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  5. River North (Chicago)
Big Bowl - Chicago, Chicago, IL
Big Bowl - Chicago, Chicago, IL
Big Bowl - Chicago, Chicago, IL
Big Bowl - Chicago, Chicago, IL
Big Bowl - Chicago, Chicago, IL

Big Bowl - Chicago

4.5
4.5
1153 Reviews
$30 and under
Chinese
Using the freshest and highest quality ingredients and starting from scratch are the only ways to authentically prepare Asian cuisine. At Big Bowl, we make our own curries and roast our own chilies and spices, which are ground daily to prepare a variety of our signature dishes. Our menu features Chinese favorites like Kung Pao Chicken, Prime Beef & Broccoli, Sweet & Sour Pineapple Shrimp and Slow Roasted Barbecue Pork Fried Rice, along with Thai specialties like Panang Curry Chicken, Vegetable & Tofu Pad Thai and Red Hot Pepper Chicken Noodles. Whether its sweet or spicy, rice or noodles, Chinese or Thai that you are craving, our menu has it all. Located in the heart of River North.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Chinese, Thai
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (312) 951-1888
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    We offer our Group Catering Menu and Party Platters for carry-out and delivery! Please ask for a manager and they will be happy to assist!
  • Private party facilities
    Big Bowl is the perfect venue to host a social or business event. For more information or to check availability, please call Laura or Grace at 312-589-7001 or via email at bigbowlparties@leye.com.
  • Private party contact
    Laura Nessel & Grace Terzakis: (888) 309-8408
  • Neighborhood
    River North (Chicago)
  • Cross street
    Ohio & Rush
  • 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.
  • Public transit
    The red line stops at Grand and State which is only a few minute walk to Big Bowl.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

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What 1,153 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Chicago / Illinois

    Chinese

1,152 Reviews
  1. SusanW

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    2.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall2food3service2ambience2
    I've been to many Big Bowl Restaurants and always found them to be attractive with attentive wait staff that are friendly and like what they do. This location was run down and the staff could care less that customers were there.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    Not as good as previous years... will not be back. Food quality was poor.

    Is this helpful?

  3. KSL2

    Chicago

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Delicious food- Big Bowl never disappoints me- been going there for 20 years!

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  4. JonR

    Denver

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Food was great. Service was great. Ambiance was nice with well done decor.

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Miami

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was hot, delicious, and prompt. Our server was readily available and drinks never went empty. First time here and I will definitely visit again!

    Is this helpful?

  6. DwainT

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    As always, the menu offered a wide variety even though it seems prices have nudged up a bit. It's disappointing that LEYE hits with a 3% service fee. Our server was particularly wonderful. We told him we had somewhat of a time issue and -- true to his word -- he expedited the service, including monitoring when we were ready to pay. He did so in what seemed a genuinely professional manner.

    Is this helpful?

  7. VEGAS

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had the apple cider sangria and it was delicious. As always I had their yummy hot and sour soup.

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  8. EdwinVW

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Great food, great service. Ability to share some dishes with everyone at the table was awesome. Will definitely return when visiting Chicago again.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Mobyville

    Chicago

    55 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The place was pretty full, but we were seated speedily at a very nice table. Service was attentive and quick; the food excellent (a bygone favorite was on the specials menu and was just as good as we remembered.) Surrounded by other happy diners: a good time being had by all. All stars all round!

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  10. Josie

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 1, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    OUR WORST EATING EXPERIENCE WHILST ON HOLIDAY BY FAR. WE WERE GREETED BY A HOST WHO REALLY DIDNT WANT US (IT WAS HALLOWEEN NIGHT AND THEY WANTED TO CLOSE EARLY), WE WERE THEN SEATED BY ANOTHER HOSTESS WHO WAS SO UTTERLY RUDE. WE WERE IN A PARTY OF 23 AND THE STAFF REALLY DIDNT WANT TO SEAT US TOGETHER EVEN THOUGH THE RESTAURANT WAS VIRTUALLY EMPTY. OUR SERVER WAS VERY PLEASANY. FOOD WAS TASTY BUT COLD. I NEVER WRITE REVIEWS BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED SO BADLY IN A RESTAURANT. WONT BE BACK.

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  11. MariaBraza

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience4
    The short rib potsticker appetizer was the best part of my meal. The shrimp pad Thai had all the right ingredients but was flavorless. The chicken kung pao had no taste. We had to add the red chili sauce to make our meals taste better. My lavender lemon drop was amazing but the margarita was not a hit. Service was very attentive until the restaurant was crowded and then we had to flag him down for the last two times. You definitely get more by dining in than carrying out.

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  12. WilliamS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Been several years since I’ve been to Big Bowl and looked forward to eating there again. They did not disappoint.

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  13. MarkL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A great experience all over at Big Bowl, big servings, fresh and tasty food, fast friendly service along with reasonable pricing. Highly recommended for locals and visitors to Chicago.

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  14. NatashaK

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience3
    I miss when you could select your own veggies, the stir fry seems to be lacking from what I remember years ago. We still enjoyed the apps and food though. The crab wontons are amazing.

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    They have a very good staff and their food was great

    Is this helpful?

  16. BillyC

    Chicago

    62 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. My server Brittany was extremely nice and attentive. Brittany is is hard working and has a great attitude.

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  17. forsa

    Fort Lauderdale

    45 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Nice thai/chinese restaurant. Reasonable priced. Good hot peppar shrimp fried rice.

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  18. Janine

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Big Bowl has so many delicious choices on their menu. Service is fast. Ambiance is casual and fun. It's always my go to when I have friends or family in town, or when I just want some really good Chinese or Thai food

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  19. Adam

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    The food was average for the price. However, the portion was very good. I would say genuine customer service is very important and I did see that from our waitress. She seemed talking a lot with her coworkers especially with the manager and was paying less attention to us. The place needs better cooling system especially in summer. I would go again as my overall experience was okay and the fact that they have good vegan options.

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Big Bowl has been our goto restaurant for special occasions for nearly 20 years! We have dinner at Big Bowl every time we spend a weekend in Chicago, and sometimes we even drive from Grand Rapids Michigan just to have dinner here! Fresh, delicious, and one of a kind!

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  21. Mobyville

    Chicago

    55 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Seated right away at a very nice table. Service attentive and right on top of beverage refills. Food excellent: the spices didn't seem, to one of us, to be as intense in the Szechuan green beans, but the crispy eggplant and short rib potstickers sure made up for that: we needed the Crab Rangoon to put out the fire. Wonderful meal: all stars all around!

    Is this helpful?

  22. Howard

    Chicago

    146 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    146 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    The reason for the unenthusiastic review is that there was no acknowledgement by our server that we were celebrating a birthday, even though I specified that when I made the Open Table reservation.

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  23. RachelB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best Thai and Chinese food ever. We eat here every time we come to Chicago. It's become a tradition.

    1 person found this helpful

  24. Susan

    Chicago

    188 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    188 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Yummy food lots of choices Outstanding service But sadly The prices keep getting higher

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  25. Jeff

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service were excellent, as usual. Highly recommended.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was outstanding. Very nice selection of vegetarian and vegan menu options. The drink menu was great.

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  27. RobertN

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    Just another Chinese restaurant. No atmosphere. No interest in anything but getting us in and out. So disappointing.

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  28. pja666

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Great food and variety. Have a great gluten free menu

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  29. PasqualeR

    Des Moines

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always enjoy a meal at Big Bowl. King Pao chicken, crab rangoons, pad Thai and stir fry…can’t go wrong here.

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    Tucson

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We made a reservation and were seated quickly. The food was tasty, but not exceptional. Service was rather slow. The mai tai I ordered was delicious, though.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great and the server was very friendly. Will definitely head back next time I’m in Chicago

    Is this helpful?

  32. Mobyville

    Chicago

    55 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Seated right away at an excellent table. Service prompt (right on top of those beverage refills), food quick and hot and excellent(though the kung pao was not as spicy as it has been in the past.) Had a wonderful time: all stars all around!

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  33. JoyfulDiner

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Food was delicious! Excellent service with a smile.

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    excelente servicio y la comida invreible felicidades

    Is this helpful?

  35. SamS

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great location for business lunch. Food is amazing--

    Is this helpful?

  36. Churchill

    Chicago

    40 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Good place and good food and nice decor. THanks to my server. There is much choice for Chinese Food in Chicago and Big Bowl matches the many, but does not stand out for the food. Service, as I said, decor, location are all great. I would go back.

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  37. sbailey

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and food is delicious. Highly recommend

    Is this helpful?

  38. DavidG

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great meal. Our server was very attentive. Food came out timely and was delicious. Their appetizers were yummy and their kung Pao is one of the best

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  39. KyleV

    Fort Lauderdale

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Our waiter George was awesome. Really appreciate his recommendations.

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    Palm Springs

    7 reviews

    1.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1
    Very Disappointing.. Nothing like other Chinese restaurants. Menu just ok. Bowls are low and mainly too much sauce. Even the green tea was not good.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Big Bowl - Chicago using the Order Online button. Big Bowl - Chicago also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 951-1888.

Big Bowl - Chicago is rated 4.5 stars by 1153 OpenTable diners.

Big Bowl - Chicago does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Big Bowl - Chicago

60 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Ohio & Rush
  • Neighborhood
    River North (Chicago)
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Sun 3:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Chinese, Thai
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • 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.
  • Public transit
    The red line stops at Grand and State which is only a few minute walk to Big Bowl.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (312) 951-1888
  • Catering
    We offer our Group Catering Menu and Party Platters for carry-out and delivery! Please ask for a manager and they will be happy to assist!
  • Private party facilities
    Big Bowl is the perfect venue to host a social or business event. For more information or to check availability, please call Laura or Grace at 312-589-7001 or via email at bigbowlparties@leye.com.
  • Private party contact
    Laura Nessel & Grace Terzakis: (888) 309-8408
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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