Crying Tiger

We visited Crying Tiger yesterday and had such a great experience! I’m vegetarian and loved that they had a lot of tasty vegetarian options — everything was fresh and full of flavor. The friends I went with eat fish and meat, and they were just as impressed with their dishes. Highly recommend checking it out!

You know how some restaurants are so beautiful you just know the food is going to be shit? Crying Tiger is the exception. Paralleled equally in taste and atmosphere, Crying Tiger has ruined every other South East Asian restaurant for me forever, because it’s truly that good. Visiting from NYC, I managed to cop a 8:15 reservation for the same night our flight landed. I couldn’t believe my luck because reservations were all booked for the duration of our stay, so I recommend checking same day to snag any cancellations. My one reservation—the pork belly, the sole reason my partner and I booked the reservation, was sold out only 4 hours into the night. That’s okay because somehow there are no bad items on the menu. Roti, chicken satay, etc. I’m serious. My partner and I were in shock at how every bite was just as good as the last. The absolute highlight is their dessert menu. Do yourself a favor and leave some room for the Toasted Coconut Sundae. I’m actually seething in jealousy at the fact this is not a plane ride away for some people. Try it. I promise you will not regret it. (Note: I was convinced I ruined our trip by booking such a delicious restaurant our first night, but this city truly has the most amazing restaurants.)

We got a seat at the bar since we didn’t have a reservation. I loved the decor and atmosphere. We tried something from every section and it was all delicious! The most unexpected dish was the shrimp toast. I thought it would be on top of little slices of bread but instead a filling in a Chinese donut, it was really good. My favorite dish was the crying tiger desert.. perfect way to end the meal!

Great experience at crying tiger. Food was amazing and so was the ambiance and decor. Will definitely be back!

Absolutely incredible food and service! Highly recommend the glass noodles, lobster pad thai, wagyu beef nam tok and the crying tiger for dessert. The flavors of every dish were unique and delicious. The restaurant (including the bathroom) are absolutely stunning.

I’m originally from Thailand, and I absolutely love the flavors at this restaurant! The dishes taste just like authentic central Thai cuisine . The decor is stylish and beautifully designed, and the service is excellent attentive and friendly. Highly recommend: -Thai Beer (Singha): Smooth, light, and easy to drink. -Grilled Wagyu (Thai-style Larb): Bold, spicy, and aromatic with toasted rice . best enjoyed with fresh mint and herbs. -Pad Thai Lobster: Slightly sweet and well-balanced, very close to the real Pad Thai flavors from Thailand. -Panang Curry Duck: Rich and creamy with a hint of sweetness; the duck is perfectly cooked. -Dessert “Tiger Crying”: A must-try! Smooth and unique flavor that rounds off the meal beautifully. Additionally:Must try grill sticky rice with grill Wagyu salad .so yummy

Amazing experience at Crying Tiger 😍🔥 I ordered the clay pot lobster pad thai and it was incredible, rich flavor and perfectly cooked 🍜🦞 Special shoutout to Didi she’s amazing and made my visit even better with her kindness and great service 💖🙌 Highly recommend this place if you’re in the area 📍✨

Great atmosphere, excellent and friendly service. Thanks Jo! And food was spectacular!!

Overall Experience was a 10/10. The food was INCREDIBLE. the basil chicken was the best I have ever had. Duck Panang Curry was amazing, as was the satay chicken skewer w/ peanut sauce. To top it off, our server, Jesse, was in a class of his own. Super knowledgeable and explained how everything was prepared. As close to a perfect restaurant experience as I have EVER had in Chicago. Will return many times in the future.

The food was authentic and delicious! Prawn Toast, Lobster Pad Thai in Clay Pot, and Sautés Baby Broccoli, with a French Sarah. Service provided by Niya was wonderful, and Anselmo provided a warm welcome when we arrived. The atmosphere was very modern, yet Asian, with a romantic and business appeal. In the background played upbeat, mellow 80's Hip Hop music devoid of cursing and violence. Highly recommend. Moderate pricing. Memorable evening.

Came here with a group of coworkers for a team dinner, and Crying Tiger definitely lived up to the hype. The ambiance alone is worth mentioning: a very vibey, upscale space that works just as well for a night out with friends or colleagues as it would for a date. Service was another highlight. Our server and the whole staff were incredibly attentive and helpful throughout the night. Our waitress gave fantastic recommendations, which made it easy for us to try a good chunk of the menu. We went the family-style route, which I think is the best way to enjoy this place. The dishes were full of flavor and fun to share. Overall the food was good, though for me the flavors didn't stand out quite as much as some other 5-star restaurants I've been to. Still, it was a great experience and I'd definitely come back. A strong spot for groups and anyone looking for a lively, elevated dining vibe.

Friendly tip: they do not take walk-ins for a table! We ended up waiting around 20 min to get two seats at the bar which is full-service. We ordered: - wagyu short rib khao soi (8.5/10): disclaimer, I am just not the biggest fan of khao soi, it's a bit too heavy and rich for me, but my friend loved it! - crab fried rice (8/10): definitely more of an accompaniment than a main dish, missing a bit of extra oomph to make it stand out. still prefer haisous's - pork belly (7.5/10): very crispy but also fatty, the sauce did a great job of cutting through it though, would've liked a bit more for $19 overall, the food was good but I'm not running to go back, service at the bar was incredible though (they were great at dealing with allergies), and interior was beautiful. May come back for drinks and dessert instead next time!

The dessert was my favorite part of the meal. It was so well rounded - gorgeous, rich, and creamy. The banana wasn't super overpowering but at a perfect level. The khao soi was pretty standard (they were a little stingy w the meat) and the crab fried rice was a little dry for my liking. Flavors were decent overall. The pork belly was not tender and clashed with the overly crispy skin. The sauce was amazing though

Highly suggest making a reservation so you're not waiting too long as a walk in. But there's also barely any reservations since this new restaurant is the current talk of the town My friends and I really enjoyed the duck panag, pork belly, and hamachi. The duck was tender and delicious, and the sauce for the pork belly was mouthwatering. However there were some mid items. The basil chicken was so salty, it was hard to fully enjoy. The sugarcane juice was off putting of an aftertaste. Maybe it was my fault to compare it to authentic sugar cane juice bc I didn't taste like one at all. As for the other drinks. They were okay. We wanted to order the green tiger dessert but after looking around, it seemed that everyone left their table with it unfinished. The interior design of the restaurant was very beautiful and bigger than I expected! The workers are also so sweet and helpful.

Visually pleasing and a nice ambiance. Only thing we witness is a couple of staffs members drop plates and one of the staff members over stacking plates and spill a drink, due to that, on another customers back. We help her out a bit but, I did notice the manager come over and speak to her. I loved their Thai Coconut Colada it's not too sweet. Order a lot here had dinner with some friends. Way Beef - delicious and slight spicy. Beef is perfectly cooked. Chicken Satay- not my favorite, kind of dry but loved the peanut sauce. Pork Belly- One of my favorites, very crunchy top and tender pork. Flavor is perfect. Papaya Salad- also one of my favorites, perfect amount of citrus balance pairs well with the pork belly. Glass noodle- absolutely the best, must try for sure. Barbecue chicken- very good and a little garlic heavy which I like. However it can be a little dry. Wish there was some kind of sauce so it's not so try. Crying tiger- perfectly sweet. Not going to spoil the surprise of it but perfect dessert. I would come back again and try other thing the menu looks very good

Was super excited for the opening of this restaurant (it's nice to have another upscale Asian restaurant in the downtown Chicago dining scene) and it didn't disappoint! Was able to snag an early weekend dinner here and although it was fully booked, service was prompt and attentive the whole dinner. I started with a Thai tea milk punch which was beautifully made, not as strong of a tea flavor as I expected but still satisfying and well balanced. The prawn toast seemed very popular (seemed like half the tables were getting it) so we also tried it, and it was super crispy with a savory shrimp filling pairing well with the tangy herbed dipping sauce:m; we also got the chicken larb which had a nice portion of chicken and was full of herbs and lime, although it didn't have the same salty or spicy punch some other places do. Our mains were the khao soi which was super rich and full of flavor, with nice big chunks of incredibly tender beef, although my one comment would be to share it with someone as it gets a bit heavy the more you eat and my wife doesn't eat red meat so I ate almost all of it; we also got the lobster pad Thai which was nicely seasoned and full of juicy lobster. As a side I also added the crispy eggplant banh xeo which was a really interesting way to fuse the idea of a Vietnamese banh xeo (crispy savory egg pancake) with eggplant, and while it was beautifully thin and crispy, it was overly oily from the chili oil and the flavors didn't quite meld the way I thought they would. For dessert, we we got the toasted coconut sundae which had a decadent pandan caramel balanced by a generous heaping of salted candied peanuts, which was a perfect way to end the meal. Overall, while some dishes were better than others, the food was good all around and coming from someone who's very used to eating Vietnamese food, it was nice to see all these Southeast Asian cuisines get the spotlight here. Will definitely plan to come back to try more of the menu!

Not one of lettuce entertain you's hits. Shocked by a lot of the reviews. I don't think it's an upgrade to the space. Is the interior pretty- yes. But for a restaurant that was opened for a month the tables are already very wobbly, and glasses were dirty. We were greeted and seated right away. Our waitress came by introduced herself and dropped off the menu. With the restaurant being my so new I expected to be walked through the lay of the land versus having to ask a dozen questions- tell me about the menu, recommendations , how much do you reccomend we order etc etc. Everything was good but nothing wow'd us We ordered: Hamachi crisp- good fresh Shrimp toast- fine broke apart in the sauce Black cod- a bit fishy, overcooked Rolled noodles- delish! Cocktails were fine. Nothing stood out. As much as I love lettuce entertain you I have zero interest to return here

First of all, YUM! The food was fantastic, the shrimp toast was super flavorful with the sauce and so crispy. They gave us a large portion for an appetizer for two. I also absolutely loved the whole branzino it paired perfectly with the crab fried rice. Even though reservations were super tricky to get, I can 100% understand why. Everything was too good! I can't wait to come back here again!

I loved this restaurant. It definitely lived up to the hype. The exterior and interior design is incredible. The service was impeccable, our waitress and other staff refilled our water and took our plates when we were done almost immediately. The food was also great. The pickled soda was a bit thicker and syrupy than I thought but still good but I did prefer the Vietnamese iced coffee. For the appetizers I really liked the chicken satay and the peanut sauce that was included. Definitely recommend that dish. The spring rolls were also pretty good but my favorite was the chicken satay. My favorite main dish was the duck curry. It came with rice and it was so flavorful, warm, and just made very well. The duck pieces basically fell off the bone because it was cooked so well. The roti with the curry was also phenomenal and reheated very well. I would say the lobster pad Thai was also really good but lacked a bit of seasoning and the crab fried rice wasn't as good and also lacked a bit of flavor. We added some soy sauce and it was fine. Highly recommend coming and I will be back for sure.

I am always hesitant about trying upscale Southeast Asian food, however, Crying Tiger seemed super promising, especially being familiar with Chef Dang. The work that was put into every detail of this place was stunning. It's giving retro nostalgic vibes of SE Asian restaurants in the 90's meets jungle opulence. I was OBSESSED. Bathrooms? 10/10. We started with the non-alc Sugar Cane drink which was delightful. It perfectly highlighted the natural flavor of fresh squeezed sugar cane with a hint of citrus. The freezer martini was incredible and has an herbal-y touch to it which I thoroughly enjoyed. My glass was also replaced halfway through with a new fresh and icy glass to keep the 'freezer' martini vibes going. I appreciated this a lot. The menu is sectioned off into categories and with most Asian spots, this is a family-style dining menu. I would say you could easily share a handful of these items between 2 or even 4. My partner and I shared a couple items across the menu and had a little bit of leftovers. We started with the crispy pork belly which featured a tangy fish sauce pepper on top. The pork had a good balance of crispy, fatty and meaty parts and I was glad that the pepper had a good kick to it! If you like spicy, this is a good option. We also had the green papaya salad which reminds me of a fusion between Thai and Vietnamese papaya salad. I loved all of the herbal notes from the Thai basil and cilantro. The dressing was perfectly sweet and salty. Really enjoyed this one! Trailing over to the 'heartier' dishes, we did the wagyu short rib khao soi and the special clay pot lobster pad thai. The wagyu short rib in the khao soi was so tender and a fantastic addition to a curry like this. The mix of the crispy and soft noodles adds so much texture to the dish. Highly recommend this if you've never had Khao Soi! The Pad Thai was also delicious and there is a fair amount of lobster in it. I love Pad Thai and find that a handful of restaurants have a difficult time balancing the flavors of sweet, salty and sour, however, this version isn't too bad. It was a tad bit salty for my taste, maybe too much fish sauce, but overall, still enjoyable! I also like that it wasn't too wet or too dry - a good pad thai should be right in the middle. A handful of these dishes are very fish sauce heavy, so if this isn't your thing, maybe try other dishes. We ended our meal with the Crying Tiger which is a banana foster dessert. You can't come to Crying Tiger and not get the Crying Tiger! 10/10 recommend, so cool and very yummy if you like banana! Our waiter was also super helpful and the rest of the staff were great. We were pretty impressed with everything we ordered and look forward to coming back to try more! It's amazing seeing SEA cuisine shared in a space like this.

Saw some ads for this new restaurant and managed to snag an early Saturday dinner reservation! Let me just say that the interior designer(s) did their thanggg. Are we getting tired of everyone using minimalist/neutral color palettes for the sake of being "modern" or is it just me? When we walked into Crying Tiger, we immediately looked at each other like "THERE'S COLORS" The interior is truly fantastic. They really put together the perfect mix of textures and colors, and every section of the restaurant looked a bit different from the next. Draped cloths hugged the ceiling, and there was plant decor in every corner. I wish I was able to take a quick tour of the entire restaurant just to stare haha. We came at 4:15 and there was already a decent amount of other patrons there. When we left, there was quite the crowd in the lobby waiting, so I'm happy we were able to come before word spreads across all the social platforms. Service was good despite just having recently opened. The staff uniforms look sooooo comfy! We ordered two warm dishes (prawn toast+pork belly) and two larger dishes (crab rice and khao soi). The two warm dishes came out in record time, I swear it must've been less than 7 minutes! Prawn toast: surprisingly light. I find that a lot of other places tend to be too oily and heavy, but this was a perfect crisp. I'm unsure how they fit the prawn inside, but it definitely felt like a good chunk of prawn rather than just a minced ball (I could be wrong though). The accompanying sauce was something I need to keep stocked in my fridge at all times. Spicy, sour, herbaceous, it had everything and it helped balance the fried portion of the dish so well. Pork belly: This was pretty good, but the only thing I didn't love was that the crispy skin was extremely hard rather than crackly. The skin is always my fave part of crispy pork belly, but I was worries that I was going to break something, so I unfortunately had to take some of it off the pieces. Some people might like that texture, but just not my thing! Khao soi: Honestly just plain pretty to look at. I'm happy I opted to mix it myself so I could take a picture of it before things got saucy. The beef was SO tender and the textures of the crispy noodles, veggies, and soft noodles was top tier. My only regret is that I glossed over the sides section of the menu and only later saw that they had roti on there. I'm smacking myself just imagining dipping the roti in the curry sauce :( Crab fried rice: Lots of crab included! The crispy shallots (or garlic?) were a nice pop of crunch and flavor in each bite. Drinks: I really like that they have interesting NA drinks on the list. They cocktail menu is pretty unique, but I definitely want to try their regular drinks as well in the future. Much better than the standard "zero proof" section that other places have.

I think place is a great find. I recently discoverd it, much like Columbus discovered the Americas. Bacially it seems to be a Thai place, though the staff were calling it Southeast Asian. So maybe a bit of a blend of cuisine types. In terms of vegetarian options, they had a few things on the menu, which was nice. To start, we had the veggie spring rolls. Really nice a crispy. In a small twist, the come with these lettuce wraps, which we used to wrap the roll. I guess no roll and just filling would been a healthier option, but it was something different? Next or curries they have one veggie one and that turned out great. I loved the flavor and the squash made it better, and I'm kind of surprised to even say that about squash. We did have the panang curry without the chicken. I'd say it was not that good. Very bland and with the original prices (including the meat), it wasn't worth it and I wouldn't get it next time. The crispy rice noodle dish was interesting. The noodles are like what you'd get for pad kee mao, but they're like rolled up and friend. They were fine. Next time I might try the glass noodle option instead. Lastly, the belle of the ball was the eggplant side. Wow. Never had anything like it. The seasoning was POW and it was just outstanding. Really loved it. I wished they had a couple more veggie options on the menu. That's my only main feedback to them. Service was good and the ambiance is really nice. But win for River North to have this place. Love the exterior look as well. Very fancy and classy. I will definitely be back.

Got to experience the opening of Crying Tiger and it truly knocks it out of the park on south Asian flavors. Every dish on the menu seems like a must have. We were incredibly impressed with the whole branzino--key is to scoop off a bit of fish and slather the sauce on top (skin remains flakey but the flavor is remarkable)--and the rolled rice noodles (if you like pad se ewe, you will crave this dish). The hamachi was a perfect light starter and the shrimp toast is a flavor bomb and large app you can share with many (for 2, it was a lot to eat). Do NOT skip dessert. The toasted coconut sundae is decadent but soft flavors with the perfect salty, peanut crunch. We were so impressed with the gorgeous decor and the staff for being early in their service were rockstars. Chef even came out and chatted with us for a moment. We can't wait to be back.

Really excited to have a new delicious Asian restaurant in the area! I thought all of the food here was delicious. Some of the service was a bit slow, but it was busy and they are newly opened and just getting their footing so I am sure it will continue to improve. Everyone working was very friendly and helpful. The crab fried rice was the most tasty menu item by far, but all were really great and I would eat anything again.

New favorite Chicago restaurant right here! From the incredible food to the beautiful decor and lovely staff, this was a meal for the books. The space has had a major revamp since its days as Hub 51, with dazzling gold adornments and foliage posted all around. This was admittedly my third time trying to get in- I highly recommend booking a reservation, which can already be few and far between. While bar seating is first come first serve, I wouldn't count on getting a spot. Now, onto the food! I opted for the signature barbecue chili crisp chicken. Let me tell you, it's no exaggeration to say that this is one of the best dishes I've had in my life. The half chicken was crispy on the outside and incredibly tender with the most delicious sauce. The depth of flavor was truly stellar. The chicken was served on a bed of seasoned cabbage alongside super buttery and flaky roti. This would definitely be enough for two people. For dessert, I tried the crying tiger, which is truly a work of art. I wouldn't say the actual flavors are anything revolutionary, but it's tasty if you like bananas and caramel. I did enjoy the crispy caramel underneath the cake layer. I also tried the Vietnamese coffee ice cream, which was super flavorful and not too sweet. This experience was an absolute 12/10 for me. I can't wait to return and try more of the menu! Update: Couldn't stay away and already made a return trek! The second visit was every bit as good as the first. I ordered the banana blossom coconut salad and the short rib khao soi. Do not sleep on this salad! It is so unique, flavorful, and refreshing- the perfect complement to a rich entree. The khao soi was rich and warming- it is so clear that the sauce is house made. The combination of cooked and dried noodles was a perfect combination of slurpiness and texture. The meat was also nice and tender. Again, I can't recommend Crying Tiger enough and am plotting round three already!

Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines - hands down! After a whole lot of business trips to the motherland - "Bangkok", I've learned to understand and appreciate this foods idiosyncrasies; mainly, what makes it so damn good! Being a L.A. boy, I immersed myself in the bevy of Thai restaurants my (then) city had to offer; and offer it did, Moving to Chicago four years ago, I was flabbergasted at how this magnificent city was (also) making magnificent Thai food - and I had my favorite restaurants to frequent. But tonight at Crying Tiger, I ate Thai food that was so elevated and so unreal, you could knocked me over with a feather! Now, I was expecting a stellar dinner; after all we were going to a "Lettuce Entertain You" restaurant and this group only does - winners. But what we got tonight was food so extravagant it even made even my snappy wife, thaw! We started off with: * A Betel Leaf Old Raj Gin & Lemongrass Scented Vermouth Blend Freezer Martini With Thai Herb Oil that was eye rolling * Of course we had a large Singa Beer - like always * Chicken Laarb and Fresh Herb Salad that was delicious * Our usual Hong Kong-style crab fried rice with basil and garlic that was a far cry from usual - It was exotic * Clay Pot Lobster Pad Thai half Maine lobster, tamarind, peanuts - this dish Stole The Show! The ambiance was comfortably warm The service was excellent There wasn't an empty seat in the place; and I now know why I wasn't surprised to find out that The Crying Tiger had at its helm - Chef Partner and James Beard Finalist Thai Dang Everything about Crying Tiger and this night, just worked!

Crying Tiger! Wow. A mix of Southeast Asia night life clashing with Chicago's industrial edge. These flavors were bold, the spot is energetic and dramatic, the staff was bustling and approachable. Lettuce Entertain You group is on the right track. I will be coming back to experiment the rest of the menu! Thank you Crying Tiger!

Crying Tiger is the Thai steakhouse Chicago didn't know it was desperately missing, until the first bite of that weeping, fiery beef made the entire city collectively lose its mind. Tucked into the old Bad Hunter space on Randolph Row, the room glows like a Bangkok night market had a love child with a Chicago tavern: neon tigers prowling across the wall, bamboo and dark wood, low lights, and a soundtrack that slides from Isaan folk to city-pop without ever missing a beat. It's sexy but never trying too hard, loud enough to feel alive but you can still hear your date confess their undying love over the sizzle of grilled pork jowl. And oh, the food. The Crying Tiger itself (grilled wagyu ribeye served rare and sliced, bathed in that ferocious roasted-rice lime-chili dipping sauce) is one of the single best things I've eaten all year. One bite and your eyes actually water from flavor, not just heat. The sai oua sausage is smoky, herbal, and pops in your mouth like Thai fireworks. The hat yai fried chicken is impossibly crunchy outside and juicy inside, served with sticky rice and a pile of crispy shallots you'll fight over. Even the "simple" som tam Thai papaya salad is perfectly balanced: sour, salty, sweet, spicy, and crunchy enough to wake up your soul. Don't sleep on the Isaan-style larb, the nam tok kor moo grilled pork neck, or the khao soi that shows up on weekends and sells out before you can blink. Everything is meant to share, meant to make you lean across the table, steal one more bite, and order another Singha or funky natural wine from the killer list. The cocktails are pure mischief (the Thai tea old fashioned with pandan-washed bourbon is dangerous; the lychee-martini-meets-Thai-sabai is summer in a glass). Service is warm, fast, and full of genuine excitement; they'll warn you when you order "Thai spicy" and cheer when you survive it. Crying Tiger doesn't feel like another trendy pop-up; it feels like a place that's going to be packed every night for the next decade. It's the rare restaurant that makes you equally happy on a first date, a birthday with twelve friends, or solo at the bar demolishing pork jowl and grinning like an idiot. Chicago, we don't deserve this place, but I'm so glad it found us. Every time I leave, I'm already plotting my return. See you tomorrow (probably tonight). Crying Tiger, you beautiful beast. You've ruined me for every other steak, Thai or otherwise. Keep making us cry happy tears.

This place is phenomenal and a great addition to the downtown food scene. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the perfect place for any occasion. The standouts from our meal was the Sugarcane Beef, Porkbelly and the Lobster Pad Thai. The only downside was that there was WAY too much service staff traffic. It was difficult navigating the restaurant to find the bathroom and the table with 30 food runners and servers.

They have a fun, spacious, and colorful spot with an eclectic vibe. The food was quite good -- we tried the prawn toast, lobster pad thai, and roasted black cod in tom yum broth. The fish was perfectly cooked and the broth had great depth of flavor. I appreciated that the pad thai wasn't overly sweet, which so many places get wrong. It was a bit disappointing that most of the desserts were unavailable, leaving only the sundae, but overall it was a really good experience. Our server was also incredibly kind and attentive.

Reddit sent me... among other things they mentioned the pork belly was an 11/10, and among the top 5 dishes they've had in their life. Sold! I went in that same day. On this visit, I kept it light: I ordered the Hamachi Crudo and the pork belly, with a Thai Iced Tea to wash it all down. First, let me tell you about the Crudo: this stuff was top notch! The fish was of fantastic quality, and was allowed to shine without being overpowered by the other elements on the plate. The chilis added the perfect amount of heat, the crispy shallot (I think) just a little bit of crunch and additional savory notes, and the sauce brought everything together with a heavenly intersection of tangy, savory, sweet, and salty. A definite 10/10. Now, let's talk about the pork belly. While this dish was almost fantastic, I wouldn't put it in my top 5, or even my top 10. The pork belly was cooked to perfection, with the meaty part tender as can be, and the fatty part rendered with Michelin level exactitude. Something I personally wasn't sold on was the skin. While I appreciate that it was delectably roasted, it needed work in the mouth before ingestion. Maybe this is just my Type-A personality, which desires inhaling my meals like a Dyson? No worries though, knives exist! To be fair, when I return, I will, 100%, order this again, and will not be cutting the skins off. The accompanying garlic and herbs helped round out the flavors, giving the meat more brightness and a little earthiness. As for the sauce, like with the Hamachi, the Nước chấm brought the flavor! My palate isn't cultured enough to nail the differences between it and the Crudo, only to say it was absolutely fantastic. Let's say this one was a 8.5/10. When it comes to the Thai Iced Tea, this was a mixed bag, but not in the way you think. I appreciate that this was made and mixed fresh, rather than being from a large container (which first came from powder). While the flavors weren't bad, this tea was sweeter than other similar drinks, which worked to overpower the flavor. Also, I found that a considerable amount of volume was taken up by ice. With an alcoholic drink, I know I am getting a certain measure of booze, whereas the math changes with this one. Considering the value, I'd rate this one a 6/10, and can't say I'd order again. Next, let's talk service and vibe: The service was top-notch! It was superbly friendly, perfectly attentive without overdoing it, and the food came out fast and fresh to boot! Where it comes to their vibe, it is a warm, colorful, and inviting space. It is also very unique, as the use of Thai cultural influence is very apparent. At the same time, it doesn't feel overdone, more like one stepped into a storybook restaurant! Final verdict: While I did have some quibbles and I disagree with the Redditor on the pork belly, I still feel Crying Tiger is fantastic! I can't wait to return and try more of their deliciousness, and if they continue to impress (which I am sure they will), bring friends and family here too.

I was ready to try this new restaurant as soon as I saw it for the first time on tik tok! The ambiance was beautiful, and they didn't skip out on any details when designing the restaurant. The service was good! They were very attentive and had great suggestions of what to try. The best part was the food. I had the pork belly and shrimp toast to start, and it was amazing. I loved the sauce they paired with both dishes. My friend got the crab fried rice, and she really enjoyed it. I tasted it, and it was delicious. I tried the wagyu beef khao soi. It was delicious and the coconut curry broth was amazing! My only small complaint is that the beef wasn't as tender as they claimed. It wasn't tough, but it wasn't the most tender I've ever had. For dessert, we had the ice cream Sunday and it was 10/10. My meal was accompanied by the milk punch cocktail, and it was so good! Overall, it was a great meal, and I would recommend this place for dates or special occasions.

Wow stunning first walking in with all the modern decor and r and b hip hop in the background you cannot deny that this is the place to be for your night out . Firstly , Unfortunately our table was wobbly and host tried to add like a square didn't work . I knew in order to make this a better experience we had to switch tables . Thankful for our waitress Diana we were able to switch tables we were sat in more private area which was nice wasn't too loud so we didn't wanna leave that area . So literally picked up love tables sorry to the table next to us if you had to eat at a wobbly table but no one should enjoy an amazing meal while their table is moving. Getting right to the drinks and food -- everything was truly delicious and I can't wait to try the rest of the menu. Unfortunately the drink I chose pickled plum soda wasn't what I thought it was I thought it was going to be more melon sour flavor with my fave calmansi but it didn't hit . Thankful for Diana our waitress for recommending mango limeade that was gone in minutes . Started off with crispy h.k. pork belly with garlic herb nuoc cham Crispy amazing if you love that tangy fishy chili sauce this is the one . Can't wait to have it again. Next bird's eye chili and hamachi crudo Fresh flavorful could do another order . It just melted in your mouth . Greater cold dish. Wagyu Short Rib Khao Soi with Crispy Noodles Curry was just full of flavor and the noodles just on point and the meat just melted in your mouth the crispy noodles just really rounded that thick rich sauce. Who gets buttered corn we do ! Didn't expect it to be so savory a with a kick . Crispy eggplant banh xeo was so savory it gave me an idea of a Filipino dish called tortang talong which is an eggplant omelet. Just perfect as a side dish with everything we had . Last minute decides was the hong Kong style crab fried rice yum flavorful every bite and adding some of that Panag curry drizzle over was the best decision . Of course we cannot forget the amazing dessert and wow they out did themselves . Crying tiger nothing like it but it is a must have presentation is everything delicious putter chocolate with a warm banana mousse and the sauce around made it worth every bite . Sundae wow ! The size definitely fit for 2-4 people Forsure shareable but no judgement if you can finish the whole thing it's that good . The coconut whip and cream was smooth and creamy the little surprises of salted peanuts reminded me of delicious brittle . With all that being said Crying Tiger you outdid your self . I have a thing about bathrooms and wow let me see even if you don't have to go please check it out . Taking the time for something like that shows you want your diners have an experience and we did . I do give them a 4.8 just the table really and almost three off our meal but we didn't let it . Can't wait I go back and enjoy it the rest of the menu and hopefully no wobbly table .

Walking around River North all summer, I saw this place being built and KNEW I had to come here! I had reservations on a Friday night and booked them as soon as the restaurant opened, so it wasn't too difficult, but I expect the wait for reservations to be longer now. This place is beautiful! It has a warm, elegant vibe that makes you feel like you've entered a different world. The service is great. I asked whether I should get the plum soda or the sugarcane juice. The server suggested the sugarcane juice, and it was a great recommendation, my friend got the plum soda and we didn't enjoy that one. For drinks, I had the Thai iced tea and the sugarcane juice mocktail (both were amazing, but I DEFINITELY recommend the Thai iced tea). My friend had the mango limeade (great!), the vodka salty dog (also great!), and the tequila with pickled plum (not good, maybe it's better suited for someone with a different taste). We had the chicken satay and highly recommend it! The peanut sauce was amazing, though I didn't find it as spicy as the menu listed. We also had the rice noodles (highly recommend!), the clay pot lobster pad thai (not my favorite, but okay), the basil chicken (whew... don't order this one, the meat tasted a bit odd, and no one at our table enjoyed it), and the Khao Soi (highly recommend, it was delicious!). For dessert, we had the birthday sorbet for my friend's 22nd and the Crying Tiger. I wasn't sure what I was expecting with the dessert, but OMG it was so good!! I wish we had ordered two, lol. The restaurant can split orders, and you pay online with the option to pay in the restaurant. There's a 3% restaurant surcharge. Pricing is reasonable, and you'll definitely get your money's worth if you split meals with friends (this is definitely a restaurant where sharing plates is the way to go). Looking for a cute place to take pictures? The lighting here is perfect! The bathroom is also super cute, and artwork throughout the restaurant is beautiful. Overall, the vibe was amazing and the dessert was fantastic. However, some food items fell short, so my overall rating is a 4.6/5!

This place is pretty decent. The latest addition to the "Lettuce Entertain You" chain, it says it's focuses on Southeast Asian Cuisine. However, the menu is mainly Thai. Great for those that like spicy food. Don't miss the Wagyu starter of the shrimp toast. For mains we tried the lobster pad Thai, tom yum black cod and chilli crisp chicken. All were done exceedingly well. Tasty and actually pretty authentic. This restaurant has not bowed to the pressure of adding copious amounts of sugar to their dishes to cater to the western palate. Their bananas foster had an interesting twist and their mango and lime sorbet was a very generous serving. Their place was busy and very nicely decorated. It's loud so beware but the service was prompt and courteous and the wait staff was very attentive.

Crying Tiger is such a gem -- creative, cozy, and full of flavor. The dishes are beautifully presented, and everything we ordered had such a perfect balance of spice, texture, and freshness. We started with the Garlic Chive Glass Noodles (Woon Sen) with shiitake -- light yet deeply savory, packed with umami and just the right amount of heat. The Roasted Delicata Squash Golden Tom Kha was another standout -- rich, fragrant, and comforting with that perfect sweet-sour coconut base. The Crispy Eggplant Banh Xeo was so unique -- crunchy on the outside, soft inside, and paired beautifully with fresh herbs and dipping sauce. For drinks, we tried the Thai Coconut Water with Sobacha Tea & Pandan, served in a whole coconut -- so refreshing and fun -- and the Fresh Sugarcane Juice with Wild Thai Banana, which was subtly sweet and unlike anything I've had before. Every dish felt thoughtful and balanced, and the overall experience was warm, vibrant, and memorable. Easily one of my favorite Thai-inspired spots in Chicago. Ended the meal with their "Crying Tiger" Wild Thai Banana with Foster Sauce, and it was absolutely amazing. Their take on a caramel banana pudding -- warm, rich, and perfectly sweet without being heavy. The kind of dessert you keep thinking about long after you leave.

Crying Tiger is a must try when you're in Chicago! My coworkers and I came in town for a conference, we were starving and didn't have a reservation. The hostess was amazing and squeezed us in to a table! We must have ordered half the menu and everything we tried was a 10/10. The chicken satays are a MUST get! I also loved the lobster pad Thai and crab fried rice. Almost the entire menu is gluten free (make sure you ask your waitress for the dishes that aren't). Lastly the decor is gorgeous, beautiful lighting and a fun atmosphere (even the bathroom is beautiful!)

Listen, sometimes a place lives up to the hype. Crying Tiger (along with Gus' next door) represent a massive upgrade to the space and a much needed infusion of new life to the area. The physical space is stunning. They really have created a beautiful, swanky restaurant, both the bar side and the main dining area. This is anything but a typical neighborhood Thai joint. The food and the ambience are very elevated. We had several dishes including the shrimp toast, hamachi, chicken satay, duck curry and lobster pad thai. We also have several cocktails (a force carbonated Japanese whiskey cocktail and a white Negroni). Everything was truly top notch and the entire staff were warm and welcoming. As I said, it's not your normal take-out spot and frankly the prices reflect that. But the atmosphere and the food justify it. You may not order pad thai take out of here on a random Tuesday (though actually that sounds great) but you'll have a killer date night here for sure. We were there opening week and it had a huge staff humming around. I suspect the number of staff will shrink over time but it was already operating very efficiently and professionally. This is especially impressive considering how new it is. It's going to be impossible to get reservations here, seriously, so get them while you can!

Oh! This used to be Hub 51. Remember that! This from Chef Thai Dang who's behind HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen which is in East Pilsen. So this will be his second but first venture on the Near Northside. I had The Crying Tiger which is a dessert. The staff and service are tigeriffic. PS. I was the first to review not Delilah!

Crying Tiger delivers a beautifully balanced dining experience with vibrant flavors, thoughtful cocktails, and an atmosphere that pulls you in the moment you walk through the door. We started with the Bird's Eye Chili & Hamachi Crudo, which set the tone perfectly -- bright, fresh, and deliciously zesty. Paired with their freezer martini, it made for a clean, elegant beginning to the meal. The Grilled Wagyu Beef Nam Tok followed with bold aromatics. The mint was refreshing, but for my taste, there was a bit too much onion, which slightly overshadowed the richness of the wagyu. Still, the dish had great character. The standout of the night was the Crispy Confit Duck & Roasted Peanut Panang served with grilled rotti. The combination of textures and the depth of flavor in the curry made it truly memorable -- rich, satisfying, and wonderfully executed. The interior is beautiful, blending warm lighting and refined décor for a modern yet cozy feel. Service throughout the evening was attentive and genuinely welcoming, elevating the whole experience.

I'm a little shocked by the good reviews, this has to be one of Lettuce Us Entertain You's most mid releases in recent memory. This felt like a place to be seen, as made apparent by reservations being booked out for months in advance. The food, though visually stunning, often lacked flavor or a "man, I need to have this again" quality. When the best dish I had all night was the baby broccoli, it's saying something. Dishes I'd pass on: Chicken satay, tuna tartare, and the short rib curry.

In Chicago for a limited amount of time and I've seen this place everywhere! Reservations are hard to party of one makes things easier as a solo traveler. I called in on a Saturday night and got a table at 10pm. When I arrived, I was told that there was a bar seat available or a few minute wait for the table. I chose the bar. The food was just as I expected it to be. Absolutely amazing. I would go back again over and over! Each bite was better than the last. Highly recommend eating here for cozy and comfortable ambience. The only downside is that the bartender never checked on me once at all. Not very personable but still a five star restaurant.

Great ambiance with music that makes this millenial heart dance. Some of the dishes were too sweet for our palates but still good and we will definitely return. The biggest miss is not having chopsticks! Great introduction into SouthEast Asian for the Lettuce Entertain You group and amazing culinary skills from Chef Thai Dang and the rest of the team!

New upscale Asian restaurant. Interior design was stunning, so many details. Our waiter was very attentive. Food was plated beautifully and the taste was exquisite. Music was on the louder side so it was hard to hear conversation at times. Overall great experience, service, and food. I would go again.

Wow! What an experience overall! The food, ambience and service were all top notch! We ordered the prawn toast appetizer, crab fried rice, and the eggplant side and everything was delicious. We will definitely be back!

Was pumped to get a reservation here. Excellent service and the restaurant is beautiful (make sure to take a trip to the bathrooms). Highlights of the meal were the shrimp toast, Grilled Wagyu salad, Chicken Satay (huge portion) and the crying tiger dessert. Waiter said cheesecake was good but we were too full. Can't wait to go back.

Waited over an hour to be seated, even though we made this reservation weeks in advance. Our reservation was originally at 8:30, but we weren't seated or served until about 9:45. My friends and I came in hungry and had already agreed to take the later time since it's so hard to get a reservation here, so by the time 9:45 rolled around, we were extremely hungry- and honestly, pretty hangry. Unfortunately, it really killed the vibe for the rest of our dinner. However, our waitress was incredibly kind, and none of this was her fault. She did everything she could, but the long wait really overshadowed the experience. One final note: please skip the sticky rice. It has an aroma that can only be described as my Great Uncle Jerry- an avid chain smoker.

Great spot, great vibes, great energy. Snuck in at 11:30 pm for dinner, everything was delicious, service was attentive, east coast hip hop and great decor is definitely my vibe. Tried a lot of food, if I had to redo my visit I really wouldn't need any main courses because eveything else was so delicious I feel like I added $100 to my bill for no reason. Chicken Satay, crudo, green curry prawn are all must haves!

I was really impressed with Crying Tiger. I went with a few friends, and we all ordered a variety of different items off the menu, so I was able to taste a fair amount of the menu. Nothing was disappointing at all. Lots of Southeast Asian staples and some creative dishes as well. I really enjoyed my experience here and will definitely be back.

Despite our high hopes for trying Crying Tiger, it was very disappointing. Attempt at elevated Thai fell sadly short. Food was mediocre, at best. Noodles very dry, curries served without rice, duck overcooked to the point of being simply inedible, rice cake side simply disgusting. We waited for our Tuesday night reservation for 20 min, after which we were seated at high table right by the entrance. There were a lot of people standing and waiting around our table, literally on top of us, taking videos and talking loudly over our heads. One of the ladies turned around and landed her long hair into my drink... We asked to be moved to a different table. We were told that could not be accommodated. We took our food to go and left. For good. While there were a lot of confused looking staff running around, the whole vibe felt disjointed and disorganized. Interior is filled with cheap fake plants, and miserable cold draft. So back to Le Colonial Chicago we go, where for decades food and service have been top notch. Don't waste your time and money "crying" over this sad, sad tiger.

Beautiful place, great atmosphere! I came across this place on TikTok and just happened to be able to snag a last minute reservation. I started off with the hamachi Crudo, and let me tell you, I could eat a whole bowl of it. Second was the pork belly. I really wanted to like this dish, since it's one thing people raved about. It just wasn't my thing. I've had much better elsewhere and found flavor a little lacking, but by no means was it a bad dish. To finish up, I had the duck panang curry and omg it was delicious. I've never had anything like it. Duck was fall off the bone tender.

Crying Tiger is fantastic! I was excited to get a last minute 4:30 pm Saturday reservation. The restaurant was packed. Everything we ate (Hamachi Crudo, clay pot lobster pad thai, short rib curry with crunchy noodles, mini broccoli side and crying tiger dessert) was delicious. Cocktails were also good (though the tequila drink in the coconut is on the sweeter side). Portions were generous (lots of leftovers) and the service was very friendly and helpful when it came to questions about the menu. I'm sad knowing that I likely won't be able to get in here again for a long time but definitely look forward to going back :)

Our experience here was quite the roller coaster of emotions. We had a reservation for 7:30 PM (booked a month in advance) and showed up around 7:25 PM. The host let us know they were waiting on some tables to get up and that we could go to the bar for a drink. The bar was pretty crowded so we chose to just wait in the waiting area up front until our table was ready. When a host tells you they're waiting on some tables to get up you'd likely think they had already paid and were just chatting. So probably like 5 - 10 minutes max? Wrong. Around 7:45 PM we went back up to the host stand and asked for an update. They let us know that the table they were waiting on just received their food. They hadn't even eaten. 15 more minutes they said. So now we're 30 minutes past the reservation time. We wondered, maybe since the restaurants knew they haven't figured out how to book reservations with an appropriate time? I look up the restaurant reviews to see what others are saying about Crying Tiger and if this is a common occurrence. Didn't see much about it but did see some pretty rough food reviews. 35 minutes after arriving we get sat. The server comes over and gives us the rundown on the menu. Family style is recommended and here's the top choices. We order the below: - Prawn Toast: Great recommendation, if you don't like spice I'd skip the sauce that comes with - Crispy Pork Belly: I love pork belly and saw a review that it wasn't good but still held out hope. Should have listened to that review. It tasted like nothing and vinegar at the same time. The smell? What i would imagine burning human flesh smells like. Nasty. - Crab fried rice: The crab was great and rice was pretty good. Some Chillis in there so if you hate spice, I'd avoid. - Ragu Short Rib Khao Soi: One of the best things ordered. Meat was tender, flavor profile was there. - Barbecue Chicken: Also highly recommend. Flavor profile was there, chicken cooked perfectly. - Grilled Roti: Good. Once we finished eating our server was nowhere to be found. We sat with the food for around 20 minutes waiting for a box. Makes you start to wonder if this is one of the reasons the reservations are so severely backed up. She finally came over to get boxes and the dessert menu. We order our dessert, the Crying Tiger and... you guessed it... another 30+ minutes until it arrives. Given the Crying Tiger is definitely already prepared in the back you would think it would come out much faster. This may have been the food runners fault more than our servers since the table next to us (who ordered the same dessert 10 minutes later) received theirs in 5 minutes. The wait time for courses was brutal. After finishing our dessert, another 20 minutes goes buy before we can get the bill. Longest meal of my life. I would have loved to ask the manager or anyone else to bring it over had someone been around. But the manager was in the back corner chatting with his coworkers and the servers were simply not in our area. Anyway, food was good but logistically this place doesn't have their crap together. Also skip the pork belly, disgusting.

The food, service and ambiance was fabulous! The restaurant itself is very vibrant and fun. The food was incredible- each dish was a winner... we can't choose a favorite. We loved the wagyu beef nam tok, hamachi, pork belly, papaya salad, pad thai, duck curry, the steak etc. The drinks were also very interesting! Don't forget to order the crying tiger for dessert. I can't wait to go back again soon.

Had a nice time trying out Crying Tiger! Ambiance was great, beautiful space and food was good overall. We especially loved the Khao soi with the side of grilled roti - we'll definitely be getting those two every time!

Just opened, I don't even know where to begin because everything is amazing. The vibe when you walk in, it's absolutely beautiful. The aroma of the food, immediately hungry. Didn't even take pictures because I was just mesmerized! Our server was wonderful, her recommendations were great for food and wine. Everything is dairy free, making my choices super easy! The Wagyu curry, hands-down my favorite. Will be back to try everything else on the menu!

A much-needed eclectic, upscale Southeast Asian addition to the River North food scene! Crying Tiger creates a memorable experience: the decor is outstanding, food is phenomenal, and service is on point. This is a great spot for couples or groups (wouldn't recommend it for kids). The food isn't spicy but packed with unique flavor profiles. The cocktail lineup is different and equally enjoyable. Can't wait to go back!