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17 Reviews
0 Replys |
Yuck
Horrible experience here last weekend. Food was dry and rubbery. We ordered the duck and rabbit, which are staples of French cuisine, but this restaurant’s preparation was amateurish. Service was perfunctory and impersonal. Will never go back. Too bad because we had a great first experience here. Go to obelix if you’re looking for innovative French food.
Be the first to ReplyA little corner of France in Chicago
A super nice little restaurant with a Parisian bistro atmosphere. The food is excellent. The small bar, while waiting for our table, was friendly. And above all, the owner and staff are very welcoming. An unforgettable experience not to be missed. And we speak French.
Be the first to ReplyBeware weeknight visits
I have had good meals at Chez Joel previously but my most recent experience leads to the suggestion that you should avoid any weeknight reservation after 7pm. Why? I had a 7:30 reservation and it was quite clear by 8:15 that the staff was ready to leave. We were rushed through our meal, the courses delivered in a torrent. At 8:45 we were told to order dessert because the kitchen was closing. A check was then rather loudly placed on the table, a server stopping by to retrieve the credit card to process it a mere seconds later. The food was good, but the service experience made a long overdue catch-up with an old friend rather unpleasant. If the restaurant wants to have all patrons depart at 9, then it should not take 7:30 reservations. Unpleasant.
Be the first to ReplyResting on past glory.
It was long time ago when I visited this restaurant and as far as I remembered food was decent and price quality ratio was very good. I invited my friends to have dinner before Andrè Rieu concert to have French food and what a disappointment was that, I mean food. Everything and really I mean everything I ordered was really bad. “French onion soup” ? Just couple months ago I enjoyed “ real French onion soup” in Colman France and I had in my mind some palate receptors prepared, BUT watered liquid with some pale onions and liquid cheese on the top of hard piece of bread WAS NOT FRENCH ONION SOUP.No taste no flavour , nothing Slightly warm liquid . Escargot?! Appetiser! I understand that no gardens of Provence around but, dear owners, you have to keep your French mark, so why are your snails mushy and in garlic oil strong presence of other herbs making your escargot really unpleasant . Last thing fish dish!? Bass was overcooked dry and filet looked like prepared not in French restaurant but
Be the first to ReplySuperb!
We were on a little weekend getaway to Chicago. My husband was looking for a French restaurant and Chez Joël had stellar reviews so we decided to try it. From start to finish, it was magnificent. The atmosphere was lovely, our server Alejandria, was friendly and helpful and the food was so, so good. My Coq au Vin was delicious! The sauce with mushrooms, white wine, garlic and lardons, was savory and rich and paired perfectly with the roast chicken. My husband’s Steak Au Poivre was cooked exactly as he requested and came smothered in a creamy pepper sauce. My seasonal Sangria was fruity and sweet and refreshing. We were not rushed and everyone was pleasant. We will definitely go back when we get another chance. Highly recommended.
Be the first to ReplyAnother fantastic meal at Chez Joel.
Chez Joel in Chicago is a hidden gem with its exquisite French cuisine and charming ambiance. While the restaurant itself is warm and cozy especially in the Fall and Winter, my favorite is the outdoor dining garden. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this delightful oasis boasts a picturesque setting surrounded by lush greenery and adorned with chandelier lights covered in red shades. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars. The menu is a tantalizing journey through French culinary traditions, curated with a perfect balance of classic and innovative dishes. From our many visits there, my wife and I have enjoyed almost all the menu items from the escargots to the heavenly coq au vin or the fish preparation and have never been disappointed. The flavors are authentic, the presentation impeccable, and every bite feels like a celebration of French gastronomy. The longtime owners of Chez Joel add to the overall experience. Their passion for the cuisine and dedication to ensuring every guest feels at home is evident in every interaction to ensure your satisfaction. Chez Joel is a destination that promises to leave a lasting impression. With its captivating outdoor dining garden, delectable dishes, and impeccable service, this restaurant should be on every diner’s go-to list. And yes, they have valet parking.
Be the first to ReplyFabulous French Cuisine, Exceptional Dining Experience
After years of covid restrictions and fear, my husband and I were finally able to visit our friend in Chicago for the July 4th holiday, enjoying museums,theatre, and great food. One of the best food choices was Chez Joel. While we have tried several French restaurants throughout Chicago, Chez Joel is, by far, our new favorite! We were quickly seated in their lovely garden area...large shade trees with beautiful floral/chandelier arrangements, a calming fountain area, privacy fencing surrounding the courtyard keeping out street noise, linens... gorgeous! We began with a reasonably priced bottle of prosecco and their attractively presented cheese plate. A really lovely variety of cheeses and fruits. We each had their French onion soup and their traditionally prepared escargot. Both exceptional yet with unique elements we had never tasted in previous French dishes For entrees the boys had their Walleye special---both raved! I had their duck (with veggies and poached pears and beets---amazing! Our server Nancy was spot on from start to finish, laughing and joking with us but never missing a beat. She was adorable AND efficient! We ended our lengthy dinner with another bottle of prosecco and their creme brulee...under the twinkle lights and the stars! This is our new go-to for fabulous French cuisine!
Be the first to Replyvery nice place
The place is cozy, next to UIC campus. It is cozy and clean. The food is decent. The appetizers are exceptional, especially the baked clams and the octopus. Will go back again.
Be the first to ReplyAwesome!
As we love French food, this has become our go to place in the city. The food, service, and overall ambience are second to none, not to mention the prices are extremely reasonable. If you love escargot, theirs as an appetizer is phenomenal, traditional bourguignon style, finished off with a dash of Pernod and bread crumbs. Don’t even get me started the filet mignon, perfectly prepared to order, and mouthwatering. Many other delicious choices on the menu, you really can’t go wrong with anything cuisine wise here. Speaking of service, if you happen to have either Maggie or Nancy as your server, consider yourself lucky. These two ladies know what it means when it comes to customer service. Kudos to all for another wonderful evening last night and thanks so much for everything you did for yet another memorable evening for us.
Be the first to ReplyA little off . . .
Back after after a couple of years, this (and the family's previous Clark Street Bistro) had been favorites for decades. This time . . . the wait for a waiter (and a chance to order drinks) seemed forever. Bread (wonderful crusty bread) was delivered at last and nicely warmed, with butter accompaniment -- but no cutlery for way too long with which to spread the butter . . . as the bread cooled. Starters, once they got here ("in a second," promised the waiter, who, um, misspoke) were fine (my escargot, my wife's salad). Then another long, long wait (without explanation or inquiry re another drink, my martini being long-gone) -- until my wife's scallops (lovely and very good) and my poulet aux romarin (a surprisingly dry and flavorless roast half chicken, recommended by the waiter over the coq au vin) finally arrived. On the plus-side, prices remain reasonable (which sounds like an intro to an old joke, but no) and the small room pleasant (opt for the garden, if the weather's right); and inn fairness, perhaps things are still in some disarray as our restaurants recover from the pandemic, which in part kept us away for so long. So we'll give it a while before returning, watch the user reviews and hope they get their act together again soon.
Be the first to Reply5 star French Food at 2 Star Pricing with Free on Street Parking or $7 Valet
5 star French Food at 2 Star Pricing with Free on Street Parking or $7 Valet
I love to eat and French food is right up there at the top. Chez Joel is a wonderful little neighborhood restaurant located in little Italy between the two UIC campuses. They have valet parking and a beautiful shady patio. Their appetizers are yummy - sometimes we just order all appetizers and then have dessert!
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago - I seriously do not understand why there are no huge lines to get into this place. I think people think that French food will be too expensive - but most entrees are $20 - $25 dollars. From 4-6 PM they have a Prix Fixe menu that gives you a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert for around $36.
There is great food all over this neighborhood but this is right at the top - can almost always get in last minute with no waiting. They have valet parking. Or there is free street parking along Taylor.
I have eaten lunch here but the dinner menu is better. They also have a nice wine list with many bottles priced at $40 or below
Exquisite French Cuisine Casual quaint atmosphere
Chez Joel is one of my favorite French restaurants in Chicago; and I truly missed dining in during our pandemic. Last year I celebrated my birthday here and since Chez Joel finally reopened for dine in I decided to visit here this past Wednesday to enjoy their cute outdoor private patio. I prefer dining outside during the summer season; but if you prefer to sit inside there's ample room inside the bistro and no overcrowding.
All the staff here is incredibly friendly and they work well as a team making sure you have enough bread, water and food.
I love ordering their appetizers so I chose a cheese platter with fruit and walnuts and a rich and buttery tray of escargot.
Their escargot is one of the best in the city of Chicago and the sauce is perfect with their crusty fresh baked bread baguette.
The cheese plate comes with crispy toast points but if you need more bread it's always available to you. I think if you come here as a couple three sharable appetizers and a dessert are more than enough.
I always have a wonderful dining experience here and if you dine here during a work week night you won't be rushed out because weekends tend to be busier here. I highly recommend you call ahead for reserved seating and eating outside is always a huge treat.
We had a spectacular dinner at Chez Joel
We had a spectacular dinner at Chez Joel. The food was marvelous and the French menu was varied. The prices were reasonable. The wine was also fairly priced. The decor was lovely as was the clientele. Chez Joel is a romantic restaurant. It has a lovely outdoor area. which was where we dined. The wait staff were very professional and charming. The location is on Taylor Street. We highly recommend Chez Joel.
Be the first to Replyabsolutely incredible!
seriously amazing! the food was perfect, loaded with flavor! escargot, calamari, filet muy on, chocolate cake all delicious and loaded with flavor. 100% would recommend
Be the first to ReplySecond chance, bad mistake.
We had been in CJ, several times, years ago. We used to drive all the way from the suburbs, until we found the steak tough. Year and a half ago, we moved to the city. Last night, we decided to give it another chance. What a disappointment!
My husband's appetizer, the escargot, were delicious. My octopus, one of the specials of the day, was rubbery. My husband's steak frutas was grilled to a perfect medium rare but a tough piece of meat. My sea scallops were nicely presented but were lukewarm, at the most and in need of a little more searing.
The waitress was informed of our dissatisfaction. She responded that they do not get any complaints. Perhaps, we expect higher /better quality when we dine out!
On the positive side, the ambiance is inviting and as we were celebrating our anniversary, they presented us with a complimentary glass of rose sparkling wine.
Second chance, last one! Definitely do not recommend and will not be back.
The Real Deal
Better food and service than many of the Parisian bistros we've visited over the years. Not trendy, not overly buzzing, but absolutely the real deal. Coq a Vin was superb, and the scallops were artfully presented. And everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned, presented with attentive but not fussy service. Approachable wine list is extensive, and priced at about half of the trendy places downtown. A truly lovely experience, particularly in the outside garden.
Be the first to ReplyEnchanting and romantic french bistro with sumptuous Cuisine
I appreciate a restaurant with excellent, clean tasting food, a kind hearted attentive staff and a welcoming ambiance. Chez joel Bistro is a unique French restaurant that has now become my favorite place to spoil myself with decadent French food and a loving, playful vibe. Last week on July 27 I wanted to go somewhere special for my birthday and I had a craving for French food so I did my online research and found this elegant and welcoming gem. I told the hostess Amber over the phone that I was reserving a small table for one and that I was also celebrating my birthday. I arrived at 8pm and to my great delight I found out they have an outside patio with romantic lighting and plants. I asked if I could sit outside instead and she made that possible for me within just fifteen minutes. As I was seated all the servers and bus people worked smoothly as a friendly, unified and cohesive team. Agnes brought me a menu and made some suggestions after I inquired about their various appetizers. I chose the warm brie which I thoroughly enjoyed, the fresh beet salad and the escargot which was buttery and succulent. The crusty baked French bread is some of the best I've ever tasted and it went well with the escargot sauce. They then surprised me with a birthday dessert of ice cream and a candle and since I already ordered profiteroles it almost felt "naughty" but hey it's my birthday who diets on their birthday! I loved my meal so much that I returned twice more and enjoyed a dinner with a friend of mine yesterday where I ordered the sea scallops and delicious chocolate moose for dessert. This late afternoon I wanted to sit outside again and try their prix fix menu so I chose the French onion soup, seared salmon with vegetables and profiteroles again for dessert. Agnes was my server on all three visits and Gabriel did an excellent job bringing over plates and water if Agnes was too busy. This afternoon I met Carlitos and he gave me the names of the staff here who were so helpful and welcoming. If you love to spoil yourself and really relish and take your time in a true European atmosphere then you will truly appreciate the level of service, the comforting, beautiful setting and the succulent French cuisine. In my estimation this bistro is one of the very best restaurants I've come across for authentic French cuisine and positive vibes. Even if you just wish to come here for a few appetizers your experience here will be a positive one and I guarantee you will leave feeling satiate.
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