$, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar, Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Lunch Spot, Open 7 Days
Big Bowl is a pioneering Asian restaurant, vibrant in design and cuisine, offering the latest in authentic Chinese and Thai food. Using market-fresh ingredients, Big Bowl's signatures include "dim-sum sized" appetizers, pad Thai, seafood, some truly hot and spicy food, and fresh made ginger ale. Big Bowl believes that the origin of your food says a lot about the quality and flavor, that's why Big Bowl buys seasonal produce from local framers and only serves heirloom pork and all natural, antibiotic free chicken that's raised on family farms. Don't forget Big Bowl when planning a festive occasion. Big Bowl brings both ingredients for any good party, great food and great surroundings. True Chinese and Thai food can be enjoyed at four Big Bowl Locations-one at Cedar and Rush, another at Ohio and State and one in Lincolnshire and Schaumburg. Big Bowl- For Fresh Chinese and Thai!
Big Bowl is a nice place a bit pricey for Asian food. but great portions.The people are friendly and know what to recommend for you . I would definitely go there again.
Posted 07/24/09 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
Very Busy. Great food, huge servings. Kind of expensive for asian style food, but it is Chicago. It's very nice inside, and the staff is kind. I would say you have to experience Big Bowl at least once!
Posted 11/20/08 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
the big bowl has amazing asian food. when you have your first visit there they give you a special surprise treat. the beef and brocoli is really good and so is the fried rice. they have many spicy items as well if you are up for it! it is a great atmosphere and there is another location in schaumburg
Posted 10/15/08 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
While visiting Chicago recently, my friends and family stumbled upon the Big Bowl restaurant. What a treat! The food was excellent, the lighting was warm and subdued and
the waitresses were on top of their game! Our food came
out promptly ( thank goodness, we we're famished) and
the atmosphere was just what we needed after coming inside to avoid the rain! We will definitely dine there again!
Posted 04/28/08 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
We recently stopped here after a day of shopping and were pleasantly surprised. Service was good and the food was better than we expected. We had an appetizer and 2 entrees with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. I don't know that it would be a destination spot but it's a good pick for a good dinner when out shopping in the area.
Posted 02/03/08 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
I have ordered from this restaurant many many times, from different locations, but mostly the same few things because the other menu items I've tried were not good, and I never ordered them again. I must say, the food does seem fresh. The Pad Thai and calamari and green tea have been excellent, and I have ordered them over and over again, including on my birthday once. But everything else I have tried has been not good at all, including the pot stickers. In fact, most recently I ordered the Pad Thai and calamari carry out--after a break of a few years--and did not even enjoy that and decided I probably won't go back.
PROS: Pad Thai, calamari, green tea
CONS: The remaining menu items
Posted 11/06/05 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
I like that hot noodle
by BigJim56
I ate here the other day. I got this noodle with peanuts and chicken. It was spicy! I loved it. I also ordered their homemade ginger ale. That was good stuff. I recommend it. The service was a little slow but it was worth it.
Pros: good food
Cons: slow service
Posted 01/19/09
Great place for a fun, casual meal
by emerana
Granted, I wouldn't call it Asian food...it's American food with Asian inspiration. But we were looking for a place we could go with the kids, where we wouldn't get glared at if they cried or threw their silverware on the floor, but still have a grown up evening out. Big Bowl fit the bill perfectly. We were seated promptly, it was right before 8pm on a Tuesday night. It was busy, but I felt comfortable because there was room between the tables. They had highchairs and seemed very welcoming of our children. We ordered the dumplings. They were ok, nothing too exciting. Then my husband got a curry dish, I got Kung Pow Noodles, one child got the BBQ Pork Cow Fun and the other teh Chicken Pad Thai. I have to say they were all good (got to taste them all) but the BBQ Pork Chow Fun was the winner. Only one issue, they all seemed more oily then I care for, but not so much that it really bothered me. The Pad Thai was very flavorful. Wait staff was nice, food came quickly (but not too quickly). Parking was easy above. The portions were huge, even the kids meals. For toddlers or smaller children, you could just get one and split it. And everything tasted fresh and didn't have that weird flavor some Asian take out gets. So overall we were quite happy.
Pros: easy parking, service, child-friendly, tastey food, comfortable, good selection
Cons: a bit oily when I went
Posted 06/04/08
Pretty good (but order chicken well done!)
by psnchckn
Went here with my girlfriend after a day of shopping and browsing the library. Service was pretty good, no complaints there. My girlfriend had some sort of spicy basil chicken dish, which was quite tasty, very fresh, etc.
Problems arose with my Panang Curry Chicken; after a couple of bites, I noticed that the majority of the chicken was just barely cooked through, and a few pieces were seared on the outside, and just about raw on the inside.
I sent it back immediately, and the server and the manager greatly apologetic. I always feel like a jack when I send dishes back, but I wasn't about to eat possibly-raw chicken swimming in curry sauce. They took the dish off the bill, offered me a new one, and a free dessert. Though, I declined both, I thought they handled it well.
Otherwise, the food was worth checking out, and despite the raw chicken fiasco, we'd go again -- but I'll order tofu or vegetables...or well-done chicken next time!
Pros: Tasty food, good service, quick service...possibly too quick, because...
Cons: Chicken, on this one occasion, was either near raw, or barely cooked through
Posted 05/10/08
Fun, place with really good Chinese food!
by james1970
Ended up at Big Bowl with a party from work. The place was busy, so we had a few at the bar. Nice atmosphere with a very friendly staff. No rush attitude. After a short while, we were led to our table.
We ended up ordering a number of appetizers for the group. Waitress was very accomodating to us. Our appetizers ranged from chicken satay to lettuce wraps to something akin to a Chinese dumpling. All was excellent!! After about three rounds of appetizers we were definitely full.
I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for somewhere after work, or if you are looking for a place to unwind with a fun group of friends.
Food was very fresh, had a little bit of spice(I like it hot, but not overly hot), and the atmosphere of the place in general was a lot of fun.
Get a seat at teh Big Bowl and prepare for a good time.
Posted 11/29/07
Icky Utensils
by xb4darkx
Not a great experience. At first glance, Big Bowl seemed like a really nice, intimate-casual dining place with redish oriental decor that will caught your eye. When you sit down, they will make an effort to offer you some sort of gingerale. Service took longer than usual. They seemed to be short on staff that day. The first thing I notice was how dirty the plates appeared, as if there were lots of soap residue. I check my friend's plate and it was the same. Then I look at the utensils and cups and felt disgusted. I ordered a customized stir-fry dish: spicy panang curry on beef and chow-fun noodle. I get to pick my own vegetables which sounded awesome until I stumble upon a clump of dirt hidden in the bok choy. Yuck! My friend ordered barbeque pork bow. It looks exactly like Wow Bow's down the street down to the wrapping paper. It must have been one the frozen one they bought from Wow Bow. Soup wasn't good, stir-fry dish was uninteresting. Overall, the experience wasn't great! I am still thinking about the nasty dishes and the yucky clump of dirt up to this day.... It deserve a "B" rating!
Pros: Ehhh...go maybe once in a blue moon
Cons: Dirty dishes and utensils
Posted 12/27/06
Fun, Funky Asian Cuisine
by chiliboots
A nice departure from traditional Chinese restaurants. My friend loves the Crispy Orange Peel Chicken. The service has always been prompt and friendly, and we've never had to wait for a table. The atmosphere mirrors the food - a mix of traditional and contemporary. A fun place for lunch.
Pros: service, atmosphere, food
Posted 06/04/05
User review by dkfs
by dkfs
Food is extremely fresh. Atmosphere is great. Presenation of the food is wonderful. The Ultimate Appitizer is a must! You get a taste a little of everything. The crispy lemon chicken is always a big hit as well. And you can't leave without trying their gingerale. It is the best I have ever had. Seating can be a bit challenging. They usually won't seat you unless your entire party is in the restaurant. But, if it is crowded, just grab a seat at the bar. They serve a full menu there.
Posted 03/22/05
What is this?
by cheesemuffy
Who is cooking this food? Have they tasted it?
The atmosphere and presentation is wonderful but the food needs improvement. The big chopsticks on the big bowl sign need to be removed because no Asian person can call the food Asian cuisine.
Pros: atmosphere, trendy
Cons: not asian food
Posted 08/16/03
Uhh..no
by SashaK
I was impressed by the Big Bowl outside, but that was where it ended. The food was a big disappointment.
Pros: exterior aesthetic
Cons: food
Posted 05/21/03
Have it your way
by bearloyer
very fresh, tasty food...I love being able to pick the ingredients and then have someone else cook it for me.
Pros: selection, crowd, smell
Posted 01/01/03
American Food?
by sanzsa55
I think the food was American Cuisine with peanuts and hearbs even though they make a good effort in interiors and using better looking dinnerwares comparing to some chinese restaurants. I think the people who thinks the food is good here needs some experience dining somewhere else too.
Posted 11/08/02
Fish juice
by kobeske
Ok so I tried the veggie asian noodle dish, and yes it is made with fish broth. I'm not a fan of fish and was completely disturbed when I found this out but it was amazing.
Pros: Unique dishes
Cons: Crowed, Yuppie atmosphere
Posted 11/08/02
Wonderful
by leesa22
Great food, service and kid friendly, fresh asian cooking at it's best.
Posted 11/08/02
Better Places To Go
by kim_wojcik
If there is one thing Big Bowl delivers that's disappointment. Living downtown I eat out frequently and Asian cuisine is on my top 3. The menu here is limited and the portions on a regular entree are skimpy in terms of meat and veggies. You'll get a decent size portion of rice or noodles, but will pay almost twice the price and there is much better quality out there to be had. The decor is trendy and the staff is touch and go depending on how busy they are. I would much rather go to Ben Pao's or PF Changs. You actually get a much nicer ambiance and far superior quality of food for about the same price.
Pros: Tourist Spot
Cons: Over Priced
Posted 11/08/02
Great Value
by dinodrew
Wonderful atmosphere, food was awesome. Service was outstanding as well.
Posted 11/08/02
Ginger tea thats like a hug from Mom
by jacsan
The food is great, and the ginger tea is so good it is worth the long trip we take to get there.
Pros: great food, good Atmosphere, great tea
Cons: Far from home, often crowded
Posted 11/08/02
not for asians
by jopa82
This is about Big Bowl in Schaumburg
If you're asian, don't go here cuz you'll be offended. I don't know who's in the back cooking but they don't know how to make asian food. The balances in the taste were all wrong. My wife and I were very upset.
Posted 11/06/02
potstickers potstickers!
by kaitlyn1
Did I mention potstickers? So savory and delicious that I order two sets to eat with my chicken soup. I haven't even had a chance to try anything else because the soup and potstickers are so good.
Posted 10/16/02
well...
by tyggergirl
The ginger ale is tasty but I've yet to find an entree that I really enjoy. The flavors are nice and the vegetables are crispy fresh but the noodles aren't very good - too soft and oily.
Posted 09/25/02
Great Thai!
by Anntalley5
The food was fantastic! I had Tofu and Vegetable Pad Thai. It was nice to find a restaurant with such a variety to choose from.
Posted 09/25/02
must have Kung Pao!!!
by liebfrau
I have had Kung Pao Chicken in cities around the country, and Big Bowl's version is the BEST, bar none. If that wasn't enough to keep me coming in, the bonuses are great ambience, great service and really reasonable prices.
Pros: Inexpensive, Casual, Cool decor
Posted 09/06/02
good food
by dirk_diggler85202
Good food here. I was here for the grand opening! Food is still good on this trip. Priced what you think it would be!
Pros: RICE, CHICKEN, VEGGIES
Posted 08/26/02
overpriced for the quality
by Ashia
Quality of the food is cheap, one-step above a fast food chain. Good ginger ale though.
Pros: Drinks
Cons: Cheap Quality
Posted 08/07/02
