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9 Muses
Categories: Restaurants Greek Restaurants Mediterranean Greek, Mediterranean [Edit]
315 S Halsted St(between Gladys Ave & Jackson Blvd)
Chicago, IL 60661
Neighborhoods: Greektown, Near West Side, West Loop
(312) 902-9922
- Nearest Transit:
-
UIC-Halsted (Blue Line)
Clinton-Blue (Blue Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 2 pm - 3 am
Sun 2 pm - 2 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
77 reviews for 9 Muses
Review Highlights
"Gyro platter = amazing."
(in 4 reviews)
"Try the tomato basil appetizer with an order of feta."
(in 11 reviews)
"I would recommend the roasted red pepper and feta with..."
(in 3 reviews)
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77 reviews in English
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Review from Marisa G.
Chicago, IL
12/8/2011
saganaki what what!
awesome place. i've always gone on a random weekday night so it's not packed.
their fries are great and the shish kebob platter is huge. definitely fit for 2.
i forget what kind of dessert I had but it was good, some kind of creamy pie with nuts and a honey drizzle? who knows but i scarfed it down whole. -
Review from Gina V.
Burr Ridge, IL
9/23/2011
Food was fabulous
The greek fries with feta are to die for...I have been dreaming of them. The pita bread was super fresh along with the hummus and vegetables. The gyro was also delicious...
I was not a huge fan of the saganaki and I think it is because they do not bring it out while it is on fire. (That sounds silly but I am being serious) By the time that the saganaki made it to our table it was hard and chewy.
Wednesday night specials are $5 vodka drinks so my friends and I were livin la vida loca and I will definitely be visiting more frequently. (On Wednesdays)
The service....it could improve. Our waitress was hungarian and came off as somewhat rude. More than rude it was almost as if she was annoyed by us or was judging us. -
Review from Laura E.
Chicago, IL
8/15/2011
I feel conflicted giving this place 2 stars, because the food actually wasn't bad. It should get at least 2.5 stars for that, but oh well. Whether a 2.5 star place is a 2 or 3 star review is always a judgment call and I'm going with 2 stars for this one. Like another restaurant I ate at once in the area, there was an incredibly rude and pretentious vibe here. I don't know if that's just a "West Loop" thing. It's like these restaurants want some sort of status that they don't yet have, so they act really rude and snobby to compensate for it.
Anyways, our waitress was really rude and bitchy. She had an European accent, which I assume is the sole reason why she got hired. I could go on about why I got such a bad vibe, but there is no real point. Anyone else who has experienced the gross West Loop vibe will probably know what I'm talking about.
Also worth mentioning is the worst wine pour I have ever seen in my life for someone I was eating with. $7 for what looked like maybe 2 ounces of wine. -
Review from Sam N.
Chicago, IL
10/9/2011
After a night on the town went to shit, Some friends and I ended up here. Euro Music was a nice touch...Some friendly people some not so friendly. I did not come here with the expectation that I would get a greek girl pregnant and we would eat souvlaki and live life happily ever after...I think some of the people here could be more open to people who are not greek.
Thanks to the DJ for starting to play music that everyone knows at 2AM. timing is everything :) -
Review from James S.
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good burgers (turkey or beef). Nice salads. Generally a good place to visit -- unless you are with kids. At night, it was pretty loud with music, and the disco-y lights looked like they were a little premature to break out the booty-shakers.
Their version of simple noodles (I know, why would you come here for noodles) made the error of cooking with Olive Oil and serving with butter. Or at least that's what it tasted like.
From the regulars who happened to be the burger-eaters: They both lamented how the fries were now wilty. Still with taste, but without the crisp. Took forever to get some sort of of breadbasket --- hey, it happens, but it would have been nice.
Overall, fine. Never been my favorite Greek Town establishment, but it is nice to have variety, right? -
Review from danny t.
Hammond, IN
10/9/2011
This is absolutely the Coolest and Hippest place to hang out at in Greek Town! It offers everything you could want!! Excellent Coffee! Fantastic Food! Any Kind of Drink you could ever imagine!! Wonderful Desserts!
I must continue by saying that it has very beautiful outdoor seating with lush and beautiful plants and flowers that make you feel like you are in the tropics on vacation!
In my opinion, the owners of this fine establishment are very kind and hospitable! Yanni and Niko regularly greet the guests and welcome them as they walk in the door! I have personally never had a problem with any food or drink item that I have ever ordered! The alcohol is always the best quality! I also find that the crowd that frequents this establishment is usually very nice and cool! -
Review from George F.
St Charles, IL
Superb food. Garlic mash off the hook. Sometmes the wait is a bit long, even when they are slow. The food is really good. The chicken in all of their dishes is very tender and flavourful. The Euro club music gets a bit annoying when there arent enough people in there to drowned it out. Go eat there and fist pump.
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Review from Nina M.
Chicago, IL
1/20/2011
Good pita sandwich, good Greek fries (feta and oregano). Nice outdoor dining and the windows open in nice weather. Also if you are still a smoker, great news! apparently the Illinois law or people's health don't matter bc if you are caught here on a Saturday night (Greek music party night) people smoke in here That takes 1 star away.
If you play backgammon and don't have a job or are a student, this is your spot during the weekday with a frappe.
Not sure what the problem with the waitresses are, never had a big problem.
Parking is valet for $5 on the side. That's about it. -
Review from Michael H.
Chicago, IL
7/19/2010
We chose 9 Muses because there was outdoor seating. Try the tomato basil appetizer with an order of feta. Very refreshing start to your meal. Also try an "interesting" white Greek wine as described on the menu. I was tempted to ask the oddly-serious waitress if she could recommend any "boring" wines. I had the beef kabob and it was delicious. Perfectly seasoned with a nice compliment of rice, salad and pita.
Boo to the oddly-serious waitress for charging me $1.00 for a little extra tzatziki sauce. That should never be done at any self-respecting restaurant. -
Review from Tim E.
St Paul, MN
8/13/2011
Food ordered: shish kabob platter consisted of pork chunks, Greek salad and fries, glass of Greek red wine
Meal: french fries soggy, pork chunks somewhat tasty but left a lot of fibers in my teeth and were quite salty, salad ok; stingy pour of wine, slightly corked (not their fault)
Setting: corner location, large windows open to night air, bar, patio, inside- I sat inside
Ambience: relatively clean, bass speaker beating out background always present but not drowning out conversation, slender younger servers in black, table and chairs reasonably comfortable, group of police chose this for dinner worrying me about overall quality in area
Service: busboy/water filler great, server poor
Summary: overall it worked for dinner, but wouldn't go back -
Review from Eirini L.
Chicago, IL
6/1/2011
Saturday nights here are hit or miss....but this place gets 5 stars for the food alone. They have a surprisingly tasty menu! The souvlakia are how they make them in Greece. The sandwhiches are really outstanding as well. Also, the service is great, the waitresses are always really nice and attentive and the bartenders as well. The doorman on the weekends is a little scary and not too friendly but I don't mind if I am going with friends to hear the Greek tunes from a really good DJ.
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Review from Helen C.
9/1/2009
About once a year, I do get a craving for a doner kebab (here - gyros). The difference is, usually I get my kebab fix at 3am in my local kebab shop and I don't use a knife and fork to eat it. This does not make it bad food, by the way, I think meat, pita and salad with tzaziki is one of the most delicious things on the planet... it does make it a little bit odd to order it on a plate and eat it in a restaurant though!
The gyros here was very delicious - good creamy tzaziki in particular. So why 3 stars? On gazing about greekfest and popping my head in some other restauants - and having eaten alot of kebabs - I don't think it was particularly special. This neighbourhood probably has an abundance of excellent gyros. Garlic mash was quite special though.
I was disappointed by the menu choices (sparse), and dismayed by their reaction to asking for olives (bemusement) - really? in a greek restaurant? Then the final nail in the star coffin - charging $9.50 for Ouzo. Sorry, but that's expensive, needlessly so.
Not really a 'greek taverna' atmosphere, more of a greek island playing euro house music atmosphere. Still undeniably Greek! A good fun place, cheap wine, decent food - just skip the Ouzo and don't ask for olives! -
Review from Harry P.
Chicago, IL
10/4/2007
I used to frequent this place a lot when I was going to UIC. It used to be this very down to earth bar/grill that catered to college students with good prices that a broke college student can afford.
After they expanded , all of a sudden they started to charge a premium for everything.
Also, after the expansion, the owners got this " My crap don't stink" attitude. Don't get me wrong, the food and the ambiance is very good(hence the 2 stars), but the owners have to realize, that their pompous attitude has and will chase their regular and potential customers away. -
Review from Niko K.
Chicago, IL
5/29/2008
Yes 5 stars. With a disclaimer though.... I'm quite biased.
You see, once upon a time there was a show named Cheers. "Where everyone knows your name" if you will. Well, Muses is my Cheers.
I've only been there maybe a zillion times. Ok, not that many but you get the point.
A few musts. If you like iced coffee, please order a Fredo when you go. Quite possibly the best liquid on earth. You can order it with no sugar, medium, or sweet. A MUST! Perfect on a warm day sitting outside on their patio.
Their food is solid. I've never really had a bad meal there. Chicken is quite tender and flavorful. The souvlaki is always a good choice. I recommend their Greek fries which is just regular fries with feta cheese on top. A good combo. You can't go wrong with something friend and feta cheese. Lately on their daily specials they put a couple of wraps as options. I highly recommend.
Prices are very reasonable for the quality and amount of food you get.
Great place to grab an after work drink with friends too. -
Review from Victoria h.
Berwyn, IL
8/26/2007
I've been there several times during the late hours for their dancing. Today, finally, I went there for their food. Since it was Greek Festival, everything was served in plastic plates with plastic-ware. It was kind of cheap and unappealing. I had the Creek salad (there, called Village salad) which wasn't very big, but came with a baguette and was very tasty. My friend had their 9 muses panini and really liked it. We also ordered tzaziki (which i didn't feel like making myself) and it was super tasty.
Our server wasn't very personable and the service was below par (hence 4 stars, not 5).
I'd definitely come back here for food, give it another shot. Maybe, next time, I won't have to eat out of cheap plastic plates. -
Review from Gerry X.
Chicago, IL
7/2/2010 3 photos
Also plus as I found out is that 9 Muses has wireless. Sweet.
Food is good ( I ususally get a shish ke bab plates which i took a bad pic of, but i was THAT hungry) People friendly, owners are awesome, and waitstaff was professional.
Outdoor patio was relaxing and as I write this...stuffed and want to go into a food coma. Not looking foward to traffic, however the expressway is easily available right here off of Randolph.
And the frappe gylko me gala (sweet with milk) is always a win. Mikey makes a good one (he wasnt here today but the frappe was as good. -
Review from Grant N.
Chicago, IL
5/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Would give 5 stars BC the good was great but the service is poor. I had the grilled chicken pita platter, it was grilled to perfection.
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Review from Venetta L.
Chicago, IL
6/1/2009
Frappe with Bailey's.
Do it. -
Review from Nick S.
10/7/2006
9 Muses is a fantastic cafe/bar/restaurant. This isn't categorized as a Greek restaurant, but I think it comes closest to the Greek lifestyle prevalent in Greece today. Make sure and try the Frappe. It's an iced, blended instant coffee. It's total rocket fuel. Do not attempt to drink after 4pm or you won't sleep.
Their menu is prolific for a place that many people consider a bar. It's menu is filled with very seasoned and tasty beef, pork, chicken and vegetarian dishes. The food is also reasonably priced.
I have been going to 9 Muses for a very long time. If you're looking for a European vibe, it's a great place to visit. If you go Saturday night, make sure and bring your shovel, there's enough Eurotrash in there to fill a small land fill.
If people talking on cell phones bother you, don't bother. It's not uncommon for a person to be talking on 2 cell phones and cigarette in their mouth.
I've read reviews about poor service if you're non Greek. This is false. Everyone that goes in there gets real slow service. It's that whole European "Work to live not live to work" thing. Got it?Listed in: Best Bar Food
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Review from Khadijah L.
Chicago, IL
4/7/2010
The waitresses here have this disposition like uh they're on PMS or something. Think Angelina Jolie with no smile. Kinda hot.. look like they're going to chew you and spit you right out.
Honey, you're no Angelina Jolie. Furthermore, you're scaring the patrons. Especially because you don't pay any attention to us, and we had to flag you down a couple of times to order more rounds of drinks and get more bread... At the same time, we fear that you might bite our heads off.
This place has decent food and drinks but the service definitely could be friendlier. Maybe if I milao ellinika they would be friendlier...Listed in: Whats Good, in My…
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Review from Kar M.
Chicago, IL
7/6/2009
They drew us in with the patio. And aside from the constant sirens (not Greek sirens to go with the muses--emergency vehicles) the patio was a lovely place to be. It drew in a diverse group at lunch, quiet and not crowded. Service was spot on, very attentive.
Dining companions and I ordered off the daily specials. Sides are hard to find on the menu (the layout of the small boring font on yellow paper tried our patience), so just trust me and get the garlic mashed potatoes. Vegetable panini was just fine; the bread-pesto-cheese part was delicious and the grilled veggies actually detracted from it. Portions were good for lunch and food came quickly. Dining companions weren't thrilled with their orders but didn't articulate why so eff them. -
Review from Ebonie D.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love this place! A friend of mine recommended on a dreary day last spring and sure enough it's become a favorite of mine. Of course, it the only restaurant in Greektown with no valet but it's still a cool place to hang out. Good bar selections. I recommend the Tigania and the Roasted Florina Peppers. Yummy!
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Review from Abigail T.
Chicago, IL
12/27/2007
LOVE[d] IT! it's been a minute, but I do recall having good experiences here. I will have to give it another whirl since the last few reviews have been pretty horrendous.
Nice place to lunch, esp when they open the windows up. Younger feel at this place. -
Review from Rob C.
Chicago, IL
3/23/2007
Two words...Fontina Peppers! That's the only reason I goto this place. It's an appetizer that they offer and it's amazing. I find myself going here just for that dish more often than not and I believe they're the only resto in Greek Town that offers it. It's two roasted red peppers stuffed with feta cheese served over balsmaic vinegar and olive oil.
The rest of the items are predictable Greek dishes. I also have to agree with one other reviewer that there are not many vegetarian friendly dishes. Overall a great place to go with friends for a late night dinner before a night on the town. Good Euro music, if you're into that stuff, and a sexy crowd. Gentleman..you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Ryan P.
Winston-Salem, NC
4/26/2008
Oh, how I love me some 9 Muses! I've been here more times than I can count on my right hand (Only four fingers!) and I've loved it every time. I've only gotten one thing and that's the Chicken Caesar Sandwich with Greek Fries. It has been superb every time!
Their outdoor eating area is so nice and it's a wonderful little place to go on a summer evening. The staff is friendly - I'm pretty sure it's only young Greek gals - but either way they are friendly and attentive.
Also, I saw Jim McMahon eating here one time, which tells me one thing... Champions eat at 9 Muses and so should you! -
Review from Salvador S.
Berwyn, IL
5/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place for lunch or a casual date night. In Greek town this place is one of the most modern in it's food and look. I have been coming here for years and it just keeps getting better.
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Review from Steve M.
2/29/2008
Went for a Tuesday night dinner. Friends were late, so I played the "wait at the bar and watch sportscenter" game. Bartender was gruff, and poured me pretty weak Johnny Walker Reds as I sat there and listened to the ecclectic mix of euro house/trance and traditional greek music. I felt like I had to stand up and flag down the barman for my only refill, because he spent most of the time chatting up his friends, who were also sitting at the bar. You know it's awkward when the bartender acts like you're interrupting his IMPORTANT conversation to pour you another drink.
Friends arrived, we were seated, and the food saved the day (and this review)! Saginaki, DELICIOUS. Gyro platter = amazing. Souvlaki: "get out of town on a bus" good. Wash it all down w/ very very reasonably priced red and white greek table wine.
I might go back..... my friends just better be on time. -
Review from Alexis K.
4/12/2008
I went here on a calm afternoon. The restaurant was very chill. My friend and I were seated in a sunny room with no other patrons. The waitress made sure to be attentive but not too aggressive; she wanted us to have a calm, relaxing eating experience. I found the food tasty and simple.
I would definitely go back. -
Review from Jacqueline H.
Scottsdale, AZ
5/28/2009
Traditional greek food, in huge portions, not meant for the light eater.
Here we started with some Saganaki, the flaming cheese, and feasted on a gyro plate and chicken kabob plate. Food was good, not exceptional, and was way too much for us to finish responsibly. Members of the staff seemed very young, almost too inattentive for my taste, but I won't complain.
The decor doesn't feel greek, music playing through the speakers was contemporary pop and dance hits, so I would not recommend this place if you want a real Greek experience. Seating by the bay windows, open to the busy street outside, seems like a nice touch - though it's noisy and curious passersby want to see what you are eating.
I recommend the place for its nice selection of foods, but I am certain there are many more like it in the area that would suit even more. -
Review from Lisa H.
10/24/2010
when this place was tiny, we used to stop in & devour one of the better cheap & delicious gyros sammies on this strip after band rehersal a block away.
now that they are fancier & larger, they are terrible. i've eaten a couple of times & thought i needed to give it another try just in case.
for the 2 of us, lunch cost $55 without tip. we got one glass of wine each (absolutely horrid & the world's smallest pour), split the hummus & paid an extra buck for another pita (the $8 order came with ONE pita), & each got a salad. my ceaser was top notch horrible. they served a giant rock hard crouton i could not for the life of me break with a knife, my hands or my teeth. there was probably only a cup of greens & 3 overcooked small chicken breasts uncut.
the service is ok-waitress is amazingly beautiful.
unfortunately it's time for me to move on to better grecian pastures.Listed in: not all that
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Review from Jean Z.
Chicago, IL
5/17/2006
Its because of this place, that I have a newly found adoration for feta.
My greek and I had the roasted red pepper with feta appetizer, some beef tenderloin tip special, chicken shish-ka-bob platter and fries(with lemon and fetta of course) and a frappe each.
Outstanding tender meats, perfectly seasoned appetizer and great fries. Again, warms my heart because its a bar and a restaurant.
Yum! -
Review from t. o.
Chicago, IL
5/27/2010
Unbelievably bad service, from the thinks-she's-super-hot hostess to the surly bussers. The music was absolutely blaring, and with just two other customers in the whole place I asked them to turn it down so our party could hear each other across our table. I got stared down like I'd asked them to kill the cook.
Actually, not a bad idea. The food was horrible. Tough dry cold lamb, undercooked vegetables, prepackaged pilaf mix. Everything overpriced. Menu was more like the gyro place down the street than a sit down eatery - and I wished I'd just gone there. The look of the place is straight out of 1985...in Long Island or New Jersey.
Dubious, we waited two years to try it, living in the neighborhood. We should have kept waiting. Seems like a money-laundering front for the mafia or something. -
Review from Rachel Z.
New York, NY
Updated - 1/26/2010
This place is consistent. Every time I have been here, I got quality food and good service.
Went and had the chicken kebob platter, marinated chicken, a nice greek salad, side of garlic mashed potatoes, and pitas to put it all on. Very yummy. My boyfriend had a swiss burger and its good everytime we have it here.
The owners own 9 muses and Meli's cafe and these two restaurants will be staples in greektown for years to come.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/29/2009
Amazing Frappe's, so refreshing and delicious, I love European style coffee!! :) I went there with… Read more »
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Review from Nora B.
Chicago, IL
9/23/2008
Nice spot in Greektown.
More of a cafe menu with some healthy and lite choices& yummy Greek favorites.
Very casual, with a good selection& great outdoor seating if it's warm!
They do take out and have a full bar.
Good service, too...Always a plus! -
Review from Scott S.
Des Plaines, IL
11/16/2008
Do you like clown cars at circuses?
Now imagine if you added alcohol to that fray.
It sounds like an epiphany as great as the moment someone decided that mixing stimulants and depressants together in the form of jaeger bombs was a good idea. Unfortunately, this is not the case. On a saturday night at 1am you will be playing "i hope thats a member of the opposite sex grinding on my leg" as you will be packed in too tight to turn around and look. Bouncers at the bar spend all night betting on how many people they can fit in a single room. -
Review from Michael L.
Chicago, IL
7/28/2009
This is a hidden treasure. (At least I think it's hidden. Rarely crowded.) Really scrumptious Mediterranean food--unlike anything else in Greektown. Nice wines, pleasant funky atmosphere. Open-air windows for the nice weather. Special treat: Have a drink at the Tasting Room and then dinner at Nine Muses. Great for a romantic evening or out-of-town visitor (or a combo of the two).
And there's a $5.00 parking lot next door. -
Review from Shannon H.
Chicago, IL
2/9/2011
9 Muses is great if you are looking for a Mediterranean twist on bar fare. The food is very good, but the drinks are pricy and not very big. 9 Muses usually isn't too crowded or too loud and they have TV's for watching the game. Personally I love coming here in the summer because you can sit outdoors and watch all the people go by on Halsted street.
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Review from Jess Z.
Chicago, IL
3/7/2011
If I could, I would give 0 stars.
I've never been anywhere where servers have such attitude. Do they know it's their job to bring you water? After a busboy brought us water, our server had the nerve to yell at him for doing so. WTF??!!
We left immediately afterwards, as I have better ways of spending my Sunday afternoons.
Avoid this place like the PLAGUE. Unless you want to be treated like the plague, that is. -
Review from kara c.
Chicago, IL
2/10/2011
I usually come here on a weekday afternoon for some soup and a cocktail. The service is nice, but they never come to check up on me. After about 20 minutes of waiting, I have to go ask for my check. But the egg lemon is good!
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Review from Luis C.
Chicago, IL
11/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
I love 9 muses. Ive never had a bad time or a bad meal there. The sandwiches are really good and the dinner plates are delicious. Of course, for some reason I always have the gyro platter...I know thats kind of boring but its soo good. I have had the enormous pork chop dinner, very tasty. Carbonara pasta, good. Just about anything you order is good and they will make adjustments and substitutions better than BK. The appetizers are all good. Fun place with good energy. Good date place that wont break the bank.
