The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant Reviews

My favorite part of the meal was the cocktails - they were superb - all around. We each tried a different option. The salads looked good, but I opted for the calamari, which was a bit greasy by comparison to some of my favorite places in town. The scallop dish I ordered was downright skimpy, three scallops and some undercooked fennel with a cream sauce and canned mandarin oranges. The pork chop a friend tried was delicious, and the roasted chicken looked equally good. The creamed spinach was really delicious. We shared a slice of the carrot cake which was a surprise - instead of the massive giant wedge of cake, it was composed of numerous thin layers with a light cream cheese frosting. Staff was really gracious and attentive.

To start off, the service is slightly slow here. I understand it is a more relaxed environment than most people are used to, but they can be a little quicker and more responsive. The entire meal took almost 2 hours from start to finish. It took a little while for our waiter to introduce themselves, and from then it took awhile for us to order. I ordered a cabernet, and initially when the person brought it to the table, they said it was a malbec, which I questioned. They went back to the bar, then came back and said they meant it was a cabernet and they mis-heard. It was a cabernet, so I was fine, although the mixup shouldn't occur. Then after getting drinks, it took awhile for the waiter to come back and take our orders. I ordered the 20oz prime rib. We got bread and my partner got an appetizer. The shrimp cocktail was really good. I'm not a seafood person but these were excellent. After a little while longer, our food was brought out. I looked at my steak, and something wasn't sitting right. Prime Rib is usually very pink, with no bones, but this steak had a bone. They gave me a ribeye instead. When our waiter came to see how everything was, I questioned it and he immediately apologized and verified my suspicions, that I was brought a ribeye. He said I could keep the ribeye but get charged for the prime rib. I declined though because I really wanted the prime rib, which is why I ordered it and not the ribeye. Finally around 10 minutes later, I got my prime rib, cooked properly. It tasted fantastic, one of the best prime ribs I've ever had. My partner had the Oscar Filet or something like that, basically a filet mignon with crab meat, she enjoyed it. The sides were also very delicious. After finishing our meals, our waiter didn't seem convinced that I enjoyed the steak. When he brought us our bill, he had the prime rib removed just because he felt I didn't enjoy it, even when I assured him I did. That customer service alone will bring me back here. Very rarely will someone comp an item just because they felt the customer didn't enjoy it. They usually wait for the customer to complain a storm before doing it. I will come back and will recommend this place to others.

As I stated in my other Chicago steakhouse review, My wife and I were in town for a conference. Actually, she was and I was there to gain 10 pounds and see every musuem I could. I have a old friend from Alaska, where I live, that moved just outside the city. I invited him out for dinner and asked for suggestions somewhat close to the convention center where we were staying. He said he had heard good things about the old Firehouse. We gave it a try and are we glad we did. First off, the building is fantastic. It is important to save landmarks and make them available for people to see. The artistry and craftsmanship of this structure is fantastic and if you just pop in to take a peek, it will be worth it. The place is open and has more light than other "traditional" steak houses. We were there on a Friday night at around 8:00 pm, and the place was hopping. We had cocktails at the bar before dinner. The bar was lively and the bartenders in good spirits, joking and telling stories while dispensing libations in short order. When we got our table it was upstairs and towards the back. This place is way bigger than one would expect. Our waiter was exceptional. I cannot emphasize this enough. HIs extensive knowlege of the menu and wines available was noteworthy. I have since bought a number of bottles of the wine he recommend that night. My wife and I shared the Tomahawk for two. Outstanding! I believe my friend got the New York as he likes his steaks on the just over medium side. We had more bottle of wine that I would like to admit. We stayed past closing and shot the "uknowwhat" with the waiter and other staff. I guess being from Alaska is a novelty and with three very well lubricated storytellers the conversations carried themselves. The Chicago Firehouse may not be on the list for the Best steak in Chicago, but it should be for the whole package. Warm, friendly, knowledgeable staff, amazing building and decor, and top rate food. You can't go wrong.

20yrs ago, used to be plenty choice 'round the Chi of Cajun joints throwing a decent Fat Tuesday with an actual Zydeco band. No longer, in a world when everyone's Irish on 3/17 - a few beads & shrimp pass for Mardi Gras in every bar. Welcome to the new South Loop, where a FORMIDABLE effort was put forth by the Chicago Firehouse, making largely the right choices. Opting for a well curated & representative buffet, pans were kept full & the vittles HOT thru the evening. Purists may decry absence of a gumbo, spinach etouffee, or fish entree, but fresh warm beignets (smartly) served by roving waiters made up. Open seating, cash bar, plus automatic gratuity allowed for a plausible advertised entry of $55. Cloth tablecloths, napkins, & real cutlery proclaimed that the ample wait staff meant business. And then, there was the band.... traditional Preservation Hall style jazz (with a damn Sousaphone!) kept-em drankin'& dancing up front, with an occasional sashay around the dining hall! OUTRAGEOUS!! C'est une fait accompli!

I took my wife and son on a recommendation from our hotel. The restaurant is located inside an old firehouse and was beautifully finished. The lobster bisque was good, but not the best I've had. You'll enjoy it if you like lobster. The food was good but not really worth the prices, IMO. Probably more suited for a couples dinner.

We came here for a business dinner (a party of 11 people). We waited almost one and a half hour before the food was served. I cannot even recount the number of disappointments, from terrible oysters (sent back) to badly cook steaks. These might have been tolerable at a cheap diner, but this place is quite expensive! I will never come back again.

We ate here with a group of 4 on a weeknight, it wasn’t super busy which was nice. This place has a great atmosphere as it used to be an old fire station. The food is pricey and all ala carte. We all had the Lobster Bisque which was good but a bit disappointing as I wish it was a bit thicker & had lumps of lobster. It was smooth and thin. I had the Filet which was cooked to perfection and the table shared Brussel sprouts and fries which were both average. All & All the food was good but a bit salty. I would come back and order the same steak, but maybe a few different side dishes.

This is a gem in the South Loop. After the fire that closed this restaurant for almost two years, it has reopened and is even better. We had a great lunch in the outdoor brick patio, with white table cloth covered tables and filled with flower containers. We were given a tour of the rooftop garden which will be open for drinks. Looking forward to another visit.

We walked in for a nice dinner. We had a reservation. The place is beautiful, really liked the vibe. It seemed to take awhile for a waiter to come to our table. I felt like the waiter was rushed all night. We both ordered steaks. My husband also order the lobster bisque. He said it was fantastic although it didn’t actually have any pieces of lobster in it. I ordered a filet with bernaise sauce and my husband ordered a delmonico and we split the lobster mac n cheese. The steaks were cooked to our specifications, but were charred on the outside. Nothing stood out about their flavor. The lobster Mac n cheese was good, but again only had a few pieces of actual lobster in it. The place was beautiful, but I felt like the food was just ok.

Was in town for conference and wanted to end the week and this was a perfect choice. The ambiance was perfect and the food was amazing. I had the 80z filet and it was perfect. We also had the Brussel sprouts and onion rings, and they were excellent compliment to the meal. Great service and great food. Next time in town, will be back

We had brunch at the Firehouse the first weekend in December. This restaurant had a very laidback atmosphere and it was very relaxing for a Sunday Brunch. The food and cocktails were excellent! We had awesome service too. We would highly recommend!

This is no ordinary firehouse. Located at 1401 South Michigan Avenue, in Chicago's South Loop, within walking distance of Grant Park, Soldier Field, the Museum Campus and McCormick Place, this 1905 Romanesque Revival architecturally designed building was the home of Engine Company 104 for generations. The two-story structure features an elaborate yellow brick and limestone facade, floor-to-ceiling arched windows on Michigan Avenue, a horseshoe-shaped bar, original Tiffany glazed tile lined walls, a 12-piece tin ceiling, leathered booths, a sun-drenched solarium room, brick-paved patio and an 1872 vintage fireplace. Today, it is a stylish steakhouse that serves traditional American fare. Chicago Firehouse Restaurant opened in 2000. It was closed from December 2014 to February 2017 because of a devastating roof fire. Now it is open from 4 to 11 Tuesday through Saturday. For dinner, my wife and I started with lobster bisque, jumbo shrimp cocktail and knife and fork Caesar salad with romaine hearts, garlic croutons and parmigiano. For her entree, my wife chose roasted whole Dover Sole with grapes, almonds, lemon and brown butter with potatoes au gratin and creamed spinach. I opted for a 12-ounce center cut filet mignon cooked medium well with bearnaise sauce, classic whipped potatoes with roasted garlic and sauteed asparagus. For dessert, we shared a slice of key lime pie and a portion of creme brulee. Did the firefighters eat like this in 1905?

July 8, 2020 Wednesday night out with Rochelle at the Chicago Firehouse restaurant. We were at the Chicago Firehouse on March 16,2020. The last place is our 1st place to dine. Leonard ask for the wedge salad accompanied with blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onions. The lardon (bacon)was left in the kitchen by choice. Leonard had a lollipop lamb chops medium. Rochelle, she ordered mashed potatoes, garlic was laden in the potatoes. The potatoes we very creamy. With her order of main course of asparagus! The lamb chops were a very well over, and no well done. Michael, our waiter ask about the chops. There was one chop, some asparagus, and few remaining garlic mashed potatoes. We ask Micheal for the check. He returned insisting that we have dessert. The chocolate layer cake... take that home ... Michael bagged the chocolate layer cake, and the cake gos home. Hey, make sure when you go to ask for Micheal our waiter . 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎 Shalom

I chose this restaurant months before our trip, so I kind of forgot how fancy this was, which means we ended up being rather underdressed for the occasion. The staff, however, didn´t bat an eye and was very curteous throughout. The waiters are generally on it, and we had about 4 of them (the main one to take most of our orders, one who brought the food, another who took empty plates away, and one who refilled our water glasses). While this looked like an efficient division of labor, it led to our main waiter being unaware of all our orders, so when we asked for the bill, only one of the four or five items on it was actually from our table. We then had to remind the waiter of all our orders, which is not a big deal, but when the bill then came, one of the main courses was on there twice, plus the other main course, so the bill had to be corrected once more. With two glasses of wine, one cocktail, a shared starter, two main courses and a shared desert plus tip, it came to $145. The wine was great, the cocktail too; the steak was good quality, but a bit too salty on top for my taste, same as the accompanying fries. My husband´s chicken was fine. The starter was nice, but the dessert seemed rather uninspired (the gelato sundae was vanilla and chocolate ice cream with small bits of brownie and a sliced strawberry with a cherry on top in a tall glass with only a regular tea spoon; it was nice enough, but nothing special for the price of $10). All in all, it was an ejoyable experience, but we wouldn´t return as we felt it was a little overpriced for what you get.

Our team was invited to a mixer here the other night. The food and service were all wonderful. Delicious prime rib, London broil, potato au gratin.

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant was destroyed by fire a few years ago and has now reopened. Had always been a favorite of mine esp. the Short Rib of Beef. Redesigned and still has warm, friendly and welcoming as ever. Food and drinks excellent. Bar was a beautiful wood paneled "library" of sorts no modern marble horseshoe shaped. Enjoyed coming back and will be returning again soon. I had the Short Rib, friend had the Pork and we shared Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Dates. Dessert was a wonderful Key Lime Pie on a crushed Oreo cookie crust - delicious.

Pros: - staff was generally friendly Cons: - the portion sizes are MASSIVE - this restaurant must generate tons and tons of food waste every day - if you order a salad (iceberg wedge anyone?) ask for the dressing ON THE SIDE. Otherwise you will receive a salad dressing soup with some lettuce leaves as a garnish - it becomes very loud during peak hours

Here on Business. This place was recommended. Service was great. Atmosphere good. Prices were high: 8 oz Filet $46. Add a salad $9. Add a wine $12. The food was So-So. Menu was heavy on Fish offerings. Portions were stingy. Artisan bread would be a huge improvement over the yeasty rolls. One visit was enough for us.

Visited with a large (15) party and still found the service good. I think I had filet mignon, which was delicious and cooked perfect to requested temp. Most in our party were really happy with their meal. The wait was a bit long, even with reservation, since another party was late to clear out, but it was worth it. Menu is sizeable. Dessert (peanut butter chocolate cake) was delicious. Great spot.

My boyfriend and I decided to go here for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. It's out of our normal price range so we decided to splurge a little. It was well worth the price. Service was excellent. The atmosphere was very pleasant, not too loud. We ordered the Executive, which is basically a 5 course meal of many of the restaurant's most popular items, including the lobster bisque soup, which is amazing. Our main dish was the center-cut filet mignon with sides of roasted brussels sprouts, au gratin potatoes, and creamed spinach. The brussels sprouts were by far my favorite. Delicious. The steak itself was good but not the best I've had in Chicago. But the quality of the service, the other food dishes, and the little touches I mention below more than make up for it, and the steak was still quite tasty. For our anniversary they brought out a silver sash to decorate the table, and they put a little happy anniversary sign on our dessert. These little touches were just so nice and appreciated. Also, we received complimentary champagne. Overall, I would definitely recommend the Chicago Firehouse to anyone looking for a good steakhouse in the city.

The first thing you notice when you walk in this restaurant is the absolutely stunning decor. The place is decorated wonderfully and has a really cool wrap around bar that is huge. The service from Michael was outstanding. We split a crab and avocado appetizer and then split the "special" rib eye. We also had the truffle potato side dish. The only knock I would have of the restaurant is that the bathrooms are on the 2nd floor, but this is something I have noticed a lot of Chicago restaurants do. Everything was spot on and I will definitely be back for more.

great meal in a superb restaurant, good service and definitely worth a visit if you're looking for 'that little thing more'. Don't go if you don't have the time to enjoy and savour the excellent food and drinks they serve.

LOVE getting drinks in the bar area and have done so on several occasions. Finally ate dinner in the dining room on a Saturday night. Not worth the price and can think of at many better steakhouses in downtown Chicago. The Oscar on the filet was bland and not worth the add on cost. Drinks were pricey, as to be expected, but the food was very mediocre not making this cost worthwhile. The restaurant was also near empty and our server was rushing the meal which we indicated was not appreciated, and yet he persisted.

This is an interesting building and nice decor and space. Sadly the ambiance and decor don’t compensate for food that was not great and arrived out our tables Luke warm. The rib eye was tough over cooked and cold - very disappointing and the small portion of sides did not help. The key lime pie was non traditional and not in a positive way

A glorified burger joint. Poor service for groups, surly even. Don't ask for anything special because apparently the 'chefs' are worse than short order cooks. Building cannot control the temperatures in the rooms. Go here for drinks maybe, but go elsewhere to eat.

Food was not hot when served. Brussels sprouts undercooked. Waiter staff mediocre. Servers passed food across us, waiter must have had a bad day. Definitely would not recommend this restaurant

Chicago has some of the best steakhouses anywhere. This steakhouse, close to McCormack Center, is just not up to the standards of the very good ones. I wouldn't rush to eat there. The prices of this restaurant make you want a great steak, not an average one. And that is what we were served. There was nothing outstanding, and in fact, my 14 oz rib eye was at best average. the sides dishes are very typical, but the sizes very small. Surprised, given veryoen shares the side dishes. The salad I ordered had bacon. It was weak, flavorless, and something you would see at a fast food joint. Wow-disappointing. The only good part of the meal was the 2 very large pieces of cake we were served. The carrot cake and German chocolate cake were quite good. With so many choices in Chicago, you could easily avoid this one.

I went to this restaurant twice, both times as a guest of an organization. One meal was sit-down, the second was a buffet with passed appetizers. The quality of the food both times was very good. I can't speak to the prices, since I didn't order or pay.

I really enjoyed my lobster. It was almost as good as Chicago Oyster. It’s a great place to eat when you come to Boston.

My sister and I visited this restaurant on Monday and found the food lacking. The place itself presents as a nice establishment and the lady on the host stand was so friendly and lovely (she was the highlight of our experience). The service was slow to start, with our order not being taken for at least 25 minutes. Our server was very animated which was cool to begin with but became trying by the end. The bread seemed like glorified Hawaiian roles with bagel seasoning but this was alright, The calamari was really good and by far the best of the food ordered. I had the chicken sandwich with fries, both of which tasted super fishy. My sisters fish and chips was not great and her chips also tasted fishy (we assume this was due to the oil they were cooked in) we also had onion rings which were really quite bad. Neither of us finished our meals in fact they were barely touched we disliked it that much. We were not checked on until we had already decided we were finished and even seeing how much food was left and that we didn’t want take away boxes we were not asked how our meals were or if there was anything wrong with the food. Overall pretty poor and unsatisfactory meal out.

We were here for a convention, the staff and GM as well as the food was top notch, thank you for a great dinner and a great experience.

For the first time we dined out for a major holiday dinner. I can’t imagine doing this again, BUT the food, ambiance and service were amazing!!!!! Thanks Alex for a truly memorable experience.

Great steakhouse and topnotch service. I had the french onion soup with Steak frites which very very nicely prepared. Good atmosphere, albeit a little loud. Definitely would return and recommend for an excellent meal.

Five of us had dinner here on 3/2/2019. The food was fine, but severely overpriced. $17 for a shrimp cocktail? Two of our group had the halibut ($34 each) and it was a smallish portion of fish--not nearly enough to fill you up and certainly not worth $34. Each of those plates had a sauce, a garnish, and the piece of fish--nothing else for the $34: no soup, no salad, no side. None of us bothered with the steaks ($50 and up) or the shellfish (no prices listed on the menu). Neither did we elect to "add on" asparagus ($11) nor cauliflower ($10) to our single plate dishes. In sum: this place will cost you plenty and you are likely to leave hungry unless you spend at least $50 each before the tax and tip. Now, the food we had was fine, especially the 8oz cheeseburger ($15), but you could probably eat out at least three times (ordering the same food) at any number of other Chicago restaurants. It simply is not worth the price. The waitstaff, etc. were fine, if a bit over-attentive.

We chose this restaurant the last night of our conference and were glad we did ! Food was excellent and the staff was very friendly. The hostess was amazing! As we were leaving, it was pouring rain, and she held an umbrella over each of us one at a time as we made our way to the Uber! Really above the normal service!

We hosted a business meeting here and it went well. The sea bass entree was excellent as well as the rhubarb cheesecake. If I am in the area again I will come here.

5* Food 5* Service My sister and I were in town for a concert. This restaurant was recommended by our hotel (Hilton), and it was an easy walk. We had a reservation for bar seating. We like to mingle and talk to other guests when we travel. We started with shrimp cocktail. The entree was filet, creamed spinach and fries (yummy). I drank a couple glasses of wine, and she had martinis. Bartender was very attentive. The managers by to greet us and ask about the visit. One of the managers even gave us a recommendation for bars near Wrigley, which was our destination for the following night. Other guests at the bar were friendly also. A great experience all around.

I’ve been to most of the best steakhouses in Chicago so took family here for a special celebration to try something new. And what a wonderful decision that was! The food is exceptional and the building historic - both things I expected. What sets it apart is the people. We arrived an hour before our booking and planned to drink at the bar, but it was full. I said to the receptionist no worries, we could simply come back at the appointed hour for dinner. They wouldn’t hear of it and swiftly made us feel right at home at a table. For dinner, we were spoiled by veteran waiter Keith. He is a true maestro and takes clear pride in his work and has a clear command of how to make the place hum like clockwork. Softshell crab was divine and the steaks simply sumptuous. I also appreciated the very local vibe of this place. They pride themselves on their repeat customer base. I will definitely be back!

We ended up here before a big rugby game in Soldier Field. It was open out of hours just for the game. We had already eaten but they had a very reasonably priced pre-game menu with really good options. They had loads of staff, everyone working really hard to keep things running smoothly under massive pressure. Fantastic live music. Very friendly MD and owner who were front of house and welcoming all customers with a calm welcoming smile that said they were enjoying the busy environment. Would have loved to make it there for food but unfortunately we didnt have the time on our last night. Looks like a high quality venue with high-quality food and service.

I live in the neighborhood and frequent the Firehouse often. They have a great happy hour and their bar menu is excellent with a great burger, French dip and salad available, but my favorite is the firecracker shrimp. That and a salad makes a very satisfying casual meal. The folks who work the bar are professional and efficient but most of all friendly. Watch out for their occasional special menu themes as they always make an excellent effort to serve something interesting and delicious. If you want to do the first class steak/seafood dinner, you will find the service and food outstanding but you will pay the fair market price. I recommend this place to any neighbor or out-of-towner who wants to experience a true midwest friendly atmosphere and a great meal.

Beautiful warm atmosphere with great menu prix fixe during restaurant week -- staff was attentive and engaged

Restaurant recommended by a friend, good food and a sober and pleasant environment. We started with onion soup, the main dish was a rib eye dry aged, that came as requested (rare) but cold, accompanied by pure Robuchon smashed potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. Good food and service at a reasonable price.

As non-Chicago residents, we've eaten several times at this restaurant. We recently celebrated a birthday at the restaurant and were very disappointed in the quality of the food. The Restaurant Week salmon was tough and poorly seasoned and the pork chops mediocre. Obviously, situations re: staffing change, but there is no excuse for high priced mediocrity. When we visit Chicago again, The Fire Station restaurant will not be on our list of places to eat.

Recommended by our hotel concierge. Lunch/Dinner was very good. We went 30 minutes before they started serving dinner. We bellied up to the bar and happily had cocktails and apps as we waited for the dinner menu to be ready. My steak was very good. Definitely worth a visit.

First, I will say my own meal was fairly good, but my wife's meal was awful. Noted for their prime rib, she had to go with it. First, she asked the waiter how the vegetable sides were prepared. The waiter did not know, obviously, because they were not prepared as he said. No big deal there, but it was first strike. The prime rib arrived lukewarm at best, and cooled off very quickly, so likely the plate was cold. When she cut into the steak, it was tough. Not at all expected, and extremely disappointing. Second strike. Finally, the prime rib was served with béarnaise sauce; no au jus or horseradish. Okay, maybe that is how it is done at Firehouse, but when she pointed this out to the waiter, he argued with her that it was not béarnaise sauce, even though it looked and tasted exactly like a béarnaise. Please, don't argue with a customer, no matter what the topic. He then brought her the asked for fresh horseradish. It was pickled, not fresh. Sorry Firehouse, three strikes.

One of the best American-style steak Restaurants. Amazing ambiance and hospitality. And above all a wonderful manager, Shannon.

So, people are complaining about prices of this place, but if you want to be pampered this is it. Wait staff very attentive and pleasant. We had lamb lollipops which were excellent. The tomahawk steak for two. And we asked the waiter if we could take the bone for our dog and he brought us two more from the kitchen. I had gelato which was fantastic! All the food was excellent, the staff were awesome, and the ambiance is perfect if you need a romantic or nice, relaxing dinner.

My wife and I stopped in for dinner at the Chicago Firehouse restaurant this week. It was an easy walk there from the Shedd Aquarium. The restaurant is a unique setting with several different rooms - a nice long bar, different dining rooms and a patio. Each is special in its own way. The food was pretty good overall - exceptional French onion soup, very good sea bass, a little disappointing that my NY strip steak wasn’t cooked evenly throughout but two-thirds of it was good. The highlight for us were the two guys who waited on our table, both coincidentally named Brian. I think it was the first day working at this restaurant for one of them and only the second week for the other. Both of them were so genuinely happy to be working there and their enthusiasm was infectious. I almost ordered the mahi special just because of the way Brian said maaaaaahiiiiii with such passion!

We were on the way to the field museum and fancied brunch . We had gotten off at Roosevelt station and there was only coffee and sandwich shops around . Did a quick google search and Chicago Firehouse popped up. About half a mile from the station , we decided to try even though we didn’t check reviews . It was a perfect brunch for us . Sat at the bar , our favourite place to sit , we had mimosas and prosecco . I had scrambled eggs with the salad and husband had eggs Benedict with the fried potatoes . We both really enjoyed our food . Beautiful building , pleasant service and good food , a great combination for a Saturday in September in Chicago . Not inexpensive but worth it .

My wife and I had a wonderful early dinner there recently. My wife said it was the best steak she's had in a very long time. The service was outstanding, the food even better. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

This was my first visit to the Chicago Firehouse and it was lots of fun. A group reserved the upstairs and deck which was perfect for a hot Chicago afternoon. Service was good. The bartender was great . Mixed a fabulous margarita and had a smile for everyone. Plenty of space both inside and out to sit, stand, or dance. I’m not a Chicago resident but if I were I’d be sure to go again, especially to catch the lake breezes on a hot summer day. Check it out. Easy to find. Valet parking is reasonable. Elevator access to the rooftop.

My friend and I dined at The Chicago Firehouse for the first time during our brief visit to Chicago for a conference at McCormick Place. The restaurant is located on South Michigan Avenue, about 10 blocks from McCormick Place. The location is manageable walk from the convention area, though not that close. The building is a former firehouse. It is very attractive both inside and out. We arrived a few minutes early for a 7 PM reservation on a Saturday evening, and we were seated promptly. The menu is very much Midwestern, but had a lot of options. The pricing is decent for a fancy restaurant in Chicago. I enjoyed the dinner. Service was very good. I recommend this restaurant for a "traditional" dinner in Chicago.

Building is gorgeous, upscale setting. Food was good, service was good. A bit pricey. Not really for casual dining.

This was my Dad's first firehouse before they converted the firehouse to this restaurant in 2000. This a nice place to have a drink or to have a nice meal.

This restaurant is fine dining, so be prepared to spend good money. But it’s worth it! I had scallops - cooked to perfection! But they are known for their steaks. My colleague had a filet and it was mouth-watering. Other than the prices, the steaks do not come with sides, so you have to buy the pricey sides as well. Would recommend if you are willing to spend the money. Our waiter was on top of everything, even my colleague’s food allergies. He actually ordered something different based on his dairy allergy. Great service! Lobster bisque is always recommended, it’s their speciality. Pastry puff on top!

We had a very enjoyable dinner at The Firehouse. Kinda pricey. The Grilled Octopus was very bland. The Risotto was very good. Great atmosphere. Just blocks away from Soldier Field.

Just had brunch at te Chicago Firehouse after a walk in the park. Great food, stellar service :) The place looks very nice inside. Not the cheapest place, but totally worthy. Would highly recommend it.

Stopped by for a quick bite at the end of my chicago trip. Huge bar, great ambiance and excellent service. On my list for my next visit to chicago.

Absolutely loved this restaurant. We came here for dinner before a concert. The specials and music playing reflected the show that we were seeing and added to the ambience of the experience. Very upscale dining but we were completely comfortable in concert going shorts and t-shirt attire. The patrons included families, couples and it appeared some groups celebrating special occasions. The staff was the BEST. Very professional and courteous. Our waiter Elmer made us feel completely taken care of. He was on point with all his suggestions. I believe the owner or manager came around and spoke with us, she was delightful. I did not get her name but she had constructed the specials which reflected the concert, very clever and funny. The food was so amazing. I had the lamb chop appetizer as my meal with the salad special of shaved asparagus (Elmer had suggested this) it was perfect. My husband had the beef tenderloin and was very happy with it. Overall we would highly recommend this restaurant and plan to return our next trip to Chicago.

Chicago Firehouse is the most stylish restaurant that you might never have heard about. Located at 1401 South Michigan Avenue, it occupies a two-story structure that formerly was Engine Company 104 of the Chicago Fire Department. Opened in 2000, it has preserved the original 1915 Romanesque Revival architectural design. At the turn of the century, Engine Company 104 served the prominent families who resided on Prairie Avenue from 17th to 20th Streets, including the Fields, McCormicks, Palmers, Glessners and the elite of Chicago society. Today, guests enter the two-story building through the original firehouse's personnel entrance on the corner of 14th Street. Note the horseshoe-shaped bar, the original Tiffany glazed tile lined walls, the intricately replicated 12-piece tin ceiling design, the floor to ceiling windows, the sun-drenched solarium room, the plantation shutters and the decorative floor tiles. Hardly a firehouse decor. The dining room is on the ground level with four exclusive private dining rooms on the second floor. Open from 4 to 11 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 to midnight on Thursday and Friday, 10 to midnight on Saturday and 10 to 11 on Sunday, the Chicago Firehouse has recovered nicely from a devastating roof fire that closed the restaurant from December 10, 2014, to February 3, 2017. The atmosphere is first-class but it's the food that puts Chicago Firehouse over the top. We started with a Classic jumbo shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque and a knife and fork Caesar salad. We were considering an entree of roasted whole Dover Sole or roasted Loch Dart salmon and white bean ragu or an 18-ounce double cut Berkshire port chop or halibut or a center cut filet mignon or an 18-ounce herb crusted prime rib or a 14-ounce Delmonico steak. That is, until we noticed a can't-turn-it-down item on the menu, Chateaubriand for Two. How many times have you seen Chateaubriand listed on a menu? Rarely. Whenever we do, we can't resist ordering it. With bearnaise sauce, baked potatoes and sauteed spinach and mushrooms. A tender and delicious slice of prime beef tenderloin. For dessert, we shared a big slice of strawberry shortcake with blackberry jam, shortbread struesel and fresh berries. Prairie Avenue never had it so good.

The place was a bit noisy at first, but improved when a table of loud guests left. I have had better steaks elsewhere, but all in all, it was a delightful experience.

We were visiting Chicago on vacation and chose this place because of the historic building in which the restaurant is situated, as well as for its varied menu choices. The building was originally a fire station in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago built in 1905 in the Romanesque Revival style. The rear portion was added on later when it was converted into a restaurant, but the flow is well done. There was a roof fire in 2014, which caused a long closure, but the rehabilitation was done while keeping the original character in mind. We were seated in a quiet booth in the middle of the restaurant as soon as we arrived for our reservation. As a starter, we shared the chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail. The shrimp was obviously very fresh, with a sweet, meaty quality, and the cocktail sauce was just spicy enough. For dinner, I ordered the Berkshire Pork Porterhouse, and my husband had the 8-ounce Filet Mignon. We added a side of creamed spinach to share between us. The meals were presented beautifully, and the meats were perfectly prepared. The pork had a maple bourbon glaze that was out of this world, and the polenta cake was a great complement to the meat. My husband's filet was so tender, he could almost cut it with a fork, and the Bernaise Sauce just added to the deliciousness! We were impressed with their wine list, which isn't huge, but certainly had plenty of choices of wines, both domestic and imported. My only complaint, if you can call it that, is that we felt very rushed! No sooner did they take away the shrimp cocktail dish, then our meal showed up. We had barely finished a half a glass of our wine. I told the waiter I was disappointed that they brought out dinner out so quickly, and that I felt like they wanted to get us in and out as quickly as possible. He did apologize and told us to take our time to relax and enjoy our wine, which we did. I suggest if you choose to eat here, you tell them when you're seated that you are in no hurry.

As “The Terminator”, (Arnold Schwarzenegger), once said, “I’ll be back”, I will be back to The Chicago Firehouse. The two of us celebrated (they did not know) a birthday mid-week dinner. Cocktails were served precisely as ordered (that is rare) and bountiful. As for bountiful, the entrees were extraordinary. Professional service from reception to waiter, to runner, to…. You go once, you will be back.

This would be a great setting for couples, but I felt very comfortable dining alone. The setting was lovely, and the beef Wellington was delicious! The service was also very attentive. The restroom is upstairs. (I suppose there must be an elevator.)

Visited the Chicago Firehouse for dinner, and it was good to be back at a neighborhood gem. This restaurant was damaged heavily by fire, and has re-opened in its original location. I love the expanded bar area, but I did go to the entrance on Michigan, which has been relocated around the corner. My party enjoyed the dinner and atmosphere quite a bit, but I did have a few items that somewhat muted my experience. First, we were seated at a long table for 6. This booth was the center booth, and had somewhat been condensed by the parties on both sides. This made for a very uncomfortable seating. However, when the party behind, which had considerably more room left, we pushed the seat back and all was good! Next, our food took quite a bit of time to come out of the kitchen. Not only was this noticed by me, it was also noticed by our server. While the server had several tables, he/she did keep an eye out for us, and noticed the issue. Unfortunately, when the entrees did arrive, one was cold and had to be returned to the kitchen! This was done without question, and again, all was good! In fact, the restaurant staff did provide complimentary desserts for the table. Finally, a large group with children and electronic games was seated next to us towards the end of the meal. This raised the volume in the restaurant measurably, and at 10 pm was a bit of bother. This usually wouldn't bother me, but with all of the other issues, resolved positively as they were, was not the cap on the evening I expected. All in all, the food was great, as usual (try the lamb chop appetizers), and I will definitely be back. By the way, the valet left their parking sign in my car (I will drop off later this week)! Glad to see them back in the neighborhood!!!

Made reservations here to have a place to eat before the U2 concert at Soldier Field. When we arrived the restaurant was very busy. We were promptly seated and at the recommendation of our waiter (who was very cognizant of when the show started) placed our order all at once. Salad made it out before our drinks did, but when both arrived they were good. Had the wilted spinach salad. Then had the petite filet - it was a great steak that could be cut with a butter knife, however, it came out medium to medium-well when I asked for medium rare - considering we were on a time frame I did not ask to have this corrected however when paying $50 for a steak I do generally expect to have it prepared as I requested. The brussel sprouts and mushrooms were delicious sides that my friend and I shared. We also shared the ice cream sundae which was very good. Overall it was a very good meal, but not an excellent one - definitely a beautiful patio, attentive staff, and lots of potential.

My family met for a celebration dinner in honor of my sons university graduation. Our service was exceptional. Our server helped us with pairing wines to our individual orders. I personally would recommend The Mother-in-law, a cocktail twist on an Old Fashion that goes beyond expectations. Lobster Bisque, always a favorite, is rich, but lite on those tasty bits that I love. Even the bread is delicious, served warm with a touch of salt. I’ll pass on the Brussel Sprouts as they were grilled and unremarkable. The steak was perfect. Sea bass Perfect! Salmon a crowd pleaser. And dessert.... well get your own! Valet at door, and make reservations, I know I will, And soon.

We had the Sea Bass, very sweet and tender and a Delmonico steak, wonderful flavors. Potatoes Gratin were hard so sent back to kitchen. The waiter was ok, but had that “expensive restaurant” attitude. Took our order and did not see much of him again. The servers helper was nice, friendly and attentive. Would not return again.

Pick your name of our neighborhood - South Loop, Museum Park, Near South-Side. Our over-all favorite Chicago restaurant is where my wife and I dine as often as possible. It is in the top tier of Chicago steak houses, in our opinion, and our go-to spot for entertaining out-of-town guests, or just a date night. The service is wonderful, the bar is inviting, the atmosphere is really a class act, and the meals are always (for us - I mean always) superior. We can't dine there without the brussel sprouts as a side. We can walk, so can't comment on the parking but they do have valet service. Not inexpensive, but we feel it is well worth the fare. Please do be careful to not tell too many people ---- we do want it to stay our local top-tier dining experience! it is hard enough to get a table on a whim!

We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. I enjoyed the soup of the day which was a corn chowder with a nice bit of heat to it. The seafood tower was amazing according to my husband. The 8 oz petite filet was perfectly cooked to my medium rare standard although his 10 oz filet was slightly more on the medium side rather than medium rare. He still enjoyed it. We shared some sides which were delicious. I boycotted the dessert however he didn't. He had a very large piece of carrot cake that he claimed was delicious.

OK. This story is absolutely mind-boggling and I still don't understand how this even happens. But here we go. This is a doozy. I use to frequent this place 3-4 times a week for the past year, until I was banned yesterday 3/10/23. And here is why. On Thursday 3/9/23 I went to the firehouse as usual. I was meeting a friend there and I know alot of the regular guests that go there. There was an older white guy who doesn't care for me much who was engaging me in conversation. I'm not going to bog this post down with the entirety of that conversation. But this individual called me a Monkey (I'm African American). I didn't pay it any attention and went on enjoying my evening. When my friend arrived I told him what happened and that was the end of it. We had a few drinks and left. When I arrived Friday 3/10/11 I was greeted by Tony with "you are no longer welcome here anymore". I was literally in shock and confused. I asked why and he said, "you know why?". No sir, I definitely don't know why. Then he mentioned the "confrontation with said white guy". First off, there was no confrontation. Secondly, I was called a racial slur and I'm the one being banned. Absolutely unbelievable. Guess it really does pay to have white privilege. And worse and more insulting is the firehouse had the back and supported someone who uses racial slurs over the minority who the racial slur was used on.

Excellent food Loved the steak and the whole Dover sole And best key lime pie in town the manager lance was so nice And checked up on us and made sure all was well He gave us a grand tour of the place We be back

We had visitors from out of town and my wife and I wanted to visit the Firehouse after it was reopened. We were not disappointed. The food and service were excellent and properly impressed our visitors. We will return.

We were visiting our daughter for Thanksgiving and had reservations for the Chicago Firehouse's Thanksgiving buffet. The buffet was loaded with fresh seafood and meats served in an upscale setting. Based on the quality of the buffet, I'd recommend the restaurant for a good meal in an historic old firehouse.

I had a truly excellent, succulent, tender and very tasty filet mignon. It is truly the best steak I have ever had. Waiter service was attentive and efficient and the staff were very courteous.

Went there for a business dinner. Had oysters and lobster bisque soup to start - which was very good. The star dish was the filet mignon- cooked medium rare as recommended. It was tender, well-seasoned and almost melt-in-the-mouth steak. Only desert was slightly underwhelming. Overall would highly recommend.

Good place for business dinner, very accommodating server, not rushed to get out (we were there on a Thursday night). Unlike some of the reviews, did not feel that the prices were out of line. Will be going back.

This place is beautiful! We went with a fairly large group, but we had excellent service, the food was fresh and delicious, and it didn't take long. They have an excellent selection of menu items. All the sides are extra and are large enough to share. It is not a cheap place to eat, but it is very good.

Our group of 20 was handled as if we were a party of 2. From our prearrangement with the group dining staff to the great meal time service all was great. Our selections were tasty and all served at the right time and temp. Our private room was primo.

Great experience, building was wonderful as were all of the staff. Steaks were excellent and service well attended. Appetizers and dessert were equally exceptional with the main entrees.

We did go on a busy Saturday night, so I was expecting a crowd. I did not expect the restaurant to be so loud that we could not enjoy conversing at our own table. The tables are very close together and it just wasn't as nice as I recall from before the fire. The food is really good. I had the filet and it was cooked a perfect medium well. The hasselback potatoes and creamed spinach are very good. Based on the food and the atmosphere, I think the menu is a bit overpriced. I don't mind paying well for a good steak, but at these prices, I would have expected more...and a quieter, more enjoyable dining experience.

The food was wonderful the service was beyond fantastic. This was our dressy nice dinner and we were not disappointed!!!

Recently visited Chicago Firehouse as we live in the South Loop and I've been excited to see how the renovation went. It did not disappoint from a design perspective. The space is absolutely gorgeous. A lovely mix of beautiful design elements and luxury while still being comfortable. Unfortunately when we made the reservation we requested the patio, but upon arrival the patio was full and we were told it would be quite awhile until a table was open. We waited at the bar for 15 minutes just to get a table inside, but it was a wonderful spacious and comfortable table so worth the wait. I found the food to be a bit overpriced for the quality and portions. I visited with my husband we ordered a cup of the soup, the crab cakes, and arugula salad to start with. The soup and the crab cakes were quite tasty. The arugula salad was bad. It desperately needed a bit of acid and salt. This may be the first time I've ever disliked a dish with bacon. We decided to split an entree so ordered the brick chicken with a side of brussel sprouts and hand cut fries. The chicken was okay, but nothing to write home about and a bit dry. The brussel sprouts were inedible as in we each tried one bite and pushed them away. The fires were great but for $8 it was an extremely small portion and was served with side of standard ketchup....Underwhelming to say the least. I would absolutely return to the Chicago Firehouse but only for drinks and an appetizer. After this experience I would be hesitant to recommend the restaurant as spot for a nice dinner. A glaring distraction during our entire meal was the terrible service from our waiter. However, this may have been a one-off as it appeared that the service at nearby tables was quite good. Our waiter took over 10 minutes to come to the table after we were seated, had to be flagged down to order as he never came back otherwise, didn't ask us about the uneaten tray of brusell sprouts, forgot the glass of wine I ordered with dinner but didn't come back again until we were finished to check on us, and after we asked for the check he came back 5-10 minutes later and asked if we wanted dessert. Again think he is an exception not the rule of service at Firehouse, but it really took away from the overall meal and I find that lack or service unacceptable at these price points.

I hosted a fundraiser here about three years ago, and could not wait for COVID to ease up so I could have dinner here. What a gem this restaurant is! As an appetizer I had the Oven Roasted Oysters: chartreuse butter, bacon and crusted bread crumbs. Because I was truly famished I also had the Lobster Bisque prepared in a decadent puff pastry. For my entree I ordered the Oven Roasted Lamb Chops - greek yogurt & cucumber sauce, chimichurri, and caramelized lemon. The lamb chops were perfectly prepared and absolutely delicious. I decided to be greedy and splurge on one of their many dessert options; the Pumpkin Creme Brulee in season this time of the year!😉 I cannot recommend this place more highly! Rather you live in Chicago, or are visiting and staying at a Loop hotel, take the time to have a GREAT dinner at Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. (Thank goodness they rebuilt this place following a near devastating fire a few years ago)

Kudos to The Chicago Firehouse crew for making our event a smashing success on November 6, 2023! The Palmer and Mayor’s Rooms were buzzing with top-notch service from your servers, bartenders, and hosts. Sandra, Evelia, Juan, and the whole team were awesome, bringing a touch of professionalism and attention to every detail. Thanks again for making our event truly wonderful!

Just recently returned from a trip with my son to what is an incredible city....Chicago. Happened upon this place...and so pleased we did. We hadn't booked but one of the staff at our hotel hinted that we might want to try it out. Walked in to be greeted by two lovely ladies who found us a table with no fuss & no fluster. The setting and décor are perfect & very tastefully done. Once seated we were looked after by a fabulous team and had all our menu questions knowledgably answered. The food was magnificent and quite honestly, the best steak I have ever had. My son was particularly taken by the lamb lollipops. I can't conclude without a mention of our fabulous waiter Jorge (on both occasions) His politeness and attention to detail were second to none...a top chap....Chicago is an incredible place and I am so pleased that we found this place and it is part of the memories we have brought back to the UK from the fantastic Windy City

A classy steak restaurant in downtown Chicago. Steaks are very tasty and so were the side dishes and bearnaise sauce. The salad I ordered as a starter was equally good. Service provided by the staff is friendly and professional and never pushy. They've valet parking. Making a reservation is recommended. Well worth a visit!

One of the best restaurants I’ve been to in Chicago area. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very elegant. I’ve driven by here 1000 times and didn’t think that it could look like it does inside. Gorgeous. It’s been open 25 years this year and still thriving The staff from the time you walked in ordered and left were very attentive and supportive. Our waiter, Noel, was above what I expected for service. Very knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. The the food was very tasty and the temperature was appropriate. For appetizers, we ordered the jumbo shrimp cocktail, the dried aged meatballs, and firecracker shrimp for a party of five . The best part of those appetizers was using the bread that they gave us to soak up the extra sauces. The bread is amazing. Our table ordered roasted half chicken, the catch of the day which was sold and filet mignon’s for three. If you are going with someone highly suggest the executive course which is lobster bisque soup iceberg, lettuce, salad, filet mignon, and three sides. The three sides that we chose were Grilled brussels sprouts, au gratin, potatoes, and cream spinach. We all enjoyed our meals and will be coming back Highly adjust the cake for dessert

Very friendly and helpful staff members, very nice and polite. Food was good, however serving steak with the tomato sauce it is very american thing I would say. They should include peppercorn sauce for sure in to meniu. Meat was tender and well cooked as per my request, nice environment even it was a bit noisy around.

Great Steak place with excellent service. Alex our waiter was outstanding. Order the Executive off the menu it feeds two people or more. You won't finish everything but oh so good

I don’t know why I have not heard more about this restaurant. There may be a few that are neck and neck with this, but I haven’t eaten at a better restaurant in Chicago. I’ve eaten at about a dozen downtown steak houses, and this matches the best of them. Everything was delicious. I had the 24 ounce bone in ribeye special, a baby lettuce salad, Vidalia onion rings, and CFR old fashion. Everything was delicious. Even the complementary bread was amazing. Don’t miss visiting this South Loop gem.

We had a lovely meal at the Chicago Firehouse. We hadn't been there since they rebuilt after the fire. (Yeah, ironic.) There were 6 in our group. The dining room was very comfortable, with a noise level that actually allows for conversation, something lacking too often. The service was terrific, not hovering, but certainly attentive. I generally order the fish when we go out, but I went with a steak at the steakhouse. It was delicious. My husband had the scallops, that were also wonderful. A couple of others had the short ribs and they were also very good. Chicago Firehouse is a good choice if you're looking for an upscale, relaxing meal.

Great historical atmosphere & very good food for a small group while in Chicago for a teacher conference. Pricey, but more reasonable than most other fine dining options.

My husband and I ventured out to dinner the last night of our stay in Chicago during the IMTS show. What a pleasant discovery. They building is beautiful. The servers were professional and the team work was evident. Any questions about the menu were answered. We enjoyed the crab cakes and had the scallops as an entre. Both were cooked to perfection and the keylime pie was a perfect dessert.

We had a wonderful experience at The Chicago Firehouse. The staff was pleasant and quick to address and serve us throughout the evening. The appetizers were wonderful and the serving size very adequate. I had the 16 oz NY steak and it was cooked to perfection. The atmosphere was great and conversations could be had without raising our voices.

I went to a company dinner function and was quite underwhelmed by the food there. the building itself was very nice and the open floor plan and decor was up to par as well. However the food was another story. Our waiter was attentive so service was the best part of the night. I ordered lobster bisque which had very nice presentation but the taste was bland and no sign of lobster pieces which I am used to. Appetizer crabcakes was one of 2 better dishes we tried. I specifically asked the waiter about most of the negative reviews I read on the Yelp were all about the steaks they served. Since I brought a nice bottle of Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir with me, I wanted to have a steak so ordered Kansas City cut which is a bone in New York strip. I mentioned to waiter to make sure it's medium rare which is important for this cut for me. I can tolerate medium for ribeye or filet mignon which are more tender to start. unfortunately mine came in totally pink when I sliced the center of the steak. they took it back and my second worry came true when the replacement showed very light brown on the surface. I sliced it and it was almost raw. Since it was getting late I just accepted it and ate the steak around the area which was too rare even for me. I have to say the meat itself was quality meat and had nice subtle flavor but the kitchen staff was not very good in controlling the cook time for making steaks. The best side dish was sauteed mushrooms, not overly heavy on butter or oil or salt like many other places I've been to. Asparagus was ok, a little too charred for my liking. I also don't recommend Quilt Cabernet my colleague ordered. They ended up ordering another Robert Mondavi Cabernet. I can't comment on dessert as I left a little earlier. If the restaurant can have a better system to manage time steaks spent on the grill or monitor the temperature better it would certainly have at least full 4 star reviews instead of 3.5 which is not very good for an establishment like this. 2 stars for food 4 for service

Our friends who live in the neighborhood brought us here and it was perfection. My meatloaf was cooked to the point where I barely needed my fork to break off a bite. Great drink choices and the ambience was just what we needed. Professional service from Carlos and the other folks who tended our table. Our friends also shared some of the history of the building which only added to the positive experience.

So my son and I had dinner at one of our staples: The Chicago Firehouse (CFH). A few house cocktails while we perused the menu was suggested by our very pleasant, but not overbearing waitress Martina. The CFH Old Fashioned and Bullet Bourbon Manhattan were deliciously prepared and served with Luxardo Maraschino Cherries. Highly recommend either or both. As always, I had to have both the French onion soup 'GRATINÉE' --perfectly seasoned onion filled beef broth with toasted garlic bread and gruyère cheese, and the Chicago Firehouse (CFH) Oysters Rockefeller with absolutely delectable creamed spinach, anisette, and asiago cheese baked and the Broiled to create a perfect crusted topping. The entrees, an 8oz center-cut medium rare filet mignon, and a similarly prepared 6oz American Wagyu Strip Loin Steak, evinced the chef's ability at this wonderful STEAK HOUSE to prepare PERFECT steaks; tender, externally chard, and internally tender mouthwatering -- no actually melt in your mouth -- steaks! The accompaniments of Potatoes Au Gratin and Roasted Brussels Sprouts were the perfect compliments for those exquisite steak offerings. I promise I'll be back!

Looking for a place to go for a special occasion, or just want to have a really nice meal? Look no further! We came here (just my wife and I) to have a nice meal in the city on the recommendation from my dad. The staff was great... our server was great, giving us a very good understanding of the dishes offered, from appetizer to dessert. He even suggested a dessert that was not on the menu... all with a nice pleasent demenor, and a great attention to detail. The supporting staff was awesome, never letting our water glasses get below about 1/4 down from full. The atmosphere was good, but I will say that our table just in front of the bar was a bit noisy, and cool due to the close proximity to the door (it was super cold out, so understandable, just know what you're dealing with when you get seated up there). Perhaps ask for a table in the rear of the restaurant. The meal itself was excellent. Get the lobster bisque!!!! You won't be disappointed!I chose the bone in aged ribe eye. To say it was good would be an understatement. It's pricey ($70), but if you enjoy a good piece of meat, cooked to absolute perfection - I woudln't hesitate. My wife had the grouper... and it was also fantasti, with excellent flavor. We had two sides... one was acorn squash which I'd highly recommend. The other was a loaded backed potatoe (easily fed two, and could probably feed more!), but for me, it had an almost overpowering amount of garlic in it. Good, but I would probably opt for the sauteed mushrooms next time. Dessert was great... Irish creme brulee... very good, and the size was perfect to share for two. In review... excellent place. Be prepared to drop some coint, but enjoy the fantastic sourroundings, awesome staff, and stellar cuisine!

I have been to this restaurant many times for large family events and small groups. The menu for breakfast, lunch and special gatherings is varied well presented with excellent ingredients. I enjoyed a family brunch in a section of the restaurant which provided an great family gathering setting. Everything on the menu is delicious and high quality. Restaurant week is a great way to try menu items. The French toast, burgers and other items are superb. Highly recommended for any occasion & event.

How I never knew about this place until recently is far beyond me. OMGosh. What a beautiful place. It used to be a firehouse and now it’s a super chic, delicious, traditional American fare restaurant. The bar opens at 4pm and dining room opens at 5pm. Service was top notch. I had the lobster bisque - which truth be told, was pretty filling and all you need to eat - and, yes, it was delicious. I mean, anything with puff pastry on it is a winner. I followed that with a winning cheeseburger. Yes - interesting combination and worth every calorie. My friends had the French onion soup, potato soup, sirloin steak and they were singing its praise. If you’re looking for tasty food in an amazing ambiance, this is your place. Would make a great spot for any occasion.

Nice restaurant and nice Ambiance but the food is not to recommend 🙁 We ordered file mignon but the filet was pre cocked Maybe from the lunch time???? Dry an cold this is lowest level of meat in a such high class restaurant!! They will never see me here again

Went for a quaint dinner with family and was very impressed with the whole experience. Beautiful building. Old firehouse converted. Very spacious and comfortable. Waiter was attentive. Started with the grilled octopus. Very nice dish with a tomato type of sauce. Tasty. Next were the lamb pops. Cooked to perfection and very tasty. My dinner was the prime rib and they cooked it exactly right. Too big to eat in one sitting. Great experience and a recommendation for dinner when your in the area.

Excellent spot for a top notch dinner. Went for a business event and the server recommended a few items but I went with the Dover Sole. It is prepared whole but deboned right at the table topped with brown butter, grapes, lemon, almonds! Was so delicious. Our table shared a variety of sides that did not disappoint. What a special treat!

Had dinner here for the first time and we were quite impressed. This is not a casual place---expect white tablecloths and fine service. Everyone enjoyed their food: Roasted 1/2 chicken with veggies, ginger beer chicken and cheeseburgers. We will return. Highly recommended.

I could not rate the food because we never received it. Arrived early and was seated by 7:00 pm per our reservation. The waiter took the drink order and we had to remind him that we wanted appetizers as well. Thirty minutes later our drinks arrived. Twenty minutes after that the oyster Rockefeller and shrimp cocktail showed up. The problem is my wife ordered shrimp de Jonghe. The waiter apologized and put in a new order for the correct item. The time is now 8:00 pm. Our main entree was ordered and the time we ordered the appetizers. At 8:15 we questioned the waiter about or main coarse he stated he would check on it. Note the family sitting in the booth next to us had received their meal while we continued to wait. By this time its 8:20pm we had no meal and requested the manager. The manager said she would personally check to find out what was the hold up. We couldn't wait any longer because of the 9:00pm concert we purchased tickets for. Out of all the upscale steakhouses we've visited.Chicago Firehouse was the worst. Will not patronize again.

We visited the lace based on our hotel concierge recommendation. Very nice ambiance, great environment for being able to have a business conversation, very good food. Our server was attentive, professional and friendly. Food was very nicely presented and tasted well.

We went here because of a recommendation. Certainly one of the best meals I have had. Because of the fire (ironic because it is located in an old firehouse) the furnishings were new and top grade. The place was packed but you could carry on a conversation easily, which isnt true in many places. Since we are old and our hearing is not the best, this is important. Waiters are very attentive and pleasant. Great place to go and have a wonderful meal.

Perfect place to entertain some of my clients and team! Good food, in fact excellent steak and delicious sides. Waiter very attentive!

Went for brunch before heading to Soldier Field (a nice walk—a little over a mile). Nice bar, prompt and respectful service. Eggs Benedict’s looked fabulous, as did burgers. I did the asparagus quiche which was absolutely delectable. It came with a simple salad of dressed greens, which was a perfect complement. Will definitely return.

The place has just reopened and a great job has been done on retaining the unique feel of a former firehouse. It has a unique atmosphere. Perhaps best if the service which is not stuffy and manages to be formal but friendly (I hope this doesn't change with success). Steaks and pork chops are excellent even by Chicago's high standards.

I live less than two blocks from the firehouse, which actually caught (or was set on fire) about 3 years ago. We took our son and his wife there for her birthday. We had a reservation that did not seem to be important to the creap that was running the front desk. He continued to leer at my daughter in law. I approached him on his innappropriate behavior but it did little good. They also sat a variety of people who did not have reservations before us. All in all I would not take my dog there. They are owned by a political hack who has a variety of legal issues and well as his relatives. If you like lousy food and horrible service you will love the firehouse restaurant. RUN DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM THIS TRAINWRECK!!!!

I was in the mood for beef so we asked the concierge at the Hilton for a place with steak, close by, not fancy as we were dressed in shorts, plus it was only 4:30. We had a long day of traveling and missed lunch. He sent us to the Chicago Firehouse about 7 blocks down on Michigan Ave. It’s a steakhouse in an old restored firehouse – so the holes for the fire poles are still in the ceiling. The place was beautifully restored and pretty fancy with white tablecloths and dressy waiters. We both felt REALLY underdressed. But the service was friendly and the food was excellent – but not inexpensive. I had a wedge salad and the small (12oz) prime rib. My husband had a huge ribeye pork chop with a maple glaze. We also got a side of spinach and a baked potato. Everything was fantastic including the service. They also had an excellent Merlot by the glass. Dinner with 3 glasses of wine and tip was $145. We also spent another $26 for drinks in the bar.

Went to Chicago Firehouse to celebrate my friends birthday. It did not disappoint! The atmosphere was great. The food was fantastic! The lamb chops were amazing, the lobster bisque was delicious. The steak and scalloped potatoes are a hit! But the buttermilk lime pie!!!!! Baby just go!

I really wanted to love this place but sadly, I probably won't ever be back. My husband and I have wanted to try this place for a really long time. It was restaurant week, their menu looked awesome and we had an event at Wintrust Arena, this couldn't have been more of a perfect set up. The restaurant is located in an old firehouse so the outside looks really cool. We walked in and we were so impressed. The place is absolutely gorgeous. We were greeted by the hostess promptly and then she sat us in their "Bistro" area. This is a small section of tables along side of the bar. We were the only people seated there through the majority of our meal. It was loud as bar conversations carried over and it had a terrible cold draft from the doors. The waiter was quick to great us and tell us about the restaurant week menu and how great it was. We ordered drinks and looked over the menu. I ordered the oysters Rockefeller and my husband ordered the wedge. He was pretty happy with his wedge salad and I thought my oysters were pretty good. I was disappointed that there were only three...there really should have been 4 but its an appetizer so I was satisfied. We then both ordered the strip steak. I flagged down the waiter for another drink. I went with an old fashioned. The drink was overly sweet and didn't really taste like it should...and for $15 a cocktail, they should have these drinks perfect. Our steak came out quickly. I couldn't have been more disappointed in it though. First, it was an extremely small portion with only 5 small pre-sliced pieces. Second, I got the fattiest piece of steak I've ever had from a restaurant. I couldn't even cut most of it with my steak knife. My husband's piece seemed better but most of mine wasn't even edible. I actually felt pretty taken advantage of with the restaurant week menu. I think it was a big mistake to order off it. I subbed out my mashed potatoes with French fries and they were really hot and perfectly seasoned. As the waiter came back to collect our plates he asked us how everything was. I told him, honestly, I was disappointed. My piece was extremely fatty and not edible. He looked at it and said, "ya, sorry." Great, so now my waiter agrees with me and does NOTHING about it. A few minutes later, our key lime pie came out. It had good presentation but was extremely heavy and custard like. I prefer a lighter, fluffier and tarter key lime but, hey that's just me. We left the restaurant still hungry and spent a little over $130 (without tip). Overall, this place is really pricey, the service is OK and the food is fair at best. We won't be back and I recommend you don't go either.

Formerly the home of Engine Company 104 of the Chicago Fire Department, the acclaimed 1905 Romanesque Revival structure at 1401 South Michigan Avenue in the South Loop has been home to the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant since 2000. The past is preserved in the present with a variety of dining options. The Bar Room, Company 104, celebrates the history of the firehouse and is open from 4 to 11 Tuesday through Saturday. On the first floor is the main dining room with its 20th century murals, a floor-to-ceiling solarium accented by plantation shutters and a cobblestone-paved patio that originally housed the horse stables. The dining room is open from 4 to 10 Tuesday through Saturday. In addition, there are three private dining rooms and the Veranda Lounge that offers a spectacular view of the South Loop skyline. Did you know the Firehouse also is open from 9:30 to 5 for Sunday Bears' games? The menu features a superb choice of steaks, chops and seafood. My wife and I started with dry-aged pork and beef meatballs, jumbo shrimp cocktail, a bowl of lobster bisque and Caesar salad with romaine hearts, garlic croutons and parmesan. For an entree, my wife chose Whole Dover Sole with creamed spinach and whipped potatoes. I opted for a 14-ounce Delmonico ribeye steak with bearnaise sauce, baked potato with sour cream and sauteed mushrooms. For dessert, we shared slices of key lime pie and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Cheers for chef Oscar Montesinos and pastry chef Mary Gamoran.

As the name implies, this steakhouse is in an old firehouse. It was slightly crowded when we arrived and the attendant asked if we’d be ok sitting outside. The weather was pleasant so we agreed. I ordered the strip steak and it was cooked perfectly. Easily the best thing I ate our entire trip! While earning outside was nice, I think next time I would prefer to eat inside this historic building as it seemed beautiful as we walked through it.

We chose this place because we were staying in an Airbnb nearby. We had reservations for their patio, only it turned out it rained all day, so we weren't sure what they'd have for us. We showed up on time and they still managed to seat us on time, indoors, even after a HUGE party of like some conference or something came in. It can be a LOUD place. Their pre dinner bread basket, basically like hot rolls but with Everything seasoning? Not sure why that hasn't become a thing everywhere. I chose meatloaf for my dinner and it was delish.

A cavernous 2 story restaurant , loud upbeat and bustling. We had a business diner and were given a separate room on the top floor. This is great, comfy sofa’s and a ‘fireplace’ make it very enjoyable. Service was forthcoming and quick. Food and presentation was unremarkable.

We stayed at the McCormick Place Hyatt. The Firehouse is one of the few restaurants open on Christmas Eve and a 5 minute cab ride or a 20 minute easy walk away. The food, the service, and the ambiance was great. The menu should fit all tastes. You could even get a burger! I went with the Filet Mignon and Baked Potato with Lobster Bisque. Too full for dessert, but had a Dove Bar after our great walk back to the Hyatt.

I was so happy to see that it reopened and was very excited to eat here. It was good , Just not as good as before. Service was spot on the menu was good. We had a business dinner for 4. Had a great booth table. I would recommend the meatball appitized and the pork belly scallops. We split a tomahawk steak between the 4 of us. It was very flavorful. We also liked the lobster mac and cheese. Overall It was a good meal and if i was in the south loop i would give it another try

Atmosphere was superb, waiters were very attentive. Cocktails were great. Ordered starters and mains, starters were tasty.Have had better steaks.

My sweetheart was away, I was weary. Popped over to The Chicago Firehouse with my book in hand, expecting to be stashed in a corner near the kitchen. The hosts would not hear of it. Seeing my tome, they suggested seating me in the dining room "where it will be quieter." Then, they directed me to a huge curved booth, "so you can dine like a queen." Fabulous cocktail, perfect salad and a burger done precisely to my taste. I spent only about $40 on myself - they made me feel like a million.

Visiting Chicago for the first time and wanted something local and nice. My son and I chose the Firehouse, because it was close and looked nice...and we could get a reservation on short notice. The atmosphere was very nice in an eclectic way. The waitstaff were attentive, without being hovering. We ordered drinks and an appetizer of ricotta knots (very good) my son ordered the Delmonico Ribeye medium rare with a side of mac and cheese (also very good. He took the balance of the mac n cheese back to the hotel), I ordered roasted Dover sole with creamed spinach (the spinach was great, the sole was overcooked and dry). Bottom line, with all the choices in Chicago, this is good if convenient, but go with the beef.

Higher priced but very good. Certified Angus beef was delicious. A la carte so charges for salads and sides. Excellent service. Drinks delicious. Specialty dishes recommended were very tasty. Desserts good too

Granted, it was a large group and the choice was fish or steak. Being in Chicago I figured the steak was a better choice. While my steak was cooked as requested, the piece itself was very fatty and I would only eat 1/2 of it before I just gave up. I expected more.

The customer service was AMAZING! We went for my Mother's bday yesterday. Everyone was extremely nice and made sure her birthday was special. I appreciate the service and the food was amazing. Thank you for the best experience!

The ambiance is fantastic, the service is excellent and the food was amazing! The lobster bisque was unlike any I have ever had, it came in a pastry shell, so delicious! The filet was melt in your mouth, cooked to perfection! Sides are shareable and went perfect with our meal. We will definitely go back! You must try this place! Oh, and the valet parking was super easy, convenient, and reasonable! Very easy to find, right on the corner of 14th and South Michigan Avenue. Go!!!

The service, the steak, the mood of the staff, the banter and the story - all amazing! The opposite of wanting the customer to leave after the food is consumed - they will talk, laugh and exchange stories of the place with you. Best thing with Chicago is their steaks!

The ambience of the place is definitely ideal for a date. Unfortunately, I was there with family and they didn't enjoy the dim lighting. The service was good and the food was ok. I had the Filet Oscar. The steak was very good. My niece had the scallops and pork belly. I tasted the pork belly which was great. The service was exceptional. Valet parking is always a plus for me.

Excellent location, great bar and outstanding food/service. I would highly recommend this place and will likely eat here again

Occupying a beautiful old firehouse building on the corner of Michigan and 14th this place is a proper steakhouse and meeting place and so with that known, how could I rightly complain about the prices? Well, they are high, even for a good steakhouse! I could be wrong but I don't recall one red meat entree that was below $40. Usually, the petite or small filet mignon at a good place will start in the $30s somewhere. Anyway, all other prices on the menu follow along on that overpriced theme, in my opinion. That said, the ambience is very nice there. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is very good but a couple of items we had were not served piping-hot, as they should have been. We were also served rather quickly- four courses for two took us only an hour and 15, although we were trying to stretch a bit to bridge a gap with our theater tickets. But, with all of that positive and good stuff I can say about this place I still fail to see that the value is there for the prices. The next time I dine here I will be on my company's expense report/dime or I won't be back here at all.

The historic Chicago Firehouse has been reopened after a long closure, ironically due to a fire that gutted the building. The owners took almost 2 years to reopen but the result is better than before. A new roof terrace bar and more intimate dining patio are just some of the improvements. The inside bar area has more of a speakeasy feel and has live jazz on Thursdays. Food and service are great, especially the steaks and grilled octopus appetizer. Good wines are available by the glass or bottle. Brunch is also great though a little pricey. Party rooms are also available. All in all, this is a great place to visit if you're in the South Loop for the many museums or an event at Soldier Field.

We had a dinner in a private room on Level 2. The waiters were attentive and service was excellent. The three course dinner was excellent too. I thoroughly enjoyed the filet mignon. I ordered a medium rare steak., but it was medium when I cut into it. The presentation was not very nice. It was a round steak in the middle of mash potato. There was no gravy. No other vegetables were served. But the steak was so tender, tasty and succulent. It was truly the best steak I have ever had in the US.

I was looking forward to having dinner here for a family birthday because I heard the food was excellent and we would love the ambience. We were a party of 8 and we were taken to the second level to be seated in one of their smaller private dining rooms that had only about 6 other tables in it. It was almost silent in there because only one other party of four was in there. Pretty awkward and it really brought down the mood of the night. I know when the reservation was made it was asked to be seated in the main dining area so I’m not sure what happened. We also had two tables pushed together that were not even and I unfortunately was the one in the middle right at the crack. Our chairs were hard metal unlike the posh comfy ones on the first floor. Our server was excellent along with the food. I will say though if you go please specifically ask where you want to be seated!

My networking group Pentad, has been together for more then 30 years! We have given great social events and dinned in some great places. Recently we had two great dinner meetings held at this restaurant, and the service, the food could not have been any better! The drinks were prepared to everyone’s satisfaction, which is a good thing! The crab cakes, the calamari appetizers more than hit the spot! Each meal was prepared with care and concern for the taste buds. I had the short ribs with wine sauce enhanced by carrots, mushrooms and onions, was all I wanted. Side dishes of cream spinach, fries, mashed potatoes were the real deal. Most had the key-lime pie which was tasty, creamy asking for another one to take home! Overall a great place to dine! Highly Recommended!

Had a really good meal here with a friend. I did the steak which was prepared perfectly and he had fish. We both really enjoyed the meal. Wine pricing was also good. I can't stand it when a glass of wine is equivalent to what you'd pay for the bottle. here they are fair with prices and had a nice selection. Wedge salad was also great.

This is an expensive restaurant with great ambiance. The decor is lovely. The service is both good and attentive. The food quality is good but was disappointing considering the cost. The steak that I had was definitely not the equivalent of a tier one steak house. This is a great restaurant to try while you are in Chicago.

Enjoyed a wonderful meal with my family on St. Patrick’s Day. The staff was outstanding and paid attention to every detail. The calamari was our favorite appetizer followed by the short ribs and key lime pie! It was a very relaxing and delicious evening. Definitely worth a visit!

We hosted our holiday party at Chicago Firehouse this past Saturday night in the Mayor’s Room and were exceptionally pleased. Samantha who set up the party for us was extremely attentive and flexible. The staff the night of were professional yet friendly and did a phenomenal job serving us. Finally the food was excellent. I am not a meat eater but I was told the grilled lamb chop lollipops were delicious and all three entrees, the filet mignon, the chicken breast and the salmon were perfectly prepared. As we were leaving, I glanced in the main dining room which looked lovely. I have already recommended it to family members heading downtown for the holidays. Finally, I happen to have lost an earring that night and before I could call to see if I had lost it there, the restaurant contacted my business partner to say they had found one. That type of attention is truly appreciated. I highly recommend this restaurant!

Went here for a business meal, cocktails were good. Meatballs and Calimari appetizers were amazing. Wedge salad was also amazing. I was anxiously awaiting the dry aged new York strip based on everything leading up to this point. When it arrived I immediately noticed a strange aroma emanating from my plate. I proceeded to cut into the steak which appeared to be cooked correctly. Upon my first bite I could only describe as eating burnt hair, I've never actually ate burnt hair but if I did this is what it would taste like. It was so bad that I only ate half and I always finish a steak. The aftertaste stayed with me much of the night and the smell could not be forgotten. My companion also had a steak and his opinion was the char was off putting and the meat was grisly and chewy. I wanted that meal to be good and it was until the main course was delivered. Had this been a family meal I would have complained but a business meal is not the right place for that. I will give it another shot the next time I can but it better knock my socks off.

What a great experience superb food most friendly staff… very great full, on a trip from Ireland for a family wedding Óconnor and the Dowling family from Tralee co.kerry wish you all the best👍🏽

This is our "corner bar." What a luxury! Their 4-6PM happy hour allows us to enjoy this exquisite restaurant on our budget. OK, so we probably go too often for our budget, but who can resist the silky meatballs & peppers, the perfectly breaded calamari or the sweet, meaty crab cakes? Have the bartender make you the cocktail of the day and be surprised and pleased. Service = superb. You can bet that when it's time for a celebration, we will make a beeline for this place.

Starting with the od Firehouse building, is impressive how they manage to fix the place creating a great atmosphere... then, the service ad the food... Will be back for sure....

July 20, 2018 Friday night out with Rochelle at the Chicago Firehouse restaurant. We have the usual. Roc started her meal with the wedge salad accompanied with blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and red onions. The bacon was left in the kitchen by choice. Rochelle had a lollipop lamb chops medium. She also ordered mashed potatoes, garlic was laden in the potatoes. The potatoes we very creamy. I had the same as Rochelle. The salad had anchovies to replace the b_c_n. My salad, ended my dinner, and Rochelle salad began her meal. The salads were the bookends to wonderful evening. The lamb chops were a bite over to well done. Micheal, our waiter ask about the chops. I teeter toddler my right hand to indicate so so. He quickly stated, "we can do them over". No, that will take to long. The evening was late. We each had two chops, and each carried one chop home with the few remaining garlic mashed potatoes. We ask Micheal for the check. He returned insisting that we have dessert. I indicated to Michael we would not be having dessert, we were going somewhere else to have dessert. After the brouhahas concerning the tight small wedge lettuce, and the lollipop lamb chops over medium (Rochelle said overcooked) he politely offered to complement us by having dessert. Rochelle requested crème brûlée and Micheal as me. What are you having.? Are we sharing. Micheal said, "No, you can have your owe". That was puzzling. So I copied Rochelle. Being thankful for the offer by Micheal. We paid and drank the last glass of water; and proceeded to walk out to get our car that was valet parked. Edwin the manager struck up a conversation with Rochelle concerning how was dinner and we indicated so so. Edwin commented about yes, we had heard about the incident and proceeded to have a great conversation. Edwin the manager indicated next time you come, please give me a call, and let me know. What a great experience again at Firehouse restaurant, great service, and great attitude. This time was the so so. We will return again. Hey, make sure when you go to ask for Micheal our waiter, and Edwin is the manager. Shalom

Had a super decadent meal tonight at Chicago Firehouse. The restaurant wasn’t too busy but Phillip had several tables... probably a few too many to be honest. But the food was truly excellent, from the soft warm buttery rolls to the most delicious creme brûlée I’ve ever tasted (which Phillip brought us for free after we told him we were too full for dessert!) We shared the crab cakes to start... very moist but the perfect crunchiness on the outside. The wedge salad was full of delicious crumbly bacon and a generous amount of blue cheese. All of our entrees were great (filet trio, sea bass, Delmonico steak) and we really enjoyed sharing sides of gratin potatoes and Brussels sprouts. I didn’t even think Iiked Brussels sprouts until I tasted these! Enjoyed the beautiful setting and relaxed pace though if you were on a schedule it could have been frustrating. Expensive but definitely worth the splurge for a special night out!

My wife and I are so pleased that Chicago Firehouse has recovered in such grand fashion after fighting its own fire. Located at 1401 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago's South Loop, convenient to the Museum Campus, McCormick Place, Soldier Field, Grant Park and the Prairie Avenue Historic District, this stylish steakhouse formerly housed Engine Company 104 of the Chicago Fire Department. The original 1905 Romanesque Revival architectural design has been preserved. The interior features a classy horseshoe bar, wood ceilings and tailored leather booths. In warm weather, patrons can enjoy an outdoor patio. It opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 3 p.m. on Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday for a splendid brunch. My wife and I started with meatballs and peppers with Vidalia onions, a bowl of lobster bisque, a classic jumbo shrimp cocktail and a baby iceberg wedge salad with bacon, bleu cheese, tomato and red onion. This is a steakhouse and it's hard to pass up filet mignon and ribeye and prime rib. But we are on a more fish/less meat diet and the seafood was too tempting. My wife chose roasted whole Dover Sole with garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach while I opted for halibut with shoestring potatoes, smoked garlic and sauteed spinach. For dessert, we shared a large slice of key lime pie. Great service, great food and great atmosphere add up to a thoroughly enjoyable fine dining experience.

In town for one night, Went to restaurant for a celebration dinner. Knew it was expensive but reviews indicated it was worth it, Nice ambiance, good food, but expensive. A very amiable and responsive waitress. The surprise came when the bill appeared with the wine 15% higher than the menu price. Asked to speak to the manager to express my disappointment and all I got was "Sorry, I'll adjust the price" in a rather condescending tone. Management needs a course in customer relations. I expect better treatment from a High end restaurant