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Heaven On Seven On Wabash
Categories: Restaurants Cajun/Creole Restaurants Southern Cajun/Creole, Southern [Edit]
111 N Wabash Ave Ste 700Chicago, IL 60602
Neighborhood: The Loop
(312) 263-6443
- Nearest Transit:
-
Randolph/wabash (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
Madison/wabash (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
Lake (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 4 pm
Sat 10 am - 3 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
145 reviews for Heaven On Seven On Wabash
Review Highlights
"Me and my Man love the Gumbo and Turtle Soup."
(in 85 reviews)
"They also have a large assortment of hot sauces."
(in 26 reviews)
"The red beans and rice are to die for."
(in 11 reviews)
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145 reviews in English
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Review from Ann C.
Algonquin, IL
1/22/2012
Ordered a Bloody Mary... forgot to stir it before taking my first sip. I was thirsty and my first sip was more like a huge guzzle from the straw,
Ooooh Boy, it was spicy. The "bartender" saw the smoke coming out of my ears and tears in my eyes and refilled my Bloody Mary liquids without charge... reminded me to stir it and laughed his way back to what he was doing.
It was the best damn Bloody Mary I have ever had. -
Review from Shang C.
12/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Wabash location is open for dinner once a month, so I made reservations for 8! Turns out maybe reservations weren't quite that necessary.
I had an oyster po-boy sandwich. To be honest I think they keep the flavoring / seasoning a bit on the light side so you can add your choice of hot sauces - of which there were plenty with super amusing names.
All of us got a cup of gumbo to start, and based on reviews below I ordered a jalapeno cornbread to share with the boy, and I liked that one quite a lot.
However, for the prices, I think the food could have been a little better. -
Review from Ehow C.
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Heaven on Seven? More like "Eh"-ven on Seven.
It wasn't too busy when we came in for lunch today, and we first noticed the giant racks of different hot sauces. I thought, "Man, this place must know its spices!" I was a bit disappointed.
Both of our meals started with a cup of gumbo. With some white rice stirred in, it was pretty decent. I wish it had more substance in it, like thicker pieces of sausage, more veggies, etc. My date had ordered the creole omelet, which was fairly sweet, tempered when you add hot sauce. My Mardi Gras etouffee was full of shrimp, but really lacked a foundation of seasoning; hot sauce could only do so much.
For the price (cash only), it's not bad for a Loop restaurant. I probably wouldn't come back if I was craving Cajun. The service was nice, at least, despite being a tad slow when we were finished with our meal. -
Review from Dan G.
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a huge fan of Cajun food and HOS does it very well.
I've always liked this place and when my sister was in town over the weekend I had to take her here for lunch. We got in about a quarter before noon and just beat the work week lunch rush. It got pretty packed by the time we left.
Many good options on the creole fare you'd expect to see had us mulling the menu for a bit. Shrimp Po Boy for me and Mardi Gras Jambalaya for my sis. We split the Jalapeno cheddar corn muffin which went well with the gumbo that's included with orders. I jacked up everything I had with the many hot sauces they have at the ready. A cold Abita Turbodog washed things down nicely. We were pleased and pretty stuffed by the time we left. My sister loved it but could hardly stand the heat. You sure we're related?
Settle up at the register. CASH ONLY.Listed in: Dan Vs. Food
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Review from Cristina T.
Riverside, IL
11/6/2011
Was so excited to finally be able to eat at the original "Heaven", which is my all time favorite restaurant. Because this location is only open for lunch(aside from 1 Friday a month), I was ecstatic to come here one Saturday.
The restaurant in itself is pretty small, but the walls are covered in Mardi Gras-esque decorations and newspaper articles. The service is very friendly and quite quick. There are daily specials listed on the old school board in the middle of the restaurant.
For lunch we split a shrimp Po-Boy and some red beans & rice with a side of a jalapeno corn muffin(of course). The Po-Boy was served on garlic bread and the sauce that came with it was to die for. The red beans and rice was very good, except I was expecting more Andouille sausage in it. Other than that, everything was fantastic. I am already figuring out my schedule so that I can make it back for the once-a-month dinner! -
Review from Andrew S.
Lake Zurich, IL
10/18/2011
This place is fantastic...perfect name! I would go there every day for lunch! Like all the reviews say, the gumbo is the best - it could use more spice, but it's as good as I ever had down south. I had the Mardi Gras Étouffée and it was outstanding. On my next visit I want to try the shrimp and cheese grits.
Oh, and I'd be remiss not to recommend trying the Pecan Pie - whoa!
By the way...its cash only! I ended up picking up the bill for all my friends, as I was the only one with cash! -
Review from Jessica M.
Chicago, IL
10/13/2011
Lunch on a Wednesday afternoon was 80% packed yet the wait staff was quick and attentive. We were immediately seated and placed our orders for a jambalaya and red bean with rice and Andouille sausage. The jambalaya had a tidbit too much black pepper and the red beans were hearty but I only found one piece of thinly sliced Andouille sausage. Our orders also came with the gumbo but it was very lacking. Portions were fair and prices were not cheap. Lunch entrees here are mostly $10 and above.
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Review from Sam L.
Chicago, IL
10/26/2011
If this is the Heaven on Seven on Ohio & Rush then I would say this place is mediocre. The sweet potato polenta was pretty good and so were the tater tots, but the salad was awful! I mean come on, how hard is it to make a salad? The next time I go to this building , I will bypass Heaven on Seven and continue going upstairs to enjoy a move at AMC with buttery popcorn!
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Review from Laila C.
2/18/2011
angry chicken sandwich? I bet the chicken's is just pissed that they dishonored his death by making him into such a pathetically, terrible tasting sandwich. Something that's supposed to be crispy and cajun with a spicy kick ended up sweet and soggy. GROSS
the only thing preventing this place from being a 1 star is the gumbo which comes with most entrees. It was flavorful, had lots of chicken and seafood in it. Although it didn't taste like any other gumbo I've ever had, at least it was delicious and even better with a few dashes of hot sauce.
oh the hot sauce. Yes there were about a dozen different bottles on the table but at least 8 tasted like they came from the same place. I bet they just refill bottles with some industrial sized generic hot sauce every night. And yes....I did taste all the different hot sauces on my table. I have a strange affinity for condiments, especially spicy ones. -
Review from Edward B.
La Grange Park, IL
9/30/2011
We had carry-out from here today for lunch at work. I had Red Beans and Rice with Gumbo and a Jalapeno Cheddar Corn Muffin. Someone else had a Shrimp Po' Boy and someone else Voodoo Chicken pasta. They both loved theirs. I LOVE Red Beans and Rice....I had what I consider "real" versions when I lived in Houston (not a lot of "gravy" with the beans), and HoS' version is not that. However, it is excellent, extremely hearty and the serving size is outrageous. I think I'm going to end up with three meals out of what I ordered - for a total of $14 with tax! I've eaten here before several times and loved it each time, just finally reviewed it this time.
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Review from Jose E.
Lakeview, Chicago, IL
12/12/2011
Ok let me make this clear... This place is amazing. My grandparents live in baton rouge they cook the most amazing food you can get your hands on. This place tops it. I had the catfish Poe boy and red beans and rice and!!! And I say and!!!! Complementary gumbo... Just the way I like it with rice! And sausage!!!!!! So now you know the food is fantastic.. I had a hurricane that was amazing it mad me feel like I was not in Chicago like I was some were else... Then... THEN I looked around and the hot sauce oh hot sauce the wait staff was superb, leann our server was just what i needed to set the mood of the place off right!! And of course the let me play the VINTAGE piano and the music made me want to stay longer and longer I wish I could have been hungry all over again just so I could stay. So I ask for the hottest hot sauce they have and a different waiter brings me a cold bottle "clinched with a napkin" and says here ya go good luck.. All and all I could go on about thins place forever but I will tell you one thing I have found heaven on earth. It on the seventh floor of 111 Wabash and I will keep coming back and back. The only thing I don't like about the place is that it's not in my house cooking for me 24/7!!!
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Review from Conly D.
Glenview, IL
I really like it here. If I dont go with a po' boy, I go with gumbo and red beans with rice. I like to try their different hot sauces as well and found one from Trinidad that was very tasty.
The atmosphere is great and the service is the same. Remember though, CASH ONLY! -
Review from Piper S.
Edgerton, WI
12/11/2011
Not bad by Chicago standards but this place is not even in the ballpark compared to a guy who sells shrimp out of a shoulder bag on Royale Street in New Orleans. The prices are high but I am not a Chicago native and from my experience they are about average for downtown Chicago. The atmosphere was much more raunchy bar types screaming sexual banter at the wait staff and having fart contests than you would expect at an indie equivalent to an Applebee's or Chili's. The service was good, other than that they didn't do much to squelch the curse words being yelled around children. They knew the menu and the service was fast. The main dishes were tasty but nothing amazing. I also tried the bread pudding for dessert, this was the worst part of the meal. It was three slices of chocolate bread, completely intact, microwaved with some Hershey's syrup and caramel on top. It wasn't awful tasting, but there is no person alive south of Memphis that would consider that "bread pudding" Overall, I would go back if I had a lot of cash on hand, but its nothing amazing.
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Review from Jack P.
10/28/2011
I had not been here since, I believe the 1980's, when I worked in the area, and it was a very popular and crowded spot. You almost always had to wait in line. It probably helped when they opened a more spacious and second location in Near North/Michigan. My recollection was that I really loved the place. Funny in it's location on the seventh floor of an office building, quirky looking like an old diner, and a menu filled with those diet-defying cajun treats. After this visit, I am maybe older and wiser? Just not so enthusiatic about the place. I'm glad it has the old faded diner look, but I am not so wild about the old, scratched and seemingly permanently sticky tables. Nice menu choices, but my gumbo was like a cup of gravy with nothing in it. Come on, guys, even a few ounces of sausage is not that expensive. And while I was happy with the lightly breaded shrimp on my shrimp po' boy, The entire sandwich was like a big mouthful of cotton, with some strands of lettuce. And way out of line in price ($13.95 w/slaw and cup of gravy!) It may be that my tastes have changed or that I am more focused on the much greater loop lunch possibilities since 1985, but I just don't see this place as a good value. I might drop in for some other menu choices if my arm is twisted enough, but I probably would have given it two stars were it not for the fabulous and funny smiling server we had. She was a gem. Just what you would expect in a diner. Wish she's called me "hon," though. Coulda been 4 big stars with that! Check it out if you like "old Chicago" places. It IS a surviovor and has been around a long time. But don't wait in line for it.
Listed in: Embedded Cafes
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Review from John R.
Chicago, IL
1/13/2011
I went here for lunch today. It was quick. The food was ok. I got a chicken po' boy. It was literally a piece of toast with shredded lettuce, a slice of tomato, and a thin piece of fried chicken on it. VERY dry. You have to use the sauce if you want it to be palpable.
The waitress was a complete snot. Not impressed. -
Review from Mike W.
1/10/2011
There are some experiences in life that you take with and value forever... like you're... 1st kiss, 1st dance, 1st date, when Dubya left office hahaha and for me I can also add Heaven on 7th 2 the list.
I was in Chicago for work a few years back when I stumbled upon this place by accident, so... I strolled in and up to the bar, sat down and was greeted by this portly bartender/waiter asking me if I wanted a drink. Make a LONG story short: I had 3 beers, 1 bowl of turtle soup, 1 corn bread (the size of a house), a bowl of jambalaya and some other main course (which I simply remember as divine) and enjoyed tons of great and fun conversation in process. And, when I was tapped out in every way possible I asked for the bill and saw I was only charged for the soup and cornbread. When I asked why he said something along the lines that I'm new to town and wanted to make sure I was treated right, cool huh?
Anyway, so every time I visit Chi-town I make it a point to eat here. I never got the same kinda discount but that's ok - the servers are always cool and the food good. -
Review from Jiah C.
10/7/2010
I understand the ratings & complaints the real Southerners have on the authenticity of the flavors and preparation of this particular joint, but for a Midwest girl like me (that hasn't grown up around Creole dishes since childbirth), the experience was excellent.
First off, I have never tried a gumbo I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish until Heaven on Seven. It was plenty flavorful - especially if you're not used to the Creole spice on a weekly basis. Maybe the restaurant toned down the spices a bit compared to NOLA, but for the palates of the Midwest, I think it's quite a kick enough.
I had the fried oyster po' boy - also, one of the best I've had. This po' boy competes directly with the one from Monahan's in Kerrytown, Ann Arbor. The oysters were fresh, large, succulent and fried just right. The textures and flavors were still intact, and they gave you plenty of 'em. The sandwich was overflowing so much that I had to line the oysters up in the sandwich and had a mound of them on the side, which I munched on as I took bites of the bread. I also tried their jalapeno cornbread, and it was warm, surprisingly somewhat moist for cornbread, and a great base compliment to the kickass gumbo.
The interior is a bit over the top in terms of luring in tourists, but I didn't mind it at all. I liked being able to see the kitchen and it definitely made the restaurant seem busy even though it was a slow time when we went in. The service that day was great - host/manager was gracious, server was prompt and friendly.
I had originally wanted to try this place because I kept passing by the one in downtown Naperville, and I hope that one is just as great. I'll be back for sure, and bringing friends. -
Review from Dean K.
Chicago, IL
9/4/2011
We sometimes like to order from here to work on Saturdays. The food can be good. But 13 bucks for a po' boy? Plus, the last time I ordered? I got a crawfish po'boy. They didn't put the dressing on the sandwich, so it was dry. They didn't bring the gumbo with it. Best of all, they showed up 45 minutes late and the delivery girl said, "sorry, I'm not from around here so I couldn't find it." Huh? You're a delivery person and don't know where you're going? Besides, WE'RE IN THE LOOP. IT'S NOT HARD. If I'm going to drop 16 bucks for a sandwich with tax, get there before it's cold and bring the side order. Is it so hard?
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Review from Jin K.
Chicago, IL
10/20/2010
No bread today!
As I walked in a girl looking at the counter (because evidently she didn't have any cash on her and they don't take credit cards) was walking back to her seat to collect her stuff and walked out. TAKE credit cards already, you're located in the heart of the LOOP, morons.
Our impatient server, like the kind that seems like they had been holding in a piss for a really long time because instead of using his last 5 minute break to piss he went outside to have a smoke instead, comes up and asked us if we were ready after apologizing for taking a while to take our order.
After asking about the all you can eat cajun special, he blew through the eight items they bring out to you and said that the whole table has to order it, if it's ordered. I asked him how much it was and at that point he says everything on the menu is 7.77, he asked are you ready to order...and since we weren't he said what about drinks, so we ordered drinks and then he took off. This is a small place and we got there around 1oclock, which is after the lunch rush. When he got back we ordered and he brought out the bread basket with crackers and butter but no bread. Someone then asked him for bread when he came back around and he said that they were all out of bread. WTF! Why would you even bring the little bowl of butter then or the bread-less bread basket? and why not explain that you ran out of bread a head of time. numb-skull.
too bad the gumbo is good...cause I will have to go back to Heaven on Seven to deal with the wait staff. -
Review from Becca S.
10/7/2010
I've been to the Ohio Street location a few times, and while the food is virtually identical, the atmosphere at the Wabash restaurant is worlds apart. It feels more like a diner with racks of sauce on the walls, ranging from super hot to unbearably hot. I went, unbeknownst to me, the day they reopened from being closed for several weeks for some remodeling. I don't think they were 100% ready to open yet, but I got what I wanted. They were out of a few staples, but nothing I was planning to order anyway. I got the beans and rice with andouille sausage and it was the yum. I can't handle too much spice, so I love that most dishes are fairly mild and allow you to load it up with the multitude of different hot sauces on your table.
I know people rave about their gumbo, so I had a bowl with my meal. I thought it was just okay. Maybe I'm spoiled because a few years ago I had gumbo made by my friend's mom who was born and raised in New Orleans, but while the gumbo at H on S was fine, it was nothing like the experience I had in New Orleans. I'm still dreaming about it. I'll go back though. The food and atmosphere are super fun. And as you can tell by all my other reviews, I love anything quaint. They only take cash and I don't even think the cash register adds up the totals. Laissez les bons temps rouler! -
Review from Anna R.
Bloomington, IN
8/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Delicious gumbo and jambalaya. Make sure you bring cash--it's cash only!
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Review from David H.
Chicago, IL
8/8/2011
I went to dinner with a group of the 10 and the food was ok,after we payed the tab i went to the bathroom to was my hands.So i forgot to pick up my $300 pair of oakley sunglasses off the table.I went back to 90 second later and no sunglasses were to be found,but the buss boys were at the table when i leaving.I asked the manager if they had found my glasses and he said no,but he looked around and asked his buss boys they said no..... surprise,surprise!!!So don't leave any stuff behind you or it will be gone!!!
I'm so annoyed,because i work in the industry and we return stuff if it's left behind. -
Review from kim w.
Chicago, IL
4/25/2011
ugh, i had never heard of this place until my co-worker raved that i would LOVE this place.
:\
FALSE.
sticky tables, cash-only with no atm within the restaurant and a ridiculously overpriced menu?
NO THANKS, BRO.
catfish po' boy sandwich = surprisingly tasty
coleslaw = bland and forgettable
salad = gross gross
i imagine this is a place that a vacationing midwest family eagerly goes to and think this is a real chicago dining experience. :(
this review was brought to you by emoticons and all-caps yelling. -
Review from Dave S.
3/10/2008
I have been to the location on north Michigan avenue a few times but I have never been to the spot that started it all. This is a good spot for lunch and they close down early so if you are looking for dinner, then head to Michigan Avenue.
This place looks dated and is very small. It looks like they have not changed things much at all. It is well kept though. We got there at 1:15 so we beat the lunch rush. I hear this place gets pretty packed during the lunch hour.
Our server was great. She was very pleasant, knowledgeable and attentive. Of course I started off my lunch with some gumbo. It would not be a meal here if I didn't. For my main course I had the jerk shrimp and pasta which was very tasty. It wasn't overpowering on the seasonings but still had a good flavor to it. they got us our food very quickly but they did not rush us at all. I am looking forward to going back again! -
Review from Regina L.
Iowa City, IA
8/26/2007 1 photo
1320 bottles of hot sauce on the wall
1320 bottles of hot sauce
You break one down, pass it around
1319 bottles of hot sauce on the wall
Wow, that's still a lot of hot sauce left over. And even if the all hot sauce bottles on the wall broke, there's still plenty of hot sauce bottles on each table to try at your own convenience.
But anyway, thanks to Chicago Yelpers for pointing me and my travel partner to this place. I didn't think there would be a cajun/creole place like Heaven on Seven back in LA, so we just walked on over to the Garland building for some early lunch. He got the jambalaya and gumbo while I got the fried oyster salad. The dressing of the salad was tangy and the oyster was crunchy. The gumbo and jambalaya were pretty tasty as well.
I loved it that this place isn't really that busy when we came in. The staff was also super friendly to tourists like us. Be sure to bring cash as this place is cash only. Oh, and did I mention the 1320 bottles of hot sauce?Listed in: One Weekend in Chicago
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Review from Agnes F.
Chicago, IL
10/12/2010
Whenever i feel like some gumbo, i head over to Heaven on Seven on wabash. I also had their various po boys (i like the soft shell crab the most), salads, sandwiches, pastas, southern fried chicken breasts... but my fav remains the gumbo
packed at lunch if you don't get there early, although i love sitting at the counter as well
good value, quick service for lunch -
Review from Mike P.
Schaumburg, IL
8/8/2011
Great gumbo!
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Review from Jenny A.
Chicago, IL
10/1/2007
Usually, the food catered in at my office is pretty standard fare - pasta salads, sandwiches, etc. Today, when I got the email "leftovers from Heaven on Seven in the conference room," I bolted down there to grab a plate before everything was gone.
Cornbread. Mmmm. It's perfect for soaking up the juice from the collard greens (seriously, that combo is just amazing). I think that was my favorite thing from the little sampling I took. The red beans and rice were good, but a little bit bland for my tastes. The jambalaya was (unfortunately) cool by the time I got to it, but I bet it's fabulous when it's hot!
On the whole? Very tasty, although I think I'd like it better if I actually stopped in for lunch. I'll have to make a point to do so soon!Listed in: Free food I've eaten at the…
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Review from Danny E.
3/19/2010
Came here with my buddy Yim one rainy windy Chicago afternoon. The decor reminds me a little of what a saloon would look like. The walls are lined with hundreds of different chili sauce and you can try them all with your meal. Personally they all started to taste the same to me and were never nearly as hot as advertised.
I ordered off of the lunch menu and tried orzo for the first time. It's not for me but I'd imagine that someone that like orzo will like it here. I also had the gumbo which I thought was delicious, meaty, and hearty.
The prices I feel are a little on the expensive side for the food they're serving.
Definitely would come back here again. -
Review from Gladys c.
Los Angeles, CA
6/25/2006
What a treat! This is the original Heaven on Seven and they are on the seventh floor of an office building. The restaurant isn't very big compared to the Michigan Ave one. They are only open for lunch except on Fat Tuesday, they make an exception and serve dinner. I was lucky and got to attend dinner on Fat Tuesday this year. All the food was so yummy! We had the scallops, shrimp and fried green tomatoes for appetizer and my entree was delicious - mouth-watering Pan Seared Diver Caught Sea Scallops, served with garlic mashed potatoes. The PO'BOY sandwiches and Louisana Crabcakes are also very good. Fresh seafood and friendly service! Their HURRICANES are a must!!!
**Cash only at Loop location** -
Review from Sam K.
Chicago, IL
8/6/2009
I come in every once in awhile for a bowl of gumbo and an jalapeno corn muffin. They serve the muffin with a sweet cream butter that's amazing. It's a really delicious (and unhealthy) meal for less than $10.
Every time I've deviated from my usual order of gumbo I've been disappointed. I think the gumbo is the only good thing they have. My biggest disappointment was their jambalaya, which was a small bowl of watery, hard rice, with very little meat or seasoning. Their stuffed habanero is more of a painting than anything else (so much so that the waiter will practically tell you not to get it when you order it) and I've been disappointed with their meat dishes as well.
I'm a fan of suicidally spicy food. My love for spicy food has actually posed a health threat, and I've tried to cut down the past couple of years. But every once in awhile I give in, and order the basket of suicidal spicy sauces at Heave on Seven. You have to make a special request.
There is one in particular called "Ground Zero" which completely does me in.
http://www.gourmetmike...
I have eaten habanero peppers by the mouthful. Ground Zero is hotter. I definitely recommend it if you're into spicy food. -
Review from Rachel M.
Chicago, IL
5/14/2010
Had an absolutely horrible experience here yesterday while trying to celebrate a co-worker's birthday lunch.
We made a reservation for the 6 of us and we looking forward to taking advantage of their $7.77 May promotion. We were all seated promptly even though the line was pretty long. We put our order in around 12:15pm, and each received our cup of gumbo/jalepeno corn bread pretty soon after that.
The gumbo was "meh." I don't know what all the fuss is about. Kind of tastes like gravy with rice in it to me. The corn muffin was tasty, but not mind-blowing.
Unfortunately, that is all the food that I am able to review, because our entrees never came. The server came by around 12:45, assuring us that everything would come out shortly. By 1pm (keep in mind, we ordered at 12:15pm), I had to flag down the server again, who acted extremely annoyed that I bothered her, and said that they were having problems in the kitchen, so she "couldn't promise anything"... um, what? Who says that, when the people at their table have been waiting for 45 minutes? During this time, she did keep bringing us refills forour fountain drinks, but one friend who only ordered water was sadly neglected.
At 1:15 p.m., we asked her to check the status of our order again, and she came back and said that the problem was that there was a gas leak, and so they had to turn the fryers off, and they were just heating back up, so it was going to be another 20 minutes until they could cook anything.
At this point, we had to go since we had a limited time for lunch. I don't understand her attitude and why she could not tell us that there was an issue with the fryer in the first place. I'm extremely disappointed, as I really wanted to like this place, but the service will prevent me from ever coming back. -
Review from Jonathan H.
Chicago, IL
12/7/2009
I've been here a couple of times. At first I was not excited because I thought it'd be just another restaurant that wasn't great near Michigan Avenue. But I was pleasantly surprised. I like spicy food and was happy with everything from the gumbo to the Southern Fried Chicken Po Boy.
Just typing this makes me want one! I recommend to those who enjoy good creole food as well as a well made meal. The service has always been good, because we usually go see a movie after, and we've never had a problem. -
Review from Vivian Y.
10/23/2008
Maybe I'm being harsh and being pouty because my friends' orders were better than mine. The waiter recommended the crab cakes with poached eggs (really eggs benedict with crab cakes) and since I love crab and I love poached eggs, I ordered it.
What I didn't expect was deep fried crab cake patties. I am usually a sucker for seafood that is fresh tasting, lightly pan fried. But this oily pancake of crab mush didn't really do it for me. I did try bites of other people's food including the Angry Shrimp Omelette (which was "too much" shrimp" according to my brother - um..is there such a thing as "too much shrimp"? Maybe we're not related....) And my other friends ordered the country fried steak (which looks SOOOO good) and gumbo.
The gumbo was "ok". We were the first ones there, right when it opened, so maybe the flavors hadn't cooked long enough. I'm sure if it had been stewing for longer periods of time, it would have been better.
I'll just try to get to the Rush location some other time and see how the two locations compare.Listed in: Breakfast and Brunch! YUM!
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Review from Efrain F.
Chicago, IL
1/10/2007
I used to eat lunch here quite often when I worked in the loop. I usually ordered one of their sandwiches. Occasionally I would order the delicious gumbo.
My wife and I went here before going to see the weekend matinee of Wicked. I ordered the jambalaya, which I had tried before. My wife ordered the "Shrimp Voodoo", which was shrimp with pasta. We both like really hot food and this was described as such.
The shrimp was the worst pile of crap I have ever been served here. It was bland, tasteless, and not hot whatsoever. The shrimp were so small they looked like sea monkeys!
My wife ended up eating some of my jambalaya since it was quite delicious. The portions are large so it was plenty for both of us. The gumbo and cornbread was also excellent.
Three stars for the excellent jambalaya. Do not get the shrimp dish... it really, really sucks. I get angry just thinking about what a shitty dish it was... grrrr... maybe that's the hot sauce talking. -
Review from Sonia C.
11/8/2008
Pretty good Cajun restaurant. I wasn't in love with the dish I ordered, but I think there is a lot of potential at Heaven on Seven.
We came for lunch and opted to sit at the counter (no wait). I opted for the shrimp with cheddar grits and my friend had the jambalaya. We both got cups of gumbo with our meals. The gumbo was quite good - a good level of spiciness, with lots of sausage and rice. I liked the assortment of hot sauces with the equally entertaining names arranged on the counter. I had the Louisiana hot sauce over all my food - it had a nice kick.
My dish came with lots of fried shrimp but the grits were a little more watery than I like. It was tasty, but the dish was overall a little too heavy and monotonous. My friend's jambalaya was good, but a little like watered-down gumbo.
We split a piece of pecan pie for dessert. The filling was really good, but the crust was a bit stale.
I spotted lots of items on the menu that I would come back to try - among them chicken fried steak, jalapeno corn muffins, and brunch items like poached eggs on fried green tomatoes. -
Review from Bonnie L.
San Diego, CA
10/23/2008 1 photo
So after a long day of traveling, manual labor and starvation, we were walking up State Street SEARCHING for a place to eat. Nowhere!! It's all shops. So finally I see a woman holding a box of leftovers and pointed right at her and yelled "FOOD!!" and asked her where she got it. Freaking friendliest people on earth, she gave me exact directions to Heaven on Seven. Amazing thing is, myself as a visitor would have NEVER come across this place, as it's in a business building on the 7th floor! It's like one of those "best kept secrets" places I think.
So they have a gigantic menu of fried, mashed, corned, mixed and gumbo'd food here... I went with the chicken fried steak, which the waitress informed me the kitchen only had one left of, so she "saved" it for me. It was freaking HUMONGOUS! (see picture to demonstrate enormity) And everything comes with the best gumbo - which I had never had before actually but from what I tasted, it was delicious. The huge selection of hot sauces also gives this place a good review anyway - I tried one called "Vampfire." It was just OK. The Louisiana hot sauce went AAAALLL up on my chicken fried steak though. And I had the coleslaw and carrots with my meal, which was good... not amazing but good. Really the draw here is humongous portions, really great flavor and a giant selection of hot sauces.
They only take cash, and their prices are so-so. I think Chicago is an expensive city, though. My meal was $13.75 and my friend's was also. Wait staff is super friendly, though sometimes you have to flag someone down. Highly, highly, highly recommend that chicken fried steak. Really, come hungry though. It's gigantic. -
Review from Kristin P.
Chicago, IL
10/19/2010
Stopped in for a quick lunch during the week. Tried the enchiladas which were cajuny, made with flour tortillas and spicy New Orleans style chicken. Definitely different than traditional enchiladas, but very good. Also had the gumbo to start which was great. It was a little soupy and I wish it had been meatier, but it was just a starter.
The decor is a lot of fun also, with racks and racks of spices with crazy names. A sign warns that if you touch them they might explode. We must of stared at them for a good 10 minutes. One other great thing about this place is how quickly they get you in and out. Great place for a quick lunch during a crazy work week! -
Review from Kris Q.
Washington, DC
10/8/2007
I went to Heaven on Seven near the Magnificent Mile at first and had an entree - it was good, but the gumbo blew me away. I have never had anything remotely like it. It was nice and thick, so tasty and absolutely delicious. I came to this one on Wabash later and decided to just order a bowl of gumbo and cornbread, and it was so, well, heavenly.
If you come, GET THE GUMBO. It's an absolute MUST.
Oh, and I minused a star because the table was sticky. -
Review from Katrina H.
Chicago, IL
Well I finally Made it to this place after Reading and Reading and Reading about how FABULOUS it was. My mother and I had gone to this location only to find out that it was in the Same Exact building that I frequent for appointments for years now .. whats odd.. All I had to do was press the 7th floor instead of the 11th floor! .. I hate that you have to pay with CASH.. something that even Restaurants with History should change in this market .. The food was decent. We were the only people there but I can honestly say that Sometimes the Fantasy is much greater than the reality
