RJ W.

First, it is very expensive. Second, it is worth every penny. Phenomenal food, great service, fun atmosphere.... and this is from someone who generally dislikes seafood. But, I was corralled into coming for a friends birthday (small group) Very happy I did. Amazing Oysters Rockefeller, fresh oysters tasted like the sea, mini slider was amazing (although not a fan of the overcooked potato sticks) , mussels were great, fried shrimp were very good. My one disappointed was the burger (see above, I dont eat much seafood so I had to get some beef) It is cooked over at Gibsons, but the brioche bun had completely disintegrated by the time it reached me and the mashed potatoes and gravy were , frankly, really unappetizing.. But even with that, I would come back and just avoid the burger. Oh, one other thing. We were there when two different singers were on - we ate at the bar.. They both played a TON of Billy Joel. It was amusingly annoying. Maybe they can touch base with each other on play lists to avoid duplication.

Camila H.

Have been here a few times now, can't believe I never wrote a review. I love Hugo's. They're consistently wonderful. The oysters Rockefeller are my favorite, though the steak also has a place within my favorites. The service is always great and the environment is fantastic. A+ all around.

Annie D.

Loved coming here! The atmosphere was wonderful - they had a piano man who sounded just like Stevie Wonder belting out hit tunes. The restaurant was packed but we were able to find a spot at the bar. Our bartender Keith was great! He gave great recommendations and was frequently checking on us. We enjoyed a couple glasses of red wine and fresh oysters. Some of the best oysters my boyfriend and I have ever had. The sauces served with oysters were excellent. Hugo's is attached to Gibson's which is also a famous hot spot on Rush St. Loved the vibe here and would definitely recommend it to others. Especially if you love fresh seafood!

Sabrina C.

Ho. Lee. Crap. Well, first of all, make sure you have a reservation. It's apparent the day of the week really has nothing to do with how packed this place may or may not be - IT ALWAYS IS! My dining partner and I happened to luck up on a table in the bar area, which was not bad at all and quite close to the live music. Service - Great. Our waitress was very attentive and constantly checked on us. I was hoping I didn't embarrass myself as she brought out others food and I drooled while trying to stick my finger in their plates. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked like it had been created with love and fresh ingredients. Food - I hadn't had frog legs in soooooooo long. The last time I had them, it was at some random buffet in some random part of town. Not a good experience. However, with frog legs being one of their specialities, I decided to go for it. What a heavenly combination between the taste of chicken and crab meat (hey, leave my comparison alone!). I then had the Cajun Chicken and Crab, with Andouille sausage and garlic butter. I could've asked the chef to marry me. Male or Female. I only had a French Martini and didn't indulge in any other libations since I wanted to leave room for the stuffage of my face. Next time, I will definitely get desert! Parking can be a hassle, so the valet is totally worth it. Or carpool/uber if you can. Try and get a reservation or show up and take a gamble in the bar area. Try the frog legs and snail!!!! Enjoy! #WhoNeedsLoveWhenYouHaveFood

Lisa S.

Always a fun place to grab a drink in what the locals call "the Viagra Triangle ". It was packed on a Friday night, but we were still able to obtain drinks fairly quickly. We didn't eat here so I can't comment about the food. Would definitely recommend this trendy and fun place!

Ryan R.

Came here from Los Angeles on a recommendation. We met up Nicole at the bar who made the night for us. The drinks were very well crafted and the food was tasty. I had the lobster roll which was chock full of massive chunks. No skimping here and for 14 bucks it was well worth it. Awesome service and a really fun time.

Marisol S.

We are so glad we tried this delicious place! We are from Orlando and had such a bad experience getting here! We stopped into Hugo's for a drink and ended up having dinner! Our server Christine was our server and she was outstanding

Mike M.

Delicious food in such a great part of town. I was in a business meeting with 5 executives here and it was the perfect mix of a professional dinner but still a place where you can laugh and enjoy yourself. We had a few drinks at the bar before being seated. While there was room at the bar the restaurant was crowded so I would highly suggest reservations. The service was amazing, the waiter was hysterical and my glass of water never got below half way. :) The only odd thing was that there were a number of birthday's when we were having dinner, all of which required loud songs which interrupted our tables conversation on multiple occassions.

Karin L.

Was spending the afternoon shopping in Chicago and stopped for lunch here! I love seafood and was looking for something light - Hugo's hit the spot on both counts. I had the Lobster Cobb with a delicious Cosmo to wash it down and it was all I could have ever asked for. Since it was a comfortable summer day I dined outside while I watched other shoppers stroll by. The waiter was friendly and extremely attentive! 5 star service for sure - even at 2:30pm on a Tuesday. Love Hugo's - would stop again!

Phil G.

What a fun place! I like the deviation from standard steakhouse theme. Hugo's adds a hint of a Cajun splash to the menu. I went for my moniker "last meal" of: Vesper Oysters Rock Spinach Bone-in Sirloin - wish it had been the Porterhouse but too big for one person Had to try the Frog Legs Topped it off with "Muddy Bottom Pie" which is obscenely huge!

Kashif K.

It was a Saturday night, and I was trying to make dinner reservations for two. It seemed like none of the restaurants in Chicago had any availability until 10:30 pm. Hugo's was the only restaurant that would accommodate us at 9, and that was the only reason why we decided to eat here. Nothing on the menu appeared to be particularly innovative or creative; it was all pretty standard steak and seafood fare, and everything that we tried, tasted pretty good. Nothing stood out, but we had no complaints either. Hence the A-OK rating. The jumbo lump crab cake, served with a hot pink aioli, is the signature appetizer. It is a rather large sized crab cake that I found to be quite satisfactory in terms of taste and quantity. All dinner entrees are offered with a choice of soup or salad, and we both opted for the red king crab bisque. Again, pretty good, but nothing outstanding. The sauteed steelhead trout was topped with king crab, grilled asparagus (which was a little overcooked for my taste) and a creole mustard hollandaise sauce, which gave it a nice sharpness. The whole Maine lobster, stuffed with king crab and green apples with a lemon butter sauce, was similarly enjoyable, and I liked the tartness lent to the dish by the addition of the apples. The valet parking is $14, which I think is a fair price for the convenience. Overall, I would not mind returning to Hugo's when I am in the area.

Jess C.

Extra points for a slice of cake that can serve more than 7 girls. I was confident I could take on that slice by myself. Really confident. Confident like I could finish 4 cups of froyo in one day (let's just say, word on the street is that it's been done). But never have I been so glad that I didn't. The cake was made of 7 delicious layers of chocolate cake separated by raspberry and chocolate mousse, and slices of fresh bananas. Vivian H. is right, the chocolate banana layer is money. Aside from their enormous desserts, the food was really good and the service was excellent. I'll vouch for the sea bass.

J H.

Cons: Sometimes you have to wait a while for your table, even with a reservation. Pros: AWESOME seafood, sides, cocktails, and martinis. Great atmosphere. I like it as well, or possibly better, than Gibson's -- the same quality and service is there but a little bit less touristy hype!

Sallyann Z.

Came here for a work dinner where I could freely indulge in the fresh, fanciful seafood options, but I'm giving four stars because the prices would be too high for me to go on a regular basis, the seating/table was really cramped and the server seemed a too busy for us. When we walked in, there was an awesome piano player and it felt like good vibes all around! My table split a bottle of wine, frog legs and a round of oysters to start. The frog tasted like chicken but coated in a decadent butter garlic sauce - my coworker ended up having a plateful for her main meal. For the oysters, we got six of both the small and medium ones which were paired with cocktail sauce and some herby sauce (not sure what it was exactly but it was great). I got the lobster roll as my main. Buttery toast filled with succulent chunks of lobster - yummy! The horse string fries were kind of like chips and I should've asked for normal fries. I also got a side of broccoli that came with a surprisingly good cheese sauce. We were too full for dessert but my coworker said they come in giant portions. Overall, we all came out really satisfied and Im glad I had the chance to eat at Hugo's Frog Bar!

Joe B.

My wife and I came to Hugo's Frog Bar to celebrate our anniversary-we chose Hugo's primarily based on reputation and affiliation with Gibson's. Our experience was average all the way around-from service to food quality to ambiance. Given the number of similar restaurants serving this type of food, our recommendation is to go elsewhere. Food: We started with oysters-they were quite good and probably the highlight of the meal. Our meals came with a salad/soup choice-the house salad was very, very basic-plenty of iceberg lettuce much of which was white which I find bitter. They made up for the lack of anything interesting by dousing it with way too much dressing. For a high end steakhouse, it was disappointing. My wife had the lobster tail-she reported it was average-not the best she's had but not bad. I had the halibut which was okay-nothing that I'd have to have again but not bad either. Just average. The sides of a double baked potato and asparagus were once again, okay. Service: When making our reservation, I mentioned it was our anniversary-not that we were looking for anything from it but usually, restaurants acknowledge that somehow-even if to just thank us for celebrating with them. Nothing from the team at Hugo's not at the front desk or by the server. Not a huge deal but a high end restaurant usually gets that right. Service was okay-maybe a bit casual but nothing overly impressive. Server never provided his name so I can't reference him by name. Again, just an average experience. Ambiance: Tables are packed together very closely which provided us with the opportunity to learn all about the people dining next to us. This is becoming repetitive but the ambiance was average too. The meal for two cost $195 which suggests the outcome should be something other than average. Overall: Hugo's didn't do any particularly well nor were they particularly poor at anything-average at everything. If you are look okay with average, this is your place. If you are looking to be impressed, my recommendation is to seek another restaurant.

Jack W.

1. VERDICT/VALUE: For good seafood in downtown Chicago with great service, check out Hugo's! (Just be sure to save up a little before going!) 2. FOOD: I could tell you how the Spicy Tuna Tartare ($14.75) was delicious, combining the smooth, soft tuna meat with the crunchy wonton chips. Or about the Fresh Point Judith Fried Calamari ($12.75) was even better (and much bigger). Or about the Alaskan Red King Crab Bisque ($6.50 for a small bowl) and how it chunky enough without being too salty. Or about the Pan Seared Georges Bank Sea Scallops ($34) and how they were giant, tender, and worth $34. Or about the Miso Marinated Chilean Sea Bass ($41.50), which was good, larger than what you get at Roy's in Honolulu for the same price. The Sauteed Mushrooms ($7.75) and Chipotle Roasted Corn ($6) seem simple yet worth doing again. But...I will tell you instead about dessert and the Black Forest Cherry Cake ($17.25). What monstrosity of a dessert does the price of nearly a whole cake give you? See my pic for details - 5 layers of fresh, soft chocolate cake, interlaces with light and airy whipped cream with shaved chocolate, cherries, and extra cream to boot. 6 of us could only finish the top half (ahem, actually, only the top two layers) of this beast. Not for the faint of heart, you either need to sign up for diabetes when you order this thing on your own or have a cardiologist as a good friend thereafter! 3. SERVICE: What might be the best part of the restaurant is the service - our waiter was fantastic and humorous from start to finish, and if he wasn't trying to impress you with repeating back what all six of us ordered (appies, salads, entrees, and customizations), then he was super attentive and also stationed (literally) close to our table and other two he was caring for. The bathroom attendant was also super pleasant and helpful (bring $$ for tips). 4. ATMOSPHERE: If you like Chicago-style steakhouses, you'll find yourself at home in Hugo's older decor, dim lighting, and loud ambiance. Small and large groups fit well here.

Rob T.

Holy moly, this place was fantastic, everything you would expect in a high end seafood restaurant! White jacket servers hovering over your table to cater to any need, presentation of the various catches of the day, and a partly shared menu with the famous Gibsons steakhouse next door. Don't worry about the prices, it's absolutely worth it!

Michael K.

Group of nine of us were shoe horned into the back dining area on a convention attendee packed evening. This place was mobbed with folks backed out the front door into the street. Our server Art though was quite funny and made us all feel welcome. He provided some highlights of their menu along with presentations of their seafood and meat entrees. We started with a tray of several types of oysters but not partaking of them all I can say is they disappeared quickly and must have been delicious. Having frog in their name, we had to try the frog legs which was a first for me. Not having anything to compare to, I found them enjoyable albeit a tad rubbery but in a good way. I selected their 13oz NY Strip with a house salad. My steak was good but not great. It was prepared at my desired medium rare but seemed tougher than I thought it should have been. The house salad starter was quite tasty and one of the better ones I have tried. We had some lovely mushrooms to top our steaks with a very creamy and delicious Mac and cheese as a side. Not sure why we didn't order any green sides but we didn't. Most have been a result of all the wine we drank.

Rob K.

Great place with great drinks and great food. It's one of those uncommon places where you can literally spend either tons or fairly little and still have a great meal. For those on an expense account, there are great and fresh seafood offerings as well as a full range of aged steaks from Gibson's next door. For those pinching their post-Christmas shopping pennies a little harder, there is a fantastic cheese burger and fresh-cut fries meal under $15 and a twice-baked potato that Gal Pal couldn't finish as her main. The drinks? Oh my, Chicken Pie! The Old Fashioned comes standard with Bulleit rye (just like at home) and was good, but the Bloody Mary was VERY good! This stop on the Viagra Triangle will definitely grow on you (but see your server if your selection lasts longer than 4 hours).

Julie Y.

Came here on a Wednesday or Thursday night around 9 and it was packed! Got awesome seating with an extremely lively atmosphere! At first the service was a bit slow but can't blame them cause it was packed. Got the frog legs-of course some tuna tar tar, ceviche, soup and a cob salad. My favorite thing on the menu was the cob salad and the tuna tar tar. The ceviche was honestly pretty gross so I would not recommend it. Overall the food was great, make sure you make reservation cause they get slammed!

Nina J.

Here for a work function, everyone enjoyed their food. Had the mussels, they were delish. They have a huge wine list, waitress was great and ambiance was nice. A little noisy but a quant place. Check out the fun cocktail menu also.

Manpreet K S.

Here goes my pending review!! My husband gave me a lovely surprise for my bday last week. We went for Hugo for our dinner meal as a party of 8.. Excellent food and drinks with superb service!! My personal favorite: Drinks: French Martini (I can bet you just can't have one) and they also have a great selection for wine. Food: Scallops- absolutely cooked to perfection with spicy corn salsa; my husband ordered on our server suggestion the swordfish on the specials with mashed potatoes which was excellent. All our friends were extremely happy with the food and had no room for dessert. But I am definitely going back for the Slice of muddy pie.. Oh and I completely forgot the complementary bday vanilla ice cream with a candle was a cute add on. P.s. I also saw them singing for the bday wishes on few other tables!! Recommend: Reservation even on a weekday!!

Cali G.

I feel kind of weird writing this review because I have been here so many times within the last 10 years and it's been amazing time and time again. This last time I visited, I ended up staying at the bar area which is amazing. Loved having my wine/food while listening to the pianist playing and watching the Sox game. For a Saturday night, I thought it would be busy, but not crazy busy where I was not able to find a seat at the bar. Rare for a saturday evening, but I was happy. I had the house chardonnay, accompanied by shrimps, oysters, and seseme tuna. Everything was to perfection.

Jessica M.

Happy National Oyster Day with $1 oysters! Our group of 12 were ecstatic when we realized such a day exists. We had no time to waste and immediately made two table-of-six reservations for 5:30PM. Note, half of the party would have to be there in order to be seated. Our table of six went all out and ordered 72 oysters: 12 Delaware Bay, NY oysters 36 East River, VA oysters 18 Fried oysters 6 Rockefeller oysters The Delaware Bay oysters are more briny and plumper than the East River oysters. Before we could even order more, Hugo's ran out of Delaware Bay even though it was only 6:30PM! The East River oysters had a mixture of sizes with some being exceptionally smaller. Both were very fresh. In addition, a few of us also shared the Alaskan Red King crab bisque, Alaskan Red King crab mac and cheese, and sauteed frog legs. They sound very good on paper but unfortunately, none of them were exceptional. The bisque was extremely salty even though I nearly dipped a half loaf of bread. The mac and cheese could use a little more cheese whereas the frog legs were slightly overdone while lacking a few spices. It is a seemingly sub par experience but I will give them the benefit of the doubt for the occasion. They were extremely busy with the line extending out the door when we left around 8PM.

Mariam H.

Our server Pistole was HORRIBLE. He lacked basic server manners and etiquette, however our busboy Valentino saved the day by doing things for us to pick up Pistole's slack! Valentino was so sweet and helpful in helping me cut open the lobster I ordered, as well as helping in taking our order and keeping us happy. I hope the manager reads this and acknowledges how great Valentino is! The food was decent as expected and the restaurant ambiance was nice. Thank goodness for Valentino!!!

Frank R.

Hugo's is a fun and lively place to have a great seafood or steak dinner. Our server was extremely funny right from the start and there was a fantastic comedic exchange the entire evening. Started out with the Alaskan King Crab Bisque, which was excellent and the calamari. Silly me let the server talk me into only a half portion of the calamari, which was a decent size, but was so fresh and tasty that I could've taken down the full portion. Had the salmon, which again was fresh and delicious. However, there was a copper river salmon on special that our server was pushing hard, so I decided to try it. He came back later to tell me they were out. I was disappointed, but he offered a free dessert to make up for it. I chose the key lime pie and it had to be the biggest hunk of pie I've ever been served. No lie, there had to be about six inches of meringue on top. The pie was very good and it was the first dessert that I couldn't finish at the table. Great place, great meal and I would come back here again without hesitation.

Faith H.

My boyfriend lives a block away from Hugo's and we've passed by it so many times. So we decided to give it a try for Valentine's Day dinner. A summary of our night: Drinks: I ordered a French martini which was super yummy. My boyfriend ordered a Manhattan which was super boozy, which I guess is good if you're into that. Food: Both of our entrees came with a salad, which was kind of gross. It was mostly chopped lettuce with a "house vinaigrette" which tasted like straight vinegar. For the main course, the boy ordered lobster and I had a filet. The filet was pretty good (a little too red for my liking) and the lobster was OK (though I don't love lobster so I'm not the best judge). We also ordered a twice baked potato which was yummy. Service: We had reservations at 7:00 and didn't get seated until around 15 minutes, but it was Valentine's Day and the place was packed, so I'll forgive them for that. Once we were seated, I was less than impressed with the service. The waiter at other tables near was very attentive and explained everything in great detail, but our waiter didn't even tell us what the specials were. Also, for a more upscale restaurant, they have the most annoying "Happy Birthday" routine that sounds like someone calling out football plays. It reminded me of something they'd do at TGIFridays. Overall, Hugo's Frog Bar was just OK and I don't see us going back any time soon.

Mark M.

Haven't had a bad meal at Hugo's. Been going for 15+ years. Even the less popular items like whole rotisserie chicken, ribs, are excellent. Of course, the seafood and steaks are always outstanding. Service is as good as the food. Frank is a master.

Kit G.

Hugo's is great, it has the Gibson's atmosphere and food, without the weird Gibson's crowd. We also liked the layout better, the rooms are smaller and much quieter than at Gibson's. They serve Gibson's steak and high quality seafood, so there is something for everyone. My only complaint is that you usually do have to wait a little while for your table when you have a reservation. Other than that - this place is an excellent place to have dinner. I had the filet, which was cooked to perfection. We also ordered several sides which we shared. The twice baked potatoes were delicious. Highly recommend. The selection of wines was also very nice. This is a great place to go for a nice night out. It is pricy, but definitely worth it!

Danika H.

I really enjoyed Hugos. It was the whole package, the location, bussling atmosphere, good drinks, good food. When in Chicago we love to try out new restaurants and arent afraid to spend some dough. For three people, apps, cocktails, entrees and dessert the bill was $500. They are a little more pricey than other fish and steakhouses and the waiter was a little too chatty, we had to cut him off a couple times to let us get back to our dinner. I would like to go back to Rush st. again for the atmosphere and would eat at Hugos again only if we could reserve the table that is inside Winston churchills old elevator, pretty cool.

Mark H.

This is an iconic restaurant in Chicago next to Gibsons. Been here a few times and always had great experience old school good food, great service all what you're looking for. Was with the party of six and the only downside I would say is how tight they packed people in, the table for six people is really not big enough. We started off with oysters which were fresh and clean tasting excellent! Our entrées varied from a bone filet, king crab and halibut. A little bit of everything, there was not a unhappy face in the crowd. Our food was all prepared exceptionally! For dessert we had a key lime pie which is absolutely huge it was enough for six people one slice. If you go do consider making reservations because it is a very busy restaurant and you never know what conventions may be in the city. I'm a fan!

Jason H.

This is my spot! I walk in and I'm treated like Sinatra. RJ (Manager) and Montrose (Head Waiter) are dear friends and they are two of the reasons they make this place magical. I have dined here maybe 30 times and I am addicted to the atmosphere - the vast array of fresh dishes - the friendly and informative wait staff and not to mention the atmosphere! I think I said that already - if so, my redundancy drives home the point! If you want to be impressed, Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House is your place! From the time you walk in you'll be flooded with eloquence of monumental proportions! Ask for RJ or Montrose, they'll make this place magical for you as well! They'll treat you like Sinatra - even if you don't have Sinatra money!

Kris L.

the desserts are bigger than my face. enough said. besides that, the lobster is fresh and cooked to perfection. my fiance (who proposed the night we went there!) ordered the T bone which he loved. The service is flawless. the crowd is a bit old...understandably because it's so damn expensive. the ambiance is a bit stuffy. but if u want quality eats, it's your place to go!

Nick S.

Mashed potatoes lackluster, not very creamy more oily. Mousse cake was delicious, but WAAYY too big. Half the size would have fed four of us, now it's in my fridge and easily accessible for a couple days... Yellowfin seared rare and buttery. Searing could have been more crispy, but I like things charred. Tried the filet M/R and it was more rare, but so good. They char the outside (how I like it) and it gives the meat some extra flavor. Compliments the tenderness of the meat inside. Waiter really nice - all wait staff say hello and goodbye. Waiter very attentive and gregarious. Very nice place. Super "Rush St. busy" on a Sat night. Tables much too close together. Very very close to the point where 2 out of 4 at the table are touching elbows with people at the next tables. A mix of young and pretentious crowd here. I wouldn't say it's a nice mix, but it's a mix.

Theresa T.

I'm usually not a huge fan of traditional steakhouse seafood joints but at a recent business dinner here I enjoyed everything from appetizer, entrees to dessert. They have a great selection from the raw bar, fish, lobster, frog (!!) and steak. It's rare that restaurants offer a wide selection of seafood and steak. Not a big meat person myself I really enjoyed the seafood tower appetizer and Chilean sea bass we shared as one of the entrees for the table. My male colleagues loved the steak (believe was the porterhouse) and would not stop talking about it even days after. The chocolate cake we got for dessert was definitely one of the highlights. It would be an understatement to say its ginormous- it's literally the size of my head! It was surprisingly delicious as I'm usually an advocate for the small dainty pretty looking desserts. I cleaned my piece on the plate and only wished I didn't tell my coworker "just a small one" when he was cutting my piece.

Ted S.

Had dinner her last night for the first time. Party of 6 in a great corner booth and the best waiter (Bobby) possibly ever. Service was impeccable, food delicious and atmosphere was great. Can't say enough good things about it - but certainly Bobby made the evening the most memorable.

Adam M.

Wow, Hugo's Frog Bar was amazing. I started with the New England Clam Chowder (has smoked bacon in it!) which was sooo good. Probably the best chowder I've had outside of Boston. I went here with my girlfriend so we had the luxury of splitting two so we could try multiple items. The Charbroiled Filet Medallions Oscar (hollandaise sauce on the side) was very good; the King Crab Meat on top was phenomenal. We also had the Miso Marinated Sea Bass. This was my first time trying Sea Bass and I must say I'm hooked. This was the best fish I ever had! We complemented our main entrees with a side of crawfish mac and cheese that I highly recommend trying. Overall Hugo's Frog Bar is a must try for anyone looking for a great meal in Chicago!

Pablo S.

Came here for brunch one morning. The service was nice. I got the cheeseburger omelette. It was really tasty and greatly priced. Not sure about their other menus, though. Would certainly return.

Dotty K.

The cosmo I ordered was very good. Found the food to be bland. No seasoning, no salt. Spicy tuna had everything but spice. "Fresh" bread was dry and stale. Not going back there again and not recommending to anyone.

Graeme F.

Great (sea)food, service, location (North Rush / Oak street district) and ambience. Top marks. Scotch selection is a little weak and pricey relative to competitors in the area (Carmine's, Tavern on Rush) but that's not why you come here anyway so "no point deductions" for that.

Harpreet K.

Janus: "Preet, you are looking skee-nee." Edyta: "YAN-OO!! She IS skee-nee!" [enter scolding in Polish] Janus: [ignores stop sign] "No. But she used to be LEE-tle bit fat. Maja, see? You can be skee-nee, too." OH. SNAP. Welcome to my big fat Polish graduation dinner. Or, more accurately, my best friend, Maja's, little sister's law school graduation dinner (Congrats, G!). Listen, I don't normally find myself this close to the shaft of the Viagra Triangle (ewww), but when Janus calls, you come, because NOBODY knows how to party like my rich Polish peeps know how to party. Trust me on this one; I'm Punjabi, game recognize game. This was one of those epic dinners that goes down in the history books, a feast of Roman proportions, where even the skinniest woman at the table (not me, per Janus) was in a (Polish) Thanksgiving frame-of-mind (Eat until you can't eat any more. Smoke three cigarettes. Drink some vodka. Tell someone you love them. Stroll around the block. Hug an Irishman. Come back for Round 2). And Hugo's Frog Bar delivered. The night is (surprise! surprise!) a blur - I do know that there was Filet Mignon, lobster (excellent), truffled potatoes, crab cakes (perfection), mussels, east coast Kumamoto oysters (!!), mac and cheese, something green (next), steak tar tare (special order), key lime pie (a must), and that the Cristal was flowin' (yes, it does make a cameo outside of hip hop videos. And if you were a member of Solidarity that escaped Warsaw with $219 in your pocket and ended up w/ a mansion on Muholland Drive, you'd be poppin' the same shit too). Bottom line: if you're looking for a great place to celebrate with your gigantic extended family, you really can't do much better than this. And I didn't even get an STD on my way out (You heard. Polish-Punjabi's tell it like it is).

Jarvis A.

This restaurant is meant for Rush street. The high quality of the food and service is only matched by the high prices. I started off we the frog legs and fried calamari which were both delicious. The delicious meal continued with Cajun chicken and crab, and finished with a huge strawberry short cake. All in all, pricey but good.

Mark H.

Been there only to entertain clients and prospective business but worked every time! The location is historic. Once filled with denizons of nightwalkers and now it is one of the IT places for Chicago's Golden neighborhood. Hugo's a sister to Gibsons Steak House, but it's a bit younger and more relaxed crowd. No disappoints on the menu. No crusty old feel of some other "3 months waiting list establishments" too. Have fun!

Deb N.

Fun sitting outside, good raisin bread, very helpful servers, ok lobster salad and good crab salad. Drinks are strong, probably more of a special occassion place rather than routine dining.

Steven K.

This was my first visit to Hugo's. Went there for my anniversary dinner with my GF and was pleased with the food but less pleased with the overall experience and felt a little rushed during dinner. Started with drinks at the bar while awaiting our table (we arrived early for our reservation bc we had heard good things about the bar area) which were really good. We were seated about 25 min after our reservation time and then it took our server a fairly long time to come and take drink orders and return to our table and then when he did arrive stated "Ok, you ready to order yet?" We placed appetizer orders and were served bread with ICE cold butter, it basically was frozen. While awaiting our appetizer course our server finally returned with our drinks and we placed our dinner orders. Shortly after that our appetizers arrived and then our salad course came at almost the same time! We were sitting at a 2-top table and had bread, appetizer and salad all stuffed onto our table without really enough space. We finished that and our dinners came relatively quickly after that and I felt like we were being rushed out of a obviously busy restaurant on a Saturday night. Overall the food was good, the atmosphere was busy and loud, and felt like we were being rushed during our dining experience. Would return for the bar area but not the dining experience.

Lisa L.

They are not kidding when the server says, "if you've ever had great Alaskan King Crab Legs, these are better". As locals, we can almost always find a way to get a table. Our favorite guilty pleasure.

Stephanie S.

My friends and I were in town for the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention and we took the train into the city with the intentions of just hitting restaurants all up and down Rush for eats and drinks. Our first stop was Hugos. I had never been there before and when I walked in, the hostess asked if we had reservations, I said no. My heart sank because it was Saturday night and figured we wouldn't get in. Low and behold, she said she would put us on the wait list and that a table would be about 30 minutes. Yay! A server came around and got us drinks while we were waiting. And that 30 minutes we were told....was actually about 10! Woo-hoo! We got a high top in a cozy area behind the hostess stand. We loved it! We ordered 3 starters to share: The avocado crab, baked goat cheese and the crabcake. The avocado crab was outstanding. I've never had anything like it before. The crabcake was fresh as all get out and served with a remoulade. And the goat cheese baked with a fresh tomato sauce had a slight kick and was.....fabulous. Since we were there for the tattoo convention, I was wearing a shirt with cutouts on the shoulders which displayed my tattoos.....when I walked throught the dining room to the bathrooms, I got a LOT of stares from the older crowd dressed to the nines....it didn't bother me, but I just didn't expect that atmosphere! It caught me off guard, that's all :) I can't WAIT to go back next time I'm in Chicago. I think I'm going to have dreams about the avocado crab!

Tiffany W.

A few tips to dining in this fantastic establishment: 1. Opentable I had a last minute need for a 7pm reservation on saturday...at 4 pm. Needless to say the restaurant said they were booked. When I checked opentable, someone must have JUST canceled a rezzo as there was a 7pm booking available. SUCCESS! 2. Come Early Especially if it's a weekend, come check in a half hour before your seating if you have a time pressure. We had 9 pm tix for a show, so I came at 6:40 and checked in and secured a seat in the packed bar. Coming early accomplishes 2 things- you actually may find a seat in the bar for your wait and also you stand a better chance of actually being seated on time. Even so, we finally were seated closer to 7:20 and were out by 8:40. 3. Ask for the Booth Request it with your reservation and even wait a little longer for it if you must. The place gets PACKED and a booth is an oasis in the crowd. Sooooooo worth it! 4. Request the Olive Oil/ Balsamic They serve insanely delicious fresh bread. I am not a butter fan so our server was more than happy to hook me up...heaven. 5. Get the Seafood! I love tasters to share, so we ordered East Coast Oysters (yum), the Softshell Crab (delish) and definitely get the Clams in white wine garlic sauce...amazing! If you really were set on steak, they have it, but at that point why not just make a rezzo for Gibson's? Stick with the seafood.... 5. Bottle of Wine Just do it. Concannon Pinot Noir was lovely. 6. Birthday Song! Yep, it was my friends bday the next day, so I asked the waiter for a dessert list. The Military style Hoo-Rah Birthday song is pretty fun. 7. Dessert As others have said, "as big as your head." The Apples in the apple pie were tart and hard. I think I would try a Strawberry shortcake or something else instead next time as I like my apples a little softer and sweeter. 8. Leave a big tip Some of the best service in the city, hands down. I always make friends with the server, call them by their name and engage them, therefore getting the best service. (Still shocked most people don't do this.) Both the server and busser used crumb removers to clean the table to get us ready for dessert. Nice. You KNOW you will be back, so make friends with your server before you leave. ;-)

Amanda B.

My date and I decided to go here for desert after dinner at Carnivale (See review) for my 21st birthday. He told me Hugo's Frog Bar has the best desert in all of Chicago. Okay, sure, I'll try it. We ordered the Muddy Bottom Pie...holy huge desert, Batman! It seemed silly that we even dared to order it...this baby was huge! In fact, probably big AS a baby! It was just TOO much for me. It had an Oreo crust, chocolate ice cream, vanilla ice cream, marshmallows, caramel, chocolate chips, macadamia nuts (A LOT of them). We each had half our slice and gave the rest of our desert to a neighboring table.

Sean R.

We had a great meal with some friends. Everything we tried (crab cakes, salmon, sea bass, steak medallions) was excellent. Good service as well. Dessert was this ridiculous vanilla/chocolate ice cream monstrosity covered with macadamia nuts that four of us couldn't even come close to finishing, but it was yummy. Will go here again.

Sam M.

Oh my gosh!!! This place is the best!! Really! I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday last summer. We both loved everything about it- from the atmosphere, to our super fun, attentive, knowledgable server to the friendly strangers sitting at the table next to us (who shared their gigantic chocolate cake with us because, well, it was just so big). And of course I can't leave out the DELICIOUS food. The cream of mushroom soup turned me into a cream of mushroom soup lover. It was so good, I don't even know how you can make something as simple as cream of mushroom soup so dang good! And of course I had to get the perch. It came with four pretty good sized perch; seasoned and cooked perfectly. Almost as good as my dad's (shhh...)! The ambiance was nice and the people working there were very accomodating of our huge luggage that we were carrying around (we flew in from Seattle). And that was only the first taste of Chicago for my boyfriend who had never been there. He agrees- 5 stars for Hugo's! I would say Hugo's was a great first impression of all the great food Chicago has to offer.

Tommy M.

Second best crab cakes I've had! (Sorry, but Shaw's has you beat.) You get two cakes as a main dish. They're big, thick, and chock full of crab meat. I could barely finish one (had the second for lunch today). Also had the steamed spinach with garlic - incredibly fresh taste and huge portion really intended for two. Also had crawfish mac and cheese - has a little Cajun thing going on with bits of ham in there too. The wife had the 10 ounce filet (shares a kitchen with Gibson's next door) and it was very good too. She takes it medium well and it had just the right amount of pink and juice in the middle. Hugo's isn't cheap but it's worth it.

Josephine L.

The fact that I had my birthday dinner here and was therefore treated to a full meal, champagne and dessert big enough to feed an Ethiopian village shouldn't make this review biased, right? The bass is exactly how bass should be cooked: crisp on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. It's so delicious. They have a wonderful wine list. Oddly enough, I forgot to try their frog legs, probably because I was looking forward to dessert to the blind exclusion of almost everything else. People warned me their desserts were huge, but HOLY GREAT WALL OF CHOCOLATE! We got a slice of chocolate cake that was big enough to feed 10 ravenous, 16-year-old high school football quarterbacks! My friend put his giant hand up to it: it was bigger than his hand. The table of 5 next to us ordered meringue pie, couldn't finish it and donated the rest to a table of 5 next to them. Both tables of adults, mind you. Anyway, the four of us did our best to finish the cake. What was left over was taken away and divided between me and them. I still needed two more sittings to finish my half. In conclusion: Don't judge strange restaurant name. Come. Eat. Gawk. Brag.

Anne K.

I love Gibson's and I love Hugo's. Service is beyond excellent. My slight preference is to Hugo's only because I prefer seafood and I like the decor a bit better. If anyone is looking for best eats in Chicago, this is it. Undisputable!

Vivian H.

Hugo's Frog Bar is one of those restaurants that you have to try if you're ever in Chicago. The place is super crowded and loud, and expect a long wait even if you make reservations, but the food and service makes up for all of it. I had the crab cake appetizer and the miso seared sea bass special. Like all the other yelp reviews say, the crab cake is amazing. The sea bass was also delicious and tender. Our party also ordered the seven-layer "Meaning of Life" chocolate cake, which is the biggest slice of cake I've ever seen. We couldn't finish it, even between the 7 of us, but it was reallyy good, especially the banana-chocolate-mousse layer. I would come back, if only for that cake.

Stephanie H.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was hoping to get a last minute seat at Gibson's in the piano bar room to no avail. But the hostess informed me that Hugo's has the same Gibson's steaks and that I would probably be able to get a table there. So I went next door and was able to get a table, however, the place got packed quickly (it was a Thursday night) and I once again was glad that I'm thin because people definitely had to squeeze by my table and the one next to me to get by. I love seafood, but the seafood on the menu really didn't appeal to me, so I opted for a steak. I started with the lobster bisque which was absolutely dreadful. It tasted fine, but in my book if you're going to have lobster bisque I need to be able to see the lobster. It was basically a cup with orange soup in it, the lobster was in there I think, but I couldn't see it. My steak was cooked perfectly (medium-rare of course) and was fantastic. I ordered a side of mushrooms which were rather oily and greasy but still tasted good. My service was excellent, but I can't say I would come here for the seafood, and given the choice I'd rather go to Gibson's. But if you really need a place for a steak and don't want to deal with reserving a table at Gibson's well in advance then Hugo's isn't a bad second choice.

Michael S.

Here is the deal...... This place is alot easier to get into and has the same menu as Gibson's. Service 5 out of 5 Food 5 out of 5 Atmosphere 3.5 out of 5(I heard Happy Birthday sung 15 times which got alittle annoying) Bring your wallet and your appetite as this place is KILLER to both

Robert S.

This ia a review of a quick visit to Hugo's Frog Bar in Chicago. I is nit uncommons for us to stop and Hugo's in Naperville for a quick bite and drink. This was not a good visit. The bookbinder soup was overly thick and tasteless. My girlfriends clam chowder was not good at all. My steak filet slider was good, but my girlfriends was fatty. The services was great and the drinks were cold. We mentioned to the staff that the slider was fatty and it was removed from the cost of the bill. This is a great location and maybe this was a bad day, but most likely we will not eat at this location again.

Brandon L.

This place was wonderful - VERY FAIRLY PRICED for what you get - excellent quality and large portions - my favorite place on Rush for sure.

Dru M.

A few folks in our group were in the mood for oysters and Yelp told us that Hugo's Frog Bar was one of the best in the city to go. So we did. The oysters were delicious and per my request...they gave me a lot of fresh horseradish.That made me happy. They were smaller that typical oysters, but the flavor was great. Our group ordered a variety of entrees...shrimp, fish/chips, BLT, turkey/avocado sandwich, etc. Everyone was very happy with what they ordered. Our server was very nice, but at times...a bit slow. I think it had to do with the fact that she was covering the entire bar during lunch on a Saturday. Note...everyone at our table raved about their bloody mary's. You can get it with cucumber vodka...nice touch. Overall...we really enjoyed our lunch and I suggest if you're in the mod for seafood or just a good lunch spot...they are worth a try.

Angela S.

I've managed to put up w/ the scene in the Viag Triag bc this place serves up some great seafood.

Desirae K.

Get in my belly. . . Before I get to the food, I have to say, the service was outstanding! They actually sent someone from the restaurant to get our table a Maine Lobster from another restaurant. If that's not customer service, I don't know what it is. On to the grub. . . So happy the server suggested the Miso Marinated Sea Bass, it was de-lish. The mild flavor of the sea bass went beautifully with the sweet deliciousness of the sweet soy butter, making this dish one I can't stop thinking about - melts in your mouth! If you visit, try the: + Seasonal Oysters + Miso Marinated Sea Bass w/pea shoot salad & sweet soy butter + Basil Gimlet

Chris D.

Is it ok if i say that I like this place better than Gibsons next door?? :) Well I do. The wait here sucks, but I think the food is top notch. Yummy!! ..... Helpful and professional servers. Great location. Great crowd slamming down crab legs and Steaks. I have no major complaints here.

Chris J.

Took some friends from out of town for dinner here on a Saturday night and they did a great job. The food was very good and our service from Scott was spectacular. My friends are in the foodservice business and after talking with the staff, they got a personal tour of the kitchen from the GM. How many restaurants are willing to take their customers through their kitchen on a crazy busy Saturday night? These guys are first class operators! Do not hesitate to go here!

Char Y.

We walked in for restaurant week dinner on a friday night, and were seated immediately. We ordered king crab fingers - sweet but not enough meat. king crab spinach dip - good with toast shrimp and scallop ceviche - ok, too sour without other tastes macadmaia crusted tilapia - huge portion but needed salt badly. shrimp dejonghe - shrimp swimming in garlic butter, way too oily and the shrimps didn't taste fresh sauteed filet medallion - flavorful meat but overly soft and salted broccoli grilled swordfish - very good, tender and juicy. key lime pie - ok, the filling lacked the key lime taste and there was way too much meringue. Our serve was good with lots of attention and water refills, but the food just didn't live up to the reviews.

Emilee S.

First, let me start off with, RJ the manager, is wonderful. I came in here for my birthday recently, and the server was notified 3 times it was my birthday by our table and once I presume from the receptionist (it was in our reservation). I NEVER got my "happy birthday". This is one of the reasons we went here, they have a wonderful assortment of desserts and GREAT FOOD. So, to get back to why RJ is great, I am not a complainer (YELP! doesn't count) Ha! but i complained and spoke to the most professional, nicest , understanding manager ever. This made me give my review 5 stars. Otherwise it would be a four. DRINKS: Peach Blossom Martinis are awesome. A large assortment of wine from knowledgeable servers and bartenders that can answer ever question under the sun about wine if your not a wine drinker. FOOD: Clam chowder- WOW! Everything was served piping hot and the steak was so tender, we ate the leftovers the next day. I also had one of the most amazing crab cakes ever. Salad was cold and crisp. SERVICE: Good, I guess. The bus boys cleaned and refilled every two seconds but they were definitely not a bother. Despite the fact that our waiter seemed to favor the "wealthy" larger group of 12 next to us, he was OK. He made a few jokes the two times he visited our table and was fast. We had a gentlemen in a suit come to check on us twice. It was nice to know that they are attentive to the guests b/c this is not a $50 Joes Crab Shack spot, so I think the attention is well deserved. PARKING- Valet next door at Gibsons. Overall this place is a GO! :) BTW thanks Mr. Manager Man RJ, I am not mad about my Bday cake anymore :)

Andrew C.

Overall I really enjoyed eating here. The service was unobtrusively attentive and very enthusiastic about their food. The food was mixed. The crab cakes were fabulous and their Cesear salad dressing was one of the better ones I've tasted in recent memory. The frog legs were rather bland. I've never had them before, but those that had said these were not the finest example. After tasting them, I was glad to find out that the restaurant name isn't from this dish. From their website: "Contrary to popular belief the name is not taken from the signature dish comprised of froggy lower halves. "Frog" was the nickname Hugo Ralli called his Grandfather, General Bruce Hay of Her Majesty's Imperial Forces." For my main course, I ordered the salmon special rare/med-rare and it came out well done. Still somewhat moist, but somewhat disappointing at a seafood place. Food: 3 stars Service: 5 stars

James L.

Came here for Restaurant week with a pretty big group (14 people). They were very accomodating! I had the prefix which was excellent. Pretty much a small version of surf and turf. We order additional apps of crab legs which started us off on a good note too! Service was great and the dinner was a fun time. I'd come back for sure but only if I want to spend some money.

Bryan C.

Hugo's is certainly one of my favorite spots in Chicago. I used to live nearby and would often come down to sit at the bar just to order a burger. The bar tenders were always friendly and accommodating, and the burgers are great. Not too fancy, and served with really great fries. Then, I discovered their mac and cheese. Life has never been the same. I came for a celebratory dinner with YL and we went to splurge a bit. We ordered a nice bottle of wine and both of us got steaks. The steaks were amazing - perfectly juicy, tender, flavorful. I love a rib-eye and Hugo's version did not disappoint. Our waiter was friendly and funny and made some great suggestions on the side dishes. One of those suggestions was the mac and cheese. Hugo's mac and cheese is infused with crawfish, all diced up and intermixed, and chives. For those who haven't had it, it's a shrimp-like texture and a similar, but less potent, flavor. It's actually a perfect compliment to the cheese with the chives offering a nice kick to balance everything out. Completely amazing, and despite how good everything else was, this certainly stole the show. After that, when getting my burger at the bar, I always opt to swap the fries for the mac and cheese. Maybe not the healthiest combination in the world, but if I'm going to die of a heart attack from something, I hope it's this.

Colleen W.

Hugo's was, as promised, an overall success. The service was friendly from the minute we walked in the door. The food is incredible (the clam chowder was the best I've ever had), and the creamy garlic dressing on the salad was perfect. The salmon melts in your mouth, the steaks are perfectly cooked (no surprise, as they are the "Gibson's" seafood house...). Our server Adam was attentive, informative, friendly, and incredibly charming. This is a can't miss in Chicago...as long as you are being treated (in my case) or are not afraid to drop a decent amount of dough on a meal. But to be quite honest, if I had the money to spend, I would spend it here.

Larry S.

Steady reliable steak and seafood place next to Gibson's. They share menu items so if you cant get into Gibson's go here. Fantastic Crab Cakes, Planked Whitefish, All the seafood is fresh, Gibson quality steaks. Cant go wrong. Great place to take out of town guests.

John C.

Great food, great ambiance, great service. Little hard to get a table on time, even with a reservation. Don't go if you are not willing to wait to be seated.

Jill T.

I totally recommend this place for a nice dinner! We were greeted with a very friendly staff and had amazing food from the appetizers to the main course (side note: the clam chowder is to die for)! We will be returning as this was one of the highlights of our weekend away in Chicago! And the cake? HUGE!

Mark T.

Wow, what can I say. There are plenty of choices when it comes to fine dining in Chicago, especially along Rush Street. An experience dining at Hugo's certainly puts it up there with the best. Dined with a group of seven other folks on a family style menu; each dish tasted perfect. Starters were the crab cakes (indeed tastes every bit worth the hype everyone has been giving them), frog legs (looks and tastes like chicken, and I mean that literally), and spinach dip w/garlic bread (the dip was nice and creamy). We also had a bowl of clam chowder soup...very good. Entrees were the whole chicken (nice), crawfish mac and cheese (really amazing, the crawfish was a nice addition to the dish), BBQ baby back ribs (very good), planked whitefish (never tasted one so awesome), mashed potatoes (nice); broccoli and steamed asparagus (very good), and my personal favorite dish, the andouille sausage and scallions (the spices gave it a good kick!). The best part of the meal, as is for most people, is the dessert. We got served a MASSIVE slice of key lime pie. I'm not kidding, it was literally a BLOCK of pie. Holy freaking smokes. The funny thing is, after devouring the entire piece, I actually wanted more. It was that good. As with many of the restaurants along Rush Street, the setup of the restaurant was pretty upscale. I felt sort of under dressed coming in with jeans and a polo shirt; many of the diners were in business suits and ties. Kudos do go out to the wait staff for serving us. Our server Jeremy was especially pleasant with our food and wine. I'd welcome the idea of coming back here...as long as I can afford it :). Still, if I had the need to splurge for a date or for another special occasion; I'd definitely go for it.

Randy E.

Can't go wrong w/ Hugo's! Full service at the bar tables - our waitress was great along with the atmosphere & food. I had the Halibut - I strongly recommend! Enjoy...

Ivanka B.

Best place to come for cocktails and some hot appetizers - crab cakes with hot pink mayo are super crabby and the drinks are always stiff. What more could a girl ask for in the Viagra Triangle?

Paul C.

We snagged a booth in the rear, we had a wonderful attentive server (Steve) who made some great recommendations. Oysters - east coast, all delicious, a few were too small to serve in my view but with the frozen mignonette to accompany them.....we were in heaven. King crab legs - we got a free sample! - amazing, these too were a special as they were unfrozen Oysters Rockfeller - delicious, large and perfectly cooked Salmon - This was a special of the day - a rare fatty salmon only available a few weeks in the year - amazing. Sea bass - excellent Sides - large and well cooked Wonderful meal, great service and expensive.....due to the ingredients. If you like seafood and fancy a special treat this is the spot. I'd ignore the outside tables, relax and get a booth.

Marc R.

The meal: wife had a split of Moet, I had a Grey Goose martini oysters Rockefeller wife had a house salad I had bookbinders soup (amazing) split bone-in filet (amazing) double baked potato (amazing) and steamed asparagus (as good as steamed asparagus gets) the filet was served with bearnaise on the side. I recommend taking a bite of steak first, the dip your fork in the dressing and taste it after a few chews. Yum! Finished with coffee with Bailey's and carrot cake (amazing). We were served by Tom who was fine, but not amazing. He brought wife Prosecco instead of Moet and brought my Goose with a lemon twist instead of a lime. Sent back the prosecco, kept the lemon. He checked on us a few too many times. I prefer my server to be available, but really don't want to see him unless I need him, when I will make eye contact and perhaps a subtle gesture. Not poor service, just a little too all over us. Will definitely go back.

Lady B.

Not worth it. I broke the golden rule. I am an new englander and I ordered a new england lobster roll hundreds of miles away from new england, not to mention the ocean...no bueno. While there was a ton of meat in the roll, it was extremely bland and the lobster meat tasted as if it had been frozen once or twice. Pros: The dinner rolls are very good and the service was on point.

Barri S.

Fantastic!! Not only is the area just wonderful but the food here was fantastic. I had the filet benedict and it was dreamy...then again I happen to love eggs! My fiance loved his steak sandwich and the meat was from Gibson's so you know it's good! Everyone really enjoyed their meal and the ambiance. I highly recommend and you can't beat the price!

Carrie R.

Having left the Midwest almost 20 years ago for California, I don't usually miss many foods. But when I go back there I always want a big juicy steak. The petite filet mignon at Hugo's did not disappoint. The appetizers and side dishes were also excellent. The house special cocktails were a fun way to start the visit. I don't totally get the gigantic desserts, but my dining companions enjoyed their mud pie. Old school Midwest steakhouse with one of the best steaks of my life!

Rachel T.

I'm a big fan of Hugo Frogs, and I don't even eat much seafood!! Their menu is great, well rounded off for people like me that that might want an animal instead of fish. Service is fab, with staff always cheery and up for (as we call it in Scotland) 'the banter'. I've sat in the restaurant once (and it was great) but i have to say my favorite is to sit in the first come first served tables at the bar and listen to the nearly always exceptionally talented piano man (or woman). Top tip from the menu has to be the crayfish mac and cheese... Also - their desserts are delicious, but be careful, 1 will serve 6 people!!

Nick C.

My favorite spot for above average food and drinks in the rush st area. All the fish dishes are great, I had the walleye yesterday. Can never go wrong with their oyster selection. Prime spot for people watching. Staff is always friendly, knowledgable, and on point.

Matthew D.

This was my splurge meal when I visited Chicago last month. That's saying a lot considering how much food I ate in the four days I was there! We ended up at Hugo's because the earliest reservation we could get at Gibson's was 10pm. Lucky for us, Hugo's serves Gibson's steaks! This is what I ordered: 3 Maker's & Cokes Sauteed frog legs Loaded wedge salad W.R.'s Chicago cut (22oz cowboy steak) - rare 1 glass Mark West Pinot Noir '08 Crawfish mac & cheese They did a damn good job on everything. Service was impeccable, too. The dining room was a bit crowded and noisy but that doesn't bother me. I probably wouldn't order the frog legs again but that's just a personal choice - they were tasty. I also tried bites of the crab cake (one of the best I've ever had) and the escargot (again, not my thing but tasty). Oh, and we had a giant ice cream pie dessert that came with caramel and chocolate sauces on the side - amazing! I can't remember what it's called but it had tons of whole macadamia nuts on it and fed about eight of us. I pretty much had to be rolled out of the place and the rest of my evening consisted of me being really uncomfortable because I ate way too much, but it was well worth it!

Nicole N.

This place has great food without a doubt. But in my opinion that is not enough to recommend this place. Perhaps I'm showing my age, but a very noisy crowded place, where you encounter a lot of physical contact with the other patrons, is just not my idea of fine dining. The tables here are extremely close together and you will get bumped fairly often by the servers or other people going to and from their tables. While waiting to be seated you'll feel like you're standing in a very crowded bus or train during rush hour. Thank God this restaurant is not on wheels at least. But the prices are pretty high and you can expect a flippant response from the management if you express any complaints or concerns. Of course they're very crowded because a lot of people like them, so if you're a young Rush Street regular this would likely be the place for you.

Jeff K.

Terrific dinner, took my wife & kids -- all thoroughly enjoyed it. We had Chicago cut (bone-in ribeye), salmon, scallops, calamari, crab cake, raw clams. All yummy! The calamari were the least-special item, but were still good. Salmon dish was probably the star of the meal. Tip: go early. We walked in with no reservation, but 30 minutes after we arrived it was packed with a line on a Wednesday night.

Jennifer B.

Atmosphere felt rushed, not what you would expect from fine dining. Kind of a turn and burn type feeling. Tables very close together. food was good...but overall not the experience we were looking for because we felt like a number to them.

Tim R.

Huge portions, awesome crab appetizer. I dont think there is anything special about the steak.

Gina S.

Hugo's came recommended to me, so while in Chicago I decided to give it a go. We had a res for 7 @ 10pm, which was ok considering a same day reservation on a Sat night of restaurant week. We started with the Baked Goat Cheese, which was not what I expected. The description did not do it justice and the cheese actually came out in a pool of tomato sauce with a few pieces of olives floating. The pre dinner salad was accompanied by a taste house dressing. I tasted the chowder, which was too rich for me (others love it) My friend & I shared 2 meals- the planked white fish & the filet. The white fish wasn't memorable, but the filet was delicious. Perfectly cooked. Overall though, I don't think the value is there- I would splurge elsewhere. Note: This is a neat place for a birthday since they do a cool rendition of "happy birthday" with the servers.

Eve W.

We wanted seafood and we selected the restaurant based on the pictures of the menu items. We ordered the seabass,, osters, sweet potaoes, sauteed spinach. The sweet potatoes was HUGE, never saw a potatoe so large, moist and delicious. But the best entre was the seabass. It was perfect. Moist and pan seared to perfection. Hugos has become my favorite seafood place just from that experience. I didn't try the desserts because they were just too big for 2. Next time, I'm doing the seabass and dessert so I can get it all in.

Caroline A.

Believe it or not, I love Hugo's. This is completely not my scene, but the burgers here are fantastic. The energy here is great on a breezy warm night and there is always a fun group of drunk Chicago manboys that are entertaining. Steaks are the size of my forearm and can feed a small family of four. The drinks are strong too and the bartenders are chubby and cute! I haven't had the frog legs, but I might have to check it out.

Ray W.

I love the servers great attitudes and make dining fun. The food that I had was simply great

David A.

So here I am, a San Franciscan tourist of French origin, visiting Chicago, meeting up with an old friend in Chicago who suggests Hugo's for dinner. Really? A Frog Bar? Is that supposed to make fun of my heritage? For the skinny: I have no idea what the Frog reference is about, food is surprisingly decent for bar food (although my expectations may have been really low), menu was extensive, and everything was appropriately priced if slightly expensive.

Kara M.

I went here with a group of people from med school It was great service and great atmosphere to chit chat and do some fine dining. the waitstaff was great with our big group. it was my 1st time trying frog legs and they were pretty good, taste like chicken. I had a steak for dinner and it was delish, a great cut with no fat, seasoned well, and cooked just right. I can't afford this place on my own as a student but if another doctor wants to treat me out to this place I'll def go again!

Kevin W.

Ate here last Friday with friends when I was in town. Wait at the bar was a little hectic since it was Friday and there was a Cubs game earlier but service was great. Just a little cramped. The "Piano Man" was awesome and everyone was singin' along. A few Belevedres and margaritas later, we were feeling no pain. We had Alaskan King Crab appetizer along with a few orders of Oysters Rockefeller. Salad was awesome. Wife had the tomatoes, onions and blue cheese. Dinner was Surf and Turf split with wife. Lobster was huge and steak had peppercorns and was really tender. Someone ordered the tuna tartar with the won tons. Really good. We had brought a 2000 Bandeaux and ordered an amazing bottle of Decoy. Wine list was really accessible. We left late and enjoyed the atmosphere of the Frog Bar. Server was incredible. Ask for Rip.

Lauren V.

What's up with this place? Are there really that many people willing to overspend their hard earned dollars for mediocre food, crappy and condescending service and a loud, crowded, pushy environment filled with Viagra triangle hopefuls, and Rush Street wannabe's..... If you're semi-smart and value your money, don't bother. It's astounding that this place keeps 'conning' people (maybe tourists). We eat out often and our beautiful city is a mecca of great restaurants. Advice - just walk down the street to Carmines, or head to Mich Ave and check out Bandera.....anywhere but Hugo's.

Bobby O.

I am only giving the review 3 stars because I was booked for a 2 o'clock reservation yet the place opens at 3 pm. Mmmm Kayyyy! Easily fixed, just went next door to Gibsons(same menu) and they slid us in although very busy. I can't say enough about the bookbinder soup and the chopped seafood salad! The food is always great and the rating here is usually based on the service...

Jenny M.

Dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar began beautifully; first off, our waiter looked just like Don Draper from Mad Men. The restaurant has great windows, and is very tight fitting, tables and chairs in every nook and cranny, but still the service was amazing and attentive, you still felt as if you were in an intimate setting. The food was wonderful, I mean delicious, so tasty and described so expertly by our amazing waiter. Did I mention that he looked like Don Draper? We started with two appetizers; splitting the Calamari, which was cooked to perfection, so light and airy, dusted with cornmeal and the Crab Cakes, oh do I love crab cakes I could have had them for dinner alone. For the main course I enjoyed the Halibut, it was the thickest steak of fish I had ever enjoyed, so light but substantial, it was cooked wonderfully with thyme and lemon in parchment paper. One of my companions ordered the Sea Scallops which were also terrific, a little over cooked but still very good. The wine was terrific it was just a wonderful meal through and through, recommend. Did I mention that our waiter looked like Don Draper?

Ali W.

Came here last night for the first time. We had reservations and were seated right away. The music/piano bar area was loud and i don't think the guy was that great...but besides that everything was fantastic. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant and it was much much quieter than the front area. We ordered of the 3 course tasting menu. The walleye wasn't on the menu any more so the man got the tilapia. I had a few bites and it was really good. The butter sauce was very rich and made it super tasty. I had the filet medallions and they were delicious. The garlic broccoli was also really good with the filet. The tilapia did not have any veggies or potatoes-- i would have liked to seen something paired with it. We also had the shrimp scallop ceviche and spinach dip. It was all very good and I would definitely get it again. they key lime pie is HUGE and there is a lot of creme, but it was very good. I really liked Hugo's and the fact that it shares a kitchen with Gibson's. Its definitely a good place to go if you want either surf and turf. The overall service was really nice. They even give you a reminder call the day of your reservation. The regular menu also has a great variety and is pretty reasonably priced for that area. None of the beers are on tap, but they do serve their beers in frozen glasses. They have a pretty good wine list too. Will definitely be back!

Maria C.

EXCELLENT!!! I love this place, the food was very good and the drinks were even better. The bartender was an expert and made the drinks perfectly. He also was friendly and full of suggestions of things to try. I can't wait till my next trip to Chicago so I can go back.

Tony M.

Fantastic fresh seafood is served here with classic and attentive wait staff. From the chowder, to the calamari, or the crab cakes, it is all prepared well. The bar crowd is lively and you can even grab a meal at the bar. The only complaint is that they do not serve draft beer which I particularly enjoy with fresh oysters.

S.J. N.

Hugo Frog's was a great experience and delicious meal! We had a reservation for 12 and we were greeted with great customer service from start to finish. I loved how they brought around a platter of the fresh fish cuts of the day and explained all of the different options. While their steaks were amazing I chose to go with a seafood dish. Our appetizers were delicious and I had some of the best crab cakes I have ever tasted. Several people from our party split the steaks which was a nice option. We got a bunch of sides to share with our main dishes and before you knew it we were stuffed and beyond content.

Allison O.

Great atmosphere and amazing food. You really can't get much better. I have been going here since I was little and have always enjoyed it.

Justin O.

The fish and chips here is a huge order and quite tasty. I grabbed lunch here and split this item and was sufficiently full afterwards. Sitting outside on their sidewalk patio on a slightly cooler day was manageable due to the outdoor heaters.

Keith K.

Hugo's is a lot of blah. We started with cocktails: a bloody Mary and a vodka soda. The bloody was pretty good, but we're still not sure if there was any vodka in the other drink. (Yes, I know there was vodka in the drink, but not much.) We had the avocado-crabmeat appetizer. It was okay, but nothing special. Entrees included crab cakes and seared tuna. The crab cakes are enormous. The plate comes with two, and it would be enough for a couple to split as entrees. The crab cakes were good, but not great. Maybe a 7/10. They do not skimp on the crabmeat though, so that is good. The tuna was also good but nothing special. It was a really good piece of fish, but the kitchen did little to make it special. I can buy a good piece of tuna, throw some salt and pepper on it, and sear it myself. When I go out to eat, I want something a little extra. I will say that the waitstaff was excellent. Our waitress was prompt and courteous, and the rest of the staff was as well. In short, there was nothing bad about Hugo's, but for what we paid, it should have been much better. Especially in a town like Chicago with a thousand options. Hugo's is a but of a tourist trap in a central location, and it is nothing to write home about. It won't kill you to go, but you can do MUCH better.

Jeanne L.

Bar: live music; man singing/playing piano was great! The place was PACKED, presumably also because it's restaurant week. Restaurant: Portions very generous, service great, and though my steak was a tad overcooked (I asked for medium rare), it was still good. I had the small new york strip (which by the way, is not small at all, it's a 13oz), house salad with their homemade bleu cheese dressing (SO GOOD), boyfriend got the restaurant week special of macadamia crusted tilapia (not bad, huge portions; I expected 1 fillet, they gave 3) and crab spinach dip (huge chunks of crab!) - and a gigantic key lime pie that both of us took most of home since we were so full. The meringue on the pie was 7 or 8 inches tall - no joke. We'll be back!

Sara F.

YUM. We started off with drinks; I found it VERY funny that when I asked my waiter what martini was the best, he said, "I don't know...Bud Light is my martini of choice." This obviously made us laugh a lot; however, it would have been juuuust a little more helpful if he would have had a diner's favorite or something to mention. I got the honey tangerine martini and it was not too sweet at all. For an appetizer, I had the escargot. It came with this delectable, buttery bread topping. The escargot itself was garlicky and absolutely delicious. My boyfriend and dad had the gumbo, and they raved about it. For days. For my meal, I had the lobster tail. So. Good. My boyfriend had the mahi-mahi with mango salsa on top, and he ate all of it. My dad ordered the salmon, which he said was amazing, and my mother had shrimp, which she kept saying was very good. I would definitely come back here, although don't expect anything special for your birthday unless you order dessert off of the menu. They come over, scream this chant at you, and give you a shot of whipped cream. I kind of wish I was joking about that, but I'm not. Really? After that huge (expensive) meal we just ate, you can only scrounge up a little whipped cream? Even a tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream underneath that whipped cream would have been much more sufficient. We put it in our coffee, which was kind of good. Anyway, I would absolutely come back. Again and again.

Kimberly R.

It 's not just about the steaks. If you want awesome King Crab Legs or Salmon this is the place to go. The crab legs were so big, I had to use a knife to cut them. I had a salad with my meal. I told the waiter I haven't had any of the soups they offered so I was playing it safe, To my surprise he brought me all 3 soups to try. Yes, I finally tried Clam Chowder soup. OMG!! It was so damn good! I also had chicken gumbo, not bad . There was one more. However, I didn't care for it or like the taste. My husband loved his salmon, he said it was made to perfection. Overall, we had a fabulous time. Our waiter FRANK gave us exceptional service, I found out we both grew up in Lake view and went to Hamilton elementary school. What a small world!

Amit K.

My wife, daughter and 2 friends of ours thought it would be a great idea to try. Living in Downtown Chicago and never visiting this place, we wanted to certainly give it a go. We called at 6.30 to make reservations for 4 adults for 8 pm on a Monday. My friend who had made the reservation forgot to mention the child (my 3 year old daughter) as part of the reservation, so I reminded him of that. Within 10 seconds he called them right back. The same lady, Diana, picked up the phone and he told her to please make the reservation for 4 adults and 1 child for 8 pm. She asked if the child would need a high chair, and my friend responded in the affirmative. We reached the venue at 7.56 pm (I know, as I had paid for parking adjacent to the restaurant, and my parking print out clearly said 7.55. It was a 30 second walk to the restaurant from where I parked, but I had dropped off the rest of the party before parking). When I entered the restaurant, my wife, my 2 friends and my daughter had already checked in. The host that received them requested them to wait until our table clears. 8.10 pm had come and gone and still no word, so I decided to interject. I asked what the delay was. The host told us that because we just added a new person (the 3 year old child we had confirmed at 6.30 pm) to the reservation, we would have to wait. We were all confused as to what she was talking about. So I assured her that my reservation for my 3 year old daughter had been confirmed 10 seconds after our initial call. That's when she said perhaps the person who had taken our reservation confused what we had requested and thought we were adding a 5th adult. We then confirmed to her that she had even asked us as to whether or not we needed a high chair...why would she do that if she thought the 5th person was an adult? Fortunately, or unfortunately, the person, Diana, who had answered our call showed up. She mumbled something to the other host, hoping that we wouldn't hear, however, the reaction from the other host said everything. She turned back to Diana and said, "I'm explaining it to them again because they keep asking so you tell them." Clearly from this we knew that Diana had told the other host that she need not explain herself to us again. I then turned to Diana and asked her why she thought she didn't need to explain herself to us. She said that we had to wait because we were late for our reservation. I then exclaimed to her, in shock, that we had arrived and checked in to the host stand by 7.56. How could we be late when our reservation was for 8. She then said, "It doesn't matter. If the table isn't ready then how could I give it to you." I was appalled. This whole time one host told us that we had to wait because we had brought an extra person with us to the reservation. Clearly Diana couldn't accuse us of this because she is the one that took our reservation. When that excuse didn't pan out, Diana blamed us for being late. When she realized that we knew exactly what time we arrived, she shifted the blame to the table not being ready. She said he would have to wait another 15-20 minutes. At that point I told her, "No. We are not waiting. If you don't have a table ready for us, we are leaving now. So let us go if you do not know how to keep a reservation. It's already 8.15." She rolled her eyes, which I explained to her that her actions weren't appreciated. 30 seconds later she asked if she could give us a booth for 4 that couldn't fit a high chair. I asked her to show me the booth so I could make that decision. She again rolled her eyes, as if she had expected me to accept the table site unseen, even though we had a reservation for 5. I looked at the booth, and accepted it. I was not going to let this go without making it very clear how rude Diana was, and hence the purpose of this post. I do understand that Hugo's is projecting a certain image, but to project it with complete disregard for customer respect is just absurd. Our waiter had knowledgeable understanding of seafood, but failed to let us know that a salad came with our Alaskan King Crab meal, which, after the experience we faced with Diana, wasn't really that big of an issue. And, we were able to ask a busboy for a high chair, which wasn't a problem at all. Each plate of Alaskan King Crab that we ordered was $47. We certainly didn't get that kind of value in their service. Deciding not to walk away immediately after the host stand was my fault. We should have left the restaurant.

Amanda Z.

Planning a post-Jim Gaffigan dinner poses an obstacle: You just know he's going to make jokes about food roughly 85% of the time. You don't want to choose something about which he's going to make you feel weird for ordering or craving. With Hugo's Frog Bar as a contender, I felt relatively confident. No hot pockets on the menu. There is beef on the menu. Reservation made, thank you opentable.com . WHAAAA? He ripped on seafood for twenty minutes? Shrimp are really the cockroaches of the sea? Damn you, Jim Gaffigan. Lucky for us, I can suck it up, ignore that part of his bit, and enjoy some beautifully prepared seafood. Huzzah! We arrived a bit early for our reservation, hoping for the slight chance we'd be seated early (despite aforementioned Jim Gaffigan's seafood ire.) Sad for us, we were seated thirty minutes AFTER our reservation. Yes, a bit annoying, but we eventually sidled up to the bar and were able to enjoy some seriously awesome people-watching while sipping at a decent Malbec. When we finally arrived to our table, service was perfect and the food was even better. We started with the seafood gumbo and the wedge salad with some marvelous blue cheese. For my entree, I went with the scallops, prepared with risotto and baby spinach, upon the recommendation of our lovely server. My date had a fresh catch, grouper prepared with a spicy sauce and a side of sweet potato hash. A side of mac 'n cheese with andouille sausage and crayfish rounded out our gluttonous feast. Wash that down with a splendid Pinot Noir, and we were two kids delightfully appeased in a seafood (candy) store. No room for desserts here, unfortunately, despite the massive efforts we saw on others' tables, we opted to sip our wine and try to remember all the versions of "Hot Pockets" Mr. Gaffigan had rattled off in his encore bit. He may have made me bust a gut laughing earlier, but this was no busted meal, folks. Great for seafood and people-watching, I'll be back when in the mood for both.

Jenn R.

Well, this review goes hand in hand with Gibson's. I love them both. In case you weren't aware, Gibson's sister seafood joint serves Gibson's steaks, thus my love. But their seafood is top notch as well. We almost always get the same table under the stairs, next to the pepper mill. ;P You gotta love it when they bone a fish at your table so perfectly it's like they really, really care about you and your fish eating experience. I also love the ambiance at Hugo's as it's the seafairing sister to Gibson's old school Chicago. I love the brass bars and boat wood paneling. So Hugo, cheers to you and your delicious food.

Brett F.

Who knew Frog Legs were so darn good?? I've caught myself day dreaming about them on multiple occasions since my foray into amphibious dining. You don't really need to be as adventurous as one may think to sample Frogs Legs... as cliche as it sounds it tastes like chicken! No really... they were like the most delectable buttery, garlicky chicken wings I've ever had. If the frogs legs ain't your thing, Hugo's has an amazing menu that should satisfy anyone. Everything from the raw bar is delicious, their daily fresh catch is always prepared to perfection and the jumbo king crab legs are HUGE (what are they feeding those crabs???!!!) and come pre-cracked for you with drawn butter. There are plenty of steaks, chops, and chicken for those of you who prefer to swim with fish instead of eat them... and the "big enough to share sides" can feed at least 4. Try the veggie combo and acorn squash! You can expect Viagra Triangle prices and in return you'll get stellar service. Oh and save room for dessert... but bring a doggy bag, just like everything else at Hugo's, the sweets are also on steroids.

Julia S.

Came here for drinks and a few appetizers. Some good red wine, calamari, mussels and tuna tartar later, we were as happy as could be. Everything was very fresh and even though it was incredibly busy, the service was great. Only drawbacks are the space is too big and its crowded. But I guess that's what you get in the viagra triangle, so am not complaining too much.

Claire J.

Hugo's is the sister property to Gibsons. So even if you don't like seafood, you can still get a great steak (you're in Chicago after all). We had the raw oyster sampler platter for appetizer--very fresh and delicious! We also shared a crabcake (which I would recommend sharing because entree sizes are very generous). I ordered the sea bass which was tasty. Cooked just right. My friend had the rib eye which was also cooked to perfection. For dessert, we had key lime pie and the chocolate cake that's bigger than a football. Both very huge.

Jen J.

Greeted by flighty hostess who called me John instead of Jen and then ignored by a batender who could be equivocal to Derick zoolander because he could not turn his head left. The crowd at the bar were difficult to hang with. Within a short time we watched an overcooked steak get sent back as well as a disagrement over whether the oysters were too large. The dining room atmosphere was okay. The tables are crowded and you can overhear (and watch) as the rich old farts sexually harrass the hostess. In general, the meat was good quality, yet the flavor was underwhelming. My mahi filet was good, the sauce sucked. My boyfriend's peppercorn filet was good quality yet over seasoned. The server had a personality and was friendly. She saved the experience from being sour. We decided our experience wasn't enough to bring us back. There are much better fine dining choices.

Sansra C.

This was perfect. Waiter Rosemary, was wonderful. The calamari was great, as were entrees. Dessert was sensational. Great place

Michael L.

Been here twice first time during restaurant week (3 stars) second during my birthday (4 stars) Ambiance is quite nice. piano man is excellent service is good. they will try to sell up to you. so be careful price is a little steep, but normal for Chicago area steak houses if you're ordering steak (from Gibsons), I'd recommend ordering a level done on wellness (Ex. Med Rare instead of Medium) They tend to grill things too long and burn the outside (unless you're a fan of this). I'd also recommend any bone in steaks. They taste a lot better. The fish and seafood dishes are just okay. They're def not to die for. Be forewarned on the dessert. They are great and delicious. Just expect 4-6 people to eat just one dessert. We've had the key lime pie and the chocolate cake ala mode. Both took the two of us 4-5 days to eat.

Brittany W.

Went to Hugo's with a group of girls to celebrate my birthday. We made reservations and were sat immediately when we arrived. The food was delicious, with very large portions. I ended up taking more than half of it home. Also the staff was great! I would definitely go back and recommend this to anyone!

Ellen D.

Absolutely amazing seafood and steaks. I've come here for big events - birthdays, graduations, etc. - and the food and experience have always been amazing. Very attentive waiters, unbelievable food, and strong drinks makes this a great place if you're in the mood to spend some money. There's nothing more I can really say - if you haven't been here, you're missing out.

Blake H.

Really, really fun. The vibe is awesome and the seafood is incredible. One time they sat us in this little carriage thing where we were secluded from everyone else and that made it even more special. The service was also top-notch. Now for the food....SO GOOD. Each time we have gone we totally over order, but we can't ever help ourselves. I can't even remember everything we've ordered but I know for a fact that I loved the: sauteed frog legs! the alaskan king crab legs that are cut in half for you! the oysters with their mignonette! escargot! crab claws! I don't even think we've ever ordered any meat dishes or sides or soups or salads. Just fantastic seafood! A real treat! Oh they had good wine too!

Gregg S.

Fantastic food, Great service, Great Piano music. The grilled pork chop and peppers is the best.

Alan W.

The wait staff = 10/10 The food = 10/10 The Atmosphere = 10/10

Ashlee F.

Great food, great service, yet quite pricey, although I understand it's downtown Chicago. Overall, great experience.

Leigha I.

Fresh seafood? Check! Incredible service? Check! GI-normous protions? Check!!! Welcome to Hugo's!!!! I went to Hugo's Frog Bar with my family for my belated birthday gift. And it was a pretty good gift, let me tell you. We started out by ordering the fried calamari as an appetizer.....YUM-MY!!!! We all ordered our food and my mom and aunt's meal did not come with soup or salad, but our amazing waiter, with his amazing service (and it seemed like ALL the waiters were great) gave them a complimentary soup/salad choice because my sister's and my meal came with one. The waiter said, it would not make any sense for them to watch us eating a course they could not take a part of.....how nice. My mom ordered the clam chowder, which made me question my choice of a house salad! The soup was so rich and creamy.....I wanted to steal it from my mom! So soup and salad course done!!! Then....came the GARGANTUOS main course. I got a twice baked potato that was large enough to feed a family of three!! I though it was a SIDE dish......it was a GOOD dish. All of our portions were huge! The four of us could have ordered 2 meals and been okay with that, but it was great to have the variety. I had to save most of my meal, but I was excited to know I would have some good leftovers in the fridge. The last item that came to the table was a OMG-this-is-freakin-amazing key lime pie. I don't even LIKE key lime pie, but this pie was to die for! It was HUGE of course....it actually scared us, but the crust was so buttery and flaky I wanted to cry! Hugo almost brought me to tears! Thank you Hugo for a great belated birthday dinner......I will see you again, I promise that!

Sara E.

I would normally give Hugo's 5 stars, they're one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Which is why I chose to take my husband, parents, and brother there for my birthday this past weekend. When we got there, we were told to wait in the bar, and had barely ordered our drink when our party was called. Excellent. I love punctuality. We got to our table, and then watched as our waiter berated the bus boy at the table next - there seemed to have been a lack of communication surrounding where the party next to us wanted to sit, and waiter dude was not thrilled about it. It made me uncomfortable, though, listening to it. The food, as usual, was delicious, but as I mention above, it seemed like we either got a slightly angry waiter, or one who was having a really off night. He kept asking us the same questions over and over, and then turning away to yell at other workers, and generally just being slightly rude. My dad mentioned that it was my birthday, and the guy brought the check back. (While I'm not a massive fan of the Happy Birthday-singing waiters, it was still a bit of a disappointment!) I split shrimp on ice (shrimp cocktail), a wedge salad, and the crab legs with my mom and it was all really really good. No complaints around the table in regards to any food. Just awkward moments due to our waiter...

Terrence C.

This place can get packed real quick, but if you want a place with good high quality food, and a more relaxed atmosphere this will probably work out. The food is above average for sure, but my favorite thing about this place is really the service/location/atmosphere. I will share this experience that I had, not to discourage, but highlight the service. I ordered crab legs, and they just didn't taste right. Maybe they weren't as fresh as I had wanted. Before I could even finish explaining this to my server, the plate was snatched off the table, and I kid you not, there was a fresh plate served in 5 minutes. It was also taken off my bill, and the manager visited our table to address the issue, and show his concern. My second plate was great! Have a good meal here, try some wine, then walk 2 blocks down and party. that's what I would do.

Eileen B.

What a total let down. First item served, Cold, stale bread. The waiter did seem to know them menu so we went with his recommendations. We love seafood (we live on the west coast in Florida and have it easily available). We ordered king crab legs as an appetizer. These legs were not fresh as they had a muddy after taste. My husband ordered halibut and it wa very good. I ordered the miso sea bass and it was awful. The miso was disgusting, overly salty and the fish itself did not taste fresh. I sent it back. I have so much better in much less expensive environments.

Payden C.

The food and service was amazing here! So I'm a pretty indecisive person when it comes to ordering, I'm always stuck inbetween two choices. Now I usually end up ordering the right thing but I just always wish I could have a little bit of both. And were my dreams fulfilled at Hugo's!!! Our waiter noticed that I was having trouble and asked what I was thinking of. I told him it was between the lamb (I never eat read meat unless I'm really craving it or there's lamb on the menu) but it's a fish place so it felt wrong getting the lamb so I was also thinking crab legs. I thought the waiter would make a suggestion of which one to choose, but no he said he would make up a half portion of both for me!!! OMG did that just make my day! I was able to have my cake and eat it too :) Both were delicious and the half portions were more than enough to bring home leftovers. Overall great atmosphere, service, and food. Tight squeeze, so keep that in mind, but if you can get over that then it's perfect!

Rich L.

As I'm sure you know already, the place is a scene. It has a frenetic nature to the ambiance which I think is part of the draw for some people. I can't say I was overwhelmed with the quality of the food. It was good and plentiful but not exceptional in my "taste." To me it's an uncomfortable dining experience because of the frenetic nature of the place and the prices; however, there is a section on the menu of more moderately priced items which might bring me back just to see how good they are. If you're a more practical diner, this isn't the place for you; but, it's worth the experience at some point.

Andy C.

I really threw these guys a bit of a curve ball, and they handled it well beyond my expectations! I run a social club, and had organized a 25 person event over Valentine's Weekend. They were flexible with taking a large group, and very cool when we ended up having some last minute changes that left us with fewer people. Now for the fun part... All I had been craving was a whole lobster. Not a big fan of cold water tails, so really I didn't want anything else. I put in my order, and about 15/20 minutes later they came to tell me that they had run out! (Let me just say, I was less than thrilled that it took them that long to figure it out...) They brought me a menu, and made all kind of suggestions, none of which appealed, but they finally talked me, reluctantly, into something, and that was that... OR SO I THOUGHT... The next thing I know, our server is coming to tell me that they felt so bad that the manager had run across the street to another restaurant to get me a whole lobster!!! WOW! How that is going above and beyond? Overall, the food was good, the service wonderful and they really went out of their way to be accommodating. Typically, I'd give this place 4 stars, but owing to the exceptional service it's definitely 5!

Kat J.

I had a tuna steak that all but brought tears to my eyes...and on top of the food, the ambience, service, and piano bar are to die for. Dirty martini with a piano player who knows everything from BIlly Joel to 40s classics? Oh yeah. We were here on a Saturday night and the place was busy, and full, but managed well--the staff was on top of everything and all the food was amazing. I can't wait to go back!

Kim C.

We showed up on time for our 8pm reservation on a Friday night, and were slightly annoyed when we were told that our table was not ready. Our moods were instantly lifted by the live jazz and we headed over to the bar for some drinks. ....30 minutes later, we were still waiting for our table. Wtf?! When we were finally seated, we were presented with complimentary crab cakes as an apology. Alright, Hugo's, you redeemed yourself. The crab cakes were absolutely DELICIOUS! Huge chunks of fresh crab served with a great pink mayo sauce. We of course had to try the sauteed frog legs, which were also really fantastic. Tasted like really, really tender chicken and I'm sure the fact that it was all drenched in garlic butter didn't hurt. Also had some pan-roasted mussels, which were good but nothing to write home about. Both of us opted for steak when it came to our entrees, since they do share a kitchen with Gibsons. The Chicago Cut (which was a rib-eye) and the Porterhouse were both good. Not the best steak I've ever had but certainly up to par. Note: each entree comes with a soup or salad! The lobster bisque was just okay (the one at Shaw's is still my fave), and the clam chowder was not bad. Thought it was cool that their entrees weren't truly a la carte. We finished with the biggest slice of key lime pie I've ever seen (took about 80% of it home).. which I probably wouldn't order again since I found it to be more tart than my liking. Overall, a really great restaurant with excellent service and great food (definitely try the frog legs!)

Sunil D.

One of the best restaurants in the area (The infamous "Viagra Triangle"). You get the best of both worlds here, as their sister restaurant the always sceney (and as a result always packed) Gibson's shares the kitchen with Hugo's. As a result, you can order anything off both menus at Hugo's. Steaks and seafood, what else do you need in life? Throw in a nice glass of red and I'm in heaven. Some of the highlights here are the stone crabs, oysters, frogs legs and the soups. For my entrees, I always go for the steaks from Gibsons, which can't miss. The one downside is you don't get much of the people watching/celebrity scene and buzz of Gibsons, but its 10x easier to a last minute table and order the same food in a great ambiance. Service here is always top notch and if you really must people watch, grab a seat on their patio to watch the cougars, sugar daddies, call girls and boozers which make up what we know and love at The Triangle. Don't miss the brunch either, I was surprised at how good their breakfast and lunch fare was. The Reuben and eggs benedict could go toe to toe with any in the city (with that said, its hard to find a good Reuben in the city. Hugo's might actually be the best I've had).

Jeannie R.

The place was very busy. My 2 friends and I found spots at the bar. We ordered one crab cake and a wedge salad. The bartender was very courteous and kind. The servings were so large the 3 of us shared and were very satisfied. Their food is DELICIOUS! A few days later I was telling my sister about this place and she said she had one in her city, Naperville. So we went there and I ordered the same thing. It was DELICIOUS again! I could eat there every week!

sara s.

I had the $29 prix-fix menu and it was a HUGE bang for the buck...Portions were large...very large. We could have split one dinner for the two of us. I highly recommend the bookbinder's soup if you like red based soups that don't contain any cream. I ordered the crab cakes as I was told they were the house specialty...I can honestly say I've never had a better crab cake in my life. There were two crab cakes that came out for my dinner; I was later told each was 7oz so we easily could have split one crab cake entree. For dessert with the prix-fix came a key lime pie that was so large two of us could barely make a dent in it. All in all, this was one of the best and most reasonable meals I've had in a while...our waiter was fabulous also!!! Highly recommended!

Geraldine V.

Great atmosphere and food!

Lori T.

Don't be confused by the website. It looks like they don't open until 3, but you can eat in the bar earlier. We had a late lunch on Saturday - not crowded but still lots of atmosphere. Food was terrific. My bowl of gumbo was only $5 and completely filled me up. I can't even remember what my husband ate, I was so happy with my choice. They brought an enormous slice of key lime pie. It was amazing but big enough for four people to split easily. (Our only downfall was unfortunately sitting next to some idiots who were loudly discussing why "Pete" was their favorite character on Mad Men. But that's a story for another day, and certainly not the fault of the Frog Bar.)

Esther L.

I was rather skeptical when I heard that Hugo's is one of the best seafood places in town. I grew up where (swimmingly) fresh seafood was abundant and I've never had experience good seafood in Chicago. But I gave Hugo a chance and it was wonderful. We decided to go with the prix fixe menu with a side of oysters. The Moonstone oysters (as recommended by many Yelpers) were absolutely delicious. It was so incredibly fresh and clean tasting. We only ordered 1 each as we had a full dinner coming but it definitely left us wanting for more. The prix fixe menu had 2 appetizers and an entree. We started out with the ceviche and spinach dip. Both were good but nothing special. The ceviche lacked acidity but it wasn't terrible. I then had the lobster bisque and my boyfriend had a salad. The bisque was AMAZING. It was buttery and smooth and lobster-y and bowl licking good. Yeah. It was that good. We were pretty full at this point (I'll explain in a bit) so I didn't really lick my bowl but I thought about it! We then ended our meals with shrimp dejonghe and pan-fried walleye pike with garlic butter. They were both great. The shrimp was big and very, very fresh. The sauce was rather heavy and it had a LOT of butter in it. You could see butter swimming on the plate, which was probably why it was so good. The pike was light and tasty, my boyfriend enjoyed it very much. Back to why we were rather full quickly. Service was slow, it was very slow. The waiters weren't slow but the intervals between courses was SO slow. The oysters took FOREVER to come. I was so hungry I ended up stuffing myself with bread. That was the most annoying part really. Surprisingly, the check came quickly. So a quick summary: Recommendations - oysters, lobster bisque, shrimp anything, pike anything! The bad - expect your meals to come very, slowly. A little pricey but perfect for special occasions. We'll be back Hugo's, please hurry the next time.

Michael M.

Service is outstanding Atmosphere is very well done and cozy. The food is absolutely outstanding! You're going to dent your wallet, but it's worth it. This is one of my personal favorite locations in Chicago.

Chi-foodie A.

Attention to details is always Hugo's Frog Bar Their servers are always very attentive and knowledgeable most of their servers been there for years, that been said always expect excellent service and attention I always order their Crab avocado as an appetizer and scollops salad finish with their Stuffed lobster is a most..... Try their Banana Cake is great I will definitely go back soon Like their extensive wine list and scotch and whiskey Plus *service *Food *Atmosphere Negatives *If no reservation expect to wait some time *Pricy but worth it *Expect a $20 parking with tip

Astrid W.

I'd been here a couple of times and each time it was like being crammed into an expensive sardine can. Couldn't get near the bar, the service was "meh" at best. We ordered the raw oysters and they were room temperature and smelled fishy. I don't even remember what we'd eaten after that because we were just trying to kill the aftertaste of the oysters we didn't finish. If I were describe this place to someone I would still call it a great place for happy hour and tourists..i.e., have a few drinks and leave or check it out when you're in town. Not a regular place I'd go to for the dining or service.

Daniel K.

I was meeting up with my old tutor from high school for dinner the past week. He said let's go grab steaks over at Hugo's Frog Bar. I've been here in Chicago for just three months so upon hearing the name I thought: Hugo's Frog Bar? Sounds like a casual Outback or Chili's style restaurant which is good cause I don't have that much money to spend. The name may be a little foolish in my opinion... but this place is no joke and DEFINITELY not an Outback steakhouse. Once I started to approach the restaurant (we were meeting there), the closer I got, the more apparent it became I was underdressed for the place. Everyone around the restaurant was wearing sports jackets and highly dressed up. The inside was a classic upscale look for a steakhouse. Once I got a peak at the menu my jaw literally dropped. This is NOT a place for a grad school student living on loans to be eating at. Thankfully my old tutor was making the big bucks now so he said don't worry and that he was treating me. I definitely felt bad looking at the prices but I couldn't say no. Starting off... oysters, stone crab claws, and clam chowder The meal... medium rare Chicago Cut steak, asparagus, grilled onions and mushrooms, lobster tail, crawfish macaroni and cheese. I have to say the stone crab claws were absolutely delicious- they were so fresh, meaty, and thick. The clam chowder was great as well. There was a hint of bacon in the flavoring which I got a kick out of. I am not saying the clam chowder is out of the world, just that it's great. Not Boston clam chowder great but still great for the area. The Chicago Cut steak was well seasoned and flavorful... but it could have definitely been better. The steak was closer towards the medium side rather than the medium rare. Yet I didn't feel like complaining or sending it back. I was just happy to get a ridiculously expensive steak to eat. The asparagus, grilled onions and mushrooms worked well with steak. And the crawfish macaroni and cheese... oh man I think that was my favorite dish of all. It was salty and you could taste the strong cheesiness but it balanced somehow with the crawfish. Needless to say I won't be back here to eat for a normal tuesday night dinner you can say, but for a special occasion (in a you-have-the-amount-of-money-that-costs-more-than-­a-good-suit-to-spend-on-a-meal kind of way) this place will be a great option.

sherri s.

this was a great place to end my trip to Chicago on a Friday night. the service and the food were impeccable. I had the skirt steak and it was tender enough to practically melt in your mouth.

Morgan B.

If you like seafood this is a great place to go. A lot of food. If you get a dessert split it with everyone at the table. We saw a piece of cake that is almost the size of a normal sized cake no joke.

Maome S.

The legendary frog bar! It's been years since I was here, but I did have to try the frog legs. Yes it does taste like chicken but it's so tender and juicy and slim! That's the key difference. The location is nestled in the heart of the gold coast so afterwards you could easily find something else to do in the neighborhood.

Kacie L.

This place was perfect!!!! My husband & I started off at the bar where he got a bottle of Sam Adam's (sorry to say that they don't have anything on draft... But that isn't worth docking a star :0) & I didn't have a particular drink in mind so I let the bartender make me whatever he thought was good and girlie: a martini of course!!! I could taste pineapple with a hint of pink lemonade (so tropical!) ** come to find out... This is a French Martini** We were seated soon after and were immediately brought a bread basket with a white dinner bread loaf & a raisin, sunflower seed bread & a half stick of butter (this made me happy since my hubbie is a butter hog!) The waiting staff was very friendly & our server came by to explain our menu & the selection of fresh fish that was avaliable to feast upon. For an appetizer we ordered the crab cake (A MUST!!!) & for dinner, my husband ordered the W.R. Chicago Cut Ribeye (medium well which they cooked perfectly) & I ordered the Fresh Caught King Crab Legs. We had a huge Baked Sweet Potato for the side (which was definately enough fir the both if us) & our entree came with a choice of soup or house salad - we got the house salad with the red wine vinagrette. Hmmm... What else? Oh!!! Every time we thought we were needing something else (silverware, drink refill, etc...) they were right there with it before we had a chance to speak up. We did not finish our night with a dessert since we were so stuffed from our feast. But the table next to us did get this wonderful chocolate merangue type dessert that was like a quarter of the pie huge & should have been enough for four! Well, I hope it didn't seem like I was just rambling on and on & that you thought this play-by-play review was somewhat helpful :0)

erica f.

I ate at Hugos on Friday with my 81 y.o. for the first time. We started with oysters as an app. which were pretty good...not too much to elaborate on there. Then for soup we both had the lobster bisque and both LOVED it...creamy, not too thick, full of flavor and not too filling if you get the small bowl. As an entrée I had the macadamia crusted tilapia. If it was not for the crust it would have been pretty bland. But with the crust and a few squirts of lemon it was delightful. I only gave 3 stars because I am more into the new/innovative/unique- style places and Hugos (although a good establishment overall) is more a Joe's Crab Shack for mid-upper class people being in the midst of the Viagra Triangle. Situated amongst Gibsons, Tavern and Carmines, its the classic, upscale, nautical seafood joint needed to complete the gold coast neighborhood. I didn't like how the tables were SO close together either. Better food than the Cape Cod room at the Drake, for sure

Jimbo M.

Hugo's never fails to deliver, the best seafood/steak restaurant combo in town. Clams, oysters, frog legs, crab legs, filet mignon, twice baked potatoes, you name it, it's amazing.

Adam E.

I came here a couple weeks after Gibson's when I was back in town apartment hunting on Memorial Day weekend... (instead of being at the NCAA D1 Lacrosse Finals @ Gillette Stadium back home in Mass :-( ) Anyhow, I sat down at the bar as I often do and started off with a gin and tonic (which would be the first of many this evening). Obviously every single one was spot on. Then came my first dillemma. As you can surmise from the first posting I made I spent my formative years in New England, so I'm partial to New England Clam Chowder. On the other hand I've discovered the reason why Elaine used the yada-yada over an evening mentioning only 'the bisque.' Torn I turned to the bartender for thoughts. Obviously he thought they were both good and would stand by both, but having not had a good cup of 'chowda' in a while he thought I'd probably prefer it (yup, he didn't push the pricier dish on me). And the chowder was superb, among the best I've had and I think I prefer it to Legal's. When I find something better outside of Cape Cod or Boston I'll let you know. Then came the second dilemma, the marinated grilled swordfish or the chilean sea bass. The kicker was that the swordfish was fresh from Massachussetts. The bartender joked that someone was really trying to test my loyalty tonight. This time however I went for Chilean Sea Bass, a dish I had been meaning to have ever since sampling some that a friend cooked last summer. And it was exactly what I remembered, only better. The bass was extremely tender, perfectly cooked, and was perfectly paired with a very light amount of a delectable sauce (so as to not to overpower the dish). Again simply superb, with excellent presentation. Even the vegetables it was served with were delicious. In short, a superb meal, exquisite and attentive staff (without being overly "attentive") and just a fantastic atmosphere. As soon as I get a solid gang of friends who like seafood together, I'll be back for more. It was expensive but worth every penny.

Erin V.

We took my parents here for dinner while they were visiting from St Louis for their anniversary. Food was great, as usual, and our server was really nice. We had a couple of issues with orders being forgotten (bread, a couple drinks, dessert) on a few different occasions, but I guess that comes with the territory of eating out on a Saturday night in downtown Chicago. They use every square foot of space in here for seating, so if you're claustrophobic, don't like people squishing past the back of your chair every couple minutes or are noise-averse - don't go here. Was here before and seated in the back room away from the front of the restaurant - I recommend holding out for a table back there if you can; a little less loud & busy. Highly recommend the Miso Sea Bass and Seared Sea Scallops; the seafood doesn't disappoint! Also, can't beat the steaks - they are Gibson's, after all. Great wine list. Also, beware that if you order a "piece" of pie for dessert - you're going to get a quarter of an entire pie - it's HUGE! So delicious, but it's enough for 4 people to share and have leftovers!

Summer L.

Soft shell crabs were amazing. I have never seen such large crabs served in such a huge portion. Went there twice in two days while in Chicago. Had fantastic lobster bisque one day and mushroom soup the other. They were accommodating enough to make the crabs for me at lunch since we made a special trip for them and were leaving town before dinner.

Heather W.

The ONLY reason they get two stars is because my steak was cooked well. Medium rare I asked for, and medium rare it was. Last night in Chicago. MAJOR LETDOWN. First, the service was BEYOND terrible. Our server, not sure if I am allowed to write her name here, had the personality of a wet mop. Seriously. I get it's annoying to be asked to take pictures, but I hadn't seen my friend in over a year. Suck it up. Take the picture. Remember, we tip you at the end of the night. I asked her to take ONE. She refused, telling me she would "have to do it later." She never did. After being served our main course, we were not checked on once. One of the people at our table even asked her, after we finished the meal, how many tables she had. She didn't want to reply, kept tripping over a reply and finally said, 3 or 4 or 5 or 6. Hmmm, which was it? I know not, but seriously, that's no excuse for lousy service. They were also out of two of the menu items we asked for. I get that it happens, but understand on top of the poor service they weren't batting well at this point. I had previously asked if the key lime pie is real key lime, because honestly, I'm picky. Look, I'm a native Floridian. I have high expectations. If you don't like someone to ask about something you're serving on the menu, get over it. It's your job to answer questions. She actually sighed and was annoyed by my question. The key lime pie was mostly this thick layer of meringue. I want pie, not five inches of burnt meringue. The crust was overpowered with cinnamon. Cinnamon and key lime pie? C'mon. Mr. Arnold, consider my letter on its way.

Robert B.

My favorite fish place - I actually like Hugos for fish more than Gibson's for steak. The ambience of the viagara triangle can't be beat either, for a good laugh, check out the gatatitas at Gibsons hanging on to the old dudes. Get the dover sole mueniere or the crab cakes (which are appropriately light on the bread crumbs, which ruins them)

ungs s.

Service, service, service. When you go to a restaurant of known caliber the number one thing you expect is impeccable service. We visited the restaurant tonight with a party of 12 people for a business occasion and our waiter Matthis tells us that he has a trainee that doesn't know anything and that he is going to be training her at our dinner. During the entire dinner he is teaching her how to do specific tasks and talking at a decibel level in which we did not care for. When you are entertaining clients that give you millions of dollars of business you don't want to have a waiter that is semi rude and training someone. My dad would make a joke here and there and you could tell that he was completely annoyed. Guess what, when you are fitting over a $1000.00 in two hours you better believe you are going to laugh and smile at everything. To top it off at the end my brother got his bill and he left the billfold completely open for everyone to see what the bill was. Again, on a business dinner with big clients, very bad. Second, the food was okay. I have eaten similar food at various restaurants in city but the food was good, a bit overpriced. Lastly, we were put at a round table and literally were sitting in each other laps. It's fine but definitely uncomfortable when you are with business associates. All in all the food was fine but I will not go there again! What an embarrassment.

Michael S.

Recognizing that Hugo's considers itself more fish house than steak house, they still share a kitchen with Gibson's, so I am simply unable to NOT order a steak (as they do have an extensive steak representation). I hope to one day actually go to Hugo's and eat fish (just wasn't this past Sat). That being said, their shellfish is excellent, with phenomenal crab cakes, and their fresh fish looks like it could all be served as sushi. Also, their seafood gumbo is chock full of seafood and southern flavors (don't waste your time with an iceberg salad to start). Still, when it comes to a steak, I have sent more steaks back here (and at Gibson's) for being overcooked than I ever should have to. I really should just accept that for a steak, Morton's is top dog (to me). Nonetheless, Hugo's is a great location, and an excellent quality restaurant -- I just need to get the fish next time.

Stephanie S.

Love this restaurant! The crab legs are amazing.

M L.

the bloody marry was good so as the oysters its a bit expensive and the service was slow for serving only 3 tables in the whole place

Andrew R.

This place was a joy, luckily not on my tab! The food was fantastic, the waiter was friendly and genuine, and the dessert! Oh, the dessert! I thought the waiter was bluffing when he said our table of 7 would have trouble finishing a single dessert. I was wrong - we left a slice of our massive mouse cake dish uneaten! The thing was enormous, seriously, and yet priced remarkably low for it's size and for being at this type of establishment. Overall, I have only good things to say. I could have done without the guy in the men's room offering to spray me with an array of cologne, but I'm guessing that wasn't the "official" restaurant staff.

Capitalist B.

I was on a very short trip to Chicago for business and dropped into Hugo's with some colleagues for a work dinner. Hugo's was a great choice. The service was good. My steak was very good. The ambience was exactly what I was looking for and the price for 5 including a bottle of wine was only just over $200. A few of us even tried frog legs for the first time.

Stacie K.

Hugo's has become my birthday dinner pick. I enjoy it because there is always great service and great food. The king crab legs that I had were huge, juicy, and amazing. The guys all surrounded me and did a some-what scary birthday chant at me..but in the end, it was fun! My boyfriend had the lobster and steak...I thought the steak was a little overcooked, but you'll get that anywhere. I think for seafood, this is a great place, since there aren't so many great ones readily available to us!

Cory A.

I'm usually pretty picky when it comes to seafood restaurants, but I'm glad I tried Hugo's. From it's great location, you might already guess that this restaurant is a trendy place that packs out quickly, and the minute you walk in the door, you see this rings true. I had the fried shrimp appetizer and it was awesome. I don't care much for cocktail sauce, so my server actually went into the kitchen and made me a different sauce after asking the flavors that I like, and it was great. I'm sad I don't remember my server's name, because he was phenomenal. The salad dressing though, seemed as though it was straight vinegar. It was so strong, I could hardly eat it, and I like acidic dressings. For my main, I had the pan seared red grouper with baby squash and carrots. It wasn't the best fish I've had, but it was pretty good, despite being a bit peppery. I also tried the crawfish macaroni and cheese and I was glad I did. Very intersting and very good. The meal itself was pretty good, and the restaurant was pretty cool, but what really bothers me, is that they have this table immediately when you walk in, between the staircase and the host stand, completely in the way of traffic, and they kept trying to seat every couple at it. I watched as several people turned it down, and even though they know that no one would ever want to sit there and have people surrounding them, as it was directly in the walk way, they were waiting for someone who didn't have a backbone and wouldn't complain, to just shut up and sit there. They need to take that table away. It doesn't belong there, and no one wants it. That table was the first thing I noticed when I walked in, and the last thing I saw as I left. It's sad, because after a pretty damn good meal, in two weeks, that terrible table with be the only thing I think of when this restauant is mentioned. It's a shame.

Matt G.

I had dinner here with a group of 6 on a Saturday night. If this place had a motto, it would be "how many people can we squeeze in here and sell $50+ steaks to?" This place is chaotic and noisy. The appetizers are pretty good, but their steaks are just....blah. Actually, next to Gibson's (which I learned is the same restaurant essentially, this was one of the worst steaks I've ever had. They're big on servings, but not so big on flavor and execution. I felt like I was in a race to turn over my table as fast as possible. Better off at Morton's or Capital Grille.

Ann J.

Amazing every time and service is impeccable! Love it!

Julie B.

I played hostess to my family that came in during Labor Day week-end. Valet is on hand for $12. We were a party of 6 and were seated promptly. It is a lively restaurant with live piano music (at least on a Sat night). There was a $29.00 prix fixe menu as well (Jumbo Crab Cakes, Petite Filet and one other dish) so many of us chose the Jumbo Crab Cake Prix Fixe - holy cow are these JUMBO! It came with soup or house salad and a piece of Key Lime pie (so large it could have fed about 10 people - no exaggeration). Others had the Tilapia, Halibut and yes, do not forget, you can also order off the Gibson's menu! Oh, how could I have forgotten, to start we split their oysters which were excellent!!!! Service is wonderful, food is great and what an area to people watch! My family loved it - we just left a bit too full!!

Sherb H.

Food was good. Prices were decent for a night on the town. Calamari was to die for. I had a lighter meal (fish and chips) to save room for the monster desserts. Topped it off with Your Momma's Apple Pie. Delicious, but not like my momma's! Montrose was our waiter and he was EXCELLENT. I should have tipped him more than the 28% that I did! He really was fabulous and if/when I am in Chicago again, I'd go back. You'll enjoy the dining. Save room for the dessert!

Jacquelyn M.

The service was great, good atmosphere, good food. Of course I got the frog legs (how could I not, it's a "frog bar") and they were good but doused in butter and garlic which, in my opinion, makes anything good! I got the lobster tail, Yummy! It was a fun night with great service, great atmosphere, and lots of "heart attack on a plate" dishes!

Caroline M.

Ups and downs. I only ate here because I had a gift certificate and this place does have a touristy feeling to it. The fish I had here was good(Kona Kampachi special), nothing outstanding. I enjoyed the creme brulee. Lastly and most ardently I got the feeling of being profiled against for being a "young, unaware, twenty-something" upon arrival after me and my boyfriend had made reservations. (Maybe just my skeptical nature, but haven't felt this at other places I dined at.) Despite being on time for our reservation we still had to wait about 35 minutes or more. We were seated in the crowded back room, elbow to elbow with unhealthy looking tourists and shouting kids. Probably won't be back unless someone else pays. Overall, I was disappointed despite the high level of "Hugo's Frog Bar brand awareness" in the community and perceived highbrow appeal.

Lauren H.

My friends and I came here the second day of restaurant week and the place was packed. We had ordered our appetizer and it took quite longer than we thought but when it did come and we ate. The bus boy cleaned our tables and took out silverware which I thought was odd given that we didn't even have our entree yet and just thought maybe they were going to give us new ones. Our server comes back and already starts talking about desserts which he had already been talking since we sat down because he told us they were out of key lime pie (which was the main reason we ate there) and told us our desserts were on it way not knowing that we haven't gotten our entrees yet and at this point we have been sitting for almost an hour since we got there. We told our server but he thought we already ate because our silverware was gone but you would think he should've been attentive despite he has other tables to serve. For sure they forgot to make our foods because after we had told them it took another 25 min to get to our tables. Our food was just alright and I think they did not cook to perfection. When it came to our desserts, our server kept suggesting that we share because the portions are big and 2 of my friends shared a dessert but of course since it was a 3 course prie fix menu my one friend should've been able to take a dessert home and she didn't. They ended up compensating 2 out 4 drinks because the other 2 just had water but what good does that do for us?! Bad service in my opinion and I'm sure their service is normally good but it was just a bad experience for me and I wouldn't go back again.

Austin A.

Some sweet dude took me here and it was ok, but everything you order is a la carte. Like you have to order a baked potato as an additional side. I liked the frog legs, but the best thing is the desert. We had this strawberry type thing and it was HUGE and I think I ate most of it. Oh yeah, and their dirty martinis are the best. I love dirty martinis and whoever made mine has a magical touch of love. Vodka love. I love booze.

eden s.

Love love love the whitefish - served on a wooden plank - delish! Crab cakes are so good. Their lobster-bique is heavenly! Pretty good about last minute reservations, too. This Chicago institution never disappoints!

George K.

Glad my friend came to visit from back home. This is going to be one of my favorite places to eat from now on. I'm not big fan of seafood but I will try shrimp and such but nothing fried. I go to seafood restaurant but I order steak or hamburger instead. Am I weird? Does anyone do the same? Wow, their service was just awesome and piano playing in the background was so soothing. I had to try their crab cake, it was bit spicy but very good. Steak was enormous size that filled up almost the size of the plate. Even my big roommate couldn't finish it at one sitting and he eats all the time. Steak was very juicy and good quality. They even have their own Hugo's worcestershire sauce. We had funny conversation about how to say that word, I can't say it right. On the side note: Don't be afraid to check this place out, it's awesome and offers valet parking. Gibson's steakhouse is right next-door and Lux Bar is just around the corner. The same people own all of these places.

Carson H.

If you are in the mood for a steak from Gibson's but can't get in, just go to Hugo's! They share a kitchen. The bar is fun, but be careful because there are usually a lot of guys looking for their next mistress....

Matthias Z.

Visiting Chicago on a business trip I went with a local friend to the Frog Bar. We made reservations at 6:00pm using Open Table, but due to heave traffic only arrived at 7:15pm. The staff was very accomodating and we got seated 10 minutes later, even so the place was very crowded. A great selection of seafood and also nice wines. We started with oysters and escargot. I am a big escargot fan and these were excellent with a lot of garlic. That evening they had a number of Australian lobster specials. I asked the waiter and he recommended I go with the smallest size, which I appreciated since it turned out to be pretty large already. My friend had grouper. Both dishes were excellent. Unfortunately we did not have room for dessert. If you have a healthy appetite and like the noisy, crowded but fun bistro ambiente, this is the place to go.

Andrea R.

For some of the best seafood in Chicago...try Hugo's. I've tried many things on the menu and while the crab cakes and shrimp continue to be my favorite choices, all of their food is SO good! I recently took some friends from Baltimore to Hugo's, who are extremely critical when it comes to crab cakes, and they even agreed they were up to Maryland crab cake standards. Make sure you save room for desserts because their chocolate cake and banana cake is to die for....just beware that 1 slice of cake is enough to feed 10 people!

Jet L.

SO DELICIOUS!!! I love this place. They never disappoint. They even brought out an entire cheese platter for me that was not on the menu A gigantic cheese platter with fruit . Their service is EXCELLENT - their steaks and bake potato is amazing and the dessert is so nice- they do a great great job.

Katrina H.

this is by far my Splurge Spot !! I LOVEEEE their Crab Legs.. Desserts and anything else that they offer. The service is Always Great And the food is FANTASTIC!! this place is worth money well spent. I don't get there often because of the price however it's a nice place to go to.. one of my ultimate favs

Chiara S.

I cannot simply say enough good things about Hugo's! I ordered off of the prix-fixe menu and for $29.99, I had the bookbinder's soup, the amazingly delicious crab cakes, and A FOURTH of a key lime pie which is so yummy, you'll eat the whole thing in nearly one sitting, even though your stomach and your waistline will be begging you to stop. The crab cakes had NO breading in it, from what it seemed. Just how it should be... just egg, spices, and chunky, fresh crab. I have been having mouthwatering dreams about those crab cakes ever since I've had them, I'm embarrassed to admit. I went with my family and I've been begging my broke friends to go back with me, though they're convinced they can't afford it. However, you get your money's worth and more! I also had some appetizers which I honestly cannot remember (though - and this sounds funny - I assure you they were good) because the crab cakes just overshadowed everything else. Plus, our waiter was a doll. Can't wait to go back!

Andrew Y.

hugos is a pretty awesome time..i have been here 5 times..and 4 out of the 5 times i eithered entered drunk or left drunk....the best part is that i keep getting the scallops and they are unreal...they are huge and they melt with the touch of a fork...it comes with a little salad..and after your soup and all the bread options they give you its well worth it...ive tried a bunch of fishes from here..all pretty good...the lobster was good..its lobster though..so tough to mess up...the mini-fillet sliders are pretty good in the bar area..and the best part is the piano player keepin the place classy. hit this place up and take me up on my scallop recommendation...you wont regret it

Scott B.

Dined here last night for New Year's Eve. EXCELLENT SERVICE! My wife had the blackened swordfish which was very fresh. I had the whole main lobster---also very good. The crab cake appetizer was one of the best I've had. Once again, impeccable service!

Stachia M.

Very good! We were in the mood for seafood and it was excellent. I had the filet oscar. OMG! The filet was perfect med-well, the crab was succulent. Hubby got cajun chicken and loved it. Side was spinach w/garlic. Sounded good but was just okay, had to add salt but the flavor was good. Well worth the price and filled my belly!

Eric M.

The true American's restaurant. The portions are the size of a Chevy, the drinks are strong, the decor looks like a country club, and the wait staff are all young females. Even though many of those things upset me, I have to say the food was very good.

Tara P.

This place exceeded my low expectations. I thought we were headed into a gimmicky tourist trap. The drinks were great, we loved the escargot, service was nice but our favorite part was the piano player. Nice atmosphere.

Tim V.

You can't with good conscience rave about Gibson's without giving Hugo's its due props. Hugo's is adjacent to Gibson's and shares the kitchen. While it's main draw are seafood dishes, you can pretty much get anything from Gibson's...like the twice-baked potato or the best-dessert-of-all-time turtle pie (I think it's made from a half gallon of ice cream). Steaks too. So come over here if the wait is unbearable at Gibson's, or if you want a lower-key neighborhood feel.

Andrea C.

I love Gibson's, but Hugo's was just blah. The best thing the whole night was the creme brulee. I ordered the seared tuna and it was more than seared and it was just that plain blah seared tuna with a side of ginger and wasabi. I took two bites and that was it. My husband had the steak and it was pretty good but overall not a place I would recommend or come back to. There are better seafood restaurants in Chicago.

Kelly W.

I recently came here for a date night with my husband and had a pretty terrible experience. This place is probably not my crowd, but we were so annoyed that we didn't even wait for our table. My review is solely based on the fact that when we showed up on a Tuesday night on time for our 8:30 pm reservation, we had to wait 30 minutes among a crowded bar that we couldn't even walk through to get a drink. And you would need a drink to deal with the people in this place. We ended up leaving when they were going to make us wait another 30. I won't be back.

A.S. V.

I'm not big on frog legs, but I liked the baked halibut stuffed with crab meat, mmm. Has a cool marine atmosphere, with ship like decor and old pictures.

Susan F.

Came here with a group of gfs and we were seated right away outside on a Friday night at 9pm! We had good luck, I'm sure. The wine selection is great and reasonably priced. The menu is great, but a bit selective if you are a vegetarian (I'm not, but I used to be). The bread is great and you need to try the frog legs! Drenched in butter and spices, these were cooked to perfection. I also got the lobster bisque(special) and it was awesome too, but how could you ever go wrong with lobster bisque. The Blue Ridge Chicken Salad was alright, a bunch of those crisp potatoes tiny strips on top that added a lot to it. Their desserts are huge, perfect for a group! People watching is amazing here!!!

Josh ..

Both great seafood and the option of Gibson's steaks (they share a kitchen). Expect the servers to try to upsell you, but the food and drinks are consistently good. The desserts are huge. Challenge a dining companion to eat one on their own.

Jennifer L.

Hugo's is one of my favorite places to go on a warm summer night. The wait is hardly ever too long (and if it is you can have a martini or five at the bar), plus you can order things off of the Gibson's menu, if you so desire. And let's face it, al fresco dining in the Viagra Triangle makes you feel like a rock star. Dress appropriately, kids!

Lisa L.

So I was really excited to try this place because I have walked past it many times and it looks like one of "the" Gold Coast restaurants (I mean one of the ones that all the beautiful people sit in front of eating raw oysters and laughing over pretty drinks) - and this place really didn't disapoint (with the exception of the desserts, which are far to large for two people to order). We stopped in for a nice seafood dinner after a massage at Urban Oasis on a Monday night (read: we were slightly under dressed)- and the place was full of energy and packed with people. Overall, I enjoyed HFB quite a bit and want to return soon to have the great bouillabaisse again.

T M.

They have one of the best key lime pies I have ever had the pleasure of tasting! It's not a cheap slice of pie, but it's enough pie for three to four people- and the graham cracker crust is around half an inch thick. I could care less about the rest of the the overpriced, upscale bar food on the menu or the so, so typical for Rush Street crowd. I will be back for that pie.

danielle h.

This place is awesome. Probably the best sea food I have had in Chicago. We have been here about 5 times and each time we take a friend or family member they also love it. The Chilean sea bass is probably the best thing I have ever had, but I have never had anything bad. Love it!

Sharmili E.

Okay - my mother-in-law had planned a party for my father-in-law for his 65th birthday. There were 21 of us at Hugo's Frog Bar on a Saturday night. We had two tables in the back room on the left, and everything was fantastic. Rating is given based on food, atmosphere and service, all of which were impeccable. We had two waiters serving our tables - Art was at our table, and I did not catch the gentleman with the other table. They were some of the best waiters I've ever had and made the dining experience that much more memorable. First we were seated, waiters introduced themselves, and we looked over the menu. Having never eaten at Hugo's (or Gibson's for that matter), but hearing rave reviews, I was looking forward to everything and found I was having trouble deciding. Did I want steak? Did I want seafood? Did we want appetizers? But first, my in-laws needed to open their birthday presents (they share a birthday). Art magically came by at some point and cleared the gift wrap and checked the gifts for us. All without us noticing, as we were busy chatting and enjoying the company. Before we ordered anything, we were brought the meat and seafood trays to see what our options were for the evening, and I was really torn on what to get. We ended up ordering 2 dozen oysters for our table (Kumamotos and Raspberry Points) and frog legs for the appetizer. Nothing disappointed. For dinner, I ordered the Shrimp Dejonghe, my husband the seared tuna, my sister the king crab legs, my sister-in-law the steak & cake, and my brother the New York sirloin (these were all the dishes I sampled), and they all ordered wedge salads to start. The food was timed perfectly and everything came out at the right time. The sides were massive and plentiful (I think we may have ordered too many, as we ended up trying to pawn things off on the other table that had the same problem we did) and every single person enjoyed their food. I know this because I asked. We felt like we were at a family dinner, where the food magically came and things were magically cleared away. The wait staff was unobtrusive, and while they checked often to make sure we didn't need anything, it felt like the right amount and I never felt like I was waiting for more water or another drink or anything like that. After the meal, when we didn't think we could eat another bite and nobody was up for dessert (though my sister-in-law was really considering as she loves the desserts there, but just could not pull it off), out comes birthday cake. Now, when you celebrate your birthday at Hugo's, they come in with a slice of cake, the waiters do a cheer of sorts and then you blow out the candle. However, what Art had in his hands was the most massive slice of cake I have ever seen. It was clearly cut out of a larger cake, but I can only imagine the pans used to make that cake because this thing was GIANT. They carved it up and passed around about 15 slices or so, and then we shared it with a random table in the room. This was a chocolate cake with bananas and raspberries, and was heaven. We all managed to find room to try some of this, but the craziest part was how much was in that giant slice. It easily could have fed all 21 of us with a generous slice each and then still fed another table of 5-6 people. The evening was absolutely perfect, the food was perfect, and the service was excellent. All in all, one of the best dining experiences I've had in a while, and I cannot wait to go back.

frank w.

Great Food, Great service... Go eat and enjoy

Chitown F.

I went here on an extremely busy saturday night. It was the first really nice weather night in Chicago of the year. I had 7:30 reservations for two and after about 20 minutes of waiting finally went up to the hostess and was like ummm were we forgotten about. She said sorry and they were running behind (she actually sucked, and was the only thing keeping Hugo's from the fifth star). So my date and I waited another ten minutes and were seated. As many other yelpers said, Hugo's immediately apologized for the wait and gave us a complimentary crab cake ($14 app) which was amazing. The seafood here speaks for itself. It is so fresh and a huge variety. The best thing about the restaurant is its service. The whole wait staff works as a team. They all look out for each other and help each other out. This leads to an amazing experience, and a full water glass your entire meal. Ohhh, one other negative (not a biggie) was that the bathroom is in a weird location, kinda in the middle of the dinning area. Other than the Jon's and the bitch hostess that couldn't handle the pressure of a hot Saturday night, Hugo's is pretty darn good and I would definitely recommend it!

Timothy W.

Went here for lunch with my girlfriend, she had an eggs benedict crab cake and I had a steak sandwich. Both were very good, the french fries were shoestring and delicious. Her crab cake was very good as well, crisp and did not have a very fishy taste. I will definitely be back but for dinner, when the menu is more upscale.

matthew c.

God i love this place! always a good choice, fantastic steaks and seafood. i feel comfortable saying "the best seafood fare in Chicago" very fresh, great atmosphere, reasonably priced

Joshua M.

Our waiter was awesome, and had it not been for his great service I might have rated it lower. For the price, we just weren't too impressed with the food. The portions are enormous... but to the point of it being somewhat ridiculous. The filet mignon from the Gibson's kitchen that we ordered medium was blood rare and had to be sent back. A steak sent back never tastes right. I had the swordfish that was fairly bland, despite the cajun blackening they used to compensate. Sitting outside and not having to deal with the noise and the crowd on the inside was nice. All in all, not a terrible meal, but one that I could have had at lots of other restaurants for half the price.

Sarah F.

I normally avoid the area, but I have been twice to this see-and-be-seen Rush Street spot (owned by Gibson's). Both times I left smiling! The food is consistently good and the giant crabcake is the BEST in town by far! I dream about that crabcake. The fish is fresh and the service is professional. If you get one of the steaks (they serve them from Gibson's next door), get the WR's Chicago cut - yum! Totally love the creamed spinach there too (always order it as a side!). Can't wait to go back!

Joshua A.

After spending the afternoon at the aquarium we decided the next logical course of action was to eat seafood for dinner. We arrived at Hugo's fairly early, we were one of 2 or 3 tables. Upon being seated we immediately noticed that 2 of the 4 glasses on the table were dirty, obviously dirty. When my girlfriend's soup was served, the spoon was dirty. Having worked in food service we both attributed this to the laziness of the dishwasher the night before, although whoever set up the table should have also seen the obviously dirty glasses. The dirty glasses and spoon are the only reason they receive 4 stars for this visit instead of 5. Our server was adequate, not above and beyond. I'm not going to complain about that, I don't expect the server to tell me a story or do a dance for me. I had the fish and chips and my girlfriend ordered the Lobster tail. The food was excellent. The menu is fairly simple, but does give a picky eater like me many choices to choose from, with good portion sizes. I also must comment on the bathroom attendant. He was a tall man somewhere between 40 and 80 years old, and the first person I've met in the last 15 years who can carry on an intelligent conversation about 1980's Iowa Hawkeye's Basketball.

Kristen D.

I've only been here once, but the place is really nice. It has a great atmosphere inside, and a menu like non other. A great place to experiment. I can't say I was too big of a fan of the frog legs, but you can try them for yourself.

Jessica D.

My experience at Hugo's was great! The outdoor seating on a great summer night and my favorite champagne may have helped, but the lobster was delicious as well. It is a wonderful location if you enjoy people watching. Overall Hugo's was a great dining experience.

Lindsey S.

This place, in my opinion, is one of the most over-priced and over-rated restaurants in Chicago. It has absolutely no charm or character and the whole atmosphere reminds me of a glorified TGIF's. It is huge and crowded, the tables are on top of each other and the food comes served in the most boring way possible - absolutely no presentation, just a slab of meat or fish on a plate with no garnish, nothing. I think that if you are going to pay upwards of $25 for an entree it should at least come with some kind of side dish, other than a crappy house salad made of iceberg lettuce, tasteless slabs of tomato and boring dressing. With all of the great (and unique) restaurants in Chicago, I don't know why anyone (other than tourists with bad taste) would bother eating at this restaurant.

Vanessa P.

Everything about this place is absolutely amazing. The service is great and the food is incredible. We started with the crabmeat avocado, which is one of the best dishes I've ever tried. I had the grouper for dinner and my friend had the crab cakes. Everything was great and quite large, portion-wise. We also had dessert, a chocolate mousse pie that could feed (I kid you not!) 10. Easily. We ended up taking most of that with us. Also, I had to take home the carrot cake for my boss. That is some of the best carrot cake I have ever had.

Margaret S.

My husband and I were in Chicago over the Easter weekend and had our Good Friday dinner at Hugo's. The concierge said it was the top seafood place in Chicago and if this is so that's not saying much . The prices were really expensive for the amount of food received. They had a huge sign outside claiming rock lobster claws (which I had not had in years) but when I ordered it was out of stock for weeks. Don't know why they didn't take down the sign. We also did not make reservations as we did not think it would be as busy as it was however decided to wait the 1/2 hour they said it would take. We wound up waiting an hour and a half. Good thing the bar was plentiful. Make reservations if you go. My husband ordered the crab cake which was good and not overly breaded. I had the soft shell crab which was tasty but not a lot of it for what they charge. We would up ordering fish and chips. It was hot which was great but breaded a lot. We were expecting beer battered so were a little disappointed again especially since for two small pieces of fish and fries the prices should be a lot less. Our bill was $200 for two orders of fish and chips and two small appetizers with the house wine. We could not understand why it was so busy. Maybe it is the cool place to hang out. We don't know but I'm sure there are better places to eat in Chicago if you want seafood.

Carol B.

Very accommodating for the reservation which ended up being 5 of us instead 2-3, so we couldn't get Adam Wagoner as our recommended server, but he did come to our table and talked with us a couple of times to be sure our server was doing a good job....and he was great - his name was Scottie - we gave him a run for his money on the menu and he came through!!! I had the lake walleye and most others had the steak and crab - huge amounts!!! We split a twice baked potatoe among the five of us....I had a few clams for an appetizer - we had two great bottles of red - the Rombauer Zinfandel (my fav) and the Duckhorn Decoy....Scottie threw in a free dessert - that huge chocolate ice cream pie thing with lots of nuts - really good. I didn't need to eat the next day. I have been to Hugo's before and they really make you feel like a "local" or a repeat customer - very individualized, nice atmosphere - although it can get loud because everyone is having a good time - large tables are in one area of the restaurant so you can find a quiet spot. Best wine list and seafood entrees I could find in Chicago's mag mile but I am a California girl - you get Gibson steaks so it's hard to resist ordering beef when their seafood is fresh and a great variety is offered! Definitely don't miss this place when you visit.

Victor V.

Mediocre food and service - nothing special except for the glorified price. I'd much rather hit up other more interesting restaurants on the same street.

Amanda T.

Every time my dad has a client come in from out of town, he brings them to Hugo's. So naturally the family insisted on him taking us there. The food is terrific. Even my picky brother that hates everything enjoyed it. Everything that I had there was delicious, but the crab cakes and salmon made it to the top of my list for sure.

Yujin A.

I think I might as well give this place at least 4 stars since I haven't found Bouillabaisse anywhere else yet. I think they need to work on their service a little bit. No one noticed our empty water and wine glasses. I heard they share their kitchen with Gibson's. Not surprisingly, my friend who ordered a steak dish at Hugo's was really happy with it as well. I like Hugo's better than McCormick and Schimick's for the quality of seafood. And you can also get great steak dishes here thanks to Gibson's.

Sooyon H.

I came here for my birhday dinner with my family. We luckily were able to find street parking right away, mostly in part to the terrible weather outside! Our server was really friendly. We were seated in the back room in the front corner area. We ordered the frog legs for our appetizer. It was my first time eating them. . . and they were delicious, especially the sauce! I was deciding between the whole Maine lobster and the special of the day, the chilean sea bass. I asked for a recommendation on which to order by the server and was told to get the sea bass. The rest of my family ordered the Alaskan King Crab legs, the rib-eye steak, the grouper, and the crab cakes. My sea bass was fresh and I didn't think that it would be possible to be full by eating fish alone! I would have preferred though if they out the miso-ginger sauce on the side. My fish was drenched in the sauce and thus was a bit too much for me. They have an extensive wine list and I settled on getting a glass of Riesling. Since the restaurant shares the kitchen with Gibson's next door, one can expect to receive the standard constinency for their steaks. Out of all the entrees, I wish that I ordered the lobster or king crab legs, but I'll just keep that in mind for next time. The desserts are beyond huge! We ordered the chocolate cake and was astounded as to even for our family of 5 how there would be no way to finish it off! I really liked the addition of the bananas in between the layers of chocolate cake. . . a nice touch.

K S.

We went to Hugo's on the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel after we found out Joe's Stone Crab was booked solid. Hugo's was jam packed too, but we were able to get a table quickly. I had the clam chowder with bacon to start. It was great. My wife and I split the king crab legs. They were pretty good. Several bites were too fishy and in the deeper parts of the shell where the thickest meat was, there was too much residual water. It made portions of the meat soft. Overall though, the crab was good. Just not great. I also had the small filet mignon. The steak was fantastic. Everything you would expect from a great steakhouse. I'm not a huge fan of the area (Viagra triangle). We cabbed it from there to the Wild Hare, and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Emma L.

I'm not sure how people could complain about their frog legs because I think they are so delicious! I could eat those and their crabcakes all day long! Their bar is really fun to hang out at too- it gets suprisingly crowded for being in a restaurant.

Amanda G.

I've been here a few times, and it doesn't disappoint. Great steaks (Gibson's), fun atmosphere and a fun neighborhood. Don't skip dessert.

John A.

Great place. Always a good time. Always treated well by staff. One of my favorite places to have a great steak!

M M.

I really liked this place! We sat outside in the summertime and I always love people watching on Rush and Division so I enjoyed it. I believe I ordered the salmon, as it was awhile ago that I ate there, but I remember everything being very high quality. Anything off their dessert menu is good. I haven't sat inside so I can't comment on that, but I would recommend going on a nice summer night.

Stephen D.

Ahoy, mateys! If you like steak or fish, this is a good place for you. The pirate-y decor can make you feel like you're in the Seven Seas, and the service is spot-on. There is a piano and a great bar, if you want to have some fun before dinner. When the food comes, everything is done the way you wanted it to be-- special orders are fine, it's kid-friendly, and everything tastes amazing. Things to try: Dover sole, sea bass, steak, classic wedge salad, huge baked potatoes, and a mud pie for dessert. If you're a pirate, or just as hungry as a pirate, Hugo's Frog Bar (or Gibson's) is the place for you!

Esme W.

My parents ask for Hugo's every time they visit Chicago. Not only is the food delicious, the atmosphere is warm and charming. The stuffed lobster is to die for!

Margie N.

Our downtown friends offer to take us anywhere we want for dinner when we visit -- yet we are such fans of this joint! The menu is diverse and it's a great place to take *newbies* .... ever see a baked potato the size of a shoe!!??? The desserts are a total experience in themselves and are NOT to be missed -- even if you are too full, they are happy to wrap it for you. I actually tried frog legs there!! (yes, they taste like chicken - and what's wrong with that!) Absolutely fantastic food from A to D (appetizer to dessert) and the staff could not be more accommodating and top shelf. You must try this place at least once in your life.

Sheila D.

I eat at Hugo's for every special occasion. I love the food here! I agree with some of the reviews that it's very loud and crowded in there, but that has never bothered me. Just make sure you make a reservation ahead of time, but still be prepared to wait at the bar for a bit. Once I get seated I always have amazing service- some of the best waiters in Chicago must work at Hugo's because I've been more than pleased with every dining experience there. You can't really go wrong with anything on the menu, but the crab cakes are a must for an appetizer.

Samantha L.

Hugo's is one of the best restaurants in Chicago. I ate here tonight and like always it was pretty awesome. We started with the crab cake appetizer, which is a must if you go here. I had the marinated shrimp for dinner and my friend had the steak....both were so good! I usually don't get any sides since there is so much food, but we decided to be adventurous and get the mashed potatos and the creamed spinach tonight. The mashed potatos were some of the best ones I have ever tasted. You would think that would have been enough food for us, but we couldn't resist the banana cream pie. The leftovers are sitting in my fridge and could feed about 20 people. I think I gained 10 lbs tonight, but it was a very enjoyable meal.

Carrie B.

I've only actually dined here once or twice, but all I remember was the out of this world chocolate cake. I split a slice with a friend, and the dirty old men next to us made fun of us and laughed when they saw how obnoxiosly large this piece of cake was. This was the most heavenly slice of chocolate I've had in years! Be prepared to ask for a to-go box and eight forks!

Todd H.

I was in a party of 5 on Friday night. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. Shrimp cocktail was great, lobster bisque was also great, 3 of the 4 filets were over-cooked, service follow-up was so late that we ate the overcooked steaks, double-baked potato was very cold, creamed spinach was great, key lime pie was amazing. I cannot justify going back to a steakhouse that cannot cook a medium rare filet. Hugo's had 4 chances at our table and failed 3 times.

Gladys C.

Hugo's Frog is owned by the same company as Gibson's and it is even connected to it. They actually share the same kitchen. The food is the same amazing quality as Gibson's but the prices are a bit more reasonable. I like to come in the summer for fish and chips while sitting outside people watching. They even let me get my favorite dessert which is not on their menu, but Gibson's! Super friendly staff and good food. You'll always have a good time.

Darleen C.

I really enjoyed this restaurant, but still would not rate it 5 stars. If you you go, ask for Joseph, the server. His service was impeccable! The food was good, but the clams casino and oysters were tiny... and I mean tiny! My steak came out dry so I covered it in the bernaise sauce they serve with it. Everyone elses meal looked fantastic and the pomegranite martini was pretty good too. Only suggestion I have is to see your table before seated. The back room especially is overcrowed and you cannot get through the restaurant. The waiters put their food trays in the already tight aisles and you have to stand there and wait for them to finish serving before you can go any further. I seriously don't know how they pass firecode. Also, I was seated with may back in a aisle and I kept getting bumped in the back or having my chair kicked. Hugo's was still worth the experience, but keep in mind our bill for 6 people without dessert was $500 plus another $100 tip. I gave it 4 stars mostly based on Joseph's service!!! :) Oh, yeah...one more tip: If you valet, then you can leave your car there until 1:30am and then go wherever you want. We took a cab to Signature Room for cocktails afterwards and didn't have to worry about parking again. GOOD TO KNOW!

Jasmin W.

If you haven't been to Hugo's and you like seafood you need to call and make a reservation right now! This restaurant is incredible! The seafood is fresh, the service couldn't be better and the desserts are just out of control. Everything is good on the menu, but make sure you order a crab cake appetizer and the banana creme pie for dessert!

Jared S.

Another really good restaurant where you can't go wrong no matter what you order, whether it be the seafood or the steak from the Gibsons menu. Some musts from the menu include crab cakes, frog legs, and banana creme cake.

Design G.

People think they are coming here to "see and be seen" but the only thing you'll see is wanna be cool people who come in from the suburbs or suburban blondies who think they've made it because they live with 3 other girls in a crappy gold coast apartment. save your money. tacky and obnoxious-- not to mention overpriced.

Eddie O.

I really like the food here, although I wish it was a little quieter at times so I could actually have a conversation at my table. I just went to a bachelor party dinner here and it was the perfect atmopshere for that since we were adding to the loud atmosphere. The seafood is really good, but I usually end up ordering steak off the Gibson's menu. For some reason I like the Hugo's atmosphere better than Gibson's though...

Bryant C.

We went to Hugo's last night and had a great seafood dinner. I thought for the amount of food we got the price was very fair as well. The service was great. It was an all around good experience. (especially since I have never really been impressed with Gibson's) For starters we had frog legs and crab avocado. Both were excellent, but in totally different ways. I am a fan of frog legs and these were up there with some of the best I have had. As for the crab avocado, two of my favorite things in one dish, can't complain about that. For entrees we had crab legs and seared tuna. The crab legs we got were just the appetizer size, but more than enough for me to still steal a leg. I had the tuna which was excellent. The piece of fish was huge, I didn't even finish it. It was seared to perfection. Which, to me, means it was barely cooked at all and like eating a raw piece of tuna. I run into a huge problem at places and always seem to have my meals overcooked.... this time it was not an issue. The only knock in my book was the decor. I know it was decorated in the way you would picture any traditional seafood joint, but that's not really my style. Overall I would recommend this place on many different levels.

Charlotte Y.

Not sure whey Gibson's or Hugo's Frog Bar (combined in this review as they share the same kitchen) has always been legendary in Chicago. I mean, aside from the cuts of meat being first class (or so I'm told as I don't indulge in meat all that often) and the fish being fresh, the preparations are always basic and simple. I do suppose that with such great product, very little needs to be added, but I'm always so bored by the food out of these restaurants, including Hugo's. In fact, I was at Hugo's last night and the best I can say about it was that the raisin bread is always fabulous (I was told that it is baked in house) and the wine pours are on the heavy side. However, My grilled shrimp was blah and unexciting, my companion complained that her mussels (although generous in helping) were just "okay" and the salads boring and mediocre. I mean, how much can one really rave about head lettuce with a glob of blue cheese dressing on top? I guess though that this is the genius behind the legends - offer unfussed items, basic and palatable to the masses, without any risk of creativity or interest, and in doing so, you minimize your chances of offending people. Forget about exciting people, the new phenomenon and business motto is don't offend. Like I said, how boring.

Dana P.

Another one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! You must get the crab cakes- they are unbelievable! Whatever you do make sure you save room for dessert because it's big enough to eat for 2 weeks!

John F.

I wouldn't go to Chicago and not stop at Hugo's.

Jookie K.

The service was great, and I did like the ambitious reds, but the food is not good. The frog legs were cute, but lacking flavor (froggy flavor?), and I've had better calamari from the frozen foods section. The Bookbinder's soup was the highlight of the evening, and it tastes quite similar to the Tikki Masala sauce at Hema's Kitchen. I also enjoyed the side dish of sweet corn. But my stuffed portabello mushroom was too salty, too stuffy, and not nearly mushroomy enough, and everything else I tried was mediocre. Including the world's largest slice of cake--when it comes to cake, quality is always ALWAYS better than quantity. In our case, as quantity went +, the quality went way -. I'd only come back here to sit in the phone booth and drink wine. Maybe with some sweet corn.

ali a.

Great restaurant! I have never been there and had a bad meal. The steaks, crab cakes, lobster, and almost anything on the menu is great! I would recommend making a reservation. Sometimes you still have to wait, but its worth it.

Aubrey K.

When I want seafood, Hugo's is my second choice after Joe's Stone Crab. Make a reservation and you will not be sorry. Some of my recommendations here include: crab cakes, shrimp de jonghe, and stuffed lobster. Oh, and you must not forget to order one of their desserts (menu changes daily). If it is someone in your parties birthday be sure to indulge (you'll always get to hear the football like version of 'Happy Birthday'. Just remember portion control because their 'slice' of cakes are at least 7 inches tall and they might be a conservative estimate. The crowd is typically Gold Coast Yuppies meets Old School Sales Men.

Madeline L.

Excellent crab cakes! Might actually be the best I've had yet. Hugo's has great food and is in a perfect location. The entrees are delicious and the service is good. I had the shrimp scampi for dinner and it was amazing. Try the banana cake for dessert you'll love it.

Tracy M.

The best seafood in Chicago. Great crab cakes, great shrimp, great fish, great steak from Gibson's (if you're more of a carnivore). I've never had a bad meal here...the only problem is I get too full because I can't resist the banana cake at the end of my meal!

Skylar C.

Had the most amazing dinner here last night. I was craving meat over seafood so ordered the porterhouse steak off the Gibson's menu...so good! Had a crab cake and mashed potatoes to go with my steak and of course we had to end the meal with the chocolate moose. I'm still feeling full 12 hours later and have leftovers for a week, but it was incredible.

Dan V.

Hot spot on a Saturday night, Rush St. Chicago. Restaurant was packed. Initially the hostess stuck us on a tiny table in the back corner next to some 400 pound guy. Not romantic at all. Dumb girl didn't get it. One of the waiters moved us to a much nicer area of the restaurant. Our waiter was Don. VERY professional. We both had oysters and calamari for the apps. Don recommended a half order for the calamari, good call. We split a bottle of wine. Fish for entrees, portions were good. We ran out of wine before the entrees came and Don brought us a couple glasses of what we were drinking on the house to get us through. Amazing service, where would you see that anywhere? At the end of the night, he hooked us up with a couple of passes to the Back Room Jazz club across the street and we closed it down. Great night. Side story here, Michael Phelps was swimming for his eighth gold medal while we were having dinner. As the race started the entire restaurant came to a stop, staff and customers crowding around the tv's cheering loudly. It was surreal to feel that energy. What a great night!

Julie G.

I go to Hugo's every chance I can get! Their crabcakes are unreal and now that the hostesses know me I can finally get a table without worrying about the wait. I'm having my rehearsal dinner here this summer since it's my favorite restaurant and they have a great party room for both Hugo's and Gibson's.

Jason K.

Even though I have an aversion to fish I somehow end up at Hugo's more often than it's sister restaurant, Gibson's. Luckily there is plenty for me to eat at this seafood restaurant because you can order off of Gibson's menu. Their steak is pretty filling, but I can't resist their chocolate cake for dessert. It's so big that I end up taking most of it home and eating it the rest of the week!

Hannah D.

HAVE THE LOBSTER BISQUE!!!!!

Ren H.

the menu changes daily here and its always good! they offer the same steaks as gibson's! they also have great sides and a great ambiance to have a couple of drinks!

Kelli M.

If Gibson's has no availability, they will send you over to Hugo's. The food is really good, especially the frog legs. I had one of the best servers that I have ever come across when I went to Hugo's.

Olia H.

Loved it. Just came from there with my family. I had the Escargot and Alaskan snow crab claws which were vary fresh and sweet. Every body loved theirs also. We ordered the frog legs to try and while I thought it was great to try once I would not get them again as the flesh is pretty much flavorless and there is no reason to spend $23 on them if you can get something else. The avocado crab something or other appetizer was delicious, so was the cod entree and the white fish on a plank. Beware, wile the desserts are delicious they are HUGE. The creme brulee was great but there is enough of it for three people. If you want to have the chocolate mousse cake make sure at least 4 people will be sharing it they give you a third of the actual cake it is huge. Our waiter was hilarious by the way all of his suggestions were great and when I asked about the dessert called "the meaning of life" he said I shouldn't have it as it is not the best on the menu, actually what he said was "it's made with raspberry preserve and something or other and its really the worst on the menu so you should get something else." We wanted our picture taken cuz it was my cousins birthday and the waiter had to stand farther away so he went in front of another table and he goes to them "could you move out of the way so I can take this picture." It was so funny, by the way his name was Scott. So that's my story and you should go because I loved it.

Sheri L.

If you hope to have a conversation with your dinner partners, don't go to Hugo's. The noise is overwhelming. Also, if you are a fan of crab cakes prepared in Maryland, you will find the Hugo's crab cakes jam-packed with crab, but tasteless. No bell peppers, no Old Bay Seasoning. Portions are huge; it seemed like everyone except tourists was going home with "doggie bags." The waiter talked us out of the prix fixe menu choices, on the grounds that the portions were too small. Two of our party shared a steak (not on prix fixe), and there was still left-over food. We found that the prix fixe sizes were just about right. Cesar salad was served without anchovies; we were told that you have to ask for them to be included. If you don't have anchovies, how can it be a Cesar salad? Two servings of too-sweet key lime pie (served as part of the prix fixe menu) were more than enough for five people.

Nicola C.

Worship this place, I go here at least once a month. If you love lobster you have got to try the stuffed lobster, it is amazing and is a fixed price, so don't worry about paying $75 plus. Great atmosphere, and great bar. Love it.

Kristin A.

Great place with a great location. I've never eaten dinner here, but have met people for drinks. Good place to start the night before heading to rush and division bars.

Patrick B.

Excellent food and drink! Best wait staff in the town!

David C.

Very good.Quieter than Gibson's and the steak is just as good. Seafood is amazing.

W W.

I went here for dinner last night and loved it. They had the best clams casino I've had so far in the midwest. Also, their shrimp and stuffed lobster was delicious. I definately recommend coming here if you ever want to have some great seafood.

Joe S.

Seafood half of the Gibson's side of the Viagra triangele (Tavern on Rush, Jilly's). Very good seafood, service is spotty. Nice salads, lousy wine list, XL prices. If you can wade through the conventioneers and horny divorcees, the bar has a decent piano player. See and be seen, maybe that's why it's so damned bright in here. If they could ever prepare something as ordered, maybe I'd be less cynical about this place.

Melissa F.

I'm always impressed whenever I'm here. Period. OK, more specifics...fine! I've been here for special events (my brother's rehearsal dinner) and smaller-but-special events (Mother's Day, birthdays). Each time, we're taken care of very well not because we're some connected Chicago types (we aren't), but simply because we're dining there. The service is so good that it doesn't feel pushy or fake, just genuinely knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. Now, this isn't a place you go to every day because of budgeting, cholesterol, and other Very Real Things. Now that that's out of the way, I'd be remiss if I didn't say there's something for everyone. Seriously! Picky eaters who want a burger, pescetarians (incredible fish options, like the miso seabass), shellfish devotees (king crab!), and more. You want indulgent? Get the insanely huge cake, or get some bar classics that are just the right amount of elevated. You wanna be healthy? Get a lean cut of meat, sure, but Hugo's goes beyond typical steakhouse selections for fish and non-starchy veggie options that are excellent in their own right. Something for everyone, I tells ya. Favorites (culled from family and...well, me) - Filet mignon (duh), miso seabass, salmon, king crab legs, seafood chopped salad, bookbinder soup, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed spinach, and any red wine that can stand up to these (don't worry, you have options). Enjoy your dinner!

Hayley S.

Went last night with a large group (10) to celebrate my sister's law school graduation. A great choice! Everyone loved their dishes. I got the lobster roll which was delish, I could've eaten another entire order of it. It had just the right amount of kick and the roll it was on was buttery and warm. The lobster tasted super fresh. Mom ordered the filet mignon and it was AMAZING -- melt in your mouth delicious. My aunt got the trout and that was also very yummy. Dad got the octopus and he seemed to enjoy it. As you can see, nothing was bad. The service was also incredible, I don't remember our waiter's name, but he made the experience just that much better. We also ordered a dessert, muddy bottom pie I think?, which was literally the size of two human heads. My party of 10 barely made a dent in it and we could've shared with two other tables. It was rich, but probably not worth it if your party isn't huge. All in all, a wonderful dining experience.

James R.

My family and I visited this place a few weeks ago and was overwhelmed by the service, food and overall experience. We arrived a little early to our reservation yet they were willing to seat us promptly. Our waiter was incredibly friendly from the introduction and walked us through the menu and talked a little bit about the venue. What really made the service unique was a waiter returning momentarily with a showcase platter of seafood, showing each of the items on the menu. Combined, we ordered the swordfish, crab cakes and steak. Sadly, the steak was a little undercooked, but the waiter was the first to notice and immediately sent it back. It returned perfect in under 3 minutes. A wonderful experience! A little pricey, but worth a visit if you have the funds, or celebrating a special event.

Jessica K.

Holy frog legs. I think this is the most expensive meal I've ever had, but it's a great spot for lunch and yummy seafood.

Greg L.

We stopped into this place while walking down Rush St. We heard live music (piano player) and decided to go in here for an after dinner drink. They have a number of specialty cocktails and we got two of their bests - the French martini (made with Chambord liquors) and the Gibson Martini (made with Woodford Reserve Whiskey). I love vodka and my friend loves whiskey and we both thought these were excellent martinis to end the night (so we had two each!!) The server was very friendly and attentive and the bar is well-decorated and a fun place to enjoy the end of the evening. I've seen great reviews on the food here on Yelp so that is another reason to visit. A final comment for the attentiveness of the manager. As we were getting ready to leave, my friend loved the martini glass with the name "Gibsons" etched onto it. She wanted to buy it and the server said it would be $15, but she needed to check with management. The manager came over and my friend explained that her favorite Manhattan drinking buddies and neighbors are named Gibson and she wanted to surprise them with a gift. The manager informed the server to wrap up a glass - at no charge. Now that is class and shows appreciation to her customer base. Kudos and thanks for an excellent evening. You have a great bar here and based on the Yelp reviews, a great restaurant, too. The next day, we attended the Hot Dog Fest and decided to go back to the Oyster Bar for an afternoon cocktail and our two raven-haired beauties, Flavia and Nicole, were again working the bar. We tried a few other martinis and order the filet sliders, which were perfectly cooked to order filet mignon sliders with shoestring fries. Excellent appetizer!! We stayed for a few hours and chatted with the girls, listened to a great jazz piano player and when we went to pay the bill, I noticed a discount on it and asked Nicole what this was for. She said they had enjoyed our company so much these past two days that Hugo's bought us a round on them! Now, that is impressive! Give this place a try - YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!

Jennifer E.

My family and I went here last night for my birthday and it was one of the best birthday dinners I've had. Firstly, they seated us early. A lot of times many restaurants won't seat you until your actual reservation so I truly appreciate this since we had a 1 yr old and 3 yr old. Secondly, the food was on point. I had the bisque and the crab legs and it was definitely what a birthday girl needs. Thirdly, the staff was excellent. The server, bussers, hosts, and the restroom attendant were friendly and courteous. Fourthly, they brought me a delicious chocolate cake with a candle and sang me a birthday song. But not only that, they gave my daughters a scoop of vanilla with a candle as well so they could blow their own. My family felt so welcomed and taken care of that I can't wait to make my next reservation here. Thank you Hugo's!!!

Niecy M.

Atmosphere cozy. Service exceptional. The frog legs were delectable. Crab cakes absolutely delicious. Crab mac n cheese was a must try. Very pleasantly surprised.

Rachel K.

Hugo's is still a favorite nation-wide destination for me! The lobster cobb is still an all-time favorite salad, this time paired with the super-addicting crab mac and cheese. Pair that with an all-time top notch server, Shawn, and you have an excellent dinner in Chicago. Shawn went above and beyond to provide us with the best service, unquestionably one of the most accommodating servers all three of us have ever had! We will be back every trip to Chicago :) thanks Hugo's!

Kevin S.

Went here for dinner on a Saturday night, had to make reservations in advance for this fine restaurant. We were seated promptly with service by our waiter soon after. For fresh seafood when your no where near an ocean, Hugo's is the place to go for fine dining. The whole experience at this restaurant was awesome, I was delighted from start to finish with this place and the family at our table. I ordered the steak and cake, both were mouth watering! They serve Gibson's steaks at this location, so not surprised at the quality. The crab cake was huge and very flavorful, the best crab cake I've ever had. The service was excellent, and we'll return to this location or one of their other for a great dining experience.

Katie M.

Food is delicious. I had the whitefish with mashed potatoes, grilled tomatoes and onion and I must say this was really good. The atmosphere is nice, music in the background and dim but not so dark atmosphere. We will definetly come back here

Stefanie A.

My husband and I went here for our first anniversary dinner and the service and food was incredible! It was a great time. We had made reservations through Yelp which was essentially Open Table. We were a little early but seated right away. Our waiter was new, which I told him was fine since it was our first time there. He was very attentive and helpful with everything. Even offering suggestions for us. We ordered the frogs legs which were delicious! That sauce is amazing with it. I used the bread to soak it up. For our entrees, my husband ordered the Maine lobster and I had a 10oz filet from Gibson's. Everything was so good. We ordered a side of mashed potatoes and they weren't kidding when they said you could share them! During our meal, the manager came by to ask us how we were doing. It was nice to see the staff actually care to see how people's meals are going. He had also asked us if we were celebrating anything, which we told him it was our anniversary. After our meal, our waiter brought us our strawberry cheesecake (a whole freaking quarter of it!) on the house as a celebration to us. It was very sweet and very thoughtful. I enjoyed it there and I would definitely go back!

Jake C.

I love coming here. I always sit in the bar area or if weather permits I will dine on the patio. The wine list is strong with large variety. They have a good cocktail list and knowledgable staff. One time the fish was dry and they promptly removed it and brought out a new one, I was impressed. Of course the second one was cooked to perfection.

Gina V.

I love the stakes. The deserts are very delicious. This a place to enjoy a great meal. Relax and drink a martini

Lex M.

Came in last night, already having high expectations thanks to my boyfriend. Everything was delicious, our server Joel couldn't have been anymore helpful. We had fried calamari, king crab soup(so good), porterhouse steak, and Alaskan king crab legs. EVERYTHING was perfect! Drinks were a perfect balance. Can't wait to come back again!

T N.

We have eaten at Hugo's a few times in Naperville and always had great experiences so we were looking forward to trying the one downtown. Unfortunately we were extremely disappointed with last nights dinner. We arrived early in order to start out with a drink at the bar which was great, the bartender was a real character. They seated us right on time per our reservation which was great (had a really good table too). The sole reason for the 2 star review is based on the food. The Alaskan King Crab soup was barely warm and the salad was drowning in dressing making it uneatable. My wife had grilled shrimp and I had the filet. Ordered the steak medium and when the waiter set it down he knew it was burn and thankfully asked me to cut into it. It was well, well done and the waiter took it back to the kitchen. Literally 3 minutes later he returned with a new steak that was rare. Back to the kitchen he went. About 10-15 minutes later (wife already done with her meal) a manager brought out a 3rd steak, which was the rare steak I cut in half, reserved. No apology given, he just said "third times a charm" and left the table. The 3rd attempt was still a fail as the steak was hot but some how still dripping blood. Ate about 3-4 bites and was not impressed with the lack of flavor for a $41 steak. We didn't let it ruin our evening and chalked it up as everyone has a bad day. I am sure if we go back we would have a completely different experience and a great meal. With so many choices in the city I doubt we will be back to this one again.

Jessica A.

The best service and seafood in Chicago. My date and I shared the jumbo lump crab cake, full to the max with luscious king Alaskan crab. That was followed by the famous frog legs, those were a first for me and man I don't think I could ever eat chicken again!!!! Next to the table was a creamy lobster bisque soup topped with lump crab, it was sweet, thick, simple and beautiful. We shared the seared trout with grilled asparagus and also....jumbo lump crab, lemon and a beautiful beurr blanc sauce, it was death by crab!!!!! We had to get dessert. The chocolate pie was just that, like an entire pie that they call a slice, heavenly rich but light and creamy. I can't wait to go back!

Robert L.

Nice atmosphere and less crowded than Gibson's next door. Service was excellent. Menu choices were abundant and viewing the fresh seafood was fun. Had the crab cake and frog legs to start. The legs were good but totally freaked out my little girl but it was fun to try. I had the 16oz bone in filet- perfectly done. We had sides of asparagus and the largest sweet potato known to man. My little one had the "small" 10 oz filet- it came out way underdone which is where we lose a star. The pies are awesome and the size of your head. Brought back an ahi tuna steak and crab with avocado for my bride and she adored the crab. If you need a spectacular night of gluttony with good quality- come here. And it was great just having a night out with my little one and not having to say a word! God bless the U.S of A!

Ashley S.

Great food, fun and busy atmosphere! The portions are quite large. And everything I tried was fantastic! I had the pan-fried walleye. Delicious! Also tried my friends scallops, bisque, white fish. All were fantastic. If you love fish and seafood - it's a must stop! Must get the creamed spinach! And the double backed potato was good, too!

Ian P.

All I can say...... Omg!!!!! This is amazing!!!!!! Amazing service amazing food!!! I am in heaven!!!! Top notch to the whole staff!!! Thank you.

R P.

Always my go to. Prime cuts. Made to perfection. Ordered frog legs this time - not good at all. At least they took off this item from our bill at the end of the night. So this time they get a 1 star demotion for the frog legs. Sorry Hugo but I have to rate the entire meal here. FYI - you can't go wrong with the bone in filet or the porterhouse.

Michael M.

We heard about the $1 oyster happy hour and had to go! A great spot for Saturday afternoon,and a great atmosphere with amazing oysters (especially since this is NOT on the ocean!) and friendly service. The 2 of us consumed 2 dozen oysters and had a Martini each.The oysters are the deal of the century.I thought that $12.75 for a call Vodka Martini was a bit high,but the oysters made up for that for sure. We debated going again Sunday afternoon but were too tired to walk back from the InterContinental! It would have been worth it,though.

Bob F.

I really liked this bar and its food. It is a great option if you have a group that includes some who want fish and some who want beef. While focused on seafood, excellent steaks from Gibson's (adjacent to Hugo's) are also available. Started with the Calamari, which was good but not great, and the Oysters Rockefeller, which were very good. One in our group had a New York Strip that he really enjoyed. My wife and I both had rare Seared Tuna - very nice cuts of fresh sushi grade fish. The best entree at the table, however, was the Sea Bass. The person who ordered it regretted sharing because the rest of us kept trying to get tastes of it. Service was smooth and well timed. Drinks were good sized and well made. Not inexpensive but you do get what you pay for.

Sung Y.

Always a great place to stop in and have a drink when you are in the Gold Coast area. My group popped in around 9:00pm on a Tuesday night and it was packed. Food is also excellent. Can't go wrong with any of the seafood items.

Sari S.

For beginners, let me just say: first-timer! & WOW! I traveled to Chicago for a weekend vacation, and came here on a friday night around 9 PM. Immediately when my boyfriend and I walked in the hostess seemed to already know who we were based on reservations & the staff was as sweet and professional as could be! They definitely made us feel important and dedicated to our time there. The atmosphere in this restaurant was great, they had live music with a piano player, not one of those super loud where you can't hear each other, just perfect. Our waiter did an amazing job-he never bothered us too much, but always seemed to know when we needed something & took care of it immediately, even when he had many other tables. The food did not take long to come out, and let me just tell you, that is some of the best food I have ever had! I will say, the portions are a little large so I recommend sharing with another person, but it was exquisite! For the amount of food served with your entree, and being a college student, the pricing is perfect in my opinion. This is more of a high end restaurant, so the prices are expected, but again, for all the food on your plate it is definitely worth the buy! From what I was told, this restaurant is known for their famous frog legs, and I first stuck my nose in the air about it, but wow were they absolutely amazing! I am not exactly into foods like that, but it tasted exactly like chicken & the seasoning/sauce on them was to die for! There were options to get a certain meals plan such as get an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert which is exactly what I did! And for two people, the grand total was pretty satisfying, especially being a college student. It was well worth the price! I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant to anyone who is traveling to Chicago, or even lives there. It is a must try & I count on going back once I return to Chicago!

Finley W.

I'm not a big fan of going out for a steak...I would much rather find a great piece of meat at the butcher and make it myself. This thought process goes out the window when I arrive at Hugo's. Their steak is delicious and cooked to perfection. Frog legs are amazing and service is top notch.

Victor S.

Excellent food, and perfect service! My parents and I had a great dinner here... largely in part to our fantastic food server, Jamie. She was friendly, accommodating, welcoming, and overall charming. Definitely set the mood for a great time with my family.

Jackie M.

I came in here for National Oyster day at about 10:30pm. Luckily, the crowd left and i had the dining room all to myself. We had limited option for the raw oyster, but it was still fresh and delicious. The fried oyster was just typical and the rockefeller was good and average. I also ordered the crab mac and cheese, which was al dente and was really just okay. Despite that we only ordered the special, the waiter was very attentive and friendly. I would probably come back and try a different entree.

Kristin W.

Food and service were fabulous! We love Raoul! Highly recommend this restaurant for dinner.

Alex H.

This was the last stop of the evening before returning to the hotel. Almost everything was very nice. We sat at the bar, and the drinks and service were both great. We tried oysters, and the presentation was beautiful. We also had mussels, which were seasoned just right. My wife had a raspberry martini which was a bit too sweet, but not bad. Scotch selection was good. We may have gone home at that point, but the manager, John, hitting on the women next to us was entertaining enough that we ordered a bottle of a Marlborough region Sauv Blanc to enjoy our chuckles. Had I known the degree to which he would up the ante, we would have left earlier, and the place would likely have received 5 stars. As it turned out, we had a late night and Hugo's has 2 stars. I have never been made so uncomfortable by another person's sophomoric attempt to impress women. It did not help that he was wearing a wedding ring, and I don't think that these women, ~10 years his junior, were part of his presumably two party marriage license. Had he been generally gregarious, it would have been one thing. He was like a laser beam to these three women. He was delivering free rosé champagne, gift cards, seafood appetizers, the whole 9 yards. With each new "omg you are so awesome, thank you!" his head got a little larger, and he became a little more free with the restaurant's resources. Enduring proximity to that level of sleaze became too difficult to handle, and we ended up finishing our wine in the hotel.

Patti P.

My sister's and I went last night for dinner, as I am in town visiting, and we wanted some "sister time." I've been here before, with my Chicago resident sister, and enjoyed it then too. Last night, however, was great- and a HUGE part of it was due to our waiter, Ron. He was absolutely DELIGHTFUL, and took our lovely dining experience up a number of notches. His banter with us throughout the evening was great fun! My sister ordered Vodka, straight up, without any fruit. When he delivered it, he said, "The only fruit that has touched this drink is me." We cracked up! I had the Frog's Legs, only my second time in life- and they were great. I can't really compare them to others, but I found them very tasty. Ron directed me to their house dressing, which was a creamy garlic, and I was glad. My sisters both got the Sea Bass, and they thought it was fabulous. We got the Key Lime Pie, which has a huge mound of meringue on top. I wasn't as impressed with this pie as many I've had in Key West, but it was still good, and 1 piece was way too much for the three of us. I was even impressed with the Ladies Room Attendant. I wanted to make certain I got the bill, and where we were seated, there was no way for me to go up to the hostess and request she get my credit card to our waiter. I asked the restroom attendant if she could get it done for me, and she excitedly was happy to be a part of the conspiracy and help me out! After dinner, I went in the restroom, and she wanted to know if it all worked out. This place is a bit expensive, but well worth it! Be certain to ask for Ron- he will make your evening a total delight!

Nick S.

We thought it was very good - price was a bit high, but is to be expected at a traditional steakhouse. They did a great job with everything - only complaint I would have is their salmon dish did not seem like it was Pacific salmon that is advertised, it seemed more like Atlantic salmon, which is not a good (in my humble opinion). I'm not 100% certain of this fact, as the salmon is farmed in Vancouver BC Canada - so the final product might be considerably different than wild Pacific salmon. Service was solid. Food overall was solid.

Lavanya R.

Large portion sizes! The Salmon was fantastic. The size of their 'dessert' was Gigantic! Check before you order :)

Peter g.

TO BE, OR NOT TO BE... a 5... SO 4 is a high remark in a 5 star system. Its clearly an "i'll be Back" location to get this, but to earn a 5 you really have to hit on all cylinders. And Hit the mark square center, they did this in spades. I have to mention the food, because it was really amazing. But more on that later (its worth mentioning twice for sure) It was a packed night, but it was not so loud even in the tight confines of the bar, the bartender was a little busy but we did not feel ignored or that we had to wait a long time, he did say i'll be right there 3 times to make sure we knew he was trying but the drinks were good and strong and the price was as expected. We were seated quickly, even with a promised 45 min wait it was only 20 minutes. You have to get used to the Happy Birthday Bell and loud shouting that follows but its better then a song I felt, and this night there had to be about 10 to 15 birthdays! The food choices were very interesting and popular fish combos with some well mixed ingredients. My GF ordered the crab ceviche and she loved it, we also had a few drinks with dinner which was a 10 oz filet for me and lobster sauce swordfish for her, she was blown away and my steak was worthy of the best steakhouses in the city. She had not had sword in a long time but this blew her away, the fresh fish choices made the decision very hard because the choices were wide and very well prepared. The final surprise was in the check, in the steakhouses you know you are not getting out under 2 bills for 2 + drinks, but this was not the case, they were, in an expensive area in an expensive city, reasonable, but considering the food, the whole evening was outstanding and we are going to be back, with friends.

Jim B.

Best crab cake ever! We stopped here tonight for a drink and small snack before a night on the town. My first time here. As we took our seats at a table in the bar area, I saw a tray of crab cakes heading to a table. Looked good. Ordered our drinks and a crab cake to share. Oh my gosh. Best crab cake ever!

Dan P.

I ordered the swordfish here and it was one of the best meals I've ever eaten at a restaurant. The lobster bisque was also great so from a food standpoint the meal was great. The only downside was we were put at a small table right in front of the kitchen - we were cramped for space and constantly had waiters squeezing past us - that table probably just shouldn't be there. All in all our entire party of five loved it so I would definitely try it out.

D J.

If I could give this place 0 star rating I would. First off let's say that this restaurant is not on the cheaper side so you would expect the level of service to be top notch. However... The waiter that we had to take our drink orders didn't seem very pleasant from the start but let's move pass that as perhaps he was having a bad day. We ordered margaritas on the rocks no salt nothing fancy. Well to my utter disgust once my drink arrived to the table one of my straws had RED LIPSTICK on it. Now how did this happen... WHO KNOWS!!! When we ask to speak with the manager to let him know what was going on he offered to bring more drinks but seemed very unwelcoming when doing so.. Needless to say we did NOT want more drinks as if the straw is nasty I am CERTAIN the glasses are filthy!!!! We would NEVER go here again and I'll be sure to warn my family members and colleagues about this place. First and a LAST time!! BEWARE!!!!!!

Steve B.

I would stay away from this place. With the exception of our server, the meal was a failure in almost every way. To start, the manager told us that the 5 actual seafood items (not shelfish) were flown in fresh every morning. Really?! Now, having lived on the west coast for a long time, I kinda think I know Alaskan halibut out of season does not get flown in fresh every morning...to Chicago. It gets frozen. Just wanted to know how for how long. I politely challenged him on this to which he responded...you must not know much about restaurants. Despite the fact I actually own one. We ordered the wedge salad. It was fine. Hard to mess that up for 12 bucks. My date ordered the "filet" which they fileted without telling us and cooked the hell out of it. Despite the fact she ordered medium rare. It was red lobster-fare. It came with a pudding like sauce that was literally disgusting. Fortunately, it was on the side. I ordered a Chicago staple, Shrimp de-jonge having no faith in the actual fish on the menu. The chefs probably don't know that serving cooked shrimp in a a sizzling platter is going to continue to cook the shrimp...fail. it was butter garlic rubber with a tail. One side note: the table next to us ordered the Chilean Sea Bass. And they laughed and sent it back. Our server was very nice though.

Helen L.

The restaurant is overpriced for the quality of food. The Mac and cheese tasted like it was made from the box. The Brussels sprouts were practically raw. The frog legs were good, but too garlicky. The escargot was horrible - I have had much better. The firecracker shrimp was good, but ordinary. The best part of the meal was the pork chop from Gibson's next door (same owner and shared kitchen). I would not recommend or return.

Yasmina C.

Had such an awesome dinner here. Frog legs were FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC! Drinks were great and our amazing server Scott was so charismatic and helpful with drink and menu choices! -must try for sure!

Kristin S.

Excellent nearly everything and I'm almost always impressed here. I really cannot ever say a bad word about food, and if a mistake is ever made in the food department it is quickly remedied. Service has been hit and miss a bit the last year though so I had to drop a star. Always a crowd here, haven't ever ordered anything bad on the menu- try the lobster bisque if you aren't on a diet or concerned about how delicious and rich and creamy it is, it's just awesome. Love the nautical decor and everything is very clean and well maintained. You will leave full, huge portions, but your wallet will certainly leave quite a bit lighter as the bill won't be cheap.

Tina L.

Happy 25th Anniversary, Gibsons and Hugo's! $25 for a 30 oz. hunk of delicious juicy aged meat? There's no WAY I would say no to that!!~ Our server was so friendly and he recommended a couple great bottles of red wine to go with our meal. The tomahawk is wet aged AND dry aged, so it's the perfect amount of flavor and juices once cooked. I got mine medium and it came medium, medium-rare-ish. Which is fine, because I knew I would take it home to reheat and enjoy again (of course I can't finish all 30 oz by myself). The seasoning is out of this world, I loved the char on the outside of mine. Even if they're not having the anniversary sale, I would want to come back for a special occasion or something. One of the best steaks I've had in a while!

Dan S.

Visited on Labor Day with my wife and I and 2 other couples. Bobby our server took great care of our entire party. He even went the extra mile to correct a mistake with my drink order. I had asked for 3 olives with my martini but only 2 came out. I brought it to his attention and he immediately brought me my missing olive in a small cup, good man. I only pushed for the 3rd olive because the first two were AMAZING! You can choose from a few different stuffed olives for your drink, nice touch Hugo. Food was excellent, but yes pricy. But we were out celebrating anniversaries and birthdays so we splurged. We started with the Frog Legs and Escargot, two must trys. All of the entrees ordered looked fantastic. My wife went with Filet and Alaskan King Crab Leg and I chose the Tuna Steak. Great choices in my opinion. We had gotten a recommendation to try their key lime pie for dessert, even though we were stuffed we went for it. So glad we did, it was a work of art.

Sandy S.

Great place. Service was excellent. Waiter very attentive. Had lemon drop and cosmopolitan as starter drink. Both seem a little light on the alcohol. Soup or salad comes with your meal. I had clam bisque which very good. For meals my daughter had the whole lobster which wAs good and I the filet and crab cake. Steak was cooked perfect. Crab cake was above average in size and had nice flavor

J G.

This place was hit or miss with me and a group of 4 others. Half of us really liked our food, 1 was not thrilled, and one sent their food back and very understandable as it was significantly overcooked. The service was good and because it was a busy Saturday night and they wanted our table before we ready to go they moved us to the bar and bought us a free round of drinks. I can check this off my list, the food had mixed reviews, and next time we will try another of the many restaurants on our list in Chicago.

Gary R.

Visited Hugo's for a second time this past fall with my wife. Admittedly, we enjoyed our experience so much the first time that we had to come back. The oysters, chop salad, filet mignon, salmon, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed spinach, and red wine were calling our names. But, this time was different...we brought the kids. From the beginning to the end, we were made to feel we made the wrong choice. Not to say the servers were rude...they weren't. But, children require servers to step it up in terms of delivery speed. Ours didn't seem to understand that. Hugo's is still on our list of go-to's when we come to visit Chicago...we understand now that we need to leave the kids at the hotel.

Frank K.

Visiting from Florida, we asked a local friend for recommendations. She told us that Hugo ' s would be a good choice. We went for dinner and OMG! The food was incredible! There were a few personal bests in our party of four. I had the sea bass and it was the best that I have tasted in 30 years. The broccoli and asparagus were perfectly cooked...not over cooked, still having a little crunchiness to them. My wife had the Alaskan crab legs and for a crab connisuer, she said it was the best that she ever had. One of mm our friends got the scallops and said it was the best. We had both the fish s tomato based soup and the lobster bisque both of which were good. The ambiance was very nice and it was almost a perfect evening except that our waitress appeared to no be way to preoccupied. She forgot my wife's drink and had to be reminded 2 times before finally bringing it. She forgot the hot sauce request, such that one of the other waiters obliged when we asked him. He brought 2 selections of hot sauce for us. She brought the food bill but seemed to make us wait too long before she came back to get it. She was very nice and we enjoyed her service except for her preoccupation. Everyone else was "on point"! Kudos for a job well done. The only reason I am not giving a 5 is because of the waitress.

Alexander M.

I was here on Labor Day with the family and luckily it was not crowded. The menu is nice and offers many different selections. The waiter was very courteous and offered some good suggestions and also brought out a nice display of the daily meats. The food was good and everyone enjoyed their meal. The overall pricing was reasonable and not too expensive. Why only 4 Stars? - Based on other Steak Houses and Seafood restaurants in downtown Chicago, it does not make my top five... However, you will be very satisfied if this is the place you are going to eat.

Amanda C.

My friends and I were looking for a seafood restaurant to try and we had heard great things about Hugo's. We made a reservation for 7:30, although we got there at 6:45 so we were hoping they could seat us early. It turns out they couldn't, but no big deal- to the bar we go! We settled in to kill approximately 45 minutes (with alcohol, really not a hardship), which turned into 1 hour, which then turned into 1 1/2 hours, which finally turned into 1 hour 40 minutes. That's right 55 minutes after our reservation we were seated! Our waiter was extremely apologetic and the restaurant immediately brought us 2 apps on the house- the shrimp cocktail and the crab cakes. Shrimp cocktail was good and had a little kick to it as were the crab cakes. We also ordered the frog leg appetizer for ourselves, cause c'mon the place is called frog bar and we had to. I've never had frog legs before so I have nothing to compare them with but they were tasty, albeit very garlicky. For our main courses we got, crab legs, the peppercorn swordfish, and the Chilean sea bass. Everyone enjoyed their meals but we all concluded the sea bass was the best. Originally we were planning on skipping dessert but due to the very extended wait they also comped our dessert. It was massive- I have never seen desserts so huge. A quick note on the atmosphere: The place is very loud, tight, and in Viagra triangle so don't go here looking for an intimate dinner. Overall- 4 stars, although they did everything right in response to the wait I still have to ding them a star. Also, shout out to our waiter, Will, who was probably one of the best servers I've ever had.

Lea T.

Favorite steak and seafood spot in Chicago! Gibson steaks and crab cakes are a MUST have... All entrees come with a cup of soup or salad. Side dishes are to share but can be served in half portions. LOVE the double baked potato, creamed spinach, and Mac n cheese with andouille sausage and crawfish. Desserts are HUGE, try the muddy pie-- also the apple strudel is only served on Thursdays!!

Tima D.

First off let me say the service here is a TEN. The staff is so kind and courteous. If there is something you want ...they will make it happen. The manager his name is Erjon or Jon? he was amazing. Really cares about the customer, he was dressed in a suit so I figured he was a manager lol he walked over and asked us how our night went and if there is something he can do for us to let him know. I appreciate that and it doesn't go unrecognized. Our waitress (I forgot her name!) I think she is the only female waitress but she was just as amazing. She knew everything about the place and menu and her recommendations were on point. The drinks are so delicious. its true you do really get what you pay for. My husband and I will definitely be back. PS- GET DESSERT! yum

Sally W.

This will be a strange review, as I was only in there for a few minutes. These guys get five stars for four reasons: 1. I saw some food going out that looked absolutely beautiful- some fish on a plank that had to be great; 2. I had a sip of a martini that was perfectly made; 3. The bar area with the piano player was perfect Chicago, like Gibson's, but not as self conscious; 4. I fainted when I had been there about three minutes. It was outrageously embarrassing as I did the whole slide-to-the-ground thing, was out for a bit, and couldn't really get out of the place for about 10 minutes. The bartender, Brant, and the manager, RJ, were incredibly professional, kind, supportive, concerned, and so on. For all they knew, I was a junkie or something (no drugs involved, fyi), but they treated me with the utmost respect and care. This was really frightening for me, and I'm very grateful. Id love to go back for that martini and the fish, but I can imagine that they might be a little gun-shy with me. :)

Tommy G.

Stopped in for a drink and a snack... Wife and I tried calamari... Wow, melted like butter in my mouth. Nit too mention the amount that we were served. We walked away stuffed and lifted over half of the platter behind.... If you are in the area a must try.

Vikki P.

This is by far one of my favorite seafood restaurants. I always get the salmon or the scallops. This time I tried sea bass, which was delicious. The service is always top notch. In fact, they will cook anything on the menu however you would like it. And everything is a la carte. It's amazing food, and if you are just in town for the weekend, make sure to check it out.

Stephen M.

Wonderfully fresh seafood! And the desserts are large enough to feed a family of 5! Good service, great food, and a good wine selection!

Angie C.

Food was exceptional!! Filet mignon , sautéed frog legs in Garlic butter , Hugo's chopped garbage salad . Martini 's and specialty drinks!! Scott out server was very knowledge of the menu. Loved sitting out side enjoying the ambience.

Bill J.

Stopped in for a drink in the bar. This is one of those places that looks a little formal but manages to be casual and inviting at the same time. Nice menu of custom cocktails and service was excellent. Definitely make this a stop for drinks if you're in the Rush / Division area of Chicago.

Jay H.

Awesome experience. Calamari was great. Crab bisque was great. Gibson Filet was great. Crab Mac n cheese was great. Key Lime pie was great. And to top it off, service was 5 star. Great ambience. Fantastic neighborhood. Top 5 dining experience of my life.

Michelle H.

While on a business trip I ran into my home girl and decided that we would meet for dinner and drinks. I suggested Hugo's being that I always make it a point to stop in when in the Windy City. Oh my giblets! This is one of those places that you cannot go wrong in and this particular night solidified my faith in this place. Our server Tony was on top of things from the moment he approached the table. Super amicable, knowledgeable, and courteous, he exemplified what a great dining experience should be like. We started off with some cocktails - my go to drink being a dirty martini with both olives and onions. Go figure, they carry the elusive blue cheese stuffed olives, making this martini drinker super happy! The vermouth to vodka balance was perfect and my drink carried a hell of a punch. I started off with the bookbinder's soup which hit the spot considering it was 27 degrees outside. It has a tomato base and is loaded with carrots, celery, green peppers, leeks, mushrooms, and whitefish. The simple flavors are hearty and interplay in a complex way. For my main course I decided on the pan seared Georges Bank sea scallops. So freakin' delicious!!!! Hints of butter and garlic and still rare enough that you get the full oceanic beauty in each bite. This, accompanied of white simple jasmine rice, is one of my favorite dishes at this restaurant. My friend ordered the whole main lobster, which was a beautiful sight. It was accompanied with the hugest baked potato I've ever seen. We split the potato and still had leftover. For desert, we decided to split the crème brulee. It was a little too rich for my taste, but nevertheless, it didn't disappoint. If you're looking for a place that has a classy vibe and good seafood, Hugo's is a must.

Michelle W.

Looks like a fancy restaurant. Only came to the bar for some drinks and to catch the world cup game. Looks like they have a great menu for food. Will be back next time to check it out.

Christine K.

Had a very nice dinner here. My only complaint was that we were seated about 45 minutes after our reservation time. To apologize for the lateness on the restaurants part, they sent over a free appetizer. In my opinion perhaps they could have done a bit more? This happened to us before at RPM and our entire bill at the end of the meal was $0.01. Great food and atmosphere though.

Mimi T.

I came here with a few friends on a Wednesday night and it was crowded. We were seated outside. We all ordered a steak and a few side dishes. I got the W.R Chicago's cut, which was really good. The clam chowder here is one of the best I've had so I would really come back just for that. The sides were okay. We got mac and cheese, sauteed mushrooms, corn, and oyster Rockefeller. The oysters were very appetizing so I recommend them. For dessert we got the keylime pie which was huge. You can definitely split it between four people. Overall it was a great dinner and service was great.

Henry H.

We went there for a fancy dinner. Definitely make a reservation as this place fills up pretty quickly, especially on a Friday night. It's a very classy decor inside with objects that make it feel a little bit like a lighthouse. Ordered some crab legs to start with and had entrees of W.R.'s Chicago Cut Ribye and daily fresh catch of sea bass. I don't really eat seafood so can't comment on that part, but my GF and other friends seem to like them, especially the sea bass. But their steak, man. It was juicy, well-burnt and charred on the outside but tender inside. And it was also a BIG portion. Plus with the entrees comes a salad or soup, so that's a lot nicer considering at some other places you have to pay extra. Great place with good service for steaks, fish and everything!

Silvio D.

Went here for a group dinner to try the steaks, which are from Gibson's next door. Started with the avocado and crab appetizer, which was good, but I didn't like the fact that they basically through 1/2 an avocado on top of some crab meat. I've been to other places where they mix everything together, and I prefer that. Steaks were great. A little pricey, but cooked perfectly. I ordered the bone-in NY sirloin, and wasn't disappointed when it was exactly medium rare. Sides were plentiful. One side easily feeds 5-7 people. Cream spinach, fries, asparagus....can't go wrong. Great service, too.

Raquel R.

Yum YUM and then sum! What a SCRUMPTIOUS birthday dinner experience we had here on November 6th. The atmosphere is very charming; it's not loud but when you look around you can just tell that everyone is enjoying themselves and I think it has a lot to do with the food. YUM! We started with the spicy tuna tartare which was DELIGHTFUL as well as the mussels which were fine but nothing really special, I've had better. I then chose salmon for dinner which was MELT IN YOUR MOUTH and that came with either soup our salad, I opted for the king crab bisque and was NOT disappointed, it was SO good. YUMMY in my tummy! My brother had the scallops which I tried and they were rather tasteful and my friend had either the whitefish or the sea bass which was also quite good. Then we moved on to dessert and I know your thinking after all that you had room for dessert? Well, not a lot of room but it was my birthday dinner and who doesn't want dessert on their birthday (well a couple days early but who cares). I went with the muddy bottom pie and all I've got to say is go big or go home. WOW is this dessert good but very much large and in charge. Not only did the three of us enjoy some but also shared with the guests around us and there's so much yummy ice cream involved that the knife used to cut it is huge, I had to ask a server for some assistance to cut it to share with the lovely couple next to us. SO DARN GOOD! I would DEFINITELY come back here and Chris (I believe that was his name) our server was WONDERFUL and put up with our shenanigans very cordially. THANK YOU Chris and Hugo's (and my bro who took care of the bill) for a SPECTACULAR birthdday dinner, I haven't stopped talking about it since and will most definitely return for some more yummies. :)

maggie c.

Solid as always! Sat in the bar and had dinner last night. Great wine and huge fried calamari appetizer. For dinner I had the house salad with the vingarette dressing and 3 of the large cold shrimp...I was stuffed! My husband had the filet mignon and he could not stop saying how delicious it was. I been coming hefe.for 20 years and have never had anything that was not amazing!

j d.

Sat on patio sunday for some crab and shrimp. The waiter was horrible by any standards let alone hugos. He forgot to bring drinks several times after we ordered them, brought us items we had notordered and all of this while maintaining the attitude of a billionare snob in the hamptons. It was embarrasing to endure for the $115 half hour we were there. Bryan made everyone look bad. I would not even write about it but the only thing that made sense was he was looking to get fired. Hope this helps bryan

Yao W.

If you miss decent Italian food like steak, grilled salmon, crab cake, lobster roll, etc, visit Hugo's! I went with a group of friends on a Friday evening after work. We all had a great time sharing the food and a bottle of Riesling. Waitress were humors too.

Ryan S.

Some of the best seafood and steaks available in Chi-town. Casual dress and large groups welcome but make a reservation because it gets packed quick!

Holly G.

We had a great dinner here. Loved the classic Chicago atmosphere and the menu was amazing. There were several dishes it wanted to try, but since I walked in with my heart set on a hamburger I that's what I ordered. Can I just say that it was the best burger and fries ever? The only thing I didn't like was the dessert. The portion was so over the top huge and sugary. It seemed like something you would get at Sizzler's all you can eat dessert bar not an upscale restaurant. Great neighborhood, great ambiance, great food. I will absolutely return here when I come back to Chicago. 5 stars if it weren't for the over the top mud pie.

Michael N.

We came here right after Tavern on Rush with a foodie group of about 16 for national oyster day. Nice place, oysters here were much better quality than what we had across the street. Our waiter was tolerant for us being a group of 16 so props to him :) Drinks were great, mac and cheese with lobster was good (might be a tinge better if it was a bit more crispy on top). Overall good food. Also a nice touch of piano player / singer when you first walk in. You don't mind standing around as much waiting for a table while listening.

John W.

Let me see........ My impression Amex corporate gold card place .., McCormick and Schmit plus one. Prices are stupidly inflated on food and drink . Champagne marked up 150% over retail ....stupid..,,, $100 for a tommy hawk steak...... Stupid .,,,,it is what it is ..,, not for food lovers ..,.,,,,, for money spenders What a shame..,,,,, move on Tooooo many cool aces in town to piss it away here. My 2€ worth

Frank W.

Big, crowded, fun. I would add that it's better than you might expect, given the neighborhood and traffic level. Competent staff, brisk service. The waiter also kindly suggested a half size order (not shown on the menu) of creamed spinach, not full, since I was a solo diner. That was thoughtful. Creamed spinach was good, incidentally. The pan fried whitefish was fresh and light and very good.

Kris W.

Any place that won't seat you at your reservation time because 2 of your party isn't here yet (of 6) gets poor marks from me. I want to sit down an enjoy a drink or two while I'm waiting. And then 3 of us in the bar waiting for the drinks we ordered while waiting and 3 asking to be seated but not until we are all standing in front of them. Shitty.

Theresa N.

Good seafood - had mussels provencial. Fresh and tasty. Good drinks. However do not order the "sea of Cortez shrimp appetizer" - stupid. $4.00 for one shrimp. Really? Makes you wonder if they put it on the menu to piss customers off so they can photograph reactions for a reality show. Weird. Other than that, place is great. Live music at night, great atmosphere. Old school steakhouse with strong fish menu.

Max A.

Absolutely hate to give a bad review, but this is bad..... Depressingly bad. The air conditioner went out, the temperature was hovering around 88. This issued can and should be a one time overlook; not worthy of a really bad one star review, but I think it is important to point out how the staff and management reacted. Total chaos. 45 minute wait to order drinks and apps, 45 minute wait for them to bring drinks, another 20 to brings apps, then 1 final painful hour for the main course. No refill on drinks was offered until after the main course was served. Server took half our order, quit in the middle and ran to kitchen to serve another table. Server yelled to my side of the table for our orders, keep in mind this table was a round top sitting eight of us. No server etiquette whatsoever, the dishes were placed in front of us, sometimes with the server reaching past two of our party. The same with drink refills, I have never had a server lean on me to refill the person across from me. The icing on the cake was a server leaned across two people to fill the person on my rights glass of iced tea, over filled in into my red wine. WTF! That is a 13 dollar glass of wine......... Have you ever had a server or bus boy stack your dirty plates on your table? Yep right in front of me. Inexcusable. The manager should be fired. The sad ending is I recommended this to my colleagues from Belgium as top notch. Our bill was over $600 and the server did not offer to comp anything. Tempted to write the owner, but the hell with it, I just wont go back, to many other choices in Chicago with properly trained staff and leadership.

Ellie L.

Great food, great drinks, great service...................... will be back next time I go to Chicago

Tim M.

The dining experience was great - service, food, atmosphere. Arriving 15 min early for our reservation, we were promptly seated and Clam Chowder - great flavor. Few chunks of seafood that really added to the flavor. Mussels were awesome. Serving was abundant and easily fed all 4 in our group as a starter. Each person had at least 6-7. Grilled Salmon - not the best cooked salmon. Tender but nothing compared that sea bass. Good flavor and enjoyable but if you had to choose - again - sea bass baby! Sea Bass - Probably 1 of the best sea bass I have ever had. Very flaky and cooked to perfection. As I enjoyed it, let it rest on my tongue for a moment and then swallow. Crawfish Mac & Cheese - there are not many sides that can complement just about anything. However, this is it! Not too cheesy, not too much crawfish in such a way that both are recognizable but not overwhelming. Didn't get to try the steaks but given the company's sister steakhouse is next door - definitely something worth considering.

Teri B.

I was very impressed with the crab cakes. Not only were they generous in size but there was very little filler. Nothing makes me happier than a solid cake of crab. I will be back.

Liz M.

Outstanding dining experience! The service is top notch and the food is even better. We were looking for a place to get oysters and heard this was the place. Great recommendation. We had raw oysters that were clean, fresh and very briny. Served with an herb ice topping that added something special to the flavor. I had the crab cake that I thought was overpriced for one crab cake at $16 but once I had it, it made sense. Huge and very little filler, mostly crab. Delicious! My husband orders fish tacos everywhere we go and these were some of the best. Well balanced taco with perfectly cooked and seasoned fish. Intuitive service with great attention to detail. Bar was one I could hang out in for hours watching sports/people and listening to the fun mix of music. Loved it!

Rick F.

As always the food was good, still not my favorite steak in Chicago, service was decent, atmosphere classic Rush Street! Where it all went wrong was at the beginning as we were being taken to our table a waiter came by with a tray full of food. Screamed at us and the hostess and said: Get the frickin hell out of my way damn it! and bumped into all of us including the hostess. I've always known the server staff have been rude here its part of the charm, i guess. But this ruined the entire evening for me and my out of town guests.

Michael B.

Very good food and service but at the prices, there are better options. Good vibrant place for out-of -owners. Montrose, our server is exceptionally charming and impressive. He was the highlight of our experience.

George D.

Absolutely fantastic environment, food, and service. You must order the crabcakes. The cocktail sauce alone is worth the visit. We actually preferred sitting in the bar area versus the restaurant area. There seem to be more room in the bar area. The restaurant area seemed to be a bit stuffy and crowded. You will not be disappointed. Worth every dime. I will visit Hugos every time I visit Chicago! Thanks.

Elana B.

UGH! This place is NOT NOT NOT for everyone (but obviously you can see that plenty of people do like it). First of all I'd like to say that our expereince was flawless. Nothen went wrong. Now knowing that, if the following description of this sounds good to you, you'll have a blast. This place is jam packed- loud and the food is so incredibly uninspired it's depressing. Menu: Meat (or fish) on plate. Scroll through the pictures from other yelper's and see for yourself: the specialty is an expensive piece of meat on a white plate. The portions are cartoonishly large. The prices are equally enormous. This place is a dining train-wreck my opinion. The experience was exactly as the place promises it to be, and nothing was unsual about my experience however I will tell you that this restaurant is really not to everyone's taste. Our waitor was actually a little rude, partly because his personality, but it was Saturday night and packed to the gills and it was clear they wanted to turn our table. Not to mention, they ring this LOUD metal bell whenever it's someone's birthday and the waitors SCREAM (not say, not sing but SCREAM) an angry-sounding happy birthday at the patron. It's horrifying if you're not expecting it (whicih I wasn't...all 3 times it happened). Between the bells and constant roar of the restaurant you won't be able to speak to the person next to you. You won't be able to hear yourself think. Overall the food is overpriced meat. I had the perch, which was delicious, but literally it was just pieces of perch thrown (literally thrown, or strewn) all over a giant white plate. There was a lemon wedge. The plates are SO massive there was absolutely no room left on the table for people's side dishes and wine glasses. It was almost comical...except not when you're paying $30 for boring white fish on a plate with a lemon wege. Can you tell how disapointed I am!? ALSO! DESSERT! We ordered "The Meaning of Life Cake" $15 slice of cake BUT IT WILL FEED AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE easily. ...but it's not that good. Really it's not. It's a dry brown cake (emphasis on dry), with whipped cream, almonds, bananas, chcocolate mouse, and rasperry sauce. Served with ice cream on the side. ...yes, it has a lot of yummy bits packed into it. But i'm telling you, the overall dessert is really not that good. Glorified boxed dry chocolate birthday cake with a bunch of layers. True story out of 8 people...no one had seconds. I can't imagine how much food this place wastes. Just don't go. (Unless you like meat on plates and don't want to talk to anyone at your table, then by all means you'll love this palce) ***QUICK SUMMARY*** Be prepared to sit down to a frenzied catering hall with white table cloths and pay $200. Also be prepared to stare at endless walls of tacky ship-themed gear while your table eats dinner in silence because no one at the table can hear eachother. I don't know why people like this place. ***I will note, I was here with a small group of friends. I did not pick this restaurant, nor would I ever have. Steakhouses aren't usually my style... but this was the most chaotic and frezied restaurant I've EVER eaten in (regardless of style).

Verushka P.

Loved this place! It's was packed so service was kinda slow although the food was tasty and worth the wait! I had lobster. Decor and ambience was vibey and inviting! Will def go back again!

Joanna T.

Lively, upscale, touristy restaurant on Rush. I've eaten here several times with vendors (their choice, not mine) and it's pretty good. On the plus side - the seafood is phenomenal (and I don't much care for seafood.) The chilled shrimp are huge and served with a horseradish-y cocktail sauce. My steak was cooked perfectly and was tender and flavorful. The service has generally been professional and prompt, even in a large group. These areas are "5 stars". Why 3 stars then? I have never been in a restaurant that packs people and tables so closely together. Seriously - if it's busy the servers can hardly get through the place. You'll either be in someone's personal space or they will be in yours. God forbid you want to leave or use the restroom at any point as you'll need to be an Olympic gymnast to do so. It's uncomfortable, awkward and downright unpleasant on every level. Take out about 1/3 of the tables ASAP, please! Speaking of restrooms, can I tell you how much I LOATHE places with bathroom attendants? I rarely bring my handbag in with me so getting surprised with an attendant and no tip on hand is again awkward and unpleasant. The food is good but the overall atmosphere is so off-putting that this place won't make my short list.

Rice A.

Pricey. A nice place for a celebration. Food and service are great.

Jim B.

Crab cakes were great. Great menu both fish and steak. Service was fast. Plates cleared quickly. Price was reasonable. Lobster was excellent, taste and succulent.

Georgianne V.

We really had such a nice meal and the place was packed but never did we feel that the waiter could not help us. Consider how popular it is, the vibe is fresh and staff attentive. I had some crab legs and they were cooked perfectly. We also started with specialty drinks and mine was delish. I'd love to go back and hang out in the bar but when we were there, it was so busy, we were lucky to get a table!

Sara R.

Great place for some warm chowder or bisque on a cold day. I love the bar area, but the service is hit or miss, otherwise I would give it 5 stars. The fish and chips was also great, and the Key Lime Pie is a site to see (as well as tastes amazing).

Lauren S.

We had a wonderful waitress and very pleasant bar atmosphere, however, the food was very disappointing. The dinner salad and the grilled shrimp had little to NO taste. Of all the places to choose from in Chicago, I will never return here for dining.

Tony P.

The food is excellent. Our group last night had, steaks, fish, and a couple of appetizers. All were perfect. BUT .... The noise. Do you really need to put tables on top of each other? We had a table in the middle of other tables and everyone had to move to let us in. And of course, your bombarded with everyone else conversation. Love the food but will never return.

Kristen W.

Come here and grab some drinks and apps at the bar or come here for a more upscale date. Came here with the girls, we started with skimp cocktail, biggest shrimp I've ever had at a restaurant! Next we had the tuna tartar, I love tuna tartar and this was really spicy so I liked it! It was different than most tuna tartar, but in a good way! We also had some crab legs, obviously get seafood here! You won't be disappointed, just be ready to shell out some $$.

Megan S.

Huge portions and the oysters on the half shell were super fresh. Make sure you have at least 4 people if you order dessert!!

Scott H.

I expected to be wowed. I wasn't. Mind you it was good but for the price I expected better than good. Nothing we had would knock your socks off. Our server was was named Ron, He was excellent.

Ali S.

In my world, there's no such thing as an "A-OK" expensive restaurant. That is why I give this place 2 stars. I wouldn't recommend dining here. Don't order the crab cake. Yes, there is a ton of crab. But, that is merely a necessary not a sufficient component of a good (and $16!!!!) crab cake. This was the most flavorless crab cake I've ever had. Literally no flavor. The miso marinated sea bass was good, but you can't actually mess up sea bass. The greens that were served alongside the fish were horribly bitter. The sweet miso sauce wasn't enough to cut through the bitterness. If someone is buying your dinner, then go ahead and order this dish. If you're paying the bill, there is probably something better on the menu for the money you're about to shell out.

Holly W.

If you want to meet up a high-end call girl, this is the place to go. So very entertaining. The deserts are HUGE. Must be shared between several people. As for the food, it is boring steakhouse with really big portions.

Michael G.

3:00 on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for drinks and snacks. They share the kitchen with Gibson's Steakhouse. We sat outside and our great server directed us in all the right directions. She made our experience that much better. We were able to drink, snack, and people watch for 90 minutes; then we were off. Great time.

Jackie H.

This place never disappoints! The frog legs are the best! The cherry pie topped with vanilla ice cream is a perfect ending for dessert!

Jeff B.

Loved it! We stopped in here with another couple and had a very, very nice dinner. Three of us had the bone in fillet. I know, a seafood restaurant for a fillet? Yes. They do some of the best steaks in Chicago as well. We had a couple bottles of a nice Malbec wine to go with dinner. We split some side dishes as well as appetizers as well. We had asparagus, crab cakes and mashed potatoes. Great food!

Stacey P.

Top dining experience and from start to finish treated like royalty. Very tight dining quarters but service was excellent and always there. Only gave 4 stars as I thought my steak would have been more tender/flavorful but I still ate it all with pleasure. Creme brûlée was sinful!!

Larry P.

We sat outside and enjoyed the weather. Our server, Adam, was outstanding. He joked with us and also knew so much about the menu. Our food was delicious and the atmospheres was great.

Catherine C.

Went for a work dinner and share a bunch of items. Everything was delicious! Even the crab cake! I'm from Maryland, so that's saying a lot! while it was missing the Old Bay, it was loaded with delicious lump crab meat!!

Chrystarie H.

I was disappointed. I thought the food would be better. At least my date liked his burger :/ but u can get a good burger anywhere. My advice: don't waste ur time. Poor customer service as well

Paloma H.

I absolutely love Hugo's! You can reap the benefits of having quality seafood or Gibson's steak at any time. My boyfriend and I get the frog legs every time we visit and we even ordered two plates of it last time! The service is always amazing, the servers are not overbearing, but perfectly attentive. A must try is the crabmeat avocado (I think that's what it is called), it is so refreshing and amazing for wraps.

Alec J.

Awesome place to grab some seafood and some frog legs. I went here with 2-3 friends and we had a reservation, but if you do not then I would probably recommend going elsewhere because this place can get super busy (or your best bet if you still want to eat here is try to grab a seat at the bar). The servers are very attentive and nice, and for food grab a filet migno and some frog legs (totally worth it). The one thing I was not a fan of was their Mahi Mahi which seemed like it was a bit over done and or old, but it happened only once out of the last 5 times eating here.

Allan F.

Food is always spot on. Oyster's fresh, and steaks come from Gibson's. Service is always great. Just wish they had a regular rib eye for those who don't want a Cowboy of a steak!

Arly J.

Place was slammed on a Saturday early evening. We were a table of six finally were seated to the side of the bar area. Bar has a piano player and tvs. Some of the highlights were the Bookbinder Soup with halibut and grouper . Delicious and the pan Seared scallops and Sauteed Alaskan Halibut. the deserts looked enormous but were so full on the appetizers and meals we just couldn't get one. Real happening place.

Lisa R.

Hubs and I dined here for our anniversary on 1/2/15. I made reservations by calling them since Open Table was having issues but when we arrived they couldn't find it. Mild panic set in as they were packed on a Friday night but hostess still snagged us a great table pronto so props to her! Menu is huge and varied with fish dishes of course and Gibson's Steaks, located next door and I think same ownership. It's not a "quiet, romantic" atmosphere so if that's what you're seeking dine elsewhere. It's fun and lively and a little loud but we loved it! We had the Calamari to start and it was plentiful and amazing! Ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir that was also wonderful. They had a fun cocktail list and huge wine list with both glasses and bottles to choose from in all price ranges. Starter salads with their Creamy Garlic dressing was your typical base before-dinner salad but the dressing and bread were fantastic! We ended up sharing the 26 ounce Porterhouse steak with sides of Creamed Spinach and Sauteed Mushrooms and were stuffed! We were going to order dessert but were just so stuffed we passed but our waiter knowing it was our anniversary insisted on bringing us a hot fudge sundae with a candle to share. This was by far the best dining experience we had during this Chi-town visit and I have no doubt we'll return the next time we're there!

Jackie G.

Where do I start? Everything here is wonderful. Atmosphere, service, food. Everything. We had the bread basket which is very good. We started with the crab cake. $16 for a single crab cake seemed outrageous but is was so worth it. It was the best crab cake I ever had! My boyfriend had the miso marinated Chilean sea bass. Simply heaven. It was something I still think about. I had the fish and chips which was very good. Crispy and fresh. We also split the crawfish and adouille sausage Mac and cheese. Yummy! I will definitely go back and next time get the Chilean sea bass all for myself.

Nikki I.

I always take my family here when they visit. Biggest crab legs you have ever seen!!! I have to recommend the scallops for dinner, superb. Even the bread is incredible. I always ask for extra raisin bread it's amazing.

Jorge R T.

Outstanding food! Crab cake for appetizer could have been the whole meal! The Grouper was perfect! Ask to be sat at Raul's tables, he's great people with great customer service skills. Definitely 5 stars!

Teresa B.

good crab. Hated the frog legs. Service was excellent.

Daniel L.

Hugo's definitely deserves it's reputation as far as I'm concerned. I've only had great seafood every time I've been and their blackened swordfish is my favorite. Their signature crab cakes are amazing too. Great service, great ambiance and of course great food.

Lyn C.

I love this place and everything about it. All of the food is amazing, and the dirty martinis are to die for. The service is always good and it has a really good ambiance. It's pricey, but well worth it. I wish there was one in AZ!

Kristen O.

Looking to have a few more drinks and stay in the area, we walked over to Hugo's and sat down at an empty table in the bar. At 11pm, they were still serving diners, though the dining room seemed dead, but the bar had a full counter and a few open tables available. Still stuffed from dinner and dessert, we opted for a few Blue Moons. Still the name sounded fun, so I took a peek at the menu to see if I should return for a more substantial event. The food seemed to have seafood/french feel. Sharing the same kitchen with Gibson's makes me wonder if I could get some delicious seafood/Frenchie food and the boy toy could get an equally delicious steak, all while in the Hugo's atmosphere....(and a quick check to the online menu says, YES!) The highlight of my night was the live piano. Normally, I know a few songs and can enjoy the music accompanying my beers, but this night was special. He played song after song that I knew, loved and wanted to sing to. I will be returning to dive into the food selection, and hopefully, enjoy some more beautiful piano.

Diane M.

I always recommend this place to out-of-towners -- you get Gibsons' quality, at a more reasonable price. I have not been in a while. It was way too crowded and loud. Food was just okay. Steaks are pricy and should be phenomenal, but were just okay. I ordered a sea bass that had no flavor whatsoever. :( Great service, however. I would still try this again, because it's location is so great.

Thomas C.

Essentially Gibson's with more seafood menu offerings (although since it is essentially Gibsons ... never mind). Prefer the ambiance of Gibson's bar, but if you're in the mod for Seafood and you're in the Triangle and you happen upon Hugo's you will not be disappointed.

Paul K.

Oof. If you have ever eaten a lobster roll before you can skip the one at Hugo's. Unless you like your lobster meat stringy and chewy. It was terrible. My wife ordered the most flavorless fish tacos we've ever had. They were undercooked and came with a very bland salsa. 2 stars for good service and great French fries.

Steph J.

My friend and I came to this restaurant because we heard great things about it and they did not disappoint! Not only was the food great, we had a very attentive server and her team of helpers were absolutely wonderful. Rosemary made sure we always had what we needed and was very accommodating and patient with our questions on the menu. I also have to say that I had THE best dessert ever. If you are going to order a dessert, you have to get the Chocolate Mousse cake. Sure, it's humongous but I have to tell you that my favorite dessert prior to this was California Pizza Kitchen's Chocolate Souffle Cake a la mode. This dessert has ousted my last favorite that was my favorite for probably 15 years. If I'm ever back in Chicago, I'm definitely coming back!

Dustin H.

Imagine feeling content in life... Then imagine that feeling with an amazing dry aged steak in front of you...then imagine the best martini you've ever had after a long weeks work... Your imagination still won't do justice compared to what you'll have if you stop by... Whatever you have to do to justify... Do it.... Because this is one of those things in life you'll never regret...

Robert B.

Service was fun and impeccable. Best crab cakes ever! Halibut was a bit dry and average. Sea Bass was absolutely melt in your mouth delicious. Order this entree!!!! Dessert was over the top portion and 1 fed all 8 at our table with leftovers. We will definitely be back on our next trip thru.

Kurt J.

Excellent place to eat. Can get crowded inside with some tables close together, but wow, food is awesome. Make sure you buy a hat. They are cool.

Cathy N.

Probably one of the most overrated tourist traps in the city. Entertaining clients with no taste? Fine this works, but don't expect more than a substandard meal, lots of noise and a huge bill. Our dinner included ice cold potatoes, over cooked lobster, dry fish and a waiter who had to yell at us every time he came to the table. Oysters were good, but you can get those other places. I cringe anytime someone travelling with me suggests Hugo 's. With all the fantastic plac we s out there why go here?

Adam V.

This place is pretty loud, was very packed and we had an awfully cramped booth in the back. All that aside the food was slammin! Big portions of well cooked food, huge desserts, great cocktails and a decent wine list. The crab cake is huge, lump crab with no filler, the calamari is light and not greasy and the scallops with crawfish were fantastic. I would definitely return for the food.

Mike G.

Always a fan and an alternative if you have any trouble getting in to Gibson's. Dined here last month and had a very good meal. The kitchen is shared with Gibson's with many menu items offered in both restaurants. Recommended for those looking for a very good restaurant in this part of Chicago.

Lisa P.

Great food - great staff! Headed there after a night Cubs game - staff could not have been more friendly. Food was great too!

Mark P.

A great Chicago institution. Fun atmosphere and wonderful Great Lakes fish choices such as planked whitefish and walleye. Love it here!

Jake K.

Yeah, I love this place. Every time I'm in Chicago I stop in here. Why I love it.... This place gets packed! Reservations can be made the day of your visit, but expect to either get something really early like 4:30 or something late like 9:30. I love to eat late, so I have no problem with the 9:30 time. The fact that it's packed doesn't bother me at all. As a matter of fact, I love the hustle and bustle of a great restaurant. I love to look around and see people truly enjoying their dinning experience. Secondly, this is connected to Gibson's (part of their restaurant family). Maybe it's not a kept secret, but I'm not sure if people realize you can get the fantastic Gibson steaks here. If you have trouble getting a reservation at Gibson, which is likely, go to Hugo's and order the steak there...same ones! Thirdly, their food is amazing. The steaks, as mentioned above, come from Gibsons. They are massive (I'm not a big fan of over indulgence, but I make an exception here). They are prime or above and perfectly aged. And the kicker...cooked perfectly every time! Perfectly seasoned with simple salt and pepper, as a steak should be. No ridiculous gravy or bbq sauce on them. Just simply straight up, delicious beef. The seafood choices are delicious as well. One catch, and it's simply a preference thing, I don't care for the "colossal claw" they offer being served chilled. I would prefer it to be warm. I ordered the frog legs once and they were as tasty as you can make frog legs. I've had frog legs many many times before and these were about as good as you can get. They were grilled and in a lemon-butter sauce. I like grilled anything over fried, so I was happy about that. They were a little "watery", but again, they're frog legs and better that than dried out and chewy. Oh another thing, the sauteed garlic spinach was was simply drenched in oil and the garlic was extremely overwhelming. Too bad too because it would have been a great compliment to my steak. We did have the mac & cheese side and it was so good I can't describe. It would be very easy to overindulge on that, for sure!! Finally, the service. It is fantastic! Our server was Michael. He was on it! He was very knowledgeable and honest about what he felt was good and not so good. I appreciate it when a server will tell you what isn't that great. I depend upon their recommendations almost always. Also, when I mentioned that the spinach was not good, he immediately responded and said, "Don't worry about it, if you don't like you won't pay for it". Now I am never one to complain, fully eat something and expect to not pay for it. No one at our table ate it, so I felt it was appropriately removed from the bill. I ordered a cappuccino at the end of my meal and the first one had "old foam" from other cups that gets on the steamer it it. It kind of freaked me out, but he promptly brought me another and it was delicious. Again, he did not charge me for my drink, but I told him I was happy to pay for it because I drank every delicious drop of the new one he brought. He still didn't charge me. I was thankful, but it wasn't necessary. I guess I should mention the wine. They have a very good wine list and their less expensive bottles are very well matched with their menu. There isn't a real need to get about $35 per bottle. We actually had the $28 bottle of 14 Hands Cabernet. Very good wine for the price and as I said, stood up nicely to my steak (I had the house specialty bone-in ribeye, medium rare) Go to this place. I have sat in all areas of the restaurant, including the bar area. I have been going here for years and there used to be a bartender there named John and he was an amazing server. You can order full menu in the bar area and even at the bar, which is what I did. Great experience. It's not inexpensive, though. Be prepared to spend $75-$100 per person depending upon your level of drinking and desert needs. My bill was $72, there were four of us in our party and we shared that bottle of wine and split a desert and was only charged for one side, so we didn't get crazy. My part was $60 and I left a $12 tip. One more thing...for a place with such high class food, it is not at all stuffy and unwelcoming. It is a great, fun atmosphere. Dress casual or dress up. Be loud, be intimate. Just go!

Natascha C.

I dine at Hugo's every time I'm in Chicago and have always had a wonderful experience. The crab cake is a must order item. It is almost completely made of crab in the center with no filler, just a thin layer of breadcrumbs and such on the top and bottom to hold it all together. I must say, it is the best crab cake I've ever tasted (sorry Maryland). Other favorite items are the pan fried walleye, crawfish mac and cheese and the crab salad. They fly their crab in fresh daily it really shows in the quality of the dish. Service is always top notch; never too pushy, but perfectly attentive. Water glasses are always filled and every time I've needed another adult beverage, the waiter has it ready for me at the precise moment. I'm back in Los Angeles and still dreaming of that crab cake.

James N.

A wonderful evening. Beautiful decor, attentive service. The halibut was perfection. The sides are shareable by more than 2 people in my estimate. Wonderful wine list. It is worth the trip

Jacqui R.

Great waiter, great food, great location. We sat outside on a crisp evening, but heaters kept us very comfortable. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. The 1/2 chicken was superb. The scallops were to die for! Caesar salad was also very nice and easily split by two. We did not get dessert because the cake slices are grotesquely large and require a minimum of 8 people to even make a dent ;)

Jewells N.

We stopped in for a drink and appetizer in the bar, service ok - the bartender was very busy filling drink orders for the wait staff so it was "excuse me" every time we wanted something which was not what I expected since bar was pretty empty. The bar was mostly "tourist" waiting for tables so it didn't have any Chicago vibe so we ended up finishing our drink and leaving (food didn't look that good). That is when the bill came: excuse me, but a single Jack on the rocks and and a Gin and Tonic; $25; and it is just a bar, nothing special so that is the 2 star.

Gregg B.

really solid food at a decent price. the wine list is very pricey otherwise i would have uppped the star rating. great chowder. best bleu cheese dressing ever. really crab legs- and the special miso glazed SEA BASS was amongst the best ever!!!!!!

Romana Y.

It was a Friday night, and some friends and I were sauntering the area for a nice outdoor spot to have drinks. We went to the bar, after putting our name down for a table (we were told we'd have a 30min. wait), and enjoyed the rather tight, but fun, space. An hour and a few drinks later, they directed us to our outdoor table, where we enjoyed the beautiful weather, and gorgeous crowd. The waiter was incredibly friendly, and recommended great steak medallion dishes. We enjoyed escargot and salad appetizers, and had great Gibson's steaks with mashed potatoes and a grilled assortment of veggies on the side. The meal was very good. The mojito's were also good. Some people were dressed up for the evening, while others were more casual chic. Make sure to have reservations if you want to avoid what seems to be a perpetual wait.

Kyle D.

I must say, you get what you pay for. Hugo's is delicious and if you love seafood you have to come here. Yeah the price is up there but it fits the neighborhood, you know what you're getting into price-wise. The food is fantastic and there are a ton of options. We got the calamari which was perfect, not heavily breaded. Salads are salads, but the fish that my party order was amazing. My tilapia was great and so were my partner's whitefish. The sides are also a good size yet delicious as well. We didn't get desert but we saw some other orders! They looked incredible. The service was friendly and the atmosphere was great. Overall a fantastic experience. Service: 10/10 Atmosphere: 9/10 Food: 10/10

Darcy W.

I enjoy this area of town so much... Hugo's has a lively bar and delish appetizers.

G C.

I went to dinner with 7 others on Saturday night at 9:15. It was a busy night which is expected and welcomed at a good restaurant on Saturday. I had a steak and others at the table had fish. All in all the food was what I had expected but the service was very poor. The area where we were sitting must have been sat very early because before we were even completely done with dinner, they started stacking chairs around us. We had a 9:00 reservation and at 10:30ish they started stacking chairs around us to get us moving. Wtf. We all were drinking and had ordered a full course adding to a very hefty bill. If you are going out with clients or good friends and want a place that has the service to make the evening pleasant, this is not the place. Try elsewhere...

Darren B.

Great food, great ambience and superb food! What more could you want? Dined here with family and we all enjoyed our food. Wait staff all had a lot of personality, knew the menu well and were very attentive. We enjoyed lobster tail, red Alaskan crab legs, crab cakes and swordfish entrees. All beautifully prepared and tasty. Extensive wine list. Not cheap but not outrageous prices. Would not hesitate to visit again when in Chicago.

D P.

My coworker and I went for a early evening dinner. We loved the piano bar.... Artist was VERY GOOD! We ordered blackened scallops and crab stuffed cod. The food was a little bland. Our waitress must have had 9 other tables bcs we rarely saw her. Overall good low key place. Great place to people watch if you are in the bar area.

Sandra A.

Very good steak and seafood !! Even the salad is delicious .

Jeremy P.

On Friday, after a day filled with touristy walking, it was time to find a place to sit down. This place caught our attention, with its glowing neon sign reading "Frog Bar", and I decided that this place would do the trick, by virtue of the fact that they have oysters on the menu. The intent was just to sit down and rest for awhile, and maybe snack on a few appetizers. I ended up ordering six oysters, a couple of clams, and frog legs. But that required a ton of restraint; there was a whole slew of delicious-looking seafood on the menu, and I had to tell myself that this wasn't dinner. The oysters and clams were good. It's really hard to ruin that, considering Hugo (or whichever corporation actually runs this place) does not control the oysters' free will. They really flavor themselves. The frog legs were good, but a little light on the flavor. Perhaps they should've been brought out before the oysters. But not bad for a 2nd course. The atmosphere is really nice here; the bathroom attendant doesn't just hand your towels: he actually operates the faucet *and* the soap dispenser for you. Not only did this make for the most effortless hand washing experience I've ever had, it could also be a reasonably good introduction to the art of hand washing for those who don't usually dabble in it. They also had a piano player who arranged pop songs for piano-and-vocal. Classy.

Audrey C.

I went to Chicago for my first time back in February and made it a point to visit an authentic Chicago steakhouse. Aside from the sightseeing, I knew that I couldn't leave without trying a steak. Some friends of mine had recommended Gibson's Steakhouse; however, since I had a hard time getting a reservation, they also suggested Hugo's Frog Bar. What a great recommendation! Hugo's shares the same kitchen as Gibsons so the quality of the food was the same, but from what I understand, the service was even better. My girl friend and I had a great experience, and would love to travel across country back to Chicago, just for Hugo's Frog Bar! Most of the steaks on the menu seemed like such large portions for each of us to have our own, so we ended up sharing (even our server recommended that we share) the WR Chicago Cut, and 2 sides: Crawfish Mac and Cheese and Chipotle Roasted Corn. This was the perfect meal. We loved the food and the quantity was just right. This left us with enough space to attempt to attack a slice of their Key Lime pie. Months later, I'm still salivating from this meal and can't wait to go back!

Haruka Y.

Great atmosphere! Jazz piano with great seafood. Antique interior and age rang i saw was many 40s and more! Fun place to go out for the night.

Paul S.

Had an 830 reservation not seated until 920 waited in a desperately crowded bar w fight for your life/drink service. Food order in by 945 food did not arrive until after 2nd bottle of wine (1050) my steak excellent my wife's halibut dreadfully overlooked. Waiter apologized many times and gave free desert. Ambience loud and cafeteria style. Will not return.

Jamie S.

Great food and service in the Gold district! The top two things that come to mind when I think of this place are: its deceptive big and the service is top-notch. I was immediately blown away by the efficiency of the service staff at this restaurant. As for the food, I thought it was very fresh and good, but not great. I started with some clams on the half shell and clam chowder...being from New England I expected more from it, but it was good and contained quite a few clams. For the entree, I had the Blackened Group, which was also good, but lacked the blackened flavor that Im used to. It came with a fruit salsa that I thought added a good balance of sweet and tangy. Overall, I give the service a 4.5 and food a 3.5. Definitely worth trying!

Andre W.

I had some clients come into town and they wanted to hit up a nice spot for food and drinks. They were staying @ the Knickerbocker Hotel so they wanted something not too far away. We tried to get into Gibson's but they were packed on a chilly Wednesday night. I looked over into Hugos and noticed it wasn't too crowded. Our party of 10 figured it was a good idea and proceeded next door. We didn't want a heavy meal so we just ordered a bunch of appetizers. The spinach & crab dip was awesome, the potato skins were pretty good and the calamari was definitely on point. I washed it all down with 2 glasses of pinot grigio! Great spot & great service!

Rhondi S.

Excellent fresh seafood! Hubby had the HUGE Alaskan king crab legs, geez so tender and sweet, too big a portion. Stuffed Maine lobster had too much brioche type stuffing, but the lobster was Devine. Exceptional wine list and excellent service! No room for dessert!

Julie P.

I had a great Mother's Day lunch at Hugo's yesterday - incredible service, no wait, delicious lunch and our waiter Shawn was wonderful. I live nearby but sometimes I forget just how easy it is to have the kind of dining experience that I love, right in my own neighborhood. Yes, it's old school and there is no kale or ramps in sight but that's good news to me. I'm tired of waiters who come to the table and dramatically describe how my food was prepared. I read the menu, that's enough, thank you. The lump crab cake appetizer is the best. I will go back more often now that I see what I've been missing. Bravo, Hugo's - glad we are neighbors.

David T.

An excellent Syrah, some of the best fish I've ever eaten, and an exorbitant amount of desert to cap the night. Perfect.

Sid B.

The buzzing place is in the heart of action. The mix seafood appetizer was a great start with fine selection of wine. I was very impressed with the service. The fish selection was great with fresh fish coming in every day. The end with monstrous dessert. We should ordered one between us 5. Go for Salmon or Tuna as well. A fine coffee goes well with the chocolate dessert.

John A.

Had the frog legs and they were good, but what stood out the most was the loud noise level and cramped seating. To be expected at a popular restaurant in Chicago.

Johanna F.

So maybe I am a little biased since this is one of the first places my husband and I grabbed drinks when we first arrived in Chicago. BUT - the drinks are pretty delicious - at the bar and the table. The bartenders are really friendly and accommodating... We treated a family member to dinner here and everything came out perfect. ONLY criticism was the SERVICE at our table. We were served by Frank M...Who, upon taking one order at our table, decided to just step away and serve the food that came out of the kitchen to the table across from us. He didn't even apologize just simply said he'd be right back...while we watched him two steps away. Our orders weren't that complicated. Once he came back it literally took 60 seconds to get the remaining two orders. STRANGE service practices Frank M... Food - YUM.E! We all ordered off the local specialties and you really can't go wrong with anything on that portion of the menu. I had the chicken and crab with andouille sausage and it was one of the best chicken dishes I have ever had...Juicy, spicy and stayed warm in the 10 minutes it took me to down it! The crab was fresh and the sausage had a nice kick to it. We'll be back but we'll definitely ask for a different server in case were are seated in FM's section. Sadness. TIP - make a reservation! ALSO, if you want to go there on game night - the bar is perfect. Not too loud but great atmosphere. The bartenders there will take good are of you!

Winston G.

No complaints about the service here, as the waiter was attentive and friendly. Also, they were more than willing to accommodate large parties, as we had 8 people total. However, this place gets 3 stars for the food, as everything I had was very average, except for the crab cake, which was exceptional. I had a porterhouse steak (which is supposed to be from the Gibson's kitchen) and found it to be pretty mediocre. The steak was cooked to medium rare, but was inconsistent throughout, as half the steak was pretty much medium well to well done, and part of it was medium rare. The steak also didn't have enough salt on it. The miso sea bass was also mediocre. Not much flavor, although the piece of sea pass is certainly large enough. I suppose I was expecting more, or maybe they just had an off night on some of the entrees, but my friends agreed that the food was very mediocre at that price point.

Nicole W.

Great seafood, great steak, great drinks! The food was absolutely wonderful, the service was spectacular, the drinks were delicious, and our night was a good night. King Crab Appetizer - delicious, over the top in a good way, plenty of crab, fresh avocado Got the prime rib medium rare - so tender, so delicious Tuna served medium rate - best tuna steak I've ever had Side vegetables were delicious Sweet potato was large yet filling Chocolate mousse cake was absolutely stunning, the people sitting next to us gave out slices to everyone in our area. Drinks: French Martini was delicious yet strong enough, Kentucky mule (Moscow mule with bourbon) was delicious and perfect as a special request. Have to say, although it is more expensive than other places, you pay just a little bit more for great food and a fun night :-)

Mark M.

My wife and I decided to try Hugo's since we could have their menu AND a Gibson's steak. I loved THEIR food. We had the Softshell Crab special and it was WONDERFUL. They had some wonderful coatin on the crab and loved the sauce. We also shared one of their Crab Cakes and it was GREAT. So much crab! The cesar was an upcharge but was very good, especially since you could add anchovies. We then shared the Bone-In Filet and it was cooked PERFECTLY to a medium rare. I loved the crust they were able to get on the steak but still cook it perfectly as we ordered. We left very full. Service was ok. They were VERY busy and our server seemed a little overworked. We did not see him often. They poored the wrong half bottle of wine but QUICKLY made it right. The person over the "Front of The House" was great. He was all over the floor to make sure his customers AND employees had what they needed. He kept things flowing nicely. We will return.

Melissa P.

YUMMM We had the frog legs and crab leg as an app, swordfish and a steak for dinner and asparagus side to share. Everything was cooked perfectly and our waiter was very knowledgeable. Worth the price. Make a reso- very busy. Desserts are huge so make sure you share! Will definitely be returning to try the rest of the menu!

Robert F.

Visited Hugo's last week and was not overly impressed with the food/atmosphere. Seemed to be mostly tourists or people visiting Chicago from the suburbs. Prices are on the higher end ($41 for sea bass entree), and for this price there are better restaurants in Chicago. One positive note, our waiter was friendly and helpful- but often distracted. When I inquired about the fresh oyster selection he even went so far as to offer one as a sample. Would probably be better in the bar or a table outside. We were seated in the back room, which I did not like.

Nikki S.

I can only attest to the desserts and wine--and it was unforgettable and delicious!

Michele M.

Every time I eat here, I wake up the next day thinking YUMMMM, that was DEELISH! It happened again today. Showed up last night with no reservations at 7:30ish and the place was JAMMED. You'd think it was the weekend instead of a Weds. Got a table in the bar area after waiting about 15 minutes. One of the waitresses even offered to get us drinks while we were standing around 'stalking' tables on the verge of getting up and gave us a heads up when folks requested the bill and were 'ripe' to get up. Crab stuffed avocado app and filet/seafood combo entree. PERFECTION! Was here over New Years as well, the service is OUTSTANDING. I even asked if they still had the clams casino since it wasn't on the menu.... they used to..... and the waiter soon came out with it! courtesy of the chef....GRATIS. Just another one of the special things that made our New Years dinner fantastic. Loyal for life!

Todd R.

WAY too tight, WAY too loud. I feel like I shared the food of the table next to me...and they shared our conversation. What a disaster. Never, ever again!

Baron K.

Alright Hugos, We gotta talk. Let me begin by saying that the staff that works here is fantastic and unceasingly cordial, which given the space and the huge number of people i think is very impressive. In an effort not to ramble let me just say a few bullet points where Hugo's has opportunities for improvement. 1. There are way, way too many tables in such a small place. You cannot walk around, especially in the winter when everyone is bundled up. This also makes it loud, and you feel uncomfortably close to the people next to you. 2. Consistency with presentation. My girlfriend's food arrived beautifully splayed out on a large wooden plank Mine showed up with a small piece of fish and a little side on a huge white plate that looked very empty. 3. I understand people need jobs, but bathroom attendants creep me out, and remind me of East Sixth Street in Austin. Let me pee without feeling watched. Let me wash my own hands. and let me do so without needing to tip someone. Help in these areas is insulting to my mother who spent a few messy years teaching me when I was little. Al. that being said, the desserts are huge and though we didn't have any, they looked amazing.

Shin M.

My fiance and I had the frog legs which were absolutely delicious! They were seasoned very well. We also had vegetable soup and clam chowder which were also very yummy. The main course was okay... my fiance got the blackened fish and I got the lobster roll. Overall, nice experience. Not a fan of the muddy pie. Overkill of macadamia nuts. Last night we got the chocolate mousse pie. It is delicious but way too rich! Between 3 people, we only hate half of it because if its richness, but it was so good.

Paul G.

We had an outstanding celebratory dinner there. Great food and phenomenal service.

Ben M.

I live right around the corner from Hugo's and have considered visiting. When I finally did a few weeks ago, my wife and I were disappointed. The ambiance is nice but the food and service were far below what we paid for our meal.

Maile K.

Perhaps one of the best meals I've ever eaten. Our server, Greg, was also one of the best server I've ever had, and combined, that ended up being one of the best dining experiences. I'm absolutely coming back as soon as I can and will eat there over and over. Tip: get dessert, save room. And don't order your own, they are big enough to feed 5-6 people. I'm totally in love with this place.

J P.

Hugo's for crab cake. Exceptional. Amazing. HUGE pieces, fresh. And crab & avocado. Gold Coast not-quite-rude crowd. Show's for a relaxed bar, great food.

Nelson M.

Restaurant Review Seafood or steak was the great debate as I came here for another pharma sponsored meal. Hugo is known for the fresh fish entrees and this hit home further when they brought a giant platter of the different cuts of fish that were available on the menu that day, however being a beef carnivore, I couldn't pass up a gibson quality steak which is USDA prime angus beef aged over 40 days. I ended up going with the largest one available (the 26 oz porterhouse), but before I get to my steak a quick recap of the other food items Crab cakes- simply delicious, 90% of the crab cake was large chunks of crab meat that put to shame other restaurants. Great flavors and the tenderness of the crab meat chunks just made it heavenly Frog legs- sauteed to perfection. It really does taste like chicken! Bookbinder soup- if you like a tomato base seafood soup with small chunks of whitefish, this is the soup to go with. A simple splash of sherry brings out the sweetness of the fish. Porterhouse- clearly the highlight of the meal. 26 oz of pure tender goodness. This simply trumps all over steakhouses including Suillivan, Ruth Chris, etc. The beef was so tender that your knife melted through as you made your cut. The chef cooked it to order and the salt and pepper seasoning was just right. I ate all 26 oz and craved more. Sides: Mac and cheese w/ crawfish and creamed spinach are definate highlights Dessert: we shared the giant slab of turtle chocolate cake which was amazing way to end your meal. Enough for a table of 10 Pro- Simply the best aged steak in the city, attentive wait staff Con- super expensive, thank goodness pharma sponsored this meal or else I would have gone bankrupt Hidden deal- Unfortunately none, lunch time is cheaper but the menu is mainly sandwiches and smaller steak dishes which maybe worth a try

Carri C.

I liked the old school, classy ambiance. Lots of dark wood. Our group had the lobster roll, filet, crab cakes, and Cajun chicken. Everything was outstanding. Service was professional and attentive. Great wine list-best in the city for moderate to higher end ($50-$120) wines. Dessert was huge and shared by all three of us. Very nice experience.

Helen S.

This is a great seafood place in Chicago. My friend's mom treated us to dinner here awhile back, and food usually doesn't stand out to me a year later, but this meal did because it's one of the first fancy meals I've ever had. Service was awesome - we had a server who was really funny. We had a group of 7, and the server saw that we would probably be ordering a bunch of food so he gave us complimentary samplers. I can't remember what exactly he gave us (or if he was allowed to do that) but it was super good and we ended up ordering a ton of appetizers - crab cakes, spinach dip, calamari, oysters, and I can't remember what else. I settled on getting fish for my meal - I think it was some kind of tilapia and I liked it, although my piece was a little small. I tried some of my friends' food though and I really liked the snow crab legs and the steak (I was trying to be modest with my order, but I guess I didn't order right :/ ). What really stood out was the chocolate mousse cake dessert. My god it was good. It looks like a cake and it was huge, but when you bite into it, it was like eating a rich chocolate-y cloud. I would come back just for this.

Kori E.

Love this place!! We sat in the bar Friday night and shared some apps and drinks and we had the best time. I love the live music in the background and how sophisticated you feel sitting there drinking your wine and eating your grown up food! We split both the crab cakes and the avocado with crab meat, and both were outstanding!! The crab cakes were stuffed full of crab, no fillers here, and the dipping sauce was perfect. I have never had anything like the avocado with the fresh crab meat, and I couldn't get enough. I have been dreaming about this dish since. We sat here til the wee hours of the morning eating our delicious food and drinking ourselves silly all while listening to the awesome Piano man in the corner. On a side note, I was here on NYE for my friends wedding, and they hosted an open bar before the cocktail reception for us here at Hugo's. The service was outstanding, and they kept the drinks coming. There were approximately 50 of us tucked into a small space in the back of the bar, but they did a great job of getting us drinks throughout the hour we were down there. The reception upstairs was amazing and very old school - sophisticated. I would highly recommend it as any event space. The food was cooked to order and all came out amazing. it was a great wedding and a fabulous NYE!

Paige W.

This place is top notch. Even saw Jesse Jackson here. Crazy times.

Christine F.

I won't lie, it's really hard for me to fall head over heels with a steakhouse. Mainly, it's because I don't like steak. NO MEGUSTA BEEF. Anyway, I am pleased when a steakhouse offers a wide variety of fishies, like Hugos. Hugo's Fish Bar shares a kitchen with Gibson's (super duper famous), and Hugo's doesn't disappoint as far as seafood goes. Tons of fish to choose from - there's no shortage of fresh seafood. As far as ambience, Hugo's is similar to it's old school steakhouse cousins that reside around the Viagra Triangle. Big portions, dimly lit dining rooms and old school style. As you would expect, it is very crowded on a Saturday night and you definitely want reservations. Service is accommodating, but a little rushed. They want to wham, bam, thank you ma'm in an out of there - it's all about turnover. We started with crab cakes and escargot. Both were good. We also got a bottle of wine for the table, which was also tasty. For my main, I got the Halibut over a black bean salsa. It was good. The salsa was flavorful, but the halibut was kind of plain. It was cooked to perfection, but it wasn't really seasoned. I didn't hate it or anything, but geez, this is an expensive piece of fish....it can be jazzed up a little bit. We also got two sides for the table - asparagus and sauteed mushrooms. Both were tasty. We left without dessert. It was good, but not outstanding. It's VERY pricey, and I'd try other steakhouses in the area before I'd come back here.

Adam E.

You go to a place like Hugo's for the history and mahogany-walled ambiance. Or, you go with your parents. If you're lucky, you'll also get a nice meal at an enormous price tag. I generally hit up this kind of venue for a classic cocktail and maybe some appetizers, because the chances of a great meal are about equal to getting snagged in a tourist trap that gets by on the allure of their history and mahogany walls. In my experience, the bartender did not know what a Dark & Stormy was. Sorry, Bermuda, I guess your national drink is not as renowned as we thought. I also split a Caesar salad with my friend, which was excellent. Not too fishy, generously sized and perfectly dressed. For a beverage and a salad in a schmancy atmosphere, they are decent.

Victoria G.

Hugo's is always excellent! Everybody at this place treats you with respect and value. Food is always superb - a money worth spending, I's say. My top five faves are: sea bass, octopus, lobster tail, lobster roll and their book bonder soup is to die for. Because I am stuck on these - I can't force myself to try more new things. I am too loyal, I guess. Service is also first-class. The waiters are knowledgeable and make great suggestions. These guys know their three E's: educate, entice, entertain (if necessary). I was at Hugo's the other night, table outside, and a couple sat at the table next to me, a humble-looking man and a modestly-dressed woman with a thick Arab accent. (Yes, I was eavesdropping). It was their first time at Hugo's. The waiter took his time to welcome them in, explain the menu and give them the best service possible, a treatment they would NEVER get at Tavern On Rush based on their looks. If they were the tourists, I am happy that they went to Hugo's! They will definitely have positive memories about dining out in America and they can tell their friends back home that NO, Americans are not arrogant or prejudiced and they sure know how to cook.

Eric C.

I love the filet sliders. They are always cooked perfectly. Im not a frog leg kind of guy, but if it's your first time at Hugo's, it's basically a right of passage. Ribs are ok. I usually only get them when I'm drunk. Good atmosphere. Shares a kitchen with Gibson's so if you know the food is just as good, but a little less expensive.

Michael H.

Have been there often and usually a Great restaurant. The desserts are unbelievable. This time had the Grouper and it was a little dry. Frog legs and clams were great. Restaurant is very noisy making it hard to have a conversation.

Ben B.

Service was outstanding here. Came with a group. Our server (Greg) was great. Between him and 2 others, our water glasses were never empty. They stalled on a drink round and bought the round because... On to the food! I was with a group of 9 so we all had different things. The crab cakes were a hit. I had the cajun chicken with crab which was very good! Also had the clam chowder which was better than OK but not out of this world. I guess their seafood is flown in fresh daily. It was good! Diverse menu so you can get a meal for $15 or spend a bunch for lobster, etc. Would go back next time in town.

Monica T.

We decided to check this place out for our first sit down dinner in Chicago. Let me just say that this place definitely sold me on Chicago food. We showed up around 745 or so and were quoted an hour wait, but it seemed more like 30 minutes when we got a table. The place was packed, but we were able to find a spot to wait in the bar that wasn't totally jammed. A server came by and got us some wine, which was nice. Our spot was outside. Despite it being on the cool side outside, the temperature was perfect near the heat lamp. Our location gave us a great opportunity to people watch and check out the scene. At some point, a bunch of naked people biked by, and we were informed by our server that this was the annual Naked Bike Ride. I'd say there was either too much nudity or not at all enough, but that's just me. Speaking of our server, his name was Raul and he was awesome. He was very personable, had great recommendations, and just made our experience fantastic overall. For our appetizer, we got the frog legs. This was the first time either my boyfriend or I had tried them, and we were quite impressed. As everyone says, they do taste like chicken, but it's kind of like eating a chicken wing that was made of dark meat. The butter and garlic sauce was super complimentary (but when is such a sauce not?) My boyfriend got the Cajun chicken and crab, which he was very fond of. Everything was very fresh, and there was a great mix of spices. I must say, though, that the bouillabaisse that I ordered stole the show. Fantastic, flavorful broth with generous portions of tasty seafood. Be sure to get it with the lobster. We were stuffed after our meals, which we decided was a good thing after we saw one of the desserts. The table next to us ordered a piece of cake, and the piece looked like it had been cut for King Kong or something. They ate some of it, then gave the rest of it to the table next to them. The bill was a bit on the high side, but it was well worth it for the quality of food, great service, and just overall wonderful experience. I'd highly recommend you check this place out, and if I'm ever back in Chicago, I might just have to go back.

Marcelo M.

Waiter explanations clear and very good attention. All seafood is fresh, and dessert is delicious.

Scott O.

Fantastic, fantastic food! Superb wine list. Some of the friendliest service I've had in 20 years living in Chicago. Cannot recommend the lobster and sea bass highly enough. Make sure you are explicit as to how you want your steak cooked; The medium well came out medium rare. Lively bar scene.

Jill N.

This place was AMAZING! We had crab cakes, crab & avocado, clam chowder, bookbinders soup, lobster tail, walleye and bone in rib eye. Then finished off with creme brûlée. Yes the 2 of us were STUFFED as our plan to just sample went awry when all items were just too yummy to stop eating at sample portion. Service was good and they paced our courses perfectly. Will definitely recommend and go again when in Chicago.

A R.

I really don't understand all the rave reviews on this place. See my past reviews and rarely do I give only 2 stars, but this time it's merited. And for a place of this caliber, they deserve this criticism. I nornally don't write this much but I couldn't help it this time. It was a Saturday night and a little after 8. We sat in the bar area, which we preferred due to the lively atmosphere. Love LOVED the singer at the piano bar. Beware, though, if you don't get a seat in a corner, you will have people hovering by your table once they detect you're leaving as it's first come first serve. The Saturday night crowd seemed to consist mostly of out-of-towners. Very touristy with a handful of posh-looking 40's-50's crowd. We ordered the Blackened Tilapia and the Seared Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna. Each dish came with a side salad (iceberg and romaine???) or a soup. In a semi-classy place like this, you can't afford mixed greens?? Iceberg and romaine--we should have gone to Applebees! We opted for the soup. Tomato fish soup and then clam chowder for my friend. It was average. It could have come out of a can, for all we know. Then came the main entrees. And talk about a let down. The Yellowfin was SO bland and flavorless. Visually, it was just so boring--a slab of fish on a TGIFridays style, heavy duty plate. And it came with the cheap pickled ginger? For a $38 dish, they couldn't even give us the fresh stuff? The tilapia had seasoning that seemed to come from a pre-mixed seasoning packet, topped with fruit. And NOTHING else. No rice or starch. That was also really bland. Our waittress was kind enough to voluntarily send us a side of asparagus due to our dissappointment but....that was bland too!! They steamed the asparagus and poured regular melted butter overtop. No flavor!! Then we decided to get desert: banana cream pie. The only good things about this dish is that it was HUGE. BUT the bananas were CRUNCHY and OVERLY RIPE. And sliced in half (not bite size). Add that to the fact it was like someone vomited whipped cream, cream and bananas into a bowl. It was SUCH a mess when they brought it to us and looked like it was made by a child. How could they not be embarassed by putting out a dish like that?? Summary: 2 glasses of wine, 2 fish dishes and a desert of all extreme mediocre/sub-par flavor and HORRIBLE presentation = $83. One of the most dissappointing meals I've had in the 6 years I've lived in Chicago. We will not be returning.

Jeff S.

Hugo's serves food until Midnight (and later on the weekends). Hugo's serves Gibson's steaks and chops (they're sister restaurants). Hugo's offers a relaxed and more informal setting than Gibson's but provides the same level of service and quality to their dishes. They also share a dessert menu which means MASSIVE slices of cake or pie. Definitely worth checking out; my favorites are the key lime and banana creme pies. Not much else needs to be said; its a great restaurant with fantastic food. It's pricey, but the value is there.

Mihir P.

SO DISAPPOINTED. So let's get down to brass tacks. Clam Chowder; Too thick and too buttery. Not enough clams. Missing essentail seasonings and essential vegetables in real New England clam chowder. Vegetables weren't even close to being cut uniformly. Good thing was that it was served with classic oyster crackers. Lobster Roll: Shameful. Lobster was overcooked. Instead of mayo it tasted and looked like they used a thousand island dressing. Gross. They used cheap iceberg lettuce versuss Boston or bibb. Where was the celery and lemon? It was served on a butter grilled New England style hotdog roll but it was hard and cold. The shoestring potatoes was room temp but was supposed to be served that was but they weren't appetizing (tasted like the Durkee canned ones). They were replaced with fries at no charge. But the fries were very overcooked and dry. Service was inconsistent clearing plates for some not for others - even though the bussers had a free hand. Cleaning the table with the crumb cleaner for some and not others. I can't believe this is part of the Gibsons Restaurant Group.

R.g. C.

I dine here every Sunday since I moved to the city a year ago and have never been dissapointed. I've had everything on the menu! I am a sucker for their crab cakes and shrimp. The frog leg app is interesting and they have good cocktails. Love the atmosphere, the crowd and above all else the service.

Patti G.

The best king crab legs ever.. Order about 1.5lb. Ever! You won't be disappointed and the key lime pie is crazy!!!!

Matt R.

One of the best seafood restaurants I've been to in a while. I had the Sea Bass, which the waiter said would "melt in your mouth." He was right! Service and atmosphere were both great as well.

Myia B.

Drawing a blank on our server's name... maybe Juan? Very personable, spot on. Loved, loved him. Crab Legs - awesome - you won't be sorry. Chicago Cut (steak) - spot on. I am not a beef person, but ate all 22 oz. Potatoes - mehhh, nothing spectacular but I can't do steak without them. Bookbinder's soup - tasty, nice flavor. & the bartender re-kindled my love for the Amaretto Sour. Would I go back? Yes. What would I order next time? Crab for sure, & lobster. The seafood's where it's at!!!! Very cool neighborhood location - the entire strip was LIVE on a weeknight. You could walk 20 feet & hear 3 different languages - very vibrant. Loved it. Pricey. Don't be surprised to drop a Ben Frank & some for two people.

Aaron L.

I'm not going in depth but overall very good place. Service was top notch and the food was very good.

Ritu R.

VERY GOOD! Its been a while since we've been back here and this time (Aug 2012) was fantastic! From the soup to the entrees we were very happy with our expereince. The desserts are GIGANTIC so order sparingly. Stone Crab App was SOOOOO GOOD! The quality of service and food was outstanding this time around! Makes us wanna go back real soon!

Alexandra C.

Was excited to try this place but reality turned out to be that everything we had looked so much better than it actually tasted. Didn't at all find the bookbinder soup good. The sauteed frog legs- I can't believe I even tried one. All I can say is never again. The seafood dishes were just regular, rather blah seafood I feel I could have gotten somewhere else at half the price. (sea bass and salmon). I ordered the bouillabaise, which I usually love but this was the worst one I've ever had. Did not care for the flavor of the broth (and there was a lot of it) at all. Side dishes were not anything special. The mac and cheese with crawfish and sausage was the most filling side dish you could possibly ask for. The first forkful was good and then it just tasted too heavy. Good flavor though and this was the tastiest dish of the night. Now the dessert........The key lime pie looked amazing when we saw it so we had to get it. It is beyond huge. However, it was the worst tasting key lime pie..or any pie I've had in my life. Terrible, soggy crust and filling...The pie itself is about 90% meringue topping, which makes it look great but the meringue tastes like nothing. Out of the 4 of us, none of us wanted to eat much of it. Now the Muddy Bottom pie served next to us....that looked amazing. Might be worth the 5,000 calories. But our meal itself? 5 star restaurant prices for 2 star quality.. No thanks.

Rokey T.

As good as it gets! The food here is SO GOOD. The seafood and meat are fresh, the service is fantastic and the live music is such a fun aspect. The asparagus sides are great. The pieces are huge and really fresh. The double baked potato is a MUST. It's so whipped full of flavor...a definite comfort food. The filet is great. You can't go wrong. The salmon is grilled perfectly and full of flavor. It sits on a bed of mushrooms which were great also. The fried shrimp is so delicious, I think it's the best thing on the menu. I've been to both the Hugo's in the burbs and downtown and both have phenomenal customer service. I think being welcoming and fun is their schtick, but it's totally working for them. I've always enjoyed my server and their recommendations.

Stephen H.

We liked this place so much we went twice in a week. The bartenders are friendly and they know how to make a great Manhattan. They have a small piano tucked into the bar for ambiance. It's packed, but they get people through. One night they gave us a small table that was in the middle of a high traffic area. After one of the waiter's stood with his a$$ over our table for a solid minute, we had to get up. But they didn't flinch when I asked them to move us. I don't mind waiting to be able to relax while I eat... especially when the bar is fun. Looking over the whole room, that seemed like the only bad table. Don't tolerate it. We ordered the Scallops, Sea Bass, and Crab Legs. All were among some of the best seafood I've ever had. I was at Joe's a few years ago. It was a bit stuffier (higher class), but I don't remember the food being any better, or even as good.

Grace N.

We had a fabulous experience here for our one year wedding anniversary. We made a 7 pm reservation on a Friday night and arrived early, but they ushered us immediately to the Best Seat in the House - an old wooden elevator (old-school lever and all!) turned into a lovely sheltered booth in the middle of the restaurant. It kept the noise out and the candlelit romance in, and we felt like rockstars. Porterhouse medium rare = perfect. They have you test the doneness as soon as they bring your steak to make sure it's to your liking, so my husband stuck his finger in the steak (the "only way to test a steak"). Awesome, flavorful char crust, perfectly rested so that the juice remained inside the steak, giving it a buttery soft texture. Crab cakes = huge and delicious with just enough filler to keep the succulent lump crab pieces together. Pink sauce? Pink you very much. The servers were mind-readers. They even asked if I wanted extra pink sauce to go with my leftover crab cake. ***As an aside, I was walking down the street with the Gibson's to-go bag when a homeless man said...."GIbson's? That's all riiiiight....." so I gave him my uneaten crab cake, with extra pink sauce. I hope he enjoyed it as much as I did.

Bill T.

Update - went there again and it was still 5 stars. Great Martini's, wonderful oysters, sumptuous Tune Tartare and then the the Walleye Pike, Frog Legs, Whitefish, Crab Cake & Chilean Sea Bass were really the best. Oh, & no problem with the reservation - took us right away, but at the end came the MUDDY BOTTOM PIE!!!! This should be illegal - it is huge, absolutely delicious - 4 of us couldn't finish it, BUT brought it home so it is the dessert that keeps on giving & giving - because it is BIG and just decadently scrumptious. This is my daughter's favorite spot and it is deserved - an amazing place. I highly recommend it.

Bryan P.

Waitress was awesome, food was exceptional, live music was dude on the piano was great. I don't get to Chicago often, but when I do will hit this place again

April S.

I did not know what to expect at this great location, close to the hustle and bustle but easy to get in and out of. I had a great time, drank too much (not driving) I wanted pizza as I am allergic to shell fish, but all was delicious.

Jay R.

Best bartenders in the city. Great experienced gentleman behind the bar whom as soon as I spotted I new I was in a classy cool spot and that I was going to have a great evening. I was right. (food great, too.)

Jess F.

Amazing crab cake! Everything I had here was delicious like whoa. The service was fantastic too!

Tony M.

Food and service is absolutely amazing, one of my favorite steakhouse.

Caroline M.

Originally we had planned on having tasty ocean delicacies at C-House. However, when we were turned away due to them holding a private party, we settled on Hugo's to satisfy our cravings. Hugo's did not disappoint. We both went the surf and turf route. Shrimp cocktail and a petite filet. I must say that I was very impressed with their Bookbinders soup. Our server described it and I was intrigued. It was a fish and pepper/tomato based soup with sherry. I Googled a recipe and can hardly wait to try making it at home! Does Hugo's have a slow night?? We dined on a Tuesday and they were packed. My companion said when they get slammed their temps on the meats aren't accurate. Well, he was right. My filet was very rare. Luckily, I was fine with that and just left the very center piece on the plate. Sure they could have thrown it on the grill for another 3 minutes, but I was famished. If you are thinking about dining at Hugo's, take a minute to make a reservation. I overheard waits of over an hour....on a Tuesday! Consider Opentable your new BFF.

Janet E.

We came here for an early dinner on a Friday night and the place was surprisingly half full at 5pm! Our waiter was Arthur aka "Art" and he was AWESOME!!!!!! If I came here again I would definitely request for his service! He really took care of us during our first time dining experience here. First we were served complimentary bread and raisin bread and butter. We ordered the: King crab fingers (crab meat was a little on the salty side, but still good with the dipping sauce) Garlic steamed clams (SOOOOOOOOOOO delicious! We dipped our bread into the garlic broth and it was yummie!) New England clam chowder (lots of clams, potatoes, bacon, scallions, and other stuff I cant remember! creamy delicious!) Pan Fried Walleye Pike (really great white fish, nice and flaky) Tilapia Slider (small sized slider with HUGE side of fried string potatoes--the potatoes werent our favorite, but the slider was good) Key Lime pie (key lime part was too sour for us, but the CRUST was addictively good and the meringue was fluffy and sweet.) The other wait staff here were excellent. They took away our plates at the perfect time and cleaned up our crumbs and other messes immediately after each dish. With a restaurant.com coupon, and the prix fixe meal for Gourmet Chicago, this meal was definitely SUPER worth it! I'm usually VERY SKEPTICAL about seafood in Chicago (since I had a lot of fresh seafood at home in San Francisco) but Hugo's Frog had seafood as fresh as back home! I was impressed!!!!!! Great job Hugo's Frog!!!!

Toni P.

The sea bass melts in your mouth. The Mac n cheese with crawfish and andouille sausage was excellent. Broccoli cooked perfectly. The serving size of fish is enough for two. Very enjoyable. Atmosphere is nice. Not too loud. Staff is friendly.

Mahsa T.

Finally got to go to Hugo's for the first time and it wasn't half bad. It is touristy and in my not-so-favorite location, the Viagra Triangle, but at least they had decent food and good service. I had the fish and chips--fresh and delicious, except the outside shell was a bit too crunchy for me, it had too much batter and overly deep-fried to a medium brown and oilier than I like. I prefer a lighter, thinner batter on my fish. I tried my friend's scallop salad--also fresh and tasty. They don't skimp on the scallops, there were 4 or 5 huge scallops on the salad, plenty to fill you up. They also have absolutely delicious choices for dessert, like the Muddy Bottom Pie and "Meaning of Life" cake (which is a 12-layer cake), but seeing as how there were three of us and those desserts are meant to feed 6 or more people, we decided not to get it and went with the chocolate ice cream instead. Hugo's does get loud and crowded and the tables are a bit too close to each other, but fortunately we had a booth. There's also a large bar area with live piano music. Our server was fantastically attentive and joked around and chatted with us throughout dinner. All in all, a nice experience for my first visit.

Emily S.

Wow! We were welcomed in from the front doors by the wonderful hostess! Our reservations were acknowledged and we were immediately taken to our table. What a happening spot! This place was jam packed but seemed to operettas in such a smooth fashion despite being packed to the brim. I started with the frog legs (when in Rome..). And they were delicious! So tender, so fresh! Ribbit, ribbit! And then had the halibut topped with avacodo butter! My friend had the scallops and spinach. All were happy! I highly recommend this spot for a fabulous dinner in Chicago without the intimidating upscale feel. Must do!

Rob R.

Beautiful classic Chicago restaurant - historic backroom deals have definitely happened here. Service was amazing (ask for Bobby)! Food seemed extremely overpriced. Crab legs were good, but the steak was definitely burnt. The sea bass looked pretty good, but the lobster bisque was too creamy. Desserts are meant to be shared by at least eight.

Steve B.

I went to Hugo's on a Tuesday night and it was fairly crowded. Due to a late arriving flight, I was 1 1/2 hours late for my reservation. They were very understanding and we were seated right away. The food was very good, I had the Crab Cakes and my friend had the Grilled Shrimp. Both entrees were very good. The dinners came out surprisingly fast, I wish they had taken a little more time, and we felt rushed. Once the meal was over and the bill was dropped-off, we did not see the waiter again until the credit card came out. The waiter should have checked back in with us, by the time he did come back around we had felt like dessert. However, after the lack of service following dinner, we just decided to give-up and went somewhere else for dessert...

Hari B.

I liked Hugo's. As advertised, they do share a kitchen with Gibson's Steak House. So you can get excellent seafood and excellent steak in one place. I got steak and some of my friends got seafood and all were very good. The drinks and wine list were good. The atmosphere is buzzing and another friend tells me His Airness dines there. The desert, as some have mentioned, is out of control. We ordered 3, for a table of 9, to share. This one slice of Banana cake, I kid you not, was bigger than my head. It was tasty but those guys are just trying to make a statement. I would have ordered frog legs as an ode to Bastille Days celebrations in Milwaukee, however, one of my friends was freaking out on the very thought of it. Maybe next time. I am just happy to back in Chicago every time. Overall a good experience, will go back.

Lina A.

Came here on a Sunday with my boyfriend for dinner. We had reservations for inside and were seated promptly around arrival time. The outdoor patio looked nice for a warm summer night and I had wished I had made a reservation for outside. We asked what the wait time was for outdoor seating and we were told 45 minutes. Since my bf had a flight to catch that night, we opted for our reserved table inside. I would highly recommend making reservations as the place was packed. The tables are pretty jam packed so it's not as romantic as some would like because you are very close to the other patrons. It also didn't help that we were fortunate enough to sit next to the three loudest people in the restaurant, but I finally got used to them and drowned them out. I don't remember the name of our waiter but he was friendly and very knowledgeable in answering any questions we had about the menu. We ordered the jumbo crab cake for an app and it was very tasty and delicious. The sauce accompanied with it was very good. We drank delicious Cabernet, not sure of the exact one since I told my boyfriend to chose, but it was very good. I'll ask him if he remembers and edit if he knows. He ordered the lobster, can't remember which one either, you have a few choices, but it was DELICIOUS! My fork kept finding it's way to his plate throughout dinner! I had the Hazelnut Crusted Halibut which was alright, could've been tastier. I didn't particularly care for the sauce too much but it grew on me. One thing I didn't like was that there was no side dish that came with the meal and you would have to order one separately. The waiter had mentioned this in the beginning but I forgot about that part when we ordered our meals. I remembered when, at one point, I was taking a bite of my halibut and suddenly felt like dipping my fork into my mashed potatoes when all of a sudden I thought to myself, wait a minute... where's my side dish? I flagged down our waiter and put in an order of mashed potatoes which came out within minutes. I really liked that because I was worried that I might finish my fish before they even arrived. They were tasty, and a bit rigid, which I liked. It's true what they say about one side dish can feed two, so it's best to share. We were too stuffed for any dessert so I cannot comment on that. Steak lovers will enjoy the fact that they offer Gibson's steak. I think they are a sister restaurant to the popular steakhouse. All in all, I'd go back, sit outside, and definitely order the lobster next time around!

Laila P.

Hugo's, in the heart of the Viagra Triangle, is one busy place! And rightfully so because it's damn good. I booked an event here for my wine club members. Planning an event from states away is no easy fete and yet the staff here went above and beyond my expectations to make this event one of the best I've ever hosted. The hors d'oeuvres were fabulous. The waitstaff, fabulous. The captain, fabulous. And when we finally sat down to dinner... OHHHH-EMMMMM-GEEEE, divine! I had the king crab stuffed lobster which is much richer than it even sounds as hard as that may be to believe. We started with frog legs which we huge. Not as good as I remember eating at my dad's restaurant when I was a kid, but good nonetheless. This is a great place for adults. I could not imagine a family dining here. It was located close to our hotel and near tons of shopping and bars. I would definitely recommend having an event at Hugo's, having dinner at Hugo's or just having drinks. They had an awesome wine list.

Yao M.

I still cannot believe how I have lived 15+ years in this area without trying this place. Everything here was wonderful. We started the night with oysters and sautéed frog legs. The oysters were one of the freshest I have ever eaten in Chicago and the frog legs were sautéed to perfect in the tasty garlic butter sauce. For entree, I ordered the miso marinated Chilean sea bass and my boyfriend ordered the shrimp de jonghe. Both dishes were delicious. We would definitely come back to this place!!!

Tom T.

One of my favorite Chicago haunts. I go to Hugo's almost every time I am in town! THis visit I had Clam Chowder (Excellent) and a big Filet. The FIlet was kind of disappointing as it was very charred on the outside even though I had ordered the Filet medium-rare. I have had it in the past and I do not recall having a burnt steak. Regardless, mistakes happen sometimes so I will chalk this one up to a distracted cook and I will be back next visit to Chicago!

Shea B.

I was invited to a dinner celebration for my cousin. It was my first time there. We had a party of 20 lovely ladies. I was only having an appetizer because our orders took a while to come. The crab cakes were Amazing I give the 4*'s. the service afterwards was terrible for me. I had to check out early to make it to the grocery store before they closed. I got my receipt for my order that was just over $20. I then gave my debit card back to the waiter and someone else brought my card and receipt back charging over $500 on my card. I was furious as to how this could happen. And who passes credit cards off to another employee with a $23 receipt and still charge $500 on the card. Everyone was clueless at this point. No one was assisting me because they were too busy catering to the large number of guests there. I then spoke to the manager who was very nonchalant about it. I asked how does someone charge that amount of money when the bill in his hand says $23. He replied, well you have a chase card so they will only hold your money until the next business day. As this was a Friday so I should be ok until Monday with no groceries. I'm sure it would've been a great experience had I not complicated things needing to leave after the two hours we had been there and only having an appetizer and there was a longer wait for dinner. Needless to say I haven't been back because service should be as amazing as the food being served.

Carol K.

Okay Hugo's. You are back in my fine graces. Not that it really matters with all the fine reviews on here but I have been back now a few times since my last "okay" review and each and every time it has been better than the last. On this visit- it was late on a weeknight- we had been disappointed by a place down the street and my friend and I wanted to get a hot fudge sundae to celebrate my birthday. A sundae. At 10pm. On a weeknight. In the Viagra Triangle. Hmmm . . . .we pondered for only the briefest of seconds and as the light bulbs went on over our heads we said, "Hugo's". As we pushed our way through the revolving door into the lounge, my friend spies that the table right in front of the piano player is open so it is there that we sit. We had two servers waiting on us hand and foot to only bring us drinks and that much needed sundae (two spoons, please) As I sipped my Scotch, I looked around the bar and realized that no one was joining into the music that was being played. Surely these people must know the words to, "Sweet Caroline", or "Down on the Boardwalk", right? Well maybe not for we were the only ones singing along. Guess we made a fan as there was a changing of the guard at the piano and for the rest of the evening we were joined at your table by Sonny, one of the piano players at Hugo's. What a fascinating end to our evening! And I learned that my friend wants to learn to play the harmonica. Who knew? Not a review for the seafood or the steaks, but know they are both excellent. But more a review for a bar that would make me a hot fudge sundae on a Thursday night in May! Thanks Hugo's!

Tom D.

I am always surprised at how affordable the "Viagra Triangle" can be! Hugo's is a humble bar for the amount of quality in the food and service! Patio seating is great here.

Lee C.

We were touring Chicago and looking for a seafood restaurant, the cab driver recommended Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House. It was a very busy and crowded place -too tight for my liking. We were actually seated at a small table by the kitchen and asked to be moved. The second table, we literally had to get up when others wanted to move. The food and service were great. It just did not allow for much elbow room and that hindered my dining experience -otherwise I would have given a 5 star.

Bob K.

Seafood done right... on the Great Lake. Warm friendly atmosphere, simple but effective menu. Cut to the chase - one of the nicest cuts of seared tuna I've had anywhere. Simple perfect preparation with some wasabi and pickled ginger to heighten and palate-cleanse between heavenly bites. Grilled (grilled, yes!) asparagus for a side brings some Chicago steak echoes to the vegetable ... in a good way.

Denise K.

While we were walking and admiring the Gold Coast and Old Town we went into this restaurant for a snack and a quick drink. I had a great cup of Bookbinder Soup, which I was told I needed to experience while in Chicago, also a wonderful crab and avocado dish. The bar is fun and the service was great! My husband had a really good burger too! Great location!

Dianna R.

I have been back here more than a few times since my last review, and I think this place has definitely earned its fifth star in spades!!!! Needless to say this restaurant/bar has quickly become my new favorite spot in the city. If you are visiting Chicago, I say this place is a MUST particularly for a foodie... The bar is ridiculous and the bartenders are attentive (despite the thirsty crowds) and mix a pretty delish (and appropriately strong) martini. On top of this, every time I come here the food seems to get better and better...if that is even possible. The clam chowder...stellar. The crab cakes...NUTS. My mother-in-law (who is an east-coaster) loves to come HERE for crab cakes! The seafood is just amazing and the steaks cooked to perfection. I love at this restaurant that the cooks let the food speak for itself. You are paying for some fresh seafood and steaks and you taste it, nothing is drowning in sauces or spices...just amazing ingredients! The service is spectacular...attentive but not in your face and quick but not overly pushy. To top it off, the atmosphere is lively and fun, not too stuffy or too full of its self. Perfection. Every. Single. Time.

Spencer K.

So what I leaned when I was in Chicago is that 'reasonably price' means something different if you're in LA vs if your in Chicago. My training instructor mentioned this place in class so I thought I'd check it out. Wow, everything is so pricey here. I got the filet and crab cake because they said the filet would come from Gibson's and I heard good things about the crab cakes here. It was good, but not the best that I've had. The filet was actually a little too done despite it looking otherwise. I'd give it another go on my next visit to Chicago.

B R.

At first glance I thought this was just a bar but looking in further we noticed it was a restaurant and decided to take a shot at this place. We didn't do the history on this spot but apparently it's rich in history.. I'm not trying to get into all that. Lets talk about the meal. Lol the salad and bread before the main was so so.. When the main came it more than made up for the salad.. I had the miso Chilean sea bass w/ a baked sweet potato and it was excellent.. The baked potato was huge.. We stumbled on this place but it was a great find. Try it if you're in chi-town

Jessica S.

What a great Chicago experience. A bustling crowd, with a mix of classic seafood and bar atmospheres. The crab legs are rich and delicious and the enormous crab cakes are a MUST TRY! I'd recommend getting two for the tale to have as appetizers. Save room for the chocolate mousse. It's a Chicago establishment and a great place to take out of towners!

James S.

Had dinner there a couple days ago. My friends said their food (tilapia and tuna) was excellent. Mine was ok. The scallops were overcooked and a little chewy. Also, I was surprised that the apple pie was not warmed to help melt the ice cream. Maybe it's a Chicago thing, I'm not sure. I would be willing to go back and try it again but maybe something other than the scallops.

Tiphani L.

Love Love Love Hugos! Saturday date night with my favorite Virgo, I decided to take him out to Hugo's for dinner! When we first arrived the first thing that you'll get is the live piano player.....nice but really loud if you end up sitting on the same side. We waited about 15 minutes to be seated, which wasn't bad because we ended up with a booth! Our waiter was excellent! He was very informative about the menu and gave us enough time to fully grasp the menu without being pushy! It was a very nice/lively crowd. A mixture of all kinds of people... from the very casual (saw a couple people with t-shirts to upscale) I personally was dressy casual if that makes sense :-) Back to the food.... We both started with appetizers which came out within 5minutes of ordering. I had the crab legs which are chilled and split open, they came out in a pair and sided with a mayo... AWESOME. My hunny had the oysters, they offer 3 different kinds so he had one of each. All of them which he thoroughly enjoyed! Being an over analyzing Virgo my love wanted a more in depth look at the menu, our waiter obliged and came back with a platter of various items on the menu. Lobster, fresh fish, crab legs, and another kind of fish in which he explained the taste and how they prepare each one. We then decided on our meals which were accompanied by a soup or salad. Both deciding for the soup, he got the "Bookends" which was a tomatoed based soup with fresh vegggies and fish. He loved it! I decided on the Clam Chowder which was the best clam chowder I've ever had! Nice and creamy with large pieces of clam and red potatoes. Finally, our meals arrived! I decided to go with the Pan Seared Lobster tails. This item came with 3 petite lobster tails covered in scallions and a white wine sauce! Ohhh it was so good I can taste it now! The boo decided on the Jumbo Crab Cakes which were BURSTING at the seams with crab meat. This came with a pink mayo that he said was very tasty. We also ordered a family sized order of spinach. Let me warn you that although it is very tasty, it has a MASSIVE amount of garlic in it... I mean like HUNKS of garlic. I like garlic.... but I'm not a fan of biting into large pieces of it. I told the waiter at the very start of our dinner that we were celebrating a birthday and I thought he had forgot after we decided not to have dessert. (He's a big cheesecake fan and they only offer it on Sunday) But the dessert portions are massive as well... the Better than Life Cake feeds 9!... Upon us getting the check and wrapping up our food, a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream with a candle was placed at our table with the signature Hugo bday song ... "HEEYYY YOOOUUU" Overall our experience was EXCELLENT. Hugo's didn't have that stuffy, too trendy, to upscale feel to it. We loved every minute of it including our waiter who we gave a very generous tip. Go to Hugo's!

Tim S.

When you are part of the Gibsons empire you better be tasty. Well Hugo's is. Hugo's is the goto when folks would come into town. Weather at the bar or in the Dining Room the service is top notch. Little secret... well not really... they share a kitchen with their neighbour so if you know that menu you can get a thing or two from there as well. It is a great alternative to their next door neighbour, little more relaxed atmosphere.

Lauren-ashley B.

Thursday, me and my friends had another girls dine out at Hugo's Frog Bar on rush. I LOVE this place, it's super cozy, warm, and packed so you know everything here is super good. The service was excellent, the best I have ever experienced. Our waiter Michael was absolutely wonderful, he had a stellar and amazing personality, very charming, helpful, informative about the menu and on point. I must say he was the best waiter I have ever had. The side dishes were HUGE portions that could literally feed a family of 5. My friend ordered an entree of 2 crab cakes and they were huge, thick, and juicy. My other friend had the scallops which she said was good but she really wanted the lobster tail. I had the halibut, i was trying something new, I didn't care for the taste, it wasn't that much seasoning on there, I ate the rest for luch the next day and I put some lemon dill butter sauce on there and it was way better, but I will definetly try the crab cakes next time that's right up my alley. My friend ordered the double baked potato which was super gynormous and delicious. I didn't order a steak but the table next to us did and it looked like the type of picture perfect steak you see in magazines, it was huge and succulent looking, I definetly would love to try that as well. Also, the noise level was really high, I could barely hear the conversation that me and my friends were having. The only thing that I didn't like was the birthday song that they have. They scream really loud and I jumped everytime they would yell, very annoying and irritating. Other than that, everything was lovely and I had a really nice time, very much needed. I look forward to coming back.

John S.

First off I think Hugo's (owned by the Gibson's people) has a reservation scam going. Other posts have indicated the exact same thing I experienced: no reservations available at Gibson's until 10pm, but you can get into Hugo's at 9:30. Hugo's is a seafood restaurant that also serves Gibson's steaks. I started with a drink based on Maker's Mark from the Martini menu. It was sweet--no surprise. Next time, I'll just have the Maker's Mark, but your g/f will love the martini. Next up was the lobster bisque. GET THIS! It was great. For dinner I had the steak which (ordered medium) was charred on the outside, and crab cake which was phenomenal. Next time, I'll just have the bisque and crab cake, and I'll book far in advance. Just a few bites of the creme brulee were enough to know that it isn't the best. Although, I'm very particular about creme brulee and think most places have no idea how to make it properly. Oh, the waiters hustle, but visits to our table were few and far between.

Ngoc T.

I don't usually spend $40 on an entree. But this deserved it. Everything was perfect. From the outstanding 5-star customer service, the cream of mushroom soup, the quality of seafood ooh it was to die for. The $40 was worth every penny. You won't regret it!! Be careful though! The serving size is so big, you might as well order one entree and share it with a friend

Lauren C.

I am impressed by this place. The wine list is really long, the food is fresh, and the service is great. Even though this place is in Chicago they have ocean catch flown in every morning, the live music is a place, and their appetizers are the perfect size for sharing.

Taylor D.

Hugo's has some incredible food! I started with the fried calamari, which was perfectly tender. The clam chowder was awesome as well! For my entree, I had the crab cakes! They were delicious! Purely crab meat with a little filler. Most places load their crab cakes with a filler, but not as Hugo's! Service and food is excellent which shows in the price of dinner. It cost us about $150 for two, without drinks. (A splurge for two college kids!) We ordered the chocolate mousse pie for dessert which we ate for about 5 days it was sooooo big! The only reason I give this place a 4 instead of 5 is because my boyfriend (at the time) and I were celebrating our 5 year anniversary. We were only 19 years old when we came here for our anniversary dinner, and they did not do anything special for us. No dessert or anything. I understand we were young, but we were paying for our meal and expected to be treated like any other paying customer. I guess not.

Carol J.

I went to Hugo's again last night for about the 300th time and it dawned on me that may or may not have ever written a review. Thats okay, I think they are doing just fine without my two cents. But here I go, anyway! Excellent location in the heart of the Gold Coast. Seafarer decor embellished with little froggies here and there. A masculine yet warm environment. Nice sized bar area with the friendliest barkeeps, especially Brandt, serving the entire menu! And there is always something interesting to watch either people wise or on the plasma. Extensive and reasonable priced wine list with my current crush Hirschberger Riesling. Yum. Perfect with the crab meat avocado app! Really giant martinis and a huge selection of premium spirits. On to dinner. The freshest fish you are going to find in the city. They go through such high volume that their inventory is always delivered fresh to their door. Ginormous crab legs, AMAZING crab cakes (huge!) with hot pink mayo and the jumbo shrimp are an "always order" at my table even though I can't eat the shrimp. Have a meat lover in the gang? No problem, they have delish filet sliders with maitre d' butter, ribs and some of the best steaks in the city (having Gibsons next door and as a sister is no coinkydink!) And lets not forget my beloved twice baked potato! As big as your head and a big heaping hunk of heaven! Other sides are really meant for sharing and are very generous portions. Desserts are also from the Gibsons school of more is well, not enough. Hugo's has one of the best Key Lime Pies ever, even better than they ones in the Keys if you know what I mean. Their signature dessert is the Muddy Bottom Pie. Save room. So worth the hour on the treadmill. Half a gallon of ice cream per slice (I should say hunk!). Service is impeccable and classic Gibsons style as well. I asked the kind server where the restroom was and he walked me to it.! Yep they are FANTASTIC. Last but not least lets talk about frog legs. They serve what I believe to be the Vietnamese Frog legs and I've tried them a few times. They are very good and in all honesty, they do taste like chicken so don't be afraid! *In the interest of full disclosure, a few years ago I worked in their corporate office but I was a huge fan before and even a bigger fan now!

Mark C.

The classic downtown steak and seafood restaurant. I love the vibe much better here than at Gibson's next door - not as big a sausage fest. The drinks are strong and made well and the service is top notch. You can't go wrong with any of the steaks and the fishselection is awesome. Crab cakes with hot pink mayo is a must order!

Yoon L.

Been here 5~7 times with my parents when they're in town~ Ginormous portions, as most steak houses are- but you knew that already. Ironically, oysters on the shell is what I love most on the menu! Great things come in small packages ( i .. guess...) as these oysters do. They're not huge, but every time we order these oysters, they come out fresh and flavorful. Around the corner of Hugo's is McCormick & Shmick's ( i hate that place) and even their oysters, though they have more variety and are bigger, often lack flavor. We order two plates of these (i think they come with 6 oysters) and I have one whole plate all to myself along with a small bleu cheese salad- that's my dinner. :) It's usually pretty packed in here around dinner time on weekends so the steaks take a while to come out. Don't order the tuna/salmon steaks- they're just bricks of fish, nothing special about them at all. My dad likes the lobster.. And the dessert cakes are HUGE, it's as big as my friggin head. I never tried them but one of my sisters did and she said it's nothing spectacular. I did try the creme brulee, though- yummy, but it's a damn cereal bowl of it. My family and I have never finished it. Great service/staff.

M. J. W.

I'm not one to ever complain - so I won't. Let's focus on the positive on this Monday morning. We are not the classiest of folks, nor do we have "airs" about needing to eat at Gibsons when the same kitchen serves the same menu next door at Hugo's Frog Bar. Who's going to see us? No one we know! From the moment we sat down, we felt welcomed and treated as an honored visitor. We ordered for starters the Crab Cakes, a dozen oysters, and the peppered tuna. With the wine, this could've been a meal on any other occassion! The Crab Cakes were on the dry side, but strong in taste. Our entrees were the peppered (did I mention I love pepper?) sirloin cooked medium rare. Unfortunately upon arrival, there was no question it was cooked Well. Not a speck of red. The waiter was more than helpful and had a new steak out in 6 minutes! He even sat there while I cut in and hear the "moo." My wife had the Cod which was just fantastic. I know, I know, what do you write about a place that has 150+ reviews - mostly fantastic? I don't know except we'll be back and appreciate the strong service and a very wonderful food. Some times leaving our West Town neighborhood to see how the other half eat is worth the trip.

Craig R.

A bunch of my co-workers and I went here at the recommendation of a knowledgeable local. The place is unique - Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House. It is a busy place - the bar was packed and pretty much every table was filled. The service was excellent. The food was very good. I had Alaskan King Crab Legs - they were tasty! Other in the group had fish and chips, sea bass, steaks and more. They were all delighted. The desserts are huge - one piece of pie is actually 1/4 of a pie. The wine list and drink menu are extensive and well done. All in all - a great place for a good meal! I will return and so should you!

Jim O.

The decor was slightly tacky (merlin's on the wall and all that), but the food was very good. I chose to go the Prix Frixe route: Spinach Dip, Salad, and Pike. The Spinach Dip was so-so (the bread was burnt), the Salad was acceptable, but the Pike was delicious! Don't come here if you want fast service, though. We waited for-evah for everything.

Ruth J.

This was my first visit to downtown Chicago and my daughter recommended Hugo's. I made our reservation through Open Table and we only had to to wait until the third member of party arrived 5 minutes late to be seated. Our waiter was a kick. I had a crab cake which was awesome, lump crab with a mayo hot sauce on the side. Dessert was a BIG surprise. We ordered the muddy bottom pie and thought it would be just enough for us to each have a few bites. The one slice of pie was enough for 6 - 8 people to have plenty, wow! We were there on the Friday before St. Patrick's Day and while we were eating a bagpipe band marched through the crowded resturant, what a treat.

Lai X.

Went with my friend there for dinner on a Friday night and it was packed. So we just grabbed a table by the bar and ordered from there. Our waitress was very attentive despite the amount of ppl sitting/standing in the area, and we got our drinks and food in a very timely manner. We ordered Garlic Butter Frog Legs, Mac & Cheese, some sliders and of course, couple martinis. Everything was nice and tasty, not to mention each dish had their own unique twist to it. The Mac&Cheese had a nice spicy kick and the Filet Sliders were super tender and juicy - even the shoestring potatoes on the side were perfect! I would definitely go back there again :)

J V.

Great service. Good time

Traci T.

So this is probably going to be a somewhat biased review, as the only time I have eaten here was on the day of my wedding when my husband and I eloped. Since we didn't really think ahead of time to make a reservation somewhere and we didn't want to wander around Chicago all night, we somehow ended up here. Truth be told, I think this place is a little confusing. When you come in, it's all swanky piano bar-ish and you think you're going to be dining with that feel, but then they take you to an area with a bunch of packed in tables that you can hardly maneuver through if you need to use the bathroom. Overall, I'd say the food and service are well worth a little careful planning before taking a leak. (Speaking of taking a leak, they have someone in the bathroom to get a hand towel for you. I think you're supposed to tip them, so take a couple bucks with you to the can. Also, the lady who got my hand towel for me was eating some greasy chicken wings. Again with the confusion at this place.) My steak was a cooked well and my husband's seafood was delicious. The waitress was super nice and available without being overbearing. She also brought us some champaign when she found out we'd just gotten married and hooked us up with some free dessert as well. Although this place was tasty, I don't know if I'd pay the money for what it is on a normal day.

Kista W.

I'm just a huge fan of the Gibson's/Hugo's sisterhood. They are very similar, in atmosphere and food (share a kitchin), and service, but the seafood selections at Hugo's are outstanding. The bread is great, the salads that come w/ entrees have amazing homemade dressing. The frog legs appetizer is good. It's not your typical deep fried variety, they are light and delicious. The scallops are my favorite, and the crab cakes my boyfriend gets are decadent. The Sharkfin pie for desert is HUGE but delicious. Literally 10 people can share it. I adore the location of Hugo's as well and the atmosphere just makes me happy.

Victoria O.

Can't complain, as I was a guest. Food was good, atmosphere was 'see and be seen.' It all was fine, but nothing special or memorable. A companion ordered a double martini as "dinner," and the waiter said, "Cool." Need more be said?

Jamie B.

My recent visit to Hugo's went something like this. We arrived to the piano bar area awaiting our table and enjoyed a glass of wine while listening to some tunes. Once we sat down, we began with fabulous oysters on the half shell, steamed clams, and sauteed frog legs. Delish!! For dinner I had the planked whitefish and my dining companions (one of which is a chef) had the walleye (oscar style) and the diver scallops. Both of the fish dishes were okay...previously frozen because they were watery and porous. The scallops were the winning dish...sweet and perfectly cooked, medium rare. For a side, we shared the crawfish macaroni and cheese, which I highly recommend. We skipped dessert, because of the ridiculous portion sizes and had white russians instead. Overall a pretty good dining experience. Our server was a little strange, not really a salesperson at all, and didn't really rave about anything on the menu one way or another. This is a fun place to see and be seen.

Zeek B.

I have always been a big fan of Hugo's. Hope tonight was an off night, but inconsistency is a sin in hospitality. I find that many chophouses have a difficult time executing a medium rare, although I must admit I am unsure why this seems to be the case. Anyhow, there is no excuse for bringing a medium the first time, and frankly Chicago Cut was rather tough?!?... Further the calamari was overdone as well. Again this was odd compared to previous experiences. Nonetheless you get graded on the quality of the meal not the ambiance. Disappointing since this is a must go to place on my frequent business trips to West Chicago.

Rachel W.

I had a lovely experience here...the service is impeccable and everyone is quite friendly. Good wine list. I knew my date would be happy b/c he can order off the Gibson's menu. Priced like gibsons but wayyyy less stuffy and pretentious. Lively atmosphere, lots of men, business types. Avocado crabmeat was fresh, delicious. I accidentally ordered the lobster tail which I made my date eat b/c I dont like lobster tail. but according to him it was quite good. I ate some of his steak and sides and ordered a crabcake. Desserts are huge. This place is obviously expensive...I'd go here on a date because it appeals to a certain male population, but would never come w/a bunch of girlfriends.

french i.

For restaurant week there should there should have been a $33 and then a $44 menu. They only presented the $44 menu. Though I have had a number of meals at Hugo's and none that spectacular, I still think during restaurant week you should be featuring the specials that restaurant week is all about.

Brooke S.

One of the best meals I've ever had. While in Chicago on business, someone from the office there took us visitors to this place. I'm a fish and seafood snob - big time - so I can be a tough critic. I had the stuffed Maine lobster, and it was fantastic! Perfectly cooked and everything I could have asked for! Anytime I come to Chicago, I will make it a point to go back.

Matt E.

I came to Chicago for a long weekend, primarily to escape NY and to catch some ballgames at parks i had never been to. I was a Chicago virgin. Now, I like big cities, but NY irritates me sometimes - so why not explore another big city ? My agenda was very simple: 1) Wrigley Field 2) Good food & drink 3) US Cellular field check, check, and check. But for this review we'll only focus on 2. I am used to amazing steak in NY, we all know NY has great steak. But Chicago, i imagined, must also have amazing steak. I chose Hugo's based on a recommendation from the concierge at my hotel, which was not far. Bar seating, and some of the best steak around was the word. That's all i really wanted. I arrived about 10pm and spoke to the hostess briefly, who said there are a few bar spots open - help yourself. I sat down at the bar, purveyed the wine list for my dinner drinks, and settled on a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. Was very pleased with my choice, yet i admit any moron can choose almost any Brunello di Montalcino and be pleased :) For food, i started with a house salad appetizer, filet mignon entree, and side of roasted chipotle corn. The corn, to the bartender's credit, was his recommendation. I had already settled on that filet. The salad was average - greens and dressing. If you can't get that right it's a pretty bad omen for the rest of the meal. Then, the big guns came out. A large filet mignon & the roasted corn. Let me talk about the steak first. It was juicy, tender, and delicious. I orderd it medium, as i do for most very thick steaks, and it came a bit more medium rare. However - that is my preference as opposed to many steak places that overcook a medium. I will say it rivals any filet i have had to date in New York City, and i admit i didn't think it would. Now that i've covered how delicious the tenderloin was, let's talk about the roasted corn. What an amazing & delicious side. The corn was slightly blackened, and had a bit of a smokey, chipotle taste to it. An absolute perfect side dish to the steak. I HIGHLY recommend the roasted corn. I chose a Bailey's for dessert, as i wasn't quite ready (as often is :), to put down the booze yet, though i had finished my delicious bottle of Brunello. Service ? Bartender was awesome. Great service, great conversation, and his recommendations were spot on. We discussed Chicago, New York, Cubs, White Sox, history of the restaurant, etc. I don't throw around 5 stars lightly, and i'm not doing that here either. You gotta work for 5 stars. Hugo's fully deserves the 5 stars i've given it. Once you're done with the meal, stick around for some drinks if you want. It has a pretty lively atmostphere. Cheers to Hugo's for making my dining experience in Chicago on a Friday night perfect.

Yojie L.

This place is highly recommended by the Concierge of Hilton Hotel where my hubs and I were staying for business trip. We're glad we made a reservation. I was surprised by how this joint gets so packed on a Wednesday night. Actually, we're supposed to dine at Gibson Steakhouse but they don't take reservation so we were accommodated at the adjoining Resto which is Hugo's Frog Bar. I believe, it's both same owner. Ambience: nice touch of nautical seaport stuffs, tight space, cozy semi- circular spacious booth for 6 Seafood: Alaskan Crab Legs are "must have" very succulent and sweet. Steak: Beef quality is good but for me it's a must to perfectly seasoned a steak specially if it's not served with a gourmet sauce. Understandably, it's a Chicago Steak. Now, I know that New York style steaks are the best. The high points of my rating to this place is their Customer Service. Our Server, Raoul (spelling?) was a total packaged. I have a Resto myself in L.A. He's the type of person you would want to hire and keep as an asset. Awesome job!

Gonzalo B.

Big seafood lover from Boston, and thoroughly enjoyed this place, it ticks off most of the boxes you want...checked off. Large joint and I mean joint in the good way, nice vibe, funny name. Don't have any (as in like none) desire to ingest any froggy legs. Big vibe, nice place. Lots of smiles all around, lots of happy people, both customers and people that work here. Friendly. Like the feel here, the different rooms, the booths, the whole layout. Big menu, lotsa lotsa. Everything we had, all seafood, all really good. Good, experienced, professional waiter, in the right way. Big, did I say big. Well, so's the Bill, but that's the kinda place this is. Hay. Hay now. You want some big, you gonna pay some...big.

Irene C.

To celebrate our last work day in Chicago, we were looking for a good lobster and steak. We found both and more at Hugo's! What we found: -even with reservations, a long wait (over 30 minutes!) -the hostess men really know what service is about and had two comped appetizers waiting for us at our table when we were seated -The most meaty, chunkiest crab cake I've ever had -- with an amazing pink remoulaude sauce -Clam chowder is almost too good to finish -- extra rich and chunky -Great entrees lobster, NY strip steak, scallops -Event better sides: order the chipotle corn! What we wish we could forget: -the wait to be seated (a few martinis took care of that) -frat style birthday chant that the waiters are forced to sing to recognize someones bday -- annoying! Overall, attentive service and amazing food!!

Jesse B.

Excellent restaurant. In fact, despite the somewhat hectic/busy atmosphere, I had the best I've had since moving to Chicago in August 2008. This is an expensive joint but prepare for a feast where you get what you pay for and expect service that makes you feel welcome and content. The calamari is incredible, and the selection of fish is extensive and beyond satisfying. I can't wait to go to Hugo's again!

Sean R.

We made the mistake of trying to go to dinner in Chicago on a holiday weekend, without reservations and a party of 4. After walking until the kids were ready to eat their shoes, I picked this place. Crowded, they told us 45 minutes, but we were seated in 20! Live piano music that took requests. Great atmosphere, maybe a little bit crowded, they could stand to remove a few tables. After they brought us bread to avoid having my ravenously hungry daughter eat other people's food, all was well. We were kind of the entertainment for our area, taking goofy pictures, being silly. Two Jameson on the rocks for me on an empty stomach makes me quite entertaining, according to the kids. But hey we were walking, and on vacation. Live it up a little, right? The kids got ribs, which I thought looked a little dry and over-done, but they didn't complain. I got a pork chop, which was good. My wife got the crab cakes, which were amazing! Really good. Wish I would have ordered them. Did I mention the crab cakes were amazing? Service was good, our waitress was friendly and prompt. Their other staff almost are too prompt, taking all your dishes when you look to be done even if you aren't. It was pretty expensive, but again expected for the touristy 'hood we were in. Overall, a good experience!

Leang E.

I think this was one of the few seafood places I have not yet been to in Chicago, and so I seized the opportunity with Restaurant Week. So, we had reservations for 7pm on a Sunday, and it was still pretty busy. I love that there is this laid back bar dining area where the piano is being played and there's a slightly more casual vibe and then there's a more formal area, so depending on what you feel like you can sit in either side. We were seated in the more formal dining area, and our waiter was great. He had this personality of just being a truly genuine person, so helpful and knowledgeable when it came to getting what we needed and making recommendations. I had a glass of cabernet and started out with the crab fingers, which tasted fresh and delicious. It made me regret that I had already ordered the Norwegian Atlantic Salmon, because I wanted more crab. I think it was the right amount to whet your appetite and not necessarily fill you though. The salmon was huge in terms of portion and it was very flavorful. I was pretty stuffed with the salmon and could barely finish it all, but yet I made a little room for the key lime pie. This portion was just ridiculously huge, and then with guilt I have to say I had this for breakfast the next day...don't judge me. I also had a piece of my boyfriend's skirt steak and it was cooked at the right temperature with excellent flavor. Plus, $20 for a skirt steak is pretty average. It just makes it that much easier when I don't have to convince my boyfriend to come back with me. It's all a part of my master plan...(insert evil laugh and rubbing hands together here).

R N.

I just had a great experience at Hugo's. There was a bit of a wait for a table so we decided to have dinner in the bar area. Great people watching! I have to give a shout out to my waitress Alisa because even though the bar was packed she was on top of everything. We will be back soon.

Aaron T.

bottom line: really dark, really crowded, and really long wait when i came for dinner, but the food almost made up for it. rib-eye was pretty tasty, while the sides were a bit forgettable.

Stefan M.

Probably my favorite steakhouse in Chicago. Skip the lines at Gibson's and head over here, they have pretty much the same menu and even share a kitchen. Steaks are very good, but the seafood is really to kill for. The crabcakes are just spectacular, not to mention the neon sauce they serve it with. And what is a steakhouse without a hearty helping of creamed spinach? Nothing, thats what... Good thing Hugo's has the best I've ever had True to it's name, they also serve frog legs which I gave a shot for the first time. Tasty, and yes, tastes like chicken. Also highly recommended for people watching on a nice summer day in Near North.

Suzy D.

My husband and I came here with another couple so I guess you could call it a double date. The other couple suggested the place, and my husband and I looked up the menu online. Just from looking at the menu, we were thinking, looks like overpriced boring food, but we went. We had to wait awhile for a seat, but once we were seated, I automatically loved the place. The inside feels kind of old school but warm and welcoming. It was crowded and lively. We started with the crab cakes (so great!). My husband got a lobster roll and I got a steak. Oooh and the steaks are from the kitchen at Gibson's so they're absolutely delicious. The service was impeccable. Everything was perfect. The food is not creative or unusual, but it is very high quality and delectable. There was table near us sharing a HUGE piece of cake. I kept glancing over and eyeing it. The table actually sent us their leftover hunk of cake so yay my creepiness paid off.. free dessert! the cake was also great. So yes, I am a fan of Hugo's Frog bar!

James K.

Needed to find a good place for my girlfriend's birthday while on vacation and saw the good reviews here..plus we both love steak and seafood --we initially were going to go on a Saturday night but we were pressed for time and opted for Sunday instead, which was a wise choice b/c it wasn't crowded --I went with the skirt steak..I didn't want a huge piece of meat..but boy, this skirt steak was very very good...the preparation was perfect and even though this piece wasn't as thick, length wise it's longer than your usual cut of meat..it was very filling and so tasty!! --we did family style roasted corn (excellent and spicy) and mashed potatoes..both were very good --my g/f had lobster tail..she loved it equally..along with a glass of red wine, I was set --the meat once again was cooked to perfection..can't give less than 5 stars in my book

David B.

A little too much noise but the food was excellent and the service was great.

Michael P.

The Tuna steak is excellent! I had a dream about this place last night for some strange reason and it reminded me of how much I like this place. Everything else on their menu is awesome and they have a great wine list as well. If for reason you want steak then you should know that it comes from Gibson's next door (they apparently share a kitchen) and that is great as well. Desserts are huge fyi so don't think you can finish that all yourself! Oh yeah...they have frog legs. ;)

Noah L.

Great ambiance. Excellent service. Classic

Vivian Y.

Shocked - came on a Saturday night. Seated on time for a 6pm reservation and the place was packed. We had a group of 8 people too! Food is very good. Very consistent. Nice wine selection. I'm kicking myself for not ordering the bone-in filet which is what my fiance ate. I hate the smaller portion of filet which was not NEARLY as tender, even though we both ordered medium rare. My friend ordered a salad and said it was excellent. Another friend orders pork chops (huge portion) but said he should have ordered steak instead (duh? you're supposed to order steak at a steakhouse dumb dumb!) I also ordered some oysters...delicious blue points and FRESH. could have eaten two dozen. Great wine selection - really enjoyed the Van Duzen Pinot Noir from Oregon. $60 range. We ordered SEVERAL bottles of that!!!!

Yanyao N.

Despite having reservations and being made to wait 45 minutes for a table, I still really liked this place. Why? Our server, Dan B, was hands down the best server I have ever had. Having found out that we waited so long to get our table (and it was my dad's birthday dinner), he brought out multiple beers for the men of the table to sample. Dan was also extremely knowledgeable about items on the menu. I actually felt bad not ordering any of the fish items he brought out and described to us on the fish plate. The boys got steaks which were delicious. I got frog legs. Frog legs! Did I mention that I love frog legs? All the food was really delicious but the service was absolutely stellar. We got brought out a n enormous strawberry shortcake, and the highlight of the evening was when my husband and Dan devised some secret plan to pay the bill, instead of my parents. I think it involved dropping a credit card on the floor and Dan pretending to drop something on the floor. Some covert stealth shit. Highly amusing.

Jewel L.

OK, ate there Labor day weekend with a gift card (sent by the manager when I called and explained the bad experience of February 2011, when the waitress took between 10 and 15 minutes to get me my change...hoping I would forget and leave. I guess it's common in the area of Chicago). This time not only did we have excellent service, but the food was incredible. I had white fish. So fresh and tasty! I realized I didn't get the vegetables that came with my meal...so when I called the waiter over, he decided it was the second problem (I don't recall any other issues with our meal or service) and comped our desert. OK, the piece of key lime pie was a quarter of the pie, and was 7-8" tall. I took pictures and posted them on Facebook....we took about 3/4 of it home. Comments I received on the picture: "that breaks the rule: don't eat anything larger than your head"....but what I realized as we walked home, there are people who have eaten one of these deserts, after a meal, and finished it. YIKES!

Andrew C.

I was kind of nervous about Hugo's after reading some of the more negative reviews. Once I arrived however, I was pleasantly surprised. The drinks were well made (martinis) and the waitress was extremely helpful. We all ordered off the prix fix menu and our waitress worked it out so we wouldn't have four huge desserts, and could share one. The fish and crab cakes were all delicious and couldn't have been more perfect. The crab cakes are HUGE, not the hockey puck size you usually get at a restaurant. The desserts are also HUGE but they are delicious. Strongly and highly recommended. If you are in the Rush area and want to get some classy food check out Hugo's.

Patrick J.

My last visit with three others friends were not so pleasant the food was not as good as it was during visits in the past. I'm not sure if they have a new chef or changed some of their recipes. Maybe we went on a bad day?

james c.

We had a fantastic experience! The service was excellent, our waiter was very friendly and attentive. The food was also very good. I had my first oysters on the half-shell and the atmosphere made the experience even better!

Mrs B.

I've been to Hugo's twice and this score is for both experiences. The first time I ate at Hugo's, my boyfriend and I were in Chicago for our 3 year anniversary. We decided to give Hugo's a try for a light dinner. We didn't have a reservation but got a table near the bar with hardly any wait, We ordered 2 dozen oysters right away and browsed the menu. We each settled on a bowl of their clam chowder, which is fabulous! The atmosphere was great as was the service. Left with nothing but positive feeling about this restaurant. Two months later my family decided to spend a weekend in Chicago to celebrate some birthdays. I made a reservation a week in advance for 8 people for a Saturday night and could only get a 5:30 or 9:30 table. Not great choices but I suppose that's what I get for waiting too long. Anyway, they had a table ready for us and it was in the main dining area shoved into the corner by the entrance to the kitchen. Not my favorite spot but whatever. This time around I was not as pleased with the service but the food was still fantastic but very pricey. Everyone had one drink, we ordered 3 dozen oysters for the table, and everyone had an entree. Our bill ended up being over $500. I suppose it's to be expected for a place of that caliper, but I doubt we'll be going back with a group that large ever again. It's too crowded, loud, and uncomfortable.

Jessica C.

I really didn't want to like this place. It looked entirely too trendy for me and had a chain feel. We went in one afternoon, though, and I fell in love. We sat in the bar and listened to great live piano. I only had the crab cakes and a few glasses of wine, but they were the best crab cakes I've had in my life (and I grew up on the coast).I wanted to stay for dinner, but we had other plans. Words can't express how fantastic those crab cakes were! I still dream about them. And, even though it's two hours from my house, I plan to head to dinner here for my next special occasion.

J C.

Great place!! We tried to get reservations last minute at Gibson's next door because we heard it was Michael Jordon's favorite. Hugo's is their sister restaurant. Excellent wine choices, Duckhorn Merlot 08. Excellent Oyster selection. We had Sea Bass and Halibut. Creme Brulee for dessert.

Tom K.

Hugo's is a great place for drinks and appetizers. But I would recommend staying away from their entrees, unless you order a steak from Gibson's.

Cinday G.

I am very reluctant to eat sea food but I went there with my sister and her friend. I was blown away! I had the sea food gumbo and it was delicious. The crabmeat avocado appetizer was so fresh, that I could not help but try it! I did not try the frog legs though, I wasn't feeling that adventurous that night. My sister and her friend loved them though! I ordered a filet mignon because it seemed like a safe choice for my first time in the restaurant and I had my fair share of seafood already. The steak was great, how could you go wrong with a filet mignon! It was very busy and crowded in the restaurant but I liked that, because we were a chatty group. I would definitely return and try the seafood.

Sandy T.

Ehhhhhhhh. I was not a fan of Hugo's but I would give it another try in the future. I got the alaskan king crab fingers and the Shrimp Dejonghe. The king crab fingers were good but I have had bigger and better for less $$$. The Shrimp Dejonghe tasted like alcohol shrimp to me. I love alcohol and shrimp but not alcohol shrimp. I dont think they cooked the alcohol out and my shrimp was a little burnt. The service was not that good, but it might have been because it was a very busy weekend night and we had a big group (about 10 people) so tip was already included in the bill. She was very unattentitive and cold but still got like $100 tip for not coming around :-/ OH WELL! I would however go back for their dessert. I forgot what is was called but it was HUGE and consisted of icecream chocolate and nuts. And it was yummy.

Matt L.

Once upon a time, before there was Lux Bar, there was Hugo's. It opened it's doors to all the Gibson's rejects and put warm meals in their tummies. But alas, there were too many, and Lux was born of necessity. Even today, Hugo's remains a beacon of hope in the vast expanse that is Rush and Bellevue. Actually, I really don't know what the hell I'm talking about. We just got a piece of key lime pie and some drinks. The pie was the biggest slice you could ever imagine. To my disappointment it had meringue on top and thin little pieces of metal wire or filament inside. I imagine this is something of an anomaly (the pieces of wire, not the meringue). The crowd was on the more "experienced" end of the life spectrum and I was really disappointed I didn't see anyone eating frog legs. The end.

Michael M.

The food was alright, but what REALLY made me fall in love with this place was the waitress who casually was growing a BEARD. It was rude. Would only come back here if I was sure she wouldn't be my server.

B. Y.

Absolutely delicious! I had a feast with friends here last night - had the crab cake and frog leg appetizers, bookbinder's soup, the sea bass entree with a side of sauteed soft shelled crab and additional sides of chipotle roasted corn and crawfish mac n cheese. Then we topped it off with the Essee's Kup Cake (it was the size of my head . . . no, actually it was bigger . . . literally - that having been said, the cake part was a little dry, but the mousse was tasty). I can barely walk. The crab, sea bass and sides were the best.

Peter H.

This place offers the best of both worlds. Amazing Seafood and Gibson's Steak! I was with a large group so we started off with the gold coast platter. It was expensive but the seafood was fresh & delicious. I had the porterhouse from Gibson's and the steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked well. (nice char on the outside and juicy inside) Great place to enjoy fine dining without having to worry if you are under dressed. The bar area with the saloon style piano is a great touch as well.

M. D.

I love Hugo's with all of my heart. They share the same kitchen with Gibsons so the steaks are perfectly tasty. The stuffed lobster tail is scrumptious and very filling. If you go please request to be served by Montrose. Besides having a catchy name, he understands how service at one of Chicago's true steakhouses should be carried out. I love everything about Hugo's including the music and humongous desserts (the size of a whole birthday cake). This is a great place to celebrate!

Katie J.

Excellent place! Our server was Adam and he was the best! We brought our newly graduated sailor and they treated us like kings. Ask for recommendations since everything is delicious!!

Becky J.

Excellent food, excellent service! This is all coming from a non-seafood fan. The crab cakes and stuffed lobster were a big hit with my party. My salmon was wonderful as well. The only reason it didn't get a 5 is that the restaurant seemed crowded. They have too many tables. We almost were bumping elbows with the people next to us. Plus it was noisy.

Ben B.

Hugo's lived up to its reputation when my wife and I stopped in for the prix-fixe menu last night. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere both classy and friendly. We each ordered the prix-fixe with different items that we wanted to share, including the petite filet and the crab cakes. The waiter split each into two plates for us, which was a very nice touch. The crab cakes were meaty - I saw a review here before I went that another patron had too much celery, but we didn't have that problem. The only thing I would say is that the waiter described the medium-rare as fairly bloody, so we ordered medium instead, and the filet was a mix of very light pink and gray. It was still good, but next time I think I will order medium-rare.

Marla P.

Great location in the heart of the Gold Coast. Nice sized bar area with the friendliest barkeeps. Extensive/expensive priced wine list . The freshest fish you are going to find in the city. They go through such high volume that their inventory is always delivered fresh to their door. Desserts are also from the Gibsons school of more is well, not enough.

Sarah H.

Great place overall!! Their food was excellent and fairly priced, staff was pleasant, and it's in a good location. Sorry to be a bit general here...but definitely a good place to check out. We sort of ran into it by accident and I'm happy we did - definitely planning to return in the future.

Lauren B.

I have never had a more amazing dining experience like the one I had at Hugo's Frog Bar. Upon arrival, my parents, brother and I were whisked away to our private booth in the back. It was like out of a cheery musical -- every employee stopped and waved and said hello as we passed and our beautiful waitress smiled cheerily as we took our seats. From the second we sat down, the service was impeccable. We had water and our drinks within seconds and my dad never stopped muttering "This place is amazzzzing!". For appetizers we had the Malbec oysters which were absolutely delicious. The sashimi dish was perfectly seasoned with some sort of teriyaki wasabi glaze, although it was a bit chewy. I didn't try the crayfish but it was a pretty precious father-son bonding moment when my dad taught my brother how to eat them by telling him to "suck the head right off of them" to which I replied, ruining the moment, "That's what she said." The entrees were perfection as well. My parmesan crusted halibut with a pesto butter sauce was one of the best dishes I've ever had. The sides were amazing as well. The creamed spinach - yum! The mashed potatoes -- yummier! The only complaint was the corn which tasted canned and bland. We ate and ate and ate til we couldn't eat anymore. When my dad finally said "Wow they really stuffed us" I once again ruined a quaint family moment (because really, how can you NOT respond to that perfect set up?) by saying (you guessed it) .. "That's what she said." But in all seriousness, I've never had better service. Their attention to detail was amazing and they were there to tend to our every need. I felt like I was a VIP. And most importantly, every bite of food was delicious. Hugo's really gave it to me good .... that's what she said.

Marco H.

Good fresh seafood. Rate Clam chowder 7out of 10. Swordfish with mushrooms is really good with a half order side of broccoli. The italian Pinot grigio by the glass great too.

Andrew T.

Excellent service! Crowded as heck on weekends (and probably weekdays) but well worth it. The filet mignon cooked medium rare is to die for in my book. On a recent occasion I had a fish special which was not too bad but it reminded me that I should never stray from the filet mignon. It's the thickest cut of filet that I have ever seen. And they served it with bernaise sauce without even having to ask. The sauteed spinach with garlic is good too. They say the sides are large enough to share but not as large as many other steak houses. BUT they are not lying when it comes to the deserts. THEY ARE HUGE!!!! The chocolate mousse with oreo crust had me salivating while I was eating it.

J W.

food is okay here. the king crab was average. the seafood bouillabaisse was disappointing though, greasy without much flavor at all. nice area for people watching and hanging out outside.

Erin P.

3.5 I came here on a business lunch expecting the same old well known Chicago traditional American cuisine, which is not top of my list for types of restaurants that I want to eat at. I was actually lastly surprised. We got there at 11:30 and the place was pretty dead, we sat in a high top in the bar area. WE split the goat cheese with tomatoes and the crab meat with avocado- which both were great! The dressing that went with the crab and avocado was tangy and creamy and wonderful. For my main course I had the salad nicoise- which was also very good. Food came out quite quickly, probably because it was lunch time and they were slow, but it made the pace of the meal a little too quickly. Valet took forever to get the car back to us. Food was great- better than I expected and service was decent too (although my dining companion knew our waiter). Although the meal was good I cannot bring myself to give them more that 3.5 stars because I do not view it as on the same level as Tru or some of my other 4-5 star experiences.

Linda G.

This place is always great.They're not hurting for business...it's always busy. They have career waiters and excellent food.A great place for a business dinner. They pour nice big generous bourbons.

Jason R.

We made an 8 o'clock reservation on a Sunday night and we're still waiting for a table at 8:30. When it was finally ready, there was a big wood column next to my chair, boxing me in. I'm a big--or I should say wide--guy and this was extremely uncomfortable. Our waiter was a great, and really saved the meal. First thing he did was to get us to a real table and apologize for us being seated there in the first place. As the dinner progressed I saw two other guys stuck in the same seat; both of them left the restaurant. We ordered a couple of appetizers, one was the scrumptious Bookbinder's soup and some crab cakes. We had a filet Mignon and some good sides and walked out completely stuffed. I'm guessing this is a pretty good steak house in the land of steakhouses, but I realized that night that that's not really my thing.

M. M.

Simply Great! Awesome food, service, and atmosphere!

Sheila K.

Went here with my sisters on Oct 11th...food was really good. We ate inside but there is a patio which was full. Make reservations because the place is packed even early on a weeknight! In fact, if you are looking for a quiet place for dinner, don't go here...it was noisy & the wait staff was frenetic. Our waiter didn't come around very much which was unfortunate because my sister had a sauce for her steak that she didn't like but by the time the waiter showed up, she was finished. I had my first Walleye Pike & it was absolutely delicious. Another sister had the Perch which she said was also very good. The fries are also very, very good & hot. I usually love creamed spinach but theirs wasn't very good. We didn't have dessert but the table next to us did...be careful. The slice of cake looked like half a cake!

K B.

Great food! Great service! This was probably the best service I have had in years! Huge crab cakes! A must go to!

Jean C.

I feel I may be a little gracious with handing out 5 stars to restaurants when I write reviews. Because Hugo's Frog Bar definitely deserves 5 stars and then some. Dinner #5 of restaurant week was here and we had another couple to join us for the evening. As usual, we arrived early and got seated immediately. And seated in the best seat in the house. Seriously. If you are not familiar with the restaurant, there are booths, tables and then there is an old wooden elevator where a table of four can sit and enjoy a fabulous meal privately while in the dining room. That's where we sat. Michael was one of the best servers I have ever had. He was friendly, joked and just made us feel like we were old friends. We started with cocktails before ordering dinner which help set the pace for the evening. We all ordered from the prix fixe menu. I ordered the king crab spinach dip with toasted points, shrimp dejonghe, and key lime pie. I ordered a side of the crawfish mac and cheese with andouille sausage because honestly, it looked too good to pass up. The dip was hot and delicious but I should have gotten the crab fingers. Any place else they would be called crab legs. They were sweet, succulent and the dijon dip was delicious. The shrimp dejonghe was buttery, garlicky and huge. They were so tasty. The hubs ordered that as well and demolished that dish. The mac and cheese was rich. The andouille gave it a nice kick and the crawfish were plentiful. My other dining partners in crime ordered the macadamia crusted tilapia and filet medallions. Everyone enjoyed their dinner and three of us had to go boxes. To go with dinner, we ordered La Crema Pinot Noir. It's a great bottle of wine and even Michael told us it's on sale at CVS for $20. Funny since the two men at the table work for corporate CVS/Caremark. The key lime pie was a sight. It looked like it was a foot high and just as wide and deep. Two were brought out for the four of us. Honestly, it was the most beautiful looking dessert. After that first taste, it made you forget your winter blues and made you realize the spring/summer is just around the corner. Anyone with seasonal depression should eat this pie. It would make them feel better instantly. Dinner took three hours and it was fabulous. Michael respected the fact that we wanted a very leisure meal and came around just enough to make sure everything was to our liking. The timing between courses was perfect and overall, everything was top notch. The food was so fresh that you knew it came straight from the water. Their seafood is flown in daily and it really makes a difference. If I ended with Hugo's Frog Bar as my last dinner for restaurant week, I would have been ending on a high note. I just feel everything after this place will fall short after my experience here.

Brenda V.

Yawn. Boring food, nothing attractive. Overpriced menu.

Seth W.

If you are looking for an overpriced flavorless steak and accoutrements then you have found the right spot. The server sold me on their "Prime" steak which apparently has the most unique rating in the world. He claimed it was the highest rated prime in the country and that they reserved the only spot. I guess he forgot to tell the chef to actually season it and cook it with his eyes open. They attempted to char the steak and it came out looking like a hockey puck. I guess this might be one of the reasons one of the patrons left in a stretcher. No joke! Needless to say $50 for this piece of meat was borderline illegal. You can certainly go here and have a good night out, but for the price the value is just not there, period.

Lesley S.

This place is amazing and quite delectable! Honestly, I avoided at first because I had a chain feeling (probably because it shares a kitchen with Gibsons) but I"m so happy I ventured into this place. I'm more of a dive, exploratory diner, so this impressed me from many different angles! First of all, the food is just awesome. I loved my sea bass and Lobster Bisque. I tried frog legs for the first time and was shocked they weren't fried. I was a little scared of them, but not too bad. I'll probably go with the crab cakes next though! I"m a Kim Crawford fan when it comes to wine, or anything from New Zealand really, and they had it! Points! By BF had the white fish with an enormous baked potato... it was great, I wouldn't order it, but he loved it! My mom had the trout in a butternut squash dish, AMAZING!! Without the bones, impossible, it would have been perfect! I love butternut squash and complimented perfectly with fish, WOW~ To finish we definitely had desert, for the table! I believe we had the chocolate mouse cake with an Oreo crust --- AWESOME! I had no idea how big this would be, just double the biggest piece of cake you can imagine! So much fun to people watch here -- lots of famous people in and out, entertainers, etc. :)

Kelly A.

I've been a few times. Its just not a good value. The prices are so high and the portions are so small. Its pretty ridiculous. Last night most of our food was cold. Very disappointing. Its just too commercialized. They don't really seem to care about their clientele.

David K.

II think of this place as a trendy hipster bar but the food and drinks are always excellent. The 'Not So Old Fashioned" is a new favorite drink there. The deserts are ridiculous, both in size and taste. I've had the chocolate cake and the key lime pie. One serving is good for about 4 people or in my case 2 people with lots left to take home.

Angela U.

We have only been to this restaurant once. We had a fantastic meal. We just haven't found the time to go back. I guess with spring, here and summer coming. We will have to make it back to Hugo's.... The food was great, and the dessert were to die for. A must visit if you are only in Chicago for a day or two. Make a point of getting to this restaurant.

sarah j.

Overall disappointing experience. My fiance and I were very excited to go here, so I am saddened that it was just not a memorable experience. Food: -Crab Cakes: delicious. HUGE. very little breading. highlight of the meal -Clam Chowder: tasty, thick, nice bacony flavor, very light on the clams though. -Lobster bisque: meh. okay. nothing special. absolutely no lobster pieces in it at all. -Crab fingers- crab meat was a little salty. no idea what was up with that. again okay but nothing special. -medium Filet with Lobster: not flavorful at all. I have had better tasting steak at TGIF. About 50% of the steak was also overcooked. Lobster was tiny. Fairly tasty and well cooked. but again nothing special. -Crawfish mac and cheese- would not know. Didn't end up eating it because it was brought out 20 minutes after our main dishes. -Key Lime pie: HUGE. creamy and delicious. One of the best parts of the meal. Overall, the food was a solid 3. The Crab Cakes, Clam Chowder, and Key Lime pie were all quite delicious. Service: 1) We had reservations for 9 pm. We were not seated till 9:15 pm. Fine. It's a busy night. I wouldn't count down for that. 2) The entire evening my fiances water glass was consistently empty. Someone would come by and fill it once every 30 minutes or so. Very poor bussing. 3) We had to ask for our side dish - crawfish mac and cheese because our waiter completely forgot about it. He brought it out after we finished eating our main meals completely. Did not comp it, did not even apologize for flat out forgetting our food. 4) There were 2 of us sitting at the table 50% shot at serving the food to the right person. He served it to the wrong person, every single time he came out. 5) Completely forgot our desert and had to be reminded to bring it out. 6) After finishing we waited 20 minutes for him to come with the bill. Waiter simply disappeared. At an establishment where we are paying a minimum of 60 dollars a person, this kind of service was completely unacceptable. Coupled with the very mediocre food, it was definitely not worth the time or the money. Go to Joes or Capital Grille for better seafood, steak, and service.

Jessie H.

We went to Hugo's while in Chicago celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary. It was amazing. We arrived to our reservations early, but were greeted quickly at the bar and were sat before our reservation time. I thought the wine list was very reasonably priced(for Chicago) and the servings were generous. We started off with the Frog Legs to be adventurous. Never had them before and literally they tasted like chicken. Once you get past the fact that you were eating Kermit, they were quite enjoyable. We then split the NY Strip & Norwegian White Salmon. The steak was great but the salmon was to-die-for. The best salmon I have ever had. Also had the craw fish mac & cheese, also very good. We had entirely too much food but enjoyed all it! The deserts looked enormous and we unfortunately didn't have a room left. It is expensive but I felt it was worth every penny. We would go back in a heart beat. It was our favorite restaurant we experienced over our 4 day weekend.

DeAnna J.

Eh. I don't know. Wasn't impressed at all. You'd think Chicago would have better steakhouses than Minnesota. I know this wasn't the best steakhouse in Chicago - however, it still should of been better than a two star rating. Got the pork chop with the roasted peppers. Sad to say, but the roasted peppers tasted better than the pork chop itself. It was almost like the pork chop was kept in a food warmer, and they put seasonings on right before they served it. Blehhh. The vegetable sides were hardly desirable. The mashed potatoes were so dry that when you went to scoop them up - they'd CRUMBLE apart. Seriously. WHAT kind of mashed potatoes do that? LOL. Service was poor. I could of went to Gibson's, or another famous steakhouse in Chicago. Yeeeshhh, I know. I'd like to say that The Capital Grille and Manny's here in Minnesota are much much better than this place I just rated. For the price you pay here, you'd expect much better food.

Kelly M.

this place is seriously AMAZING!! I've been here for a company dinner and for a wedding anniversary dinner. EXCELLENT food, service, selection, atmosphere...you name it! Ask for the server Ron! Most recently my husband and I had an assortment of oysters and crab cakes to start, for entrees we had sea bass and bouillabaisse (Ron was even kind enough to teach how to pronounce it: bull-yuh-base), and for sides we had sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and crawfish mac & cheese. SOOO delicious!! Dessert? Um, no. We had only 2 people eating all the items mentioned! We were so stuffed! (and had plenty to take home too!) the wine and beer lists are also great!

Robert W.

Excellent and reasonably-priced lunch!

L C.

3.5 stars. Went here back in May. The selection of food is great. They also have your not so standard dish, such as frog legs. One of my friend's actually ordered it but even I couldn't bare to try it. They looked like frog legs -- which immediately gave me an aversion to tasting it. I ordered the salmon which was a lot to eat and I couldn't finish it. We all still ordered desert anyway. One thing I didn't like was the size of the desserts. Maybe for other people this is the most amazing thing about this restaurant, but I felt like it was wasteful. The portion size can literally feed a table of 10. And we had a table of 8-10 people, each with their own dessert. It was ridiculous. Notwithstanding, the dessert was good. I was just a bit off-put by how wasteful they were. Oh, and drinks were good.

Dan A.

i'm actually a regular at this spot. I call it the "safe pick" place. You're going to get good food and service everytime....The frog legs and carrot cake are off the charts!

Christi S.

I love Hugo's, it is one of my top 5 favorite restaurants. I have lived in Chicago for 13 years and try to go a couple times a year for special occasions. I order the same things every time I go because they are so delicious. I recommend the lobster bisque, shrimp dejonghe and a side of crawfish mac & cheese. If you are celebrating a special occasion and have a party of 2 to 4, ask for the private elevator booth, it's very romantic and cozy and there is a frog lamp on the table. The service is always stellar and the wine list is to die for. If you are lucky enough to go on a night when they have cherry pie, order it, you will not be disappointed, it's the best I have ever had. If not, the strawberry shortcake is also heaven.

Martina M.

My husband and I went to this place yesterday for our one year anniversary. I didn't really like it. The service was ok but the waitress wouldn't recommend anything unless I specificaly asked her about certain food. I ended up ordering halibut which was just OK. Nothing special for $ 30. My husband ordered charbroiled filet medallions oscar with crab meat, asparagus and hollandaise sauce which was much better dish than mine. We also ordered crab cake as an appetizer - pretty good. My house salad had completely different dressing than my husband's house salad which was kind of weird. They were supposed to be the same dishes. I won't be probably coming back to this place for another dinner.

Sabrina B.

Service is very slow. Food is excellent though.

Jessie B.

Went here last night for NYE, and it was really great. Our server was even fantastic when the live band was belting out Ray Charles & Johnny Cash tunes to tell us what the specials were. She made suggestions from the apps, entrees, wine to dessert. Very knowledgeable. All the food runners/bus boys were great sports too. I don't know if I could be so controlled in a chaotic environment--people screaming, band playing, drunks spilling drinks, etc. But they were equally as great as our server! Now the food--We started off with the baked goat cheese served with spicy marinara & kalamata olives...YUM!!!! So great. Some of my other friends ordered the tuna tar-tar, looked great but I didn't try it. Another couple shared the frog legs, this I did try, and they were so perfectly cooked. For dinner I ordered the steak medallions with the crab cake. It was great, the medallions were cooked to a perfect medium-rare. My crab cake (which I was really looking forward to) was sort of dry. They served it with "pink mayonnaise". However, I'm not a fan of mayo, so it was served dry. But that isn't their fault really. My friend ordered the lobster tail with the medallions. She said it was very fresh & fantastic. My sister ordered the tuna salad. She said it had a lot of dressing, but was good. Wine was served they have a huge selection, so it will fit any ones taste. The music was good, the dining room was lively. Their even was a dance floor upstairs. So if you are looking for dinner for two or twelve, this place will meet all your seafood dreams! I will be attending Hugo's in the near future!

Christine M.

Fog legs, after my first try, do indeed taste like chicken. A milder chicken, even more tender chicken in little morsels on those crunchy frog leg bones. (Apologies to my vegetarian readers). Anything smothered in garlic and butter is okay in my book. I had the King Crab...the largest crab leg I have seen in my entire life. In a way reminded me of something that would come out of a science fiction movie...you know...the swamp with radioactive...nevermind. Contrary to what I thought, you do not sacrifice flavor with a larger crab leg. I could see myself forgetting anything else on the menu and ordering those puppies again. To my salads...top notch with the creamiest, most delish bleu cheese dressing I've had in the city (Sorry, Pizano's). Creamed Spinach was so-so (dear Germans, you do it oh-so-better) and of course my favorite, lots of warm crusty bread on the table to fulfill my fresh baked carb needs. I definitely plan on returning should a special/nice event come up in my future - great food, good atmosphere and stellar service. Advice: Opt for an early dinner on the weekends, the place gets packed quickly after 7 p.m. and quite loud.

Jason R.

Filets were all over cooked. My bone-in ribeye had more fat than I had ever seen. Mashed potatoes were dry. Crawfish mac n cheese and mushrooms were both great. Lobster bisque was delicious. Service was mediocre, probably because it was a pretty busy Friday night. Out of all the steaks in Chicago, we wanted a Gibson's steak. Oh well.

Caitlyn S.

I love Hugo's! I have been there a few times over the years and the food / service never dissapoints me. Most recently I went there for a charity event. It seemed to be pretty well run but there wasn't a whole lot of space where they put the buffet table. There was a little disorganization when people got into the lines and started the lines from both ends, but nothing too terrible. The bartenders and wait staff were so helpful, a few times they anticipated my needs. Just when I thought, "I could really use a napkin right now", they offered one! Little things like that totally made the experience a good one!

Jessica W.

Amazing food!! The crab cakes here are wonderful...definitely the best I have ever had. The king crab legs are excellent and are priced well, especially when compared to other places like Joe's. The stone crab was great, too. This is becoming our favorite seafood place. It's a fun, lively atmosphere, too. It's easy to get a reservation on a weekend a week in advance. You won't be disappointed if you come here.

Charles A.

THE BEST. Six of us were seated at our reservation time of 6:30 (we booked through open table and arrived for drinks at 6:10) We enjoyed oysters & crabcakes for appetizers then continued through dinner, wine and desserts and made it out in time to hop cabs to our 9:00 PM Zanies Show six blocks away in Old Town... then a cigar after Zanies at Up Down Cigar. Great Night in Chicago.

Nancy C.

My fiancé and I went to Hugo's Frog Bar early on a Saturday evening -- reservations were easy to book through Open Table. From start to finish the meal and service was wonderful. Our waiter was friendly and relaxed and knew his stuff when we asked how foods were cooked. He even made modifications to our prix fixe orders. FOOD: We started with an appetizer of OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER which were absolutely DIVINE. Chopped spinach and celery are combined with some cheese and the oyster. The mixture is topped with a creamy hollandaise sauce and then baked in the shell. The fresh lemon wedges brought the entire dish together -- we ate all the oysters up in a snap. We'd go back for those again. Dinner we both did the prix fixe for $30, which includes a soup, entree, and dessert. Standouts were the GUMBO soup which was dark and smokey just the way I've eaten it down in New Orleans. CRAB CAKES were also amazing, as the crab was plentiful and the cakes were big. The dipping sauce on the side with a wedge of lemon complimented the cakes perfectly. For dessert we had ordered the STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE and the KEY LIME PIE. Both were absolutely humongous and you should go in knowing each dessert will feed about 3-4 people. The strawberries were fresh and the shortcake was crumbly and sweet -- tasted good the next day. The key lime pie we took home but tasted great out of the fridge -- it had an unusual graham cracker crust with chopped nuts which gave it a nice texture. If we go back again, definitely would go for the crab cakes and the oysters rockefeller again... SERVICE: Waiters and service were super excellent. Water glasses were always filled and after every dish was cleared our waiter cleaned the crumbs off the table. Although we ate an early dinner so we might have gotten more attentive service, if they can keep up the service during the dinner rush hour then the dining experience is worth the bill.

Brian M.

Frog legs were tasty and wait staff is attentive. Good to have seafood or Gibsons streak options. Very crowded restaurant, ask for a good table and not one in the hallway or in the middle of a crammed room.

Michael D.

I came here with a client for the first time and I loved it! The space is crowded but the food was fast and the surrounding tables all had some fun people that we ended up sharing some drinks with. The food was perfect - I had a bone-in filet and a baked potato - was DELICIOUS. Juicy and lip smacking. I couldn't finish the whole thing and it still tasted great the following day when it was warmed up. Overall it is a great place full of people that are alive where you can let loose a little.

Bryn K.

Very upbeat place usually has music too. Food is good. Noisy atmosphere - lots of conversation. Is enjoyable.

Christina M.

The prices are tolerable and the friendly vibe pleasing. Extra points for being open late. Wait staff attentive. Decor a bit stale but not bad. Solid choice for the neighborhood.

Eric G.

Having been on the fence about whether to Yelp or not to Yelp for some time now, I have decided to join the dark side after my amazing dining experience at Hugo's. I recently dined at Hugo's on a Monday night, although I usually would not be concerned about making dinner reservations on a Monday night, I am glad I did due to the fact this place was jumping. Hugo's was packed even as I left at 9pm, people were still being seated to order dinner. The quality of the food and service at Hugo's was second to none of my other dining experiences in Chicago. Being a seafood snob, I was pleasantly surprised at the variety and freshness of the seafood that Hugo's offered. I was informed by our knowledgeable waitress that all of seafood at Hugo's is flown in fresh daily. After walking all over Chicago and playing tour guide to my family from out of town I had worked up quite an appetite. I started out with an assortment of oysters on the half shell. The oysters were served in a photo shoot quality presentation on a bed of ice and condiments, including frozen crystallized malt vinegar that melted in my mouth. I found this to be unique and memorable start to the meal. I then decided to do the 3 course prix fix menu for $29.50. Considering the size and quality of the courses this was a steal to say the least. For my first course I chose the split pea soup. A puree would have been a more accurate description, none the less it tasted like spit peas and nothing else. I did not have to add any salt or pepper, as I have in the past when consuming soups and purées. The main course was two "Egg McMuffin" size crabs cakes that actually had crab in them! Being from the Midwest I am used to eating crab cakes that could be considered "bread cakes." I barely touched the red pepper mayo that was appropriately served on the side given the lack of need to blanket the fresh taste of crab that was present. Just as I began to wonder how my meal could get any better, I was blown away with my "slice "of key lime pie for dessert. The menu described it inaccurately in the fact that "slice" means quarter of the pie. Being the only one who ordered this, it easily fed everyone else at my table. All and all, I am grateful that I took a friends advice and dined at Hugo's. I will defiantly be returning there in the near future and look forward to another memorable meal. My only hope is that I am able to get reservations.

Libby B.

my family and I had been bar hoping Rush Street so we bopped in here for a drink. the alcohol was getting to our head so we grabbed an appetizer menu and got a few things. we had some crab dish type of thing that was great, ammmmazing filet mignon sliders that were insanely good and then the bread that comes free to the table. the bread was great too! i cant wait to bring my boyfriend back in 2 weeks to get a Goose Island and some filet mignon sliders!

Liz M.

I was in town on vacation and was told to come here for a dessert to share with family because they are HUGE. We decided to have dinner also. We were horribly disappointed we had no room for dessert. Next time we will just skip dinner.

Melissa W.

I think that Hugo's and Gibsons are "love it or hate it" type places. I really like them, though. Yes, they're often crowded and you have to deal with waiting, even with reservations, etc. But, I think the wait staff does a great job! We opted for Hugo's last night, as an alternative to Gibson's, and I think we'll continue to do that! If you want steak, they serve them same steak as Gibson's. But, they have more seafood choices and tend to be less crowded. Two of us had seafood (the special scallop dish for the day) and two had the Chicago Cut ribeye. We also ordered asparagus and the double baker, as well as the mussel appetizer. We also ordered 2 bottles of the bearboat (?) pinot noir. Honestly, everything was delicious! The scallops were cooked perfectly, as were the steaks. The waitstaff was very friendly and took care of everything we needed. Just know- the servings are huge!! Feel free to share, especially the desserts. I mean, their carrot cake is really the size of a whole cake.

Dane B.

Hugo's Frog Bar and Gibsons Steakhouse regularly draw Chicago's in-crowd. It's known for serving phenomenal Steaks, Chops, Seafood and Sides. If you're familiar with the famous fare at Gibsons, rest assure you'll like Hugo's because they share the same kitchen and have similar but slightly different menus. The crowd is a who's who of the Windy City. A VIP Chi-town hangout, there's never a shortage of action or good-looking woman. The desserts are humongous: a slice of chocolate cake can feed a whole table because they're 5 inches tall and a 1/4 of the cake. Perfect for a power lunch or a celebration dinner. Go there.

R H.

Just okay. Went here for a late lunch last Sunday. Our bloody marys were great--love the effen cucumber twist they put on it. And the service was wonderful. But our food left SO much to be desired. The seafood was overcooked, bland, and just not very good. The best part of our meal was the rolls + butter they brought out when we sat down. Sad...probably won't be back.

Jacksin W.

So So, if you like frozen fish over cooked.

Roger A.

I don't know what the hype is all about. Food was average but priced extravagantly. My salad was wilted, the dressing tasted like Hidden Valley, and my fish was dry, overcooked, and blandly seasoned (and they call themselves a Fish House?).

Frank L.

The only restaurant I have been too that has ever asked upfront if anyone had a food allergy. Considering I do, I had high respect for them even before ordering. This is an excellent steakhouse and it was packed. My recommendation is to make reservations. The wait staff was good and the atmosphere was great. Highly recommended if you are in the Chicago area.

Shaun K.

Very disappointing. I took a bunch of people here from chicago and new york, and we all left very depressed. First of all the seating and the ambiance is lousy, the tables are on top of one another and the room is certainly not high class. The steaks here are not dry-aged, they are only wet-aged. Wet-aged is just a fancy way of saying, vacuum packed in blood. This does not break down the muscle tissue and is not preferred for taste. They don't have grass-fed or grain-fed meat, so basically this is the same steriod injected hormone raised cattle eating petroleum pesticide ridden corn taht they sell at Sam's club for a few bucks a pound. The filet was dry and hard to cut. The rib-eye, was all fat and hard to chew the grizzle and the WR Chicago Cut was a joke. Come on, you have to be an idiot to think this is any different than the shlock at a chain restaurant. If you want good meat, buy a Kobe-Wagyu american NY Strip and cook it at home, it will taste far better, i guarantee it!

Gita B.

Lively place - always busy, piano player on site, great location, good service and food. It is a little pricey but the ambiance/food makes up for it. Although if you are a Chicago resident - be aware it is a tourist trap. If you don't want to be in the middle of all that don't go. I love it cause it has great atmosphere!

Fun place, Huge portions, served family style! Different from any other steakhouse I had ever been to.

Uyen D.

We were referred by our hotel concierge. The experience was a disaster, but the food was good and the waitress was awesome, so the stars will remain. 1. We had an 8:00 reservation, but it wasn't until 8:45 that we were seated. Meanwhile, we had to wait in the very crowded bar. People tell me this is normal. :( However, I will give a thumbs up to the very charming very good piano singer. I did enjoy his music. 2. There were virtually no non-seafood appetizers (my bf is allergic) so we got potato skins. But it was designed to be a side, so it was so big! 3. After our appetizers and salad, we found ourselves waiting. Again. It was a longer than average wait. :( 4. We both ordered our steaks medium. Mine was perfect, but his was well done. :( Star redeemed for checking to make sure the temps were right, and fixing it. However, he was charged for second piece of meat. And then comp'd. He broke even--but they made a big deal about comping it. Weird? 4. Our twice baked potato came cold. Did you just thaw this? Probably. :( Luckily the waitress happily took this back as well. And it serves probably 6--much too much food for 2. 5. The cajun grilled corn can come as a half order, it was delicious. 6. By now we were stuffed and a little annoyed, but we had to take a stab at one of the monstrous desserts that kept parading by. They are indeed MONSTROUS. The muddy bottom is good. All in all, food was par for a steakhouse, service was excellent, and if I could avoid the crazy wait, I might come back.

Tara M.

I took my sister and brother in law to Hugo's for dinner recently, and we absolutely loved it! We spent about two hours in the bar before our reservation, so we weren't in the best of shape. My sister spilled her dirty martini all over herself, and our cocktail waitress almost immediately brought over a cup of club soda and a cloth napkin for her to clean her sweater. When we were ready to sit down in the restaurant, we got a great table. I have to give our waitress credit--my sister was visibly drunk, but she was very courteous to us. I had the tenderloin medallions with crab legs. The crab legs were divine, and the meat not quite as good as I'd expect from Gibsons but still good. Definitely worth every penny; I can't wait to go back!

Sheila B.

AMAZING!! Ive lived in Chicago all my life and this is by far my favorite place. We came here on a whim and walked into Hugo's without a reservation. The Bar area is first come first serve, and there was a table right in front of us so we sat right down. Our waitress was amazing...its like she knew exactly when to come over and wasnt "overly attentive." On to the meal.. I ordered the Miso Marinated Sea Bass...and HOLY CRAP, it was definitely a party in my mouth. It was the perfect comination of fish and sauce. It really seemed like it melted in my mouth. So good. The entree came with a soup or salad. I got the salad, but I suggest the soup. Clam chowder..yum! Mom got the Cajun Chicken and Crab. Wow. Just a masterpiece. I really wish I could go here everyday forever, but this would break the bank if I did. We sat there for over 3 hours and didnt feel any rush to leave and service was just as great towards the end as it was at the beginning. Total was 100 for both of us, but I thought it was going to be a lot more. We were pleasantly suprised by this. The food was amazing and drinks kept rolling for 3 hours! Excellant. Go there...go now!

T K.

Hugos was pretty cool. It was super packed when I went on a friday, but we still managed to snag a table after a little bit of waiting. The waitresses were friendly and attentive and the people watching was interesting (lots of people on dates, young and old alike) I also got a chuckle out of the fact that they *actually* had frog legs on the menu...

Oak P.

We had the best server, Chris M. and the most enjoyable food. I can go on and on about our server, he made us feel so special. He was so accommodating and genuine. I'm now a huge fan of Hugo's and will be back!

Gordon O.

Mmmmmm had my first ever taste of king crab legs at Hugo's! Nice, succulent and juicy crab legs! The cocktail sauce was also good, not sure if its house made or if it was out of a bottle. Heck if it was, it was one great bottle!

Charles S.

One of the best meals we've had in Chicago. The bar was a great scene. Really hopping and full of energy. Gin martini was awesome, and nice wine selection. Our dinner was delicious, and not a bad value. Good product for the price. I tried the pan fried Walleye, and she tried the atlantic salmon. I also tried the crab and avocado appetizer. Everything was superb. We will definitely return.