- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop
Categories: Restaurants Southern Restaurants Cajun/Creole Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Southern, Cajun/Creole, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
825 Church St(between Benson Ave & Sherman Ave)
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 733-9030
- Nearest Transit:
-
Davis (Purple Line)
Foster (Purple Line)
Dempster (Purple Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 8 am - 9 pm
Thu 8 am - 10 pm
Fri 8 am - 11 pm
Sat 9 am - 11 pm
Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
226 reviews for Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop
Review Highlights
-
"The fried green tomatoes were fantastic." In 38 reviews -
"definitely, definitely recommend the cheese grits - yummm." In 39 reviews -
"The johnny cakes were a really great way to start the meal." In 16 reviews
Loading...
226 reviews in English
-
Review from Matt F.
Chicago, IL
5/3/2012
My girlfriend new about this place and took me here and I go back all the time. Some of the best food I have ever had. Louisiana Style cooking at its best! and Abita turbodog ale, what more can you ask for. Cool vibes too, place literally looks like your eating in a louisiana bait shop. You cannot live in Chicago and Northern Illinois and not go check this place out. One of Obamas favorite places to eat!
I recommend the Oyster Po-boy, ah man, I just get hunfry writing this review! -
Review from Rahman U.
Chicago, IL
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Being from the south, no not the southside, the south, where confederate flags still fly, people say yall on a regular basis and entire cities shut down from 4 inches of snow, I've had my fair shake of "southern" cooking.
Of my two trips here I've tried the both the brunch and dinner menu and enjoyed them enough to give it a slight head nod. The blackened chicken wasn't overly seasoned or salty and held it's own. I also found they had quite the selection of side dishes to offer. Of course they had the staples, red beans and rice, collard greens and mac and cheese. They took it a step farther and also had fried plantains, mashed potatoes and black eyed peas. Although I can't completely endorse this place as a bonafide soul food joint, it does satisfy and will leave you with a smile on your face. -
Review from Jordan J.
Houston, TX
5/5/2012
The current 3.5-star rating for the Dixie Kitchen has just confirmed something very important about Chicago people: They know NOTHING about what good Cajun food is like. The cornbread was super-dry and bland, and the crawfish etouffee was the worst I've ever had. I will say that the food isn't bad, but it certainly isn't great. I was so excited after moving to Evanston from the South to see that there was a place called the Dixie Kitchen. Unfortunately, anyone from Dixie can tell that this place has no resemblance.
To be fair, I've only given this place one shot, so I might have to improve my review after going a second time. Then again, our country gave Obama one shot, and that's been a failure of epic proportions. -
Review from Brent W.
4/6/2012
The interior of this place is about as Creole Kitch as it gets and I for one loved it. Great lunch specials at under 7$ which include entree, choice of Jambalaya or Gumbo and mini cornbread pancakes.
I went w the Shrimp Po' Boy which has about a dozen, very lightly breaded shrimp on a french roll with lettuce and tomato in a remoulade sauce...totally not greasy and excellent all around. Server directed me toward the gumbo which was great too and filled with more shrimp, smoked chicken and andouille sausage on a bed of rice.
[x] will be back (especially to try their country fried chicken or their biscuits and gravy) -
Review from Sean B.
3/4/2012
Oh so solid. Solid enough for a 2 hour nap when I got home this afternoon in complete food coma.
Pancake/griddle cakes with butter while you pick items on your menu. Service was friendly.
Fried green tomatoes were so good -- you get 5 of them. And they do have hot sauce on the table if you want even more kick.
I had the country steak, which came with a corn muffin with a little pepper zest to it, and fried plantains and mac and cheese.
So much food for us for about $15 each after tip and tax.
The thing that I loved the most is they built a bit of the south into the interior and the original sign collection (mixed with modern reprints of some more interesting ones) was fantastic. There is a bit of "intentional mismatch" going on chairs, tables, etc which gives the place some character. One chair, leans back, next chair, leans right, etc. Quaint without being annoying (and I get annoyed easily).
I'd trudge up to Evanston from the city just for this. -
Review from Grace S.
Schaumburg, IL
4/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
The value at this Louisiana-esque kitchen is great- had the weekday breakfast special "The Yankee" and for $5- it was pretty good. Opted for the grits and toast (instead of potatoes) just for the sake of trying the grits. I'm generally not a fan but their cheesy grits were very flavorful- how you gonna say no to cheese?! c'mon- but the important thing is, it lived up to the name. It was good. The sausage links were standard, college cafeteria-ish- nothing to write home about but for for the value with the eggs, buttered toast and the cheese grits- was perfectly fine by me!
-
Review from Anne M.
2/29/2012 1 photo
Dixie Kitchen is Da Dixie Bomb!
On an outing to Evanston, a friend and I stopped by Dixie for Sunday brunch. Although the smaller place was packed and we waited in the narrow hallway across from the ever-swinging kitchen doors for over 15 minutes, the food was worth the wait.
This place was like a well-oiled machine. Every table was filled, and as SOON as people left, the table was cleared / cleaned and reset, and the next party was seated. The host was also keeping a close eye on waiting parties, letting them know their eta. Water refills a'plenty; Quick wait service; Food came out fast.
This restaurant has an old-timey / southern flair - menu-wise, and decor-wise. Checkered tablecloths, eclectic adornments lining the walls + ceilings - it's cute and interesting.
We were starving, so we started with a plate of 3 beignetes to share. Hot, fresh, big, and coated in a thick blanket of powdered sugar. yummmmmmm.
I ordered the Eggs Sardou: Poached eggs served over fried green tomatoes + cornbread, with creamed spinach / artichoke hollandaise; served with a side of cheese grits and cajun potatoes.
Holy shit. That is a magical combination. The eggs were soft-poached with runny yolk, the sauce was creamy and rich, and the crispy tomatoes and cornbread were perfect combos. Fabulous!
Fast, friendly service, awesome food + low prices - I'd love to go back to Dixie (asap - today please..?)Listed in: Brunch is a Battlefield
-
Review from Peter V.
Chicago, IL
3/4/2012
I should have spoken up. My waitress was so overwhelmed by the crowds and her burdensome table assignments, she totally forgot our order of fried green tomatoes. I had been told by everyone - try the fried green tomatoes! So I ordered them. As an appetizer.
Next thing I know, our main dishes arrived - nice! And yet I wondered to myself, wherever are those fried green tomatoes? Eventually the waitress came back around, and I had a chance to ask her. She forgot them, she said, in the sort of apologetic tone you use when you realize your mistake, but you're really just not that sorry. Do you want me to bring you an order of them? I looked down at my mostly-eaten (and excellent!) dinner, gauged my fullness levels, my overall health, and made the adult, executive decision to forego the fried green tomatoes.
To this day, I still regret that decision. I guess it's a reason to return. Because the service sure isn't. -
Review from Christina B.
Chicago, IL
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love this place! The inside is so festive and feels like I'm eating down in the bayou! I will admit...I don't eat seafood. BUT this place has food for weirdos like me! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the little griddle cakes they put on the table at the beginning of every meal and the cajun chicken pasta is a winner. The breadstick is a little odd; flavorless, crisp as a rock and orange?!
My favorite thing is the Bananas Foster French Toast they make on weekends...french toast made from banana bread!! One time I was in on a week day morning or something and asked where it was and they told me it was only on weekends but to hold on....they came back and said the chef would love to make it for me anyway! Great attitude! -
Review from Annie Y.
Los Angeles, CA
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bland, bland, bland.
I got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and coleslaw. Pretty standard... hard to screw that up, right? Somehow Dixie Kitchen managed to screw up not just one, but all four of the components. Everything tasted flavourless and old. The fried chicken had almost NO seasoning on it and it was way over fried, to the point where the chicken inside was starting to dry out. The mac & cheese was a joke, and the mashed potatoes tasted like store-bought instant mashed potatoes. Even the gravy was tasteless. The coleslaw was forgettable, and the cornbread they gave me was cold and dry.
The restaurant was super busy and hectic, so maybe the food quality dipped because they were trying to get everything out quickly. I LOVE Southern food, and I really wanted to like this place. Maybe I should've ordered something different. Still, there's no excuse for a Southern restaurant failing so badly at a Southern food staple. -
Review from Jim R.
Great little spot that will make you think for a minute you are deep in the Bayou.
Great lunch special M-F. For $6.50 you can choose from a large variety of items including 1/2 a po boy with a cup of gumbo or jambalaya. Or choose 1/4 chicken or one of two entree salads. The meal starts with some warm cornmeal Ho-cakes (little pancakes) and butter. A great value and tasty chow. -
Review from Chris S.
Evanston, IL
2/27/2012
My wife and I ate dinner here on 2/26/2011.
Interior - Love the decor, liked the ambiance. It was a Sunday night, so not too incredibly busy, but I felt like the noise level was perfect.
Service - The service here wasn't awful, but I don't want to say it was good either. Our server looked like he was way overloaded with tables (looked like only two servers on the job). As a result, it took probably 10 minutes for someone to even come take our order. When he was able to help us, he was always polite but rushed. I don't blame him, as I'm fairly sure he had been running around all night trying to keep all of his tables happy.
Appetizer - We ordered the fried plantains. The actual plantains were delicious, but I felt like 6 small pieces for 4.99 was a little bit ridiculous. The dipping sauce was not good, as it tasted like sour cream with barely any hint of rum flavoring. Extremely dissapointing, as I was really looking forward to some good fried plantains.
Dinner -
I had the cajun chicken sandwich, my wife had blackened catfish filet. My sandwich was absolutely amazing, possibly the best cajun chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. The cajun marinade was plentiful, the chicken breast was plentiful, and it all came together very well. The fries that came with my sandwich weren't anything impressive, but I honestly don't expect a place like Dixie Kitchen to pay any attention to their french fries.
My wife absolutely loved her blackened catfish, and the cheese grits and sweet potatoes were tasty as well. The serving size was also pretty good for the price of 11.99
Overall, it was a good dining experience and we'll probably go back. The lack of servers would give me definite pause about going on any sort of rush period. Also, we will definitely NOT be ordering the fried plantains ever again. -
Review from Richie D.
I am truly saddened to accept the fact that the infamous landmark Dixie Kitchen in Hyde Park has closed. Thankfully there is still this location to keep the legacy going. Any reason I can find to escape the city to the calmer, less urban surrounding communities of Chicago, I take it. Dixie just to be another perk; one which brings cultural eats. Follow one of the antique Royal Crown Cola sign on the interior: "Best by taste-test." Dixie is bound to please, after all it's Obama approved.
Tuesday is the new Friday with their $9.99 fried chicken special. Fill your stomach with Dixie Kitchen's Southern Fried Chicken meal consisting of fried chicken (breast, wing, leg AND thigh), corn muffin, cole slaw and two sides of your choice (you can't go wrong with the fried sweet plantains, mac n cheese, or black eyed peas). It's quite the deal! Add a glass of their sweet tea or peach tea, you got a perfect match!
If you're not feeling the golden fried chicken, you can't go wrong with the Po'boy, Whole Baby Catfish or Dixie Ribs. All in all, when I want good olde Southern home cookin', Dixie Kitchen is the place.
Featured in the Weekly Yelp-Chicago Burbs "ChiBurby Fried Chicken" Lists: http://www.yelp.com/we... -
Review from Matt R.
12/4/2011
I know some folks may think this place is a bit questionable, but I must say that I thoroughly loved the veggie platter.
It was a little bit greasy, it probably wasn't the healthiest option, but damn! it was good. Personally, I like Dixie Kitchen's style, plus they're priced well too. It's just one of those places where there's a southern atmosphere with which they deliver.
I'll definitely have to come back someday to try the Jambalaya. -
Review from I. Auberjyne S.
Chicago, IL
4/4/2012
I was looking for a new experience for lunch in Evanston. Dixie Kitchen looked appealing enough. Was I mistaken! I sat and ordered the blackened chicken salad. About 10 minutes later, a table of 3 arrived. They ordered and received their meals before mine. The service was horrific, no efforts on management's part to intervene and all I got was a pathetic 'sorry'.
If your time is valuable, don't waste it here! -
Review from evie p.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
I went here after reading the good reviews - I wish I hadn't. Our server couldn't care less and the food was really not that great. The fried chicken was dry, the mashed potatoes had a film over the gravy, the mac and cheese tasted like it was velveeta with cayenne pepper in it, and the fried dough desserts tasted like fried chicken/seafood, I'm guessing cause they fried it in the same oil.
I'm usually not a hater, this food/ambiance was really not that great. -
Review from Nick M.
10/12/2011
I swear I was Cajun in a past life! Or at least my taste buds think so. If they could talk they would say Ça c'est bon (That's good)!!
I went in for brunch with two friends and surprisingly we didn't have to wait that long for a table. The decor does remind me a little of the places in NOLA that have been to, crazy stuff all over the walls and packed together tables. You're not right on top of the person next to you but you're close. The service was pretty average, fair greetings and a quickness to get whatever you need. At the time I went for a very basic eggs, toast, potatoes so I can't comment on authentic their southern cooking really is but I can say that the cheese grits were the BEST I've ever eaten! I can totally say that it's nice to have a places to go to for really nice Beignets. Next time, I'm doing it up right with some real southern cooking to see what they got.
I once heard someone say "When the taste changes with every bite and the last bite is as good as the first, that's Cajun." -
Review from Plenty F.
Lombard, IL
12/20/2011
4 stars.
Never gonna be 5 because the service is hit-or-miss. It all depends on the luck of the draw. They have one server (who sounds like she is from NOLA) that is on point. One.
Lunch is okay. The (FREE) johnny cakes are the highlight for me. Everything else I've sampled has been UNremarkable. Well, except for the Key Lime Pie - that was kinda tasty.
If you dine in, be prepared for a lengthy lunch - service is slow like molasses on a cold, cold, cold winter day. And, 75% of the time someone at the table's order is going to be incorrect.
YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED - DINE IN AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Anyway, that's why I mainly just go there for the breakfast specials. They do a great job with the cheese grits (sans onion) and the pancakes are pretty good, too.
Just be sure to call ahead to place your to-go order. -
Review from Nelson M.
10/25/2011 4 photos
Restaurant Review
Delicious, southern cooking at its best. I can see why Obama loves to eat at this restaurant when he is in town. You start off your meal with complimentary mini pancakes with butter. The food is straight out of the south/cajun with fried chicken to gumbo. I had the country fried steak which was a bit thin but perfect in flavor. Your meal comes with cole slaw, corn muffin, and 2 sides (Mashed Potatoes * Collard Greens * Black-Eyed Peas * Red Beans & Rice * Cole Slaw * Mashed Sweet Potatoes * Rice * French Fries * Cheese Grits * Vegetarian Black Beans & Rice * Fried Sweet Plantains * Veggie of the Day * Mac & Cheese)
I would recommendthe mac and cheese with sweet plantains. The other awesome thing about this place is the killer prices. Where else can you get a dinner entree for 10-15 dollars.
Pro- tasty southern food, low prices, killer complimentary mini pancakes
Con- limited seating, so prepare for a long line if you go late
Hidden deal- unfortunately none, but the prices are good already :) -
Review from Ehow C.
11/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place gives you bang for your buck, especially at dinner. My typical order involves either the jambalaya or gumbo, which is usually large enough for two meals. The spices are definitely good here, and the ingredients seem pretty fresh. Additionally, they serve you these mini-pancakes instead of bread rolls, which is a nice touch.
Also, their cheesy grits with scallions are pretty tasty. Get some during brunch time, yum! -
Review from Arley C.
Buffalo Grove, IL
12/31/2011
My wife and I have where craving fried oyster 'Po Boys and after reading the reviews we thought that we would give them a try.
Our first visit the place was packed and we had about a 20 minute wait for a table. After being seated we knew what we wanted, so ordered right away. Sadly our waiter had informed us that they had ran out of oysters about an our ago so we had to look over the menu again.
He quickly brought our drinks, Johnny cakes, and our appetizer, the fried green tomatoes, which we had served with a side of he creole mustard sauce.
My family is from he south, so I know fried green tomatoes. I can honestly say that the ones at Dixie Kitchen are by far the best I have ever had. They are seasoned to perfection, with just a hint of cayenne. The corn meal batter was a nice golden color, and the fleshy green tomatoes remained crisp and not mushy.
I had ordered the seafood cakes meal while my wife got the shrimp 'Po Boy. Both of our meals arrived freshly prepared, hot and delicious. The only weak thing on my plate was their corn bread muffin. They need to rethink the recipe or maybe switch to a traditional southern buttermilk cornbread and just offer slices of that instead of a sub-par muffin.
Our waiter was slow in getting refills to our drinks and removing plates, other than that, he was not bad.
We made a second for a late lunch yesterday. This tome, no wait, outstanding service and they had the fried oyster 'Po Boys we had been craving.
The meal was so good that we ordered a second round to go.
Dixie Kitchen is now on my weekly must eat places. Well worth he 40 minute drive for me. -
Review from Cassie D.
9/14/2011
Dixie Kitchen Evanston has been a favorite for many years. Pretty much, you can't go wrong. Oh, unless you're on a diet. Then you're likely going to be very sad looking at all the fried, fatty deliciousness on the menu that you cannot consume.
(All breakfast/brunch items I've tried have been tasty, good jambalaya, gumbo is good but not great, fried green tomatoes, and really anything else fried, are wonderful)Listed in: E-Town
-
Review from Tim Y.
10/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a fan, but I have a gripe. It's a minor gripe -- shocking for someone like me who can find something to complain about just about anywhere -- but important to mention nonetheless.
But first, let me gush.
The gumbo was perfect. Not overwhelmingly spicy, not bland. It needed no additional spice - not even salt or pepper. The cornbread muffin was fine, though it wouldn't win any awards on its own. If you want awesome cornbread, go to chicago q. Portion control is entirely out of control, much as it should be for true Southern cuisine. Hell, even the rice was fantastic.
The biscuits and gravy were delightful, and I'm glad it wasn't my meal because I'd have eaten them all and be forced to repent in the gym for a month. Good spice, good biscuits, good potatoes. Well played.
Now, the gripe. Both dishes came to the table with heat lamp skin. You know, what happens to food when it sits out for a good long while? What happens in Aunt Ethel's gravy boat on Thanksgiving when nobody disturbs the mystery gravy for a good hour or two? Yeah. That was a pretty big disappointment. Having to stir up your skinned-over gumbo prior to eating kinda sucks. Thankfully, the food did not suck and I will return. -
Review from Faye B.
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love eating here. I was really sad when they closed their south side location because it was the one place in the area I wanted to eat out at. I took my fiancé to the location in Evanston and I really do enjoy it more than Heaven on Seven. Their fried catfish is delicious and it was this place that I tried my first fried green tomato and loved it. More often than not I stick to my go to fried catfish po' boy, but even if I wander I feel like you can't go wrong. If you are looking for southern comfort food this is a great place to check out.
-
Review from Katrina R.
Chicago, IL
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Okay, so I usually order the fried chicken and I usually wish it had more flavor, but-- that's MY FAULT for ordering the most boring thing on the menu. I mean, the place comes with corn bread pancakes instead of lame white bread and the gumbo is FREAKIN' DELICIOUS.
But nevermind the kick butt beignets (better-than-doughnuts which beg to be paired with coffee) or the absolutely awesome po' boys. Let's talk dessert. THEY HAVE THE BEST DESSERT. Key Lime Pie and the Bread Pudding compete and both come out smelling awesome. I vote yesplease. Also Barack likes this place, is pandering to your celebrity-obsessed heart appeals to you. -
Review from Sid P.
Chicago, IL
8/2/2011
Let's face it: it's difficult (but not impossible) to find this kind of food around here. If you miss grits, fried green tomatoes, or Cajun food, you usually have to travel to the south side if not several states south to get a really delicious meal. And while Cracker Barrel might only be the Denny's version of what you're looking for, I must admit that's sometimes as good as it gets here in Illinois. Sorry 'bout that.
But on to the review. This is a great restaurant ESPECIALLY if you're looking for Southern cuisine, and even if you aren't. The food is high quality, it's authentic, and the portions are VERY generous. That being said, it's not cheap. But you walk away full and often with a to-go bag. I have a big appetite and I've never walked away hungry from this place. Usually I am surprised by how big the portions are... it's a recurring theme here for some reason (admittedly, I don't visit more than a couple times a year, and usually less).
The staff could be a bit more efficient. But they're always friendly. And the kitchen does an excellent job of producing delicious fare, so there's hardly any complaints I figure (even from me, a notoriously picky and exacting customer). I'd rather have friendly and easygoing staff (this is a Southern restaurant after all) instead of a surly and speedy one. Still, it'd be nice to get a drink order at least taken if not received in the first 5 minutes of sitting down.
This place isn't very big and it's usually at about 75% capacity or better, so it's not unusual to have to wait. Heck, given the lax service, I often have to 5 minutes for a seat even when there IS available seating. So I'd avoid the usual peak hours if you can. But definitely go. You'll like it. Everyone I know who's gone here, has. -
Review from Rick R.
Wilmette, IL
11/27/2011
i was really looking forward to eating here again but instead i spent time in the bathroom afterwards. Had the gumbo which was ehh, and the southern fried steak and eggs. I think the steak was old. i did like the cheese grits but nothing else. Tamara our waitress needs an attitude adjustment. I think management needs to really screen who they hire coz Miss thang was just not pleasant and wouldnt know customer service if she sat on it.
Bathrooms need some help people! clean it up!
Go elsewhere for breakfast or lunch or dinner. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Evanston, IL
1/28/2012
Wow, this was terrible! Was starving and could barely eat this stuff... We ordered delivery on a Saturday night and the food was inedible. Barbecue sauce was pure vinegar, fries cold and soggy (like chewing on a shoelace), jambalaya was a joke, coleslaw was cabbage and carrots (misted with water?) and nothing else. Blehhhh. Flushed $30 down the drain and really upset about it. Do yourself a favor and order from somewhere else. Simply awful.
-
Review from Aaron B.
Albuquerque, NM
2/21/2012
Excellent Cajun style breakfast. The Cajun bernaise was great. Reasonable prices
-
Review from B L.
Burbank, IL
9/14/2011
If I lived next door to this place I would probably be 500 lbs by now. The food here is THAT GOOD.
Damn it's hard to find good Cajun. Sure Heaven on Seven is just as 5-star worthy as Dixie Kitchen but this place feels like home. That is truly special.
What can I recommend? Gosh, where do I start? The whole damn menu is so good!! But, if hard-pressed to choose, here are my personal favorites:
Fried green tomatoes
Gumbo
Georgia Peach Colada
Any version of their iced tea which is so sweet and good!
Make the trek and try this place! It is amazing!! -
Review from Simone T.
Chicago, IL
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was a faithful customer of the original Dixie Kitchen in Hyde Park for years. When it closed, I went to the one downtown once and was VERY disappointed. Then, about a year ago, came here to Evanston. I've been back 2 times since! The weekend brunch is FANTASTIC: great drinks, fresh ingredients (the remoulade sauce is delicious, great grits, and yummy red beans & rice). Try ANYTHING with the country ham. A bit cramped, and you WILL wait for a table (inevitable on weekends), but the food MORE than makes up for it.
-
Review from Sarah S.
Chicago, IL
8/20/2011
YES, PLEASE!
Must haves: fried green tomatoes, fried okra, collards, crawfish ettouffee. I can't find Southern comfort food quite like this where I'm living now in CA (insert: sad violin), which may actually be a blessing in disguise since I'd probably weigh 400 lbs otherwise. Worth the hop, skip, and jump to Evanston if you're in the city. -
Review from Dave O.
Chicago, IL
10/17/2011
I usually agree with the Yelp consensus but with this place I have to disagree. The fried chicken -- the special of the day btw -- was terrible. Overcooked and drier than dust. And it was served with an extra side of surly from the waitress.
I also had the Jambalaya and the fried catfish po-boy which were okay at best.
But I gotta go back to the chicken. I know this is Evanston not Alabama, but c'mon "Dixie" is stamped right there on the front door and you can't do fried chicken right? Not going back. -
Review from Brigid M.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
The boyfriend and I came here for dinner last night before going to a movie. It was packed, but we didn't have to wait more than five minutes for a table to open up. Service wasn't at all personable, but very efficient. The water was refilled by various bus staff every few minutes. The sweet plantains are UH-mazing, with a great sweet cream sauce. I know it's technically an appetizer, but my only complaint was that there was maybe too much sauce. The Dixie Hot Wings were just perfect and satisfied my once-in-a-blue-moon wings craving. The black eyed peas were a good sized portion and not salty at all. Wash it all down with an Abita...and lassez les bon temps rouler. I'm only withholding a star until I return again and try something new.
-
Review from Valerie B.
Chicago, IL
2/1/2012
I love this place. The decor is a mishmash of old advertising signs, country tools etc. Anything, it seems, to suggest a southern country neighborhood restaurant.
The food is consistently good. I have tried catfish fried and blackened, chicken fried, BBQ and jerked, seafood cakes and cajun chicken pasta (very tasty). Sides are good too - love the cheese grits. Portions are huge. My absolute favorite is the chicken hash which is only served for brunch. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is generally mobbed. I have a tip though for anyone who finds themselves in Evanston around lunchtime on a week day, the breakfast menu runs through 2 pm and the chicken hash is on there, together with other brunch/breakfast items. So, if you around on a weekday, you can get a seat. The only shortcoming in this restaurant, strangely for a southern food place, is the desserts. They are really lackluster, not worth the calories.
I must mention the background soundtrack here, which is exceptional. Someone has put together a great playlist of ballads, blues, R&B and jazz. This is not a canned music! -
Review from Amy G.
4/12/2011 1 photo
My friend and I had just finished a brutal workout over at Crossfit 847 and somehow got the idea that the best kind of self-congratulations would be a massive, decadent brunch from Dixie Kitchen.
Walking into the small, busy storefront, my eyes glazed over as heaping platters of traditional brunch and Southern favorites alike cruised by. After being seated at a small window seat, my dining companion and I ordered waters and coffee-- if the coffee was an early indicator to be taken note of, it was gonna be a wicked meal-- and glanced at the folks seated a scant few feet from us. I couldn't help myself,
"What is that?"
"The combo. Only I substituted French toast for pancakes," said the man as he poured fresh fruit compote over the powdered sugared, eggy masterpiece gracing his personal space.
That's right. Eggs, bacon, buttered toast, spiced and roasted potatoes, grits, and gorgeous French toast for about $10. Dixie Kitchen is a tremendous value with little on the menu stretching over $9.
I ordered the catfish and eggs (and the waiter accommodated my odd eating habits happily by subbing cole slaw for potatoes) while my pal got the seafood cakes packed with lump crab, shrimp, and crawfish. The remoulade? Amazing. I greedily spooned her leftovers over my perfectly poached eggs. Both dishes were served with creamy, scallion-studded cheese grits and fat wedges of toast with our meal clocking out to around $20 and it easily could've fed four.
Service was casual, attentive, and friendly but occasionally a little scatterbrained and disorganized. More than a few times it felt like group service was going on rather than having one dedicated waiter. Parking is rough too-- I'd suggest shelling out for the Davis/Maple garage near the movie theaters and enjoying the stroll through downtown Evanston rather than being on edge about the meter maids targeting your vehicle for their next, uh, gift.
This said, Dixie Kitchen is great and I cannot wait to try it for dinner. Finally I won't need to rush down to the Loop for Heaven on Seven every time I begin to feel my redneck-- er, southern-- past nipping at my heels.Comment from Eric M. of Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop 4/13/2011
We really appreciate the great review, thank you so much! I… More » -
Review from Beckie M.
Evanston, IL
1/28/2012
I've been here a couple of times for lunch/dinner and the food was pretty good (I really like the little corn pancakes they give you instead of bread), but they don't have a lot of vegetarian options, so I'm not really rating based on that. They get 5 stars for breakfast, though. They have the best french toast I've found in Evanston. The banana bread version is also good, but I always get the combo breakfast because the sides are so good; I love the potatoes, cheese grits and plantains.
-
Review from Eliza Z.
5/11/2011
I always forget that this place is in downtown Evanston, but I'm always happy to go when someone suggests it for lunch or dinner. I suppose that sums up how I feel about this restaurant.
The food is solid and priced well. You get HUGE portions, and it usually looks as if I haven't touched my food at all at the end of the meal. I usually stick with the jambalaya or etouffee, but for indecisive people (which is me!) they also have a sampler plate with three cups: one each of jambalaya, etouffee, and red beans and rice.
Not so crazy about their brunch, but the lunch specials are good.
I've only had drinks here once, and I had a hurricane or something like that. Huge, colorful, and *deceptively* alcoholic. In fact, if you'd like dinner with drinks in Evanston and don't want to spend a lot of money, this place is a winner. -
Review from Kyle D.
Chicago, IL
7/31/2011
Being from the south, I hold southern food, as well as Cajun and creole food dear to my heart. I can't say that a lot places attempt, let a lone deliver in Chicago, but the Dixie Kitchen makes me proud.
I've probably been here ten times over the last year and had most of their menu by now, but no matter how many times I've had their food, I always want to come back.
There are a few things on the menu I personally think they need to work on, especially their mashed potatoes. Being a southern restaurant, these just have to be right, and they are far from it. They basically taste as if they were from a box without even any imitation flavor. I just find it strange because the fried chicken is seasoned perfectly and the étouffée is some of the best I have ever had, even growing up.
The Dixie Kitchen serves up some of the best southern food around in a "homely" decorated restaurant that could be in Bumblescum, Alabama, with a bait shop right in the middle. If you're in the mood for some soul food or maybe something a little spicy, do yourself a favor and head on over to the Dixie Kitchen and chow down on some fried green tomatoes and some Jambalaya! -
Review from arpan s.
Chicago, IL
11/16/2011
i love this place!!! the cajun chicken pasta and shrimp po boy keeps me comin back for more!!!! complimentary cornbread!
AMAZING...unique decor too...
