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Buzzing craft cocktail bar with a menu of Americanized Chinese favorites in tavern environs.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2165 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 666-5143
Website: http://www.chefsspecialbar.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar – From the folks who brought you Giant …
From the folks who brought you Giant, comes a cocktail bar in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood.
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar (@chefsspecialchicago) – Instagram
27K followers · 1.2K+ posts · Tasty cocktails & American Chinese food Dining Room resos. Bar first come, first served, full service.
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar – Chicago – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
This throwback is a loud and happy place, thanks to an extensive menu of heartwarming Chinese-American classics.
Reviews
Carol L.
*I am Asian, so my standard for Chinese food is quite high.* Came here for the Happy Hour two weeks ago. At least 10 people were waiting in line before it opened at 5 pm. Cocktails were pretty solid. We especially enjoyed “Roger Rabbit.” The dry-fried green beans and pork/shrimp egg rolls were very tasty. Highly recommended. Dan dan noodles were not bad, but it was the first time I had this dish with udon noodles.
The only dish we found unimpressive was Kung Pao Chicken from the regular menu. It was not authentic, and I didn’t like the jasmine rice that came with it (I usually prefer sushi rice).
Overall, it was a good dining experience!
… moreThe only dish we found unimpressive was Kung Pao Chicken from the regular menu. It was not authentic, and I didn’t like the jasmine rice that came with it (I usually prefer sushi rice).
Overall, it was a good dining experience!
Brandon Murray
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar is a highly delectable experience that every Chicagoan must try.
My friend and I went in hungry and left utterly mind-blown.
We started off with Cocktails (and Old Fashioned) and a wonderful N/A THC option (Choom – Solar Lite) both were reasonably priced and exceedingly delicious.
Our server Jen was wildly attentive and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the menu. We started with their Smashed Cumbers and worked our way into the special which was the Dry Rub Lamb Ribs.
The Smashed Cucumbers were zingy and fresh – the Lamb Ribs were out of this world.
For our Entree we split the Rolled Noodles which came with spiced short ribs as the protein and it was dense and highly incredible.
For desert we enjoyed the Hong Kong Spice Cake (pictured) and our bartender Nora had us set up and ready for desert before we could even blink.
All in all. Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar is an exemplary dining experiences with a robust and delicious menu, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and lastly a highly impactful playlist of some of the best music I’ve heard in a while.
Everyone should enjoy a cozy night in at this establishment. I assure you – you will leave satiated and ready for your next visit.
… moreMy friend and I went in hungry and left utterly mind-blown.
We started off with Cocktails (and Old Fashioned) and a wonderful N/A THC option (Choom – Solar Lite) both were reasonably priced and exceedingly delicious.
Our server Jen was wildly attentive and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the menu. We started with their Smashed Cumbers and worked our way into the special which was the Dry Rub Lamb Ribs.
The Smashed Cucumbers were zingy and fresh – the Lamb Ribs were out of this world.
For our Entree we split the Rolled Noodles which came with spiced short ribs as the protein and it was dense and highly incredible.
For desert we enjoyed the Hong Kong Spice Cake (pictured) and our bartender Nora had us set up and ready for desert before we could even blink.
All in all. Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar is an exemplary dining experiences with a robust and delicious menu, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and lastly a highly impactful playlist of some of the best music I’ve heard in a while.
Everyone should enjoy a cozy night in at this establishment. I assure you – you will leave satiated and ready for your next visit.
Vegan reviewer
Really delicious food, loved the hand rolled noodles and the snap pea salad! The green beans was also great. I love how they use garlic crispies on a lot of dishes, gives it a really nice crunch.
I wish they labeled their vegan options better because they’re super flexible with veganizing the dishes and the staff is well informed on making everything vegan. Nothing is labeled but if you mention you’re vegan they’ll tell you everything you can veganize.
… moreI wish they labeled their vegan options better because they’re super flexible with veganizing the dishes and the staff is well informed on making everything vegan. Nothing is labeled but if you mention you’re vegan they’ll tell you everything you can veganize.
Lesley Chavez
We took a chance walking in on a busy Thursday night with no reservations, hoping the chef’s special reputation would hold up and it did! We found seats at the bar and ordered the crab Rangoon’s, string beans, and spicy dry chili chicken. Every dish was fantastic, and the portions were impressively large. Such a great place for Chinese food.
… moreBao Pham
I’ve dined here several times now and have recommended Chef’s Special to many local friends and visitors. The decor is beautifully artsy, tastefully retro yet contemporary. Food has been consistently excellent. Every dish meets or exceeds expectations with enough flavor/unami. My personal favorites are the pork + cabbage potstickers, hand pulled noodles with short rib, and the three sauces that accompany the scrumptious crab rangoon.
Service is generally fast and efficient. The bussers and kitchen staff clearly form the backbone of the operation—they keep things running smoothly. That being said, I’ve waited to write this review because something has always felt slightly off, which seemed out of place given how deliciously dankkk the food is. I’ve realized now how the hosts and wait staff over several visits have consistently lacked warmth. While they’re polite on the surface and have been trained to say the bare minimum of ‘right things’, interactions are rather rushed and more automated than a personal experience. It’s one small trade-off for the quality of food.
… moreService is generally fast and efficient. The bussers and kitchen staff clearly form the backbone of the operation—they keep things running smoothly. That being said, I’ve waited to write this review because something has always felt slightly off, which seemed out of place given how deliciously dankkk the food is. I’ve realized now how the hosts and wait staff over several visits have consistently lacked warmth. While they’re polite on the surface and have been trained to say the bare minimum of ‘right things’, interactions are rather rushed and more automated than a personal experience. It’s one small trade-off for the quality of food.
Joey Giovannetti
Such a cute place with amazing food. Came here for a drink and a bite to eat with a friend and it was perfect. The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the bartenders were very nice and always available. I got the potstickers and Mongolia beef and I was very pleased. Definitely coming back
… moreAngela Bateson
Great place they accommodated us there was 7 we ordered a variety of food all was fabulous really tasty they will tub if u don’t finish chicken dish we did have to ask for. The drinks there’s a good selection too
… moreTerrance Harris
Easily one of our favorite spots in the city. The food is incredible, staff is great and attentive, everything is done exceptionally well. I’d recommend all of their highlighted dishes — everything we had was bursting with flavor. Cocktails were strikingly balanced and an overall joy to drink. It is a bit cramped, but still very much a vibe. They still earned a rare 5/5 from me.
… moreRosa Q
Food was amazing, place was cute and music was groovy. They also had a drink on the menu that was for good cause by donating to the IFRP. Can’t wait to come back with more friends.
… moreBill
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar has a playful retro charm, channeling the look and feel of a classic American Chinese restaurant. The cocktails are strong and flavorful, and the menu leans heavily into classic American Chinese items like crab Rangoon, sweet-and-sour chicken, and potstickers.
The appetizers were the standouts – especially the crisp pea shoot salad, crispy potstickers, and well-seasoned Dan Dan noodles. The Dan Dan & rolled noodles both had great flavors and texture, but many of the entrees felt repetitive, with thick sauces and overlapping flavors that wore out quickly.
Overall, it’s a fun spot for drinks and small plates, but don’t expect traditional Chinese fare – it’s more of an Americanized take with a throwback twist.
… moreThe appetizers were the standouts – especially the crisp pea shoot salad, crispy potstickers, and well-seasoned Dan Dan noodles. The Dan Dan & rolled noodles both had great flavors and texture, but many of the entrees felt repetitive, with thick sauces and overlapping flavors that wore out quickly.
Overall, it’s a fun spot for drinks and small plates, but don’t expect traditional Chinese fare – it’s more of an Americanized take with a throwback twist.