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Grand Lux Cafe

3.5 star rating
based on 386 reviews

Category: American (New)

Neighborhoods: Magnificent Mile, Near North Side
600 N Michigan Ave
(between Ohio St & Ontario St)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 276-2500
Nearest Transit:

Grand (Red)

Hours:

Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$
Parking:
Valet
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar
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Neighborhood:
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386 reviews for Grand Lux Cafe

Review Highlights   

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"It's a great tourist spot because it's right along Michigan Avenue." (in 37 reviews)
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"Chocolate chip pecan cookies: 7." (in 4 reviews)
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"I did get to try the molten chocolate cake and it was divine." (in 16 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Keith T.

 

2

42

Keith T.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
11/17/2009

The decor alone is worth the trip and if you can get seated by a window, you'll have lot's to look at   Like the size of the restaurant, the menu is HUGE, so good luck picking something out - lot's of good salads and the lunch portion IS big enough.   Food's usually pretty good.

Order the fresh made desserts with your entree if you want chocolate chip cookies or beignets fresh out of the oven delivered as you finish your meal.

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Photo of Laura T.

Elite '09

15

70

Laura T.

New York, NY

5 star rating
11/13/2009

As a tourist in Chicago, this place is great!

I've never met such friendly waiters - frankly, they were friendlier than all of New York combined. I felt like I was in fairy-tale land. It was a refreshing change from the rudeness that exists all over NYC eating establishments.

The portions are also gigantic. I ordered a cup of lentil soup for dinner and was served at least 3 servings, which is double what I needed. The omelet was great and came with the best home fries I've had in a long, long, while. Not the chopped potatoes with peppers and onions, but actual griddle fries. The pancakes were not only large, but also light, fluffy and delicious. With butter, nuts, bananas and syrup, however,  yikes! This place isn't for the health-conscience.

There was so much food that unfortunately, I wasn't able to even think about dessert.

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Photo of Afton A.

 

13

21

Afton A.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/24/2009

Really lovely decor and lovely staff. Our waitress was absolutely charming and very knowledgeable. She had great suggestions on their rather large menu. The restaurant is definitely a big tourist spot being how it overlooks Michigan Ave. and a lot of shops. So if you can get past that, you'll be in good shape.

The food was really delicious and the portions are generous. The seared rare ahi tuna salad is really yummy as well as the shaking beef and chicken parm. The deserts, which some are baked to order, are to die for. If you want desert, try one of these. You really can't go wrong.

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Photo of tiffany k.

Elite '09

8

84

tiffany k.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/27/2009

Every time I have been here, it has been either with a close friend or a group of more than 6 people. Grand Lux Cafe is HUUUUGE, and a lot of tourists go in an out of this place. The menu is like that of the Cheesecake Factories (because Grand Lux is like the big cousin of CF), but bigger and sort of fancier.

I've gotten the asian chicken salad here, along with the shrimp scampi. The portion sizes are huge, and the shrimp scampi is seriously some of the best pasta I've ever had. And of course, the cheesecakes are delicious!

The service here is great. Perfect for a date, family, and friends to enjoy.

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Photo of Catherine X.

 

7

19

Catherine X.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
10/14/2009

Grand Lux:

We had a good run, but I think things are finally over between us for good. Don't get me wrong, we had some good times. Remember our first time when you woo-ed me with your beignets? They were massive, and tasted even better than they looked. I thought that the things you could do with flour were amazing... and the way you handled that powdered sugar on top was so delicate! The cream sauce left the perfect finishing taste in my mouth.

But then you started to change. I don't even want to talk about that night with the Seafood Salad, and you started slacking with my usual backup of Chicken Tortilla Salad. I saw you looking at those tourist couples on more than one occasion, and you didn't even give me the time of day when that party of 8 came in. Not to mention the last time I came over, you had the audacity to tell my friend that those sliced chicken pieces weren't raw in the middle when they were clearly pink!

But whatever. That's in the past now. Let's let bygones be bygones and poultry be poultry. I've found a place that can offer me better crème brulée and just more, how shall we say.... consistency?

I'm sure you'll be fine. You're not bad-looking. You have curb appeal. You're diverse and popular among the younger crowds. Let's not forget your dad, The Cheesecake Factory, is pretty well off. I'd like to say, "it's not you, it's me" but no, it's you. I need more.

Consider this goodbye.

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Photo of Matt H.

 

6

40

Matt H.

Glenwood, IL

5 star rating
10/12/2009

In reviewing the Grand Lux, there are two things that stand out more than anything else. Beyond the lovely interior, the very capable staff, and general atmosphere, the most noteworthy parts are these:

The menu is frickin' enormous. Its like a novella. They have dishes from throughout the world, ranging from pizza and burgers to more exotic dishes. There are a handful of very good vegetarian options, and all my carnivore friends were quite pleased with their dishes. The coffee is great, and they have some fine beers on draft.

The other thing that makes the Grand Lux what it is, are the deserts. Their creme brulee is fantastic, not to mention my absolute favorite, the red velvet cake. The desert here is so good, that I would literally go downtown and catch two trains to get here just to have a bite of cake. Yum.

I went here for my wedding reception and was quite thrilled with the quality and service. Good times were had by all, and I would highly recommend the Grand Lux if you have a little bit of money to spend.

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Photo of Megan M.

 

0

25

Megan M.

Elmhurst, IL

5 star rating
11/21/2009

Awesome! I went during the tree lighting festival and the wait was only 50 min plus they let you leave and come back, nice!! I ordered lemon chicken piccata and my friend had a BLT. Both dishes were excellent and they also have the best ranch EVER!! I liked the BLT better. The sandwich wasn't huge, but enough for one at least. The prices were like 10-12 per entree for lunch, about 5 bucks more for dinners. They have a cheap appetizer list which was nice. We also had the molten chocolate cake. BEST DESSERT EVER!!! Yum yum yum. Ask for extra strawberries!! WOnderful experience, you need to try it. I have to say though, it is just like the cheesecake factory on the inside but the food is much better :)

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Photo of Mahsa T.

Elite '09

4

62

Mahsa T.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
11/11/2009

Listen--I'm not going to bother writing a lengthy review for Grand Lux. In case you haven't eaten here before, you just can't go wrong with a restaurant that is HUGE, right off Michigan Ave, can seat your party of 6 or more and then some, has a menu the size of a phone book, and delivers consistently (90%) good food and service. So what if it's touristy, just ignore them. If you're going out with a group of people who all like different things, they will all find something on this menu. And maybe your indecisive self might find something too.

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Photo of Zoe H.

Elite '09

8

51

Zoe H.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/16/2009 1 photo

I know it's kind of known as an upscale version of the Cheesecake Factory, but the food has been consistent and yummy in my tummy. (I do not like the Cheesecake Factory.. so that means this place tastes nothing like it!)

They always ask if it's my first time here.. guess it's a tourist hot spot? No wonder their food is consistent, they constantly need to impress out of towners!

I LOVE:

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
Mixed Greens, Fresh Roasted Beets, Goat Cheese and Toasted Pistachios Tossed with a Hazelnut-Citrus Dressing.

(Wow, I love each and every one of those ingredients + what an amazing dressing idea. )

Yellow Tomato Pasta Pomodoro
Spaghettini Tossed with Sauteed Cherry Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Parmesan Cheese and a Light Yellow Tomato Sauce

(I asked for this WITHOUT the cheese! Still YUM!)

Yeah, those are my favorites thus far. I know it's touristy .. and some people may say it's Cheesecake Factory 2.0.. but it's not!

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Photo of Springheeled J.

 

0

20

Springheeled J.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
11/7/2009

I advise other Yelp reviewers to quit their yappin' about this "Cheesecake Factory Jr." balderdash -- while it's owned by the same and looks a little similar (if you squint) (while drunk), I've never found anything at the Cheesecake Factory I actually liked to eat, whereas I'd eat the Pasta Telephono every day and top it off with the beignets were this an option.  It's not brilliant cuisine, but it's got a few damn good highlights.  Would go again.  Would like friends to stop dragging me to Cheesecake Factory instead.

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Photo of Annie T.

Elite '09

39

174

Annie T.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
11/8/2009

eh. they get 1 star for service and 1 star for the atmosphere. i guess the last one would be for the complimentary bread. i only chose to eat at grand lux because i was selected to be a "mystery shopper". funny thing the surveys i had to fill out only asked me to rate the service/ambience/cleanliness of the restaurant and not the food.

anyway, i got a burger and fries.  figured they couldn't mess that up.  it was okay.  mediocre.  ehhh.  nothing special.  i could've ordered the same thing at a bar across the street from my apartment for half the price.  

the service was great.  it was as if he KNEW i was secret shopping.  

the restaurant was also nice...  just a little too touristy for my like.  i doubt that i'll be back.

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Photo of Michael S.

Elite '09

28

143

Michael S.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/8/2009

Cheesecake Factory, but nicer.. That's really Grand Lux Cafe in a nutshell. They have the same owners.

The location is off of Michigan Avenue and if you get a booth near a window it's actually pretty nice to look out. The interior itself is a little fancier, but it's still casual.

What I like is the variety of food they serve. Pretty much if you have a group, everyone will find something they like.

For dessert go for the beignets. They call their whisky sauce a sweet cream sauce now and it felt more like a custard the last time I went, but it was still good.

While this place will never be a must go to destination for me or stand out like other places, I just can't see this place ever disappointing.

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Photo of Chuck D.

 

4

13

Chuck D.

Bloomingdale, IL

5 star rating
10/12/2009

Grand Lux is great! It is definitely all that it should be for its location on Michigan Avenue. The whimsical decor is fun, especially with the view over the city! Any place that offers to make me fresh baked desserts while I wait is cool with me!
Their breakfast menu is quite large with unique options - and the portion sizes are ridiculously large (and definitely not over priced). They do not serve breakfast all day, so my experience with it has been limited. Not only would I have to wake up before 11 am, there is always a line waiting for their breakfast before they are even open!
Their appetizers are unique and delish, as are their lunch and dinner entrees. This is just a fun place to bring people visiting Chicago or during a shopping trip downtown.

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Photo of Ben K.

Elite '09

49

185

Ben K.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
9/14/2009

Grand Lux always manages to serve up some pretty good food, regardless of what you order on their large multiethnic menu.  The space is huuuuuuuuge and super nice right above the mag mile.  The prices are moderately expensive but you get what you pay for.  And the staff is quite obviously instructed to be overwhelmingly friendly and accomodating to you.  In a good way.

I like this spot.

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Photo of Ed A.

Elite '09

49

73

Ed A.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
9/6/2009

The Lux Café is a pretty good  restaurant. Yes, it is touristy. But again, it has great food at reasonable prices, for being located right on Michigan Avenue anyway.

This is a sister restaurant of the cheesecake factory. But the food is one notch above the Cheesecake factory. The entrance is really congested during lunch and is a pain.

The restaurant, also touristy but less so than cheesecake factory.
The menu has everything. I was let down once by the pulled pork sandwich. It was lame with no spice and very little flavor. But that was an exception to many very good meals.

This may not be my first choice to eatin Chicago, but it can be counted on for good food.

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Photo of Ivy W.

 

115

419

Ivy W.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
8/25/2009 3 photos

I just had dinner here since it's located directly across the street from the hotel I'm staying in.  First impression: total Cheesecake Factory "knock-off"!  Everything, from the decor to the lighting, the menus to the take-out bags - even the dishes - were very similar.  For a second, I really thought I was in a Cheesecake Factory, especially since the place looks almost identical to the one in San Francisco (inside Macy's over looking Union Square, I believe).

What else was similar?  The food.  Don't get me wrong, I love Cheesecake Factory - so I was a happy camper.  The food might have been a smidge better though.  We ordered a Manhattan Salad, a Club sandwich, the Chicken Enchiladas, and the Molten Chocolate Cake.  Everything was really good; the only thing I didn't like was our server.  He was nice but wasn't as attentive as I hoped he would be, and didn't really seem like he cared at all.  Oh well.  Everyone else was really awesome though.  Attentive, friendly, quick on their feet - especially the front desk.

We plan on eating here again during our stay in Chicago.  If I'm ever back in The Windy City again, I'll definitely stop by.

ETA
I just Wiki'd Grand Lux Cafe and they're owned by Cheesecake Factory.  Well... that explains a lot.

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Photo of Arlene G.

Elite '09

4

106

Arlene G.

Oak Park, IL

5 star rating
Updated - 10/16/2009

So my girl took me here last night as an early Sweetest Day dinner. I've changed my original 4 stars to 5 stars! I love this place! There's so much food to choose from! Being as greedy as I am, I ordered the grand appetizer platter. It's suppose to feed 4 or more people but I ordered it as my meal. There was not 1 thing in it that I didn't like. I stuffed myself and I shared and I still had food leftover to take home. To top it all off, we ordered the beignets for dessert. I don't know why but I've been craving beignets for about 3 weeks now so when I finally got them I was in heaven! The order includes 3 dipping sauces that I didn't really care for cuz I like them plain. They were so warm and soft and extremely delicious! The food was so good, I wanna make it back here sometime soon!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    10/6/2009

    This place is like cousins to Cheesecake Factory. They have such great food and they give you sooooo… Read more »

Photo of Steve T.

Elite '09

36

187

Steve T.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
8/29/2009

I went here last week for a Bday.  Good times, good food, fun location off Mich Ave.  If you've been to cheesecake factory, same "type" of food, and they are owned by the same parent company.  Be careful though, because this is a tourist trap.  Brunch on weekends is nearly impossible, and they do not take reservations.

The only complaint I had was the freaking slowwwwwwwwwww ass valet service.  You could have built a car by the time it took them to literally walk next door and get the car out.  It took over 20 minutes for my car to be retrieved, and it wasn't even busy.  The whole point of a valet is to get your car easily in and out from a restaurant.  Save the extra $2 and self-service the valet, yes, it's an option oddly enough.

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Photo of Cher M.

 

2

7

Cher M.

Oak Park, IL

3 star rating
8/5/2009

Yes, it's a massive tourist spot. However, it doesn't suck, and it's not a chain. For these reasons, I like to bring my parents here for lunch when they visit me from Michigan. My dad is old and grouchy (I love him, but he is!) and he wants good, familiar food and a place to sit when he eats (none of those hot dog stands for him!) so I brought him and my mom here for lunch last month. I've been here several times, and had a pleasant experience both times.

There are more unique and more "Chicago" type places to eat, but Grand Luxe Cafe is a nice place. It's LOUD and HUGE, but no more so than any other place on or around MI Ave.

It's fairly pricey, which is why I recommend coming here for lunch (which is until 5 PM now!).  The last time I was there, I had a Santa Barbara chicken sandwich and it was great! I couldn't finish it (portions are very big here) so it was a great late-night snack that evening. My parents each got a half a sandwich and soup. The Tortilla soup is just "blah," so get something else unless you like "blah."

The servers are nice as can be, sometimes a little too enthusiastic, but it's appreciated. They can tend to hover, but it's an attentive kind of hovering, not a hovering because they are bored or want your table.

On the plus side, I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes for a table, even at high noon on a Saturday. They seem to be very organized here.

Nothing spectacular, but it's good food, huge portions, good place to take the parents.

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Photo of Chelsea L.

 

10

7

Chelsea L.

Crystal Lake, IL

4 star rating
Updated - 10/28/2009

Ate here again last week. Place stands up. This time we were there on a Friday and it was crazy busy, but we got to sit in the cool turret room and the noise level wasn't too bad.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    8/7/2009

    Urbanspoon recommended we try this place when we were downtown for the day this summer and we were… Read more »

Photo of Tully B.

 

0

13

Tully B.

Spartanburg, SC

4 star rating
10/27/2009

I love the yankee pot roast. It is so good and generous portions. Service is always good and the menu is huge. The desserts are amazing. We go every time we are in Chicago.

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Photo of Clara P.

Elite '09

14

89

Clara P.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
8/24/2009

This place makes me smile!  =)

The environment is great, the lighting, the decor is so modern, yet so fun. Food is great, martinis are delish and desert... beignets with 3 dipping sauces... YUMMO!

I love bringing mom and grandma here when shopping on the mag mile... more like window shopping, none the less great happy place! love it!

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Photo of Edwin Q.

Elite '09

21

62

Edwin Q.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
7/28/2009

I heard a lot of horror stories about this place so I was a little afraid of it when my partner took me there for dinner last Saturday... Yet, in spite of the crowd, we had a great time. I guess it's a hit or miss experience. We were lucky to have a 20 minute wait. We spent that time sitting at the nice bar with our favorite drinks before heading to the main dinner room on the corner... The most beautiful part of the restaurant.
The food was good... not grand, but still tasty. The service was pretty good and the waiter was really nice!
A tourist trap and hell for some... it was nice for us! nuff said!

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Photo of Cristina A.

 

24

29

Cristina A.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
8/26/2009

So, this place is like The Cheesecake Factory's cousin. Same chain I believe. And major resemblance as well!
Excellent location, right off the Magnificent Mile... Great view while enjoying a scrumptious dinner. Sooothing atmosphere.. Perfect for a quiet dinner. The decor is definitely modern, yet elegant...
Their Martinis are amazing...
Dinner- delicious. In specific, the Pasta with Jumbo Shrimp and their Pasta Carbonara. As well as their gourmet sandwiches.
The Baked-to-Order desserts- amazing! The New Orleans Beignets were stellar! Just make sure to make room for this dessert if you do decide to order it, as it is a very generous portion...  Buut Its definitely worth it.
Now, it can get crowded, especially on Friday and Saturday nights... As long as its not a ridiculous wait,  I dont mind it as long as I have a French Martini in my hand.

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Photo of Justin B.

 

9

18

Justin B.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
8/21/2009

I was brought to Grand Lux Cafe by a good friend.  I walked in and it brought on a very "Cheescake Factory"-esqe appeal.  It was packed full of families and tourists, and rightly so for its location.  

The menu was quite large (correction - huge) but I opted for the lunch sandwich combo.  I got 1/2 chicken salad sandwich (quite tasty and not entirely dripping with mayo), a cup of soup and a "side salad" which was basically a bed of mixed greens and 2 cherry tomatoes for $9.95.  Not bad.  I opted for the cream of asparagus soup, which was lighter than expected and fairly tasty.    

With the abundance of menu items, everyone can find a dish to enjoy.  I didn't look, but I'm sure there are kids offerings as well.  

The atmosphere was busy and loud.  If you have a small party, try to grab a table by the window.  They seemed a little removed and offered a great view.  

An above average restaurant worth trying again.

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Photo of Christopher F.

Elite '09

9

71

Christopher F.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/5/2009

This is a nice place right off of Michigan though is very similar to its sister restaurant Cheesecake factory.   I do like the atmosphere a little better as it does not seem as crowded and more spaced out than the factory.  Food is the same, maybe a little nicer, but either place is good especially for lunch.  And just like the factory, servings are large so be hungry.

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Photo of Ali G.

 

0

2

Ali G.

Foothill Ranch, CA

5 star rating
9/9/2009

GLC got rave reviews from my entire family during our recent trip to Chicago.  With the main entrance hidden just west of Michigan Ave, my wife stumbled across this place as we were looking for brunch.  

The waiting area downstairs was pretty packed though it looked like we just missed a big crowd of people who ended up standing outside as we were getting seated.  Like the other reviews, the first thing we said to each other after we got seated was how much the place looked like the Cheesecake Factory.  

The gal helping us left a lot to be desired in terms of her service, but the food was a hit.  So much so, that we returned for a late lunch/early dinner the day after.  This after I read the reviews on Bandera just across the street but once we saw how limited their menu was, we ended back at the GLC.  Our server this time was much more on top of things so combined with our food, we were completely satisfied.  And to top it off, there was a near food fight between my father-in-law and my stepson over the molten chocolate cake which is made fresh to order.  My stepson has already said he wants to have his bday dinner here.

Having been to Cheesecake Factory several times, I'd have to rate GLC higher in terms of food quality.  Best way to describe it, it is what CF used to be around 10 yrs or so ago when it didn't have such a "cookie cutter" feel.  Last note, their fries are the absolute best fries I've ever had!!!

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Photo of Enrique A.

 

7

29

Enrique A.

Green Bay, WI

3 star rating
9/1/2009

I wouldn't come here for the food. It's not bad, but It wasn't anything special.

The atmosphere, location, and the decor kind of make up for the food.

My brother and I came here on a Friday morning, and got a nice table with a view of Michigan Ave right away. So it was a nice place to have a regular sandwich w/ fries and a piece of red velvet cake.

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Photo of Chris H.

Elite '09

97

291

Chris H.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/21/2009

I love to hate on mass-market middle America.  Rachel Ray, Guy Fieri, TGI-Fridays, focus group approved, family friendly restaurant concepts are all on my culinary shit list.

But now I'm a hypocrite, because for some crazy reason, I actually really liked this place.  Yes, I know it's the Cheesecake Factory's 'upscale' big brother.  But for the price point, quantity of chow, and quality of execution, I have a hard time faulting Grand Lux for anything, other than being a major league sell-out (but who isn't nowadays).

First of all, the food was actually really good.  Our chicken summer rolls, which were an abomination of thousands of years of beautiful Vietnamese culinary tradition, actually were quite tasty, fresh, and crunchy.  My  Carolina style pulled pork sandwich was about as authentic as a Milli Vanilli record, but fuck-it, actually tasted pretty good.  And at $12, it was a ridiculous bargain.  These guys must run drugs out the back door, because I don't know how they're turning a profit.

And the service.  Given it's the midwest, but people were nice.  So godamn, frustratingly, resentfully, perplexedly, fucking nice.  Whether it be the hostess, the busboy, or our waiter, they were all so annoyingly pleasant.  No eye-rolls when I asked for a salad instead of fries.  No sighs or tight-lipped smiles when my dining partner asked for a vegetable soup instead of her fries.  No indignation when I asked for an iced-coffee (not on the menu).  Just willing cooperation, pleasant demeanor, and nearly flawless service.  

Giving a glowing endorsement of this place pains me unbelievably.  But in this case, credit is due for what it's worth.

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Photo of Jessica Y.

Elite '09

28

66

Jessica Y.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
8/11/2009

The first time I went to Grand Lux, I thought, "Hey, this is just like Cheesecake Factory!" And it really is, but the more expensive and higher end version of it!

The atmosphere is pretty much the same and they do offer Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes. There's a varied selection of food, but my personal favorite would have to be the chopped salad! The portion is just right, it's filling and the price is just right! But what really sets apart Grand Lux are it's ready made desserts! I love Molten Chocolate Cakes and Grand Lux's is on the top of my list! Other good options include the New Orleans Beignets, Fresh Strawberry Shortcake and Red Velvet Cake. The portions are huge, so definitely be prepared to share!

I wouldn't regularly choose to go here for a meal, but it's a great restaurant if you have friends in town and are already shopping on Michigan Ave!

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Photo of Lucky H.

 

5

24

Lucky H.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
8/3/2009

Owned by Cheesecake factory, built and decorated like Cheesecake factory, serviced like Cheesecake factory, is supposed to be an "Upgrade" to Cheesecake factory. But unfortunately, this is more like a Downgrade.

My advice: Skip the food and go straight for the dessert.

The dessert is the only thing worthwhile at Grand Lux.  In fact, the dessert is sooo good that I wish they served this AT Cheesecake so it's more readily available throughout the country.

Hands down this place has the absolute BEST chocolate chip cookies in the country.  There is nothing that can compare to a box of warm freshly baked Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies that just melt in your mouth making you wish you could savor every last morsel for eternity.  The Beignets and Molten Chocolate Cake are equally rich and decadent and treat your taste buds with proper respect and dignity.

Unfortunately this is where the happy story ends.  Their menu - a fusion of world flavors and styles - is just average at best. When you think of the cliché 'jack of all trades master of none', this is the only way you could define Grand Lux.  All dishes from their pastas, to seafood, to asian fusion are just mediocre at best.  There's no grandeur you would expect; in fact I find Cheesecake dishes to be more refined because in certain respect less is more.  Grand Lux is trying too hard to mix all different flavors into something that may really dazzle you but ultimately only fizzes into a concoction your taste buds simply do not agree with.

All that said and done, could someone please send me a box of their cookies to help revive my taste buds?

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0

30

jenny c.

Cook, IL

5 star rating
10/27/2009

I love this place! It's huge. There is always a wait, but it's worth it. The portions of food are very big. I always have leftovers. I had some sort of salad with chicken, and it was delicious. Just the right amount of dressing, which can be an issue at a lot of other restaurants. Definitely a nice place to go for a date :)

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Photo of Matt W.

Elite '09

9

33

Matt W.

Wheaton, IL

5 star rating
7/30/2009

cheesecake factory upgraded +++  My girlfriend and i went during  a Wednesday lunch time crawl -  we were promptly seeded and hosted to.  The food is delicious, price affordable, and you will not come away hungry.  My girlfriend had the Rachel, and i had the roasted mushroom burger.  both very good, even though the mushroom patty was a lil crumbly for my liking.  Rachel was probably one of the best reuben sandwhiches i've ever had. Fries are really good, very comparable to mcdonalds tasting.  For dessert, a huge lump of bread pudding definitely knocked us into a food coma.  
Overall, this is a good place for casual eating downtown.  Wont hurt the budget but definitely good enough still to impress the date.

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Elite '09

18

147

Manda H.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
7/29/2009

Do not usually go to chain-like restaurants, especially with living in the city, but my family was in town and we were in a time crunch. First time upstairs after looking up to the rotunda room a million times, waiting for the bus. The design is very very very similar to the Cheesecake Factory (but no surprise there with the affiliation). I decided to try something out of the ordinary for myself and chose the sloppy joe sandwich. It was so much better than I had hoped and dreamed. The sauce was sweet yet had a kick and was a lot larger than I thought. Whatever the bread was, it was heaven in my mouth. It was around $8 and I have to say a deal. I split the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake with my sister for dessert. Needless to say I felt like Violet in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and nearly had to be rolled out.

I do have to say the drinks are also made fairly strong!! always a plus.

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3

30

Jessica Q.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
8/13/2009

Grand Lux is a no-brainer. The service and food are both consistent, but neither are ever outstanding. The portions are pretty grand though, so it's a good place to go when you're starving and just want a decent meal downtown.

The price is right given the portion size. A foodie might scoff at Grand Lux, but ultimately, it fills your stomach and tastes pretty good.

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Photo of Scott L.

 

11

226

Scott L.

Carson City, NV

4 star rating
10/1/2009

While not as good as the ones in Vegas, this is a very good choice for lunch, dinner or a late night snack. The portions are huge. We had an excellent seafood salad and found the waitress to be spot on. Great place!

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13

Sidney A.

San Diego, CA

4 star rating
10/4/2009

Yes yes, very much "Cheesecake Factory-like" but the food is a couple steps up.  I dine at Cheesecake Factory frequently so I can say this.  The ingredients, flavors and dishes are higher quality.  

Everything else is very similar to Cheesecake Factory though, like: large menu, huge desert and cheesecake selection, huge restaurant that's always packed at all times of day, and the way they handle seating is similar.

Our food was delicious, from the pastas to vegetables and our waitress was really friendly.  It was a little hard to track her down when we needed her though.  Sometimes she would disappear for long periods of time.

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Elite '09

133

438

Sonia C.

New York, NY

3 star rating
6/12/2009

This place is basically a Cheesecake Factory with a nicer view and a slightly different menu.  Portions and the menu are both equally large.  Our waitress warned us about the generous portions at least 3x.  That said, I do like the Cheesecake Factory, so I wasn't disappointed here either.

Almost everything was decent, though nothing was spectacular.  The three of us split the Sonoma salad, margherita pizza, and the chicken royale/short ribs combo.  The chicken royale was the only thing that fell short of expectations as it lacked flavor and had an overly thick breading.

We decided to bring about half the food home so we could get a slice of cheesecake for dessert.  The cheesecake comes straight from the Cheesecake Factory, so it's standard, but I liked it!

This place is very crowded and doesn't take reservations so go early!

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Elite '09

28

87

Linsey C.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
7/15/2009

Both times I've been I haven't had to wait too long for a table.

Service has been prompt both times and food has been good.

Not too much else to say except:

YOU HAVE TO TRY THE BUFFALO CHICKEN WRAPS APPETIZER!

So delicious!

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88

52

K H.

Atlanta, GA

3 star rating
6/18/2009

Very much between a 3-4 star
As some have said prior its JUST like a Cheesecake factory.

I had the appetizer sampler for 30- and enjoyed it as alunch between me and my friend
It had spinach dip and all sorts of wraps ,the buffalo one was the best
overall tasty
I forgot where I was asking for sweet tea and ordered a glass of wine instead!
good service , I personally do not describe a place like this nor cheesecake factory posh.

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