the standout dish (only on Sundays).

    (4)

  • Emily P.

    Don't get me wrong the drink list is inventive and the food is delicious. But I found the service to be wanting. The waiter was a little absent, which is understandable on a busy Friday night but in an attempt to pick up the tab for my out of town family (4 out of the party of 6) the waiter was completely bewildered on how to split a tab into two bills (and I promise that we were not high maintenance in our ordering). Call me fickle but hunting down the waiter then talking too much about money at the end of a meal leaves a memory that not even a Mint Julep can erase.

    (3)

  • David A.

    Went here this past Saturday and will most certainly try this place again in the summer when the outdoors is open and the weather is good. The inside is nicely decorated, pretty open and the tables offer plenty of space. I had the Crab Cakes and the people I went with had the fried green Tomato's, Duck and a few sides. We also did one of the large drinks ($42) for 4 people. They said 2 to 4 drinks per person, which actually was a whole lot more. I will most certainly try the Chicken with the notice that is needed. I will say this is a nice addition to the area and offers an alternative to just your regular bar.

    (4)

  • d b.

    I wouldn't think that this place has good food considering it looks more like a bar and a lounge space and the previous restaurant's never had good food. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the apps I tried and of course being a whisky bar it felt pretty chill inside. I can't speak for the entrees, but if you're in the neighborhood it's a good option.

    (4)

  • Marc A.

    In case anyone didn't already know, this is the former Chaise Lounge. Guess the powers that be got bored of the South Beach swagger and decided to go pure old school redneck. I personally didn't think there was any need for the change since the prior place worked very well for me. I was more concerned what would happen to an already strong product. Despite the name alterations of several menu items and a serious whiskey/bourbon infusion, the overall concept hasn't changed as much as it might appear at first glance. The food selection, while limited, is still very tasty. The Mac n Cheese remains the same, which allows all a huge sigh of relief. My heart goes out to the waiters who thought it would be wicked awesome to sprout moustaches circa 1850, but I digress. One more thing still remains the same; the strong service. You will be taken care of here by these friendly dudes.

    (4)

  • Gina B.

    Went here for drinks and apps a couple weeks ago. The smoked gouda mac and cheese was ridiculously delicious. I really want to come back for a full meal. The service was really good, they were attentive and friendly.

    (4)

  • Jannie T.

    Came on Tuesday night for a going away happy hour for a coworker. The ceiling-to-floor windows were thrown wide open and the weather was perfect. Not much to say about the decor, but the crab cakes, salad, and fries were all very good. Friends were disappointed in the hush puppies, but how much can you do with fried dough? The beer special of the night was Numbers ale - nothing to write home about, tasted kind of like Miller Lite -- but it was only $3. Not sure I would go on a weekend evening, but for a post-work happy hour, it was perfect.

    (3)

  • Andrew H.

    The food was bland, nothing special, and it took much longer than it should have. One drawback of serving beer in cans, the bussers kept grabbing our beers to see if they were empty.

    (2)

  • Matt N.

    All I can say is - Carolina Mahi - by far the best Fish Tacos I have EVER had. I can say that as I have tried fish tacos at many restaurants throughout Chicago yet I am still dreaming about these at night. The service was fantastic and carafes are even better. This place is a great spot to go with a group of friends looking to just have a good time and relax on a weeknight or weekend. I would definitely suggest this place not just for dinner but for a night out with your friends. And come hungry, because everything on this menu is outstanding.

    (5)

  • Katherine B.

    Great food and atmosphere, but a terrible option for groups. I had a large group gathering in the reserved cabana area, but the service staff was unable to keep up with the pace of the night. Our bill was completely messed up - in numerous ways! We were told that the bill could be split between each couple, but this was not possible. When I called to request the charges be removed that we not even for the guests at my party, the management was not as responsive as they could have been. I'd suggest considering the options before selecting The Southern as a group spot! But, otherwise, a well done transition from The Chaise.

    (2)

  • Teresa W.

    I was only here for drinking, although a few of my friends ordered food which they enjoyed. The Good: --yummy, moderately priced drinks --laid back (but not dive-y) atmosphere The Bad: --There are a bunch of tables in, what I considered, the bar area, yet they aren't first come/ first serve. This was a bit confusing/ annoying. --It was hard to identify/ get the attention of the only hostess as she was walking around with a clip board and she doubled as the coat check girl. (Given the situation of being the only one, she did a great job) --Once we got a table, we had to flag down our waitress to order food. All in all it wasn't bad and I hope these are just "newness" kinks that work themselves out.

    (4)

  • Erika M.

    This was our first experience here & our last. The waiter came back several times, after we ordered, asking one of our friends what his order was (both drink & dinner). After waiting for over an hour for our food, we asked the waiter how much longer it would be, to which he replied "maybe 10 min, we had some tech difficulty with our computer system". After another 30-40 min, we asked to speak to a manager, who came over and immediately started making excuses as to why our food wasnt out (new menu, computer problems, etc). Since he never asked what the problem was, I had to interupt him to tell him we wanted him to take care of the issue. He became a little snippy and said "I said I would take a little off the bill", which I did not hear him say in his excuse monologue. I would never go back here again, as no one ever took responsibility for their isssues; we always had to seek them out vs them coming to us and apologizing.

    (1)

  • Lauren R.

    really enjoyed this place. met another couple to celebrate their recent marriage. we sat inside but close to the open air windows. great atmosphere! we started with an appetizer - i think it was called the southern mess? basically, was french fries mixed in with some cheese? i didn't really enjoy it. it was really sloppy & watery. i ordered the shrimp & grits for dinner. it was delicious! i think for the price, the portion was a little small. also, wasn't super impressed with the cornbread. i've had better. overall, a cool place w/great atmosphere. might go back...

    (4)

  • Madelyn H.

    i haven't eaten here so this will require a re-review, but otherwise, this place was pretty terrible on a saturday night. over-crowded with no waiters/waitresses to be found. the outdoor patio is kinda cool but there were so many drunk fools that i couldn't enjoy it.

    (2)

  • Spencer S.

    Sunday morning I received a phone call from my brother-in-law wanting to meet up for brunch. Thinking of places to try, The Southern popped into my head from a mention on Thrillist a little while ago so we headed over there in short order. I have not spent a lot of time in Wicker Park, but 11:30 must be the calm point before it gets busy on a Sunday. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly and seated at what appeared to be the last open table. We ordered 3 cups of coffee that were filled rather frequently during our stay. At $2, it was a steal for Chicago with the coffee being strong but not harsh or bitter. My companions had 2 orders of the special omelet (chicken, okra, peppers, and cheese, I believe) and the Sunday Mac n' Cheese while I got the breakfast burger and we all shared the beignets. I tried some of everything and while my burger was very good (definitely liked the remoulade sauce), it was probably my least favorite of the 3 (though I should never order anything medium, it seems to guarantee well-done). The omelet was one of the best I've tasted in a while - not overcooked and the ingredients were fresh. The sausage in the Mac n' Cheese really complemented the dish and the beignets, while not as solid as some you might find in New Orleans, were enjoyable with the added fruit a nice touch. Additionally, I discovered while there that they have a 10% coupon on Foursquare. Not sure when we'll be able to go back, but I definitely hope to do so - and definitely well before everyone shows up at noon.

    (5)

  • David T.

    Everything that Chaise Lounge was not!! Great move by the ownership!! Great food, great drinks, and most important...A RELAXED NEIGHBORHOOD ATMOSPHERE!

    (5)

  • Will P.

    I'm so glad we finally ate here...quality service...great cocktails...tasty food...wonderful patio...all around a really good expirence! We're still relatively new to the Bucktown/WP 'hood....and, despite talking about coming here numerous times...there are SO many resturants in the area, that we just hadn't made it into The Southern until just recently. Food highlights included the andoullie gumbo and the Po Boy (not normally a brunch item, but they subbed it for something they were out of)...and the chicken -n-biscuts! The only miss was the famed mac-n-cheese...it was OK, but didn't live up to the hype. Our server (Nick, if I remember right?) was great! He knew both the food and the whiskey menu inside and out. He made some great pairing recommendations and even did a couple shots w/ us! While there are still a number of resturants on our "we need to try that place list", honestly, we'll probably end up back here before seeing the inside of some of those places!

    (4)

  • Ellen O.

    brunch on the southern's patio on the first warm day of the season = deeeeelightful. food was delicious and their patio is great. i didn't mind the small cups of coffee as mine was always kept full by our sever. i had the breakfast sandwich (itwas good!) and cheese grits (yum) but immediately regretted my order when i saw a plate of fried chicken go by. next time, next time.... one thing to note- they don't open until 11am on saturdays. we arrived 20 minutes before and were turned away - so sleep in!

    (4)

  • Blaise S.

    Made my way to The Southern on a nice, cool night and found my friends hanging out in the patio. I like the layout of this bar, with plenty of outdoor seating (as I mentioned, it was really nice out) and the two levels, the top being an enclosed roof. We tried the hush puppies (probably since it had been a while since we had been to Long John Silver's) and they were tasty. Next time I'll give the entrees a try. They had $3 Maker's Mark on special, but as you know from my past reviews, I HATE whiskey. So I settled for beer, and they have a good beer list. I tried a very good Abita Pale Ale. Only problem was drinks other than the specials are pricey. Our waitress was below par, but the bartender who recommended that Abita beer gets two thumbs up from me. I'll visit again, at least to try the food, but they'll have to really impress me next time to get more stars.

    (3)

  • Noah P.

    Great food and drinks... Big fan of the infused bourbons and vodkas!

    (5)

  • Law S.

    Interesting concept, overall I liked it. we had the crab cakes, macaroni and cheese and some other various friend things. I thought I was going to miss Chaise Lounge, but this is a great replacement and doesn't get as "clubby" after nine.

    (3)

  • Edie J.

    Had brunch here with friends a couple of weeks ago. Two vegetarians, surprised to find things to eat on the menu!! Yummy fried green tomato sandwich with grits :D so good!! The coffee and bloody marys were excellent as well. Very happy!

    (4)

  • Ken N.

    I'm really surprised at the great reviews here. I mean it's not bad and certainly better than the dbag hot spot Chaise Lounge. they have a pretty short whiskey/ bourbon list for a "whiskey" bar. Ok but nothing you won't find at your typical well stocked bar. The food is decent if you like everything fried. Mac n Cheese - good but MUCH better at the Handlebar Okra - pretty flavorless Fried Tomatoes - ok It's a good addition, nice place to have a drink with friends and get a little bar food, but that is what it is bar food. It's a pretty typical bar with a southern twist on typical bar food. 2.5 stars

    (2)

  • Angela Z.

    Didn't really have a great experience here. Our server forgot about us for most of our night here and was MIA. The food and drinks were just o-k, nothing special at all. Our friend even sent back her Fried Green Tomatoes because there was no flavor. The mac and cheese wasn't bad but my eyes didn't roll back in my head or anything. (and I'm a big mac and cheese person.) It all just seemed overpriced for what it was and sounded soooo much better on a menu than in reality. Then when one of our friends tried to work out a special birthday treat with a candle to surprise our friend for her birthday they rudely pointed out that it would cost extra (uh, duh we weren't asking for a freebie) and then unceremoniously brought out a slab of bread pudding and plopped it on the table sans candle. Thanks. The concept is a good one in theory but the execution kind of fails here. Whatever happened to "southern hospitality"??

    (2)

  • Jims L.

    Great food! Good portions at realllly nice prices.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    we had a horrible experience on Saturday. When 6 of us arrived we were told 30 mins. We were taken 10 mins later upstairs to a "table". It was actually a bar that they use in the summer that was covered with a table cloth to look like a high top. It was situated next to the door (10 degrees) and a huge tornado heater. we opted to wait and after 45 min were told it might be another 30-45 mins. The manager came to apologize and offered to buy us a round.... of bourbon shots. No one in our group is really that into bourbon, so we passed, but he didnt offer to buy us what we were actually drinking. We were finally seated after about an hour and 15 mins. The food was mediocre at best. The wine we ordered had been substituted with a cheaper bottle and the pork belly had been substituted with pork shank, both without lowering the prices. The manager decided to bring us the bourbon shots anyhow, and most of them just sat in front of us. No adjustments were made to our bill whatsoever. I will say the server was fine and tried to make up for it, but in the end it was a horrible operation with food that was a notch above typical bar food. We will not be returning. (obviously)

    (1)

  • Annie K.

    I've been twice and the first visit sold me. Great atmosphere, amazing food, and the chef/owner even stopped by to visit. So when I convinced a group of 9 friends to join me there, I was expecting the same. Sure, it was a Friday night, but good service should always be good service. The food was good and we were pleased with our selections (except for the fried chicken sandwich - it needed more fried chicken than anything else!), the service was not good. I would recommend stopping by for dinner on a week night when they are not busy - the weekend and a big group of us was just too much for them apparently.

    (3)

  • Lencho F.

    Holy crap this place was good. the 4 of us sat down and tried each others food and it all was bomb. The stand out for me was the french toast, I think they added rum to it.

    (5)

  • Juice R.

    I've been mostly there to have a drink or two with friends and only munched on food friends ordered. They're nothing hugely memorable, but nothing nasty either. They have a pretty respectable beer list that's certainly not as extensive as the maproom few blocks north, they're decently priced. Staffs/bartenders were friendly and not so loud music was hip enough to induce few of other inebriated patrons to dance to it. Crowd was a mixed bag everytime I was there. There are some beer drinker types, some that must've strayed from wrigleyville and even have been to upstairs full of rather older folks enjoying themselves. They have a nice looking front yard/beer garden but that's gonna be useless especially as things are getting cold. Otherwise, seating is somewhat varied but I didn't mind standing by mostly counter height and taller table/chairs. Street parking mostly sucks as typically of the neighborhood. Good thing that it's not too far from damen blue line station yet just detached enough to not having too much prob grabbing a cab. Anyways, I am not missing the Chase Lounge much.

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    We checked out this place a few Saturdays ago around 6pm. We were able to grab the last outdoor table and the inside was already packed, so I guess go early if you don't want to wait. The drink menu is really fun, in addition to all the bourbons there are some old school drinks (I had a Sidecar), and my friend had this super delicious peach drink that I totally should have ordered instead. We had the gouda mac and cheese, which was good but nothing to write home about especially with the cornucopia of gourmet macs and cheeses that you find on just about every hip menu these days. We also had the poutine, and although this is a new dish to me and I have nothing to compare it to, I must say it was unbelievably yummy even though it was fully of things that I don't usually enjoy, like fries and gravy (I know, I'm weird). But the combination of ingredients was more than the sum of its parts and this was definitely the highlight of our meal. We also had the asparagus (fine, not overcooked which is a plus), and I had the crab cake and my friend had the burger. Both well made and tasty enough, but the menu there is small, so now I feel like we've kind of "done" the Southern since the poutine is really the only thing I would rush back there for. Oh, and even though our waiter was nice the service was way super slow. Maybe it's supposed to be all "be laid back like you're in the South" but to me it felt neglectful slow, not relaxing slow, and we had to ask for silverware twice.

    (4)

  • L M.

    I've been to The Southern a couple of times now. The food is pretty good. I give it a B+. The atmosphere is overall fantastic. I give it an A-. The staff is hit or miss. I give it a C+. I've tried the Johnny Cakes, the Oysters, the Mac N Cheese, the Fancy BBQ, the Crab Cakes, and the Hush Puppies. Everything was pretty good. I guess the stand outs were the Mac N Cheese and the Johnny Cakes. That's not to say that their BBQ is fantastic - which for a place that totes its "southerness," you would think the BBQ would be better. It was good, but I've had waaay better - including at Smoke Daddys. However, out of everything I had, I liked those two dishes the most. Everything else was fine, just not stand outs. The atmosphere is great. It is chill, the music is good, and the outdoor seating in the patio is great. It's spacious and clean and very well-done. Highly recommend grabbing even just a beer here in the summer to enjoy the great patio seating. Now for the service. The first time I came, I had a hot waiter and he was super-attentive, quick, and gave us great service (even on a busy Friday night). The second time I came, I had a terrible, terrible, female server. It was busy, but not that busy. And the entire patio seemed to be split between 3 servers, so it's not like she had too many tables to focus on. I asked her about some of the beers and she had no clue what they were like. So then I asked her out of 2 brewing companies on the menu, if she knew whether either of them had a lighter beer. She said - yes, beer A and beer B are on the lighter side. I said - great, I'll try beer A. She brought me beer B. Then we ordered some oysters and some waters. Twenty minutes later - we hadn't gotten either. Then as she rushed by we asked her if we could order some food and she said - sure, I'll be there in a minute. About another 10-15 minutes later she casually strolled by to see if we needed anything (literally - as if we had never talked to her yet!). And I said - we ordered oysters a long time ago. Did you put that order in? And she said - omg, I totally forgot. Okay, I'll have the oysters, another round of drinks, and some waters. Let's see how this goes time #2. Well, the beer I ordered got sent to another table. So about 30+ minutes went by between the time I finished my drink before I finally got another one. The food came. Eventually. When the bill came, the waitress did seem to feel genuinely bad about the absurd crappy service we got and she comped the oysters. That was nice of her. So, even though time #2 was somewhat of a debacle in terms of service, I'm still going to say that this place deserves a visit - if for nothing else than hanging out and chilling on the patio alone. One last comment - there was a woman breast-feeding in the bar while I was there time #2. Gross. I don't put my bare boobs on tables where others eat and drink. You shouldn't either. Keep that sh&t at home.

    (3)

  • Eugene E.

    Solid 4 stars. The term Southern can totally take on different parts of the south to use as a basis. I felt this was more like a Georgia, closer to Savannah. Not vegeterian friendly *and didn't go with these intentions* however, typically can get by with an offering along the lines of (vegetables, veggie burger option, etc.) - but struggled a bit. Nicely surprised by the Fried Green Tomato option. A pricey but good mac + cheese. I felt the cornbread was slightly dry, but did have a good base flavor. The drinks were on point and service was very attentive and upbeat. The menu is executed well, being a very simple front + back one pager. It may prove a slight benefit for them to travel to the south and visit some real southern restaurants (from mom+pop to 4 & 5 star) and bring back a little more of "The Southern". A bit of room for expansion/differentiation menu wise. Hope the service level remains.

    (4)

  • Brenna B.

    I helped organize my cousin's bachelorette party. After dinner, we headed over to The Southern for drinks. Originally, I had reserved a cabana on the rooftop when The Southern was still Chaise Lounge... Somehow, through the change in management, my reservation was lost. Michelle (The Southern) was very accommodating though and reserved our group a VERY large booth/table in the corner on the main floor (it sat 13 women)! She always got back to me right away via email... Our waiter was extremely attentive and kept coming back to our table throughout the night re-filling our cocktails and helping with our strange requests... (bachelorette party related). Overall, the desserts and drinks we ordered were great and VERY inexpensive. Our party was 13 people and we sat and drank (a lot) for 3-1/2 hours and our bill was only about $250. The BEST deal they offer for large groups, in my opinion, are the Punch Bowls. They say they serve 8-10 people so we ordered 1 with the plan of ordering 2 or 3 more, but there was no need. One Punch Bowl served about 30 drinks... all for about $42. I would love to go back for dinner. Their menu looks great. The ONLY negative I can give is the line for the rest rooms. There is only 1 mens and 1 womens rest room inside. Someone said there was a rest room located outside but it was pouring that night. So, with a party of 13 girls... you can imagine how long the rest room line was.

    (4)

  • bridget j.

    YUMMY! Went there on Father's Day with husband and toddler. The food was great - Johnny Cakes, Southern Mess and the Crazy BBQ were all tasty and good size portions. Wish we had time to try the desserts - they looked amazing. The patio is perfect on a warm day. Only issue was the slow service. Our waitress would chit chat at every table and also got our order wrong. She gave us Johnny Cakes instead of Mac N Cheese, but that turned out to be the best thing we tried. She apologized and gave our daughter a grilled cheese (not on the menu) at no charge. Highly recommend if you're not in a rush.

    (4)

  • rebecca f.

    my colleague and i went on a friday night around 8PM. we were seated at a really awkwardly small, solitary table across from the bar upstairs and ordered some cocktails (nothing special - and i'm guessing they dont have a soda machine upstairs b/c our mixed drinks were flat and probably poured from a carafe). the food was pleasant enough - cornbread salad was dressed well (but the cornbread croutons WAY too salty), johnny cakes were delish, fried green tomatoes a little too soft, but tasty. but i have to say, starting about 9PM the upstairs area became more of a bar than a restaurant, and lots of young people began standing around our table having casual conversation. it got so crowded at one point i was concerned some of the bar patrons were going to knock me in the head with their purses slung over their arms. my friend an i left, mostly b/c it was so loud we could hardly hear ourselves talk, and sitting at a solitary table surrounded by boozy bar patrons was getting pretty awkward. so, if you check out southern, be sure you dont take that crazy table upstairs to help guarantee a smooth meal!

    (3)

  • Brian P.

    The service was abysmally slow, and they ran out of crab cakes, yet the table right behind us, who walked in 20 minutes after us got them. Getting a glass of water was like pulling teeth, and and at least 1/4 of my pork chop was fat.

    (1)

  • Alli N.

    Such a great use of space- The Southern does not disappoint! Got there early to snag a table for drinks and some small bites. Good thing, too since this bar has apparently become quite popular. By the time we left the line at the bar was 3-4 deep and there was over an hour wait for a table. The food was delicious- had the cheese straws, mac n' cheese and hush puppies and the drinks were a nice change of pace from a typical Chicago Irish bar (not that there is anything wrong with those)! I am excited to go back here for brunch. My new favorite place in Chicago!

    (5)

  • shivi d.

    I first learned about this place through the Mac and Cheese food truck that spins through the city. Their mac and cheese is truly great with creative varieties and recipes. Then I came to know that they are actually known for their Fried Chicken. So I just had to try it. The chicken though, be warned, is kind of hard to come by. I learned that you can only have it in the restaurant (no take out) and you can only have it on Wednesdays and Sundays, unless you call ahead 24 hours in advance and place an order for the Chicken dinner for a minimum of 6 people at $19/person. I had to get by with trying the Fried Chicken Salad. Based on what I tried, I will definitely try to get back there to order the fried chicken at some point. In the meanwhile, I had the Piggly Wiggly (braised pork shank) and OMG. yum! They had very strong cocktails as well and I was told I was crazy for not trying the deep fried Twinkie...don't make the same mistakes I did!

    (4)

  • Connie S.

    I HAVE NEVER HAD AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS!!!! My husband, daughter and I met friends from Nebraska and Wicker Park for dinner. We got there early so my 11 year old daughter was playing trivial pursuit on my iPad. We had a fabulous dinner, including appetizers (fried green tomatoes and soft-shell crab - yum!!!) I loved my shrimp and grits. When we left, we forgot my iPad. 2 hours later, we went to the restaurant and were told that the next customers in our booth turned it in, but the staff could not find it. The next day, at 5 pm, they called and said they found my Ipad and were holding it for us in the office. Evan, Kevin, Amy our waitress and Erin, are incredible, HONEST and trustworthy people. I am SO glad I can go back to The Southern, because we had a wonderful dinner and I really wanted to go back there. Thank you to everyone who helped us. Thank you for your honesty and for doing the right thing. We will never forget your kindness. We will be back!!!

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    searched for places that served late brunch on sundays and the southern advertised they served until 4pm. they also had a chalk board outside stating the same hours. my friend arrived befor me and was given a brunch menu and ordered a mimosa. i arrived around 3:35 and also ordered a mimosa. when the server dropped off my drink she took away the brunch menu and gave us the dinner menu saying the kitchen stopped serving brunch because it was slow. Even more reason to serve us if they were slow. All the while the clock was ticking on our second choice of brunch spots. We asked if she could please ask if we could order brunch which is the only reason we went. 5 min later the mgr came over and began a long winded response. I cut him off saying so what you're saying is that we can't get brunch. he told us they stopped serving at 3! what a joke. will never go back

    (1)

  • Cassie B.

    great location. great atmosphere (when it's warm, the patio is awesome - see and be seen but also lots of the stroller set early on). good respectable southern food and cocktails - though kinda expensive for both. turns into quite the hook-up bar late. something for everyone!

    (3)

  • Jerry N.

    We asked for coffee 3 times and the salt and pepper never showed up, but other than some minor service issues, this place has been spot on in terms of quality food, and drink. We first stumbled upon this on the grand opening night; then came back again for Valentines Day brunch... our first experience being the better of the two. Poutain, and Johnny Cakes were fantastic, and for brunch, the Banana Fosters French Toast and Breakfast Tacos were top notch. Their southern selection of beers were nice and varied; I loved my Jockamo (which tastes kind of like a nicer Fat Tire) and my girlfriend really enjoyed the Blonde Bombshell (light with a complex flavor). Brunch started off on a struggle to get some coffee even though OJ was served up promptly. We were halfway through our Beignets (nice and fluffy, but no dipping sauce) when we finally wrangled a manager to get us coffee. Being short-staffed I can understand food coming in a bit late, but I didn't get why they were slow on the basics like coffee, water, and salt n pepper. BTW salt n pepper never even showed, which sucks because my side-order of eggs really needed it (and it was bit over seasoned with basil too boot). Also no spoons to stir my coffee, so we had to use the extra fork and knife that they left us on accident. With a few fundamental adjustments and some proper staff managing this spot could easily leap into the 5 star rating for me. Until they work out the kinks it's more of a 3.5. But thank god it's no longer the douche-bag cesspool that Chaise Lounge was. For that alone you should give it a shot.

    (4)

  • lauren b.

    Comfort food is putting it lightly. It was delicious. I was there with a group, so we tried the mac and cheese, johnny cakes with pork and chow chow, hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, and messy fries. Each was more delicious than the next. Washing it all down with some Planter's Punch (from the huge tap pitcher just for our table), which was just like a refreshing iced tea straight from the South with a twist. The atmosphere was welcoming with great music (which they stayed true to all night) and friendly service. We enjoyed staying for a while and enjoying the bar upstairs a bit too. Wish I could go back for brunch.

    (5)

  • joy m.

    oh man! this place is amazing! everything i ate made me wanna just melt into my seat. we had the doughnuts to start which were to die for, the coffee sauce they make for that is killer. for our brunch we had the sunday mac n cheese and the bannans foster french toast along with the home made biscuts. i seriously loved everything. who would have thought mac n cheese with scrambled eggs would be good?? well it is BIGTIME good. biscuts were insaine and the bannas foster french toast speaks for itself. i would highly reccommend this place for any food lovers! the service was great the place is cute. the manager Erin was extremly nice!! we will def be back!

    (5)

  • Borracho G.

    Where else can you see a table of dudes in expensive shirts eating a chicken dinner served family style and costing over $120, a group of women sharing a $42 punchbowl of liquor, next to couples making out as they enjoy bottle service with their fries covered in cheese curds. This is a great place to drink heavily and judge all the hipsters and d-bro's this place draws in but if your looking for excellent southern food then you might still be looking. Food was alright, good for sharing but nothing stood out and flavors were basic. I give this place an OK mainly because both upstairs and downstairs bars are open to the outside air so it feels like being on a balcony/porch which is good for drinking many, many Bohemia's and $3 lone stars, the Texas version of Schlitz. They also poured a stiff whiskey libation, I wanted to regret having a few of these at the end of the evening but the drink law is to make no regrets and just drink. I could see myself coming back to this place again just for drinking with friends at the end of the day but then bailing to another bar as crowd turns it into ultra-lounge.

    (3)

  • Valerie W.

    I've driven past The Southern a bunch of times in the past, but never really thought to step inside. Maybe it was the fear of the unknown? We had plans to dine at The Southern for a friend's birthday party a few weeks back - and I can definitely say it is a place I would return to. The host staff was accommodating to our changing needs and was happy to move our table due to a mix-up with the number of people listed on our reservation. Our server was fantastic with whiskey suggestions, refills, and general awesomeness, especially when a table of 9 asks that you take their picture. I don't drink whiskey, but was impressed that they have over 150 types available, and when you order a whiskey cocktail (old fashioned, manhattan, etc.,) you can choose what whiskey you'd like. My boyfriend definitely LOVED that, and was happy to taste several different types. The food was excellent! We started with the fried green tomato appetizer - 2 plates was plenty to feed our table of 9. They came garnished with feta cheese, watermelon, watercress, and a spicy piquillo aioli. I was at first a little worried about the watermelon - but what a great refreshing flavor. All of the garnish went really well together and complimented the fried green tomatoes perfectly. They weren't heavy or greasy - light and delicious! For dinner, I was really torn on what to order, so the birthday girl and I ended up splitting the pork chop and the fried chicken. Pork chop: bone-in Berkshire chop, white bean puree, bacon demi, rainbow chard. The pork chop itself was awesome, thick cut, juicy and flavorful. When they say bacon demi, they mean a thick cut smoky slice of bacon draped across the plate. That could've been the meal itself. I really enjoyed the chard, the white bean puree was okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat it again. Fried chicken: 1/2 amish chicken, chicken fat whipped potatoes, collard greens, corn bread, honey butter. The chicken itself was amazing. Juicy, well seasoned, crisp. The corn bread was also really REALLY good. The chicken fat whipped potatoes fell a little flat for me, they didn't taste like anything special, and I didn't try the collards. All in all, everything about The Southern was great. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Liz T.

    I do think the Southern is a solid, stable, Wicker Park establishment. It has a super chill vibe, great top floor deck with awesome outdoor seating all summer long, and really solid food. As far as the menu goes, it's solid--not the best I've ever had, but definitely a great southern comfort food option, especially when the wait at other places is too long. (There's usually immediate seating). Of the items we tried, I have to say the Fried Green Tomatoes are FABULOUS. Perfectly battered and deep fried with the kind of mayo they put on spicy tuna at sushi places over a bed of greens. Finger licking delish. The cheese plate was average. I think it would be better if they offered more bread or cracker carbs with it... it always bothers me when there isn't enough bread or cracker for the cheese. They also gave us 3 incredibly sharp/pungent cheeses. Not sure if that was intentional, and if "southern" cheese plates don't typically have a mild option. But the fruits and veggies were well paired. Overall, a great experience. Will definitely swing by when in the mood for relaxed, convenient neighborhood dining.

    (3)

  • Kristin R.

    We went here for brunch once with some of my girlfriends. It's such a cute place! You can sit inside or out and they offer pretty decent prices for brunch options with a Southern twist. They also have some great brunch cocktails. The menu changes seasonally so the one cocktail I had isn't there anymore, but if you look at the cocktail list, it's a variety of liquor store (which make for a good bar program there). They also have a Fried Chicken Benedict. How awesome is that? Quick and good service, pricing is a little expensive but otherwise a place to go for yummy brunch with friends.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

The Southern

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Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

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