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  • Big Bowl-Ohio

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Reserve at Big Bowl-Ohio

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Big Bowl-Ohio
Big Bowl-Ohio

Big Bowl-Ohio Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.bigbowl.com
  • Phone: (312) 951-1888
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11:30am - 4:00pm; Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:00am
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Chinese, Thai
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Private Room, Takeout, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: We have an elevated semi private area of the restaurant that can seat up to 45 guests.
  • Private Party Contact: Adam Bryant (312) 951-1888

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Ohio & Rush
  • Public Transit: The red line stops at Grand and State which is only a few minute walk to Big Bowl.
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: There is a public parking garage directly above Big Bowl on Ohio Street. There are two entrances, one off Ohio St just past the corner of Wabash and Rush on the North side of the street The other entrance is on Rush St just north of Ohio St on the west side. Both are denoted by a green sign with a white "P" on it.
A word from Big Bowl-Ohio
Big Bowl is a pioneering Asian restaurant, vibrant in design and cuisine that offers the latest authentic Chinese and Thai food. Using market-fresh ingredients, Big Bowl’s signatures include “dim sum-sized” appetizers that encourage sharing, Pad Thais, seafood, some truly hot & spicy food, and… fresh made ginger ale. Diners from singles to family-style parties, end the meal as they began, with a sampling of “dim sum” desserts.Located in the heart of River North. Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerChinese
Diner Reviews
  • "Had lunch here and really appreciated the number of gluten free options on the menu. Food was decent, good spot for lunch if you work in the area."
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "Just had eggrolls and shrimp summer roll for a light dinner. Was delicious and service very friendly and nice. One of our favorite places!"
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "ordered one dish three times until they got it right - didn't want it spicy and came out twice with hot peppers. very noisy table behind us with lots of kids whose parents had no desire to ask them to sit down, stop bumping into our chairs, etc. waitress was so frazzled that manager had to help her serve and it really wasn't even that busy. won't go back to that location but thanks for the free desserts! like lincolnshire location much better!"
    Dined on 7/4/2014
  • "Like the mix of Chinese and Thai options. We ordered a variety of small plates and enjoyed the lettuce wraps, chicken and pork dumplings and shrimp rolls. The broccoli was really good and full of flavor. Service was good though it was busy for lunch and the staff seemed stretched a little thin. All in all, we enjoyed it and would return when in the area."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "Wonderful menu and quick service. Our family had a wonderful evening here - we all personalized our favorite ingredients to make something unique.....that would just take too much time to put together at home."
    Dined on 6/24/2014
  • "We have eaten here many times. The food is really good."
    Dined on 6/16/2014
  • "Our server was fantastic, offering appetizer and dish selections without being annoying. Of the group of ten, everyone had a different dish and we l had the same complaint- the dishes were loaded with sodium."
    Dined on 6/16/2014
  • "My first time here. The waiter took time to explain the menu options to me. He was patient, friendly, and attentive. He refilled my drink twice without asking. The food delivery was timely and hot. I got the pork potstickers which were a tad small but tasty. My entree was the Thai red hot pepper noodles. The quantity was perfect. The dish was tasty and very spicy. I would definitely go again and order the same thing or something different."
    Dined on 6/11/2014
  • "Big Bowl offered good food, vibe, and location for the money. I plan to return."
    Dined on 6/8/2014
  • "if you are just dining with two... you aren't apparently as valuable to them. The waiter brought free appetizers to a party table next to us and barely looked twice at my dad and me. guess we didn't rate with him. he gushed over them the first time you're at our restaurant... let me show you etc. he didn't do that with us and it was the first time we were there too. this was really annoying. The food was passable -it actually tasted a lot better the next day as leftovers than it did in the restaurant. there are seasonal things they have which are nice. The food is better than average but nothing to write home about. We mixed the sauce of one dish with the main part of another dish and came away with a good meal. "
    Dined on 5/31/2014
  • "Interesting variety of food, especially for those who consider the source and healthfulness of the food to be important. The detailed information of all of the choices, given by our waiter, was a great help. The manager and all were very accommodating. We look forward to returning. "
    Dined on 5/27/2014
  • "We checked into our hotel late in the evening & decided to eat here because it was close to our hotel. We loved the chicken & peanut egg rolls. I did the stir fry bar & my husband had the curry chicken (pretty spicy). We both liked our food. Service was good."
    Dined on 4/24/2014
  • "We've been to Big Bowl Ohio many times. Something was off. My drink arrived with the strawberry slopped down the side. That seemed to set the tone with the exception of the potstickers we shared. Both entrees were not up to what we expect and have received in the past.., not awful, but not particularly good either."
    Dined on 4/13/2014
  • "I felt the waiter rushed us at every step of our meal. I realize they may want to turn over tables quickly because of their limited seating. But the meal was rushed. I like peanuts. But there were way too many peanuts in my meal and not enough chicken. I will not "rush" back"
    Dined on 4/9/2014
  • "Waited a long period of time for server, seemed to be some confusion, but once rectified, no issues. Food was great, noise level was pretty loud. Crowded place on a Sunday evening to boot, but would go back. Gilly (our waitress) was fantastic!"
    Dined on 3/23/2014
  • "This was our third visit to Big Bowl. The food and service were great."
    Dined on 3/24/2014
  • "Had wanted to go there for a long time. The food was simply not good--any Asian restaurant can beat this place!"
    Dined on 3/7/2014
  • "I chose Big Bowl for a Valentines Dinner for my wife and another couple. The girls both enjoy Thai food. I'm not a big fan, but It was a night for them. We opted for the group share dinner. It's is well worth the price per person. Giving you salad and noodles, appetizers, three entree choices. The restaurant was packed out especially being Valentines night, but the wait staff handled everything perfectly. Each course came out looking good, served quickly, and we never felt rushed to get us fed and out the door. The girls loved the curry chicken dish and the potstickers. We also checked out a new place called Eataly right across the street and would definitely recommend checking that out after dinner for a great Italian coffee and dessert."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Good restaurant selection. Ambience was great, waiter was exceptional very tentative. The food was great."
    Dined on 2/12/2014
  • "You can always get a good meal at Big Bowl! We have been to a few of them and they are always spot on. They are reasonably priced, great selection of items on the menu, and good drinks! You can't go wrong with the Big Bowl!"
    Dined on 12/22/2013
  • "Big Bowl is consistently good, serving fresh, high-quality, thoughtful versions of Southeast Asia's greatest hits dishes. It is not the little-known dive in Chinatown that serves the best Peking duck this side of the Great Wall, but it's not trying to be. The menu is on the larger side (presumably, due to a lot of similar ingredients used in different preparations), but there are always new dishes to try alongside tried and true staples. This time, I started with the pho, which was fine, but the broth lacked vigor and the bean sprouts, Fresno chilis and Thai basil looked anemic. But then, it was on to the Kung Pao chicken (extra spicy, with noodles) which is fantastic. Suffice to say, I'll be back again and again."
    Dined on 1/29/2014
  • "We used to come to Big Bowl regularly but the past couple of occasions have been awful. The food tasted like bleach on this past visit (both entrees) and they now have terrible quality meat (although it doesn't matter much since they've replaced most of the meat portions with various filler items). It's the worst example of a restaurant continually driving costs down until the food just becomes disgusting. We won't be going back anytime soon."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "We always enjoy dining out at Big Bowl. There are options for everyone, including plenty of vegetarian. The food is consistently yummy. You can eat heartily or healthy. I always enjoy the housemade ginger drinks. The service was really great and our waiter promptly corrected a problem with our gift card. Highly recommended restaurant for a special event or when guests come to town."
    Dined on 1/10/2014
  • "Have been here several times, never had a bad meal."
    Dined on 12/20/2013
  • "Service was very fair and we waited a long time for food and in between courses and it wasn't busy.Some of our food was just warm and not hot. We ordered soup to share and that took awhile to get to the table, we waited long to get our main courses which came out one by one for us. green beans had a nice flavor but came out warm not hot. It was as if they were sitting on the line for awhile. There was a long wait to get the food between our courses.As soon as we got our entrees I asked for the check but got no pen to sign my credit card receipt. I couldn't sign my receipt and left a cash tip. No one was at the door to thank us as we departed & the bartender didn't say ank you or good bye. I would expect more out of a LEYE restaurant."
    Dined on 12/23/2013
  • "We last dunes here 3 years prior and are glad to see that things have not changed. The homemade ginger ale is great. Fun atmosphere and reasonable prices."
    Dined on 12/22/2013
  • "Great range of dishes that were well cooked. The added bonus was that wine was half price on a Monday, which made our visit even better value."
    Dined on 12/23/2013
  • "Had the special pacific shrimp soup and it was great to share and perfect for the weather! The yellow coconut curry stir fry bar is amazing!!! Great left overs too!"
    Dined on 12/22/2013
  • "Was disappointed , as we expected more from a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant. Looks like a diner, but thought the food would outshine the lack of atmosphere. We were wrong. We have three international students from China, Korea and Thailand. We were hoping they would enjoy a taste of home, but they did not like it at all. PfChangs is 100 % better. The place was extremely crowded and there is no place for people waiting for a table to stand. Some people where spilling into the eating area and standing by our table near the door. Waiter wasn't very helpful but was friendly."
    Dined on 12/21/2013
  • "Totally enjoyed our dinner at the Big Bowl! Food was delicious. Great flavors, nicely seasoned. Service was well done. Will definitely be back."
    Dined on 11/29/2013
  • "Service was initially slow, but more than made up for it once we told someone we had not been visited by a waitress after sitting more than 15 minutes. From that point forward service was attentive with great service recovery of free appetizers. You are easily able to have a conversation in this restaurant. Dress is casual and overall atmosphere is conducive to groups just wanting to have a great time."
    Dined on 12/19/2013
  • "reservation was at 12-pm, it opens at 11:30 am and they were already out of sapporo beer and mai tais- how does that happen, especially at a lettuce rest., food was below average, that is very rare for lettuce entertain you rest., i would have been better off giving the $ 120 to charity !"
    Dined on 12/8/2013
  • "Great food and service! We were visiting Chicago for the weekend and were happy to have a great meal, no waiting, everything was well explained."
    Dined on 11/25/2013
  • "Our server was Sam, and he was a gem. So awesome and didn't interrupt dinner every 5-10 minutes like so many other servers. Gave us input about the dishes we were about to order. I ordered the seven flavor chicken with fried rice. It was sooo good! I don't like chicken very much, but this was an incredible dish. My boyfriend ordered the red hot pepper noodles. That was really tasty too! We ordered mochi for dessert, the passion fruit flavor is the best. They serve it with a side of chocolate dipping sauce and caramel. So delicious, I thought it would be weird, but no way. AND they make the sauces in house. We ordered the seasonal non-spirited hot buttery apple cider. It is perfect for a cold day. I want more."
    Dined on 11/18/2013
  • "The seven flavor chicken was delish, as was the potstickers. A great time was had by all. Though, the pomegranate cocktail was too sweet with the home made ginger ale. The vodka, Pom, with club soda was just right though."
    Dined on 11/16/2013
  • "I appreciate having a low cost list of wines, commensurate with food prices, but the reds are really bad."
    Dined on 11/16/2013
  • "One of our party has a gluten allergy. He has always had an enjoyable meal, no problems with the gluten allergy. there were lots of choices for him to choose from."
    Dined on 11/15/2013
  • "Very good food selection and great atmosphere in downtown Chicago. Great place for dinner before/after a movie downtown."
    Dined on 10/19/2013
  • "I love to eat at Big Bowl. The food is always outstanding. I typically eat at one in the suburbs and always have a great experience. This was a bit different. This was the first time I have eaten at the one on Ohio street. The restaurant layout is a bit crowded taking away from the ambiance a little. This time, the food was good but the service was terrible. I waited approximately 10 minutes before the server came by to start my order. I waited another five minutes a before water was brought to my table. The server appeared to be very hurried and not attentive. Although the restaurant was busy, the server and the overall service really adds to or takes away from the overall experience. I was disappointed."
    Dined on 11/2/2013
  • "Server was knowledgeable. Food came in a timely fashion. We really enjoyed our visit."
    Dined on 10/28/2013
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