Cleo’s

The catfish was AMAZING. I don’t even really eat catfish and I demolished it. It was juicy and full of flavor. I dunked everything in the 24k butter sauce. The saltiness of the fry on the fish combined with the sweet, richness of the sauce was perfection. I lived in Texas for over 10 years and this is the best catfish I’ve ever had. The staff was super friendly and one of the guys even went out of his way to open the door for me as I left with my takeout order. I read some of the negative reviews, and they’re somewhat right. The food is salty, sweet, and flavorful but that’s how southern comfort food should be! It’s the perfect combination.

I ordered the “ten” which included 5 cat fish fillets, candied sweet potatoes, and a muffin. I also ordered a side of macaroni and cheese, green beans, and a purple rain drink. My total was about 62.00. I dined in. Pros: staff very friendly. They did a nice job of checking in on me after my food was delivered. Food was delivered hot. Macaroni and cheese was very good. My rating for this dish alone is about 4.5. The fish was good. Since it was dipped in the 24 carat gold sauce it was a little sweet which I was not fond of but it wasn’t bad. I’d probably prefer it without the sauce. Yams, purple rain drink (grape kool aid), and corn muffin were good but very sweet. Cons: Although I don’t like really sweet food, the items were good. The green beans were the only thing I didn’t like. They were very salty (almost) inedible. Another con is that they don’t offer much of a drink selection. If you are dining in, there isn’t a public restroom. I saw a family dining in but three members of the party left to go to the restroom a block away. Overall, I’d recommend for the mac n cheese and staff. friendliness.

This is probably the best soul food I’ve had in Chicago, straight out of Mississippi. I love the fried catfish, definitely recommend coming in here for lunch- but I’d recommend ordering ahead online if you’re short on time

My mom has been wanting to try Cleo’s since she saw it on “the Tik Tok” so I took her today for her birthday. The service was amazing from the time we walked through the door til the time we left. The food was fresh and tasted sooooo good. We watched as it got busy towards the evening but the service never changed. The team even took a second to take a pic with my mom which was very special. We had 2 fly overs with mac and cheese, green beans, yams, and the purple rain, but I don’t think I can choose a favorite item because everything was delicious. Shout out to the team: Naomi, Angel, Ariel, and Sivi! Keep up the great work and thank you again for making this birthday dinner memorable for my mom!

The fry seasoning is too salty, but I can tell it’s well seasoned when I bite into the chicken and fish. I wish it was less salty. The cornbread biscuit is amazing tho. It tastes like a cake. Please make the food less salty 🙏

From the time I walked into the restaurant until I walked out, I felt like I was at a friend’s house. I was greeted by a woman standing behind the register saying, “Hello beautiful, welcome!” She was such a joy. She was patient and assisted me with deciding what to eat. I shared that it was my first time in & although there was a line, I didn’t feel rushed. That alone sold me. Although it’s a smaller space, they try to make sure the guests are ok and had the tv playing music. I also witnessed a woman ask for a sample of Mac & cheese and although they don’t give out samples, the manager (I think his name is Sivie, also very pleasant), Obliged. Mentioning that up to point out great customer service overall. The food: I had Crab Mac & cheese. Chicken wings and sweet potatoes. The wings were fine. I wish the batter was a little thicker and more crunchy. The sweet potatoes were fine. No Complaints. The Crab Mac and cheese was the star of the show! I have to mention that I travel to Nola often just to eat and I’ve been to quite a few “New Orleans Style” restaurants that tasted nothing like New Orleans food In Chicago and other states, until I had that crab Mac & Cheese at Cleo’s. The crab was seasoned so well, it felt like I was at someone’s granny’s house on St Charles St. I will definitely be returning and telling friends from out of town about Cleo’s. Oh, I forgot to mention the tea is great. Not too sweet and so is the cornbread. It’s a cake consistency and has honey on it but it’s not overwhelmingly sweet. Loved it!

First time at any of the Cleo's locations. The food takes a little longer than most places, but it is obvious everything is made to order. Fries and sandwich were fried and seasoned perfectly. Service was great too.

Cleo’s Southern Cuisine is a gem worth visiting and worth the wait! The staff was incredibly friendly, which made the experience even better. Although I was disappointed that the mac and cheese wasn’t available due to a large Thanksgiving order, the food more than made up for it. The hot honey chicken sandwich was perfectly spicy and lived up to the hype. Both the catfish and wings, cooked to order, were absolutely delicious. The fresh preparation added to the flavor, making every bite worth savoring, including the cornbread. This is a small spot, so plan accordingly, especially since it’s been buzzing on TikTok and even got a shoutout from Keith Lee. But trust me, it’s worth it! I can’t forget to mention the tea, we absolutely loved it. It’s a must-try if you’re stopping by.

I stopped by Cleo's before hitting the road back to my home state, and I'm so glad I did! The food was GREAT and the service was just as amazing friendly, fast, and welcoming. I had fried chicken yams, macaroni and cheese and cornbread muffin. My cousin had the catfish. It was Bussin Bussin, as the young kids say. The only downside was that there wasn't a bathroom or a place for guests to wash their hands, which was a bit inconvenient, especially when eating on the go. Still, everything else made up for it. I'd definitely stop by again!

I seen this restaurant on the best places to eat while in Chicago. It was a short walk from my hotel before catching my flight home. I was sure to give myself enough time to order, because I seen a wealth of reviews speaking about time. The service was amazing from the cashier. We placed our order, and were given a time of 20 minutes. We agreed because we wanted to try the food and that would give us enough time to eat and travel to the airport. Sadly, that 20 minutes turned in 50. With reassurance that it was almost done, it was not. I am not upset at the service, but I would hope that there would be improvement with the time. We were now rushing to the airport, and were not able to try the food until actually being on the plane. The catfish was seasoned beautifully, flaky, with a little kick of spice. The cornbread muffin was just okay to me as well as the Mac. The pineapple yams were good. My husband enjoyed the chicken, and my daughter really enjoyed the tea and lemonade mix. I will say that I could have done with a little less sauce with this meal. Everything had a sweet glaze over it, which after a while makes you feel a little under a sugar rush. Next time I am in Chicago, I would make Cleo's my first stop instead of my last.

While visiting Chicago, I wanted to try Cleo's based on Keith Lee's review. The location in The Loop is small, so plan accordingly. I am a Southerner through and through who knows soul food from some of the best cooks you'll never get to experience unless you're invited into their home. Keep this in mind with my review. I don't have a "love" section for this one. Like: catfish (seasoned well; fresh, cooked to order; didn't come with a dipping sauce) candied sweet potatoes (not as sweet as everyone described; love the pineapples); mac & cheese (not as creamy as I liked but fine); muffin (crumbly, moist, topped with a glaze)

I decided to try Cleo's Southern Cuisine , which has been highlighted a lot through Tik Tok and food critic Keith Lee . Let me just say, he did not miss with this ! Soul food and great customer service. Everything was seasoned just right, and the pineapple sweet potatoes . So good ! I highly recommend this place

We were enticed by the Keith Lee review and had to try it. First, the negative, we ordered online for pickup with a ready time of 1:30. My order was placed at 12:10. When we arrived, they were pretty busy but customers were leaving happy. Our food wasn't ready and it was going to take an extra 20 minutes (it was ready in extra 35). I should note there's a small eat in area but this is more carry out. When we got our food we were pleased with the amount of food, the quality and most importantly the taste. The catfish had a nice kick, the breading was crispy and the inside was moist and flavorful. The wings also did not disappoint. We were surprised at how delicious the yams and mac and cheese were. The only reason for the missing star in ratings is the promised ready times and the actual time it was put in our hands. Other than that, good customer service, great food. We will be back.

A black owned soul food establishment in Chicago. This food hit on ALL CYLINDERS and left no crumbs... literally and figuratively. This place was featured by Kieth Lee Food Reviews. He gave it high marks. I give it 10 across the board. This is what we shared: Honey Butter Glazed cornbread muffin: 10 Light, fluffy, sweet, buttery, unique buttery honey glaze on top Float and Fly catfish and chicken wing combo: 10 Arguably the best catfish I have ever had or at least top 2... besides my own..soooo flavorful, fried to perfection, juicy I tried two sauces with the fish and chicken : a hot sauce base and a butter based sauce. I preferred the hot sauce base. I should have inquired about a tartar sauce or roumelade sauce. Pineapple candies sweet potatoes: 10 The pineapples add such a unique twist and flavor elevation to this southern dish. Well seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, butter... sweet and packs a punch. The pineapple actually balances the sweetness out. I am going to have to try this method the next time I make candy yams. Crab Mac and cheese: 10 My favorite! I am a Mac and cheese connoisseur. They do have traditional but why be basic when it can be elevated... the crab is so plump and juicy. They don't skimp on it. The crab paired with the creamy, gooey, cheesy, definitely a béchamel sauce and not basic melted velveeta paired with perfectly baked pasta is such a decadent treat. Purple Rain drink: 10 I have not had kool aid in soooooo many years. This is not the regular one... it is an elevated sophisticated version with lemon, cane sugar, and other minimal ingredients. I really enjoyed this cool refreshment with the meal. There is also an elevated tea as well. Waffle fries: 8 Crispy, tender on the inside, well seasoned.

Alright CP this place was close to my place of work so I had to get there AT 11:00 when they opened! Service was nice and attentive just know you're waiting for this food ( I should have called ahead that's on me). I knew I would be waiting as I read reviews before hand! 30! Min later and my order of the Nola and the muffins arrived! The Nola had no sauce which was surprising! The muffins however were as delicious as everyone says! It was pretty salty sandwich so I probably wouldn't go back but the service and ambiance was very nice and the fish was indeed cooked correctly

Service was great, everyone behind the counter was welcoming and friendly. I've read comments that the staff was singing and not "working" but everyone I observed was in motion! Why not 5 stars? The wait. We just happened to walk by so decided to order food, clearly everyone else already knew to order ahead so that was my bad. We waited 60 minutes at peak lunch time for food, which is not unheard of but typically at a more traditional restaurant you at least get some bread or crackers or something small to nibble on. Also, no public restrooms (even dine in customers). Not a big deal but as a mid-40s female, I need to plan these things out lol. Food was great, my friend and I shared the Flyover and a side of fries. I would definitely go again if in the area but would order ahead!

I think I want to write a love letter to the food that I had from Cleo's because it was just that good! The creole flair to added to the soul food goodness is just chefs kiss! First of all - PREPARE TO WAIT BECAUSE ITS COOKED TO ORDER. If you want food that's been sitting out all day just say det!!! I tried "The Flyover" which came with three catfish fillets along with three wings, both creole fried! And the catfish fillets came with a creole buttered lump crab on top and it was REAL LUMP CRAB MEAT; not imitation! From the way the meat was seasoned, it only makes sense that it's now a proprietary blend. The 24k gold muffin was GOOD!!! It was as shiny as my mom used to make my face with Vaseline when I was 7! But that sauce is literally like liquid gold; it's so delicious and you can get a side of it. That purple rain drink was too!!! If this spot has been on your list to visit, hurry up and make that trip and tell em that Bri from Planes and Plates sent you! Enjoy!

10/10, someone's grandma from the south had to be back there cooking up those recipes!!! The hype is deserved. We dined in, so our wait was 45 mins. I would suggest calling ahead or placing an order for pick up if you don't have time. I went to the one on Cottage, it's nice and homey inside. It's a few places to sit and enjoy, but I think most people grab and go. Good food and good service, they'll be seeing me again.

The staff are top notch! They work well together and under pressure they still give smiles, while preparing delicious cooked to order food. Bring your patience, they are a small family business that is still overwhelmed by Keith Lee's visit. The staff do a stellar job hustling, so be kind and thank them when you go. Good to know: Precedence is given to in person orders, so take a stroll and order in the store. #OldSchoolPracticesF When the orders are at extreme wait times they will pause receiving orders to allow them to catch up. They do a wonderful job updating the crowd and keeping calm in the storm. Float and Fly Everything was fried perfectly and seasoned well. Plenty of food. #ThisFeedsMySoulStatusConferred You just visit as everything was absolutely delicious. Totally worth the wait!

I wanted to like this place soooo bad!!! I was visiting Chicago and wanted to try a soul food restaurant. Looked on Yelp and say Cleo's. I then went to Tik Tok and say that Kieth Lee reviewed this restaurant and gave it rave reviews so that sealed the deal. I walked to the downtown location after an excursion. The hostess was very friendly and welcoming. The food came out super fast so I was excited to dig in. My kids had the chicken sandwich and I ordered fish, chicken, mac and cheese and sweet potato's. The Mac and cheese was dry, the yams tastes like can yams, the chicken and fish tasted like they were fried in old grease and had basic seasoning. My kids said the chicken sandwich was ok. Kind of disappointing because I love catfish

Worst soul food I've ever had. Catfish tasted old like it was fried earlier in the day. Yams wayyyyyy too sweet. Like diabetes in a bowl. Golden muffin was hard as a rock and burnt on the bottom. The sauce on top of the muffin was so sticky and weird. Not like on 47th. It tasted like sugar, cornstarch and butter. I ordered online and they gave my order away to someone else so now I had to wait an additional 20 minutes. You'd think the food would be fresh. They gave me more hard, stale and burnt muffins for compensation. Then the damn kitchen area was very dirty. Wasted $60! Mac was okay but cold. The fried chicken was the only thing that I kind of ate, but after eating a little bit of everything I started feeling sick and threw it all in the trash! Never again.

I stopped by Clee's after work on Thursday I was able to find parking right away. I had to pay to park because I was at the downtown location. I have pre-ordered my order on Uber eats so I could just pick it up and go the food was absolutely phenomenal. The weight staff was very nice and kind. The ambience was not appealing. I probably would never dine inside . I'm definitely coming back to get more food. It is on the pricier side but one meal can make three servings I spent about $50 with tax included for just myself.

Hooray for a new Cleo's location! The Bronzeville location has been coating our bellies for years and now I can fall asleep midday at work with this location so close to the job LOL The chicken thighs are amazing and I love a good waffle so the Southern Belle was exactly what I wanted and it did not disappoint! I ordered pickup right before noon on a Monday and it was ready when I arrived. There also were only a couple people sitting inside if you wanted to eat there. This food at this location held up to the flagship so I'll definitely be returning!

Cleo's Soul Food Absolutely love this place! It's southern cookin' with a little twang--full of flavor and always hits the spot. Everything is cooked to order, so it's fresh, hot, and seasoned to perfection with just the right touch of Cajun spice. The chicken and fish are both fabulous, and that cornbread? Next level. It's one of those spots that makes you feel like you're getting a home-cooked meal every time. The space is small, so most people carry out--which we recommend. If you don't preorder, be ready to wait a bit since everything is made fresh. But believe me, it's worth every minute.

I'm a more recent lover of southern/soul food and while in Chicago, I knew it was a must to visit Cleo's, especially after reading the reviews and hearing it was one if the restaurants to try for southern food due to the Keith Lee review. Upon walking in we were greeted and asked to place our order. They let you know up front, it will take TIME to prepare and cook. I reviewed the menu and reviews prior so I knew what I wanted and so did my friends. I ordered the catfish with lump crab meat, pineapple yams, fried chicken wings and 2 golden muffins. I know why the yams, muffin and catfish are so popular, they were all worth the wait of 30ish minutes. My friends ordered the Mac and cheese, sauced wings, hot honey chicken sandwich and green beans. They said their food was good too but the catfish was top tier. The sweet potatoes although great tasting were slightly too sweet for me but they compliment the catfish really well. There aren't many drink options, the seating is limited but the food makes up for it and the hospitality. The cook was kind and working hard as it was a very humid day and was there was only a fan to keep the restaurant cool. If you're in a rush, call ahead for your order! Will def return when I'm back in Chicago at this location or their other location.

This place is so amazing and I love that it's downtown. I have been to their other location and I was hoping that everything would taste the same. I was not disappointed everything was that and more in the food and the service. Keith was behind the register and he was very helpful in getting my order completed. I was able to get the chicken and fish. They were so good and crispy. I could not ask for anything better. The yams were sweet and on point like how my grandma used to make. The Mac and cheese were good and cheesy. Lastly I was able to try the purple rain. That joint tasted like kool aid that I used to make as a kid. I will definitely be back for some more and bring my friends along with me.

Really disappointed. Have been wanting to try this restaurant since Keith Lee's TikTok. Finally ordered in uber eats and it said wait time was an hour. I waited and walked to the location by the time it said my food would be ready. The store was closed! I also called the restaurant and no one answered. I canceled my order on uber eats and got charged and when I tried disputing it saying the restaurant was closed so I never got my food, they said because I canceled after the restaurant "accepted" my order, they can't issue a refund. Shame on uber eats and the restaurant.

I went here on my lunch hour. The food was cooked to order. My fish was hot with heat and spicy with flavor. The chicken was good and crispy. The wait wasn't long and the cashier was so pleasant. I was definitely full and couldn't finish. The establishment was clean and welcoming. I will be going back again on my lunch. I've been to their other location and the same sentiments apply. Go check them out!

I thought this place was takeout only but they actually had a few tables inside, so we got to enjoy our food hot! We ordered online beforehand and waited a bit at the place before receiving our order. The interior is clean and small. Between the two of us we split "the Ten" (based on Keith Lee's review), the crab fries, and the mac and cheese. This was plenty of food for two hungry people, but we went a little overboard because we wanted to try a lot of different items. The catfish was thin and crispy, well-seasoned, and nice and tender. The sweet potatoes were very sweet, a good contrast to the saltiness of the catfish, but maybe a little too sweet for our tastes. The liquid of the sweet potatoes also ended up filling the tray a bit and mixed in with the catfish flavor, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preference. Lastly for the Ten, the cornbread muffin was great! No notes. The crab fries were probably the favorite for both of us. My only wish is that the sauce was a little more evenly distributed rather than drizzled over the top. But the crab was really good, the sauce complemented it nicely, and the waffle fries were a good crispy texture. Finally, the mac and cheese fell a little bit short for us. I liked the flavor but it unfortunately wasn't super hot when we got it so texture wasn't super ideal. I am not that picky about my mac and cheese but it wasn't the best part of the meal. This place is overall really tasty but it was quite pricey. This whole spread was about $60, which is probably a one-time spend for us at this restaurant. Still, if you like southern food, it's worth the try!

WOULD DEFINITELY recommend. Decided to stop by after a long day of studying and grab me up a plate after hearing the hype behind this place. Upon entry, the servers were welcoming despite how busy they with many people waiting on their food. The inside isn't too big so if you have a big party I suggest ordering take out. I ordered the Float and Fly (Keith Lee Fav) with side of Spicy Bourbon sauce, recommended by the cashier. I was hoping to get a side of mac & cheese with the order but unfortunately it was a 45 min wait and I was pretty inpatient at the moment. Either way, after I placed my order, the food took about 20-25 mins, which isn't bad for authentic quality food. Immediately upon opening the box, the aroma filled the vicinity, as the catfish and chicken weren't over seasoned, but seasoned just right. I am not a fried catfish type of person but when I tell you I was salivating over the catfish, I am serious. Not to exaggerate, but I see why this food has such high ratings, it is probably the best soul food fried chicken that I have ever tasted. It was hot, tender with the skin falling right off the bone, paired with a spicy bourbon sauce. The fried catfish was amazing as well, seasoned to perfection with tenderness filling every bite. Lastly, that cornbread was soft and glazed, which is the opposite at some other soul food spots that be hard and dry. Overall, I am glad that I believed the hype and decided to give them a try. If you are around the Loop and is looking for a nice plate to compliment the great day you are having, definitely stop by. I just wish the Mac & Cheese didn't take so long, I reckon that it would be just as good as everything else. Also wish that they had collared greens as well, that would make this place even more perfect.

I ordered from Cleo's on a Monday a few minutes after opening. Order placed at 11:20 and estimated time given that food would be done was 12:20. I must say, I was skeptical about ordering from here on a Monday since they are closed during the weekend. I tend to wonder about the freshness of food from establishments the day after they open back up. Nonetheless, I took a leap, especially since I was leaving The Chi the next day. When I arrived to pick up my food. I arrived 10 minutes before 12:20 and my food was sitting on a counter with other orders. I already knew it probably had been sitting for some time, and it had. So it was lukewarm once I received it. I also had a slight problem with the fact that Cleo's had a full basket of wings already fried waiting to be boxed. I'd assume they pre-fry wings to keep up with the lunch rush and demand because who really has time to wait an hour for food during their lunch break, like really. I ordered the Float & Fly, Creole Crab Mac, and Mississippi Sunshine. I wanted to order the string beans , the only green item they have on the menu BUT it was unavailable. HOW?! Y'all were closed for two days and y'all had just opened on a Monday. So I was baffled by that but I digress. Now, I like my food seasoned, but whew chile, Cleo's over does it with the seasoning honey! I knew as I was eating, the food was going to be headache inducing due to the amount of seasoning and before I could finish my food, boom a headache. The Float & Fly came with two and a half chicken wings. Please reference my pictures as to why I said half. So Cleo's owes me a wing for that one. Lol. It also came with two pieces of catfish and a stale cornbread muffin. Please note, I have pics for reference to all my drawbacks of the food. I had one bite of my catfish and was done due to the lingering taste of ammonia after biting into the fish. I assumed it wasn't fresh given the taste, and was not trying to chance missing my plane back home the next day if I became sick due to bad fish. The cornbread was dry, burnt, and crumbly. Also, didn't seem fresh. I didn't have nearly as much of their 24K Gold Butter on my cornbread as they advertise. On to the Crab Mac. Now, I'm from Baltimore so lump and jumbo lump crabmeat to us, is not the same as lump/jumbo lump in all other parts of the country-IYKYK. Lol. To my surprise, the mac was topped with tasty lump pieces of crab meat seasoned perfectly. The Mac was okay but nothing to brag about. The best bite of all items purchased was the crab meat atop the mac. The Mississippi Sunshine I was really looking forward to because I am a sweet tea loving gal. To my surprise, the drink was not overly sweet. It claims to be "brewed daily in the Windy City," but it was definitely giving powdered (lemon) Liptons. So that was a disappointment, I still drank it though. It's big, so it lasted me two days; which I appreciated. All in all, I'm not sure if I would visit them again on any next visits to The Chi. That's only because Chicago is like a top foodie city, so I have options. There's nothing here, I had that I crave and absolutely need to have again. Cheers to a great time!

The place is a small shop with a couple of small tables. The food was just alright. The chicken wasn't that well seasoned and it was kind of dry. The sauce for the sandwich was good but could only help so much. We ate in the restaurant so the food was fresh but the syrup very quickly soaked into the waffle and hardened it. The macaroni and cheese were just okay.

Ordered Cleo's through Uber eats and it was still sooo bomb. I'm a huge fan of catfish and it was so good. So much flavor and the more I ate it the better it got. The candied sweet potatoes were also yummy!! Honestly everything was so good I was pretty surprised. Would def come back again!!

I ordered to go. So so good! The flavors are amazing and cooked to perfection. I got the catfish fillets, Mac & cheese, green beans, cornbread and yams.

Meh, I've had previous experience with their food at the south side location but it was a po boy versus the catfish & chicken which is what I indulged in this visit. Fish was flavorless as most fish is to their defense. The wings had a slight glaze/flavor to them but the fish should come with sauces & a side. It's $16 albeit a lot of food but it needs something else. Highlight of the meal was the biscuit but again without sauces nor a drink you'll damn near choke. For $10 more you get sauce & crab atop the dish though

I went to this location on a work trip to Chicago last week and the food was amazing. The location was small but the Customer Service was on point. I will return

Keith Lee is a troll LOL! Cleos is located in the hustle and bustle of downtown Chi Town. Parking is limited on the street and managed by meters. Cleos is quite cozy, with very few tables and chairs. A few feet from the entrance door there is a high top counter with an older lady and two guys behind it. The guys are managing land, sea and hot grease and the lady is managing orders. There is a portable warmer where pre-made side dishes are stored and a portable cooler where pre-made drinks are stored. Food Reviews: Mississippi Sunshine Sweet Tea Lemonade - is super sweet and delicious. It is served in a container large enough to share. It is soooooo good! Mac & Cheese - very curdy cheese, mushy noodles, unique garlic flavor, just taste ok. Fried Chicken Wings - good seasoning but a little too dry. Fried Catfish - fried with a hot sauce batter (I think), very salty and fried dark (I prefer golden fried fish), kinda taste like old grease. Cornbread - salty, sweet, glazed top muffin, is good I would return if someone else want to try it, but it's a been there tried that for me.

Visited this place over the weekend and definitely was good. I tore that plate up! The pride the staff takes in keeping Grandma Cleo and her recipes alive was very comforting. The catfish (a little spicy but good if you're into that), fried chicken, mac n cheese, and biscuits were all delicious. The staff was very friendly and wanted our experience to be good. If I could give a note, it would probably be the price and the wait. We waited about 40 minutes to get our food, and can get a bit crowded inside. Would definitely order ahead next time. Overall, we love us a good black-owned soul food restaurant like Cleo's.

I used to love them so much best chicken and waffle I have ever had! Chicken was the star, but the waffle can be great too but was drowning in syrup not as crispy as usual. Didn't like that food was served in togo containers for dining in service. Mac and cheese didn't really impress. The space could be cleaner and more inviting. service was cafeteria style. I would say they need to tighten up a bit. I still love this place very much just wish it was as great as when I ate there the very first time.

I wanted to place catering order. The first time I called they seemed confused about why I called the ph# on their catering page. The young lady did not identify herself as being with Cleo's. The catering page said they take custom orders they do NOT! You must order from menu she stated. I asked if could do half orders so I did have to pick between the two desserts I wanted they won't do that either... no custom anything. I would suggest you take that off your website if that is the case. I had to send four requests to get a response about placing and order only one of the four did I get and immediate reply that they got my request and would be in touch shortly. They never followed up after that. Two days later they finally emailed back and answered my questions. Then I advised I would have my order in the next day. I did. No response to my order 48 hours later. You are in a service industry having consistent response times and turn around expectations really helps with trust and confidence of your business being a reliable catering source. Still waiting on confirmation giving them one more day. Now the catering menu. There are misprints and duplications and confusing ingredient descriptions. There are no clear descriptions of what is included with a catering order or specifics about what is included with set up for and additional fee. All helpful things to know when placing catering order. This food better be good. I work for a state affiliated agency so could have been great opportunity to share our experience to turn into more business for you. But not starting off well.

I had been waiting a few years to finally try this place. The service was great, very attentive, charming and welcoming staff. The food was solid: hot honey chicken sandwich, Mac n cheese, 24k muffin, and can't forget the sweet tea. Wish I took a pic, but I ate it all. I didn't even notice they had sweet potatoes and it smelled soooooo good. Def a place I'll come back to.

This space is too small to have anyone waiting 30 mins for food. No restrooms & chairs & tables should not be in this establishment if 6-10 people on the floor. I will not be back.

It is worth the wait...delicious and good portions. I had the hot cat which comes with sweet potatoes and a golden muffin and a side of mac and cheese.

My daughter and I got the "10" meal and everything was good, hot, and fresh. However my boyfriend got the chicken wings and they were cold when got to the car to eat them. He only ate two and didn't touch his meal anymore. We waited about 40 minutes for our three meals and there was only one person in there besides us.

Cleo's y'all have to do F'N better. How the hell I place my order online @12;02 and my food not ready til 1:50Pm. Get y'all stuff together because this is ridiculous

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - Sitting here, the air conditioning is weak and they only have water to drink. It's 89 degrees outside at noon and it's extremely hot inside. So, I am actually sweating. We had to wait over 15 minutes for a plastic cup to get room temperature water. As a result, I ended up grabbing a to-go container (bowl) off the counter to drink water. Apparently they ran out of drinks AND cups. We were told that there was a 7-11 across the street. wth? However........ there was a 12 pack of Canada Dry just sitting on the counter. ‍‍ One of the employees did finally go and get some cups, but we had finished eating by the time he came back. Personally, I prefer to have something to drink while I'm eating and that should not be too much to ask for. I was hoping that the food would make up for it, but we were disappointed. The catfish was overcooked (not flakey like Keith Lee's review showed). The muffin was so-so, the chicken wings needed more seasoning, the fries were okay and the yams were too sweet. The green beans were the best item we had.

Finally a Southern cuisine lunch option in the loop. Cleo's was just a short walk from my office in the Daley Center and it was a nice comfort food break from my typical lunch fare of sandwiches/salad. The food was hot and so well seasoned- very delicious. My favorite was the crab mac and the chicken wings. The catfish was good too but it definitely has a kick! The corn muffin was moist. The staff (angel, keith and dee) were also attentive and gave great service. That I know them by name I think exhibits just that. Can't wait to come back!

my fault b/c i shouldve called first just to make sure like i usually do! every platform says theyre open, so we walked from our hotel & closed! came next door to the l station! walk wasn't wasted!

The restaurant is small, seating is minimal but when I tell you the food is amazing - the food is AMAZING. Portions are perfect for the price and they do not skimp on the crab toppings. We had the Flyover meal, Crab Mac n Cheese, sweet potatoes (OH MY GOODNESS) and the 24k muffins. If you love soul food, RUN don't walk, to Cleo's !

All I can say is wow! I ordered for takeout the House Cat with the purple rain to drink. Service was fast and my takeout order was ready in about 30 minutes. The catfish was hands down the best catfish I've ever tasted in my life. The seasoning was perfect on each bite and the fish had the perfect crisp to flaky texture. The fish paired with the remoulade sauce was one of the best bites of the year. I don't know what was in the remoulade sauce but I'd drink it if I could. The 24-carat muffin was fire, the only thing I wish was more of the butter that came on top. Purple rain was good reminded me of being a kid on a hot summer day. 10/10

Food is good. I usually get easy stuff so theyre pretty quick. i have seen people waiting a while so be prepared to wait, but apparently its worth the wait.

Food is good and stayed hot the whole time I ate it. Everything comes priced individually so be ready to pay! N the purple drank was good

Ordered through Uber Eats for a second time. I wasn't too keen on the chicken and fish the first time. So I thought I would try it again. This time around I ordered chicken fish mac and sweet potatoes. The chicken was partially breaded and was very salty and garlicky. The fish was very salty as well. The mac and cheese was overcooked and tasted like eggs and cheese. The sweet potatoes were too sweet for my liking. and the corn muffins had to be day's old. They were cols and dry, thank gawd they did not have that buttery mess atop. I will never revisit this place again. I don't care who rates it a 10.

Went yesterday for lunch. I've been to this location multiple times. Kind of expensive but my food was really good yesterday it's best to eat in because everything is made to order, fresh, hot and crispy. The only thing I didn't care for is the green beans....Super duper salty and I'm not sure what the pot liquor is that they are cooked in but I don't care for it at all. Tasted like chacha. If I'm spelling that right. When I got home I even watered the leftover down rinsing and soaking, still super salty. Also the inside of the restaurant can use a little remodeling. Otherwise the service is great. The staff is great and friendly.

The food is fresh and hot but the prices are absolutely insane!!! 5 bucks for 2 small 20 ounce cups of hot sauce and tarter!!! The food was already over 35 for one catfish and chicken plate with sides which are also sold separately! It's robbery! Spent over 40 bucks for one meal!!!! Never again!!! Then the staff is not friendly at all

Overly salty, made me wait 30 min for my order, accentuating that everything is "fresh". Employees seemed all to be concerned for personal issues - kids behind the counter, what's on TV, singing along... I hated the waiting experience and the food was OK for 20$ but nothing special. I would avoid this place.

I can't wait to try that crab mac and cheese the Keith lee special was awesome. That cornbread is heaven.