The SouthernMixed TastesWe have a wide variety of food interests in our family - one vegetarian, one "pescatarian," three omnivores and one Weight Watcher. The Southern had something on the menu that was a fantastic choice for all six of us. This is a great little place with great beer specials and a very relaxed atmosphere. We'll definitely be back and will recommend to others.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMBourbon on the patioWe went for National Bourbon Day, and were probably the only people aware of it even though The Southern posted it on FB as an event. But as usual, the food was very good, the service adequate and the outdoor patio fun. The mac and cheese was really tasty. The catfish had good heat, and the pulled pork was really tender. Drinks were interesting, but the infused bourbon was really nasty (watermelon and peach?!), but our server removed it from our bill as it was undrinkable. The servers were fun and attentive, but literally running to accomodate requests.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways GoodThe Southern knows what they are doing and does it well. They know their staple dishes and not to change them (hello Fried Green Tomatoes) and know how to make some fried chicken...which my dinner companions enjoyed on this trip. They don't snub you for holding the sauce, and love to tell you how to pair a wine with a down home southern meal. For all these reasons and more, I will continue to be a regular at the Southern.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food and AtmosphereI highly recommend the Southern for a late night drink and excellent bar food... A++6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWednesday Chicken DinnerWe've done the order ahead and bring 10 of your friends Family Style chicken Southern offers so decided to give them a shot on Wednesday as well. Chicken was good, not as good as the order ahead variety but good chicken. will have to assemble another group, though, because ....5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMReal Southern Food in ChicagoGreat for brunch! The Southern is an excellent choice if you're looking for food made from a Southern house kitchen. We had the Catfish Poboy, Mac & Cheese, fried Chicken, crab chowder and started with the doughnut holes. Everything was excellent and we would absolutely come back with our friends and family from Texas. Well done southern food in Chicago.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMUber-friendly, outstanding serviceThank you for such great service on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend. Everything about our experience at The Southern was great, from the unique dishes to the fantastic service.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience!It is not often that I write reviews, however i loved loved loved my experience at Southen so much i couldn't help but share. The number one reason for my feedback is due to the food. EVERYTHING was so delcious. We had brunch and sampled the fried green tomotatoes, fried chicken, and peach french toast. Everything was just flawless. So glad I finally tried the Southern!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food! Great service!Great food! Great service! Loved the fried chicken and fried green tomatoes!!4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMYumWhat a surprise. The crab cakes were delicious with very little breaking and big chunks of tasty crab. The pork Was incredibly tender and delicious. If you want wine or bourbon flights or a wide selection of each, this s your place. Loved the sides--the collard greens with bacon were really good. Just good food.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMI like this restaurant/bar.I like this restaurant/bar. It's comfy and simple and the cocktails are delicious! The Georgia Ginger is my favorite! I could drink like 5 of them. The smoked Mac n cheese could use a flavor kick, but the Fried green tomatoes were great! The strawberries on top were a surprise addition which compliments the friend tomatoes very nicely! And they are huge so it could be small meal/lunch in itself! The corn dogs were also GREAT! The Blackened catfish was also a favorite at our table. Spicy and a huge sandwich. Portion sizes at The Southern are awesome. The mussels however, were our least favorite. Some were overcooked, some were fishy tasting.. not consistent at all. Overall a good experience though! :) Would totally go back for happy hour.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMService was great and theService was great and the food was good. It's a bit noisy, but the dim lighting kept it romantic. The tables are pretty close together, but overall, the ambiance was fantastic. There is only one stall in the ladies room, though...4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMReal, delicious Southern food;Real, delicious Southern food; the hushpuppies and collards were our favorites. It was nice for this Georgia native to have some good cookin above the Mason-Dixon line!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMI will be back!I went with a group of friends for Sunday brunch. We were seated right away (I had made a previous reservation on OpenTable, just in case it was "brunch-busy"). The food came out quickly and drinks were served immediately. Our waitress was fun and we could easily converse with her. I ordered the peach french toast and it was delicious. I've never had anything like it and was very happy with my choice. I will be back!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Southern never fails toThe Southern never fails to deliver on quality food and great drinks made by some of the best bartenders in the city3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI split a couple of brunchI split a couple of brunch entrees with a friend and I strongly recommend both the fried chicken and smothered biscuits! I will be back for brunch again!! Also, they have a fun brunch cocktail menu with a nice variety. Not like every other brunch spot menu which is a nice change.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMDinner at The Southern wasDinner at The Southern was great! Their bourbon selection is fantastic and the bacon manhattan was out of this world. Our table shared the crawfish fondue which was a perfect blend of spice. I had the blackened catfish, which as a native southerner, I was pleasently surprised and satisfied by the grits and the tender catfish. Portion sizes were perfect for the price paid and our service was very attentive and friendly. I would definitely go back.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst off - I have to sayFirst off - I have to say I am crazy for fried chicken. Fortunately/unfortunately I have spent a great deal of time in the South so I am totally spoiled, I know what it should taste like and am usually reluctant to order it anywhere north of the Mason/Dixon for fear of disappointment. All the write ups on The Southern said "best fried chicken in Chicago" so ... went for brunch last Sunday and had at it. It was really, really good. Not MacKenzie's Chicken in a Box greatness (shout out to "Nawlins folks) but really close. AND they had Crystal hot sauce!!! My poor NOLA missing heart(and palate) was temporarily sated. Pretty good Bloody Marys too. Friendly wait staff to boot. We will be back.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFRIED CHICKEN!!!Went for brunch, great bourbon selection and we all had the fried chicken-which is outstanding. Portions are huge so I would recommend sharing. They have no vegetables on the menu besides collard greens (cooked with pork) and a salad. They could use a few more eggs dishes at brunch.3/10/2013 12:00:00 AM