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The Chew Chew, Riverside, IL

The Chew Chew

4.8
4.8
1593 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Voted Chicago-land's #1 Neighborhood Restaurant by Open Table, Best of Chicago by Chicago Magazine and TOP 25 Suburban Restaurant by Chicago Eater. Happy Hour daily 4-6pm. The Chew Chew has 25 years experience providing great food and hospitality. Located in the heart of Riverside, IL., one-mile east of the Brookfield Zoo. We are currently offering Indoor Dining & Carry-Out. Patio dining will return in the Spring.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 16 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Steak, American

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–6:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (708) 447-8781

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Scott Zimmer

  • Catering

    Full-Service, Carry-Out, Deliveruy

  • Private party facilities

    The restaurant has a second level mezzanine for groups up to 50 people.

  • Private party contact

    Scott: (708) 447-8781

  • Neighborhood

    Riverside

  • Parking details

    Directly on Burlington Street and city lot nearby.

  • Public transit

    Steps away from the Burlington Northern train station in Riverside.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 1,593 people are saying

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
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Near West

    Best Overall

  • Near West

    Best Food

  • Near West

    Best Service

  • Near West

    Best Ambiance

  • Near West

    Best Value

  • Near West

    Good for business meals

  • Near West

    Innovative

  • Near West

    Healthy

  • Near West

    Neighborhood gem

  • Near West

    Great for fine wines

  • Near West

    Good for special occasions

  • Near West

    Lively

  • Near West

    Most Booked

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  1. marilynm

    Chicago

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Chew Chew offers excellent food at fair prices! Wednesday is 50 percent off bottles of wine so the restaurant was bustling! The Hazelnut Trout with apples, green beans and sweet potato was superb! It’s so nice to get a meal with sides included. Our wait staff was very attentive but also seemed to be extremely busy. We were not rushed at all and actually had to take dessert to go since we had another engagement to attend. Our desserts were so nicely packed, making it easy to enjoy them later. This IS a local gem!
  2. Pjacks

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was great and the food and drinks were excellent.
  3. bonbon

    Chicago

    73 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    73 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was very good . Relative to other places not pricier just feel everything seems over priced everywhere. Waitress was great . She made sure to tell us about happy hour and came back to check just the right amount. Very enjoyable evening.
  4. Jules

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, great food. Had the corned beef and cabbage special. Excellent and tender
  5. MorganD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had the best time at The Chew Chew! Our server Sean was wonderful and knowledgeable, the food was amazing and the ambience was great for both a formal or casual event. 10/10 would recommend! We can’t wait to go back!!!
  6. Alice

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always enjoy dinner at Chew Chew. Have never been disappointed in the food or service or smiling faces all around.
  7. Foodie

    Chicago

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Once again Chew Chew gave my wife and self a very satisfying dinner and drinks. I especially enjoyed the Poke bowl and my wife had a wonderful Trout dinner.
  8. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was great as usual
  9. OPfoodie

    Chicago

    45 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Highly recommend the Chew Chew at any time for a wonderfully-prepared and served dining experience, but especially suggest its annual Mardi Gras celebration! Not only are there special New Awlins cocktail and food items on the menu, but the entire staff participates in creating a festive mood with their colorful Mardi Gras costumes. Enjoy indoor as well as al fresco dining at the Chew Chew cafe in the warmer months!
  10. BRVMom

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great dinner, as usual, at The Chew Chew! Fabulous Mardi Gras themed menu. My dinner son had the jambalaya and loved it, I had the shrimp & crab cakes - they were excellent. Really enjoyed our evening!
  11. EllenB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We wanted to a New Orleans style dinner on Mardi Gras. The Chew Chew Cafe had a special Mardi Gras menu which had a number of great choices. We had the Crabcakes and the Blackened Mahi-mahi. Both were excellent and presentation lovely. We are looking forward to going back to try other items on the regular menu. Friendly place, service excellent.
  12. Ksho

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Mardi Gras experience! Beads, menu, great service , and food!
  13. SueJ

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Mardi Gras menu was wonderful!
  14. dors

    Chicago

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Mardi Gras menu along with the regular menu do not disappoint! Excellent service. Drinks were outstanding. A perfect night out.
  15. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent, arrived a little early. The owner, well I think he’s the owner, took care of us right away. Food was excellent as always
  16. MJubbyshorts

    Chicago

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, helpful and knowledgeable staff, goods for dates, families.
  17. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    A great place to grab drinks with a friend after work. The restaurant was full, yet it was still easy to have a conversation without shouting. The food and cocktails were excellent! I highly recommend the Back Porch Lemonade as well as the Thai Lettuce Wrap appetizer! All in all a great local hangout!
  18. Foodie

    Chicago

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    We have oysters, french onion soup (my favorite french onion) and thai item and pork schnitzel which both were terrific.
  19. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    The food quality and service left a lot to be desired. Our server was kind and tried to be helpful, but the manager (he is possibly the owner) was demeaning and rude when we simply asked for a dish to be made to our dietary preference. He then served us the same plate of food two additional times after us kindly asking for a corrected replacement. We were then expected to happily pay full price for food that was not good and arrived 30 minutes after the rest of our party had eaten. The level of customer service was abysmally bad and we spent 20 minutes being berated by the manager rather than him taking any ownership and attempting to really apologize and focus on customer service. We will not return and encourage other customers to consider other options that treat customers with respect.

    The Chew ChewResponded on February 7, 2023Tiffiny, We are very sorry you had a negative experience. To be fair, we did prepare your meals in a timely matter, as originally ordered. In the end, you requested your dinner to be prepared differently, an additional three times...for a total of four. This obviously created a delay, in service. After a 2 minute discussion with the manager (not 20 minutes) we removed the crab cakes from your bill. We appreciate your feedback and support and hope to see you again soon.

  20. Tom2

    Chicago

    64 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    64 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4
    We had wonderful service and we really appreciate that we were able to have a conversation with our dining partners without shouting. The food was only fair, I am sorry to say. None of us were thrilled with our meals - they weren't awful, they just weren't "wow I need to get back here right away." The andouille in the jambalaya was so hot it was inedible - and this from someone who douses their food with hot sauce. The bacon on the pork schnitzel was made in advance and added nothing to the fairly bland dish. Good calamari and baked goat cheese, generous pours of the drinks. Just wish the really tasty experiences we have had here before had been on our plates this time.
  21. nancyV

    Chicago

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful experience. Food, drinks and service was superb.
  22. KatherineK

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 3, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Love G and dinner as usual ! Bring back the chicken avocado flat bread !!! Please :)
  23. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had a wonderful date with my boyfriend there. The staff was great mostly our server Ingrid, she was so sweet and checked on us to make sure we were doing well, I appreciate customer service like that , and our food was very delicious as well, i will be definitely coming back there again.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Chew Chew was excellent as always.
  25. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Chew Chew has been around for a long time and has always delivered. It’s not a loud, party atmosphere, but they’ve got a nice combination of seating options (bar, bar tables, booths, tables, and areas if you’re there with young kids that may be hard to handle). Food is really, really good with varied options from burgers to seafood or risotto - something for everyone. Very good drinks and wine menu as well. Highly recommend it.
  26. MaraF

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, generous portions and fresh delicious food. we would highly recommend.
  27. MelindaZ

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service, personable host. Special events are fun too!
  28. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great people and amazing food, I can’t wait to go back. They are incredibly accommodating!
  29. ToriaB

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another lovely evening at the Chew Chew, this time celebrating a good friend's birthday. Wonderful warm, friendly service. Very welcoming and helped us feel like this was a special occasion. Delicious food as always. We ordered 2 different pasta dishes, which both had delicious creamy sauces. They also gave us a complimentary birthday dessert - a nice touch. The waiter was very patient with us as we sat and chatted there for nearly 3 hours! We weren't hurried. They were very considerate with timing everything. Still one of my very favorite places to go, to hang out with friends or to celebrate an occasion.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and service is always perfect. Wonderful place to go for dinner.
  31. Ikadash

    Chicago

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Excellent food in an unlikely location. Awesome greeter but service just a tad slow. All the food was great, martini so so and not great wine selection by the glass. Will return.
  32. MaggieB

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place never disappoints! Love coming here
  33. OpenTable Diner

    Nashville

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Staff was great. Risotto was a little watery and mashed potatoes were cold. They did bring new mashed potatoes as soon as we mentioned it!
  34. DianeR

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a nice dinner, both of us had the salmon. Our waiter was very good. He recognized that we needed time to visit and never rushed us. I really enjoy this restaurant.
  35. Dugums

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Chew Chew is a wonderful restaurant. Thoughtfully prepared food and excellent service from the entire staff. The host, waitstaff, and every other member of the team never fail to provide a friendly and comfortable experience.
  36. FoodisLife

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Food was okay… my risotto was soupy which I have never experienced before. The place is rather loud but our waiter was wonderful.
  37. ToriaB

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Chew Chew is still one of my favorite places to go, whether for a casual catch up dinner with friends, or to celebrate a special occasion. Wonderful food, great selection of drinks, lovely atmosphere, great service.
  38. Lulubean1

    Chicago

    90 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    90 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We always love Chew Chew & our server, Bella , is a real sweetheart all the time!
  39. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved our waiter.
  40. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great, as usual.

FAQs

The Chew Chew offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (708) 447-8781.

The Chew Chew is rated 4.8 stars by 1593 OpenTable diners.

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 16 times today
Google Map for The Chew Chew

33 East Burlington, Riverside, IL 60546

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Riverside

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–6:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Steak, American

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Directly on Burlington Street and city lot nearby.

  • Public transit

    Steps away from the Burlington Northern train station in Riverside.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Scott Zimmer

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (708) 447-8781

  • Catering

    Full-Service, Carry-Out, Deliveruy

  • Private party facilities

    The restaurant has a second level mezzanine for groups up to 50 people.

  • Private party contact

    Scott: (708) 447-8781

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