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Chez Joel, Chicago, IL
Award-winning

Chez Joel

4.8 (2731)
$30 and under
French
1119 West Taylor, Chicago, IL 60607

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 16 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
In the midst of Little Italy, Chez Joel creates the tastes and aromas of France for. Featuring traditional favorites, Chef Joel Kazouini offers his straightforward, expertly prepared Southern French cuisine. Chez Joel’s atmosphere is reminiscent of a true French bistro; its walls adorned with French posters and tables covered with butcher paper. The cozy environment makes Chez Joel the perfect spot for any romantic meal, and when weather permits, garden tables offer an open-air experience where you’ll find one of the most divine al fresco dining settings in the city.
Chez Joel Since 1999

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Joel Kazouini
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy / University Village
  • Cross street
    May Street
  • Parking details
    Valet at Dinner: $7
  • Public transit
    Racine Blue line..Taylor bus, Number 8 Halsted bus.
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,731 people are saying

Chez Joel reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Chicago / Illinois

    French

  • Chicago

    French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Chez Joel offers a "delightful experience" with "excellent food and service" in a cozy atmosphere. Its charming patio is a "must" for outdoor dining. Guests rave about the "amazing ratatouille," seasonal dishes, and attentive staff. Despite some minor service hiccups, many patrons call it a "neighborhood gem."
2,731 Reviews
  1. Delia VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area100 reviews

    1.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    We had eaten at Chez Joel many times and it was formerly a nice restaurant with good food and service. Last evening the service was rude, inattentive, and ineffective. The food was inedible and was not served based on the order placed. The fish special was tough in the middle and unable to be eaten. The rack of lamb was ordered with potato and Parisian vegetables and was served by a rude male buser with the wrong vegetables. The buser then insulted me when I pointed out that the vegetable order was incorrectly served. He claimed to be the owner’s nephew which apparently made him think it was acceptable to tell us that he knew better what we ordered than we did. When I asked to speak to a manager he said the manager was his uncle and was not in the restaurant. We just wanted the food we ordered to be served. He walked off and left us with the wrong food. Some time later another woman came by after our original server never came to check on us, and she claimed to be the floor manager. We explained what had happened, she apologized, and said she would remove the inedible fish entree from the bill. My plate was taken away with the inedible fish as well as my wine glass and my nearly empty water glass remained where no one offered me anything further to drink. The potato ordered with the rack of lamb was brought in a side dish several minutes after the lamb was served. I should mention the original server gleefully told us when we both asked to have a vegetable that was available on the menu that evening substituted with our entrees that there would be an additional fee for the substitution. In all of our prior visits to Chez Joel this was never a problem or an additional fee. We declined to order dessert. The floor manager then came back by to say she had taken care of the check since the experience was so poor and unacceptable. We Appreciated that but such a poor experience is unforgettable.

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  2. elaine VIP

    Las Vegas20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Good French food, opted for a non French salad that was very nice, excellent ingredients.

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  3. Mary Anne VIP

    Chicago / Illinois112 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    There's no better place to be on a lovely summer evening than outdoors at Chez Joel. David, our server, was terrific and attentive. Frog legs, endive salad, filet and butternut squash ravioli were all wonderful. The special blueberry tart was heavenly. Always a pleasure.

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  4. Dennis

    Chicago / Illinois13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent experience as usual. 3 of us had steaks and everyone was highly satisfied. One had chicken which was prepared with tasty ingredients to make it special. No attitude, everyone is geared to giving you a good experience. The outdoor patio is a delight on any night, it just gets more beautiful as the evening goes on. We love this place.

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  5. Theodore L.

    Chicago / Illinois5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Unique experience in Little Italy. Excellent food and service.

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  6. Robert VIP

    Chicago / Illinois59 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Delightful experience. Nice assortment of choices. Loved the seasonal softshell crab entree and the grilled octopus appetizer. My wife enjoyed the linguine with seafood. Our waitress Joanna was a enthusiastic and knowledgeable and added greatly to our experience.Bob D

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  7. Lisa VIP

    Chicago / Illinois79 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great Neighborhood Gem (or even for a little travel!)

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  8. Donovan VIP

    Greater Boston1 review

    4.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Great overall- love the spot. Our server seems a little out of it though. For a 5 year anniversary celebration, would’ve expected a little more than we got.

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  9. Debbi

    Detroit / Eastern Michigan13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a charming restaurant Very welcoming Our waitress Giovanna was outstanding I would come back to Chicago just to come here for dinner

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  10. Melody

    New Orleans / Louisiana6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely excellent experience. We’ll be back! The patio is such a vibe.

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FAQs

Chez Joel offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 226-6479.

Chez Joel is rated 4.8 stars by 2731 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Chicago / Illinois
  4. Chicago
  5. Little Italy / University Village

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 16 times today
Google Map for Chez Joel

1119 West Taylor, Chicago, IL 60607

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    May Street
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy / University Village
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet at Dinner: $7
  • Public transit
    Racine Blue line..Taylor bus, Number 8 Halsted bus.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Joel Kazouini
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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