The Izakaya at Momotaro

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Chicago

   13 reviews

   vip
   1.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience5

   We went for restaurant week. We also ordered a few things off of the regular menu & a couple of drinks. Drinks came out and they were ok. Appetizers come out, no sauce. Restaurant week appetizers come out, we ask for Tonkatsu sauce: our waitress, Maya, says it’ll take a while. We say ok. 1 of our entrees comes out, the other takes 10 minutes (we ordered the same entree). We begin eating. We still haven’t received the Tonkatsu sauce for the appetizer. I tried for about 15mins minutes to get Maya’s attention to no avail. I finally get the attention of a busboy and he goes to find her. She comes out, stops at two other tables then finally comes to us. We ask about the sauce, she leaves again and finally brings Katsu curry, then walks away before I can even point out that it’s not what I asked for. We ordered gyozas, which had decent filling but the gyoza wrapper has a strange after taste. We also ordered two chicken Katsu curry entrees and they were bad. The chicken was unseasoned and the breading was damp or moist instead of fried crispy. The curry sauce was on the side, instead of in the bowl with the rice and chicken cutlet. We finally catch Maya and I let her know that I wanted Tonkatsu sauce, not Katsu curry sauce and she tells me that what she brought is Tonkatsu sauce. I try it, it’s curry. I’m half Japanese. I know the difference between curry and Tonkatsu sauce. It’s not even close. We get the bill, and see that we’re charged for the wrong sauce, I point it out and she’s annoyed and points out that the curry she brought is in fact Tonkatsu sauce, I explain that it’s not and what I received is not what I ordered. At this point she’s visibly upset and complaining behind the curtain right besides our table where the register is. Someone else brings our card back. All in all, we had a terrible experience. After frequenting Momotaro, I was excited to try the Izakaya but the quality of food and poor service really ruined it. Do not recommend.

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Everything was great! The space was cute and food was delicious! The server was nice and very inviting. Would definitely go back to try something else!

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3. L

   Liam

   New England

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 26, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great meal, the burger was incredible and the service was very good.

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4. OT

   OpenTableDine

   Chicago

   9 reviews

   4.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on January 25, 2023

   overall4food3service3ambience5

   Restaurant Week 2023 — the highlight and absolute delight of this dinner was the delicious appetizer Renkon Hasami-Age, with lotus root, the best. Ambience, music, décor, vibe, and Highball (drink) always on point. Momotaro, as well as The Izakaya at Momotaro, has become one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Chicago since more or less 3-4yrs ago. Therefore, I will definitely return.

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5. AP

   AdriP

   Chicago

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 25, 2023

   overall3food4service3ambience5

   I was disappointed because this is the bar end of Momotaro and I thought my drinks were only okay. I got a highball on the menu and a Manhattan, that barely tasted like it had whiskey in it. I went for restaurant week and the food was good but for $42 portion sizes were small. My friend and I ended up ordering additional items off menu.

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6. a

   ajc084

   Chicago

   10 reviews

   3.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on January 24, 2023

   overall3food4service2ambience4

   The food was great! We had a later reservation due to work. However, our server really negatively impacted the experience. Adeline seemed unhappy to be there. Her responses were dry and borderline rude. When we asked about the restaurant week menu she replied “you can’t have that it’s gone”. later on toward the end we asked for a refill of coke, to which she replied, no the bar is closed (side note, refills are not free, we were charged each time… didn’t not know this). I was almost afraid to ask for anything, so I didn’t have to deal with her rudeness. We really enjoyed the food, just unfortunate that one person with a really unpleasant attitude brought down the experience. Would try again, but hope to not have her ever again.

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7. n

   nomad

   Chicago

   127 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   127 reviews

   Dined on January 22, 2023

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   Fun meal with good food and drinks. Restaurant week menu was a good deal. The biggest surprise was the lotus root salad which was delicious. I’d definitely go back

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8. CH

   CoreyH

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 21, 2023

   overall4food4service3ambience5

   Food was very good. Ambience was amazing. Service was slower than I would like and not too busy to justify it. The cocktails were grade B but not bad. Would try again and a great atmosphere for friends or date night.

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 21, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Cool ambiance and great food

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food and service!

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11. EM

    EmmaM

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 3, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience5

    Pretentious wait staff and poorly timed courses (we had one main course for 15 min while we waited for the other 4 to come out), will not return.

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12. AM

    AshleyM

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    So. Much. Fun. Food is really good, drinks are delightful and ambiance is everything! Glad to have had a reservation, will visit again!

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13. L

    Lore

    Chicago

    34 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excelente servicio, deliciosa comida y un ambiente muy agradable!

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14. PS

    PeterS

    Chicago

    86 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    86 reviews

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent evening. All dishes were very good and the menu is quite creative. Ambience/vibe is also very pleasant and the staff were friendly & attentive

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15. PD

    PeterD

    San Francisco

    50 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Momo Royale is the best burger I’ve found in Chicago. The fish is always delicious. I also highly recommend the Happi Salada and Cucumber a la bagel. Excellent sake selection.

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16. H

    Hkauke1

    Tallahassee

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience2

    It was my first time trying out the lower bar area I usually eat upstairs. I was very underwhelmed, same prices, less service. Our table was rocky and our water spilled, I had to ask twice for napkins to clean up and then had to proceed to tell the server "how we fixed it in the old days", with folded paper napkins under an edge. She still did not fix, but the bus person did, without having to tell him how to do it. We specifically come for the ortoru --it was served to us in chunks with no flair and at 19 per peice (we love so had three) it was again underwhelming. Basically the entire "area" was dirty in appearance, not well maintained, and server was not attentive till we had a substantial order. My son and I love sushi, so both he (at 13) and I have decided to move on from this restaurant.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    AmazIng service. Great cocktails. Food is always amazing. 10/10 atmosphere

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18. B

    Barbara08

    New Mexico

    22 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    It was very nice. The food was excellent as well as the service. Unfortunately, the main dining room was full even though I had reservations I was sent down to the bar. The bar was nice, but the menu is limited. I made reservations for a full menu, and I only got a limited menu. That was a little disappointing.

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19. CS

    CliveS

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As always a fantastic meal in a wonderful place The burger was outstanding

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20. YA

    YAAR

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Decor and ambiance on point. Food was divine and service impeccable. Highly recommend you visit in Chicago.

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall3food4service1ambience4

    Seemed understaffed in kitchen and the wait staff. Poor review overall.

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing dinner. Delicious bites, loved the king crab hand roll and the burger is out of this world!!! Dessert was absolutely spectacular. Thank you team Izakaya for a wonderful evening.

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great experience will be back! The wings and nigiri were 🔥

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing interior. Great food and cocktails were phenomenal.

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25. MD

    MelD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Cool ambiance/atmosphere. Food was great! Not a ton of sushi options -- they just have hand rolls -- but their other options are great. Love the tuna dishes and beef fried rice.

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26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was perfect

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27. MH

    MarinaH

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing food, amazing service, and beautiful ambience

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience1

    Food came out in very inconsistent manner. My date’s fiod was out over twenty minutes from mine. Server said she had no control over it. Overall service was not the best and little too loud. However the food is very good

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29. AB

    AmberB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was so good! We were hoping to squeeze in a fast dinner before catching a cab to the airport and everyone here was so great. The Momo Royale was amazing, as were the scallop hand rolls and the shishito peppers.

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was wonderful from the moment we got there till the moment we left. The food was so delicious and so were the drinks. I would recommend trying if in the west loop!

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Unreal. Highly recommend!

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    My boyfriend and I went for a date night and I fell in love with this place. I love the ambiance of this place. The dark lighting with neon decor, it's like you're on the streets of Japan. The service was amazing, our waiter, Meng was very attentive and helpful. The menu is simple and small but all four dishes we tried were so flavorful and delicious. We ordered the fries (which comes with this savory miso mayo) and tuna tostada for appetizers. Tuna tostada had a citrus kick and the crispy nori was the best combo to exist. We ordered uni pasta and sweet ebi katsu don. Both were our favorite dishes by far. Uni pasta was just the right creamy and not too overbearing which allowed you to taste the uni. The sweet ebi katsu don was just *chef's kiss* The sweetness and crunchiness of the shrimp with the egg yolk and rice. The combination was too good. We also ordered this yuzu beer from Japan and it was so smooth and not too dry. The only reason why I took one star off was because of the price and portion. It's a little pricey for the small portions that come out. But if you're looking for a place that's worth the money then I would recommend this place!

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33. F

    Freebird

    Chicago

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Loved everything about the place!

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34. GT

    GabysuT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great experience, delicious food and nice ambiance.

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35. j

    jbizzle

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This place has amazing service, food, and drinks. Highly recommend!

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36. M

    Matt

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent service delicious food

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Alina helped us and was fantastic! She was so sweet and knowledgeable of all the menu items and helped us pick the perfect meal. The Jewel Bako donburi and uni pasta are out of this world!

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38. DC

    DanC

    Philadelphia

    78 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    78 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    My son and I were visiting Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed the Izakaya setting downstairs. Excellent service, drinks and meal. Great vibe down there and look forward to getting back to Chicago and Izakaya

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39. KB

    KevinB

    Minneapolis

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We are frequent visitors to this restaurant when in from out of town, and it never disappoints! There for my birthday this time around, and the staff was extremely friendly and easy-going in their style of service. Our server, Maya, was an absolute delight and went out of her way to make us feel special! Food and drinks were on point! The lamb chops were to DIE for. Just an amazing night here and we will most definitely be back the next tie we're in town.

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40. T

    Theresa

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    I come to the Izakaya mainly for the vibe. Our waitress was great and I love the Japanese pub vibe they have. The scallop, fries and drinks were delicious. The burger was good too but to be honest the flavor reminded me a lot of a BigMac. Both the lamb and the sweet&sour chicken and pork were overly salty for my taste. A little disappointing. I would still visit again and try their other dishes.

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