Free Rein

Sort by

Filters

1. A

   Aev375

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 23, 2020

   overall3food2service2ambience5

   Food was incredibly plain and disappointing for the price. I had high expectations, but it seems they spent most of their investments on interiors rather than their menu and food.

   Report
2. SD

   SarahD

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 16, 2020

   overall2food2service1ambience2

   Service was horrible. The waiter didn't know anything, couldn't answer a single question. Never brought coffee that we ordered. Mixed up one of our meals -- asked for a different side, didn't get it right or apologize or fix. Ordered an espresso shot, he came back with a cappuccino. Would never recommend to someone.

   Report
3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago

   1 review

   vip
   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 16, 2020

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   We had reservations for last Saturday at 6pm. We arrived and found out the restaurant was closed down for a party. When we told an employee we had reservations, he went to get a manager. The manager never showed up. We received no notice there was a party. We did not eat there so I cannot comment on the food.

   Report
4. M

   Merrick

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on February 15, 2020

   overall3food4service2ambience3

   IT was Valentines evening. The restaurant was crowded and well understaffed. Our server was pleasant but had way to many tables. A lot of hard services in the room so a lot of echo sounds. The good. THe food was well prepared and cooked correctly. The plating was very nice.

   Report
5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on February 11, 2020

   overall3food4service2ambience5

   The restaurant was beautiful and the food was good. The service started our good but we rarely saw our waitress although it wasn’t busy and also did not have anyone refill our water, which we all needed.

   Report
6. AZ

   AZ563

   Chicago

   12 reviews

   4.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on February 1, 2020

   overall4food4service4ambience5

   Came for restaurant week lunch! Was good but bread seemed stale for the grilled cheese and way too greasy. The dessert portion was very very small.

   Report
7. DM

   DeborahM

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on January 29, 2020

   overall2food2service2ambience3

   The food was below my expectations. My grilled cheese had burnt bread (a chef should be embarrassed to send something like that out) and the taste was awkward, cheese was odd and cold. The service was terribly unorganized and honestly most staff seemed like they had never worked in a major restaurant in their lives. The only good part was the staff filling water - they were on it but to the point where it was almost annoying. You took one sip and then were refilling. Huge disappointment.

   Report
8. S

   Scott

   Chicago

   7 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on January 25, 2020

   overall2food2service2ambience2

   Too bright. Servers were confused and forgetful. Food was something I could have made at home. I suggest rethinking the entire concept...

   Report
9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago

   5 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 18, 2020

   overall4food4service3ambience3

   The food was delicious. The service could have been a bit better.

   Report
10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Birthday weekend with friends

    Report
11. JB

    JoeB

    Chicago

    40 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2020

    overall4food4service5ambience3

    Too noisy but good service and decent food

    Report
12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2020

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    Pretty low key everyday sort of place.

    Report
13. PM

    PaulM

    Chicago

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2020

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    I met someone at Free Rein on a Tuesday for a business lunch. Made a reservation, but didn't need to -- there was plenty of available seating. I really like the menu -- there are a number of selections I'd like to try. They have four interesting salads, interesting side dishes, and a good variety of mains and sandwiches. I had a bitter greens salad topped (optionally) with salmon; my companion had a broccoli salad. Both were delicious. The salmon was cooked perfectly. Service was fast and courteous. I'm definitely going to go back and am telling my co-workers about Free Rein -- our office just moved close by.

    Free ReinResponded on January 24, 2020Thank you for your review, Paul! We're pleased to know you enjoyed your experience dining with us during a business lunch. We hope to see you again soon!

    Report
14. AT

    AusTex19

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2020

    overall3food4service3ambience4

    Food was good, but not worth it for the price paid.

    Report
15. P

    Pearl

    Tampa

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2019

    overall2food2service4ambience2

    This restaurant is part Is part of the hotel (St. Jane) where we checked in at 9 pm last night. We had dinner at the bar because the place was so empty (clue #1 ). Gem salad with “crispy potatoes” and roasted garlic Caesar dressing was served with potato chips from a bag! In the salad. Dressing was clearly from a bottle and the lettuce wasn’t fresh. We ordered a side of fries - with his burger. Totally over salted. The mussels in a coconut broth had a good flavor but again the toasted bread it came with was too salty. The bartender was great and for some regular bread from the kitchen. I wish we’d sent the salad and fries back to the kitchen.

    Report
16. SS

    SandySam

    Chicago

    106 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    106 reviews

    Dined on December 20, 2019

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    This place is acceptable for a standard working lunch.

    Report
17. M

    Marcia

    Chicago

    53 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Generous cocktails

    Report
18. MA

    MicheleA

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 13, 2019

    overall3food1service5ambience5

    I had the burger. It was dry and cooked well-done. Apparently they don't ask the patron their preference because the patty is so thin. That speaks volumes about quality to me. I would never return.

    Report
19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2019

    overall2food2service3ambience2

    Nothing special

    Report
20. AK

    AnnieK

    Detroit

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2019

    overall3food4service2ambience2

    I wouldn’t go back again. Our server told us he was exhausted, and he really looked the part. I didn’t know whether to feel bad for him or for the poor service we were getting. The restaurant was out of multiple items we placed orders for, which was disappointing. The noise level coming from the bar area was also deafening- we had to scream at each other to communicate at the table! Food that did arrive was good.

    Report
21. M

    Mackenzie

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This is now one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! Great ambiance, food and service. Would highly recommend for a date night or any gathering!

    Free ReinResponded on November 25, 2019Thank you for your thoughtful review, Mackenzie! We're so happy to hear we are one of our favorites!

    Report
22. LU

    LindaU

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience3

    Great food and excellent service. Really special drink. We were celebrating my birthday and they brought me a piece of cake. Nice touch!

    Free ReinResponded on November 22, 2019Thank you for your review, Linda! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the food and thank you for celebrating your birthday with us!

    Report
23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Filipino breakfast was delicious and perfect amount to share.

    Free ReinResponded on November 18, 2019Thank you! Happy to hear you enjoyed it!

    Report
24. TW

    TiffanieW

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2019

    overall2food2service1ambience5

    A group of 10 of us ate at Free Rein for breakfast. We received our food timely, but when it was time to obtain the bill and then pay for our meals, our waitress disappeared. The restaurant was not that busy. The waitress wasn't very tentative to our table after the food arrived. Paying for our meals seemed to take 30 more minutes of our time at the table. The food was just average that morning. Egg sandwich and potatoes were bland. I ate at Free Rein one time before and had a better experience, so I wouldn't say that I wouldn't recommend it. Hopefully it was just an "off" morning.

    Free ReinResponded on November 4, 2019Thank you for your rating! We're sorry to see that the service was not up to the level of hospitality that we take pride in. We will be addressing this with our team.

    Report
25. A

    autumnA

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was amazing! For lunch time it’s a little loud for a business lunch with a big group but overall great experience.

    Free ReinResponded on October 25, 2019Thank you for your 5 star rating!

    Report
26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2019

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    It became very noisy when the full lunch crowd came in. I love the look and feel though. Good was very good but a touch over priced. The service was excellent. Surpassed expectations.

    Free ReinResponded on October 28, 2019Thank you for your review and we appreciate your feedback regarding the noise level.

    Report
27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2019

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Too noisy in there. Maybe my hearing is bad, but it was hard to hear my guest across the table. Unlikely I go again.

    Report
28. g

    great2eatout

    Chicago

    72 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    72 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2019

    overall2food2service3ambience4

    I had been to Free Rein a number of times before the chef change, and had always enjoyed it. However, as lovely as the space is, the food is not nearly as good, so we do not plan to return. The service, though pleasant, was with a waiter whom we could not understand. My broccoli salad with salmon was practically all broccoli. No one could eat that much broccoli without suffering gastric distress. My friend’s chicken katsu sandwich was ordinary. And the dessert peach cobbler was fairly tasteless. I am so sorry to report that the changes have not been for the better...

    Report
29. s

    scotts

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2019

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    the char was wonderful and the shrimp appetizers were pretty good. service was in between overly solicitous and non-existent, depending on the minute. big disappointment: dessert (flourless chocolate cake) was advertised as being complimented with 2 sauces and vanilla bean gelato but was served with one sauce, chocolate gelato and no pre-warning or explanation..... hence too much chocolate

    Report
30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2019

    overall4food5service2ambience3

    Service was very poor, restaurant was empty which was strange but the food was good

    Report
31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2019

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Great meal. Slow service. Beautiful restaurant!!

    Report
32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2019

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    Breakfast options for everyone and it was so delicious!

    Report
33. s

    susan

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    My friend and I sat outside for lunch. Even with street traffic, it was very enjoyable. We shared the duck confit spring rolls and ricotta gnocchi. The gnocchi were very light and delicious.

    Report
34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2019

    overall1food1service1ambience2

    Been here several times, but something has changed significantly, really really slow service, I've had better food on an airplane.

    Report
35. RS

    RS1999

    Chicago

    18 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2019

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Food was solid but not spectacular. Service was a bit slow, had to wait a long time to get our initial order in and had to ask multiple times for extra ketchup, hot sauce, etc. nice space and location.

    Report
36. PS

    PamelaS

    Washington DC

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on August 17, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food. Great staff.

    Report
37. JB

    JuozasB

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    All good. Nice service, a very good setup for a business conversation.

    Report
38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Loved the selection of music and fresh taste/presentation of food.

    Report
39. V

    Vicki

    Chicago

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great breakfast spot without big crowds. I accidentally left my credit card and they were so responsive and friendly about calling me and then keeping it with security until I could come back. Will be back!

    Report
40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    We had a good experience at Free Rein. I ordered the Steak and eggs and it was ok. The other people I was with enjoyed the Eggs Benedict and the Avocado toast. Drinks weren't available until 11a but it was fine, just not something we were aware of ahead of time.

    Report