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Chicken Run
Categories: Restaurants Mexican Restaurants American (Traditional) Mexican, American (Traditional) [Edit]
2339 N Milwaukee Ave(between Belden Ave & Medill Ave)
Chicago, IL 60647
Neighborhood: Logan Square
(773) 227-2370
- Nearest Transit:
-
California-O'Hare (Blue Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
S B. said: "After visiting the Chicago Historical Society today we thought we'd cap our day with a slice of Chicago style pizza but after seeing this really cool corner tavern in Lincoln Park we decided to check it out... And even though we…" read more »
65 reviews for Chicken Run
Review Highlights
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65 reviews in English
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Review from Victoria M.
Las Vegas, NV
For my homies from the West Coast, this is pretty much a chicken el carbon place that delivers. It's a little more pricey than El Pollo Loco, but not by much. Delivery was bang on time. (I used Seamless.)
Chicken was perfect, sides were fine and based on the Yelp reviews, I also got the fried plantains, which were pretty magical. I will order from here again! -
Review from Khadijah L.
Chicago, IL
Solid food.
Cheap.
Chicken was super tasty.
The platanos maduros were a little bit soggy/greasy.
Coleslaw i suspect premade. But the salsa red and green are pretty outstanding.
Considering how often I frequent this street, I suspect I'll be back pretty often for the tastiness and convenience
I'm curious about the seafood. -
Review from Danny W.
Chicago, IL
Admittedly I'm a little confused. It seems like half of the users on here are reviewing anything but the chicken. I assumed the restaurant was called chicken run for a reason, and they did not disappoint. I got the half chicken dinner to go and the chicken was moist and flavorful even after a short walk home. Like many users have pointed out, you really get a lot of food for pretty cheap here. So the fries and slaw where generic, but you really only care about the chicken anyways. Also, per John B's comment, the salsa really is superb.
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Review from Emily T.
Chicago, IL
This review is for delivery. The driver arrived in the estimated time. The steak burritos were delicious, as were the fried plantains. Overall the food was very good, but not hot. I requested sour cream on the side of one burrito, and paid the extra 25 cents, but it was not included. They were out of strawberry shakes, but called to see if a banana shake was ok. The banana shake was tasty but was completely melted upon arrival; more like banana milk. We still drank most of it, but would have preferred the frozen version. I would eat it again for sure, but probably not for delivery.
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Review from Chiiik S.
Chicago, IL
Would have gotten 3 if not for the service-we experienced VERY slow and blah service and there were only 4 customers in the place (including me n my friend)...the entrees tasted alright. I had tacos and my friend had the fajitas..Dessert: the flan was terrible! Definitely not freshly made or maybe just poorly made..prices were typical..but with the amount of selection in this area I would choose another spot before coming to Chicken Run..
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Review from Katarina X.
Chicago, IL
Behold the magnificent power of yelp!
Reviews posted requested chicken soup and the boyfriend delivered chicken soup mixed with creamy lobster bisque.
Hallelujah, I have been saved!
I also got a foot rub, but that was in the privacy of my home, not within this establishment. -
Review from Michael S.
Chicago, IL
For what it is, it's just brilliant--the chicken is outstanding, moist, flavorful, all the rest, the tortillas are great, the prices are preposterously low, and really, there's just nothing better than a good telenovela while you're munching on delicious grilled chicken. It's all good. The only mystery is the prices, which are low enough to make you wonder if there's some sort of subsidy arrangement with Cole's--the fact that this place is right across the street means you can eat better at Cole's than probably two-thirds of the bars in this city.
One day I shall try the Campeche seafood, but it's going to be very, very difficult to top the chicken. -
Review from Chicago g.
Chicago, IL
This review is based on a Saturday night. Seems like the majority of their business is from the delivery service. Lacks ambiance but forget the ambiance... the food is excellent.
I've been to Las Islas Marias and El Barco and this place is by far blows them out of the water as far as the taste. The langostino is the best that I have tasted. My friend had the steak and she claims it is perfect and the portions are huge. The steak was done perfect. We've been to place where it was too well done or too rare and this was exactly as requested. The steak was enough for two people and the price was very reasonable. I would say this place the food beats Dos Amigos (across the street). The bottom line is, ambiance is not there bit quality and quantity gets more than 5 stars.
My reviews are usually short and sweet but this place is worthy of me taking my time typing up this review. I will definitely try their chicken the next time I revisit. -
Review from Kyle H.
I've never seen the Mel Gibson (animated) Chicken Run movie- but I kinda felt gypped that it wasn't being broadcast on Chicken Run's two TV's while we were there. I did not feel gypped, however, by the value or the quality of the food at Chicken Run!
This is a modest restaurant, with few tables and little atmosphere, that serves a wide variety of Mexican food, seafood, and specializes in roasted chicken. I was dissapointed that there was no Tortilla Soup on the menu, but perhaps the chicken noodle would have sufficed? A few of the Mexican specialties looked promising; still, the place is called "Chicken Run" so how could you not try the chicken?
1/4 White Meat w/ two sides $6.99, a deal. With complimentary chips and two kinds of salsa, this was a full on homemade value meal. The salsas were good, and there are many sides to choose from. The Mac 'n' Cheese was creamy, almost too much so, and the fried plantains were very good. The breast of chicken was perfectly cooked and had lots of meat on it, the wing not so much. The skin on the chicken was sinfully good.
Service was polite, and their online ordering system seems very easy (for Delivery). I hope to come back soon to try their Chilaquiles for breakfast (although Cafe con Leche in L-Sq. has the best) and also a few more of the Mexican dinners.Listed in: The Age of the Squarius!
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Review from Edwin Giovanni C.
Chicago, IL
Don't let the look of the place fool you, this place is all about the food. I always get there seafood and it is great. The price is reasonable. Look at other reviews and they rave about the chicken.
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Review from Vaughn C.
Chicago, IL
The chicken 'n sides meal is a tried and true formula: roasted/fried chicken with a choice of Southern-style vegetables and starch. Chicken Run has a nice twist, offering a standard Mexican menu (it goes with the neighborhood) and supplementing their sides menu with Central American fare--meaning that the staples of mashed potatoes (with their homemade chicken gravy), mac and cheese, corn, etc. are also available with options of Mexican rice, black beans, and fried plantains.
WOAH. PLAINTAINS, YO! LIKE DELICIOUS LIL' BANANAS THAT ARE BITE-SIZED AND SWEET, NOT AWKWARDLY PHALLIC MOUTHFULS. THEY ARE AWESOME AND MAKE GREAT GIFTS. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE FRIED PLANTAINS, WE ARE NOT FRIENDS AND GODSPEED WITH YOUR UNEXAMINED, PATHETIC LIFE.
With all the high profile fare sprouting up in Logan Square like weeds, it's nice to have something cheap and cheerful as a staple. Occasionally, the chicken is on the dry side, but I keep coming back for those fried plantains.
Other notes:
1. The name of the place sounds like it came from a Looney Tunes cartoon. Support everything zany.
2. There is an awesome poster of Marilyn Monroe below one of the TVs that's nice to look at while waiting for take-out. Or eating alone when your friends abandon you. -
Review from Demi L.
Chicago, IL
We placed an order for delivery and was told it would take about 45 minutes. So we waited. And waited. And waited. At the 1 hour mark, we called to check the status of our order. The first two calls were not picked up. On the third call, I got a human being on the other end and was told, somewhat rudely, that the food was on its way and would be there soon. Soon= another 30 minutes wait. By the time the food arrived, a good 45 minutes past the time they'd given us, it was cold. Not "room temp", but cold, as if it had been refrigerated. On top of all this, the food just wasn't that great.
slow delivery+bad customer service+cold, blah food =/= repeat business. There are too many actually decent Mexican restaurants in this city for us to bother ordering from this place again. -
Review from Brett E.
Chicago, IL
Love me some Chicken Run! The food is pretty great, their prices are really good, and their customer service is awesome. I usually order their vegetable tostada without sour cream or cheese, so they put extra vegetables and avocado on for free - awesome!
I would suggest their tostadas, gorditas, and their tacos . I wouldn't really recommend the burrito, as the one time I had it I wasn't impressed.
Also, they're just great people in general. During the blizzard I asked to borrow their shovel to dig my car out, and they gladly let me use it without any strings attached.
So with their food and customer service, you really can't go wrong. -
Review from Melissa C.
Overland Park, KS
Ordered in on a snowy Saturday night because the restaurant has a pretty large menu-- disappointingly, the food was just OK.
We ordered steak tacos, Bistec a la Mexicana , and the Nachos-- the food was by no means BAD, but it was very average. It had very little flavor. -
Review from Erin J.
I ate here maybe 4-5 years ago and was largely unimpressed. I thought the food was bland and the place was just kinda dirty. Then, I recently saw on GrubHub that they offer delivery service, so I thoght I'd give them another shot.
Hot damn, I'm glad I did. Everything I've ordered from there, from the tacos to the nachos, the guisado, the tampiquena, all that has been delicious. I also ordered a side of mac and cheese once (curiosity) and that was pretty mushy, but the taste was okay. *shrug* That's not the forte of the restaurant, however.
Also to note, their drivers are friendly and they always get there before the quoted time. The prices are very reasonable and the food is always hot and delicious when it gets to my place. I'm really very pleased with Chicken Run! -
Review from Colleen C.
Brooklyn, NY
T'was probably the most blandest burrito I've had in Chicago.
Oh, frowny face...if I am going to indulge, for the love of Pedro, make it tasty! Sigh. Perhaps empty for a reason at prime din din hour, 7pm.
For a place called "Chicken Run" you'd think their chicken burrito would simply blow your little mind out of Logan Square. But here I am, still with my brains, still in Logan Square. Not so impressed.
And THAT is all I have to say about this. -
Review from sarah h.
Chicago, IL
This place has some pretty decent chicken. I've had it delivered and ate at the place, while there eating the garlic red snapper. it was delicious! fried plantains, amazing, but didnt get the cinnamon dip when delivered. service is meh. delivery, pretty much right on time. it's definitely more food than you pay for.
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Review from meg g.
Chicago, IL
THE best chicken al carbon I've ever tasted. I would suggest getting the food to go because the blaring TVs and florescent lighting doesn't make for a cozy meal. A whole chicken is just $9.99. The sides aren't amazing but like I said, the chicken is superb. It's juicy and charred on the outside. Served with salsa, fresh lime squeezed on top and a few corn tortillas on the side-- it is the perfect meal.
I wonder if they named it after the Wallace and Gromitt movie. -
Review from Jonathan W.
Chicago, IL
I was at the Family Dollar on Milwaukee and Washtenaw and this guy just looks at me and says "hey."
I said, "hey."
He says "I'm the owner of Chicken Run. I've seen you in there a few times."
At that Point I had been there I think maybe twice. The fact that someone remembers you after being to a place a couple of times (without having a conversation) pretty much sums it up. This place is the bomb.
I went in a few days later and saw the guy again. He said that chicken is just a "side project" for him, and that the real magic lies in the seafood menu. Apparently seafood is his specialty and that's what he did at his previous restaurants. The seafood menu is sort of a rider to the usual menu, and pretty non descript. I decided to give it a try. Holy s*hit.
Get anything camarones for a whopping heap of shrimp. You can get it with rice or fries and it always comes with salad. I think you max out at like $12 for any of the shrimp dishes. Also, get the Tostada de Ceviche (mixto) - it is actually mixed ceviche but mostly shrimp. Total damage = $5.99!
I've had the cocteles and that elaborate seafood soup (I think it was like $15) and I thought they were so-so, but it is my personal taste.
The steak Tampiquena (skirt steak with guac and an enchilada) is also awesome and I agree with others' reviews that the guacamole side is stellar. They make the guac to order. Tell them how you like it (spicy, etc.) and they'll tweak if for you.
If you are in the neighborhood and want breakfast Chicken Run kills Cozy Corner, in terms of price and quality. Don't overlook the fresh juices and the Chilaquiles Verdes.
BYOB is always a plus in my book.
The only thing one needs to get past is the borderline unpleasant environment. The plastic chairs are uncomfortable, it's always too hot, when the music is on it's super loud, and it takes FOREVER to get your food. That's seriously not really a consideration however, given how delicious the place is. My roommate gets around it by calling ahead and getting an order to go.
Also, the language barrier is real. The owner speaks perfect English, but the wait staff is not entirely fluent. No worries...just take it slow. You can't really rush good food - especially at that price.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Euripides X.
ASTORIA, NY
This place has the highest quality and best tasting Mexican food in the city (and I've tried them all).
They also do great grilled chicken, and lots of fantastic sea food.
The owner is very nice, and thoughtful. When I have visitors in from out of town I take them here for some great food, and friendly people. -
Review from Mike P.
Think Chicken Hut, but with authentic Mexican. They do a grilled chicken that rivals Chicken Hut in taste and quality. The also do great burritos, tacos, and Mexican soups.
You're probably not going to think much of the place when you walk in. It's clean, but there's just not much to it. If you can get past that, you'll be doing yourself a favor because the chicken is top notch. I'm going back for the Mexican though, but I'm sure it's good, because most of the clientel and ownership is Mexican. The Mexican chicken soup is awesome. -
Review from Jenny z.
Logan Square, Chicago, IL
Oh, wow, am I glad I came here - this is my new I'm too tired to cook dinner, too lazy to go out, and too cheap to spring for delivery fall back joint.
The whole roasted chicken with 2 large sides is a deal. The chicken is easily the best I've ever had - so flavorful it made me ashamed of my roasted chicken. I only console myself with the knowledge that I don't have a huge grill in my kitchen upon which to make chicken this good. Sides range from beans and rice to mashed potatoes and corn - you can Americanize it or go authentic. For the first round, I gave the American sides a shot and got the potatoes with chicken gravy and corn. Mashed potatoes were good, gravy uninteresting, corn good and very good fresh corn tortillas (you can get pita bread instead). For $15.00, one of the best bargains in town. -
Review from Don G.
Chicago, IL
I like this place. I get a chicken to go and make a salad or something at home. It's super cheap and tasty.
I'm not sure of the source for the chicken and it sort of concerns me - but not enough to miss the low prices. The salsas good and fresh.
Also the soups have been good.
I've never eaten in the place. But they do play the Sox games on the TV - so that's good while you're waiting for your food. -
Review from Michael G.
Rockville, MD
I'm in the minority here it seems because: 1) I'm a vegetarian and didn't eat the chicken and 2) I went there for breakfast and not lunch or dinner.
I don't recommend this place for weekend breakfast at all. The service, despite the restaurant being deserted, was slow. The food wasn't even as good as El Charro up the street (how does a Mexican place mess up Juevos Mexicanas? Even I can make Juevos Mexicanas!).
And the Wi-Fi, one of the theoretical selling points on a lazy Sunday morning, didn't work either. The waitress couldn't help with this (her English was pretty minimal) but I do give them points for the manager coming out to help my friend with his Wi-Fi.
I really would give this place another shot due to all the positive dinner reviews but I am never going there before noon again (not that it's open before noon any day but the weekend). -
Review from Matt C.
Minneapolis, MN
This place is good, but not great. Cheap eats? Fo-sho. You get plenty of food for your money, but nothing struck me as spectacular. One of the sides I opted for were fried plantains which was a mistake. They were cut too thick for my liking which resulted in a mushy center that was a total turn-off.
Given the number of people there, the service was pretty slow. It forced me to actually watch Let's Make a Deal, which was blaring on the TV. This is a bad thing
If I was hungry and in the neighborhood, I'd stop by again, but I'm not going out of my way to get here. -
Review from Ryan S.
Chicago, IL
Anyone and everyone who doesn't think that half a juicy, spicy, succulent chicken for SIX BUCKS isn't a good deal can...c-can...
Well, you can go to hell and fry in your own lard.
Fatty. Rich, snobbishly fat...fatty.
Yeah.Listed in: Boy Howdy
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Review from Jamie J.
Chicago, IL
Well, I have to take them down a notch. While their food has remained solid (certainly not excellent but pretty good for the price), their delivery has definitely gotten suckier over the past few months.
Tonight I ordered a pretty simple meal through GrubHub. The delivery was relatively quick, but the delivery guy called my phone instead of pressing the buzzer that's clearly marked with my name. I hate that. And when I buzzed him in, I asked for a couple bucks in change (this still included a 15% tip for him). Well, he only had fives and up. Conveniently for him, he got a big fat tip out of me. What delivery guy doesn't carry several singles to make change? And, lastly, I ordered and was charged for 2 cans of Coke but only got one. I'll still get food from them every once in awhile, but I'm gonna be looking for other places for Mexican delivery.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/7/2009
Tried them for delivery last week, and was pretty satisfied. First off, they're super cheap (I got… Read more »
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9/7/2009
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Review from Garnet J.
Chicago, IL
The chicken is really good and cheap. I love their pita bread and their chicken noodle soup is really good as well. The sides leave much to be desired. The staff is friendly although doesn't seem to know too much English, not that I actually consider that to be a downside. But it can be frustrating for some. I've gone with a few people who got the veggie burrito and they've always enjoyed it.
I've been coming here for a few years now and the chicken is always consistently good. -
Review from Michael F.
Chicago, IL
The chicken was average and the staff did not really seem interested in taking my order. Then again, the price was reasonable and there is Wi-Fi.
Stay away from the mac and cheese, which tasted like it came out of a box; go for the plantains which were outstanding. -
Review from Lee C.
Chicago, IL
The chicken is as good as El Pollo Loco.
The pinto beans are bland, so is the potato salad. However, maybe one should not order potato salad at a mexican grill anyway.
The woman who took my order spoke little english, and I speak no spanish other than "Frijoles" and "El Pollo Loco".
I spoke to someone who worked next door, and she said to try the giant bowl of seafood soup (which is around 15 dollars), which I will someday.
Someday. -
Review from Lady J.
Chicago, IL
The chicken is very tasty, moist and not too greasy. The sides are OK, not great but the roast chicken is the star of that meal anyway. Haven't tried much else yet but will probably be buying roast chickens here in the future.
The lower stars are for the difficulty in ordering and and awkward atmosphere, TV and such, so I would dine in I suppose if I had to, but most likely will just pick up chicken when I don't feel like roasting one myself. Glad it's in the hood, love to support local businesses.... -
Review from dan k.
I guess I'll continue the trend and go with 5 stars. But seriously, it's good chicken. The kind where you want to eat the skin. And it's cheap, we got a whole chicken, 2 sides, and 2 drinks for under $20.
I took Joe's advice and did take out. It was delicious. Not too dry, not too moist. -
Review from Becky S.
Chicago, IL
The chicken al carbon is quite tasty. In fact, I ordered a half chicken, assuming I'd have ample leftovers for lunch the next day, and devoured the whole thing. Mashed potatoes were delish; the gravy was pretty gross. The corn was terrible--soggy and flavorless. The tortillas just struck me as unecessary. My friend had the chicken burrito, which he said was pretty miserable, but had it been made with the chicken that I had, it would have been considerably better. We both had hopes for awesome salsa that would redeem the burrito, but alas, the salsa was pretty bleh as well.
Still.. that chicken alone will lure me back. It haunts my dreams. -
Review from L L.
Austin, TX
I hate to do it, but Yelp duty calls. I've always loved this place, but won't be able to go anymore. They just poisoned my guy.
Seriously, it's not good. He got a takeout chicken dinner last night, felt fine, ate the leftovers this morning, and has spent all day throwing up. Classic food poisoning: stomach pains, vomiting, chills. Awful. Be warned.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/2/2009
A great alternative if you already live in the neighborhood. Definitely reminds me of all of the… Read more »
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7/2/2009
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Review from Mike S.
Austin, TX
Man, I love this place. One of the best restaurants in my neighborhood.
When I'm looking for something fast, I call in an order, wait 15-20 minutes and pick it up. My order is almost always half a chicken, mac and cheese and another side for $15, which is always 2 meals for me and my gf. But check out the menu, there is an amazing variety.
Definitely check it out.. Amazing roast chickens, quite cheap, fast, friendly.. about everything you could expect. -
Review from Kristi K.
Chicago, IL
This place has great food.
I ordered delivery through GrubHub, and it showed up about a half hour later (so, you get a star for running ahead of schedule...nice). Delivery minimum is $10, so I add an order of fried plantains to my burrito dinner order.
Holy shit. I open the packaging, and see the biggest burrito ever. Seriously...I think there was as much in that burrito as in two Chipotle burritos. There were also some fresh and non-greasy refried beans, and some nicely cooked rice.
The burrito was so good. The chicken you could tell was fresh, pulled chicken. The vegetables in it were great, and the tortilla was tender and perfectly steamed.
Definitely check this one out. It's worth the small delivery fee. -
Review from Don W.
Norman, OK
Only eat here if you're broke.
Likes: SOME of the food was okay but not really good. I did like that you can order online. The flan was actually pretty good considering that is was cheap.
Dislikes: Most of the food - I ordered a chicken soft taco, chicken gordita, chorizo tostado, mac & cheese, flan, & banana shake - was kinda nasty. Though it was edible, for the most part, the food was fatty, greasy, and bland, including the chorizo, though slightly spicy. The mac & cheese was obviously nuked from frozen (what did I expect ordering mac & cheese at a Mexican joint?). Also, much to my surprise, milkshakes in Mexico are served at room temperature! The banana shake was sickeningly warm, and I was later informed by a Spanish-speaking friend that this was in fact the result of a bad translation. It was intended as such, and it tasted okay nonetheless.
After only one dine, I decided not to partake in this place again, at least given the fact that there are so many other MUCH better restaurants in the area. I've had good Mexican food, and I've had good chicken entrees. This place had neither, but it was fairly cheap -
Review from Don H.
Chicago, IL
Chicken Run really hits the spot. I was looking for a great chicken place (similar to one I frequented when I lived in Lakeview) that had juicy, tasty sides and were quick when it came to an impromptu pickup.
It's not the easiest place to find sometimes, but it's well worth it. It's simple but clean, and everyone has always been attentive. You wait in the dining room and watch Univision the entire time (which, on a Saturday night, is awesome).
I usually get the 1/2- or full-chicken dinner. Last time we split a full-chicken dinner with large sides and it was enough for the two of us and then a lunch for one the next day. They are very generous and the portions are reasonable. Definitely recommended. -
Review from Chris S.
Chicago, IL
This place confuses me. On the one hand they do have some really yummy chicken. A little greasy, but certainly delicious. Everything else, however, was totally mediocre. Usually a place either kills it all the way or not. Thus the confusion.
We knew a mac'n'cheese side was a gamble, and we lost. The mashed potato side was what you'd expect--nothing more, perhaps less. I expected more out of the chips which seemed a bit stale. One plus was the super hot salsa. Another plus was BYOB. I would come back to CR, but only for the chicken. I'd order up a bird, take that home, and hook up my own home-cooked sides.
A bit about serice. My sis & I rolled in late, say 20 minutes before close, and we were rushed out as soon as our food was served. I understand a little pressure to speed things up, but in this case they were cleaning the kitchen with an awful smelling agent while we were chowing down. And then I detected attitude from who I took to to be the owner as I paid the bill. I do expect better service then that. It's not like we were loungin' 30 minutes after they closed. -
Review from Nolan F.
Chicago, IL
The first thing that jumped out at me was the cleanliness of this place. The dining room (really it is all just one room with the kitchen, ordering and dining area) was spotless.
I wasn't feeling like eating a massive amount of chicken, but the chicken halves grilling in the kitchen were very enticing.
I ended up getting the chicken tacos, which appeared to use the same chicken I saw on the grill, and it was pretty tasty. My roommate did go with the half chicken with beans and rice and he was very satisfied. It even came with tortillas on the side on top of the free chips and salsa. He said the taste was great and a very solid value for the amount of food he received.
Some other notes:
The salsas (green and red) served at the table pack a spicy kick but are good and complementary along with the chips.
They also have an assortment of drinks beyond sodas and horchata, and I will most likely hit them up on my next visit. These are mostly of fruit varieties and are in the same tub circulator things as the horchata.
