The VIG Chicago Reviews

Great atmosphere, good music with shrimp, friendly attentive staff and large portions of beautiful delicious food.

We were lucky enough to be able to sit outside for dinner in April - the inside was very loud. Food was excellent, good value and large portions. Mac n Cheese is killer with a bit of a bite.

we were celebrating Father’s Day a day early and this place did not disappoint! The place has such a nice vibe and atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious and all five of us were happy with our meals. Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. My only complaint is that their wine pourers are very skimpy for what you’re paying. Next time we will wait and eat a bit later so we can see how they transform the bar area into more of a nightclub, our daughter said it’s really cool! Can’t wait to go back! I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for good food, great atmosphere, good service and being in the heart of old town!

My husband and I ate dinner here on a Sunday after seeing a show at Second City (very close by). First, I was delighted they were open until 2am on a Sunday night, second, that they were still serving food and the menu looked awesome! It did not disappoint. My husband had "the best chicken parm sandwich ever" (he's Italian so that's a massive compliment). We shared a massive meatball appetizer and I went for the "spreads" --- three ramekins of your choice of spread, I went with three cheese options that were too much to eat but sooooooo good. The decor and ambiance were very hip, but not so hip that the service was unfriendly or indifferent. Everyone was very attentive and nice. Highly recommend!!!!

Eclectic and accessible the food and atmosphere at the Vig is perfect for a casual meal in this unique part of Chicago. Everything on the menu will satisfy and the wait staff is stellar. The signature drinks are specialities of the house but know that the mixologists at the Vig can make just about anything (classic or contemporary) and made me a perfect Aperol Spritz. An absolute must on the menu are the appetizer spreads.The Pullman bread is the perfect platform for these starters (you can choose 3 different spreads to an order). Our favorites were the pimento cheese, brie and honey and artichoke. Other note worthy starters are the deviled eggs. Everyone writes about the mac and cheese and for good reason.Just writing about the Vig makes me want to run right back! Just down the street from Second City.

Yes, like other reviews stated, there is a young millennial crowd here. So what??? My kids are millennials but I did not feel out of place. We stopped in during the art fair for a drink at the huge bar. My friend got his beer he liked and I got a glass of good chardonnay. My pet peeve are places that only serve one type of wine. Most times that one is very bad wine. They have an assortment of beers and wines to select. We loved the atmosphere here. The windows were open to the street and the fans were circling over head to move the air. Very comfortable. We did not eat here and I really didn't look at the food being served at the tables. You can read others reviews for food. We definitely would come back here for another drink!!! :)

I went here with about 30 co-workers and we rented out the back area. It started getting pretty crowded around 11:30. The drinks were good and the staff was friendly! No complaints. Oh and the staff walked around passing out delicious chocolate chip cookies! These hit the spot.

Had a great meal at The Vig. Ordered the meatball appetizer and both of us ordered the salmon. Everything was delicious!

Wonderful outdoor casual dinner w family. Greatly enjoyed oysters, fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, breads w creative spreads.

Looking for a loud place to have a few drinks and solid pub meal then this is your place. Music was loud(not overwhelming) and place was packed--although large booths gave it a NOT crowded feel. Full bar and loads of beer selection. Don't miss the "spreads" and also as an entree, make sure someone at the table gets the Ripper.

We went to dinner before a comedy show at Zanies right down the street. The food and service were great, but the music was so loud! It was only 5:30 PM, so it seemed a bit excessive for the early dinner crowd.

The Vig has a great menu with enough options to suit any mood. Drinks list is also extensive and typically priced for the neighborhood. What really makes The Vig stand out is the service. The servers are all so sweet and friendly, they all seem to help each other out, and constantly have smiles on their faces. Even if the food was mediocre this would bring me back. The food is excellent though! The only issue I have here is that mid-afternoon the volume of music or sports game goes so high that you literally can not hear the person across from you. I understand this later at night when it turns more clubby, but when I am having late lunch or long brunch this is really disturbing and has caused us to leave quickly. I will only go for dinner when I can sit outside to avoid the blaring noise.

My friends and I ended up here after we couldn't get a table at another popular restaurant down the street. We were pleasantly surprised and loved the service and interior decor. My friends ordered the fried chicken and I had the salmon. All the entrees were great and we were also happy with the craft beer selection.

We stayed at the Lincoln Hotel not far from this place . Hotel staff recommended coupe places when we asked we wanted to go somewhere for a glass of wine and one of the places was The Vig ! Fantastic place . Our bartender,Emily , was super nice . We had a pleasant conversation with her , she suggested some drinks and wines . I would go back anytime .

We are not Chicagoans so any restaurant like this is appealing to us but we have to say this one had some menu items that were especially great. While visiting Chicago we decided to have dinner at The Vig and considering the mild night sat outside. The service was very good as we were there during a non-busy time. Cannot comment on mixed drinks but choices of beer were good (size was small). We decided to order food and have everyone in our party of 4 eat all. The BEST was the spread. A plate of toasted bread with 3 choices of spreads. Very, very tasty. The other item that was fantastic was the Superfood salad. Fresh ingredients and just a perfect combination. We really enjoyed The Vig Chicago. We ate out a lot during our stay at many good restaurants but we think that this was our favorite. We are rating this as far as a restaurant as we did not stay for the "bar scene".

It's a sports bar! No, it's a cocktail destination! No, it's a high-end brunch and dinner spot. Wait, no, it's a party - look, there are champagne sparklers going off at every end of this behemoth up-scale masquerading as low-scale Old Town spot. Those were all of my emotions and feelings during brunch this past Saturday. While we were mucho happy to grab a spot right upon walking in at noon, I was taken aback by the vibe. It's all over the place. It's like you walked into a club that also serves food but is playing college football. It's EVERYTHING YOU WANT AND DON'T WANT LOUDLY THROWN INTO ONE SPACE. The best part? The space itself. Gorgeous textures and features, high, wood-beamed ceilings, Christmas decor artfully placed. Service was all right. She was a little vacant at crucial moments of drink refills. But the food.... this is where I struggle - and why I gave 3 stars and not 4. We ordered the pressed bread and spreads platter. Three spreads and a ton of bread (awesome! thank you for not skimping!) for $15. A bit steep, but to be fair, it was good. My wife got the fried chicken and waffle and said it was rich and full of flavor - she actually ate the whole plate. I ordered the lobster benny. At $21, I figured it was a splurge. And it was for what it was. No sides come with any of the entrees so if you want breakfast potatoes with your benny, add $5. That's $26 for a moderate amount of lobster, and a so-so hollandaise that showed up luke-warm. I should have tried the lunch side of the menu, where a range of salads, mains and sandwiches dot the menu. And where you also have to pay $5 for fries. (Grumpy.) Maybe it's worth popping in for a cocktail and the decorative eye-porn, but I probably won't be coming back for food anytime soon.

We live in the neighborhood and this is our go to restaurant. Everything is delicious but what keeps us coming back is the fried chicken - unbelievably delicious! Craft cocktails are creative and constantly changing to provide fresh options. A must go!

The chickens and waffles were good. The staff was good. The decor was good. The price was good. I would go back.

Have eaten here several times and it does not disappoint. Wide bar selection with some interesting cocktails and beer. Interesting menu with some unusual twists on the usual. Had a salad that was huge for a restaurant and great value.Breakfast is incredible and the waffles are among the best I've had. In the times that I have been there, the service has been consistent and outstanding.

Enjoyed the entire experience! Loved the tower of mimosa’s and food was fabulous!! Was a great family experience.

Love the The Vig as it is lively restaurant in old town. Hip and young crowd with a great menu and vibe. I had the turkey burger which was excellent and my wife had the avocado toast which she loved.. we had a great lunch and we will certainly return.

Jam-Packed. The Locals with us said it's always busy. We took a table in the sidewalk to get seated faster. The waitstaff was great as they did the obstacle course thru the tables. Drinks we refilled as needed and the food came out hot from the kitchen. perfect afternoon getaway before a wedding reception in the area. I'll go again when I'm in town next.

Sat at the bar and had some drinks under the "giggle water". Fun cocktails. Place was really charming as well. Nice stop to make while walking Old Town.

There are a lot of vintage sports bars in Chicago. Which makes a lot of sense because Chicago is a big-time sports town. And no sports bar relates to the theme more than The VIG Chicago. Vig? It is short for the English slang word vigorish, the bookie's cut on a bet. Located at 1527 North Wells Street, in Chicago's vibrant Old Town neighborhood, near Second City, south of North Avenue, The VIG is a vintage 1950s sports bar with a lengthy bar, tables, booths and TVs. And a very satisfying menu that includes Turkey burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, lobster deviled eggs and pimento mac and cheese. Since opening in 2015, The VIG has become a popular addition to a revitalized Old Town environment. Open from 5 to midnight on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 to 2 a.m. on Thursday, 11:30 to 2 a.m. on Friday, 10 to 3 a.m. on Saturday and 10 to midnight on Sunday, it attracts a crowd from Second City and Zanie's. I started with nachos with cheddar, queso, black beans, olives, jalapenos, green onions, tomatoes and salsa and a bowl of red chili spiced Mexican soup with pork, hominy, cilantro, avocado, red onion and radish. For my main course, I chose a mostly traditional plate of fish and chips with beer battered rockfish, fries, creamy slaw and jalapeno tartar sauce. For dessert, I opted for bread pudding with vanilla gelato and caramel sauce. And I washed it all down with a big frosty mug of root beer.

We stopped in for a late lunch. We had the Salmon BLT, Fried Chicken sandwich, deviled eggs and sides of sweet potato fries and Brussel Sprouts. Everything was delicious!! This is a must try if you are in the area.

This is a relatively new place on Well Street. I live nearby and ended up going with a neighbour who booked it for us. I love the look of the place, very modern, comfortable high tops, busy atmosphere. It is a shame though they added TV's. I am not sure why every place I go into in america has TV's. Anyway we tried to ignore them, but your eyes are drawn to them. Our server was great, very knowledgable about the menu and the cocktails. We ordered 2 cocktails which were both very good, then shared the brussels sprout salad and steak fries. Both were very nicely done. I tried to go back last night but it was full which was a good sign. A great new addition to the neighbourhood.

There were 5 of us here on a Monday and it was packed. We ordered several dishes and all were great (cuban bean +artichoke+ricotta dips were awesome), the lobster roll and the steak sandwich all wonderful. However, it was ridiculously loud - not fun loud - ears actually ringing when you leave loud. I couldn't hear the person right next to me without being inches apart! It would have been just as fun if they turned things down a bit so you could have a conversation with friends. And, it's not that we're old - the two 21 yr olds in our group couldn't stand the volume either!

My husband and I arrived around 5 pm on the evening of the Kentucky Derby, for an early dinner before a show at the Up Comedy Club. The place was very noisy and very busy but there was an empty booth where we were promptly seated. We seemed to be the oldest in the room by 25+ years. (We're in our mid 50's and consider ourselves fairly "cool".) Apparently it was particularly noisy because all the Tv's volume was on to watch the pre race commentary. It's an upscale sports bar with a DJ. After the race, the tv sound was turned off and the dj resumed. We didn't try any mixed drinks. It was a fun place to watch the race. My husband got the burger and I had the fried chicken meal, both were good, with attention to detail etc but not the most outstanding ever. The decor/atmosphere is well done and on the new side. I would not return mainly because it was much louder than I like when eating a meal, and again, it seems to be a younger bar/sports crowd.

We happened across this restaurant for lunch. We were seated immediately. Nice atmosphere but pretty noisy (it was also quite busy). Lots of drinks from the bar to choose from! I ordered the Summer Berry salad. I don't usually order salads as my main course, but it was delicious! My friends ordered The Ripper and the Salmon BLT. We were all very pleased with our choices. Service was very good and attentive but not overbearing. They have a nice outdoor dining area as well.

Very happy and satisfied. Great environment. Fun. Friendly. Great playlist. Food was delicious and that staff made you feel like you grew up together.

This place has a cool vibe inside and nice street patio along the street. It has a great beer selection and gastropub fare, but the portion sizes are too big. The fried chicken is amazing by the way, but you could definitely have this for 2. My lobster roll was good, but not the best I've had. Overall would go back again, especially for drinks.

After paying 7 dollars for s small beer further away from the central area I was amazed at the quality and value here. First class buffalo wings for 7 dollars, full portion excellent quality cheeseburger and fries for 6! And very fine cab sav at 6 dollars a glass. All in a beautiful bar room close to Michigan avenue hotels. I'll be back and with friends( I hope) to show it off.

Food was excellent . Atmosphere was fun! Our server Jackie was helpful , efficient and friendly!! We will definitely come back!

First time. Lively bar scene w games on for lunch hour but highlight is exceptional food. Salmon blt highly memorable. Coming back soon!

We had the perfect night, sitting in the window on a beautiful evening. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth perfection and we all loved the tray of spreads. Especially nice that they will serve it with cucumbers so you don't have to eat the (super delicious) bread!

Everything we tried there was good but the hamburger is definitely the best! I would recommend getting the french fries as a side, as they come with a wonderful dipping sauce. If you consider the spreads as an appetizer, they are very filling, mainly due to the very delicious bread they offer alongside. However not all the spread options are great in my opinion and, as a customer that frequently ate there, I found that they lack consistency in their tastes (so I am not sure which ones to recommend, you just have to try and see). The service is great, the drinks quite good, the ambiance OK. A great value for the quality of food they offer.

This place is so great. I have had both dinner and the brunch here. The menu is different but everyone has been spectacular. The salads are amazing and the turkey burger was fabulous. The selection of beers is impressive. The wait and bar staff are friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. For brunch you need to have the Bloody Mary it is superb. It is a sports bar, so you can watch a game, and have a great meal with a fun atmosphere.

Went here for some brunch after mass and had a good meal! They have a great brunch menu, and standard menu. There is a great, lively atmosphere going on inside the restaurant. Another one with a good team environment from the staff. Prices are what you would expect for Chicago/atmosphere of the restaurant. Portions are a hit or miss though. The avocado toast is overwhelming but the california omelette barely did the trick. Both were very, very tasty. The chicken bao was great too. Never had anything like that before and could have easily eaten 10 more.

Stopped in for drinks and appetizers at The Vig. We started with the Stuffed Pretzeled Croissants made with applewood ham, gruyère, parmesan, honey mustard. The croissants were warm and the honey mustard was a great compliment. All the appetizers were not your typical bar food and the frozen Rose was perfect.

Enjoyed a meal at The Vig with friends, and the standouts were the cocktails (even a basic Moscow Mule was outstanding), flatbread with three spreads (we had pimento - delicious - artichoke, and bleu cheese), and the fried chicken which was out of this world....and we had a southerner at the table who firmly agreed. I'd recommend this as an "upscale classic American" restaurant that would be good for couples, small groups, and casual business dinners with colleagues. And, while some have said this is a "sports bar" - it didn't feel overly sports-obsessed in a way that was distracting to this sports-neutral person! There were some games on TVs by the bar, but we paid them no mind. I'd definitely go back.

Had truly great lunch here while intown for a wedding then went back the next night for drinks. The Vig is great day and night.

I normally comment about the entire experience at a restaurant, but the Pimento Mac N' Cheese is good enough that I can just post about that. Whatever you decide to get at The Vig, make sure you include an order of the PMNC. You will not regret it.

Had a really great night here with my friends when visiting Chicago from Ireland, but as we were leaving the staff member Richard very loudly made an extremely rude and offensive comment about Irish people. This would put me off coming back.

I came upon this place on a Sunday evening late after going to a show at Second City with some friends. It is located in a very hip and fun part of Old Town. It was a great evening in Chicago, so we were able to get a table outside, right away. A couple of people ordered a drink and then we went straight into our entrees. I had the Vig Burger, which was quite large and hearty. It was excellent and I had to order a side of fries, since it did not come with a side. Others ordered the mozzarella stuffed meatball (awesome), stuffed pretzel croissants (excellent) and the honey daniels salad (good). The service was great and it was a bit pricy. The place is very hip, but also nice and relaxing.

This is just a great spot. Lots of seating options - comfy booths, nice high back chairs at the long bar, tables, and hi-top tables. Great black and white sports pictures from the past, high vaulted light wood ceiling - very pleasant almost homey atmosphere. They really got it right. Waitstaff is very knowledgeable and friendly. And the food - is terrific! A wonderful burger with great coleslaw. The Milanese chicken salad is so different - creative and so good. Some of the best wine prices in town and extensive cocktail, beer and wine list. I was sure this was just another millennial bar with food - but I was very wrong. Cozy with a nice menu and moderately priced.

Very hip ambiance with trendy drink options and interesting food combinations. There are plenty of TVs to watch your favorite sports while you enjoy the energizing atmosphere. It is not a cheap brunch option, so be prepared to open your wallets for some good food and drink. Well worth the price! We had 5 cocktails and three meals (3ppl in our party) for around $115 +tip.

Nicely located in old town this restaurant is really popular and has huge amount of tables. Therefore also pretty noisy. We had to wait for 45 mins to get table and enjoyed drink at bar in the back of the restaurant. We got table in middle of restaurant close to the DJ (we were there on saturday) which gave lively atmosphere. We took selection of bao which were really nice. Great evening.

On a cold blustery day in Chicago, my friend and I were looking for a place to eat. We actually stopped a man walking his dog to ask for a recommendation. The VIG was a clear recommendation. What a wonderful place! We started with the stuffed meatball. Oh my!! What flavor! Our server, Samantha, was not only quite knowledgable about the ingredients, she made the entire experience so pleasant! The Honey Daniels and Vivo Milanese salads were perfect! I don't get to Chicago often, but you can bet when I do, the VIG will be on my list to visit again!

We came to The Vig Chicago after going to a show at Zanie's. It is nice that they are open as late as they are. The service was great. The food was really good, though we did eat light, as it was a lot later. A lot of nice choices on the menu. We'll be back.

Visited with my boyfriend on a date night during a trip to Chicago. We were able to get a table right away, and the place was chic and very happening. Food and drinks were great, as well! The only drawback was that the music was at such a high volume that we literally had to shout across the table to hear each other. We'd have preferred a lower volume, and it wouldn't have damaged the hip ambience to dial it down a bit. Might be better suited for a girls' night out or a party, which the other groups seemed to be,

Went to The Vig after the Old Town Art Fair What a well run restaurant. The service from the hostess, to the manager changing the TV so that I could watch the Cub game, and especially our waitress Emily who took great care of us. The food was top notch and fairly priced. My wife and daughter had the “impossible meat” burger, I had the steak sandwich. We shared the Brussels Sprouts , Cauliflower and fries. A great choice in Old Town

If you should happen to make your way over to Old Town in Chicago there's an amazing new place on Wells St...The Vig. An incredible bar scene with some very interesting food and drinks. I highly recommend the Dry Aged Tenderloin...freaking amazing. tender, juicy, great flavor need i say more..simply yum!!! Not to mention their drink selection. I recommend trying a "Hook", "Asphalt Jungle" or a "Paper Shaker" all good...of course they have the classics and others not mentioned yet. The atmosphere is young and lively. I recommend to come and relive some of your youth! Cheers Slante and Salud!

Visited here with my wife for lunch and we both loved the place! Great vibe and great food! My wife had the chicken and waffles and I had a salmon on toast special that was amazing. Will definitely return if in the Second City area.

We chose the place for Sunday brunch for three reasons: 1- They take reservations. 2-They have TVs and we wanted to watch the Women's World Cup final. 3- The Bloody Marys. We were so happy with our total experience at The Vig. The restaurant was packed, but the waitstaff was so attentive you would think you were their only table. The food was delicious, and the Bloody Mary was better than expected. This restaurant is loud and the vibe is fun. Our family of four, parents and two teens, will be back the next time we're in Chicago.

I went for brunch last weekend with a friend. Trendy place, super swanky. Would love to return at night time for drinks. I had the breakfast burrito-it was delicious but I wished there was either more chicken sausage or that it was better distributed in the burrito!

Great lively atmosphere in this GastroPub located on Wells Street in Old Town. This is a great area of town for nightlife. The Paradise City Steak sandwich was excellent. It was packed on the Sunday afternoon we visited during the weekend of the Chicago marathon but our server did a great job and took good care of us.

Lucky to have a table outside so we could enjoy the lovely summer evening. Shared a tasty lobster roll (small and overpriced), a salad,sweet potato fries and a bottle of wine between three of us and it was fine but nothing to write home about. Then again, we were there to enjoy each other's company, not necessarily a gourmet experience so it was all good!

Came for brunch while visiting Chicago. Loved the fun atmosphere, great food choices and friendly staff. Noise level was a little high but it went with the fun social atmosphere. I especially loved the extensive options of healthy meal options.

Nothing great about this brunch but nothing terrible. Our service was ok, our drinks were ok, and our food was ok. The atmosphere was nice and it looked like a good place to get brunch with friends. We were really excited to try this place but truly nothing special.

We had a great meal with such a variety. The Brat was delicious as were the fries. The baby enjoyed the buzz and music and was quiet in our booth for 7. Not sure of the bill cause the kids picked up this meal.

We booked in for dinner before a show, the atmosphere is fun & relaxed. The service was attentive & the food & drinks good.

The Salmon was done perfectly. Served on a bed of roasted Brussels sprouts- killer. The Lobster deviled eggs were great, too! The service got a little slow as the place got busier, but the food was outstanding!

Friends and I stopped by after Second City on a Sunday night - around 10:00 pm. Restaurant was still hopping. Menu has unique and tasty items and we all three enjoyed our meal. I ordered the pasta dish, which was delicious - definitely would order again. Friend ordered Bao (2) and complained they were too spicy and the beef one was a little hard/chewy. Service was friendly and drinks were refilled before being empty. Overall, good experience.

There is a nice, small outdoor area which I appreciate in the summer! Old TownBrussels Sprouts salad was amazing. Honey mustard dressing complimented the salad perfectly. Great salmon BLT and Moroccan turkey burger also. Started with 3 spreads... ricotta, pistachio, and honey; Brie, date and spicy apricot; and kale and artichoke, served with crusty bread. Each spread was delicious and there was plenty of bread so we could enjoy every bit of those spreads! Definitely will go back!

We came here to watch some football with lunch on a Sunday. The harvest squash salad was great, we also tried some dips and bread (spicy feta was awesome). Drinks were good, service as well, but it was very loud.

The Vig Chicago is a 1950s themed sports bar located at 1527 North Wells Street in the heart of the historic Old Town neighborhood. It features a refined kitchen, classic cocktails, a long bar, TVs and lots of comfortable leather seating at tables and booths. And the menu is top-notch, too. Yes, For starters, try the mozzarella stuffed meatball or chicken wings or lobster deviled eggs or King Crab bites or crispy pork ribs. The Honey Daniels salad with roasted chicken or salmon, mixed greens, dried cherry, croutons, fuji apple, sunflower seed, tomato and cider vinaigrette is unique and delicious. Pimento cheese, ricotta, pistachio and honey and warm brie, date and spicy apricot spread on pressed French bread is a special treat. If you're in a hurry, if a sandwich is in order, The VIG Burger with American cheese, tomato, pickle, horseradish and dijon with thick cut bacon or the salmon BLT or the meatball sub or the southern fried chicken or the dry-aged tenderloin will satisfy. But reserve a booth for dinner, either pan seared salmon or baby back ribs or Berkshire pork chops or blackened Rainbow trout or the 14-ounce bone-in ribeye with whipped potatoes and cole slaw. And cap it all off by sharing an oatmeal cookie French vanilla ice cream sandwich dipped in chocolate with fresh raspberries, blackberries, whipped cream and chocolate and raspberry sauces. The Vig Chicago is a welcome addition to Old Town and the bustling North Wells Street corridor.

On Wells street in Old Town was a welcome cooling stop while walking the art fair. The food was wonderful and service great. It has an interesting menu at lunchtime with breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings. The food was plentiful and delicious.

We made reservations for my best friends bachelorette party tonight and the guy checking IDs is a complete jerk. He’s the first person you encounter when entering the restaurant, putting a bad taste in our mouths the rest of the evening.

Great ambiance. Great service - fantastic waitress. Mediocre food. Wings okay. VIG burger not even charbroiled and otherwise greasy. Fries ordinary One highlight was the bacon Brussels sprouts. Not sure we’d come back for food, but cozy atmosphere.

I tried this twice and was underwhelmed both times. It looks like it should be a good place, and has a menu priced like it is a good pub/restaurant. But we had two bad meals. One was so loud I had to plug my ears. Service was amazingly bad ... Twenty minutes before anyone took even our drink order. Could have been a bad night, the food was not worth the price or the outrageous wait ( I think they lost the order). Maybe they have improved. But I won't go bad for a third time. A shame. It looks like it ought to be a great place.

Open dining room, we ate inside by the open air windows. Attentive staff, great service. We ordered grilled salmon, lobster roll, a tenderloin sandwich, a large salad, and a side of brussel sprouts. All delicious! Plenty of restaurants along this section of Wells St, will definitely return to The Vig.

Great and fast meal before Second City. Seafood was great and ribs were too. Nice cocktail selection. Oysters were fresh. We'd go back

Bounced into the Vig while killing time waiting for a Second City show. Wow!! Great spot. Huge bar with an awesome wait staff. More choices of beer than you need and a great menu to choose from. Old school atmosphere. Loved that the tvs were all off(except the ones behind the bar).

A large group of us were recommended to The Vig while in Chicago. This is the best run operation I have seen in years. Execution was superb, food was hot and all the dishes for our group arrived at the same time. The operation is smartly done with everyone knowing what is to be done. All enjoyed their well prepared selections. We understand there are 2 new restaurants by different names coming soon to the Chicago area. Bravo!

Great food! Great atmosphere! Great place to be with friends. Great service. Can't say enough good about the Vig! I only wish it were in my town!! It will be top on our list of places to visit when we return. Love it! Spend an evening or afternoon here, and you will be a fan too!!!

This was my first visit here. It is located in the Old Town area on North Wells Street. I ended up here for dinner on a Wednesday evening because this was highly rated on Yelp. Thank you Yelp for guiding me here. My party of 3 arrived without a reservation at around 8:30pm, but, we were able to get a high top overlooking their sidewalk dining area. We had two rounds of drinks. I really enjoyed my lobster roll for only $19, which was even better than the more expensive $25 lobster roll I later had at the Gage for dinner. Jenna did a good job of serving our table, including our order for an additional lobster roll and $17 tenderloin sandwich for take out for my other family members, who remained at home to baby-sit. The total bill less gratuities was $175. The three of us and the two take outs were all happy with our dinners. The two take-out orders were also enjoyed when we arrived home. I will definitely return here.

Visited Chicago Old Town last Sunday and happened upon this vibrant bar. It was pretty busy but with plenty of room. Outside patio seating was a plus. We had a few nibbles to share (pedron peppers and pickles) both if which were good. ipa and a good hard cider topped it off. Worth the stop off!

Excellent meal. We had stuffed pretzel croissants, the pimento mac’n cheese, the steak and fries, and the bao bun ice cream sandwiches. The food was excellent, the service was perfect and the restaurant is located in a great spot in Old Towne. In a city where the food quite frankly disappointed our experience here was a very pleasant surprise.

We were in the section of the city called "Old Town ". We were going to see a show at The Second City and went early to try to find a restaurant. We were walking along N. Wells when we were lured into The Vig by the music that was playing and the inviting outdoor eating area. We were not disappointed by our choice. The owners Ryan and E.J. we're very friendly and hands on as well as their attentive staff. The menu had a variety of choices. I had the salmon BLT which was delicious. The restaurant itself has a very nice atmosphere . A lot of detail was put into the decorating even extending into the restrooms. There is artwork displayed throughout the restaurant. You can ask to see the art book that describes the pictures displayed on the walls. The bar area is extensive. Glad we took a gamble and had dinner at The Vig. Would definitely go back again. Thanks Ryan and E.J. for your hospitality.

Went here before a Second City show. The atmosphere/decor here is really nice. The music in the background is a nice touch. Once seated, the owner came over to greet us and tell us a little about his vision when he decorated the space. He was very sweet and obviously proud of it. I felt like we were being welcomed into his home. Husband and daughter had a burger and I had the salmon with brussel sprouts. Really, really good burger. My salmon dinner was pretty awesome as well. Our server was fantastic from start to finish. So sorry -I am terrible at remembering names, but my husband made sure to let the owner know how impressed we were with her before we left. Service, food, friendly atmosphere - I highly recommend giving this place a try. I don't think you be disappointing!!!

My husband and I ate at The Vig after reading a lot of great reviews online. They were not wrong. The atmosphere is inviting, the wait staff was helpful and prompt, and the food was great. A must try in the neighborhood.

This is my favorite spot in Chicago. Food is always amazing and I continue to come back time and time again. I have friends visit the city and always take them here.

I went to brunch at The Vig and loved it before I even sat down. The atmosphere was exactly what I was looking for. We sat at the bar and enjoyed mimosas and I had the chicken and waffles which were dynamite! Also, if you've got a group, be sure to get the mimosa tower, complete with a sparkler presentation! The Vig will definitely be a staple for anytime I visit Chicago again!

Nice place to relax and have a drink. Found the people very friendly - nice old style atmosphere and very open seating areas. Sat at the bar and enjoyed a Hook- never had one but it was great - used the next Hook to wash down their magical chicken parmesan sandwich dunking it in the marinara sauce liberally. What fun

We walked up and down North Wells trying to find a place to eat and have some drinks. The three of us decided on the Vig and we were not disappointed at all. The decor was incredible with a classic betting theme going on. Old school photos throughout the place and in the bathrooms. I loved the bathroom photos! I got a chicken parmesan and it was the best one I've ever had, so good. The staff was also very nice and pretty also.

Really nice place, very good food. The music is way too loud for a restaurant!! Great beers on tap. The outdoor seating is better for conversation.

I went here on Saturday and I was so unimpressed with this place. I know that it was St. Pattys Day but the music was so loud that you couldn't even hear the person next to you talking so it was a lot. We had to flag down the waitress to get food and the chicken sandwich I got turned out to be very cold so that was unfortunate. I would spend your money elsewhere.

With the street festival going on right outside, it was nice to walk into a nice place and relax. I was looking forward to a nice cold beer and a burger. Generally disappointing. The service It was to me that weird to me that after talking to us about the menu, our waitress walked away and a completely different waitress came up 30 seconds later and started telling us the same thing. No explanation. ‏ The food The brussels sprouts were great. Otherwise it was underwhelming. I ordered a hamburger which was greasy and not all that tasty... for as expensive as it was, it should have at least come with a side or two. The drinks My date ordered a glass of wine and I ordered a beer. Although we were disappointed to receive our drinks in plastic cups, it was explained to us that it was because of the festival. Understandable, but an explanation would have gone a long way. My cup of beer looked as if it contains about 5 ounces so I asked to speak to the manager. He came right over, apologized, but assured me that it was a full 9 ounces. I did not order another beer. Overall, I would say that being in a good location does not mean you can charge too much for mediocre food. I, for one, will not be returning.

We went here for Sunday morning brunch with our nephew and his wife. We sat on the patio (sidewalk) area in front of the restaurant. I and my husband each had coffee ($4 ea); he had a Breakfast Burrito ($14) as did our nephew. I and our niece-in-law had the Salmon Avocado Toast ($16 ea). Our nephew had a couple of Tito's Moscow Mules ($12 ea), I had a Marilyn ($12) and a Mimosa ($7). We all unanimously loved our drinks and food. Now that is RARE. The Salmon Avocado Toast had a wonderful creamy texture and the salon was cooked just right. With tip we spent $150 but had great service and weren't hurried out. The tables are a little close but not bad.

Stumbled upon this place to watch the games with a few friends. It was fantastic. Tons on TVs. Great service and good menu selection. Mostly a younger crowd. We mostly just ordered drinks but was surrounded by food that was mouth watering so we ended up trying the Pretzel Crossiant appetizer. Delicious.

After a fun filled girls weekend in Chicago, this place for Brunch was the best. A recommendation from our hotel bartender, we were able to book a last minute reservation for Brunch on Sunday. Decided to head out of town a bit early on Sunday morning so figured we would see if we could get in earlier an they were very accommodating. Reservation was for 12noon and we were seated at 1030 with no issues. The space is great - diner-ish but not. Cozy, fresh, comfortable, urban, welcoming. But the best thing that we all noticed immediately was the AWESOME background music that an onsite dj was in charge of. All of your hip hop favorites from the 90s remixed in just the right way. Not loud or blaring, but just spot on. A perfect vibe. Ordered the spreads (pimento cheese/blue cheese & bacon/pizza fondue) as an appetizer and were not disappointed. Brisket hash, eggs benedict, and biscuits and gravy were all very good. (Note biscuits and gravy is HUGE...split this with someone I don't know anyone that could eat the entire thing and I'm someone that would normally otherwise not have a problem finishing my meal). I would highly recommend going here. It was packed the night before, their regular menu looked great as well. Plenty of things to choose from. A definite must stop place next time you are in the area.

Our big group had great service and lived the atmosphere. The food was outstanding, especially the fried chicken with pimento mac 'n cheese.

I was in Chicago visiting a friend and we booked a table at The VIG. When we walked in we were asked for our IDs as I expected. My friend who is American was allowed in but when I showed my UK ID and offered to present my passport, I was told that I was not allowed in as you are unable to accept foreign IDs. Please can you point out where in your policy it says that you do not allow non-American citizens to dine in your restaurant?

Food was good. Atmosphere was hopping though a bit loud with the music. Service was excellent. The 2 stars is for the hidden surcharge on the bill. Just raise the prices and be transparent. It wasn’t much but it felt sleazy and dishonest. Not a good business practice in my opinion

I was really surprised this place didn't have more reviews! We had a great time here. Was in Chicago for Christmas with family, so there was a group of about 15 of us on a very busy Friday night. The staff took great care of us. Fun 1950's sports bar atmosphere, great location, and large catalog of drinks. Hasn't been open too long but already seems to be a local favorite.

My wife and I have lived in the Gold Coast neighborhood, only three blocks east of the bustling and vibrant entertainment/restaurant/bar mecca along North Wells Street in Chicago's historic Old Town, for nearly 40 years. We have seen a lot of restaurants come and go, some in the very same property. The VIG, located at 1527 North Wells, is situated on a space once occupied by a restaurant, then a bar. But The VIG, opened in 2015, looks like a keeper. "Hospitable, Lively, Stylish" is its motto. That's VIG for vigorish. It is a hip, warehouse-style spot with gastropub fare, craft beer and cocktails and TVs with sports bar-themed artwork. It features a length-of-the-room bar, leather booths and round tables with leather chairs. It is a 1950s-themed sports parlor in an Old Town atmosphere. With great food and friendly service. The VIG catches your attention from the minute you walk in the door. We started with pressed French bread with pimento cheese, mozzarella stuffed meatballs, lobster deviled eggs, crispy pork ribs and stuffed pretzel croissants with applewood ham, gruyere, parmesan and honey mustard. For the main course, my wife chose pan seared salmon with brussel sprouts and Thai butter sauce. I opted for a full rack of BBQ baby back ribs with cole slaw and fries. For dessert, we shared an oatmeal cookie/French vanilla ice cream sandwich dipped in chocolate with fresh raspberries and blackberries, whipped cream and chocolate and raspberry sauce. Seconds, anyone?

The food was wonderful. We went there for dinner before Second City show. The food the atmosphere was great. Our server Holly was very attentive & knowledgeable about the menu. Made it easier to order ever though the menu was great. There were 5 in our party & we all had a different entree. You can’t go wrong ordering anything on the menu. It wasn’t bar food or processed at all. The food was fresh & cooked to order.

I had been to the vig many times, but only for drinks at night on the weekend. A friend suggested we eat here and at first, i was skeptical because i had only known it as a bar. The food was incredible! We ordered many different things - burger, steak sandwich, chicken parm sandwich, and meatball sub with multiple sides. Everything was delicious. The service was good and the prices were on point. Definitely recommend stopping here for dinner.

Service was top notch and the food, although a little on the pricey side, was excellent. The place had a good vibe. We were here on a Saturday about 5 PM and got a seat but I can see this place getting very busy later at night. Attracts a good customer base that were friendly. Might be a bit trendy for some.

Chicago visitor - #1 fave establishment in Chicago. Located in Old Town (quick walk from Hotel Lincoln). Brunch menu and bao buns to die for. Great service and atmosphere.

I have not a single bad thing to say about this place. Service? Amazing. Food? Delicious. Drinks? Awesome. Ambiance? Perfect. I ate here with my girlfriends on a weekend trip into the city and it was a great choice. HIGHLY recommend the meatball appetizer!

Annette took very good care of us during our visit. We indicated that it was out first visit here and she took the time to explain the menu in great detail. She took her time with us and was very attentive to our needs. The space is great! It's roomy with high ceilings. It reminds me of an old time sports bar and gastropub at the same time. They also had a DJ playing great music while we were there for brunch. As for the food... We started with a Bloody Mary. It was very tasty. Had just the right amount of spice and the Mixologist was generous with the Titos. Next came the cinnamon skillet. Delicious! I enjoyed the crispy edges. Our main course was The Vig version of steak and eggs along with chicken and waffles. All the food was good and there is something special about the homemade batter for the chicken. This was a perfect meal presented very well. The only thing missing was some fresh squeezed OJ. All in all our brunch was a great experience. We'll definitely stop in for dinner some time.

My husband and I ordered the rib dinner to split. We decided also to order a side of pimento mac & cheese. It was absolutely fantastic. As was the coleslaw, and I don't even like coleslaw. Really enjoyed the outside seating. Also our waitress was very professional and very helpful.

Came here with some friends before zoo lights. It was a great time! Really cool atmosphere and it is a big place! Huge menu and great food! The VIG Burger was delicious! I saw the VIG burger won the 2019 Chicago Burger Battle on Instagram so I had to try it! I had my burger with bacon and an egg. It was delicious! The fries and wings were good too! My wife had the chicken parmesan which she loved. People around us had the spreads which looked amazing! Next time I am getting that as an appetizer! Highly recommend! You will like this place!

As we walked around Old Town, we spotted this restaurant and decided to give it a try since it looked busy and fun. What a great decision! We loved everything about it--the atmosphere, the service and the food & drinks! Our waitress was helpful and gave recommendations when ordering drinks--awesome beer selection! We had the Moroccan turkey burger, Southern Fried Chicken sandwich, sweet potato fries and brussel sprouts with bacon. EVERYTHING was fantastic! Best meal of our weekend! Highly recommend!!

We were looking for a place to eat good food on a sunday night were everything is closed, and came here. Great food, good place, nice music. Recommended

Visited The Vig to have brunch with my friends while we were on vacation in Chicago. It became apparent to me that The Vig was a popular brunch spot as it was pretty busy around 11am. Though I can honestly say that going there was definitely worth the wait (approx. 20 min). The service, drinks and food were all very good. All of the brunch items sounded like they would be pretty tasty when I was reading the menu, but one item in particular stood out to me at that time and that was the Steak and Eggs. This meal was quite delicious and was exactly what I needed to refuel myself after my morning workout. I would report on what my friends ordered, but I don't really remember since I was focused on my meal. If you look at the picture attached to this review you can understand why. It looked as delicious as it tasted. Overall everything was great! My friends and I enjoyed our brunch at The Vig.

Had an amazing table by open windows. Food was excellent. The service was great. Our waitress Allison was great. We had the longest brunch ever! The salmon on the salmon board was excellent. Would definitely go back for brunch again. I suggest reservations.

Had a great date night here - every plate was delicious, we left so satisfied, drinks were nice and strong, staff friendly. Can't go wrong with this place!

This place has it all. Great atmosphere, great food and most of all great service. Our server had a table of 10 and handled it with grace and humor. She literally saved Chicago. I was starting to get embarrassed with the poor service we were getting in Old Town. I can speak for the Lobster Roll which was amazing and they had a great sour on from a place with pumpkin in the name that I will dream about forever! My husband had the steak and he was extremely happy with the size. There wasn't a person on the table that wasn't happy with their meal and I am so appreciative of the The VIG for being so great for my guests.

The Vig is in the Old Town part of Chicago, which is so charming. The interior is beautiful and all the staff was extremely friendly. The food was AH-mazing!!! There were four of us, so we each tried each other's dishes and every single one was outstanding. The drinks were great, the side dishes, main dishes, and man, oh man, the desserts were incredible! This place is definitely on the top of my list to revisit when I'm back in town!

Amazing family experience, hospitality, and meal at The VIG! We were a groups of 7 plus a baby. While the online reservation system only allowed reservations for up to 6, the VIG hostesses were engaging, positive, and very helpful on arrival as a party of 7 plus a baby in getting us settled into a table for a 1pm brunch reservation. As we were seated we noticed a DJ playing upbeat music we all loved. Not Too loud, but made for a great atmosphere, and he gladly offered to play a few of our daughter’s “1D” favorites. Our waiter was also upbeat and engaging, tending to us regularly, so that we always had our needs taken care of. And finally, our kudo’s to the chef and his team. Our meals were incredibly! The spread plate with a variety of 3 spreads was to die for! Baby backed ribs, salmon plate, chicken/waffles, and burgers were all 5-star offerings. The family unanimously said they enjoyed this experience at The VIG even better than the famous Chicago Riverboat Architecture tour!

Absolutely loved this place ! The meatball are the best! I had the meatball sub without the bread and it was huge! Great portions, also had the Vig burger without the bun which was delicious (separate nights btw ;) oh and try the sprouts with bacon - so delicious you wont want to share !! Nice atmosphere, can get busy. Service was great !

We were attracted to The Vig after looking at their posted menu. The wait was about 30-40 minutes at about 8pm. I had a “Boozie Slushie” Frose and it was very good. The food was above average. We had a problem with the fact that we had asked them to sub out a sweet potato hash on the pork chop dish to sweet potato fries or anything other than the hash and they refused. We asked the waitress to check with the manager and was again told we’d have to purchase an additional side if we didn’t want the hash. The request was not unreasonable and we were very disappointed. There are a lot of options in Old Town to eat. You’d think they’d be more customer-friendly with so much nearby competition.

Nice young crowd on a Friday night. Very cool atmosphere for happy hour or dinner. Had a glass of wine at the bar, and then got a table & enjoyed the salmon & brussel sprouts.

We browsed the restaurants on N. Wells Street. The Vig looked new and interesting. We enjoyed the beer and food. Plus, good upbeat atmosphere. I think The Vig is fairly new so give it a try. I enjoyed my sandwich (brat on a bun with cheese, etc) and my wife loved her dessert (banana and chocolate soft serve ice cream). Price was right also and it's close to The Second City Comedy Club.

I was looking for a place for dinner prior to a show at Second City and The Vig caught my attention. Our server was super friendly and helpful! My friend and I ended up sharing the bread and spreads, a salmon entree, side of Brussel sprouts and trying one bao. It was SO much food but all was delicious. The salmon was well cooked and the sauce was a Thai butter sauce that I’d love to replicate at home. For our spreads we got the warm kale and artichoke, the ricotta with honey and pistachios and pimento cheese. Everything was great! I’d definitely consider returning when I’m in the area again!

We visited the Vig with a group, so I was able to taste a lot of the food and boy was it yummy! First off, the open space with high ceilings and large front windows, creative chandeliers, and comfortable oversized booths make for a gorgeous layout. This space has been very carefully planned and successfully executed. Even the restrooms are pretty. But onto the main event: the food. We thought everything was delicious. The menu offers something for everyone including small plates, a wide array of appetizers, entrees and hearty salads (mmm brussels sprouts salad). There are classic American faves like the steak and fries or cheeseburger, but they also have an impressively large salmon entree, lobster roll, fried chicken and more. For those with a smaller appetite there are a lot of interesting salads and tasty little bao sandwiches. While everything was really good, the stars of the meal were the trio of spreads/bruschetta appetizer and the burger. You can pick from a number of options but be sure not to miss the pimento cheese spread! We loved that they brought us extra bread too. The burger was seriously good. I'm not sure what they did to make it so luxurious but it was meaty and creamy and deliciously juicy in all the right ways. The only place the Vig could improve was the dessert. We had the boston cream "pie of the day" which has a cute presentation in a little glass jar. Yes it's cute, but the flavor missed the mark. It was mostly chocolate sauce with cake crumbs and a little bit of custard...I expected a more substantial cake texture and certainly way more custard. The "ice cream sandwich" was strange also. It was not easy to eat like an ice cream sandwich should be, as they covered the whole thing with a chocolate shell and served it with a knife. It was very hard and kind of negated the whimsical nature of ice cream between two cookies. I'd definitely be back to the Vig to try more of those delicious spreads and might even stop in for a burger for lunch sometime.

We were able to sit outside. The egg white omelette was huge and fluffy. Very nice. My wife and I split the lobster roll. Very soft roll really good tasting. Unfortunately the service was slow. Next time I'll have the chicken. If you sit inside be prepared for thumping rap music.

Went here for dinner on a little couples getaway with my wife. If there was a rating over 5 stars I would give it based on our experience. From the service, to the ambiance, to the food, to the drinks, it was all amazing. You absolutely must do their spreads as part of your meal because they are to die for as an appetizer and for our entree we had the meatball sub and chicken Parmassean sandwich which were both prepared with perfection. The price for Chicago was also very reasonable. It is definitely worth the trip to old Town Chicago for dinner

The menu is mostly standard American fare with some unique Chicago specialties and a few ethnic options. Our party selected a variety of items, including the vegetarian bao buns and enjoyed everything. The specialty cocktails were also delicious, although a bit pricey. When we visited it wasn't too terribly busy, but the acoustics made it a little bit hard to hear those across the table.

Great place all around... the atmosphere, staff and tasty food! Their French fries are to die for and I had the salmon and Brussels sprouts which were excellent!

We ordered an assortment of dishes and shared. There was plenty of food to go around. The chicken and waffles were very good, but everyone enjoyed the brisket hash, the chorizo skillet and the donuts. This place is packed so service is a bit slow and make a reservation if you can. Adults only!

We enjoyed our meal at the Vig. Made reservations 2 hours before our show at Second City. The services was fast and attentive so they must be really aware of the pre-show crowd needs. I saw reviews that included chicken and waffles which looked amazing. This was not on their dinner menu...only breakfast. Will have to go back for breakfast to give it a try.

There are loudspeakers everywhere inside and it is very loud. If the weather is good one can sit outside which I find preferable. There was definitely something wrong with the soda gun which the bar lady denied. The wait staff said to avoid anything with tonic in it. The service was good and the food was good. They added $4.50 unexplained charge to the bill which, when questioned, said they assumed I would use a credit card. It is not advertised, so really should not be there and patrons could refuse to pay it. One additional item. The bartender said that they do not accept non US IDs so you might want to think twice about going there if you are a younger adult from overseas.