The Chew Chew

Great food great service but so so loud. There was a table of 5 women and they were just so loud. Our server also referenced it. The pork chop was delicious and my friends had the trout and the fish and chips, and both were great! I would go back but hopefully the noise issue needs to be addressed. Very kid friendly if that matters to you, either way.

My family had dinner and drinks here last week and we had a wonderful time! The atmosphere was warm and cozy, and we loved being at a table by the window. We had a disabled person in our group, so I did not get to see the second floor. Our servers were very professional and all staff were nice and helpful. We ordered the Friday fish and chips special which everyone liked. Note: the coleslaw is very onion-y which some didn’t care for. I had the pepperoni and sauce sage flatbread with added balsamic glaze. So delicious and definitely could be shared. Another highlight was the dumpling of the day appetizer which had beef and cabbage with ginger. I will definitely be back to try new things in the future, probably as a date night.

We recently dined at The Chew Chew while visiting Chicago. Our server was absolutely wonderful—friendly, attentive, and very accommodating with dietary restrictions. The food was excellent and beautifully presented, truly one of the better meals we had during our trip. Unfortunately, the experience was overshadowed by how rushed we felt throughout dinner. The bus person was extremely quick to clear plates—so much so that one of our party members still had food in their mouth when their plate was cleared away. Our dishes disappeared the moment a fork hit the table, and dessert was never even offered. Our reservation was at 5:00 p.m., and we were finished and out the door by 6:36 p.m., so it certainly wasn’t a case of us lingering. As we stepped out, we could see two new parties being seated immediately at our table. While we understand the restaurant was busy, it took away from what could have been a relaxed, enjoyable dining experience.

Update 1/8/23 Still great! It's become one of our favorite places. Recent menu changes, the Hazelnut Trout much more amazing than I expected, the salmon was cooked perfectly and was delicious. The side of roasted cauliflower was a great appetizer as well Original review: A culinary delight! Where to begin? This has been in my places to visit for almost a year, and when some friends wanted to get dinner together it was suggested. The service was great, the drinks were fantastic, and the food, oh my god, so delicious! I could go on raving, but just go and taste the food and see for yourself. Maybe we'll see you there, we'll definitely be back!

My partner & I came to scope out this restaurant as one of our options for post-marital ceremony dinner. The service was excellent; our waiter was very attentive & friendly. The vibe was elegant & chill; tho there were a handful of loud kiddos that were driving me nuts. The food was also quite tasty; I ordered the rigatoni + vodka sauce (added chicken) & my partner got the grilled salmon. I enjoyed my meal though would’ve liked more chicken & my partner said her mashed potatoes were fairly salty.

The meal here was pretty good and our server, Lucas, was a notch next to perfection. He helped with questions we all had. He made sure our drinks never got low, and all with a great attitude. The foods we're all good for the most part, just salt on fries was way too much. Our friends enjoyed their meals. My burger was a bit short of the mark, as they could not make it how I wanted it done. We might go back for another take of the menu. The desserts were delicious and topped off the meal.

Beef Wellington and New York strip steak were awesome! Isaac our waiter was very friendly and the atmosphere was great. The place is a 5 minute walk from my house and I always wanted to try it out. Worth it!

Server took order then disappeared for entire dining 'experience' - not even checking back to see if food was good - or when I set 'flatbread' to the side after eating 2 bites (crust was so tough you couldn't cut ot pull apart ... & no word about tomato being added to top of pizza (can't eat them)- not edible & she didn't care to check back. Bread for table was good

Bottom line: Definitely worth a try, in the quaint downtown, for some casual dining with real touches of higher end quality and service at relatively reasonable prices. The space is smartly designed with lots of warm wood tones and lighting making it an inherently relaxing and comfortable environment. American favorites are served with some real gastronomic flair all competently prepared, seasoned appropriately, and served freshly made. Our service however made the experience complete and is directly responsible for the extra star--"T"!--possesses the triple threat of servers: Super personable, super efficient, and super aesthetically pleasing. Will definitely be back!

I've been here twice now and I'm very impressed. Food, service and drinks are wonderful! Loved $10 Martinis on Wednesdays.

Our friends came back from Florida and they wanted to treat us for dinner. This place is very nice and most of the foods we ordered were very good. I ordered a cheese burger with grilled onions in rare, and just perfect burgers. The fires had way too much salt on them to really enjoy them. My wife's burger was very well made , but a bit undercooked for her liking. The pasta dishes our friends had looked amazing and delicious, they did say YUM. I would skip the pigs in a blanket, as just smoked sausage wrapped in dough, a bit greasy. Save room for dessert as the boulder dish was awesome. Our server was beyond good, as his service was as good as it comes, ask for Lucas, you will not be disappointed.

We've been coming here for over 20 years, starting back when it used to be in the old location near the train station. And since then, I have not had one bad meal here. It's always fun to come back here when I'm in town again and see what's new on the menu. There's always a good mix of new dishes and old classics, like the chimichurri skirt steak, which has been my favorite dish forever. The fries that come with it are always the perfect shoestring size and crispy. Also, the whipped herb butter they make is the best butter I've had either in or out of a restaurant, especially on the fresh baked hot bread they serve. The service is also always excellent, we've had the same waiter for years now as well and he remembers us when we come in.

This was a very delightful experience. The server was attentive and friendly. We ate outside on the nice patio. The food was delicious. We were given a complimentary sourdough bread with a delicious whipped butter spread. We had some tasty martinis that were a big size. They were $3 off for happy hour until 6. I had the salmon that came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Everything was cooked perfectly with good flavor. My sister enjoyed her Amish chicken special. For dessert we had the flourless chocolate torte, it was yummy and looked pretty, too.

Awesome. Don't forget Wednesday jumbo Tito's martinis for a measly 10 bucks. Worth it!!! Great atmosphere and super friendly people with good food!! Patio too!!

This place seems to have gone down in quality and service. Second time Food was just ok. Wagu in puff pastry app seemed like just smoked sausage in hard shell. Pot stickers were just ok. Service was meh. Not going back

1/2 wine on Wednesdays and meal options for every palate is what you'll find at Chew Chew. I ordered Sacchetti and Vodka Sauce with Italian Sausage entree and Chocolate Torte with candied pecans and Whiskey Cream gelato for dessert. Both were bursting with flavor. Will definitely return to try more items on the menu.

Oddly not a very currated prix fixe dinner special, but it was restaurant week and they were probably showing how deep their menu goes. That said, everything was absolutely delicious and the complexities of Flavoring was a delight. I will return again and again.

Food was delicious a bit pricey but if it is prepared right and cut of meat so tender then the price is worth it. We had the steak Diane it came with mashed potatoes, lovely carrots and mushrooms. So delicious. Unfortunately we also ordered salad which didn't make it out. Things like that happen no biggie. We will comeback

First time checking out this place and wow was I impressed. First, service was top notch. Jose our server was amazing. There was already bread and butter on the table when we arrived. They give you carafes of water and are constantly refilling them when out. Very well rounded menu- something for everyone and a good amount of daily specials. Lamb chop appetizer was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. For dinner, had the risotto with asparagus and salmon. Honestly, one of the best risotto I have ever tried. Salmon and asparagus also cooked perfectly. Can't wait to go back.

I visited the Chew Chew for the first time and LOVED it! Me and my mom went for early dinner and it was great. We started with the southwestern egg rolls and the calamari, both were phenomenal. Then for our entrees, my mom has soup and salad and I had the sacchetti pasta in vodka sauce. The soup of the day was chicken basil and my mom loved it. Her garden salad was fresh and good too. My pasta was outstanding, fresh pasta pockets filled with cheese in a delicious vodka sauce that was herbaceous and delish. For dessert I had whiskey bread pudding which was good. The housemade whiskey ice cream was delicious. If you are in the western suburbs of Chicago, in the Riverside area, check out the Chew Chew!

3 of us were there for dinner. Food and service were excellent. I had the dbl cut pork chop it was cooked to perfection. Everyone said their food was delicious.

Owner said service dog are only for blind people ridiculous to single them out very disappointed

Excellent service, nice outdoor seating, clean and of course delicious food. LOTS of interesting entrees and many outstanding desserts:) Will be back soon.

Baked Onion Soup was delicious! I had the macadamia crusted chicken breast & it was fantastic! I don't know if that is still on the menu because I haven't been there in a while. I had knee surgery. I hope it's still there on the menu! I would love to go back!

Barely average food from a total piece of garbage owner. The servers were decent. It's too bad the owner talks down to them in front of the customers.

If you want overpriced mid food this is your place. The owner is renowned for his assholishness and slightly racial biases. The service is good and the ambiance is cute but I wouldn't spend money in a place that doesn't make me feel comfortable. It's the bigotry for me.

I am somewhat disappointed that we have lived in the area for 10 years and this is the first time we've dined here!! We got a Groupon and stopped in with last minute reservations on a Thurs night. It was busy, so thankfully we did! The CC has outdoor seating but we opted to sit inside. We sat at the bar for about 30 minutes before our reservation and had cucumber gin & tonics and they were amazing! It's very cozy in this space - good comfy stools, nice lighting, very friendly staff, doesn't feel crowded. Once seated, we ordered these delicious dates for an appetizer - they are chorizo stuffed and wrapped in bacon served with a spicy aioli drizzle. Then the server brings this warm bread loaf with garlic butter! It was heavenly. We ordered the warm spinach salad with fingerlings, roasted veggies, feta, eggs, avocado and a vinaigrette dressing. I got mine with steak, which was perfectly done. Hubby splurged for filet and these massive shrimp with mashed potatoes and asparagus. He ate every bite! I took some salad to go and paid two extra bucks for another loaf of that bread! This place felt familiar, with lots of regulars and great ambience. This should turn into our regular spot real soon.

This was our go-to for years and years. Their matchstick fries were mind altering and the quality of the food is always great.

Stopped in before an event at the Brookfield Zoo and will absolutely go back again. My wife and sister-in-law both have celiac, and The Chew Chew had some of the best gluten-free pizza we've ever had. It was so on-point that we actually had to question whether we were given the wrong pizza crust. But after two pizzas and several hours, we were convinced that this was some of the best gluten-free pizza crust we've encountered. And given that the evening ended with neither of them having been glutened, it is safe to say that they're doing things the right way.

Has this been in Riverside all these years? I finally discovered this place and it was a very good experience. Service was exceptional. Drinks were very good. Food, well it was good not as great as the rest uit I love that this place exists so well be back to try some more of what they have to offer.

The food is simply awesome! Everything they make is golden! I have never had one bad anything (entree, drink, dessert, appetizer, complimentary bread and butter prior to the appetizers, etc.) They are simply the best restaurant in town at any price point! A local culinary legend! Enjoy! P.S.: The bacon-wrapped dates are the too-die-for go to appetizer!

I have been here many times and every time I am so happy with the service and specials! Love the half price wine, oyster/ mussel deals and my husband loves the martinis. Chew Chew feels like a night out without being intimidating or feeling like you have to get all dolled up for the night, it's a great go- to restaurant!

Solidly mediocre food but decent atmosphere. Staff seem unhappy overall but service to your face is good.

I was surprised to see that I never gave Chew Chew a review before. We've been going there for years always outstanding food, outstanding service, outstanding atmosphere, wonderful people. Lucky to have this restaurant in their community.

Great food, seasoned and cooked to perfection. Served at ideal temperature. Every morsel of every dish we tried was delectable. Warm and friendly service, great selection of wines and other beverages. Atmosphere was casual but elevated.

I have been going here for years. Great neighborhood find. My sister-in-law's baby shower was there and everyone who worked there was amazing.

My husband and I came here for my birthday and had such a wonderful experience. It was my 30th birthday so I wanted to do something somewhat special and steak was on my mind. We decided on the chew chew after hearing about it from friends. It didn't disappoint! Their creme brûlée dessert was wonderful and so was my dish! My husband got one of their specials but I decided on the filet mignon with wild shrimp. I LOVED it and can't wait to go back!

Love the Chew Chew! Excellent food and service in a lovely environment. Long time customers.

Used a Groupon and went the other day. Inviting atmosphere, kind staff, and great service! They have a variety of food from steaks, seafood dishes, to pasta. Got the calamari (comes with 3 sauces - tartar, marinara and spicy), scallop risotto and jambalaya. Everything was delicious. ESPECIALLY THE SCALLOP RISOTTO! The scallops were generous size and the risotto with portobello is amazing. Definitely worth the price with or without Groupon. Will definitely be back!

I would give them 3.5 but I can't. The food was just ok. The service from Shawn was outstanding and I would give him 5 stars. I would only go back for drinks and appetizers but not for the meal.

Had dinner here on a Saturday at 5:30pm. We made reservations and I recommend them. We ate upstairs. The food was good and plentiful. I had the hazelnut trout. It was good and there were two filets. The GF rigatoni was also good. The beef Wellington was over cooked and the pastry was not cooked through. I don't know how that is possible! They had a happy hour from 4-6pm. We shared the flourless Chocolate Torte. It was excellent. It was an enjoyable experience and we will come again.

Hamburger was raw in the middle which is a major problem. The French fry's were cold and tasteless and undercooked.

Solid, big city type bistro in a small town atmosphere in the town of Riverside. I've tried a few dishes, but if i had to recommend, it would be the pastas in the menu or in the specials.

Amazing food! Definitely would not go there if trying to eat cheap. But so worth the price!

Disappointed! Chew Chew x has always been our favorite lets take a drive dining destination. Have always enjoyed the crab cakes but not lately. Both cakes were almost pure bread like round patties of stuffing. They were supposed to be crab and shrimp. I think I saw small bits of shrimp but no crab was apparent. French fries were great. On a trip along the entire gulf coast of florida I had crab cakes 8 out of 11 days. All were better than chew chew. They do have a nice happy hour before six. If we do go back it will be for wine and appetizers.

The Chew Chew is one of the top restaurants in IL, hands down. Even if you travel, it's worth the trek... Scott, the owner greets people himself. He's friendly, engaging a true operator, and a rarity. G-Man, our server was fun, informative engaging, and on-it! The food came quickly for the number of people there and it was fabulous. We had a dozen oysters (Amazingly fresh), A slightly dirty martini (Nice size and made perfectly) a glass of Malbec (I believe and great quality) and the Sacchetti Vodka sauce was to die for! Great atmosphere, outdoor patio, right downtown Riverside. I am so glad they made it through covid and we will continue to support them. If you have not been to The Chew Chew, make the time it will be worth it.

I love the restaurant name.. don't you? I came here at around 6PM on Saturday evening with friends..it was not crowded since we got there just when they opened...:) ..we were immediately seated.. APPETIZER -Bread with Garlic Butter (free) - the garlic butter and the bread (SOFT & just baked) tasted good!!..I wanted more, but you won't want to fill your stomach with bread before a meal... -Butternut Squash & Goat Dip ($8.50) - contains goat cheese,candied pecans, syrup and flatbread... tasted good, not too sweet and not bland..I'm not a goat cheese fan so I didn't like that part, but the butternut squash was good and tasted good with the flatbread!! FOOD FOOD Saturday Special ($21) - Rainbow trout with spaghetti vegetables (thinly sliced veggies), and jasmine rice: tasted good (perfectly flavorful!) and portion was big... Mahi taco($19): make your own tacos..my friend has this and enjoyed it....portion was huge.. Spaghetti squash and vegetable Bolognese ($15) - yummy..a healthier version of spaghetti I would say...if you want spaghetti w/out the pasta try this!! Penne pasta ($17) - my friend enjoyed this pasta..big portion.. ATMOSPHERE: great to come with friends, on a date, family... COSTS: it is a little bit on the costly side as the appetizers would be up to $10/dish and the entrees range from ~$15-$30+ ...but the quality of the food is good.. PARKING: plenty of parking (street and lot) I would definitely come her again to try some of their other menu options if im in the area..

We have an indoor mask order in Illinois In December 2021. Half the employees in this restaurant were not wearing masks. What other health code rules are they deciding to ignore? With the Omicron variant we were not comfortable staying. We left and had an incredible dinner at another restaurant down the block where everyone was following the health code rules. Now is not the time to mess around.

I'd gotten a few recommendations to try this place, and many friends flipping out "OMG, I'm SO jealous!!!" when I told them I was coming to Chew Chew, so I was ready for a good experience. We were seated promptly by the window, with water and our waitress appearing seconds after that. It took us a few minutes to get our act together to select drinks, but the waitress was polite and patient with us the whole time. I ordered the Moon Over Riverside- a Quincy Street Distillery whiskey drink with cherries/lots of other yummy goodness. It was $8, but with the strength of two drinks, so it didn't seem like quite the bad deal. It took the whole meal to consume- pacing was definitely needed. The complimentary bread that came out was hot and fresh, served with a garlic butter. For food, we first ordered fried pickles- I'm a sucker for these, especially if they are pickle chips (as opposed to stackers or spears). The amount was plentiful, with the outside being extra crispy. Some pickles were not quite coated enough, though, leading to a few that got overly fried and were withered. But 90% were great, served with a ranch-y sauce. For my meal (and I felt VERY adult about this choice, as I usually go for burgers or a sandwich), I ordered the scottish salmon, served on a bed of spinach with onions and pancetta, and chickpeas. I LOVE chickpeas, and had never seen a dish quite like this before. I thought it was fantastic. It had a topping on the fish though that was a little too sour for my liking, but it was easily scraped off. My date had the fish and chips, but substituted mashed potatoes. We each took home leftovers. Mine were fantastic the next day too. The restaurant itself is large but cozy, has an upstairs level, even. I liked the train theme throughout and thought it was more on the tasteful than cheesy side. Bathrooms were nice and clean with two stalls. Everything was great with this experience. I wouldn't hesitate to come back!

We went here for the first time tonight. We are always looking for outdoor seating and their patio is one of the best I've seen. There is ten tables that can seat four people. The space had fans, speakers, nice decor, and great food. We ordered the salmon and mussels, both were delicious. They had 8 solid beers on tap. We went with Kinslagher and Metropolitan beers. I'm glad to have a great restaurant so close by. We will definitely be back again soon!

Food is fantastic and our waiter was so great! One of the best waiters we've ever met. The restaurant is very nice and clean.

Love Thursday night $10 oysters! The sauces that come with them are incredible. Wine is good. And entrees too. We usually get the same server each time too and he's excellent! So professional and friendly. Great place overall!

Great food and service!! The specials are always especially good. The kitchen staff are amazing!

We simply happened upon it, but the atmosphere was sophisticated and the quality of the food for the price was a bargain. We will be back the next time we are in town, I would highly recommend it.

Really great food! Loved the variety. So many menu items sounded amazing. Cozy atmosphere. The Burrata was tasty but the roasted garlic spread + greek salad really elevated the plate. Definitely a great way to start out the meal. We loved the edamame too! Never had them drenched in lemon and they substituted a light salad perfectly. Split the Sunday Gravy for our meal.. it can easily feed two. Love that it's bucatini! The sauce is good but doesn't compare to upscale Italian restaurants in the city. Still very tasty. My only wish was that there were neck bones instead of ribs. I'll definitely be back to try more items on the menu!

This place has very nice warm ambiance . The servers are dress for October feast thought that was really cute. Sat down and immediately we were severed fresh bread . Such awesome service. Server was knowledgeable and attentive . Definitely come back again .

While I live in La Grange, for years I've read the great reviews and wanted to try Chew chew. Having carried out dinner this evening I now realize I am done myself a great disservice not coming here years before. In short, this has immediately vaulted to one of my restaurants and will be a go-to spot going forward. I believe the sign of a GREAT restaurant is diversity but honestly I would order just about everything on this amazing menu. Highlights of the meal tonight : dates wrapped in thick bacon; best French onion soup ever; killer home baked bread; excellent wedge salad ; penne with chicken and smoked Gouda was creamy, delicious and not too heavy. Ice Cream Boulder was decadently delicious. Nice variety of interesting cocktails and wines by the glass The hat trick of highest quality ingredients, great flavor combinations, very generous portions and reasonable price points will bring us back many times going forward. Looking forward to trying the classic favorites and new items added to upcoming new Spring menu. Given the abundance of excellent reviews and loyal following, they certainly don't need another positive review from me but I it was such a delightful experience I couldn't help myself. Just go there for a great dining experience.