The Dawson

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1. AP

   AlexP

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall3food3service3ambience4

   Small menu, mediocre food and rather pushy service. I don't remember any of those issues the last time I went, but admittedly that may have been pre-pandemic.
   

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2. P

   Private

   Los Angeles

   14 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   14 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall3food2service2ambience2

   The food was average, and similar menu to the Gage which was far better in terms of service, food and atmosphere
   

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3. a

   aleksandras

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   My friends and I do a boujee girls night once a month where we going to to top rated restaurants in Chicago and go all out, or to our hearts content, and The Dawson came up for this month. We definitely were not disappointed. The service staff was awesome, very patient with us because we always spend too much time just talking amongst ourselves that we forget to look at the menu right away, they had good recommendations, and were overall very friendly and attentive. We ordered the sticky duck wings, grilled octopus, slow roast short ribs, fried chicken and asparagus to share and honestly that was too much food for the three of us. The highlight for me was the short rib, it has an awesome deep flavor, the meat just falls apart, and it’s so well balanced with the pickles, slaw, and naan. I would definitely recommend for a girls night or a date night.
   

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4. CI

   CItyKathy

   Chicago

   25 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   25 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We dined on the enclosed patio, which was bustling and lively. Solid Caesar salads were followed by a perfectly prepared Branzino with pasta. We concluded with the Honeycomb dessert…a refreshing summery end to our meal. Our server, Taylor, was excellent, providing great suggestions and serving well timed courses.
   

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5. NR

   NatasaR

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Everything was great and delicious. We will be back again definitely.
   

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6. MS

   MikeS

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 27, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Love the Dawson. Amazing food, great atmosphere, reasonable price for the fantastic flavor
   

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7. PG

   PGLL2003

   Washington DC

   31 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   31 reviews

   Dined on May 27, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful dinner! Great staff, everyone so gracious and professional. Delicious food and tasty cocktails. A fun and interesting wine list. Lovely outdoor dining
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago

   8 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on May 23, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   My son and I go weekly and always have a good time, good food and good service. I love that they recognize us whenever we go!
   

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9. LD

   LDanovia

   Chicago

   28 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   28 reviews

   Dined on May 18, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great food and service. We made reservations to return before we left!
   

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10. M

    Michelle

    Chicago

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This is such a great spot that does not disappoint. It is enjoyable whether you are seated inside or outside. The staff is friendly and inviting and makes you feel welcome and are helpful with the menu items and ordering. Had an excellent family brunch for Mother's Day and will return when not a special occasion.
    

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11. J

    Jules

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great experience for brunch at the Dawson. Only minor complaint is that it’s a bit loud.
    

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience1

    Why on earth were we put by the bathroom/service table on Mother’s Day with plenty of tables available lol
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience4

    They changed the recipe for their GTO ‘signature drink’ and ruined it in the process. None of the ingredients used were in the old recipe. I’m not sure why they changed it or why they’re calling the new imposter a GTO, but it’s not even close. The food is good. Nothing that will blow you away, but certainly isn’t bad either. But it was the old GTO that we loved and kept coming back for, and now they’ve absolutely ruined it. We asked if they could make it the “old way” and they came back and said they didn’t have the thyme simple syrup, and would have to substitute with rosemary simple syrup. Lazy. This is a restaurant, and simple syrup is super easy to make. -For the staff to say they “couldn’t” was bs. It was their polite way of saying they just didn’t want to. Which considering the circumstances, is pure laziness. -Why is this annoying? Because any half-decent restaurant has water, sugar, and I know they had thyme bc they garnished the drink with it (by request). -You literally just have to boil a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar until the sugar is no longer visible, and then add your seasoning/garnish of choice to diffuse it. It still wouldn’t have been the same as the original recipe, but it would’ve been way closer and way better without the halfass approach to a drink this restaurant previously mastered and then bastardized by replacing it with some trans-citrus tea that identifies as a GTO. It’s just not the same.. at all, aside from the name. Which honestly seems like it was left on the menu to trick people, which is an even bigger slap in the face. Why even change a house specialty like that let alone completely swap out 100% of the ingredients? Better yet, why give some totally different drink recipe the same name? What the heck?
    

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    The halibut was delicious, perfectly prepared. Didn’t think I’d like the white anchovies on my caesar salad but it was really good!
    

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4

    Loved the experience, host was nice, greeted my partner and me. Waiter was amazing, you asked for something he would bring it right away, he didn’t hover at the table which I loved only came when we needed something. Only thing that was it was a bit nosy but other than that i would go again!
    

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16. AK

    ArielK

    Memphis/West TN

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Service was slow and it was pretty noisy on the patio, where we were seated.
    

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17. G

    Grace

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3

    The music was so loud on the patio and the drinks were expensive but great French fries and nice waiter!
    

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18. JT

    JanT

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    good food, friendly staff, sloppy handling of wine, music really too loud for good conversation over dinner
    

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience2

    Service was slow and unprofessional, didn’t make up for it with the food.
    

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    I didn’t realize that they had a fire and remodeled, the food was excellent, the service lagged a little bit, but I would absolutely return. Great outdoor space
    

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21. JS

    JenniferS

    Chicago

    20 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    We had a very nice early dinner before a play. We started with Tuna ceviche and then had pasta and halibut. All were outstanding. We finished with a piece of chocolate cake which was awesome too. We will be back.
    

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22. BN

    BrianaN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The staff was extremely welcoming and accommodating. They brought us champagne to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and one staff member noticed that I don’t drink alcohol and gave me a flute of sparkling juice. We enjoyed the steak frites and the pea pasta, and the strawberry rhubarb dessert was delicious. I actually left my credit card at the restaurant, and a staff member called me to let me know! I really appreciate that.
    

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food. Phenomenal service. Will be going there again soon
    

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24. SG

    StephenG

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The new Dawson is better than the previous version. I really like it.
    

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25. PC

    PaulC

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3

    Amazing food although the desserts were not as good as the appetizers or entrees. It was very busy and kind of loud when I was there on a Friday night for dinner. The service was Great!!! Overall a great place to dine if you don’t mind it being kind of loud.
    

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26. HS

    HannaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I was able to reserve a table for a large group (travelling for work) same-day. The process was simple, service was excellent and the food/beverage selection left no one hungry. Upscale vibe without being too pricey, server have great wine recommendations, manager (Jimmy) stopped by to check in on the table. Highly recommend this place!
    

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27. TD

    TrisD

    Chicago

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was delicious and all staff was friendly and attentive.
    

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28. JH

    JenH

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Food and service were excellent but the music was too loud to have a conversation.
    

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29. HF

    HeatherF

    Chicago

    25 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Very attentive staff and good service. Louder than I expected but we got used to it. Lovely time had by all.
    

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30. TS

    TheShop

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great table, location and the manager or owner came to say hello to us - he and others were all very friendly and genuine people.
    

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall1food1service3ambience3

    I use to like the The Dawson. The food was very disappointing. Very overpriced for just ok food.
    

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32. M

    Mark

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was our first visit and it was quite superb - from the moment we entered to the moment we left we were treated kindly the whole time - plus the food and beverages were excellent!
    

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Northern MI

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall3food4service1ambience5

    The service was incredibly slow for being an empty restaurant
    

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34. c

    chicagolucy

    Chicago

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    everyone & everything was fabulous 💜 thank you 💞 (wish one of my favorite salads was still on the menu but alas, updates… still love u!! 💖
    

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35. J

    James

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    This is our go-to spot, mainly because of the chicken fried lobster. Great place to go when it's a sunny, Summer day in Chicago.
    

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36. B

    Bran

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food and drinks were all delicious. A little on the expensive side but overall worth it!
    

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37. LC

    LizC

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food! Would love to go back soon!
    

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38. CD

    ChristinaD

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Celebrated Easter brunch with family here. What a friendly server we had. The food was fabulous. Highly recommend the bacon flight and biscuits
    

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39. K

    Klaasneus

    Chicago

    62 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    D'Awsome! Our name for The Dawson. Equally awesome is the "Sticky Duck Wings" which I mispronounced "Stucky Dick Wings" – zero alcohol involved. We were helpless with laughter – server included! The evening was off to a riot. Chicken Fried Lobster is another must-have – once we realized that no chicken was involved. 🤣 It's a synonym for "Southern-fried" which sounds infinitely better than "battered". Other awesome plates and drinks on our table: Bar Harbor Mussels, Coconut Curry with steak (droolingly good), chocolate cake (incredible) and Wellbeing Hellraiser NA amber ale. The people at reception are always warm and friendly and so are the servers who really know their menu. It makes such a difference to have both owners Branko Palikuca and Billy Lawless around and have a nice chat with them. Team D'Awesome, you have literally risen from the ashes. So happy you are open again – better than ever!
    

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40. SA

    SARA

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Overall lovely ambiance. Definitely loud on re-opening night (4/7). Very light / low volume wine pours for the price. Small food portions for the price.
    

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