Cleo’s - Loop

9.5/10!!! BEST CATFISH no debate, and I’m not just talking in Chicago, I mean period! I’m born and raised in North Carolina and I’ve never had catfish this good!!! Not even at the family reunion. I should’ve known this would be my favorite stop in the city this visit when I saw the yams had pineapple in them, and they didn’t disappoint. The yams were YAMMIN, with the perfect texture, sweetness, and syrup ratio. My Lord I should’ve saved some for the flight home. I had the Shanikky which came with a good portion of fish, crab, and chicken, enough to take back to the hotel. The breading of the wings had a great flavor but I don’t feel like the seasonings translated all the way through to the meat in my opinion. I also left with a bottle of the Mississippi Sunshine and it was the perfect pairing with the comfort food. Every trip to Chicago going forward has to include some Cleo yams, mandatory. If you’re looking for some southern comfort inside the The Loop please do yourself a favor and check out Cleo’s.

The mural on the wall says “Taste the Hype”. I’m so glad that I did, as it definitely lived up to its reputation. I visited the location in the loop and they first impressed me with their transparency. I called in my order on a Thursday around 3:45pm and they said it would be ready at 4:30pm. I had to make sure that I heard them correctly, but this tells me that the food is fresh and the restaurant is busy. My order was ready right on time. There are 3 tables and some stools at the window if you choose to dine-in (no restroom). I ordered the “Ten” meal. 5 (maybe 6) pieces of catfish, pineapple sweet potatoes and cornbread. I also added my own side of Mac n cheese. CATFISH - Pieces were very generously sized. Fried crispy to perfection. I had to really think about this, but it was the best catfish I have ever tasted. It’s a little spicy, but fortunately I like spice. My wife ate it cold and raved about it. My mother-in-law also said that this was some of the best fish she has ever tasted. Finally, my kids had some the next afternoon and also raved about it. This fish is special. SWEET POTATOES - Also amazing although I didn’t taste the pineapple flavor. It was most likely a glaze that was mixed in with the potatoes. CORNBREAD - I loved it. It’s glazed with Cleo’s 24 karat good sauce. I’m glad that I purchased extra. MAC N CHEESE - I will give an 8 out of 10. It was definitely above average. Cleo’s was great and I will definitely return when in Chicago. Can’t wait to try more selections and get this delicious catfish again.

I apologize for these pictures but I was originally planning to get my order to-go, but the food smelled so good I had to sit down and start eating right away! This place is an absolute must-visit. I ordered the Float and Fly combo, and everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The chicken was crispy and flavorful, and the catfish—was fried just the way I like it: nice and crunchy. Absolutely delicious. The pineapple candied sweet potatoes might sound overly sweet, but don’t let that scare you—they were perfectly balanced and incredibly tasty. Now, let’s talk about the 24K Gold Muffin. Wow. Whatever glaze is on top should be bottled and sold! (Perhaps it is, again I was in such a rush to eat this I didn’t get a drink or look around much) Trust me, order more than one!

I ORDERED THIS JUST NOW FROM DOORDASH! IM DISGUSTED! 1ST MY MAC AND CHEESE IS LITERALLY PASTE! YOU CAN'T EVEN PICK UP A DAMN NOODLE! A CUP OF MUSH! NO SEASON WHAT SO EVER! MY SWEET POTATOS DON'T HAVE A OUNCE OF PINEAPPLE PIECES NOR FLAVOR AND VERY UNDER SWEETEND! MY WINGS ARE SPOILED! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! SPOILED FRIED WINGS.. THEY TASTE SOUR ON THE 1ST BITE AND SMELL.. THE CATFISH WAS VERY SALTY BUT WAS THE ONLY THING ON THE TRAY MADE RIGHT! JUST OVERLY SEASONED! MY CORN MUFFIN WAS HARD AS A BRICK! IM SO DISAPPOINTED! I HAD HIGH HOPE AFTER SEEING NO MANY REVIEWS AND READING THEM! WHO EVER IS ON DUTY TODAY I HOPE THE MANAGERS CHECK THE KITCHEN CAUSE WHAT I RECIEVED WERE LEFT OVER MAC & YAMS! MAYBE I'LL TRY A DIFFERENT LOCATION TO GET A BETTER EXPERIENCE OF WHAT CLEOS TRULY IS! VERY RARELY HAVE I RECIEVED SPOILED WINGS THAT WERE FRIED TO KEEP FROM THROWING THEM AWAY!

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.

Lawd have mercy boe!!, let me tell y’all somethin’ ‘bout Cleo’s. I sat down with a box of them Cajun Creole fried chicken wings and that golden 24 Karat muffin, and whew baby, it felt like Sunday dinner at My Mama’s house. That chicken got that crunch you can hear ‘fore you even bite it, seasoned up just right with that kick of spice sittin’ on your tongue like a gospel choir. And that muffin? Shiny like gold, soft, sweet, and melt right in your mouth. Cleo’s done put love in this food, and you can taste every bit of it. This here ain’t just a meal—it’s a blessing. Highly Recommend!! I said Highly!!

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.

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

I very much enjoyed their hot honey chicken sandwich. There was a perfect amount of sauce that it didn't overpower the crispy chicken but still a good kick of heat to enjoy. Its loop location is quite small with only a handful of seat but still very quaint and well decorated. The service was excellent - very friendly and answered all my questions. On very minor quip - it would be nice to have a menu board rather than just QR codes.

9.5/10!!! BEST CATFISH no debate, and I'm not just talking in Chicago, I mean period! I'm born and raised in North Carolina and I've never had catfish this good!!! Not even at the family reunion. I should've known this would be my favorite stop in the city this visit when I saw the yams had pineapple in them, and they didn't disappoint. The yams were YAMMIN, with the perfect texture, sweetness, and syrup ratio. My Lord I should've saved some for the flight home. I had the Shanikky which came with a good portion of fish, crab, and chicken, enough to take back to the hotel. The breading of the wings had a great flavor but I don't feel like the seasonings translated all the way through to the meat in my opinion. I also left with a bottle of the Mississippi Sunshine and it was the perfect pairing with the comfort food. Every trip to Chicago going forward has to include some Cleo yams, mandatory. If you're looking for some southern comfort inside the The Loop please do yourself a favor and check out Cleo's.

Alright so boom! I get off the plane, take the train check into my hotel and come straight here after.... Anddd baby let me tell you this place didn't miss! We ordered "the 10" and the "Fly over" with a "Mississippi sunshine" for the drink, with a side of mac and cheese! They have three tables and a total of 7 chairs for them. There's also a high top area with bar stools for sitting as well, this is not a place for large parties.. it's really more like a grab and go or sit and lunch type deal. They do play music along with the music videos on the TV.. it gave me that 200's nostalgia and mainly because the songs were 90's - mid 2000's! The service was perfect, they were very nice and friendly and helpful with the menu of needed. The 10 was good. I'm not a fan of candied sweet potatoes, but that wasn't bad either.. The fly over had some crunchy fish and chicken.. I'm honestly not sure of what's in the sauce on the corn bread but that mf was good.. I'm not sure what they fry their catfish in, being from New Orleans I'm use to the corn meal fish fry. But this wasn't bad. It was a lil too salty for me though but I was able to push through. The drink is huge and big enough to share if needed. The Mac and cheese wasn't bad but I was looking for more flavor and for it to have a cheese pull. Overall the best thing I had was that mfn cornbread! I wouldn't say they have the BEST CATFISH. But it wasn't bad.

FOOD IS 10/10. probably the best catfish I've had in my life and I'm from Louisiana! That sweet sauce set it off!!! The sides were perfection. The cornbread was moist like cake. I loved it!!! Service was good. We accidentally walked in 4 minutes before opening and they made us go back outside lol. It's fine, it was just freezing outside and we took an Uber here. It's cramped in here. So be prepared to be squished!! Not a place for large groups in my opinion. Took some time for the food to come out but well worth it. Honestly the food makes up for everything!! I would 10/10 recommend and I'm definitely stopping by again next time I'm in Chicago.

While in Chicago I had to support the black owned business. Of course the owner is a graduate of a HBCU. Well let's get into this, the menu isn't many options so don't go there thinking its a spread. The fish was good, the chicken was crispy. Maybe I'm tripping but the chicken & fish had a similar taste..that corn bread was pressure! Idk what's on top but omg yea it definitely melts in ya mouth..the mac n cheese was super cheesy..I liked it, the waffle fries was just that waffle fries with seasoning on it..that Mississippi drink (Arnold Palmer) was good af! It really was a balance between the 2..the restaurant was small but there's seating inside..I didnt see a bathroom for the customers so I cant answer that..the staff was friendly the female working the front counter was so patient with us..I'd definitely recommend visiting this place. I was so hungry I didnt get any pictures.

I tried Cleos based on viral reviews online. I ordered online and it was ready upon arrival. Parking in the area is not likely from what I saw. I got the Shanikky with catchfish ,crab, cornbread and chicken wings. I also got a side of mac and cheese. The fish was really salty and I didnt enjoy it to be honest. Its probably not the norm, but mine was just way too heavily salted. The chicken, muffin and mac were delicious though! My favorite was the chicken and corn muffin. I would go back for sure though

The mural on the wall says "Taste the Hype". I'm so glad that I did, as it definitely lived up to its reputation. I visited the location in the loop and they first impressed me with their transparency. I called in my order on a Thursday around 3:45pm and they said it would be ready at 4:30pm. I had to make sure that I heard them correctly, but this tells me that the food is fresh and the restaurant is busy. My order was ready right on time. There are 3 tables and some stools at the window if you choose to dine-in (no restroom). I ordered the "Ten" meal. 5 (maybe 6) pieces of catfish, pineapple sweet potatoes and cornbread. I also added my own side of Mac n cheese. CATFISH - Pieces were very generously sized. Fried crispy to perfection. I had to really think about this, but it was the best catfish I have ever tasted. It's a little spicy, but fortunately I like spice. My wife ate it cold and raved about it. My mother-in-law also said that this was some of the best fish she has ever tasted. Finally, my kids had some the next afternoon and also raved about it. This fish is special. SWEET POTATOES - Also amazing although I didn't taste the pineapple flavor. It was most likely a glaze that was mixed in with the potatoes. CORNBREAD - I loved it. It's glazed with Cleo's 24 karat good sauce. I'm glad that I purchased extra. MAC N CHEESE - I will give an 8 out of 10. It was definitely above average. Cleo's was great and I will definitely return when in Chicago. Can't wait to try more selections and get this delicious catfish again.

I heard about Cleo's from my partner who heard about it from Keith Lee on TikTok. It's the famed 10/10 given by Keith, so it was a big deal. Well, I feel extremely lucky this is in Chicago because after eating it once I think I can't live without more of it!! We got the Float and Fly which was fried catfish and chicken wings. My first bite into the catfish made me transcend a little bit. The perfect fry and seasoning in the batter was not something I've ever had with fried catfish before. That was seriously a 10/10. The fried chicken wings were equally as good and beautifully crispy without being hard and dense. We also got the Creole Crab Mac and Cheese which was divine. It was PACKED full with crab meat and the flavors were savory and delicious but not overly rich. Finally, the 24-Karat Muffins. They have the most delicious glaze on top and the muffin was so moist and tasty. The glaze was sweet and golden and tasted strongly of butter and sugar, like a light and thinner caramel sauce. These were so good, we had 3 with our meal and then I got 2 more to go (and immediately ate one when I got home). Seriously some of the best food you can get in the Loop and maybe in the wider Chicago area too. The restaurant is pretty small but had tables and counter seating along the window. Most orders seemed to be for to go and they had a constant stream of orders coming in. There's no bathroom, just something to keep in mind.

Well I can confirm the reputation for this place is well deserved! A New Yorker was the first person to place Cleo's on my radar as he raved about the awesome soul food here! Said it was some of the best he's had! I was like ok, let me order via DoorDash and see whats up. Food was really good as I got the classic creole fried 6 wings, mac & cheese, and pineapple candied sweet potatoes along with the corn muffin dipped in 24 carat gold sauce! While it was good ordered, I knew the true test would be to show up in person to try. Came by last week to see if it was even better in person! The restaurant itself isnt the biggest as it has about 4 dining tables and the rest is window seating which seats about 6. You can of course order and pickup. I ran back my doordash order from months prior, but was convinced by the young lady at the counter I should add on Mississippi Sunshine sweet tea. She was right...drink was very good and a nice size. The seasoning on the wings is very much on point and some of the best I've had! Mac & Cheese and sweet potatoes are a must and goes well with the wings. That muffin is something else! Woooo! I joked with the staff that everything was made with crack as everything I ate/drank is addictive. Staff is very nice and attentive! You can tell they take pleasure in providing a great experience at Cleo's

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

This place is a hidden gem!!! I'm soooo happy I went there!!! The best soul food on the planet!!! ( No they do not sell ribs!!) My friend had The Ten mac and cheese he never looked up!!!! Just keep giving me thumbs up!!! lol it looked delicious I had the crab over catfish and I swear it changed my life lol for the better it was sooo seasoned you don't need hot sauce tartar nothing!! Served hot!!

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.

Don't walk... RUN!! We went while there for Beyonce in May and they were packed (it's pretty small) but we were able to have a seat and the wait wasn't crazy (45 mins). Trust, it was worth it! Fish fried to perfection! Sides were soooo good! I even took some fish fry home and have been using it to fry fish, shrimp, and fried green tomatoes. At home I do cut it with corn meal as it's a little spicy for me. Give this place a try!

I came here for a lunch with my colleague and I was disappointed in the food. It pains me to write a low star review but I just wasn't pleased with the meal. I ordered the catfish, along with Mac and cheese and candy yams. For 38.00, I expect my food to be pipping hot and my sides to be BUSSIN! This was not it. My catfish was lukewarm at best although seasoned well. It wasn't crispy because it was not hot. My Mac and cheese was crumbly or had a crumble texture. I don't even know how to explain it, and the yams lacked flavor. The corn bread muffin was yummy. At high price, this isn't a spot you can really sit and enjoy your meal. You grab and go. I'm happy the owner is doing well and expanded location. However I will not return. For what you pay for the food here, it needs to be knock out the park good. I've learnt to not always believe the hype like tick tock and instagram because they will send you off.

Just like Mama used to make! The food here always puts me in the mindset of my Mama's cooking--warm, comforting, and absolutely delicious. Every bite feels like home. The staff has great teamwork, and it really shows in the service. Shoutout to the whole team for creating such a welcoming experience. I'll definitely be back!

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!

This place is everything Keith Lee said it was. The food is outstanding--flavorful, comforting, and clearly made with love. Yes, the service can be slow, but I'm still giving them a full five stars because the food is that good. And if you plan on dining inside, the restaurant is small with limited seating. Pro tip: Order ahead and bring your patience. My top picks? "The Ten" (a Keith Lee special), The Crabbie Cat, or the Hot Cat. You can't go wrong with the fried catfish or fried chicken, and the sides? Whew. The pineapple candied sweet potatoes and creole crab mac & cheese are heavenly. Don't skip the 24k gold muffins or a Purple Rain drink to finish. Note: They're closed on weekends--so plan accordingly!

OMG!!! Had the Cottage Grove location on our list, but stumbled upon this location when we were dtown. We ordered The FlyOver, The Ten, a side of Mac & Cheese. Everything was hot, fresh and amazing!!! The staff was great and seemed to enjoy working there, which is always a pleasure to see. I only have 2 grips about our experience...it's a SUUUUPER small space (3 tables & a couple window stools...understanding that square footage is prime dtown) and the desire for more than two drink selections (glad we had water w us) Next time, we'll try the Cottage Grove location.

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

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

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!

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!

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'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.

For starters, the food is excellent. If you want to eat here over a lunch hour, you _must_ order ahead. This place is in demand. I recommend getting it to go and sitting by the river. Seating area is tiny and crowded. I had the Float and Fly which thankfully comes with their cornbread muffin. Was that a sweet butter glaze on top? Omg. Wings and catfish were delightful. I need to try the yams next time.

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.

Went to the location on Wells (previously visited the station they had at Time Out Market) this past May. The staff was very warm and friendly. It's not a big space at all so please keep that in mind. The FOOD!!!! A1 - from the corn muffins to the mac n cheese & sweet potatoes to the chicken and the fish. Absolutely no notes. Cleo's, but more specifically this location, has a repeat customer in me.

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.

great delivery pkg and service. fried fish way too spicy for my palate. fried chicken wings crispy and just yummy. waffle fries just ok. really wish they had mashed potatoes will not order from here again but will order from wilma's!

Make it your business to try this restaurant. Food was hot and fresh. I advise ordering ahead of time, but the wait isn't bad. Staff is friendly. It's a little smaller in the inside but homey. I'll be returning!

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 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.

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.

AMAZING customer service and believe all the hype the food is AMAZING as well! thank you!!

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!

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 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!

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.

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!!

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.

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.

My family and I just came out from Vegas and heard of this place and had to come through. The food was IMMACULATE. The catfish was crispy and well seasoned. The corn bread was so soft and sweet. Will be telling all my people about this spot in Chicago.

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 have heard so many things about this place. It's just been all over social media and that they have rated a 10 out of 10. Well to each it's own, but I would give it a a five out of 10 I had Keith Lee special, which was the three catfish fillets with the sauce and the crab meat on top with the three wings and the muffin and the pineapple sweet potato . I will say the chicken had no seasoned at all !!!!!! so it was like nothing and the catfish was a little salty. I wish they would've took some salt off the fish and put it on the chicken I think they should've changed their cooking oil because the fish color was dark . What was very tasty was the sauce that they put on top of the fish with the crab meat that was really good, I enjoyed that part. I would've rather just have that and the muffin was just a regular cornbread muffin with honey on top and it was way too much honey, but it taste like the muffin was jiffy cornbread with honey on top and it, didn't do it for me. The sweet potato pineapple didn't do it for me either. And the place is really really small and I know the prices of rent in the loop is probably ridiculous and she's just trying to make her profit, but stayed crowded. People will constantly coming in and out , I just was not impressed at all I will not be going back. What's good some is not good to all. That's why we have a variety of restaurants and this one is not for me but I will always support black businesses

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