Erie Cafe: User Reviews

I went to meet a friend at the Erie Cafe today for lunch after to hearing great reviews of the food, etc. Unfortunately, the valet was so rude when I mistakenly went to park in "his reserved spots" that I decided to go somewhere hold the meeting elsewhere. The sign where I was trying to park for my lunchtime meeting said "reserved for Erie Cafe". It did not say for the valet service. As these were some of the closest parking spots, shouldn't those be saved for the clients. The valet can earn his money running a little farther down the block. Total turn off right from the get-go!!!

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We made a reservation a month ago for NYE at 8pm. Upon arriving at the restaurant, there was no host at the host stand. After waiting a while, someone finally came by and told us it was going to be about 15min. As we were waiting, about 5-6 other parties of 4 came in and also had an 8pm reservation. After listening to someone who just walked in say that the waiter was going to "hook them up" and immediately seat them, we walked out (20min later w/o the "host" ever coming back). Had I known that the service was so poor before even being seated and realized the type of rude people that patronized this establishment, I would have planned my NYE differently. I will not be planning a return visit ever and I would recommend to anyone considering this restaurant to think long and hard before coming here for dinner. You may end up like we did, cooking your own dinner at home.

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Went in with reservations on a Friday at 8:30pm. Despite multiple open tables and intentionally setting our reservation at a later time, we were told to wait 10 minutes for a table. Meanwhile, some people walk in and are immediately given a table. After being sitted and ignored for about 10 minutes, we walked out so I can't comment on the food.

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I've always heard great things about this place and it was finally time to give it a try. But I should have read some of the other reviews more carefully before we went because it was a very disappointing experience. I had a steak and my friend had lasagna. I hate to get into the price thing - we're used to paying for a good meal, but when I spend $40 for a steak, I expect it to be pretty darn good. But this was very average - and even sort of dry. A little au jus, butter, or anything on the steak would have made it better, since I don't like the usual steak sauce alternative. It came with what passes for a salad, which is a plate of iceberg lettuce with a tomato wedge, and cottage fries. My friend's $20 lasagna was an average sized serving with average taste. Sorry folks - we just don't get the attraction.

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be sure to ask how much the specials are. one of our party was very surprised to find out the surf and turf on a Tues night was $85.

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Below average food at above gourmet prices. Will never go back. There are much better places in the city! Don't waste your money. Fantastic river seating, however, if you want to pay a premium for it. Suggestion - pack a picnic basket and go to Erie Park (same view, better food).

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We had a departmental dinner here last month, with about a group of 15. As far as steaks go, this was middle-of-the-road. They were huge, but they didn't have much flavor. We shared a couple orders of lamb chops and that helped make up for the steak.

Salad was basically iceberg lettuce. Blah.

We were seated close to the entrance with a pretty good view of the Sears Tower. But the faint smell of cigar smoke coming from the bar nearby was a bit of a turnoff.

Our main server was gruff and a little condescending, but after some good-natured bantering he turned out to be alright and much more accomodating.

Overall, we had higher expectations, but the food wasn't terrible. Still... for how much you're paying, the steaks should have been better.

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Had dinner last week with my clients,who are regulars at this establishment.Yeah man the salad with anchovies was the best ever,as a matter of fact I still have the lingering blissful taste of them portugese anchovies.My filet was charred beyond recognitionand cooked through, just how i like it.The service was friendlyand attentive, i asked our server for xtra anchovies and ketchup for my steak and man he was on it in no time.Thankyou Erie and i hope you open one up in kentucky!!

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I actually had dinner there last Friday. We had reservations at 7:00 PM We and 4 other parties stood at the door waiting for a host to seat us. No one acknowledged us for 10 minutes. We were seated in a fairly unfilled room at the back of the restaurant right next to the kitchen and service area. It was my birthday and my boyfriend did ask for a nice table???? We ordered the calamari app YUMMY and we split a steak with about 5 sides to go along with the steak. We were treated like we SPLIT a meal with water on the side. The server slammed down ketchup and A-1 sauce on our table ( we did not ask for ) and was not even offered a dessert menu. I have been in the restaurant business for many years ( corporate, family owned ) I have never been so poorly treated in al of my years !!! Shame on you server Shame on you !!!!!

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I took clients from Mexico and the states and we had the best meal. Service was outstanding with 4 waiters on hand at our table. Calamari was the best I have ever had. Steaks were cooked to perfection. I highly rank this as one of the best restaurants in Chicago.

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