Kinzie Chophouse

During lunch hour in an Irish-named bar, a young bartender recommend a few steak houses to us, including a celebrity-named one. Fortunately for us, a couple of elderly men interrupted our talk. In a gravelly voice, one said, "If you want a good steak, go to Kinzie's." His friend agreed. (We went in early evening.)Truer words were never spoken. My aged ribeye was one of the best 3 steaks I have ever had. The expert waiter made this meal a princely experience, helping me to pair up a good California zinfandel with the steak. Salad, bread, entree, and wine all arrived in a timely manner. This was over 2 years ago, and I still have a vivid memory of it. I can't wait to visit Kinzie's again for a great steak.

Pros: Steaks, wine, service

Cons: sometimes busy

Posted 06/10/09

i just moved into the area and tried my hand at this place last Sunday. i sat at the bar for 10 mins before the bartender even looked at me. another 10 mins went by before he took my order. WAY out of his depth.

i ordered scallops and the goat cheese. goat cheese was good but the scallops were raw when they came out. i bit into the first one then tried another. after many apologies from the bartender the same scallops came back out, reheated and still raw! i nearly threw them back at the kitchen.

i quickly asked for my check and as leaving the manager was lurking around asking people at the bar how their meal was. not me, i think i had a pi#sed off look on my face. no second chances here, too many better steakhouses in the city. you have been warned

Pros: nothing

Cons: bad service/bad food

Posted 05/21/09

When we got there we were craving, obviously Steaks... Since we were never there before, the waiter asked if we would like to see the types of meat cuts available. Now that's not something you see everyday.
He brought out a tray of all the different meats.. I chose the 14oz DELMONICO..Med , a fatty but juicy steak. My husband choose the 24oz Porterhouse.. Med Rare.. loved it..
This is not a chain type of resturant.. Like Sulllivan's. We are glad we choose this place.

Pros: Valet parking, Meat selections

Posted 07/10/08

When the server comes to the table with a basket of small slices of RAISIN BREAD(??) and Italian bread both of which are ice cold, and herbed butter that is still frozen, one would think the only way to go was up. Wrong! The supposed Caesar salad was limp with barely a hint of what tasted more like vinegar and oil than Caesar dressing. Since everything was ala carte, (salad, veges, potato of any sort) perhaps the Caesar dressing was ala carte also. Obviously any type of seasoning/steak butter/ wine sauce on the steak was ala carte also since it was completely lacking in any type of seasoning, etc and also lacked even a grilled taste. One steak was ordered medium rare, the other medium. The server did not know which was which and in cutting each steak, it was impossible to tell. This definitely is the poorest excuse for a steakhouse that we have ever patronized. We went to Kinzie on the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel. If it were possible to give a lower rating that 1 star, it would definitely get zero stars. If anyone recommends this restaurant, RUN, DON'T WALK IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION!!!

Pros: This is definitely a thumbs down. There were no pros to this meal. The only pro was leaving the restaurant.

Cons: Quality of food, half frozen bread, frozen butter, steaks cooked incorrectly and gristly

Posted 05/03/08

Well the bar was the only highlight of the night, it is pretty hard to mess a drink up. I thought the steak was below average, I think I could see where the jockey was hitting it, I could get the same NY Strip at the Jewel. After being to almost all the steak houses in Chicago, I would say Gibsons, Chicago Chop House, Gene and G, Smith & Wol, Ruth Chris. And twenty later Kinzie, don't waste your money here!!!

Posted 03/14/08

I went to Kinzie with my boyfriend and two other friends for dinner last weekend and we had the greatest time! The bar was recommended by a friend so we had a drink in there first and then sat down to dinner. We had a cozy, great table and our server made great recommendations and went out of his way for us the whole time. My boyfriend had the NY strip steak which he loved and I had the rock shrimp risotto, which was perfect. We will definitely be back for dinner or even just for drinks...we've been looking for a place in the neighborhood with a comfortable atmosphere and feel recognized and welcome and we finally found it. Everyone was so nice from beginning to end and we love it!

Posted 03/03/08

kinzie chophouse is really average in everything from food, service to decor.They are neither outstanding or really bad, but in the middle. The steaks were ok but not really flavorful like they say, i had the filet and my wife had the n.y strip which was ok too. appetizers and sides were somewhat ok too, my only complaint is that the place is really small and tables are very close to each other.overall there is better places for a good steak and experience.

Pros: Cheaper than other steakhouses

Cons: totally average

Posted 02/22/08

Kinzie Chophouse has been around for a few years, but it still has a sleek vibe. Definitely a more casual and welcoming environment than most of the "old school" Chicago steak joints.

Pair that with a knockout wine list and excellently prepared steaks, and you have a winning combination. The waitstaff was also attentive and highly knowledgable. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially around the weekend dinner hours.

Hands-down one of the best steakhouses in the city, with prices to match. But sometimes the old cliche is true: At the Kinzie, you get what you pay for.

Pros: Excellent steaks and seafood, great waitstaff, broad winelist

Cons: Prices are no discount, but worth the expense for a special occasion

Posted 12/06/07

Hands down best restaurant in town. Perfect follow-up to a Broadway show. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed. Not quite jeans and t-shirt, but otherwise quite relaxed. We are not traditionally beef eaters in our family. We had the Filet Mignon Medallions w/Shrimp. If we could eat at Kinzie everyday, we would be converts. The meet was so tender and delicious. The shrimp was fresh and succulent, and the red bell pepper risotto was excellent. We had cream puffs and butter rum cheesecake for dessert. We do not recommend the cream puffs (aka profiteroles), as they were made w/ice cream instead of sweet cream. However, the butter rum cheesecake was heavenly. Overall, the specialty martinis are fantastic, waitstaff is truly remarkable and attentive, and the food was so good that we could easily spend every weekend at Kinzie. The prices are also very reasonable for food of this caliber. If you are looking for a wonderful evening, in a relaxed yet cozy and romantic setting, and you want to experience fine dining at it's best----try Kinzie Chophouse.

Posted 11/13/07

Other than an excellent wine list the Kinzie Chophouse was a major disappointment. The hotel concierge said it was the best kept secret in Chicago, well it should remain a secret. From greeting to seating to dining the restaurant staff left much to be desired. The hostess was cold, the matre'd was rude, the waiter was invisible and the steaks were tasteless and not prepared properly. I had a better steak from room service at my hotel. There is a phone book full of better places to spend your dining dollar and receive commensurate value.

Posted 10/18/07

September is the annual IT&ME convention at the McCormick Center. For the past 4 years I have held my most important client dinner of the year at Kinzies'. Since this show is all about entertaining clients, we have to work hard to get the top clients to my event. I have a small company. I needed a restaurant that could compliment how I run my business. Kinzie's has become one of the top events of this show. This is the most wonderful restaurants that I have ever worked with. The staff is AWESOME, the food EXCELLENT, the Service OUTSTANDING. I can not begin to say how great Kinzies is to work with. If you are looking for a private room for an important event look no further, this restaurant has it all and I will return every year to host my client event
at Kinzies! Darlene Catan - IMN

Pros: SERVICE!! MENU!! ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Posted 09/26/07

The food is outstanding and very well presented. The staff well educated and highly knowledgable about the food they are serving. The managers are attentive without being obtrusive. The manager Anita is a great representation of the personal touch and outstanding service, she greeted us at the door and periodically smiled and check on us throughout the night. Our server was also incredibly helpful and did an awesome job. It is a very well planned and well organized establishment with a will to succeed and the good sense to serve. I highly recommend Kinzie for it's outstanding service and harmonious atmosphere. It is well worth the trip and is resonabily priced. It is perfet for a large group or a small romantic dinner. The steaks melt in your mouth and the flavor is well seasoned without being overpowering. The chocalate flourless cake is one in a million. Two thumbs up!

Posted 09/23/07

My friends and I went to Kinzie Chophouse last week. We were looking for a nice casual place to dine before going out dancing later. Even though dining was not our main goal for the evening, our experience was so tremendous, that we nearly forgot to go out dancing afterwards. Our server, Jason, was extremely friendly, knowlegeble, and willing to let us dine at our own pace. I really appreciate a waiter who doesn't rush me. He made several recommendations for our wine, not just selecting the most expensive bottles, but several different price levels (another bonus point). He also brought out a tray of steaks, showing us many different cuts. Again he recommended steaks at different price levels, not just the most expensive. I chose the bone-in ribeye, even though I was concerned it might be too much food for me. It was a big cut, but was so tasty, I didn't mind stuffing myself a bit! My salad (a cesar) was fresh and crisp, the dressing just right. And my side item, creamed spinach, was not overwhelmingly big, just the right size. It was so creamy and delicious, I nearly forgot to eat my steak! Most of my friends also had steaks and they were cooked perfectly. Another friend chose the Halibut and he said it was perfect. We were so stuffed, that we didn't want dessert, but the waiter said the cheesecake was to die for, so we ordered one for the table. It was so good, I almost ordered another one. In the end we planned on an hour and half dinner and ended up staying almost 3 hours. We were so suprised by the friendly staff, great food, and good wine, our plans changed. To me that is the mark of a great dining experience.

We will definately go back!

Pros: Service, food, winelist, martini list

Cons: NONE

Posted 09/22/07

I had a terrific meal at the Kinzie Chop House!
We started with the blackened scallops and the mussells, which were cooked to perfection.
The server was really informed and polite. I loved it when he brought out all the different cuts of meat and explained them all.
I chose the 8 oz. filet w/ bernaise while my friend did the "Kinzie Cut".
My friend is a wine rep, and she was really impressed with the wine list, saying it was well rounded and affordable.
The restaurant was really busy, and Anita the manager and the other door staff really went out of their way to make everyone feel at home.
in a nut shell, I can hardly wait to go back. I saw a few other menu items that I wanted to try and the bar looked really fun.
by the way, the I absolutely loved the flourless chocolate cake.
I have been to many steak houses, so when the bill came, I was expecting it to be much higher.
I will definitely go back!

Pros: service. food, value

Posted 09/20/07

I have some major dietary restrictions, and the restaurant handled my requests with ease. The manager even stopped by our table to check that my food was prepared properly. Both of our meals were great! I especially loved the wine that our waiter helped choose for our meal.

Pros: Great Service and Food

Cons: Bar tables fill up quickly.

Posted 09/20/07

One of the few steakhouses of Chicago where you can dine and actually have and hear your conversation with the party you're with! This place is great for romantic dinners as well as power lunches and business dinners. Try the Oysters Rockefeller, served hot with melted cheese, spinach, a homemade hollandaise sauce and sprinkled with bacon bits as an appetizer and the South Beach Martini. Absolutey Delicious!

Posted 09/20/07

Great customer service and terrific wine list. The rib-eye is out of this world. You could go for any occasion, lunch or dinner.

Posted 09/20/07

This restaurant is truly a steak & wine celebration. If you want great steak, a filet mignon at Kinzie's is like butter. Their wine list is extensive and their staff is helpful and accommodating. I'll be going back for more good eats and to enjoy the warm & friendly atmosphere.

Posted 09/20/07

A little bit tight inside but not bad. Service is good... a very nice wine list and quaint bar area. Not overly recommended, but pretty darn good!

Pros: wine list

Cons: small spaces

Posted 08/12/07

I changed reservations from an old-favorite to the Kinzie Chophouse based on the reviews and was very disappointed in the quality and flavor of my 14 ounce tenderloin. My husband's bone-in delmonico was also a disappointment - the flavor did not match the quality of the other establishment. We did enjoy the atmosphere in the bar area so we may stop in again for a drink but certainly not for dinner.

Posted 02/05/07

Great place to eat steak. It is very juicy and delicious! Highly recommend to call a head for appointment.

Posted 01/01/07

Dined at Kinzie last night with co-workers. Good place as we were able to sit in the backroom and have privacy. My delmonico "medium" steak with the "bone in" was excellent. In addition, the portions for the "sides" fed at least people. I will be back again.

Posted 08/10/06

i think this place is way below average compared to other steakhouses in the city. it is a joke that this place is tied for the top rated steakhouses in chicago.

Posted 08/09/06

A friend and I had dinner there on the 21st of May.
Tony was our server and treated us very nicely. Everyone of the staff in fact treated us as if they were happy for us to be there.
The Food was excellent.
We were allowed to relax and take our time ordering and to eat.
They maybe not first class in all things but they sure did treat us as if we were first class.
A good restaurant with a good attitude... fun and comfortable.

Pros: Great Meat, Great Service

Posted 05/31/06

My wife and I are here on vacation. I had scoped this place out because we were staying nearby and the website and menu really made the place look inviting. The food was magnificent, and the service was impeccable.

Posted 05/29/06

My sister came to visit my fiance and I and wanted to take us out for a special dinner. We made reservations at Gene & Georgetti's, however when we got there we were ignored. So we called Kinzie Chop house (we saw it on the walk over), and they were more than happy to accomodate us. When we arrived, they remembered we had called and we were seated immediately, and received excellent service and the best steak I've had in my life. I don't drink wine, but my sister and fiance said it was excellent as well. I certainly could not afford to eat here if I was paying the bill! But if you can afford it, definitely go!

Pros: excellent service, delicious food

Cons: very high cost

Posted 04/23/06

Went here based on reviews found here and the hotel recommendation. This is an excellent steakhouse. Five of us all ordered the Kansas City Strip ($34) based on our waiter's recommendation. Everyone was satisfied. Asked to have it cooked four different ways and each came out correctly. The sides of smashed potates, hash browns and creamed spinach were all excellent. (could have been a little big larger, but that is not much of a complaint) . Had two reds from the special board, both were $40 or under, both were excellent. Service was very friendly as others have said, we were seated immediately and given a great table even though we had made the reservation for a saturday night three hours before hand. Great martinis also. Cannot understand how this place only gets an 18 from Zagat reviewers. Place was crowded and bustling and had lots of energy.

Pros: Service, Wine List, Sides

Posted 04/08/06

I love this place - foods great, service wonderful - staff extremely knowledgeable and friendly

Pros: great food, great service, ambience

Posted 02/08/06

Best steak I have had in a long time. Great with big parties as well as couples. Recommended by a friend and I will definitely be going back. A warm atmosphere with excellent food and service. If you enjoy wine, they have a wonderful list. Thanks for a GREAT dinign experience

Posted 02/04/06

I was at the Kinzie Chophouse in November. I've been privelaged enough to be spoiled when it comes to steak, eating in the finest steakhouses between New York City and Philadelphia. I must say that this was the best steak I have ever eaten. It was absolutely cooked to perfection, so tender that you could cut it with a fork. It was also served with outstanding side orders.

In addition to the meal, the service was also top notch. The place was bustling. Yet, we were greeted like we were regulars when we walked in the door and seeted right for our 8:00 reservation. Our waiter knew the menu inside out and treated us like he had been serving us for years...Chicago, great city, great steaks and I can't wait until we all go back in the summer!!! We shall return!!!

Pros: Steak, Service, Atmosphere

Posted 01/10/06

My wife and I enjoy a nice thick steak but do not need a large portion. Most of the better steakhouses charge a hefty splitting charge. NOT Kinzie. Our request is handled perfectly, with each portion served on an appropriate size plate. The waiters have always been knowledgeable and give excellent service. Our favorite steakhouse in Chicago.

Pros: food, service, customer friendly

Cons: none

Posted 10/30/05

My husband and I were pleasantly surprised that this neighborhood steakhouse has such a great winelist and fabulous steaks. Our server was very wine savvy and knew his steak cuts. We had a great experience and will be back.

Posted 08/17/05

We had many steakhouses to choose from, and went to Kinzie's just based on the location. The food was excellent, as was the service. The wine list is extensive, but not over whelming, and reasonably priced.

Pros: Steak Options

Posted 08/09/05

I went there and got the Winter Delights Special which was a three course meal for only $19.99 and every morsel of it was very worth it; the service was great - the atmosphere added to everything and the food was terrific, especially for a great deal like that.

Posted 03/08/05

My husband and I were grounded at ORD for an extra day due to the snowstorm in New York and decided to chance it in downtown Chicago for dinner and a movie. After being told to go to several different restaurants our cab driver recommended Kenzie Chophouse. When we arrived the restaurant was full but the host assured us he would get us in about "25 minutes." Five minutes later we were seated and treated to a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable meal. It did not seem like the kind of place that tourists would go to and I liked that. They got us out in time for our movie as well. Thanks for making what could have been an unpleasant time in Chicago memorable.

Pros: Service, Food, Timing

Posted 01/23/05

After years of booking events with my company I finally found someone who could please my pciky coworkers. Normally I am greeted with resistance and apathy by most of the restaurants with whom I have worked with in the past. You'd think they would want a large group like ours who isn't afraid to drink and eat! Well Kinzie Chophouse was up to the task and catered our every request with "of course we can" and "right away." I strongly recommend this restaurant for your Christmas party or special occasion and will book ours with you next year. I look forward to seeing you next year Kinzie!

Pros: Details, Attitude, Excellent service

Posted 12/13/04

Having eaten in almost every reputable steakhouse in the city, I was truly surprised by the generous portions and heartfelt service that we received at Kinzie Chophouse. Despite the busy atmosphere and holiday traffic I felt that my party was given the treatment by both staff and managers. I will tell others!

Pros: fast service, pleasant, good food

Posted 12/09/04

A truly uninspiring and overpriced meal. The 12oz NY dry aged steak was expensive ($34), but cooked too quickly (medium rare requestd) to give a very tough exterior. The vegtable side plate (an extra $5) was overcooked and had no zest. The best that I can say is that the service was prompt.

Pros: prmpt service

Cons: , sides uniteresting, overpriced

Posted 12/08/04

I ordered the halibut with the cheapest wine (rose). Both the fish and the wine tasted quite good. My waiter was very friendly and helpful when I told him I was in a hurry to catch a plane. He also offerred to give me a bag to carry some of my personal stuff. I didn't order the steak, but from the look of things, I am fairly sure I would like it if I did. But the price for the steak is a bit pricy, but not too unreasonable. I would try to go back and try the steak next time I visit Chicago. Base on my experience, I would recommend this place for others.

Pros: good food, good wine, good service

Posted 11/12/04

I decided to plan a business dinner at Kinzie Chophouse for me and 11 of my colleagues. We had originally wanted a private room but were not large enough of a party to meet the minimum guarantee of the restaurant's private event room. I would have booked elsewhere if it were not for the earnest and thoughtful way in which my party was handled. After much convincing, the manager talked me into doing the party in a non-private rear dining room where he promised a VIP table. The dinner was perfection and we were in fact treated better than I have been at other more reknowned establishments. I will certainly consider Kinzie Chophouse when planning any large staff functions in the future.

Pros: Professional, Courteous, Cozy

Posted 10/07/04

Let's just say that it's been a long time since I felt good about spending money in a restaurant. Last Saturday I dined at your restaurant for the first time. This is an old school place with lots of character and a commitment to what matters - Service! Everybody felt like family. It seems like all of the new restaurants in town are trying to be trendy and "hot." I appreciate a restaurant that sticks to the basics and gets it right. One suggestion, however, might be to add extra valets since it seemed that the young girl in front was a little overwhelmed with customers.

Pros: Service, Price, Easy Parking

Posted 08/11/04

I have been coming to Kinzie Street Chophouse for as long as I 've worked at the mart and I can strongly recommend this restaurant for lunch. I recently dined there for dinner for the first time in a long time and was really happy with the steak and the server. The ambience at night is very different from the day--much more quiet and intimate. (Lunch can be quite busy!!!) Keep up the good work!

Pros: Consistent, Good Service, Big Menu

Posted 07/19/04

I am a regular at Kinzie. The waiters and staff provide excellent service. The food is very good quality and always prepared to my liking. If even the smallest thing is amiss, the staff are quick to fix it.

Pros: Excellent Service, Good Value, Valet Parking

Posted 06/02/04