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- Hours:
Mon 4 pm - 12 am
Tue-Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
51 reviews for Side Street Saloon
Review Highlights
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"LOVE LOVE LOVE SSS's thin crust pizza." In 12 reviews -
"...club sandwich was fantastic as were the brew buddies." In 4 reviews -
"...to-earth and there's a pool table that you never have to..." In 7 reviews
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Andy M.
Elmhurst, IL
4/16/2012
A great rare side street tavern in the city. wish more of these existed.
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Review from Sara S.
4/7/2012
I've wanted to visit this place for since I've lived in the area. I finally made the 7 min walk with a few friends this past Thursday. Great deal for bulls games- $3 pizza with a $15 bucket. Can't beat that!
The pizza is great- crispy and thin. A bit greasier than I normally like but hey, it is pizza after all.
The service was pretty slow- they definitely cater to regulars. But then again, it is a neighborhood bar so if I went more often the service get better for me.
It does look a bit like a basement in the 70s but that's part of it's charm! -
Review from Katy S.
4/6/2012
Side Street Saloon is without a doubt a neighborhood bar. I visited this place on a Thursday evening, and I instantly noticed that the rest of the patrons were greeted by name. Everyone is a regular! I came for the Bulls Game beer and pizza special- a bucket of Bud Lights for $15 and a medium pizza for $3. The pizza was very good. It has a super thin buttery crust. It is very light and complimented our beers quite well.
I loved the ambiance. The lighting is a little dark but the booths are cozy. A pool table, juke box, and dart boards are all available. Our service was just OK. The two servers working appeared to know the rest of the bar guests very well. We weren't given quite the same amount of attention as the tables around us. It wasn't a big deal. We weren't in a rush, but I can't say that the service is fantastic.
If I lived closer, I would visit Side Street often for their low prices, great draft selection, good pizza, and casual atmosphere. Since I don't live close, I won't go running back, but I will definitely keep it in mind the next time I'm in the Lakeview area. -
Review from Rosie S.
Chicago, IL
2/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ended up at this dive bar after dinner one evening and after being there for 10 minutes...I decided that if I lived in the neighborhood, that I would totally be a regular!! Everyone was really friendly and they had a great beer selection, including on tap.
If you are in the hood, then you should check this place out!! -
Review from Allison L.
Chicago, IL
1/15/2012
The bartenders are attentive, pool table isn't wobbly, and the chili was delish. It's definitely a dive bar, but they know they're a dive bar and have the correct corresponding prices.
If you're in the mood to dress-up for the night and drink a specialty cocktail, this is definitely not your place. The door handle falls off if you don't know how to jimmy it properly.I t's just a great corner bar, not a place where people go to be seen, but rather a place where you go to shoot the shit with friends and make new ones if you go there by yourself. -
Review from Jen O.
Chicago, IL
12/19/2011
This is like your friendly neighborhood bar. It's on a side street - great name - and they have pool, darts and a juke box. Not what I would put as my favorite thing to do at night but if you're looking for this type of place then you'll have a good time.
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Review from Anthony M.
Chicago, IL
12/15/2010
The last time I was in this bar....I was not even legal to drink and that was like 20 years ago. My wife and I are on a mission to try every little neighborhood bar around here and we have been doing a good job. We have found some really nice places too.
I have one word or sentence to say about this place...the most amazing thin crust homemade pizza I have ever had from a non-Italian location. I mean this is a bar...Side Street Saloon doesn't even sound Italian. The bartender who was also our server rocked...she talked me out of the mac and cheese and moved me to the pizza...my wife was trying to sway me back towards the Mac and Cheese...we were both really surprised at how good the pizza was. We are even thinking about picking one up next time and taking it home...who am I kidding...we should just stop in and eat it there. My wife had a spicy chicken sandwich that would have been perfect with a little red sauce on it...next time we will have to add some on there. The fries were also really good too...they were those seasoned fries with batter on them...yum yum!!!
Oh yeah I almost forgot...they have beer here too!!!
Great neighborhood joint...I wish I lived next door!!! -
Review from Brett D.
3/20/2009
It's sorta twilight zone-ish when you stumble into a place like Side Street Saloon... it's like reaching an unknown dimension of divey drinkin' that you never even knew existed right under your nose, in your own backyard. Wait just a minute... Where did all of these people come from?? Where am I?? There's folks eating, drinking, laughing, playing Willie Nelson - Willie!!!! - on the old jukebox, throwing darts, shooting pool... how did they find this utopia?
Lucky for me a friend of mine lives right down the street from Side St and suggested it as last call for us on a Friday night or I'd never have stumbled into this Lakeview vortex. Side St is most definitely a great neighborhoody spot for a chillax evening of friends and fun... or a little mix and mingle with the locals doesn't hurt either... hit up the pool table for some hustle action and down a few of their cheap jack and cokes. Tasty!!
Apparently they serve up some great pub grub here as well (who knew?), they boast tons of nightly specials like dollar tacos, steak chili, their famous thin crust pizzas, italian sausage sandwiches and nummy fish 'n chips. I'll surely be back for the fiesta burger and more Willie, natch, provided I can find the place again... anyone have an extra map to the twilight zone?Listed in: Drink. Drank. Drunk.
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Review from Kristin C.
Chicago, IL
3/13/2007
Say buh-bye to overpriced burgers. "The burger" has become somewhat of a trendy menu item lately with the Kobe beefs, mini-steaks, and portabello premiums.
If you crave a no-nonsense, cheap but tasty slab of moo, I suggest the Side Street for a $3.50 weekend burger (this is no Tuesday-only deal). Burgies come with a side of fries, a pickle and some spot-on service. This place is not the diviest of dives, but its mellow vibe and beer specials ($3.00 IPA pints) will make me a regular on Fridays. -
Review from Ryan N.
Chicago, IL
10/30/2011
Great pizza, limited delivery distance, great customer service.
Found Side Street Saloon through yelp as one of the top rated pizza delivery places in the area and placed an order for the abbylicious.
Received a call about an hour later after the guy who took my order realized that their delivery service could not make it to my location. He asked for directions, and delivered the pizza personally.
PIzza was a delicious thin crust with bacon spinach and mushrooms, adding ranch making it even more delicious. -
Review from Amy H.
6/26/2007
I came here last night and thought it was a pretty cool place! They have my favorite beer (Miller Genuine Draft Light) and I really liked the atmosphere. It reminded me a little of Cheers. Just some good people hanging out at the bar.
They also have a pretty spacious backroom, which would be great for parties. -
Review from Christiana S.
Buffalo Grove, IL
9/26/2006
Since we're both trying to save money, my boyfriend and I are all about going on super cheap dates as of late. Side Street has a $3.50 cheeseburger on Fridays and Saturdays, so we stopped in this past weekend to check it out.
First, I must say that I LOVE the dcor of this place. It's very Wisconsin tavern-ish, right down to the wallpaper. It's nice and dark and not too crowded, and there's a pool table and a bunch of trivia machines and Golden Tee. Just your average bar.
We decided to drink Point since it was on special for $2.50 a bottle. Mmmmmm Point!
It took forever (well, maybe more like a half hour) to get our burgers, but we were pretty pleased once we did. While it's not the best burger I've ever had, it was decent, especially considering the price. The fries (plain or cajun.... I had plain) were okay too.
Our waitress was sweet, but she accidentally overcharged us for the beer. This irritated my boyfriend ("$3.50 for a bottle of Point? Ha!"), so he complained and she fixed it and then all was well.
We'll definitely be back. -
Review from Ben W.
New York, NY
6/28/2009
If your looking for a solid neighbourhood bar which serves top shelf tasting pizza (no really it is very good thin crust pizza) then this is your spot.
Tucked away just off Southport this place is a very decent place to hang and have a few easy beers with friends, or on your own when you just need to get out of the house. Leave pretension at the door, bring a healthy thirst and you will be sorted. -
Review from Stephen G.
Chicago, IL
10/8/2011
I love this place. Definitely one of my favorite dives in Chicago. Their beer selection is excellent and they have a few dart boards in the back. The staff is friendly and I've always had a great time when I've stopped in. I'm not in that neighborhood a lot, but when I am, Side Street is always high on my list of stops.
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Review from Max S.
Chicago, IL
9/10/2007
I've been going to the Side Street for years and it never disappoints. I'm not sure why people on Yelp love to call everything that isn't a club or Joe McFratboy's Irish bar a "dive bar," but they do. This isn't a dive bar, it's a neighborhood hang out that is still kept up quite well.
This is the kind of place that truly appeals to all ages. On any given night you can see people from their early 20s up through people in their 50s bellying up to the bar for a reasonably priced drink. They've got your standard draft and bottle selections so don't expect to find anything too unique here, but that's part of the neighborhood appeal of the place.
The food menu is surprisingly extensive given the very tiny kitchen next to the bar. I think the kitchen in my apartment is actually bigger than theirs. I've had the burgers and pizzas and haven't had any complaints. The food is all reasonably priced, just like the suds.
They're still remodeling some of the inside, but have recently added a number of booths instead of their old high round tables. Luckily the old bar remains in tact. There's a jukebox with an OK selection and 2 megatouch trivia machines. If you're looking for a nice place to grab a beer and have some good conversation, Side Street is probably it. -
Review from Mark F.
Chicago, IL
6/2/2010
Living down the street from Side Street, it has become our go-to place for pizza and a place to just go and hang out when we want to get out of the house.
Their pizza is great! There's something about the cheese that makes it amazing.
The ambiance of the place is reminiscent of someone's basement/rec room from the 70's or 80's. It's definitely not contemporary, but it gives an air of comfort and familiarity. The staff is friendly (with the exception of one server, who acts as though she's doing you a favor by serving you).
Need a bar to make your own? This is it! -
Review from Bryan R.
San Diego, CA
11/19/2009
I live right down the street, so it's a very convenient "go-to". The staff seems great and the crowds are always manageable. I've had their basic burger, the rodeo burger (bbq bacon goodness) and their italian beef sandwich and all were great. Nothing at all to complain about here.
edit: just tried their thin crust pizza... awesome -
Review from jackie m.
Chicago, IL
9/19/2010
First, this is not a Michigan State bar. It is a bar that plays MSU games on the TV. No Sparty atmosphere, no Spartan decor, and no fight song (except for the cartoon version they started playing in the 3rd quarter). Oh and I can't forget to mention the annoying girls that only cheered when something noticeably good happened (ok they scored a touchdown, but did you see the 5 plays before that that led us to the TD?) AND that don't even know the players names (Kurt Cousin??? It's KIRK COUSINS. Come on. You can't even get the QB right?!).
Second, this is a TOTAL dive bar. I'm not hating on a dive bar...I prefer it to bars full of 22 year olds that can't handle a 5 beers. This is a serve yourself kind of place. No servers, so expect to go up to the bar to order your drinks & food. Also, people were bringing in their infants and toddlers & I witnessed a pregnant woman drinking wine. I'm sorry it's 9pm...your baby should not be here now (or any time). And also I find something morally wrong with a bar that would serve a pregnant woman (I know it is not illegal to serve a pregnant woman, but still). Everyone raved about the pizza, but it was mediocre bar pizza at best. I really hope I can convince my boyfriend to go back to our usual Sparty bars... -
Review from Laura H.
Chicago, IL
9/10/2010
A nice little neighborhood dive bar. Flowing beer and good food. Whats not to like?
Ive tried a few things on their menu... Pizza was good... the chicken club sandwich was fantastic as were the brew buddies... good tater tots and fries... decent food specials throughout the week.. and even on the weekend.
Between the food, beer, pool table and darts, you will not leave here unsatisfied. -
Review from J R.
Chicago, IL
7/20/2009
This is my favorite MSU bar in Chicago!
It is low key and not obnoxious like Barley Corns. In fact, I have been hesitant to review it as I don't want the word to spread to the other rowdy Spartans :)
The prices are pretty low and the food is really good. They have some of the best bar food I've had. While it has been depressing being away from MSU, this place makes me feel right back in East Lansing! They always have the MSU game on and play the fight song throughout!
The italian beef sandwich is one of the best I've had since living here for sure. The portions are huge as well.
This is definitely my fave MSU bar. -
Review from Aaron S.
Chicago, IL
7/22/2008
I have fabulous memories of dinners at this place and doing scratch-offs in the back room at Christmastime (long story).
Really nice service, and good homestyle food. -
Review from Vince R.
Chicago, IL
8/18/2010
This place is okay however, I would not have anything other the beer and pizza there.
I went for the Dollar taco on tuesday which were worst then Taco Bell. They were hard shelled and the ground beef had potatos in them. I used a whole bottle of hot sauce.
Nothing special about the service there, it seemed that they were very close to the locals and didnt pay attention to other guests. -
Review from Jasmine J.
Los Angeles, CA
12/15/2009
I really like Side Street's pizza. The crust is super thin, but doesn't get soggy. I feel like we order it to be delivered fairly regularly. We usually get the Joel or the Anna. When I ordered a pizza tonight I saw that I had written "No half/half." on the menu. That was strange and we wanted a half and half pizza. So I asked the guy on the phone if they offered that and he said they did. So what did my "No half/half." message mean? It wasn't until the delivery guy came with the pizza that I remembered. They charge full price for all the toppings. I got two toppings on each side and was charged for four full toppings. $26 plus tip for a large, two topping pizza. Bullshit. They have every right to charge for whatever they want, but if they are going to charge for all the toppings like that, they should let you know when you order.
So order with caution, yelpers. -
Review from Eman S.
Chicago, IL
8/25/2009
Went there for a party on Saturday and had a lot of fun. The bartenders were really good and quick to get to you (it wasn't really packed though) and they actually had fun with you. I did try their pizza and thought it was good, but not great.
Being in a neighborhood, a cab was a little difficult to get right away, but I only had to walk three blocks to get to a main street and then got one right away.
I am definitely going to go back and try the other food people are talking about on here. -
Review from Candice R.
Chicago, IL
1/10/2010
This place was pretty cool. I was here on a Saturday night, meeting up with some friends. They were there for a birthday party, and so we go to take advantage of some of their tasty pizza for free. The crowd is cool and prices are cheap. The only thing I can gripe about is that they only have a huge 22 oz bottle of cider, and no other options. I went with a 312, which was less than 5 bucks.
They have games, and it's easy to get to. I'll be back. -
Review from lorna j.
Chicago, IL
3/4/2010
my favorite bar pizza in chicago, hands down. Also a wonderful place to catch hockey games, whether you are of the Red Wings or Blackhawks persuasion. Friendly rivalry, always a good crowd for hockey fans. Also, during the playoffs, Chris has been known to be very kind in promoting Red Wings rally shots. I have seen the power of said shots, they may be magical.
It's worth it go to there any time of day or night, super friendly staff, great bar food, and Labatts on tap. Although, the Labatts was suspiciously missing during the USA v. Canada Gold medal game... coincidence? The Sidestreet crew may never tell. -
Review from Brooke A.
Chicago, IL
10/22/2008
I live a few blocks away from this place and visit about once a week (at a minimum). Great place... never crowded... never a bad crowd, just cool people hanging out with friends enjoying a drink. And don't forget about the pizza. It's my favorite thin crust in Chicago.... and we all know there is a surplus of compitition in Chicago. They just know how to keep it simple and good.
The staff is also very friendly. -
Review from Mia B.
Chicago, IL
4/21/2009
You don't know it's there unless you know it's there. You probably won't have a wild night here, but if you're looking to drink a beer, watch sports and catch up with friends and neighbors, then this is hands-down the best place to go.
They've got some great beer on tap, a very nice thin crust pizza, and local sports (though you'll have to go to the back to watch the Sox).
It's always a good time. Whenever I have a bad night out, I always think, ruefully, "I should have just gone to Side Street!" -
Review from Caitlin G.
Chicago, IL
6/29/2010
LOVE LOVE LOVE SSS's thin crust pizza! I am very lucky to live a block away from this gem of a dive bar. It has been my go to pizza place since the glory of the bbq chicken thin crust pizza first touched my lips.
The grilled chicken sandwich is TO DIE FOR, great specials, there is a pool table & a dart board, its never too crowded, the pizza is phenom, and the mac-and-cheese bites = mmm mmm mmm need I say more?
You will def leave this cozy hole in the wall satisfied and smiling, with a new favorite pizza spot, hopefully a little tipsy and unfortunately smelling of greasy food. -
Review from Jason W.
Chicago, IL
11/7/2009
I've lived in Chicago for 9 years now and the Sidestreet has always been a steady part of my bar diet. The people are friendly, beer is reasonable and there's a large selection, the staff is cool, and the pizza rocks at this joint.
Seriously if you haven't had their thin crust pizza, I highly recommend it. It's definitely a hidden gem amongst the thin crust pizza joints in the city. -
Review from Kevin N.
10/19/2011
This is great thin crust pizza in the Chicago tradition.... Square slices and all! Great sandwiches too! Plus friendly clientele, and even friendlier and competent service.
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Review from Megan G.
Chicago, IL
1/3/2007
Two words for you. BREW BUDDIES. These tasty little morsels will tempt anybodies taste buds. It's a tater tot with cheese and jalapenos inside. Served with ranch. All my bar food dreams wrapped into one tasty little potato sensation. It makes me sad that this is no longer my neighborhood dive because the food is really good. The chicken cesar salad is great too. There is usually only one person working behind the bar, 2 at most and the place is usually pretty full with pool and dart leagues so it can be slow. They have games, golden tee and a generally laid back atmosphere.
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Review from Annie T.
Chicago, IL
5/11/2008
Free pool on Sundays!!! Rack 'em up! We took full advantage and played 2 games after we demolished a thin crust pizza. Delicious fresh basil. I'll definitely be back for more. They also have Megatouch and we played some Photohunt like old days! What an untapped resource. Such a chill dive bar with great, friendly service and tasty eats. The pool, darts and Megatouch also kept us well entertained.
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Review from Michael C.
IL
2/18/2007
This place is GREAT. We live right across the street, and this place has saved us from some crappy meals at home with their nightly dinner specials - the spaghetti is awesome, as are the burgers and the random cheap bears that are on special each night. The staff are all cool and down-to-earth and there's a pool table that you never have to wait very long for. It's a very neighborhoody joint, so people are pretty comfortable and nobody's snobby.
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Review from Courtney B.
Chicago, IL
7/28/2007
I recommend there pizza it is delicious. Came here on a Friday night not wanting to deal with crazy crowds and it has a really nice atmosphere. Very laid back. But seriously good pizza.
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Review from molly c.
7/24/2006
nice folks, wonderful food.
monday = $1 tacos.
only negative is that it isn't close to my house! -
Review from Sara B.
Chicago, IL
12/10/2007
Used to live a block away. Great, people, drinks, food and fun. They have a dart turney every now and again. A great place to just chill.
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Review from Josh S.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2007
With a decent selection of beers on tap and a better than average list of bar food items, Side Street Saloon is what it is. A dive bar for yuppies. While the place has tacky wallpaper and more writing on the bathroom wall than a stall at a rest stop, maybe that's what makes it charming. By no means is this a destination hang out, but if you need a beer and are looking to catch a ballgame, Side Street probably has what you need.
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Review from Jackie P.
Chicago, IL
11/1/2010
This place is a typical neighborhood bar that I wouldn't go to unless I lived within convenient walking distance. Chef's philosophy is "if it ain't fried, it ain't good," and there is a lot of breading on everything. However, the beer is cold and they have everything you need for a very laid back drink.
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Review from R M.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2008
Great neighborhood bar.
Good food, and good prices on daily specials. The pizza is worth a try.
Real darts in back.
Try the deep fried mac 'n cheese.
