Halsted's Bar & Grill: User Reviews

Halsted's is a poorly run restaurant, plain and simple.
By tom60657 from Lakeview, April 27, 2009

Overall rating:

I used to be a regular at Halsted's. I have been there so many times, I cannot count... I have had several bad experiences there, but have continued to go there because the food is pretty good and most of my friends like going there. Last night, our order was lost and after 45 minutes of waiting, we were told that our order was coming right up. They refused to bring any complimentary snacks or anything while we waited. Then after waiting more than an hour, we finally gave up and went to another restaruarnt down the street. This is one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to when it comes to service. Save yourself some greif and skip Halsted's Bar and Grill.

Seeing a trend with bad service
By chicagoboy1981 from Lakeview, October 20, 2008

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I have to agree with most on here, as I had the same type of experience recently. Halsted's is just plain bad. Poor food quality and SUCH an attitude from the staff. Seems like it has slipped back to its old ways again. Dear owner... perhaps you made a mistake when you got rid of your GM Tony. He at least seemed to have cleaned the place up for you and people actually liked going there last year. Now you have slipped back to what Halsted's truely is about... horrible service, slow service, and poor quality food. Don't waste your time or your money stopping in here. You will just leave upset.

Unfriendly Service
By chi60657 from East Lakeview, September 10, 2008

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I stopped in tonight for dinner at the bar and found the service to be much worse than before. The staff were very unfriendly and didn't seem to mind whether I was there or not. I never saw a smile from the staff, nor did they say thank you when I was finished.
The food was very mediocre to bad and I wouldn't waste my time there again, unless the service and food is improved. Good service with a smile never goes out of style!

Pretty bad
By chris from lakeview, May 26, 2008

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I've given this place 4 tries, and every time has turned out almost comical. Today it took over 1.5 hours to get onion rings, a coke and a chicken wrap. The staff always seems to look like they don't even realize they have the slowest service possible. Very disappointing, DO NOT go if you're in any sort of time crunch.

Fun Neighborhood Joint
By badmikeyt from E Lakeview, May 7, 2008

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I first visited Halsted's when it was XO and had a lukewarm reaction to it. I've been a dozen times or so since it was reincarnated as Halsted's and have had progressively better experiences with every visit.

In the past, food took forever to arrive and in many cases was cold (and in one case, semi-frozen) but in recent visits it seems that the management staff has re-dedicated itself both in terms of service and in terms of food quality.

The menu is broad and the offerings are good and reasonably priced. I rarely have had to wait for a table and am happy that food is served at the appropriate temperature. The wait staff is friendly and generally very attentive.. your drinks will rarely go without a refill before you finish them and they don't try and cram desserts or any extras down your throat.

All in all, if you haven't been in the last 6 mos or so due to previous bad experiences, give them another try, just don't expect Morton's-type food or service (or tabs).

Nice bar, avoid brunch
By petechicago from Uptown, April 28, 2008

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It's fun and good crowd for a beer and maybe appetizer, but don't waste your time and money to go there for brunch.
Limited menu, below average food, bad coffee and quite expensive!
There are tons of better options in the area for a good brunch.

HORRIBLE
By Brentboy81 from Boystown, April 10, 2008

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HORRIBLE and cold food. HORRIBLE service. Wait staff looks lost. I've had better food for half the price at melrose diner. Don't waste your time. Beer garden would be the one and only reason to go to Halsted's.

Tasty...the staff and the food.
By Landshark from Boystown, January 24, 2008

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I went in when this place opened...it was bad. I went in again in early January...crazy difference. The staff got hotter and so did my food. It came out on time, and the energy of the place was fun. The hostess and a server were dancing around making the place feel both laid back and exciting. The staff looks like they like they're jobs this time around, and I was amazed that it wasn't busier. For hot food and a hot staff check it out again, it may surprise you.

Wow...quite a turn around.
By WrigleyBoy1148 from Wrigleyville, January 24, 2008

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So originally going in I can say that I understand some of the reviews...it was a much different place. Different staff, different environment, different menu. Lets just say that has turned around. They added Wraps to the menu...try the Sesame...so good. Last night they had a Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich that was incredible, and who doesn't love tots. Anyway the staff is delightful. They have to be most fun bunch in Boystown. The bartenders aren't always the fastest, but they are entertaining and cute. They always have something witty to say, and talk to you like they are your bestfriends. The wait staff is enjoyable. They are so cute, and they are quite a lively bunch. I've been waited on by several of the staff. The ones that stick out in my mind are Heath and Joe. Joe is straight, but who doesn't love a straight guy that works in a gay bar, and Heath was so enjoyable. He danced around and did magic tricks, you can tell he likes his job, and he is brutally honest about the menu. He gives you his oppinion on the food, and answers all your questions. Recently I noticed they took the mussels, calamari, and pizza's off the menu, needless to say I was disapointed but his explanation which I can't remember at the moment made complete sense and he recommended Humus instead...I was delightfully surprised, I couldn't finish the hummus so he packaged it for me. It was just as good the second time. So if your in Boystown check this place out. Like all places they're going to be bad days, so I can understand some of the reviews, but every time I'm in this place I have a great time.

Now I've given ya the sugar, now for the sour. What kind of bar is this? A gay sports bar? They have taken out a lot of tables for various new things, darts and pool tables. The pool table makes sense, but the dart board looks awkward and takes up valuable seating. You get to have people playing darts right beside your table. Also the mussels...they were so good. Bring them back. The onion rings used to be a lot better as well I was told they changed the recipe, they used to be like donuts...now they are like burger kings. Change them back.

In any case go for the great staff, stay for the 4 star food. This place is great to stop in alone or with a group...and the specials are insane...all wines $5 dollars on tuesdays...thats nuts...and Wednesday had $3.50 corona's and a whole slew of $5 dollar appetizers.

If you didn't like it the first time I can say this time around you will. If Heath waits on you ask him about the magic tricks. If you sit at the bar, hopefully you'll get John or Clint. They are so cute and fun.

changing for the better
By Crissy from logan square, December 10, 2007

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i come here all the time. at first the service was aweful. rude wait staff, food took forever, and so on. there has been a complete turn around. service has been excellent recently. new management has done a great job.