El Che Steakhouse & Bar Reviews

We did the Chef’s Table six course tasting menu and the experience was fantastic. It was really cool sitting at the back counter in front of the grill and watching the chefs work. All of the food was very good and reminiscent of Argentinian steakhouse flavors...but elevated. We ordered the “soft pairing” drink option to go along with the meal, which was also very good. Neither of us drink and are always happy when restaurants offer interesting drink options beyond booze. All of the staff was super friendly and made sure our experience was special. Can not recommend enough and would love to get back to try some of the menu options that we watched the chefs prepare, but were not part of our menu.

Five of us went for dinner at this Argentinian inspired restaurant and were seated at a round table in a beautiful side room. The atmosphere was sophisticated while very welcoming. The cooking is done on an open fire in the back of the restaurant. If you have a group, ask to be seated at the table that is in full view of the fire. Very special ambience. The menu is limited and pricey, but everything we had was delicious and prepared with interesting mixed textures and flavors. We ordered from every category and shared each dish so we could taste it all. The empanada filling was so good - especially the kale - although the fried dough was unappealing. We loved the gnocchi in pesto and the prawns. Of the large plates, the salmon filet was the hands down favorite, perfectly prepared with excellent flavor. There were mixed reviews on the pork chops, the chicken was tasty but nothing extra special. Everyone loved the steak. I personally didn't like the Japanese sweet potatoes, but the charred carrots were good. I'm a dessert lover, but in my opinion neither the Baked Alaska or the Chocolate Gateau was worth the calories or price. Service was excellent and friendly - an all around wonderful experience. Tip: On Mondays several of their bottles of wine are half price.

A veritable firewall is on one end of the restaurant and it creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. The menu is creative. Favorites included a prawn appetizer and a Japanese sweet potato side. Drinks were interesting and well made. However, my ribeye was very fatty and gristly (should have complained, but didn't) and the main dish salmon had a very unappealing sauce. I will say the dessert which included a tamarind cake and borchata ice cream was ambrosial. Expensive.

We visited here in October 2017 and were glad we did. Excellent food in a fun, casual but modern atmosphere. There were 4 of us and the staff were very tolerant when I called twice to change the number in our party due to a late flight that then came in early. We shared several different dishes among our party of 4. Everything was well prepared and the service was excellent.

The name was suggestive and the Argentinian association but... We stayed merely there. Gumptious and easy to go waiting. Noisy, garrulous habitat. Unduly pricey. Meat mis-specified and nothing to do with the Buenos Aires eateries. Located far from our walking scene in the Loop I thing. A long drive, a dark entrance like most Chicago urban legends. The Bloody Mary with the clumsy bacon ornament regalia, the sides of MacDonald good class. But we had good intra-table company and that is what counts in the end. Overpublicised, exorbitantly priced mediocre meat eatery. Some rythm though in the atmosphere and a clientele with misplaced enthousiasm.

The awesome grill set-up appeals to our most primal food appetites. But that’s not it; gnocchi, prawns and salmon are fantastic as are the cocktails. This is a unique set-up, don’t miss it!

A great blend of casual chic in the decor and vibe. A large bar dominates the room with tables all around. Make sure you get a look at the huge wood fire in the open kitchen. Mesmerizing. The menu is limited but quality is high. We had gnocchi and filets at our table. Delicious.

Visited after work on a Wednesday. Service was slow, however, made up for it with the perfectly made margaritas and the amazing food! Tried the gruyere Cheese and Kale empanadas and the Truffle Fries for our app! Shared the Pork Chop dinner and it was cooked and seasoned perfectly! Too full to try the desserts, but looked amazing. Would definitely try this again for some other main dishes that looked great!

Dined for Father’s Day. (Note there’s no valet on Sundays. Must find parking on street.) Ambiance is cozy and chic. Food is very good. Steaks were cooked perfectly and tasted good. Pork chop and quail dishes very good. Arugula salad, duck fat potatoes and empanadas also very good. A little pricey for the fare. Drinks were ok and came in small glasses. Water glasses were about 5 oz, but they kept them filled. Service is very good. Nice spot for dinner. May have challenge with parking on Sundays. Sign noting this out front would have been nice.

I think we're supposed to like the place for the steak. While my boyfriend usually does order one of the steak options - and enjoys it very much - the star of the menu at El Che, by far, are the vegetables!

4 of us visited El Che Bar. It is a very closet atmosphere. The Resturant was full and a very active scene. The food is Argentinian Cooke on an oak fire. We had several starters for the table , oysters, green beans, chorizo and crab salad with hearts of palm and charred lettuce. All were good. The filet is delicious and use the mustard sauce. All in all very nice .

Came to El Che Bar this weekend - it was great! A cute Argentinian atmosphere with great service. Upon sitting our waiter explained the menu which is large sharing plates and each dish is enough for two. We started off with the grilled oysters (which unfortunately came to our table raw- we had to send them back) once they came back grilled, they were excellent!! Also, we ordered the green bean salad for a starter - highly recommend!! For dinner we had New York strip and Japanese Sweet Potatoes. Both came with homemade chimichuri which was excellent. We had a great bottle of Malbec which was recommended by the waiter. From beginning to end this was a great experience!!

El Che delivered excellence from the moment we walked inside and the host greeted us warmly to our pre-dinner drinks and warmth/expertise from the bartender to our amazing service and dinner. Chorizo and salsa criollo appetizer, 14-ounce wagyu New York strip steak and papas bravas each tasted a little different than I expected. Each was delicious. Massive wine menu. Our server was knowledgable and made a spot-on recommendation when I described the kind of wine we wanted. ... Loved the ambiance, decor and moderate noise level. And this might sound odd but the chairs were very comfortable!

The menu at this location is a little limited and tries to be fun but just missing the talent to wow you. The meal is decent but nothing special. Food - 2 This Argentinian restaurant is about the meat. Would have to saw the pork chops were good but everything else was just ok. They should just keep it simple and serve typical Argentinian meats without trying to be fancy. Service - 2 Hostess and bartender were great and very professional! Went downhill from there. 20+ minutes before our waiter even came to our table, actually had to get the hostess to get our waiter. He came to our table a total of 4 times (take order, drop bottle of wine, drop desert menu and get our check). Rest was taken care of by other staff. Atmosphere - 3 Cute little place but a little cramped. Will come back to get a drink and service at the bar but do not want to repeat dinner service at the tables.

I really enjoyed El Che Bar. The food was quite good. Service was also attentive without being overbearing. I'd go back.

Wonderful meal; excellent ambiance. Delicious gnocchi, cooked perfectly. My wife, from the pacific northwest, raved about the salmon. Roasted beets were a tasty seasonal treat. The ribeye, we split four ways and was super! Try the firecake for desert. Highly recommend!

This is a relatively new establishment in Chicago's thriving West Loop. We met friends there on a weekday evening; the space is beautiful and the vibe was upscale and cool. Hit-and-miss sort of a meal. I ordered an Aperol spritz and it was not made well; other cocktails were better. Service was polite but slow, and pacing of the small plates was not done very considerately. The herbed Parisian gnocchi is a reason to go to this restaurant; it was cloud-like and managed to have flavors both bold and delicate. Other small plates, however, disappointed--the short ribs lacked flavor and the pork chops were overcooked. I'd go back. I had a great time with my friends and enjoyed the vibe but felt like a few things needed to be ironed out. Try the gnocchi, though...

Buzzing Argentine steakhouse which was excellent for a Saturday night dinner with friends. Loved the empanadas and the steaks were knock out.

Very good meal overall. As a group, we split the Mar de Plata seafood tray which was elevated by the shellfish butter. It was unlike anything I’d ever had, although at $210, I still thought it overpriced. Had the NY Strip which was an excellent cut, but was a bit undercooked. Overall it was a positive experience but in terms of Chicago steakhouses, it’s not on par with the better establishments.

After learning that this restaurant was in the 2016 Top 5, decided it was a must for our family's Winter break. A lot of expectation was built around our first dinner in the windy city. The ambiance was great and decor nice ... very modern. Our server almost put us to sleep and the menu left us wondering if we should stay. Ordered salads as appetizers and both were good - normal, not outstanding. As main dish we ordered the NY strip and prawns. My daughters steak was very good, well prepared to temperature. My wife's prawns were good sized and well cooked. Mine were a bit smaller but the first and second one I cut into were raw. I returned the plate and the new ones were not prawns anymore but rather larger shrimp. My wife and I both agreed there was no flavor in the shrimp/prawns. No desire for dessert or after dinner drinks. Just get me out of here. $180 for this? I don't think so. You won't see me again. Overrated.

Located in the old Checkered Cab building in a cool area of gentrification away from the Chicago tourist scene, El Che is a break from the sometimes repetitive Chicago tourist scene. Based on Argentinian fare, El Che has an interesting menu with many small plates that can be shared. Most of main courses could also be shared if you so desired. Quality of food was excellent overall and the scene is modern and loud, but fun. Service was excellent as well with friendly and knowledgeable service. I was not overly impressed with the wine list which offered some over priced Malbec and less quality choice than one would expect. In addition to the restaurant, the location has a number of local bars to have before or after dinner drinks. El Che shows a lot of potential.

We enjoyed an amazing dinner of steak tartare, branzino grilled fish, and broccolini. Everything was excellent! The Executive Chef, Adam, also treated us to a terrific pasta dish. Make your reservation early. El Che is well worth the visit!

The folks in Argentina and Brazil really know how to raise beef and grill steaks. If it my imagination or is another Argentinian or Brazilian steakhouse opening up in Chicago every other week? How about El Che? Located at 845 West Washington Boulevard, in the West Loop, this wood-fired Argentinian steakhouse is based on a traditional Spanish asador, a backyard barbecue run by grillmaster and head chef John Manion in hip, stylish, trendy, classy and upscale surroundings. Open from 5 to 10 daily, El Che offers everything from oysters to Branzino to flan. We started with a Romaine Wedge salad with tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, potato crumbs and climi ranch dressing and head-on charred prawns with grilled focaccia, fried garlic and pimenton oil and Endive salad with Creole vinaigrette, radicchio, papitas, ricotta and Nichols Farm Honey Crisp Apple and grilled oysters with Cilantro miso butter, house hot sauce, scallions and lime. For my entree, I couldn't resist grilled whole Branzino, my favorite Mediterranean sea bass. Whenever I see it on a menu, I order it. This South American version came with herb puree, Bearre Monte, roasted celery root, fried caper and sunchoke chips with charred broccoli on the side. My wife chose an eight-ounce filet mignon with dalen sauce and smoked salt chimichurri with Japanese sweet potatoes. For dessert, we opted for flan with dulce de leche and whipped cream and winter apple cake with vanilla bean filling and walnut streusel. Everything you come to love in a first-rate steakhouse

You can't go wrong with El Che Bar. Yes, it's a bit noisy in the late evenings. But ah -- the food; the food. We've eaten there twice, once each of the past two months. Never a disappointing morsel, and we're recommending it to all of our friends. Now here's the hitch. We are not in the age demographic of the young and hip. Those days have passed -- well past. Still. We were delighted. Friendly, professional servers; terrific chef. Lively, Invigorating atmosphere. Sure, it's a little pricey. But not out of bounds. You're gonna love it! And be sure to cap it all off with the ice cream sandwich. Totally worth the calories.

Great selection of small dishes and large dishes (especially the steaks) suitable for sharing. If you have a large group ask for the big table in the back of the restaurant (next to the kitchen). It is quieter and feels “special”.

We had an engagement dinner and had a blast!! We were seated near the kitchen and the entire staff joined in with the fun!! The food and service were amazing!!

Came to El Che last year so it was my second time around. The experience was just as fantastic as I remembered. Great food, great wine, great service, expert advice while very friendly. Love the atmosphere!

Great dining experience starting with excellent cocktails (I loved my daiquiri). Arugula salad was very tasty and a generous portion size. The bricklayer steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the lamb ribs were delicious. The green chorizo dish was new and is a winner. The wood fire cooking made for a wonderful smoky flavor. We had very good dessert to share and service was both friendly and professional.

We tried this restaurant for the first time during restaurant week and enjoyed it so much we went back with friends a few weeks later...and they loved it. Located just west of the Loop, the Latin cuisine is a mix of a new twist on things you know and some things you may not have tried before. Interesting house drinks (including a rum based Old Fashioned) and terrific empanadas as well as other appetizers. Entrees lean heavily towards various steaks and beef dishes, but there are other good options. If you want some veggies, get the carrots. The main dining room is open and loud...if you prefer something quieter, ask to sit in the side room. Friendly and efficient service.

Uneven service and horrible wine pours marred an otherwise nice evening. Excellent meat dishes--standouts were the steak and pork chops. Salads are meh----I'd go for the oysters instead. Desserts uneven---sorbet was excellent; goat's milk ice cream average. Very loud and with the cramped tables, you can't hear the others in your party. Some noise cancelers on ceiling or walls would be helpful. All in all, El Che Bar has great promise, and we look forward to returning for more of their excellent meat selections.

We tried to make a reservation but the restaurant was booked for the times we wanted to reserve. We decided to walk in anyway and sat at the bar. It was a great decision as we were able to eat dinner with a good view of the wood fired grill and kitchen nearby. The menu is mostly small plates or food meant to be shared. We thoroughly enjoyed empanadas, grilled oysters, a flat iron steak with a side of rapini. The food is prepared on an amazing open fire grill. The service was outstanding. The meal was perfectly paced and the portions were perfect to satisfy our hunger.

We did a chefs tasting... WOW! Service was amazing starting with Alajandro on the phone to Julio who served us and was spectacular, then Alex the GM and Wine guide, and man did we learn about central and south American wines, delicious, Then the Chef and owner John checked up on us to make sure each course was perfect. We loved it all but stands outs were- Grilled Oyster, the whole Shrimp, my wife's fav, for a real smoke experience go for the sweet breads, I loved them. The Scallops were delicious and then the Wagu picanha steak, a true Argentinian treat. Huge flavour, I mean amazing but eats like a good sirloin which is what it kind of is. I loved it. We had a chocolate dessert with the perfect Pas wine that was a real treat. I encourage you to go for snacks and drinks or an amazing dinner experience.

Visited with friends following an article we read online recommending the hanger steak. The food was excellent and the service was flawless. Thank you everyone.

Leigh, our waitress, was terrific! She expertly guided us through the menu. The swordfish, steak and quail were all delicious. We especially loved the sides of broccoli, squash and olives. The dessert--shortbread cookies with gelato--was yummy! The hostess was very friendly, as were all employees. We sat at a hightop in the bar area and loved it. Thanks for a great evening!

Great variety of food and an enjoyable atmosphere that focuses on good table service and food with an Argentine influence. The menu is broken up into these parts para emphezar (nibbles), platos pequeños (apetizers), platos fuertes (mains) and a lado (sides). I would recommend if you want to get a good sampling in a small group to order the first two which will allow you to appreciate the variety. There was two in our part and enjoyed these dishes, fugazetta, arugula, chorizo and pork ribs which were very good along with a couple other things.

I can't rave enough about this restaurant. My two colleagues and I took a flyer on it and we were glad we did. This is not your typical chain South American restaurant. The food is elegantly prepared on a wood grill. The dishes were incredibly innovative, yet not "foo foo" as is too often the case these days. The grilled gnocchi was one of the most interesting apps I've ever had. Check out the menu on line for the many other choices. Service was attentive. The surroundings were laid back. I loved everything about it.

Food was tasty and service was excellent. However serving sizes were on the small size which is fine but the food was not amazing enough to justify the price. So overall lack of value for money is why I would give this a 3/5. We were a table of two families - 5 children (range of ages 5-12) and the staff were accommodating but the restaurant is not ideal for families. The menu was not suitable for our children so we paid a lot ($15) for a small plate of gnocchi for each of the 5 kids.

There is a buzz and energy to this place which makes it exciting for a weekend night. The one or two cooks in charge of the fire are incredible. Our server was both friendly and knowledgeable. He was simply great. The food was delicious. We had a great opening with the warm olives, perfectly tender octopus and the aggressively seasoned short ribs. After the start, we each tried a different steak and all three were impressive along with the accompanying side dishes. I especially enjoyed my picanha. We closed with dessert which was equally on point with the flavorful alfajores and ice cream. Great selection of cocktails and wine.

Perhaps Argentinian food is the next coming thing. I have eaten this cuisine a number of times and although the food here is very good, the cuts of beef were non traditional. I had some skirt steak and pork chop, cauliflower gratin, kale and sweet potato . Everything was excellent. The chef knows the way to blending and mixing the right flavors and the food is excellent. My only criticism is they need to add in some more traditional dishes.

3 of us, all in the food industry ate here on a Sunday night. Squeezed in our same day reservation for 7pm that night. From the moment you walk in, the smell, the lighting, you feel very cozy and the smell makes you hungry!! Ordered the Sunday night special dinner for 2, which could have fed 3 or 4, and added another salad and appetizer. The arugula and Farro salad was EXCELLENT!! Fresh clean flavors with a hint of mint!! Empenadas were very good too. Gnocchi with romanesco, pepitas and charred onion very very good! Entrees were skirt steak, roasted chicken and pork ribs. The skirt steak and ribs were my favorite and the chicken was just grilled chicken. The chimichurri sauce with the steak was the BEST I've ever had in all my food industry years! Great red wine and desserts. Our servers Julia and Julian were awesome and on top of everything! They were professional, friendly and did a great job! I would highly recommend El Che!

We spent several weeks in Buenos Aires and always enjoyed its food. El Che was a little bit of a let down. The provoleta was not grilled. The empanadas were ok. The parillada was plenty for four and the meats on it were good. The frites with garlic and the grilled asparagus were good. The Malbec was ok. The chocolate cake was good, the alfajor just ok.The service was excellent. It's rated a 3 because the prices are high enough that it should be better. The noise level was quite high. We went because of all the rave reviews, so I wanted to offer a bit of a warning not to expect too much.

I went there with three other people, and we all agreed that the service was excellent and the food was very good. We tried several dishes and my favorites were Grilled Delaware oysters and Charred quail. I will defenetely visit again to try more courses

Had a really good meal at El Che this weekend. It a handsome dining space with an open asado fire, most everything goes onto the grill. We had perfectly roasted oysters, tender lamb ribs that fell off the bone. There was the chorizo stuffed porchetta on a bed of smokey polenta drizzled with olive oil (shatteringly crisp skin and succulent roasted pork), absolutely delicious. Couldn't fault anything. Even the service was on point. Definitely would recommend and return.

Excellent food and drink. Atmosphere conducive to conversations with friends and family. Very nice place.

My husband, 20 year old son and I went to El Che Bar last week. Food was OK, though overpriced for what it was. Our server was a know-it-all, and for me, seemed to be looking down his nose at us. We had to send my son's steak back because it was very rare. Ambiance is cool, but I won't be back. I do recommend the Beer Cheese - very yummy with the fresh ham. Grilled oysters were OK, Short ribs were still tough, though the flavor was good. Sweet potato not great. Son ordered the flat-iron which was undercooked.

Dined here during restaurant week. I didn’t care for the très lèches. I don’t like coconut and it was too sweet for me. The steak was tasty. The gulf shrimp was my fave. The punch was a bit strong for me but I’m a very light drinker.

My wife and I had a wonderful meal at the Chef's counter. Everything that was prepared was fantastic. The atmosphere, ambiance, and everything about the overall experience made it one of the best dining experiences of our lives. It's perfect for a date night, with just 2 seats right in the action. Chef John was awesome! Special mention of the gnocchi which was phenomenal.

Had cocktails and dined at El Che for a girlfriends birthday during restaurant week. Loved the restaurant and the food was good. Happy Hour martini was made with some kind of infused meat; I wasn’t a fan of it however the other cocktails were pretty good.

Chef John Manion, Liz Cook and the whole El Che team made this one of the most memorable and delicious nights I and my business colleague have ever experienced. From the moment we walked in the door, the atmosphere, food and wine were flawless. The combination of warmth and professionalism was perfect. Having eaten steak in Buenos Aires, this experience was on par or even better, given John’s personal attention. Thank you for being a highlight of our trip. Seeking to spread the word cause you and your team deserve all the attention and success for your efforts.

Visited with son and his girlfriend. 4 clean plates, best fillet I have ever eaten and perfectly cooked. Staff friendly and helpful with questions about the menu.

Enjoyed this for our annual steakhouse dinner. Service was good, was seated promptly and the food was delicious. Had the Endive Salad which was very good and perfect to split. All steak options were very flavorful and cooked to perfection. Papas bravas were so good but carrots were prepared nicely but maybe a bit undercooked. Duck fat fries were forgettable. Desserts were phenomenal, got the sundae and molten lava cake. Really glad we tried this place but probably a one and done. Open flame fire in the kitchen at back of restaurant was cool.

We went for dinner without any expectations and was superb! I honestly can say it was the best steak in this town( I have tried several upscale steakhouses and always had to send it back). They cooked an exact medium plus without the charring as I asked for. Sooo tender and juicy!! The empanadas were also outstanding despite being fried, decent Malbec selections and the side dishes were also delectable. Surely a new favorite place!

There are so many premium steakhouses in the Chicago area that owners often have to come up with a new twist to lure customers. At El Che Steakhouse & Bar in Chicago's West Loop, executive chef/partner John Manion has unveiled a 12-foot custom built grill to produce wood-fired Argentinean/American fare. Mixed with South American cocktails, a chef's counter and a Hearth Table, El Che has emerged as a hip restaurant with stylish surroundings. Located at 845 West Washington Boulevard, west of I-90, it is open from 5 to 10 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 5 to 11 on Friday and Saturday. For starters, my wife and I had warm olives, chili-garlic head-on shrimp, scallops and Romaine Wedge Salad with tomatoes, blue cheese, chimi ranch, bacon, herbs and potato chip crumbs. Another different touch. For her entree, my wife chose an eight-ounce filet mignon with garlic frites and grilled asparagus. I opted for the 16-ounce New York strip steak with Japan sweet potatoes and heirloom tomatoes. For dessert, we shared scoops of chocolate and coconut gelato and a large slice of flourless dark chocolate cake. Yes, in Chicago, there always is room for another outstanding steakhouse.

Great food. Very good menu. Steak was cooked perfectly. Service a little slow. Little overpriced in my view. But an overall Very good experience.

Excellent service! Easy to share dishes. Fabulous beet salad! Smoked chorizo was delicious! Sweet potatoes different in a good way.

Despite the challenge of serving to a large group, everything was wonderfully spiced and perfectly prepared. I had a family style dinner that included salmon, steak with chimi churri, roasted vegtables, delicious bread, and dessert. Atmosphere and service were also excellent. Looking forward to going back.

Fully enjoyed our dinner at El Che in Chicago. Staff was super friendly, helpful and accommodating. Had an amazing encounter with the chef who explained their elaborate grilling set up that was open to the dining room. Dinner was delicious with interesting menu options and all cooked to perfection. Would go back there next time i visit for sure.

Well we were pleasantly surprised finding this tucked away gem in West Loop. Entered to see the "wall of fire" ( my description ) of the Argentine type wood grill on the back wall. Most everything on the menu will touch the grill in some way and so has some of the most complex flavors. This is not just a steakhouse but a serious gourmet experience withe the iron grill. The service was precise and crisp. The desserts are wonderful. Try the flaming marshmallow that even as a dessert evokes the grill.

What a great place that break the mold of the surplus of steak and burger bars out there. We had an awesome meal consisting of grilled oysters, green beans, New York Strip, and Japanese sweet potatoes. Most everything comes off the churrascaria which gives it that great grilled flavor. The steak had two types of chimichurri with it. This place was great and is a must hit spot if you're in the city.

I knew when I walked in a saw the decor and Quilmes beer on the menu I was going to like this place. Service was fantastic, food was great and the place has a cool vibe. We will definitely be returning! Feels a bit like Las Lilas in BA without the river!

One of our favorite restaurants in Chicago. The ambiance is relaxing and cozy, the service is impeccable and the food is delicious. Some of our favorites are the Italian beef empanada, the lobster, bone-in ribeye and beef fat fries. We were there recently to celebrate after receiving an award earlier that day. We still had the award with us since we took a taxi from the event. Our server Geneva asked about the award and brought us a glass of sparkling wine and a dessert to celebrate. This was not the first time there we experienced exceptional service that went abive and beyond. We look forward to future visits!

After our last visit to Argentina we said how nice it would be to have Buenos Aires-style restaurants in Chicago. It has finally happened with the opening of El Che Bar--a nice street-level barrio in Chicago's West Loop. We were greeted by our friendly waitress, Chi, with two glasses of sparkling rose, compliments of our new friend Robert Diaz. Chi also took time to walk us through the menu and we settled for herbed Parisian gnocchi and sweet corn empanadas for apps, thin sliced pork chops and a whole branzino (filleted) for our main and a nice bottle of The Owl & the Dust Devil from Mendoza finishing with a nice glass of white wine, compliments of Chi. Chef John Manion's menu is excellent, even though the selection is a bit limited, it is very good. BA has arrived in Chicago.

Just a block away from Randolph, El Che Bar feels like a totally different place than the bustling Randolph street just a block away. It’s perfect for business dinner or date night. Menu is somewhat small and is 2/3 sharing plates, which we live! Food: kale empanada was the best bite with the filet 2nd although everything was good. Service: very attentive from server to manager to food runners

I went there with two friends looking for an Argentine dinner experience. Full disclosure, I am from originally from Argentina, my friends are not. First, let's address the lack of a bread basket at the table. This is a universal staple of any dignified argentine restaurant. Appetizers - we ordered 3, the "olives", the "provoleta" and the "prawns". The olives were served alone, no crackers, etc. The prawns where actually shrimp (only 4?) and covered with a cold tomatoey sauce, and again, no bread. At this point, we asked the server to get us some bread (for the olives and prawns), he seemed to have a prepared answer of "would you like additional bread", as in extra charge. The provoleta was cold when it arrived, and covered in oily peppers, this came with bread. The bread is another topic, it was burned at the bottom -- I think for the ownership this is something unique and culinary, to us it was plainly inedible -- and not the kind that an argentine restaurant would server (french, mignon, grizines). Drinks -- the only good drink is a Mezcal -- which is a Mexican drink. No fernet-con-coca, Gancia with soda and limon, or Argentine beer. The waitress told us they had an Argentine beer called Aguila (I had never heard of it, but thought why not try it), but when she brought us 2 bottles it was from Chile. We also had the house drink, the Che Martini, and it was sad. Main Course -- We decided to try the Parrillada, since it should be the most traditional and was advertised as the thing they do best. How can I say this nicely? A Parrillada should have good meats and come to the table sizzling hot. A parrillada is like getting fajitas, if the plate is not sizzling and making noise, then you are capturing the zeitgeist of it all. Besides the fact that is was served on a cold tray, the cuts were subpar: - chorizo: links usually served at Texas BBQ joints, not Argentine chorizo (which has special seasonings, and it is much plumper and composed of 70-30% pork/beef) - blood sausage: don't know where they got this stuff, could not eat more than a bite as it was tasteless and dry. Blood sausage should have green onions and chunky pieces of pork mixed with the blood and spices. - sweetbreads: perhaps the only edible thing there, but it was cold, lacked crunch from good grill heat. - asado angosto (short ribs): these were cold and chewy (rubbery). My Argentine grandma would refer to the texture as "asado hervido" (boiled grilled meat), because it is what happens when the grill is not hot enough. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have an extremely hot grill for doing good Argentine cuts, and the importance of having those cuts arrive to the table -- and remain -- hot while you eat. My friends and I had difficulty eating this stuff, in part we were embarrassed for the restaurant (verguenza ajena) and lost our appetites midway through this meal. Needless to say, we did not want to have any of their desserts, we could see some of them at the tables nearby and they like something that you can buy at an Aldi. Both my partner and I woke up in the middle of the night with upset stomachs, and the price of this discomfort was only $275. Hope this review helps you avoid this place, I wish I would have read something like this before taking my friends along.

We booked their Chef's Table for our anniversary and they did NOT disappoint! The menu is pre-selected for the Chef's Table which is what we enjoy, as we love to be surprised. They did ask if we had allergies or extreme food aversions, but otherwise we were happy to eat whatever they put in front of us. We enjoyed small plates of steak tartare, grilled oyster (which I normally don't eat but LOVED), grilled prawns, sea scallop over parsnips puree, octopus, quail, wagu steak, and lobster. They also paired wine and other beverages for us with each course, and gave us two desserts, all with delicious Argentinian twists. Alex was our sommelier, Sam was our server, and Adam was the Chef de Cuisine; all of whom were attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The guys behind the line doing all the cooking (sorry we can't remember their names!) were engaging and loved answering our questions about the food they were preparing, and were chatty with us as well. Even the owner, John, who we thought was a server based on how he was dressed and was taking orders to tables, talked with us for quite a bit. Given the quality of the menu and the overall atmosphere, nobody was pretentious or "snooty" as one may expect from a place like this. The overall meal was about three hours and 100% phenomenal. If you like trying new foods and want a true culinary experience, get the Chef's Table at El Che (although I'm sure their regular tables/menu is just as good). Either way you will not be disappointed.