Big Jones

I want to lick the plate. Every time.

I have never left Big Jones without wanting to lick my plate clean of all the rich, elegant, positively musical flavors they concoct. I bring friends and family here so I can try their food, but that can be a problem because then I want to lick their plates, too, after I've eaten everything on them.

In my life of 35 years, I recollect only three times (outside of Big Jones ) that I have wanted to lick the plate. 1- my first Moussaka, 2- a really great Indian lamb curry, and 3- a sublime hazelnut gelato. And yet at Big Jones, I can't even tell you what's good because it will all..each...every dish, make you want to lick the plate. Because it will feel absurd to let go of one teaspoon of chef's transcendent and earthy flavors.

How is the food both rich and yummy and also light and refined? What witchcraft is this?! It's as if no other cook or restaurant has ever truly understood seasoning and cookcraft before. My god, my mouth is watering.

PS The cookbook is as articulate, entertaining, and informative as the food is mind-bogglingly delicious. Beware if you purchase one while dining at Big Jones with guests, because you will probably be tempted to dismiss your guests and enjoy the book for company. Although.. then you get all those entrees for yourself...

Wonderful food! The cornbread was yummy. Our server was fun and offered great dining suggestions. We will gget back and it’s right in our neighborhood.

Yummy upscale Southern comfort food. Our first time there for dinner, after a couple of good brunches over the years. Good service.

Shrimp and grits exceptional. Gumbo good, as usual. Beignets a treat.

Service was great, food was even better

Authentic Southern food is jard to find north of the Mason Dixon line and Big Jones has it all. Classic dishes and some creative twists. Great comfortable ambience and friendly service. Will definitely return

The fried chicken was phenomenal but the dessert was lacking. They should stick with the basics, classic southern desserts, such as cobbler or pecan pie.

Food is not seasoned well. The grits are chalky. Not at all like any southern(NOLA) cooking we’ve ever had.

Loved the unusual menu! We will definitely return.

Server did not know about the menu. Not sure how we got served our soup one at a time—I finished mine then the other came out later—mine was just warm not hot. Also salad came out at the same time. This place doesn’t give you bread. You have to buy it. But the restaurant sets bread plates out don’t understand that if bread is optional. However bread was two small slices cut in half for 5 bucks. Main course catfish and grits was very small like two shrimps. Also drinks were small and expensive, bartender does not know how to make martinis. Above all servers were noisy and doing side work in front of everyone while gossiping. So rude.

on my last visit the food, as usual, was delicious. no complaints about the flavor at all. however, compared to previous visits there has definitely been a reduction in portion sizes. pimiento cheese appetizer is now 3 small crackers with, maybe, a teaspoon and a half of pimiento cheese spread on each. delicious, but really? the catfish and grits now consists of one small to medium piece of fish and maybe a half cup each of cheese grits and beans. each bite was delicious, but i left the restaurant hungry. i still recommend this place because of the quality of the food and cocktails and the great atmosphere, just be prepared for small portions.

My father has heard wonderful things about the food and wanted to check it out. Had a 1:30 reservation. Showed up on time. Stood at host stand 5 minutes. No host. No manager. 2 waiters who saw us. Said nothing to us. 7 tables were eating. Not that busy. Decided to leave. Not cool.

We went for brunch. I love the large coffee cups! The cauliflower omelette was outstanding. I had it with the bib lettuce salad. So delicious. The complimentary powdered sugar pastry was a nice touch.

For food, service and fun, one of Chicago's best. Period.

Do not like the rules of 6 people, and no eating outside desert..need to place that in description

The corn fritters were moist on the inside and crispy outside with a wonderful corn sweetness. The duck legs were very tasty. The pickle sampler was interesting, but could have been better. My fried chicken and my wife's special fish were great. Our daughters got the shrimp and grits which I thought was only fair. The bread pudding was not good. Our waitress was attentive. Overall, we were happy with our meal, but not wowed.

First, I confess that my experience of Big Jones is limited. I've been several times, but only for weekend brunch, and I ALWAYS order the shrimp and grits. Until this weekend, that was enough to consistently put this place in my top 3 or 5 Chicago brunches. This time, however, the complimentary beignets were gooey, the sweet tea was syrupy, and the shrimp in my shrimp and grits were rubbery and flavorless. I won't be in a rush to return.

One of my new favorite brunch places. My mimosa and bloody mary were on point. If your looking for a quality brunch place that still fills you up, Big Jones delivers the perfect package.

Great atmosphere and delicious food. Especially loved the crab cakes and fried chicken. The service was very slow!

The service was VERY slow. We arrived well before the crowds, so there really wasn't a great reason for the almost non -existent service. My eggs Benedict and potatoes arrived not just room temperature, but nearly cold. No kidding. My husband's shrimp and grits were good. Just good. The shrimp were very small, almost sickly looking. They were cooked well, and not fishy, but for $17 we expected beautiful, large prawns. Very small pink shrimp (one size above tiny) . We were very disappointed in this meal, which is a shame since we've been wanting to go for a quite some time. We won't be back for brunch ever. Possibly dinner if we can't find any other option.

I've long been a fan of Big Jones' brunch. This time I tried a new dish - Brewster Oatmeal. It might seem strange that Oatmeal could be exciting, but this definitely was. Outstanding!

Me encanto 😍😍

I used to go to Big Jones often but then didn’t frequent here for quite some time. I returned recently for dinner and then, this past weekend, for brunch. The food is great and the drinks will not disappoint! This truly is a neighborhood gem!

The complimentary beignets were awesome. I would have loved if they came out before the meal and not with the meal..but beggars can’t be choosers ! Overall a great brunch. Would go back.

Overall, it was ok but a bit over priced. However, I might give it a second thought...

Southern food and hospitality along with killer cocktails. Easy street parking in charming Andersonville.

Very nice atmosphere/surrounding area.
I also had a very good coffee and loved my burger.
Service was slow but friendly.

Great food
Bit noisy but service took care
They moved when Rahm Emanuel's party was a bit loud

Service was good. Seated right away. Matt, our waiter was friendly and attentive. Got white bread, pickle sampler and cornbread skillet for appetizers. White bread was grainy, dry and just not very good. Pickled selections were small and just not very good. Cornbread skillet was pretty good. Our entrees were shrimp and grits, chicken and dumplings, and pulled pork po’ boy. The po’ boy was excellent and very good size. Chicken and dumplings just fair and a very small portion. The shrimp and grits were simply disgusting. The shrimp were cold, small and slimy. The grits were not smooth at all like the better dishes I’ve had in the Deep South. Instead, the grits were grainy and just not very good. It was like they were made from a package of instant grits. This place talks the talk with things like “sorghum butter” and “ham fat fried” mentioned on the menu, but the food just isn’t what they advertise. If you’ve ever had shrimp and grits or chicken and waffles in Charleston and are looking for a little of that in Chicago, you’ll be very disappointed. If you get dragged there by friends, I’d recommend the fried chicken. None of us got it but it looked and smelled pretty good going by our table. This is not even a reasonable facsimile of good southern food. Avoid.

Great southern cooking with all the right seasonings.

The food was overly salted. There was WAY too much rice with the gumbo. The service was incredibly bad. It was one of the worst restaurant experiences I have had in years.

I have eaten at Big Jones for years and have never had a bad meal. I've even eaten there for Thanksgiving as well as Christmas and again the prix fix meals are consistently delicious. The menu evokes Southern culture (my Mother was from the south); the cocktails are creative and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly and attentive. I highly recommend this place.

In a word...PHENOMENAL!!!! One of the best dining experiences we have had in a long time. All four of us polished our plates at every course, and the drinks were superb!!! We will definitely be back.

Everything was wonderful except for the noise level. It was difficult to hear even the person sitting across the table. Food, cocktails, and service were excellent.

Fried chicken, sweet potato gas and collard greens were delicious! Pork shoulder po boy sandwich was also amazing ! Friendly, attentive service!

This was the second time i have visited. The menu had some different items on it that were just as incredible as was on it my last visit.
Service was impeccable as was the blackberry pie--amazing!

Food is bland and drinks are good. Had quite a few things , Gumbo ( no kick) almost flavorless, skillet corn bread was too mushy and not dense at all, crab cakes were well just crab cakes, not bad but nothing to sing about, corn fritters were interesting but where is the flavor??, then fried chicken, while it had a nice crunch to it was again too bland for a southern style restaurant. Not sure what the fuss is about this place.

Like other reviews I read, the food is southern based with a good and interesting menu but the service was stretched too thin causing waits and inattention. The gumbo was built on a deep roux but after that it bore no real resemblance to a traditional Louisiana gumbo. The cocktails were good, the night was chilly and the chicken and dumplings was a good comfort food for the occassion. The dumplings had a good chew like a southern dumpling should. The cornbread was a highlight. A nice cozy atmosphere, its worth a visit but put your patience hat on.

Rarely think of Southern food as combining authenticity, sophistication and elegance. Big Jones does, and also offers impeccable, helpful and friendly service. Could not have been a better meal or experience! This place is a gem!

Great place with great menu. Shareable plates and nice ambience. Great for a date night.