O'Brien's Restaurant & Bar: User Reviews

Horrible place for vegetarians!!!
By meatsnotreat from andersonville, August 16, 2009

Overall rating:

Not only is this a bad place to eat at but especially for vegetarians! I went there today and order something off their brunch menu without meating stating that I was a vegetarian. They bring me my food and only halfway through eating it do I discover that the hash browns have bacon bits in them! Disgusting and the other food wasn't even good, my husband didn't think his was all that great and they are way over priced for what they serve! Don't go!!!!

What a waste
By salvo_carla1209 from Near North Side, July 2, 2009

Overall rating:

With all the other great places in Chicago, why would anyone eat at O'Briens? I live in the neighborhood and every time I walk by there is a crowd. I have now eaten there three times in five years. The best way I can describe O'Briens is that if you look in the dictionary for the definition of "medicore" you would find O'Briens. Why bother?

I had a great time
By Joe from old town, November 14, 2008

Overall rating:

The hamburgers were excellent and the service was superb. I do not know what those other people were talking about. This place has a great environment. The heated patio is the best.

Never again
By Kiki from Chicago, November 10, 2008

Overall rating:

I will not be going back to O'Briens unless it is only for drinks. The dining room is horribly dated and uncomfortable, service was lacking. The food was pretty gross. My friends and I left saying we would never go back to eat. And, on top of it all, it was incredibly overpriced. I have to agree with all the other bad reviews - this place is off my list.

Wake up & smell 2008
By KB from East Village, October 25, 2008

Overall rating:

This place is a ghost town & totally dated. Maybe it's good for a drink but forget the restaurant. Decor is like a bad supper club & the menu is TIRED! I half expected them to put out one of those creepy relish carousels with the kidney bean salad. I ordered a veggie burger for lunch that was a really sad frozen patty on a flat bun from Jewel. I don't know how the $34 lamb chop is, but I think that if you cant serve a decent sandwich for $10 then take it off the menu. Patio is nice, but in the colder months I would not bother with this place. It needs chef Ramsey to come in & do a total overhaul. Service was fine but there are such better places to go.

Still haven't cleaned up their act.
By ndmann from Lincoln Park, September 1, 2008

Overall rating:

Sat on the patio. Food was mediocre, especially considering the expense.. Service was terrible. Judging by the faces of the other patrons, they had similar experiences on this summer weekend afternoon.

Awesome Bartending
By bluemoon08 from Deerfield, IL, May 27, 2008

Overall rating:

My extended family came in town this past weekend and we were told that this place might be pretty good. I will admit that the place is pretty overpriced, but overall it is worth the money. The food is pretty good, but the bartending was incredible. I forgot this guys name, but he knew EVERY drink in the book. My parents asked for something funny that I have never heard of and he knew exactly what it was. Bravo to the bartending staff! The people who write these reviews below me must be nuts because this place is awesome.

Needs Help
By Roscoe from Roscoe Village, May 19, 2008

Overall rating:

Although I hadn't been there much I always considered O'Brien's a classic place, boy was I wrong. We sat at the bar on a not very busy Friday and thought the bartenders were terrible. Push your empty glass forward, try to make eye contact, try to interrupt the conversation between the workers... no luck. This place needs to invest in bartenders who know what service is all about.

Good Eats
By jlesley7 from wrigleyville, December 10, 2007

Overall rating:

Just walked in from the street this past weekend and had an overwhelming experience. The food was fabulous and although the drinks were slightly overpriced the dinner was to die for! The Winter Favorite Shepards Pie and the Ribeye. Truly a place we will visit again!

Felt like I was eating in a retirement home
By susancpitt from Streeterville , November 2, 2007

Overall rating:

Went on a Friday night at 8pm, and instead of a busy, fun atmosphere, it was dead. We were one of two couples in the restaurant and it was eerily quiet with terrible atmosphere. Food was just average (more like bar food but much more expensive). Bar looked fun, they had live music - but can't say the same for the dining room