Wishbone Restaurant Reviews

ok I went for the grits but the rice and beans won my heart. this is Southern cooking with a friendly staff, outdoor seating, and excellent coffee. Ice tea comes in mason jars with what we call "church ice"-it's the small crushed ice with a low point melt that makes it super watery and crunchable. Big portions come with every order, even the half order was big. Sunday brunch saw a steady flow of customers, but I didn't see people having to wait. It is a large restaurant with plenty of waitstaff. You will be glad to pull up a chair here!

Went to wishbone for Sunday brunch! There were three of us in attendance. We all enjoyed our meals. I ordered the blackened catfish! It was delish! The biscuists are great as well. One of the members in our party ordered the crunch french toast and she loved it. My boyfriend ordered the crabcakes and loved them as well. Fast service! Good food... and it was father's day weekend, no long waits. Perfect!!!!!

Our party sampled a nice variety of their brunch menu offerings: Denver omelette, Cajun omelet, hash browns, cheese grits, muffins and corn cakes….orange juice, bloody Mary’s and coffee. All were wonderful; substantial amounts of food - so much that we all left a small amount. Outdoor dining was well shaded and comfortable, several fans augmented the natural breeze that flowed through the outdoor dining area. Our waitress was very personable and helped us decide what to try from the extensive menu. Service was a tad slow but to be expected given the shortage of people who are available to work as servers in restaurants post-pandemic. Overall I would go back again and hope you will enjoy their food and hospitality too!

I have been frequenting this restaurant for breakfast since the last 90's, and I LOVE LOVE the food, service is impeccable. Truly one of the best restaurant for breakfast in the City!!!!

here with my cousin and her husband, we pondered restaurants. Greektown? Polish? then they suggested Wishbone. A happy choice. friendly staff. an open very informal layout. some good beers and wines available. the food is southern. I can't claim to know which is the best or most authentic southern place in Chicago, but I can state that the food was tasty. we tasted of catfish, chicken, sweet potato, cole slaw (theirs is salt-pickeled and not with mayonnaise), mac and cheese. desserts were pecan pie, key lime pie, chocolate pecan pie. we were sated. we were happy. this is the type of place you want to go to with a lot of people, sharing food, sharing what is going on in your life. fun place. I gave it an excellent rating because the food was good, not fancy or "gourmet" but satisfying in every way.

Wishbone offers southern classic comfort foods. They do not disappoint. If you like rich desserts try their chocolate pecan pie.

So I came here for the first time with my family on 12/18/15 for dinner. I'm not sure what all the hype is about because I found the food to be less than stellar. My mom ordered salmon, which she said was "okay". I ordered crab cakes with greens and macaroni and cheese. The greens were bland, and the macaroni was dry; not creamy or cheesy like I or my momma make. The crab cakes tasted like they were previously frozen; not like the kind you get on the east coast or in the south. I can say my Arnold Palmer was good, but really, how can you mess up lemonade - iced tea! My cousin had a side of beans and rice with his entree which he said was good and he ordered the brownie pie for dessert and said it was also good. His wife said her two drinks were good also. I almost forgot that they served corn bread and a roll with the meal. My mom said the corn bread tasted like jiffy corn bread mix from the box which no one in my family is fond of. Maybe I just had poor choices, but I wasn't impressed and I am a foodie at heart! Overall the atmosphere felt like I was at a lunch counter and less like a family restaurant. I doubt I will come here again for dinner when I'm back in the area.

Great restaurant with such a varied menu that all members of your table will enjoy! Do get the corn cakes!!! This is a must! A family owned restaurant! Go and support and eat...eat...eat!

The building looks like it is an out of the way place and I felt like it was. The surrounding neighborhood was very nice and I felt fine being there. The service was very good as our waitress knew the menu and could recommend items from it that we liked. We were a group of 13 people and they easily sat us. And when the food was brought over we all found it to be very good. I would easily go back to this restaurant again.

I came to Chicago to visit friends and they brought us here for breakfast. It was really good. I enjoyed the different breakfast choices. I tried to salmon cakes. They were really delicate and had a good flavor, not overly fishy. Our waiter told me that they get fresh salmon only and don't freeze it. My friend got the shrimp and grits. She liked it so much that she barely let me have a bite. When she finally did let me try it, I understood why; it was really amazing. I liked my meal but I wish I had gotten the shrimp and grits by far the best meal at the table. Everyone though was very happy with their meals and left full.

WE recently ate at wishbone on a tuesday night and it was crowded , which was a good sign. The menu was loaded with southern favorites.My wife and I had the shrimp and grits which was excellent ,the sides we had were mashed sweet potatoes with pecans and collard greens.Other members of our party had the cat fish and Crawfish patties.All of us found the food to be very tasty and the ambience hip.My nephew who eats here often says the sat. and sun.brunch is very good also.

Great hearty and fulfilling food. I had the crap cakes and collard greens and they were the best. For desert had the bread pudding and it was nice and warm and sweet.

Simple great food at a reasonable price ... my introduction to Southern cooking albeit in Chicago. Very enjoyable. Thanks.

I've been here for the awesome brunch before, but only recently tried it for dinner. What a delicious gluttony-fest. My husband and I shared the fried chicken, which was on special that night (I don't think it's a permanent fixture on the menu) with all the fixins': mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, rice and beans, corn bread, and spicy corn. I do NOT know how we had room for dessert, but we ordered the pecan pie to share afterwards. The service was a little slow on this Saturday night, especially since the place was not full, but the scrumptious food made up for it.

Good good, lots of choices. The mango pancakes are good. Real mango is cooked in the pancake. Fresh squeezed orange Joyce is tasty. Good service.

West loop restaurant away from the main tourist areas and frequented by locals. Excellent breakfast with a southern flair. Fine service. Some outside seating. Great for families with small children.

We went on a Sunday, had no reservations but got there early, by nine and no problem we even got a table outside. Great service, friendly attentive and offered suggestions or recommendations. You must try the shrimp with the cheesy grits, possibly the best thing I have ever tasted. I ordered it with a corn muffin, but you do get a choice of a few things. Corn muffin was homemade and amazing. Very gluten free friendly here and also offered a gluten free English muffin. Nothing fancy but honestly good, delicious food. It's definitely a reflection of the more southern style cooking. Try it you won't be disappointed.

Went here for late lunch and there were still so many people. Glad that the wait time was not too long. I had mac and cheese here but I wish they could have a bigger serving and other versions of it as I believe I only got the mac and cheese they serve to kids.

I've been a "Wishboner" since they were on WOOD St. and have visited all their locations (yes, even the now closed Berwyn) dozens of times over the years. I have not been to this location since 2013. My friend and I stopped here after the Randolph Street Market about 90 minutes prior to its close on Sunday, May 29 and we were sorely disappointed in the service and food :( Our service was unattentive: waiting 2 minutes for forks after food has been delivered; no offer of refills on drinks on a hot day. The food was not right: my friend ordered salmon patties and they were undercooked. We know raw fish is in, but this is not sushi. I don't know if the menu for Sunday is limited or breakfast only, but I really wanted a cool salad which was not offered. I ordered the rice, beans, eggs and it was ok. Could have used butter for my biscuit but no one ever came back and asked if we needed anything. Randolph Street Market is a monthly event so I will probably give Wishbone another chance to make it right. By the way, we're good tippers, no one does restaurant service for fun, so we tipped at least 20% and didn't reflect the mediocre food or service. The man bussing seemed to be active and engaged in waiting on the patio so kudos to him. He at least was doing his job.

Simple but authentic Southern Style cookin"...If your looking for that NawLins" style of food this is the place to go. good food great flavor and come to eat. Nothing fancy just bring the appetite and plan to chow down....Yum yum !!!

We have ate at the storefront location several times and it is amazing. I love the Bellini on a Sunday Morning. But we went to the taste of Chicago and can I say WOW. The Chicken Etouffe (which I am sure I am spelling wrong) was sooooo good. I loved it. There was a very good corn muffin as well....hit this booth or better yet head over and eat some amazing food at this place!!!!

Shrimp and grits. So good. I don't like grits, I don't like oatmeal, I don't like anything with that texture. But I don't even notice with Wishbone shrimp and grits. The staff was terrific, the drinks were yummy, and the place was hopping. Highly recommended!

So as a biased former employee...I LOVE this place! I love the feel of this place. I love the food. I love the people. I only worked here maybe a year & a half to two years, but it was impactful on me! The ownership was wonderful. The really took pride in their restaurant. The is something for almost everyone on the menu! As a person who's had everything it can be hard to choose because everything is so good. If you've never been, just pick! It won't matter. You'll leave happy and full! Now if you just absolutely can't decide what to order, let me help you... Get the Crunchy French Toast, The Crawfish Cakes with scrambled eggs w/ cheddar cheese and home fries. Don't forget to wash it all down with one of their great bloody marys(made from scratch!).

This was highly recommended to me by a friend who lives here but sadly it did not live up to the rave reviews. Cutlery was not washed properly, my fish was under cooked (but they apologized and offered to replace it and when I declined they took it off my bill which was really kind of them). Portion sizes were also small which I was slightly surprised by. I’ve heard the shrimp and grits are good but did not try them. Unsure about this one not sure if I would go back sadly.

The food is not fantastic there, but the waitresses were so efficient and nice!! A lot of parking around it..

Wishbone gave us a delicious leisurely breakfast before heading to Union Station a few blocks away. Nice family atmosphere. Louisiana leaning menu. I had the shrimp and grits--very good. Prices average to high, but everything in Chicago is average to high. So typical.

Well, they definitely live up to their reputation. I had the grilled chicken mango which was cooked to perfection, moist and delicious. My companions had the blackened catfish which is one of their most popular dishes, and dipped into their....ummmmmm....ummmmmm.....good!! Their sides are great also, especially the greens and cornbread...ok will have to stop now, I'm getting hungry. Another nice thing about this place...if you overeat and the weather is nice, talk a short walk down to Oprah Winfrey Harpo studios and take a few pictures. Recommended!!

5 out of 5! Enjoyed a wonderful brunch and service was awesome!! Staff was Beyond helpful and very friendly! My mom was in a wheelchair and we brought our dog and we were able to bring her into the restaurant to eat. Omar was are waiter and very friendly!! Highly recommend

I visited Wishbone after doing a 5K and it was delicious! I got the biscuits and gravy and I was amazed by how much sausage there actually was in the gravy. The portions were great also. Also, their cocktails were yummy.

Some of the best southern food in Chicago: crawfish cakes, blackened catfish, Cajun grits, etc. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the West Loop, worth the walk!

Nothing can be said that hasnt but the much loved Wishbone deserves every bit of praise it receives. Food is so so good and always a good atmosphere. Sometimes have to wait a while to be seated but so worth it.

My husband and I stopped her for any early dinner on a Saturday night. We both had specials. I had the short ribs which were tender and delicious. My husband had blackened blue fish. Entrees come with two sides. We both had the collard greens which were very good. The corn muffins were tender and it dare you to eat just one.

Wow, close to United Center, and great southern food. Fried chicken, catfish, collard greens, all my favorites from the South. If you want a good southern diner in the heart of the city, thus is the place.

We had lunch at the West Loop location on a recent trip "home" to Chicago. Eating out as often as I do, I have to be careful sometimes with restaurants like Wishbone -- a restaurant with a "themed" menu that is tasty and sufficiently different to be, well, well above average, but then also not so great as it could be. I had the "Louisianna Chicken Salad", which I thought went nicely with some Balsamic Vinegar dressing. Fresh lettuce blend with tasty "blackened" Chicken that was presented decently -- in other words, not like a chain restaurant. Above average/very good. The wait staff was a little dodgy -- service was slow and somewhat disinterested/busy. The ambiance is not a detraction, but nothing particularly special. The best way I can describe it, is that Wishbone lacks "intimacy" -- it is almost like a chain store experience with better food. Rates a 3.8/5.0.

Fantastic Chicago/Southern/Friendly Mix and Match vibe. Colorful interior with cheerful funky artwork. Plenty of space both indoor and out, for all. Service is efficient, friendly, and helpful. Great variety of southern combos (fish, crab, crawfish, eggs...) healthy (large) portions. Arrived by train to Chicago and this was our first stop. Nothing but fun and interesting mix of neighborhood people. (But restaurant is moving soon. stay tuned.)

The delicious food, the service was outstanding, just remarkable! My husband and I went one evening passing up a dozen or more restaurants on Randolph to get to Wishbone and we loved our meal selection. Try the blackened trout okay...sweet mashed potatoes with pecans please. We returned the next day with family friends visiting and had the best time. I ordered the same dish selection!!! They were out of peach cobbler each time but it was ok. We were full!! A great place to dine!!!!!

Excellent food. Great service. Will definitely eat here again. Great little spot. The shrimp and grits are wonderful

Been here many times, but this time, small changes pierced my consciousness: (1) we ordered hot tea, and they brought it in a standard water glass. Never seen that anywhere before. Isn’t that dangerous? (2) Menu showed a side of black beans & rice. We got just black beans. No rice. (3) Corn muffins have shrunk noticeably. What’s going on?

We like this restaurant in what we still refer to as "Oprah's" neighborhood. My choice is their biscuits and gravy but my wife prefer the omelets which are huge. I usually get to finish half of hers! It's busy so plan on a wait.

We were staying a block away from the Wishbone on 9/3 and decided to have breakfast there one morning. We got there about 10 am and we both ordered the shrimps and grits. The grits was lumpy and the whole thing was a bit salty. I must say that the portions were however very reasonable and the server was personable.

When in Chicago, we eat here a couple of times per month. I especially like their bean cakes, cheese grits and corn muffin. Our group had a variety of their offerings, grilled cheese and pancakes for my grandchildren, French toast and omelettes for everyone else. Sorry, but I did not get the name of my server, but he was extremely courteous, attentive and a real pleasure to work with.

On a frigid day in Chicago, nothing warms the body and soul more than some delicious southern cooking served with a smile. The west loop has many trendy, high-priced restaurants these days, and it's a pleasure to eat at a reasonably priced restaurant, with every dish prepared with love. Our breakfast/brunch choices were all good, with special compliments to the grits.

My daughter and I enjoyed a great breakfast here, it's close to the Randolph Market. Huge portions, she couldn't even finish the catfish. Best biscuits ever! Families, couples, and a counter for singles

We had reservations for 9:30am on a Saturday but when we arrived, the restaurant was mostly empty. That changed by 10am and the place was full - inside and out. So, definitely make reservations. I had the smoked brisket hash and my husband had the cajun omelete. Both were good portions and very flavorful. You have a choice of "bread" and our recommendation is to get the bisquit. I got the cornbread muffin and while it was tasty, it was tiny. I definitely had bisquit envy.

As a first-time visitor, we truly enjoyed our meal. Staff were friendly and efficient. Prices were reasonable. Loved the coffee. Highly recommend!

So fresh and delicious from the drinks to the apps to the dinner to the dessert. Best shrimp and grits I have ever had with a cream sauce bacon and mushrooms. Everything we had was amazing including the wonderful staff. They have a great patio as well. A must try! We will be back for sure.

Roc and I travel to the old location to find Wishbone was closed on Washington. Quick research revealed the new located on Jefferson street in Chicago. We drove north of Jefferson street, as we approached Randolph we see blueish sign with a Wishbone. We are thankful for finding and this another favor place. We have been at the Wishbone table for more than 30 years. New place, and new opportunities to provide southern comfort foods. Wishbone on Jefferson has move on up with looks, and food still have pleasurable smells and overwhelming great taste. The fried catfish that was soaked in buttermilk and seasoned with great spices. The catfish yield to hot oil to create a golden brown crust. We graced our table with vegetables of sautéed green beans; sautéed spinach, mashed sweet potatoes topped with pecans top; black bean and brown rice; red beans and white rice; and the owner had the chef present us crawfish with beignets. Now the ability to stop feasting was only finished when plates were-removed. We started dining with cheddar biscuits and small corn muffins. They were hot and plentiful. The serving staff was great. They moved to empty any items the would hinder our dining . They would ask to move items that we hampering completing the meal. The fresh lemonade was our crowning drink with water on the side. Joel checked on our table and others at least 4-5 times..... The Gallery of Art continues to grace the walls with magnificent images some created by Joel’s mother. I give the new Wishbone on Jefferson five stop five diamonds 💎💎💎💎💎

As a local, I was delighted to see Wishbone open in its new location at 161 N. Jefferson St. in Chicago. It is a really unique and enjoyable experience for both local residents in the West Loop neighborhood and a superior value for those visiting Chicago. In short, a great place to eat and it is economical. Before planning to come to Wishbone, check the hours. They are only open certain evenings, but they are usually open during days for breakfast and lunch. OK, let's get to the good part - the food. Usually, each evening they are open, they have a special. Tonight, Thursday, for example, they had Turkey with sausage gravy, and cole slaw. For sides, I had the Mashed sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese. My dining companion had the Red Beans and Rice. Oh, Lordy, was it good! The food was prepared in the kitchen with a lot of care and feeling. The Turkey was spot on and the gravy, very tasty. I had the Bread Pudding for desert which was served with a caramel sauce and I asked for ice cream with it. I was in heaven. The two us us dined for less than $30 each including tip - which in the West Loop is amazing. The quality of food for the price you pay here is just wonderful. It is a great value. Last Thursday we also ate here, their second night in the new location. I had the Southern Fried Catfish. Oh, mama! It was sooooo goood. I also had the mashed potatoes as a side along with the sauted spinach. I had a chocolate desert then, cannot remember the name, but it was great. Wishbone is new in our neighborhood and it will be popular, not only for the good food at reasonable prices, but the staff is wonderful and friendly. They are caring and down to earth. If you are a visitor from out of town, they are only a short walk from the end of the Riverwalk near Lake Street. They are just around the corner from the Clinton Green and Pink Line elevated train stop. I am not a drinker, but they have a liquor license and if you want something from the bar, they have that, too. I see this place becoming popular with business people from out of town looking for good value for their expense account. This is truly a place where you can eat on a per diem comfortably. So if you are looking for home cooked Southern food, Wishbone is the place for you. As a local, I heartily recommend it. You will enjoy it!

Attended their regular "lean coffee". The place was bustling. Food is excellent quality and the ambiance fantastic. Company and discussion was great.

We came to Wishbone Restaurant for breakfast before Mass. We were there early enough to be seated immediately and we were glad that we did get there, as the crowd did begin to develop. Little did we know when we chose Wishbone Restaurant for breakfast that today, 14 Oct 2018, was Wishbone Restaurant's last day at 1001 W. Washington Blvd. We chose the corn cake & an order of biscuits and gravy for our last breakfast here, and they were as good as they have always been. The staff was excellent. Wishbone Restaurant will be reopening at the end of October 2018 at 161 N. Jefferson St. A great run, and good luck at the new location!

Wishbone is a friendly, casual southern-style eatery near several Chicago attractions including the United Center. Decor is quirky and lighting almost diner-like, tables close together and servers darting here and there. We went early on a snowy Saturday night and used valet parking, although there was street parking available. By the time we left for the game, the place was packed! I had blackened catfish with coleslaw, sauteed spinach and mashed sweet potatoes, all very good for a reasonable price.

We cannot say anything else other than thank you so much for our late lunch yesterday! The staff is super friendly and helpful, specially one young guy who recommended some dishes and talked eloquently to us about the different dishes! Thanks for everything! The etouffee was beyond flavorful, like a creamy risotto! The Cajun chicken with rice, delicious! And the blackened catfish: pure pleasure which was heaven on earth to us! The brown rice was also super nice! They ran out of banana pudding, what a shame! We wanted to try! Well maybe in a near future! As Spaniards who love to eat real food, we highly recommend this wonderful restaurant!

NOTE: This review is for Wishbone on Washington - ownership is different on Lincoln Ave. There's a reason this place has been in business for nearly 30 years. It's in the West Loop, one of the hottest restaurant destinations in Chicago (and with Chicago being a world class restaurant town, Wishbone is arguably world class by default). Since its humble beginnings on Grand Ave., the formula was set: Tasty southern-style food, good prices, and great/funky/quirky paintings by the owner's late mother. In fact, if her paintings weren't displayed innocuously in a restaurant setting, one could believe they would do well being sold in an art gallery - they're that good folks. Another unique thing about Wishbone is the "culture." Not sure any other restaurant can lay claim to how diverse their clientele is: The rich, the not-so-rich, politicians/mobsters (same thing?), professional athletes, celebs, tourists, locals - all coming to the culinary "salt lick" to get some very tasty food, side by side.

While visiting Chicago my husbands cousin recommended this establishment. We were delighted with our server. Had an upbeat attitude; very pleasant. The food was amazing! Shrimp and mushrooms over cheese grits??? For breakfast? We were all wishing we had ordered that. We nearly ate all of my husbands. All of their food is excellent!

I had the fried catfish with lemon caper butter. It was very good, The chef came out and talked to us. Our server, Jack was very nice too. This is an inexpensive dinner for Chicago in a laid-back atmosphere.

We went for Sunday brunch and I should have ordered off the brunch menu. I had the hamburger, which was only average. The other items looked much better. I would advise skipping Wishbone unless you want southern food.

Really good food. Think fried chicken and collard greens in a nice cafe atmosphere.Really nice service. Usually can find on the street parking. The catfish was terrific! Fun place to take a business associate. Outdoor dining in warmer months..

This place is truly unique, not only in atmosphere, but with their menu as well. Primarily southern cooking, such as blackened catfish/chicken, mac & cheese, cornbread, mashed sweet potatoes with pecans, Hoppin John, etc. All from scratch!!! The absolute, hands down, no doubt about it best pecan pie Ive ever had. Casual place, so come as you are. Service is always great. The city has lots of choices, but be sure to try Wishbone. Theyre closed daily from 3-5 to transition from their lunch to dinner menu. One of my favs for sure. They do serve breakfast on the weekends, however, ive never personally tried it.

Love sunday brunch. great food and service. bloody marys aren't bad either. Had lunch once and it was also good. Love the spicy food

Been going to Wishbone since the old days when they were on Lincoln and on Washington. Love this new(ish) location and anything with the fried chicken is the correct order. Their drinks are generous and their house drink specials are seasonal and fun. 5 stars partly due to their COVID precautions. Thank you for doing your part to ensure the safety of your staff and your customers alike!

The food is beyond amazing. I ordered the salmon patties with breakfast potatoes and scrambled eggs. First off, the salmon patties were so good and filling; I could've ate more, but I was full. The potatoes were excellent with the peppers and onion for more flavoring. No need to add salt or ketchup but if that's what you're into, go for it. LOL I HIGHLY recommend this place. We went on a Monday morning and it wasn't crowded at all. I'll post pics, Enjoy!

Stopped by Wishbone Sunday afternoon to celebrate with good friends who just signed a contract on a new condo to be built in the West Loop neighborhood. Waited about 20 minutes for a table, not bad for Sunday brunch in Chicago, but were not impressed with the food or the service. Some of our drinks came after entrees were served. North Carolina crab cakes were short on crab meet and long on filler but chicken andouille omelet was good. For us, Wishbone didn't live up to its reputation. We got the short end.

Great outdoor seating and food that looked and tasted delicious. Shrimp etoufee was quite good. Spinach really good. Fast friendly service.

My kids love this place - as do I. We usually go at Christmas and there is a big tree in the middle - but there is al-fresco in the summer. Always have had great meals there and good service.

We were just a few blocks from the Harpo Studios when we discovered this restaurant. I ordered split pea soup that was just like homemade! The fries were potatoes that were quartered and pan fried. Not what I was expecting but, definitely like home. The salmon cakes were just as tasty as the rest of the meal. Overall I was happy to eat a restaurant that had tasty food that was made from scratch! The staff was friendly and the prices were not frightening.

Great restaurant, superb food, relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. Had a wonderful meal here tonight. The Crawfish Beignets are truly amazing, the bread pudding is superb and the Mississippi Mud coffee is perfect on a cold winter evening. Not just fantastic traditional southern food, although that is there if you want it, there is part of the menu that takes a interesting and creative step away from the norm without losing it's origins. Staff are super friendly and the easy going vibe is excellent. I've only been a couple times but both times there have been large parties, birthdays etc. People like this place and feel very comfortable here. As a recent transplant to Chicago, Wishbone has become my new favorite restaurant. Will be coming back here often and telling all my friends.

I picked Wishbone based on reviews and it's easy walk from Homewood Suites on Jefferson. My breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and coffee was delicious! The server was very attentive and they easily accommodated a solo diner. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. Overall, a wonder experience

Got there without wait on a Sunday morning around 10am, and when leaving at 11 there was a significant wait line. I had the pancakes, they come plain. They were good, nice size, nothing extra special about the food and service was fine. My friend did have the special drink with raw egg, whiskey, and beer.. very interesting!

Wow! Order the shrimp and grits! The wife and I just left another restaurant down the street and had an underwhelming experience. Food was good but still hungry. We walked into wishbone and were sat immediately. Everyone was warm and friendly and overall a really comfortable environment. The food really hit the spot though. We got the fried chicken sandwich and the shrimp and grits. Sandwich was good, but the shrimp and grits was the star of the show. Good texture and spice to the grits. We'd for sure come here again next time we're in the neighborhood!

Friday out after work with Roc at Wishbone July 17, 2020 Scan and get a menu. The menu has changed.... We were outside on the patio. The fried catfish that was soaked in buttermilk and seasoned with great spices. The catfish yield to hot oil to create a golden brown crust( peanut oil). We graced our table with vegetables like mashed sweet potatoes topped with pecans top; collard greens; and mac & cheese. We has the ability to stop feasting and finish as left over in a few days. Roc want her fresh strawberry lemonade. Water was for me . The service was very good. I give the new Wishbone on Jefferson five stop five diamonds 💎💎💎💎💎

This is hip, bustling brunch spot in the west Loop. In spite of the steady flow of customers, there is almost no wait for a table on a busy Saturday. The waiter greeted us by pouring bottled water into our glasses. We tried a variety of items and all were tasty. I had scrambled eggs with corn cakes, two large savory pancakes made with cornmeal, corn kernels and peppers, served with a red pepper sauce. We also had a crawfish Benedict and a spinach omelet. Tea is served steeping in a clear glass pot that stayed warm and held two cups. Portions were generous and we needed doggie bags for two items. Prices were typical for a city brunch—about $22 with tax and tip.

Wishbone is a very friendly diner famous for its generous breakfasts. It should get equal credit for dinner as well. It's a slower time but no less friendly and no less delicious. Generous portions of Southern staples are always available - fried chicken, jambalaya, po boys and more full the menu alongside more generic fare like burgers. If it's on special don't miss the delicious crawfish etouffée - a bit of N'awlins authenticity I didn't expect to find in the Windy City. Great service, reasonable prices

Had a wonderful brunch with friends. I thoroughly enjoyed the crab cake Benedict. It was delectable and enjoyable. The Frosé is a must order.

It was a Sunday and we had brunch with friends, with three young children, so there were 10 of us. Had a reservation and the table was ready when we arrived. We knew our choices, as we had looked at their excellent menu online. There was a problem with the order, as the Kitchen had (for some reason) split the order in two, so there was a delay with half the order. Luckily the children's weren't delayed. Some of the food was very good, but some (e.g Biscuits & Gravy) weren't. The restaurant was full, with a continual stream of customers. It is also great to have a place to eat that caters for young children. Would definitely go back, but make a better choice of meals.

This is a great diner, with excellent service and all the usual diner fare, plus many Southern specialties (we tried the shrimp and grits and the BBQ Eggs Benedict, and both were really well done).

Dined with friends at Wishbone. Excellent food, service, drinks & atmosphere. The fried catfish, greens & sweet potatoes were delicious! Wishbone never disappoints, always offers a wonderful dining experience.

Went there for Bruch on Saturday, it touts itself as being kid friendly I didn't see it. The food was average nothing special I had the breakfast burrito with beans, seemed more beans than any other ingredient. It wasn't bad just that the place seems to be missing something. I wasn't impressed I could find better food at a Diner for a better price.

This was my first time at either Wishbone, and it's a pretty well-known place, so I was excited! We found surprisingly easy parking on Saturday around 11:30 am, and also didn't have to wait for a table. They had a nice covered patio, but there was a 25 minute wait for that. Too bad as it might be one of the last few patio-friendly days! I started with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice which was a little cheaper than what it usually costs at a brunch place. It was so hard to decide what to have, but I finally went for the chicken andouille hash with sunny side up eggs and wheat toast. I was starving, but my portion definitely seemed more manageable than most breakfast joints. The hash was pretty good, sausage a little bit spicy and cut in small pieces. Onions and potatoes all cooked to the right texture. I had fun mixing my egg yolk around in there. Eggs could've stood a little more cooking, they had a layer of that clear slippery stuff on the top that I pulled off with my fork and moved to the side. Not very appealing. Wheat toast was your regular sandwich bread, butter came from little packets on the table. I didn't taste it, but my friend got the crunchy French toast, which appears to be deep fried. She said it is her favorite thing, and it did look pretty delicious - her side of bacon was also beautifully crisp as she requested. All-in-all it was a really standard brunch. The flavor of the sausage was the only above-average thing about it. It was certainly satisfying but very similar to what you can get almost anywhere else. I'd be happy to come back though, as the Southern menu looks so delicious and promising, I can't help but think some dishes may be good, but others are hopefully great! Worth a try I'd say, and hopefully they'll exceed expectations!

Wishbone is self-named as 'southern reconstructionist' cooking. I don't know what that means, however I do know that in the numerous times I've eaten there, I've never been disappointed. Breakfast, lunch or dinner (fab fried chicken) the menu is original, creative and very good. Long ago I gave up 'white linen' dining for just settling down to a good meal. Luckily I found my spot. Give it a try!!

I have eaten at the Wishbone many times, both for breakfast and dinner. It has never disappointed.Service is good, and local street parking available. Compared to venturing into the Loop, it's almost suburban.

Very good Collard Greens,Grits were good,Dixie Burger was very satisfying , Catfish was ok Sweet Tea served in a mason jar nice touch.

While visiting Chicago, my cousin treated us to "brunch" at Wishbone. My wife had breakfast while I had lunch. My wife had French toast (made with cornflakes) , eggs, and bacon. She enjoyed it, and I had to try the French toast --the cornflake coating made it very tasty and unique.. I had the shrimp and grits. I've had this dish before at other venues , but theirs was the best I ever had! Large shrimp, creamy cheesy grits, with mushrooms added. The combination of flavors worked -perfectly. I also had a side of greens with a light corn muffin. The greens were very good as well as the muffin-but the shrimp and grits had me talking about that dish long after leaving. We also indulged in lemonade served over watermelon chunks. Delicious. Our service was excellent-not rushed, gave us recommendations from the menu and was very friendly and prompt. My cousin raved about this place as she goes there a lot , now I totally understand why. I hope they open a location in Los Angeles where I live.

We had breakfast here recently on a Sunday morning. Beat a hotel buffet hands down. The Red Eggs were fantastic and there were great kids options. If you arrive early, there is no waiting and parking is quite easy -- and free on Sunday. Great breakfast comfort food.

Having just spent 2 weeks eating our way through Louisiana, it was a surprise to find Wishbone when we visited Chicago. The Jambalaya will hold its' own with any served in Louisiana......flavorful, not overly spicy, but it hits the mark !!!! The collard greens are as good as we have had.....AND they were not 'killed' with bacon grease........just right, in our opinion. The beans and peas dish was also perfect. The spinach omelett was a lady's delight....perfect in every respect !!!! Like corn muffins????.........gotta try the ones here......just right....do no crumble or fall apart......has a little REAL corn in them.....a real treat. And.....for the beer lover they have a good selection.

We had a delicious weekday lunch of blackend trout and brisket hash, sides of sauted spinach and blackeyed beans with rice. Too much to eat, brought some home. Great lively atmosphere, super service, very diverse customers. Big selection on menu, need to go back several times to sample it all.

From what I gather, this is a pretty famous Chicago establishment. I live pretty close to it, so when friends came in from the suburbs for brunch, we decided to give Wishbone a try. After our brunch experience, I have to say--I do not understand the hype. At all. The service was atrocious. The server was not rude...but she was slow, inattentive, and lacked competence. We were seated quickly, but it took almost 15 minutes to be acknowledged by a server. Beverages took forever to arrive; when they did, the coffee was lukewarm and the creamer served with the coffee empty--meaning we had to track her down and ask for cream--meaning that by the time we got it, it was completely cold. When she took our order, she forgot to ask about preferences for things like side dishes (forcing her to come back to ask again). When we were served the food, silverware was forgotten. Etc. Everyone makes mistakes but when the entire meal is full of them it's just exhausting. Dirty plates sat on the table forever and in-order to get the check we finally had to send someone from our table to catch our server on the other side of the restaurant and ask for the check. We were all pretty excited about the food, and the menu impresses. It was hard to choose something because so many items looked tempting. Alas, the food sounded better than it tasted. A fried catfish dish tasted like oil rather than spicy breading and catfish. Red beans and rice was totally BLAND--no flavor, no spice; it was like eating food from a can. The only thing that anyone really liked was the crispy French toast. This neighborhood has a lot of good places for brunch. Head to one of those other places. Bad service + bad food = bad time.

This is one of our favorite restaurants. First of all, they serve great, home made food and it is priced very reasonably. For Chicago, you will not find a better value, in my opinion. Whether you are eating breakfast, lunch or dinner, the food is great and the service wonderful. On Wednesdays, for lunch and dinner, they have Fried Chicken - and it is super good. It is pan fried and tastes like it just came out of grandma's kitchen. The sides are outstanding and they offer a great selection. On Thursdays, for lunch and dinner, they have Turkey Dinner. Think Thanksgiving. Reliably tasty. Some of the other outstanding menu selections include fish. The corn battered catfish is a Southern favorite. The trout is amazing; it comes either cajun or with a meunière sauce. When the weather permits, the patio is great. It is, of course, a city environment, but eating outside is really fun in the warmer weather. Keep in mind to check Wishbone's hours before you come. Currently they serve dinner on Wed, Thurs and Friday evenings. They are open for Breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday. If you are visiting or passing through Chicago, this is a very good value for you to consider. I highly recommend Wishbone and eat there regularly.

For obscure reasons, this restaurant does not take reservations for weekend brunch and the wait is impossible. Reasonably good food does not make up for the inconvenience.

Haven't eaten here in years since relocating from Chicago. This is new location. Don't remember what I had at original location, but didn't feel the same excitement. The fried chicken wasn't particularly tasty, though well cooked. Not a problem if you like seasoning your own anyway. Perhaps I should've ordered from regular menu rather than Specials. Brandon was great server. Knowledgeable on suggestions. I'd still return.

WISHBONE is our go to place for flat out amazing cuisine. I stop in 2 or 3 times or week and have for the past 10 years. Never disappointed. The food is fresh, clean and delicious. Joel Nickson (head chef and owner) updates the menu but never disappoints. Fresh juices are FRESH--and who wouldn't appreciate their shrimp and grits. I took my grandson (who for some strange reason had never had black beans!) and he was amazed (17 years old--who knew!). I love the veggie burger--house made and delicious. The potato salads are yum yum! Dessert freak? You have come to the right place. I am a serious cook. So "fake" ingredients won't work for me. Wishbone never disappoints. Macaroni and cheese! Yay! Pulled pork! Yahoo! And breakfast----well it doesn't get any better. Stable staff and great ambience. Enjoy!

Hubby & I had delicious dinner last night that included trying 3 appetizers- the shrimp beignets and the corn cake were to die for and the crab cake was yummy too. hubby had spicy cajun shrimp & grits and i had the shrimp & grits with bacon. Both were so savory and delicious- best either of us had ever had. Chef Joel is very personable stopping by to introduce himself and chat a bit and his staff was very attentive and fun. All and all a lovely evening with so much yummy food. Highly recommend you stop in and enjoy too.

This place bring that New Orleans Cajun spice to Chicago. They offer a variety of delicious Cajun food! The service is quick and the waiters always make sure your table has nice warm cornbread ready for you! I am always pleased with my meals here! Can't wait to see the new location!!!

I had Wishbone restaurant today for an early evening dinner. I ordered the salmon cakes, cheesy grits, and collard greens. In addition, I treated myself to the watermelon chunk lemonade. To top it off I ate on their outdoor deck. Good food and fresh air, and great service left me with one word.....YEAH (with a smile)

Our service at Wishbone was outstanding, not to mention we the food was delicious. A very different menu, outside the normal breakfast foods. I had beef brisket with eggs. We will definitely go back when we are in the city again.

Wishbone never fails to delight your taste buds. The hash: andouille chicken sausage, brisket, or smoked beef... try them all but hands down, the andouille wins. Spicy and savoury. Just like New Orleans

The Wishbone Restaurant has a cafeteria like atmosphere with great staff, good company and an excellent diversified menu. Our favorites are the breakfast selections but everything on the menu is delicious and always fresh. You always get fast service with a smile and the food come out quickly while piping hot. Plenty of refills on coffee and tea. Try the Salmon patties with eggs and cheese grits with the corn muffin for breakfast or brunch.

Wishbone remains our favorite place for breakfast in Chicago. The wait staff if friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. They team up, so that if your server is tied up when your order is ready, someone else helps out. We love trying new items on the menu and are never disappointed. The food is an excellent value! My wife and I keep forgetting that we really should split an order, as we seldom finish half of our order. We typically park on the street, and have never had to walk more than half a block.

I was at a conference downtown, yet miles from Wishbones. After catching the conference shuttle, it placed me a mile away. The short 15 minute walk was worth the best shrimp and grits and crust covered french toast. A must during every visit to Chicago!

When we arrived at Wishone at around 11 on Sunday morning, there was a line of people waiting. it moved quickly, however, and we were seated within 15-20 minutes. We were promptly greeted by a friendly and efficient server who took our drink orders. Cold drinks are served in Mason jars with crushed ice, which was a nice touch. Our table ordered a variety of dishes: shrimp omelet, braised smoked beef brisket hash, blackened catfish, black bean cakes. Everything was top notch. Potatoes were greaseless, biscuits were feather-light, and corn muffins could double as a dessert. Portions are generous but not obscene. Prices are reasonable. We loved it.

Just went for lunch. Parking around here is now crazy. Cost more to park by valet costs more than lunch. I won't go if I had to pay. Back to food. Southern style. Great gumbo. Bread pudding best I've ever had. Maybe it's the caramel sauce.? Have had their catfish and chicken...both great. Sides are fantastic. Service is great. Atmosphere is comfortable. Very clean. Years ago I went here at least once a week. Always said it was one of my go to places if I want a good meal at a fair price. Try it. Order something from the daily special. Order anything on the menu that you think sounds good. It will be.

Time was when I avoided a restaurant every time I saw the word Cajun. To me, it meant hot, hot, hot. Too hot. But I've come to realize that, in most cases, Cajun means a different taste, a southern influence. That's the case at Wishbone. Located at 161 North Jefferson Street, north of Randolph, between Clinton and Des Plaines, in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, it offers southern dishes and breakfast with a Cajun spin. Owner/chef Joel Nickson founded Wishbone at 1800 West Grand Avenue in 1990 with 23 seats, nine stools and a half-dozen paintings by his mother. His "southern reconstruction cooking" like baked bone-in-ham, blackened catfish, Carolina crab cakes and mashed sweet potatoes caught on fast. So fast, in fact, that Nickson opened a second Wishbone in 1992 with 170 seats at 1001 West Washington at a time when the West Loop was uncharted territory. In 2018, after 27 years on Washington Boulevard, Nickson relocated Wishbone to its current address. Open from 9 to 8 Wednesday and Thursday, 9 to 9 on Friday, 8 to 9 on Saturday and 8 to 8:30 on Sunday, in a relaxed setting with a spacious patio, Wishbone offers refreshing and tasty southern dishes straight from the Great River Road in Louisiana. For breakfast, try shrimp and grits or steak and eggs or smoked brisket hash or Denver omelette. We wanted to enjoy Nickson at his best and most creative so we opted for dinner. We started with a Kentucky parfait, fried chicken over a mashed potato topped with corn and brown gravy, watermelon salad with feta, mint and lemon and bowls of Wishbone clam chowder and chicken gumbo. For an entree, my wife chose fried chicken, a pan fried breast and leg in a cast iron skillet with sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes and gravy. I ordered the turkey dinner, roasted dark and white turkey meat topped with brown gravy and served with sausage stuffing and cranberry sauce with a corn muffin, sauteed French green beans with parsnips and mashed potatoes and gravy. It had all the trimmings of Thanksgiving but pumpkin pie. Instead, for dessert, we shared a large slice of key lime pie with graham cracker crust and whipped cream and a large portion of bread pudding with bourbon caramel sauce. Be sure to have room for dessert. The menu also offers peach cobbler, banana cake and pecan pie.

Having recently been in Chicago and eating many places, this one was the most casual compared to more expensive steak houses...and honestly, this was one of the best meals during our four day wknd trip. The menu offers lots of choices and our group had everything from steak to seafood, to my own delicious crab cakes. Everyone was happy with their meal, and our waiter was very helpful. On a "side note", loved the sides of cole slaw everyone in our group of six ordered. Only two block walk from the "el" and so easy to get too from downtown chicago.

So nice to be back with fast American service; we had our drinks and orders in in the first few minutes. The breakfast burrito was great. Good atmosphere.

I enjoy the Wishbone, but I'm a fan of breakfast or brunch there. I've gone in the evening and they have some great dishes then as well, but there's something about their breakfasts. They have great potatoes and I really love their omelettes. Biscuits are also good. The servings are large and the food is good. Great place to meet friends in the west loop, especially on the weekend. There can be a line at times, but it generally moves quickly.

I can not even begin to tell you how great this place was. The shrimp and grits was phenomenal!!! Everyone in our group had nothing but praise for this place. Awesome restaurant and staff was great.

We went here with friends and tried a variety of their dishes. The Hurricane drinks were very good, and a good value @ $10. We had the shrimp and cheesy grits and found them heavenly. The barbeque brisket platter was excellent as well. Finished it up with bread pudding. The ambience is casual, and the servers were all extremely competent and friendly. Would go again!

We decided to eat at one more restaurant before ending our weekend in the city so we chose Wishbone for breakfast, it was wonderful. The worst part: having to choose what to have because everything sounded great. Our server gave us some recommendations and we listened and thouroughly enjoyed our choices: biscuits and gravy and beef brisket hash. Portions were large and filling, food tasted as good as it looked. Can't wait to go back and have dinner there!

Service was great and our waitress provided terrific service. The food arrived fast and a perfect example of modern southern cuisine.

Really good food & prices... Cornbread is the 💣💣 ‼️‼️ I ordered the Dixie Burger... It definitely hit the spot!! Their home fries are one of a kind.

Beautiful indoor/outdoor seating. Multitude of delicious choices: I experienced/enjoyed catfish, scrambled eggs with cheese, grits, maple bacon, mango pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice (at least it tasted like it was squeezed by the gods). Great waitstaff.

Loved great selection of soul food. Hearty portions. Nearby downtown location. Outside patio very spacious.

We went for lunch and found the service to be excellent. Two of us had the beef brisket sandwich which was very tasty. We also tried a bowl of chili, which was definitely different, as it was presented on a bed of white or brown rice. I chose the brown rice and with cheese and onions on top, as well as some sour cream, the chili was great. It came with great tasting corn bread and I ordered a side of mashed sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of pecans. A great selection of a variety of Creole and Louisiana dishes. Well worth the stop!

Came here with friends. One thing I noticed is that we all found something completely different to choose from. The variety here is really good and appealing. The staff is friendly and the service is quite good, even at peak times on the weekend!

Affordable, tasty, simple yet great. Also have to love the paintings done by the owner's mother - they would be hanging in an art gallery if they weren't "restaurant art." There's a reason they've been open continuously for nearly 30 years, and their fans include pro athletes, politicians, gangsters, musicians, actors and fans of all stripes who dig the food, prices & overall experience.

Had breakfast with our sons and their significant others on a recent trip to Chicago to visit,. Pleasant experience with good food and a quite varied menu. Service was good and prices were fair relative to quality and location. WE would go back even though there are no shortage of breakfast choices in the area.

My wife and I are both of us are real Foodies! This could have been one of the best breakfast is we ever ever had. Spicy a wonderful combination of Cajun, low country and soul food. The service was impeccable our waitress could not have been more helpful and kind. Joel the owner came out and talked to us about his food this is an absolutely must do!!

Omar A is friendly and efficient. Warm cornbread muffins are addictive. crawfish cakes were tender. I liked the gumbo better than jambalaya. What really put a smile on my face was a peach cobbler with ice cream.

Great southern style food at amazing prices. It's hard to find a meal in Chicago for under $20, well look no further. the food was amazing, and the staff was so friendly and upbeat. I paid $7.50 for a delicious omelet, home made biscuit and cheese grits that were to die for! Seriously everything we had was amazing. And the portions were good. No one left hungry. We left planning what we would have next time!! that's how good it was. This is already on our list for our next trip to Chicago. Probably the first and last stop!

A friend suggested we try out Wishbone for breakfast. It was alright without really being noteworthy. The Wishbone Omelet was better than the Millennial Omelet and the accompanying black beans were better than the plain grits. Service was prompt and friendly. So even though we were satisfied with the breakfast, not really yearning to go back.

This place looks pretty iconic from the outside. Some soul food and creole influences on the menu for sure. Lots of families with children here too. The service was slow and pretty inattentive. It took a bit to take our orders and a few mistakes when the food delivered. There is no fried chicken except when on the specials menu. I had a roast turkey special with greens and corn. Everyone else was just ok with the food. This is within a few blocks of other restaurants that were packed full on a Thursday night. There weren't many of us at the Wishbone. You would do better heading elsewhere in Chicago. Nothing too special here.

When you have a group of 12 people to serve and everyone is pleased, you are a super star!! Had breakfast here and I ordered the spinach omelet with cheddar cheese and cream cheese. I ate my whole omelet as it was so good. The raisin toast was awesome too. They also brought us out a little sample of biscuits and gravy (usually I'm not a fan), Oh My Goodness, best I have ever had!! I don't even make them that well and I think I'm a pretty good cook. One caution, the bloody mary was a little spicy for my taste. The waiter told me it was zesty not spicy, but again I'm a whimp when it comes to spice in my food.

My husband and I met for lunch at Wishbone. We'd both heard great things for years, but this was our first visit. It did not disappoint. He had the smoked beef brisket sandwich with roasted brussel sprouts and cole slaw. I had the black bean cakes with red pepper sauce, cheese grits and green beans. The black bean cakes were fantastic - flavor-packed and fresh. The cheese grits were as good as anywhere I've been in the South. I also had the sweet potato pie - my first - and loved it. Not as sweet as pumpkin pie, and more subtle in flavor. The wait staff was great - friendly and helpful, without being forced or phony. Hope to visit again soon.

Grabbed a late, light dinner: one Hoppin John and three "all sides" plates. Great outdoor seating, cool vibe, yummy food, and decent prices. Definitely recommend!

This place is always hopping. Breakfast is always on point, dinner is good too! We love sitting outside. The service is excellent, always see a mix of families, couples, and large tables while we are there. Definitely one of our favorite spots.

Holy CRAP, this place is good! I had crawfish cakes, Mac & cheese & black beans & rice. It was terrific! The waitress brought me a sample of the jambalaya, which was fantastic (I ordered the cakes so I could try the sides). The $5 martini was very good. Service was very friendly & efficient. I will ABSOLUTELY come back here & you should too! Prices are very reasonable. Don't miss out on the best soul food in Chicago!

I cleaned every morsel from my plate at this restaurant. I recalled that Oprah spoke about it on her show years ago so it was on my must go list when I moved to Chicago recently. I had a gourmet French toast and my friend had blackened catfish. We were both licking our fingers at the end. Not too pricey at 35 dols for two people. The seating is not very comfy and some tables are small. But you forget about that when you taste the food. Looking forward to going back.

My wife, granddaughter and I were walking by this morning. We decided to call in an order of blueberry pancakes and a Denver omelet. In these crazy times, they reminded us of why they’ve been so great for all these years. Good food , friendly service, and they accommodated my special request. Thanks Wishbone staff and Joel. You’re the best! PS our two year old granddaughter loved the blueberry pancakes.

Excellent food and great great service. I will make a return trip to this restaurant when I come back.

We made last minute reservations on Saturday night to get in and was able to. Our southern style meals were all prepared to everyone's satisfaction. There wasn't a single complaint from our whole table. Plus the price was very affordable. Wow, if you are looking for home cooking, southern food, or comfort food in the the big city give Wishbone a try!

Love Wishbone! Friendly, competent service and a large menu choice. This is a family friendly restaurant and the food is southern inspired. It’s in the West Loop and large enough to cater for its clientele. A great place for brunch.

Wishbone in the West Loop is a destination for a great brunch. Every dish comes with 2 eggs, corn muffin or biscuit and some incredible dishes like red beans n rice, catfish, crab cakes, omelettes and amazing grits. Outside seating. Great location. Good service and many choices.

This was our 3rd stop after 2 places had waits 45 minutes or more. We lucked out. It had no wait and the food was great. Our server was a very nice guy, but lacked on the refills of water and coffee. Our food came out quickly and it was delicious. I got the blueberry pancakes with ham. We also split the biscuits and gravy (a whole portion is enough for 4). The sausage in the gravy is spicy if you have a low tolerance for spice. The biscuits are phenomenal. I'd would go back.

We came to Wishbone on NYE morning. We expected a wait but we were able to get in right away. There are a ton of great breakfast dishes on the menu including a dizzying array of omelettes and other egg dishes. Our group had French toast, the Wishbone omelette, a brisket "hash", a breakfast burrito, shrimp and grits and everything was fantastic. Throw in an eclectic atmosphere and great & attentive service and you can't go wrong. Thanks for breakfast Wishbone!

Been coming to this restaurant for about 15 years now. Neighborhood has certainly changed for the better and it is much more pleasant to walk to Wishbone from the bus on Halstead than it was years ago. Food here is still great. One of the few places in Chicago to get Sweet Tea. Side items are as exquisite as the entrees. Try them all if you can. Service can be a tad slow, but never unfriendly.

We love Wishbone. I had salmon cakes (made with freshly cooked salmon) a wonderful creamy sauce, poached eggs and some fruit on the side--all delicious. Everyone else in our group loved their food too, including a Vegan who is hard to please. The menu has a lot of choices and they all sound good. Wishbone was an old favorite but moved to this new location and we had not been there. All the original art is on the walls and so much fun. We went on a Saturday at noon and it was hopping. We waited a bit and it was worth the wait. It did get noisy so this is not a place e for a quiet conversation.

Now this is what comfort Chicago food should taste like. Great restaurant with good food. Local favorite and worth the trip to this place. Go here. Eat. Enjoy!

We stopped here from brunch on a recommendation. Busy around the general area – took us a while to park. There is seating outside but it was too hot out so we ate inside. There was breakfast and lunch going on and the menu had a lot of different tasty sounding items to choose from. I had breakfast and chose the Corn Flake French Toast (french toast with crumpled up corn flakes on it). It was great! Different for sure. I was going to order the regular French toast and the server looked at me like I was crazy. My friends had traditional omelets and eggs and what not and the servings are plentiful. Big plates with lots of yummy food. The atmosphere is awesome and the service was great. For how busy it was the food came extremely quick and we were surprised. Definitely recommend if you are in the area!

I love the comfortable vibes here! I used to visit here more frequently when I lived in the West loop and I'd bring my dog and usually take a seat outside with her and people watch. The food here is southern cooking and genuinely good soul food with breakfast items, brunch, late lunch and a great dinner menu. The vibes here are casual and it's like enjoying a really good meal of comfort food in a laid back low key atmosphere. I especially appreciate how the owner Joel here personally circulates the restaurant and outside courtyard to personally engage in good conversation with his patrons. He was even kind enough to gift me a special frozen dessert for my canine friend at home. I typically order their combination vegetable platter which includes three sides and cornbread then I leave room for dessert. One of their specialties though is the shrimp and grits and if you enjoy breakfast definitely try one of their omelets.

While visiting with friends in Chicago, they told us about this restaurant and took us there for lunch. The menu looked good. Lots of country- and cajun/creole-sounding dishes. I had the Jambalaya Cajun Stew. It was not a winner. There was little taste of seafood. There were four of us and we tried some of each others' meal. Nothing had a particularly definite taste. The portions were generous, but not very tasty. Chicago is full of wonderful restaurants that serve terrific food. We were disappointed with the meal at Wishbone and will not return.

To be honest we wanted to eat at Frasca for pizza but they were not open at 2pm. So we decided to try Wishbone just one block south on Lincoln ave. We we very pleased. I had pulled pork po boy sandwich with home fries and my daughter had crab cakes with sweet potato fries and brown rice. She stated the crab cakes were the best she has ever had and the rice was excellent - some places undertook it. Service was very good and courteous. Great meal!

I frequent this restaurant, usually at breakfast time, and am always pleased with my meal. A few weeks ago I had dinner and purchased the Turkey Gumbo, and, oh my goodness, it was very satisfying! It was fresh, hearty, and seasoned well; I got it with brown rice. My friend was visiting me recently and asked what I wanted for dinner. I told him I wanted Wishbone and to get me this same dish. True to my previous order, it was delicious! Kudos to the chef(s)!

We had breakfast on a Sunday morning. When we arrived, there was a table available, so great. Once seated, we were given menus and ordered drinks. Two of our party showed up a few minutes later and their drink order was taken, however, they waited over 10 minutes for their drinks. Then, it took over 20 minutes for the server to return to take our order. Once we received our food, it was great. The Yankee skillet was very good and my son's buckwheat pancakes were very tasty. Everyone at the table enjoyed the food with highest amount of conversation around the breakfast potatoes, bacon and pancakes. Then, when we were ready to leave, we finally had to walk up to the bar to get our server who was working there to get our bill and pay. So, in the end I would say very good food, not great service and a bit expensive ($72 before tip for a party of 6).

This is my favorite Sunday brunch spot - great food, good prices, and, as a bonus, they make a good Bloody Mary if you happen to be in need of the hair of the dog.

We were staying in an apartment about 2 blocks from the Wishbone. We decided to try it for breakfast. It was our morning ritual after the first time. The food is good and the service is great. We didn't try it for dinner, since we were usually far from it. Some of the food has a Mexican flare, but they also have all the usual, omelets, pancakes and etc. A really great find.

Planned to have breakfast but we missed it. But they did offer a few late breakfast items which I still enjoyed. My partner cleaned his plate so I would say he enjoyed it as well.

We had the chicken fried steak, buttermilk gulf shrimp, crawfish beignets, cajun shrimp and sausage and grits and it was all delicious. Devonte was an excellent server! Also, the happy hour drinks were tasty! Great outdoor seating as well, especially on a beautiful evening. Definitely would return!

Very good food and great ambiance. The service was a little iffy. We had to wait a long time between visits from the waiter. The food was very tasty, but the dishes advertised as 'cajun' were not even close.

Went on a Sunday morning for breakfast with friends who knew of the place. Not all that great on the decor, but the meal was the star of the show. Saw the Buttermilk pan fried catfish on the menu and couldn't resist. HOLY &$%@! Melt in your mouth. Every bite of the decent sized fillet was better than the one before it. And the biscuits HAD to be made from scratch. Scrambled eggs were just perfect. Even the coffee was pretty good on it's own merit. Each of the 3 of us gushed at the quality of our choices. IF I have to say anything "negative" about the visit, it would only be the front staff doing the seating and handling of the incoming clientele. Pretty overwhelmed. Fairly busy, but not so much that they shouldn't get the right people in order. Some were actually slipping in past others who were waiting. Just needs a bit more attention. Close enough to where I stay that I would hit it again on each trip...

Met a client for lunch and had a great meal. Good food, great service, reasonably priced. Parking is a nightmare but valet is available for $9. I had the catfish tacos that were pretty good. This place is nothing special but is consistently good.

We went there on a Saturday afternoon . Got a table right away . Service was pretty good , took a while to get our sodas . We each got breakfast . Crab cakes, jambalaya, over eggs on each . Bacon also very good . The anduole chicken sausage is a bit spicy . Cheese grits with holandaose sauce also - very good . Prices pretty average . Friendly service .not a huge menu but very good . We would definitely go back . Very good experience.

Met a colleague for lunch, my first time there. I was kind of looking forward, the whole "neighborhood institution" thing. Ordinary and pricey, and ten bucks to park.

Wishbone, a long time West Loop restaurant, is perfect for a casual breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's a family restaurant with an indoor and outdoor seating area in the summer. The service is always good and Sundays tend to be busy. The food is Louisiana Cajun and offers Crawfish Cakes, Jambalya, Shrimp and Grits or Fried Catfish. They also offer vegan dishes.

I was on my own for lunch and decided to walk to Wishbone. Great comfort food. I had the jambalaya over brown rice with added shrimp with a corn muffin and fruit salad side. Great lunch. Very attentive (but not overly so) waitstaff. The rest of the menu looked great. Never enough time.....

Nice place, but not quite as good as I remember it from a few years ago. Food was just OK. With the inconvenience and expense of parking, I do not think we will return.

We went here for a week day lunch. Wishbone offered a chill atmosphere in the middle of a bustling day. I had the greens crawfish cakes and Mac and cheese which hit the spot. Our server was good and attentive and our food arrived quickly. I would recommend to anyone and I would definitely go back.

Well, that says it all! We were in Chicago just for a weekend (over from the UK) and we simply fell in love with Wishbone, so we had to come three times. The servers are so friendly and welcoming, and so eager to make your visit a pleasure. Vicente (‘Vince’) and in just a short time became like a friend: so warm, friendly and super-efficient. Tasty, non-stop coffee. Our favourites were the blackened catfish (wow!), perfect scrambled eggs, buckwheat pancakes, crispy bacon, and the delicious buttermilk pancakes with blueberries, banana and maple syrup. Also, buy a T-shirt, though the stock of size-choices carried is limited.

I googled good breakfast places and this one came up. It was a short train ride but great service and tastey breakfast! Recommended for a simple, good breakfast!

We went here for my birthday meal. The service was quick and friendly, the food so juicy and flavorful.

Can't believe forgot to review this place! Firstly they have great friendly staff, also in jointly first place the cocktails are something else. - Mega mimosa is about the best one I've ever had (consequently don't recommend driving after)..! Food is good honest american fare, and tbh a somewhat welcome relief from the Randolph St restaurants, with the quinoa-soaked-in-wheat-juice-on-marinated-eggs type food. It just offers a cracking good value brunch.

This place is fantastic. The mimosas are great. The cheesy grits are top notch. The eggs are prepared so you really taste each fresh selection you chose to have added. The crunchy French toast was enjoyed. The service is great, too. I am not sure you should go anywhere else for breakfast in Chicago,,,,

Don't park in the "private lot" even tho the Wishbone van is parked there. You will get towed!! Wishbone offers Valet parking, but unless you are a regular customer I don't know how you would know this. I did not see a sign that the restaurant offers valet parking. BUT the valet parks your car in the very same "private" lot! According to the restaurant they pay a private third party company to Valet your car & they pay the lot owner a fee for that space. What a wonderful full circle for them, but what a nightmare for the unsuspecting guest. Perhaps a sign on the big brick wall that clearly states valet parking offered at the front door of Wishbone. If you park here yourself you will be towed. (Even tho it's the same lot.)

In eyesight of Harpo studios in the former industrial area, this resto is serving some tasty food--we had quite a selection from their breakfast menu, and most were great--shrimp and grits, Carolina crabcakes, andouille hash, biscuits with sausage gravy, and even their basic breakfasts... steak and eggs were a bit of a miss... Can't argue with the quantity, though, as pretty much ANY option will absolutely stuff you to the gills!

Be prepared for a wait on a Sunday morning/afternoon. They really don't even give you a wait time. For a party of two, we waited 30 minutes. The breakfast food was very good. You get two sides of your choice with an omelette. With other dishes such as the beer brisket hash, you get eggs and a choice of a bread. Will be back again.

Wishbone has been a Chicago breakfast staple for me for years. I recently took a friend here for Sunday breakfast. Wishbone is always crowded on the weekends for breakfast, but you rarely have to wait more than 5-10 minutes unless you want a seat outside on a nice day. The restaurant is fairly large, so there is generally plenty of seating. I would not consider the food to be gourmet, but every thing is very good and tasty with a cajun flavor. I usually go with the yankee scrambled eggs, but I've had the corn cakes in the past and those are very good. There's a location on the North side, but I usually go to the West Loop when I have a car since there is generally parking nearby. They are consistently good and priced right, which makes me a repeat customer!

Food is excellent! Outdoor dining is generous and not oppressed by the street. Not an unhappy taste bud. We had Seafood chowder and blackened catfish. They even had a beer on tap from my favorite Chicago brewery, Revolution. Excellent! This place is about four blocks up from our hotel. The walk was good and the experience great.