Got lucky with communal seating since we had exactly 3 people, so our wait went from 1 hour to 5 minutes. Food was solid, hash didn't disappoint and would definitely come back and try something different.
(4)
Christina C.
I have so many good things to say about this place. Not only is WHISK good for brunch but also it is good for dinner. The burgers will make your heart stop, figuratively and literally. When they say 8 oz. burger, you receive basically a pound of burger if you add in all the toppings they give. I have ordered the House burger twice now. I still don't know what chihuahua cheese is, but it is delicious. I'm thinking they make their guacamole in house because that is also delicious and goes perfectly with the tortilla strips on the burger. I love the burger bun they use, toasted and soft. Unfortunately, the patty is so large that I don't have room to eat the bun. The cajun fries are delicious. You can't go wrong with them. The fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - the definition of a perfect fry. For an extra $2, you can upgrade your fries. I got the truffle fries the other day. You can definitely taste the truffle oil and they put parmesan and parsley on top. I've also been here for breakfast. I got steak and eggs, medium rare and over easy, respectively. Honestly, I've never thought of steak as a breakfast food, since it's very much an elegant dinner entree. They prepared the rib eye like a steakhouse would. I'm thoroughly impressed. It's a huge breakfast, so prepare to food coma after you just climbed out of bed hours before your trip to WHISK. It's usually pretty busy on weekends. I do recommend going during the week day for dinner and sitting out in their patio out back.
(5)
Jake C.
I was disappointed with the brunch and dinner items I have tried. I first came here a while back and ordered the omelette special. It was by no means bad, it just was something I felt like I could get anywhere else in the neighborhood. Second time was a couple weeks ago and I ordered their turkey burger with whatever on it. It tasted bland and boring and no seasoning. I would have figured for $13 it would have at least had a little kick to it. Other places in the neighborhood make the same product and it tastes better at equal value. I probably won't return which is a shame because it is so close to home. The BYOB is nice with Mariano's across the street!
(2)
Rana T.
I went back recently for dinner and it was nothing like the place I gave 5 stars to earlier. Maybe you guys should really just stick to brunch. Whisk does brunch so so soooo very well, but really just seems to give up on variety and customer service around dinner time. I was seated and actually waited 20 minutes before anyone came to even asked if I wanted something to drink, but get this, there was only 1 other group in the place. All other staff seemed to be standing around chatting, busy bro hugging or congregating in the back. When our waiter did finally surface, he came up seeming uninterested, never making eye contact and said, "what do you all want?" And we're sitting there thinking the hell kinda service is this? Of course being me I mentioned it because it's uncalled for and not proper professionalism. The attitude was quickly checked and corrected but that's more than I can say for the food. They ran out of peach mint tea, didn't have appetizers and the dinner menu had not enough variety, mainly just burgers. I really wanted brunch so I got the only thing on the menu that was close to a brunch entree but when my steak and eggs arrived with my grits I literally wanted to go back there in the kichen and teach whoever was back there how to cook grits because Whisk's little recipe damn near made me not want to return, BUT I keep thinking about that brunch, that oh so AMAZING brunch. Yeah, I think I'll just stick with brunch.
(3)
Juan G.
We went there wanting to use a Groupon, Brunch and Burgers for $19. When I tried to use the voucher the waitress said "you can't use it on the weekends". I told her it did not say that on the fine print and she went to get the manager. After I explained the situation, the manager said "This Groupon is for dinner only". Even though it said "Brunch and Burgers", she would not honor it. * Extremely slow service (Burger and Pancakes took 50 mins!) * No alcohol * Inattentive waitress * Shady Groupon to bring in customers * Manager didn't honor Groupon 1 Star.
(1)
Aurora D.
This place was great. First off, love the Ron Swanson/Nick Offerman theme. We went super early after my friend got off her night shift and whoever served us (looked like a manager) was great. Seriously one of my best dining experiences in a while. He humored us, cracked jokes, was helpful when needed, but didn't crowd us. The food was great and had many unique options for us to try. They had your regular breakfast options but with fun spins so definitely good for groups if you have a mix of picky people and/or want something fun. I will give them my business as long as they're there!
(5)
Gina S.
I've been here half a dozen times and my official vote is in. This place has THE best burger in Chicago. I've been to the heavy metal place and aucheval and this blows them away. A close second is the bad apple on Lincoln. I've had a few different varieties here. I don't know what it is, but the flavors meld together perfectly. The burger itself tastes amazing without condiments overwhelming it. Perfection. I've also had breakfast and non-burgers. Everything was excellent.
(5)
Daniel C.
I've been to whisk twice now. I went the first time because I heard tell of a horseshoe style burger. I remember not actually being that into it. I don't remember why but I prefer the legit horseshoe from 6 degrees on Damen. Last night I went again and they had a great special on guacamole and chips for $5. I got a turkey burger with avocado, provolone. cilantro and a nice mayo. My friend said she has the old timer burger when she goes and it doesn't disappoint. They have a mexican flair and the back page of the menu includes many mexican entrees including chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and tacos of course. I haven't been by for brunch but you can try some of the burgers brunch style which involves french toast instead of a bun. DECADENT! it's also BYOB so that's a plus.
(4)
Kaitlin M.
Well I have to start off by saying this is the first 5 star rating I have given a breakfast restaurant in a long time. I would say it's closer to 4.5 but that's only because the Bithday Boy I was with was being difficult and the manager didn't respond the way he expected. The food however was delightful! My boy had the Shrimp and Grits and said it met is savory southern craving. I had the Garden Omelette that was full of fresh produce and bold in flavor. When they say garlic they meant it. And the breakfast potatoes were perfectly crispy with a touch of rosemary. We enjoyed the BYOB with beers from the convenient Mariono's next door. The coffee was a little wrong for our taste. Service was good even though they didn't tell us we could not have drinks on the front patio and have to move us inside. The back patio is cute but small. Prices were about average but I felt like my plate was a little over valued. I would recommend this for breakfast for sure!
(5)
Chloe T.
The little hidden gem...I Iove this place! Very very fresh. I had the turkey burger and it was delicious!! Everything was so flavorful! I really like the hours of this place and I like how it's not too big not too small. I'd definitely come back again.
(4)
Thomas C.
A burger, wrapped in bacon and cooked to juicy perfection ... OF COURSE you're going to love this place. And that's probably not even the best sandwich on the menu. Wife's fried chicken sandwich had me jealous .. even though I loved my burger. Fries come with variety of toppings, all good. Wings are very good starter as well.
(4)
Luke D.
I don't get these rave reviews. Whisk is very average. I had the crab cakes which were ice cold (and uneaten). My wife had the Mexican scramble which she described as "fine." My son's banana berry pancakes were OK but very sweet. On the positive side, my friend had David's Special (shrimp, bacon and cheese grits) which everyone at the table liked and the house potatoes were solid. Service was generally fine, although when we asked for one fork the busboy gave us a bundle of supplies and asked us to re-stock a table caddy which was 5 feet from our table with flatware and napkins. There is often a line at Whisk. Not that I would return, but I wouldn't wait 2 minutes here-- especially since there are much better options nearby (Flo probably topping the list).
(2)
Stacey L.
I chose WHISK based off its Yelp rating while lying bleary-eyed on my friend's couch after a night spent getting soaked in the never-ending downpour at an outdoor concert. I was starving and probably would have been happy with freezer-burned Eggos at that point, but our foursome managed to get dressed and venture out. The WHISK storefront is adorable, and the inside is even better. In addition to a homey space, there are paintings of Ron Swanson everywhere. The place is a shrine to character, whipped forward with the force of a meat tornado. There were no available regular tables, so we were offered a community high-top. Our group's configuration around it was a little awkward, but we never ended up with anyone else at the table so it wasn't too bad. Mostly for anyone who would have joined us, as with these friends filters do not exist in our conversations. Our server was pretty sassy - like, Ed Debevic's sassy - but I was fine with it. Once we got our orders placed it took a bit to get the food, but when it arrived it was delicious. + Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes: my order; not generally a pancake person but I am a fan of pumpkin everything. They were delicious. The pecans gave a good contrast in texture and the white chocolate sauce worked as the "frosting" for the cinnamon roll idea they were going for. + Reese's Pancakes: the perfect thing for my pregnant friend. This is definitely more along the lines of dessert than breakfast. It's loaded with peanut butter cups and rich mascarpone. I am a bottomless pit for sugar and prefer sweet breakfasts but this might have even been able to take me down. I fully approve. + Biscuits and Gravy: boyfriend's order; they aren't kidding when they say the biscuits are smothered - it's literally a giant bowl of gravy with eggs and biscuits thrown in. The portion is ridiculous. Ron Swanson would be proud. I would be ill. I have no idea how my gent took almost the whole thing down. I tried a bite and it was good, and the breakfast potatoes on the side were fantastic. + I can't remember what my other friend had. I think an omelet? He definitely had a side of potatoes and subbed a croissant. I hate eggs so I'm guessing it was an omelet. He ate the whole thing, so I'm going to assume that it followed the trend of the rest of our dishes. Glad to have stumbled across WHISK, and I plan to be back!
(5)
Simma Down Na H.
Duuuuuuuddddeeee!!!! You NEED to eat HERE!!! So so so delicious!! My boyfriend and I ordered the David's Special, Chilequiles, and banana berry pancakes and we loved all the entrees. I highly recommend the David's Special which is a big bowl of grits with shrimp, mushrooms, scallions, and bacon...it's so yummy. We cannot wait to come back and eat the burgers! Thank you Whisk for making our bellies happy!
(4)
Kristin F.
So the 2 stars is because my husband really likes their biscuits and gravy... Now the -3... So apparently children can't sit outside? No explanation. Okay, we will wait 25 minutes to sit inside then with 3 open tables outside. No service whatsoever. Had to ask to order, the lady that came seemed annoyed, no one checked on us at all. And then we had to request our check. We had no server the whole time, no greeting nothing. I just ordered a croissant and it was a strange combination of greasy and stale. Disappointing as we really enjoyed our first experience here.
(2)
Peggah G.
I got a groupon for a weekday brunch special and it didn't really work out in my favor discount wise, but the food was good. I got the pear pancakes, which were sweeter than normal normal pancakes. The pear/berry toppings were amazing. I got the white chocolate sauce on the side, because I don't like white chocolate, and they don't like anything but chocolate (white or milk) as an option for pancake topping. My dining companion got the David's Special, which made me crinkle my nose, but apparently not only was it edible, it tasted great. Cheesy grits and shrimp and bacon and mushrooms. Very confusing to my picky palate. While we were seated quickly, our service wasn't all that great. They got busier after we ordered, but they weren't that busy when we got in. A few tables got their food ahead of us and I was pouting at that point. Their lunch and dinner menu looked interesting enough to where I may give it another chance. I would give this place an overall 4/5 stars because of food and service, but I'm taking away another star because they said they had coke on their menu. I ordered the coke and got some weird Luchador Mexican Cola instead. It wasn't coke and its high fructose corn syrup-y goodness. It amused me, but this isn't the South where every carbonated soft drink is a 'coke'. I mean, when I order a Coke at Applebee's, they ask me if Pepsi is alright, because there's a difference. My waitress should have asked me if "some quirky offbrand Mexican cola" was alright, because I would have said, "Hahahaha, what? No. What?"
(3)
Tracy X.
We came here on a Sunday with a group of 6 and were quoted an hour wait. Not that bad for Sunday brunch, especially if it's really as good as the reviews may have suggested. I really like the GIANT whisk they have in the display window. So we entertained ourselves and chatted until we eventually got seated. The food however was very underwhelming. The David's Special was just a bunch of protein bits over a giant bowl of mush that's also too salty. The Mexican scramble was decent, but nothing I can't make by myself in 20 minutes. I didn't try the other entrees, but several friends also voiced that they were not impressed. Definitely not going to waste another hour of my precious life waiting in line for mediocre diner food.
(2)
Melissa W.
Dear Whisk, Your chef is killing' it, dog. In the two times I have been to Chicago, I've stopped at Whisk for brunch. First time, I had the David's Special. This meal... holy cow. It tastes like luxury in your mouth. Thats a delicious flavor my friends. Second time: the Chilaquiles. I'm from Texas man. I haven't ever had Chilaquiles THAT good. Unfortunately, overtime I've gone, they were empty. People need to get with the program dude. The food here is awesome. (I'd reevaluate your service staff though. I see a problem there.)
(4)
Marissa D.
Came here for brunch with a friend and it was good, but not great. The service was ok, but nothing spectacular. Came here another night and it was way better. The server was a one man show, constantly checking on us and with a full restaurant. The house burger was scrumptious. I will be returning for dinner, but maybe not brunch. Good place to grab a bite and bring a drink!
(4)
Rosa J.
My exploration at West Town continued. After a coffee trip to Star Lounge nearby, we walked to WHISK, located near Damen/Chicago (directly across from the McDonald's). I purchased a groupon for their dinner deal. We had $30 worth of credit to spend on their food and beverages. Speaking of beverages, they are BYOB. Yet they have many selections of soda to choose from. We had one of the JOIA with the blackberry, pomegranate, and ginger. That combination was "da bomb"! It was refreshing, robust in flavors, and great for spring time. Hubby, on the other hand, had one of the DRY soda with the rhubarb flavor. Yes, that was the celery-looking vegetable that you all were thinking of. Once again, trying a veggie-tasting pop shouldn't be that intimating. The rhubarb one reminded me of the "Beverly" soda I've had at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. The "Beverly" is exclusive in Italy, and the DRY rhubarb has a sweeter after note that is built upon "Beverly." That was my mere observation and reflection with the soda portion of the meal. How about the burgers? My garlic mushroom burger wasn't extraordinary. However, the portion was large. For an average individual with a normal appetite, he or she would have enough to take home. Hubby had the black bean burger with Parmesan cheese fries. By the way, you can substitute for one of their specialty sides for additional $2.50. Otherwise, having regular or Cajun-flavored fries is included with no extra charge. His black bean burger was well-constructed, stacked with pita breads on top and bottom. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, this burger is great for anyone. In my opinion, they made this burger interesting and eclectic in flavors. The entire patty was compact and way-more-easy to consume, comparing to a traditional meat burger. There was a minor glitch on hubby's cheese fries. The chef accidentally put bacon on top of them, but this mistake was quickly rectified and wasn't detrimental to our dining experience. The restaurant itself was a bit crowded. The space wouldn't be able to accommodate to a very large party. But for a party between two (2) to four (4), this place would be intimate and comfortable. Hubby and I think WHISK is repeat-business worthy, with or without a groupon. Nevertheless, having a groupon wouldn't hurt; we paid $7 and some change (before tips) after the $30-deduction.
(4)
Andrea A.
I had the pulled pork benedict, it was so great! I'm coming back for their burgers!!! Prices are just right...highly recommended
(5)
Pilsbury T.
We wrote a 2 star review and Andrew from whisk answered untruthfully. 1). There were 5 tables out side. Not 2. Three in front of your store front. Two in front of the next door store front you were sitting people at when we were waiting. 2). We have a 4 year old and a 6 month old in a car seat. We made no request or mention of a baby seat. The car seat sat on a chair and the 4 year old sure doesn't need the baby seat. I get that you want to respond to public reviews in a manner that addresses and rationalized bad experiences, but don't make things up. Just say "we're sorry" and move forward.
(1)
Annie M.
After two visits this place has been upgraded to one of my top 5 favorite brunch places in the city! We went on a Friday for a very late breakfast, and there were plenty of open tables. The staff was super friendly and really accommodating. I ordered the David's Special without bacon. I don't think I've ever had anything that even remotely compared to in my life. Rich, cheesy grits, topped with an even richer (alfredo?) sauce, with shrimp and mushrooms. It's so savory and delicious and I'm sure is at least a million calories. I literally called my dad afterwards to tell him how good it was. I also split a single order mocha pancake with my boyfriend. It's not listed on the menu, but you can do a half order of the pancakes, which is totally clutch. I plan on making it my mission to try all of them. The food/service was so good that we came back two days later with friends for Sunday brunch. The wait was about an hour and a half but we had a party of 6 so that was to be expected. There were plenty of smaller parties that were sat before us, but we had an awesome, big booth that fit everyone so it was worth the wait. I chose the "healthier" option of the crab cakes benedict. Again, loved my food and would recommend it to anyone. The breakfast potatoes the meal came with were also very good. My friend ordered a pumpkin roll pancake for the table to split...just as good as the mocha one! Also: Whisk is BYOB and they serve the best orange juice. And they're themed after Parks and Rec. This place hits it out of the park for me on all levels!
(5)
Angela B.
I tried Whisk totally based on the Yelp reviews and was pleasantly surprised. This is a hidden gem and I will definitely be back. Small & cute with attentive staff and great food at reasonable prices. I tried the pulled pork benedict (which sounds weird, I know) and it was AMAZING. My boyfriend had the chicken & pear club sandwich and was equally satisfied. There were several items on the menu that I would love to try.. everything looked fantastic. Some of the tables are "group" seating which may not be to everyone's liking. For instance, we were seated at a table for 10 with other parties of 2. I actually enjoyed this arrangement and had pleasant conversation with the other people at our table and it made for a fun meal. Easy street parking, BYOB if you like, and our yummy brunch for 2 was right around $25. Can't beat that!
(5)
Belle L.
BYOB. Worth the trek. Excellent $ for portion. Quality ingredients. A better option than Mariano foods. ;-) DAVIDS'S SPECIAL ($12) -- 4+ big shrimp. Even distribution of ingredients that every scoop is a perfect bite. No, no to grits? This dish would change you. Addictive from first bite. Hearty dude portion. HOMEMADE ICED TEA ($6) -- skip it. With 1/3 ice and single serving, it's overpriced. Stay with bottomless coffee. BYOB -- freshly squeezed orange juice available by carafe for a self made mimosa. Iced bucket provided. The main reason for the wait. KIDDIE MENU -- love it! See photo. VENUE -- cluttered. Old school coffee house setup with group seating booths. STAFF & SERVICE -- attentive. Informative. Friendly. Nice. Polite. Your new BFF. *wink* Quick cleanup. More dishes to taste. A list of fries to try. I shall be back for more.
(5)
Amanda M.
Came here for brunch Saturday around 11 as a group of 4 and waited only about 15 minutes, which was refreshing to me, as I'm used to hearing hour wait times for brunch places. Loved the ambiance of the place. It was a nice cozy feeling but somewhat elegant as well. A little rustic chic? Menu isn't overwhelming with a million options like traditional diners, but their offerings are quite unique. I got the crab benedict (served only on weekends). It was very good and full of crab flavor. Eggs were perfectly poached, although aesthetically, they didn't look the best. Another minor criticism was that I thought that there was just a tad too much sauce. Overall though, tasty and satisfying meal. Also tried the pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes with the white chocolate sauce on the side, and I surprisingly enjoyed these despite not being a sweet tooth. They really did these right, as they weren't overly sweet or heavy and had really good flavor. What I also loved was their soda list. They had every unique flavor imaginable. I tried the almond cola and it was delightful. Service was pretty good. Didn't have to wait too long for anything and the server and hostess and rest of the staff were friendly. We also had a TravelZoo deal ($20 for 40), so that made it extra worth it. Definitely would come back though, regardless of having any deals. Delish food and great brunch spot.
(5)
Bob S.
The breakfast potatoes are amazing. The best item on the table was the breakfast sandwich.
(4)
James V.
I have to say the casual greeting at door by the owner was a nice touch finished off by a great dinner. You rarely get that commitment to service anymore especially on high volume "hipster" Chicago Ave. The horseshoe was absolutely filling completed by a sunny-side up egg as an up charge but way worth it. Now I that is not the most original concept but the added French toast to the mix was Genius! Grab a napkin because your gonna need it for this dish. The patio in the back felt like I was not in chicago,which is a good thing on Friday night. This place is worth trying out and becoming a loyal customer. Trust me I love great service and food. Whisk was no exception!
(5)
Lucy C.
I was pleasantly confused by Whisk's obsession with Ron Swanson. I mean he's great, but I just don't get it. Anyway. I stopped by with a friend on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty empty but the hostess wouldn't seat us for some reason. She seemed confused by what we were saying and we eventually just grabbed two seats at the bar. Service was kind of slow and awkward, but one of the guys was so genuine. It was actually quite refreshing. The hash I got was decent, but nothing to write home about. My friend ordered David's special which was super tasty. I ended up eating maybe a third of her grits. That's what friends are for, right? At some point during our meal, there was some sort of altercation at the booth behind us. The customer was red in the face (from drinking?), yelled at the servers/management, and stormed out after pushing over the stool next to mine. It was pretty terrifying. Aside from that little snafu, we had a perfectly satisfactory meal.
(3)
Laura R.
This is my third time being here. The food is simply delicious. The kitchen seem to know what's up! Today l had the 33 omelette and it was just superb. The home fries are crispy to perfection, l order a side of sausage links and a side of beans that hit the stop this morning. Coffee was on cue. Hot and fresh!! We were there early this morning and service was prompt friendly and attentite. We sat outside and we notice the place was getting crowded. Overall l think this place is going to be a huge hit. I for once will be coming more often as long as service continues to evolve like it has. (Super important to have good staff) To the owners, l know you have a groupon and all, but your food is that good to stand alone without any promotions. Keep working of points of service and keep things simple and moving along. I wish you great success because you deserve it!! Whisk food quality is that of a 5 star Hotel in Miami. No joke!!! Delish!!! I absolutely recomend this place to foodies and people that support small little places like this. Great job!!! Look forward to coming back again. Will try it for dinner next!
(4)
Fiyah C.
Came in for brunch with my mom and omg this place was awesome. We both had the shrimp and grits which was to die for!!! The menu was interesting and we had a hard time deciding however I was very happy with the service and the food. Highly recommended!
(5)
Rachel D.
Gave this place another shot and I'm so glad I did! We got to sit on their patio which was absolutely lovely. The food was great, the service was great. I'll be back again and again!
(5)
Rita B.
Let me start by saying YUM!!! Really, this is an eclectic and funky in a good way. The decor was interesting and funny because of who it was modeled after. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners/chefs and he was so sweet. I asked about the decor and he explained, which I thought was pretty awesome. Now, back to the delicious food. I ordered a Texas burger (which was off of their dinner menu but I didn't know that until after I spoke with the chef). He was nice enough to make it for me and my friend without any complaints. Awesome business. So this burger, it's an open faced burger (not mentioned on the menu but still delicious as ever). Besides the fact that it is HUGE, the flavors are amazing and I can't even begin to describe how the cheese sauce and burger blend together so well. Good fries too. For dessert we had the pumpkin cinnamon bun something or other pancake. Heaven!!! It's an orange pumpkin pancake with cinnamon bun icing drizzled over it (def no need for syrup). The two of use couldn't attack the entire short stack. Sadly, we left it behind. But seriously, you have to try this pancake. I'll come back in a heart beat. So many different things I'd like to try. Menu is very creative. Downside, parking sucks. And it's street parking that you have to pay for. Ugh. Still worth the $4 spent to park on the street.
(4)
Kyle P.
I liked this place. One of the better bacon egg and cheese croissant I have had and also the loaded fries. Didn't have to wait just go early
(5)
Steven M.
Average food. I had for better since the line was so long. And the wait staff really needs to be re-trained. They were not prepared at all, like it was their first day. Hopefully they can improve.
(3)
Mouse C.
I had brunch this morning at Whisk with one of my girlfriends. We were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away with NO wait! Woohoo. I will say the restaurant itself is tiny, so if you come over a weekend I think you will be looking at a wait. But let me tell you...it's worth it. Both of us found it very difficult to choose what to order as everything sounded delicious! The best decision I think both of us will make all week were the SALTED CARMEL PANCAKES! What, yes, that's right, you heard me. These babies were to-die-for. Salty, carmely, and pancakey...what more could you ask for. Egg-wise, I went with the chilaquiles and my gf went with a Mexican scramble. We enjoyed both dishes very much. I will add though that my chilaquiles came to the table deconstructed but the second I married all of the ingredients together, it was pure magic. Whisk knows what they are doing. I will absolutely be back to try additional menu items. Oh, and, it's BYOB. Perfection!
(4)
Gaftie M.
The food deserved 4 stars for taste and creativity........... But wait...... Theres more..... BYOB!!!!!!!!!! They definitely earned the 5th star.
(5)
Matthew D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. We had the breakfast burrito, spicy crab cake Benedict, and souther style chicken sandwich (very delicious), Caesar salad. Byob. Service was great and prices are very extremely cheap.
(5)
yhm m.
Bought a groupon for brunch. The service was excellent, great food options (especially he salted caramel pancakes).
(5)
Cody S.
Being from out of town I took my girlfriend's advice to try this place and I was glad I did. The atmosphere is nice and the biscuits and gravy was really good.
(4)
Sheri M.
The food and coffee here is always perfection. I've had the burger, the ckn sandwich, shrimp and grits, and the pancakes. By far, the ckn sandwich is my fave. It is fried to perfection and is donned with jalapeno cole slaw - WTF!?!? My mouth does the tango with every chew! I don't really care for the manager - she always makes me feel as if she's doing me a favor by allowing me into the establishment. I try to visit when I think she's not there, but she's always there! Other than her, this place is a great brunch, lunch or dinner choice. BTW, there is only 1 co-ed bathroom and seating is limited. They do have patio seating in the back of the restaurant in the summer. I forgot the great artwork that is forever changing.
(4)
Mz C.
Prepare to wait for weekend brunch hours, but it's worth the wait. You can taste the freshness. We had the Old Time & their shrimp & grits special. Yum!
(5)
Elizabeth W.
They couldn't get us in past the door because the service people were rude. I called ahead to ask about the wait for 6 people for breakfast/brunch. The hostess said the place wasn't busy so there would only be a 15 minute wait. We got there 20 minutes later and the wait became a 50 minute wait. There weren't many people seated in the restaurant. Not a big deal, but we felt lied to. We were chatting for literally 30 seconds at the door, then the hostess got really impatient and rudely asked,"So are you staying or going?" Strike 1. As my party of 6 was deliberating (at the door by the hostess) whether or not waiting would be worth it, a waiter swooped by and said, "How many are there of you? A million?" to which a patron laughed. It sounds like he was making a racist joke at my family's expense. Not ok. Strike 2. I didn't want to wait around for the 3rd strike. Whisk lost out on some $$$ from me.
(1)
Leah K.
After reading all the awesome reviews about the chilaquiles, we decided to head there for brunch with another couple and both of our toddlers. We went around 9-9:30 and were told the wait would be 30 minutes but really it was only about 10-15 which is awesome for brunch. They have a cute outdoor seating area in the back but we opted for inside since it was a hot day. We were greeted by our server pretty quickly and got some drinks. The food took a bit of time but hey it's rush time on the weekend...but we were all kind a little underwhelmed. The chilaquiles were really a miss for me. My husband is Mexican and we have/make it quite a bit but these were just missing kind of key elements flavor wise. I will say the half order of pancakes were lovely...lots of flavor, sweet without being super heavy (thumbs up!) I think the brunch bar is set pretty high in the city and unfortunately it makes whisk just okay. If I lived in the area, I'd probably be back a lot to try some more of the menu bc trying anywhere once is always a shot in the dark
(3)
Michelle K.
One of my favorite places in the area! The chicken tacos and the chicken and waffles are ridiculous. The chicken literally melts in your mouth. Also recommend the chips and guac, which they usually have on special but for whatever reason isn't on the menu. I've only been in for dinner and I'm always surprised they aren't busier. I've never had to wait for a table for dinner, even on a Saturday night. Brunch seems to get more crowded. LOVE the inside decor and the outdoor space out back is cute. Service is always great. Love that it's byob (and no corking fees!) They (almost?) always have groupons, too.
(5)
Adam M.
BYOB Burger Bar??? Heck, they already made a fan out of me even before I stepped foot inside. To start off our Server was awesome, he was super cool, and very funny. I give them 5 stars for service! Now on to the important part, the Food! The burgers here were real solid. I had a hard time deciding between the Horseshoe and the House Burger. I wound up going with The House which is a 8oz burger, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, guacamole and tortilla strips on a bun. YUMMM this was sooo good. Fries (Just alright) - Loaded Pepper Jack Cheese Fries - best that we had, the cheese was a bit thicker than I'm used to on fries but these are the ones to pick - Chimichurri Fries - Decent but very soggy - Truffle Fries - Good, not tons of truffle flavor, but they're alright Overall, 4 stars, because the burger was really good and the service was awesome
(4)
Chanel M.
DEAR WHISK: Technology has opened doors social media and networking sites that allow consumers to have a meaningful say about their experiences when patronizing a business. YELP has created this platform to do just that. Business tip... Accosting dissatisfied customers as opposed to finding the source and solutions to failed service isn't the way to go. Pity. THIS IS THE RESTAURANT'S RESPONSE TO A CUSTOMER GRIEVANCE!! HOW DOES A HORRIFYING BRUNCH EXPERIENCE KEEP GETTING WORSE, EVEN AFTER YOU'VE LEFT THE ESTABLISHMENT?? (their response to my original post)... "Chanel I'm sorry we fail to impress you, but I think you are Streaching the true alittle. Just pancakes might not have been what you wanted but everytime you change the dish it loses the charm. You requested the sauce on the side, or friends biscuits were just out of the oven, I don't know how they were hard. Sundae did greet you and even ask you if you wanted any oj to go with your champagne and you were short and rude. Your friend was nothing but polite to sundae. I also was present when she ask if you were still working or need it anything and you were rude as you had your head buried on your phone. Your friend said "she is talking to you" your response was no she is not since she hast talk to me all day" again I'm sorry about this but please don't Streaching the true". Sooooo.... let me get this right. I complain about appallingly terrible service, and I am challenged on the truthfulness of my personal experience to extent of being accused of "stretching the truth"?? What would I gain from that Ricardo? The fact that you overheard me verbalizing my dissatisfaction of service in a private conversation at the table, (stating that Sundae hadn't spoken to me all day), actually proves my point Sir. The burden of service is on the person who was being paid to RENDER a service. Btw, my head was buried in my phone at the table because I was busy writing my YELP review. I don't even know where to start with this place of "business". No worries... Nothing the BBB can't handle!
(1)
Iaroslav M.
i only knew one place with the truffle fries to die for(Anchovies in Boston) and now i found this spot!I had Chorizo Burger which was amazing and the truffle fries-nomnom nom!!!They have cool backyard patio and BYOB which makes you feel you got a six-pack and hanging out at your friends backyard!Service is friendly and great!! On my list to go when in the Ukrainian Village
(5)
Andrew F.
I love this place and its theme! My favorite is definitely David' special. The location is prime. The only downside is that its always so busy but hey, that's because everyone wants to try this place.
(5)
Briana U.
Love love whisk. It has quickly become our favorite spot for breakfast. The service is always great. Disgruntled yelpers complaining about slow service have clearly never worked in the restaurant industry. We always have the same server, and she's always the only server working in the restaurant! Have a little patience ;)
(5)
Kat A.
I've been here twice. Definitely be prepared to wait. They do not take reservations. It's usually about a 20-30 minute wait on weekends (not toooo bad). Thanks to other Yelpers suggestions, we went across the street to Marianos to get drinks since Whisk is BYOB. But depending on your waiter, you may or may not be able to bring in orange juice to go along with your mimosa. The first time we went, we only brought champagne because the hostess said we couldn't bring in our own orange juice since they sell orange juice. The group sitting across from us (some tables are communal seating) had brought in their own orange juice so we figured we would bring our own in next time.The second time we came here, the waiter told us we couldn't bring our own juice...but also told us if we brought in a juice they didn't sell that would've been fine (i.e. lemonade). I look over at another table and clearly see a couple of girls who brought in their own orange juice but their waitress didn't force them to put it away and purchase the o.j. from whisk. We made our waiter aware of it but he didn't seem to care. I was pretty pissed about it since both times we were told not to bring in our own juice yet they let other customers bring theirs in. The food, however, was amazing. We ordered the snickers stuffed french toast...possibly one of the best french toasts I've had. It somehow is fluffy even after being soaked in the egg batter...and the snickers of course is all melted, gooey, heaven inside. We also tried the Whisk hash and David's special. Both were so good. The first time we were there I got a side of cheese grits. They were pretty bland but the grits in the David's special is mixed in with everything else and tastes amazing. We also had a side of the loaded fries...basically just cheese sauce on fries...good but nothing unique. I'd come back here just because the food is so damn amazing. But I hope the next time I go, the waiter lets me bring my own juice!!!
(4)
Jackie M.
3.5 stars - BYOB, large portion, reasonable price (less then $12 entree )and good variety of hangover food. The server was friendly, but it took a while for the food to come out. THere is a good selection of sodas and beer. We had the special french toast burger w/fried egg, which it sounds pretty kickass. However, it's difficult to eat a burger with texas toast that gets soggy overtime. The portion was huge and i couldnt finish. The enchilada dish was delightful.
(3)
Libby H.
We had a great meal here. They chargrill their burgers and my husband said it was the best burger patty he has had at a restaurant in a very long time. Sweet potato fry option were great. We also had the wings as an appetizer and they were very well done. Nice atmosphere too. All around we seriously give it a big thumbs up. We used a groupon too!
(5)
Carlos S.
We came on a Monday. We ordered: Reeses Pancakes: absolutely amazing and perfect. Not too sweet, not soggy, no overwhelming toppings. House Burguer: Amazing. They get the medium well thing(some places over sear it...). They serve the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the side (classy). Coffee is very good, would prefer fresh half and half. We paid $35 with great service, left a $6 tip. Would I return: yes!
(5)
Natalia K.
Used a groupon here with a friend the other night. It was a difficult choice of what to order. I said before that I want to try Chilaquiles whenever I see them on a menu, but this place says "Brunch by Day, Burgers by Night" so I wanted a burger and brunch. Lo and behold, the perfect concoction brought itself to my attention on the menu: The House Burger, breakfast style. This combines burger, brunch, and mexican, because it has guacamole and tortilla strips on it. And the bun is replaced with french toast and it's topped with eggs and chorizo! Mind blown. Also, you get a choice of fries other than the two offered, for a bit more, so I asked our server what she recommended. She liked the greek and chimichurri the best, and I went with the chimichurri, but I asked for them to be on a separate plate so that the garlickiness wouldn't mess with my burger. My friend ordered the Old Timer, breakfast style, and truffle fries. My fries came on my plate- sadness- and my friend's burger wasn't breakfast style- more sadness. He sent it back to get his french toast, and I [had] to wait until his food came out before I could eat mine. My eggs were getting cold. And I was starving. Finally, when we were both able to comfortably eat, the burgers were magical. I ate mine until it was done, even though my stomach was near bursting. The fries were ok- tasty from the garlic, but a bit soggy with the oil, so the burger was priority, and after it was done, I had negative room for the fries. My friend liked his burger as well, although he said his french toast was clearly rushed and not as well done as he would have liked. His fries were mostly untouched as well. Besides the imperfect orders, my other grievance was the price of the cokes. $3!! And you get this (super cute, but) teeny bottle. I don't know if you're paying more because they have to pay more for the fancy bottle, which they really just shouldn't even bother giving, or if they just mean to gouge you by upcharging the two dollars. If I come back, I will only be drinking water, and I probably will come back. It's a nice walk from my place and there are more burgers to try! And brunch as well!
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Went here for dinner last night. I found a Groupon and thought I'd try it out. The food was amazing! I ordered the Canadian burger and truffle fries. Those fries were an up charge but certainly worth it! If you are looking for a great buger, Whisk is a great place to go!
(5)
Sarah N.
We came from Cali ! Here on a small trip and we love to try mom and pop places because we feel like they are diamonds in the rough and we were sooo happy with this location! It's adorable inside and My BF and I are major food lovers and we loved the Food ! I had the Big Bite burger and it was scrumptious My BF had the Gobbler Burger which was a turkey Burger Service was friendly and it was just overall a great atmosphere for us Californians Will definitely be coming back when we come back to Chicago! Highly recommend
(5)
Arelys G.
This place is a real diamond in the neighborhood, the place is real small and cute and everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable with the menu. The food is always fresh and very flavorful. My boyfriend loves the steak tacos and the wings are by far in best top three in the city. We have been in during the week and we love the big booths they have. We recently came on Sunday and we waited 45 minutes but it was worth the wait, we went to marianos across the street because WHISK is BYOB. After we sat to order my boyfriend order the steak benedicts since he loves the steak tacos and they were cook to perfection. Their back patio is amazing!!!. Seriously guys you need to check them out and be prepare to wait on the weekends.
(5)
Courtney G.
Mmmmmm. So good. For the love of god, get the big bite burger (pictured). The attention to detail on this beautiful creation deserves an award: smoked Gouda, housemade barbecue sauce, perfectly fried onion ring. And it gets better: their selection of add-ons to the fries is especially interesting. I got the chimichurri fries and they were definitely worth it. Service was great. Shout out to the manager sundae for making us feel so welcomed. Meal for two came in at $33.
Brunch by day and burgers by night? Talk about two winning concepts in one stylish restaurant with great food. So far I've only been in for the dinner menu, although I actually ordered some breakfast - go figure. Went in with a group of friends last Friday and they were able to seat us in the tiny garden area in back. Nice that it's BYOB- they immediately accommodated us with a bunch of ice buckets and variety of glasses for our various beverages. We honestly had a hard time deciding what to order since the menu has a lot of tempting options- but like I mentioned, the nice thing is they have some of their breakfast options on the dinner menu and they also have some wraps/sandwiches in addition to the burgers. I ordered the chilaquiles which is considered a house fave, and it did not disappoint. I would definitely order it again. My friends had actually stopped in the week before and brought me a takeout Gobbler Burger, and I thought that was delicious even the next day when I ate it. We sampled some of the truffle fries and sweet potato fries to start and those were also awesome. One of us was celebrating a birthday and they brought out Snickers cheesecake- yes...Snickers cheesecake. Everyone in the group was pleased with their tacos, wraps, and burgers, so it seems like they are already succeeding with their menu I would definitely like to return soon- love the food and the BYOB not to mention the inside ambiance is just as nice as their back patio. Maybe I will order dinner for brunch next time
(4)
Dave V.
Well isn't this a quaint little place. I must say the decor and atmosphere allows intimacy without forcing it on you. It is great for groups and one on one. We came on a tuesday night with a giltcity voucher for 2 burgers and two sides. I had the gobbler (first time ever ordering a turkey burger....it felt wrong) and my gf got the steak taco plate. We shared a side of jalapeno coleslaw and truffle fries. The fries were awesome, but come on, have you have had bad truffle anything? The jalapeno coleslaw was new and delicious, i just may start adding jalapeno to any coleslaw dish i make, which has never happened but still. You can really tell that everything is fresh, unless it's not, in which case they do a great job fooling you. I kept biting into hard pieces in my burger which was rather annoying, so idk if they grind their own meat and are doing a bad job of removing bones or what but it was a bit annoying and was really the only negative i have about my meal. The steak tacos were delicious and come with a side of what my gf said was bacon salsa, though to me tasted like salsa with liquid smoke added. Either way, pretty good. No, don't worry, i haven't forgotten to mention that THIS PLACE IS BYOB. Which means you can what? You got it, bring your own beer. In case you wan't the freshest possible, there is a mariano's literally across the street and for you winos out there, they have a 5 minute wine chiller so your warm bottle can be cool and crisp in the restaurant. I do plan, one day, to return to try out their breakfast/brunch menu Alright, i'm done here, go yelp it for yourself.
(3)
Brad O.
Put my name in here for breakfast on a weekend and was told it would be about 45 minutes. Hostess took my number and told me that she would text me when the table was ready. 45 minutes is pretty long to wait for breakfast so I hopped in my car and drove a couple of blocks away to check another breakfast spot. Hostess texted me about 20 minutes after I left - much sooner than 45 minutes. I called and spoke to her and told her I was driving back and would be there in 5 minutes. There was no parking within 3 blocks of the restaurant so i had to park a bit far away. I walked in the door 8 minutes after I spoke to the hostess. As I walked in the door, she had just sat a table and says to me - "oh I'm sorry you took too long getting back so I just gave away your table." After 8 minutes. Even when I JUST spoke to her and told her I was coming...she still have my table away. I was unimpressed and am not inclined to return, and I told the hostess as much.
(1)
Dawn M.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. They do an excellent job of satisfying the sweet side and the savory side. My favorite brunch dish is the Salted Caramel Pancakes. I get a side of the cheesy grits and chicken sausage to make my brunch trifecta complete. For dinner, The Horshoe! Just try it!! Words will not do it justice. A burger on texas toast with loaded pepper jack fries on top. The secret ingredient must be crack because it is addictive! All staff have been pleasant and expedient each time I visit. Congratulations on your one year anniversary Whisk!
(5)
S M.
This is a relatively new - and welcomed! - addition to the neighborhood. I love the addition of this 5-star (in my humble opinion) eatery to Chicago Ave., which is grossly lacking in restaurant options.
(5)
McKenzie S.
I'm wavering between 4 stars and 5. Brunch: We waited for what seemed like forever to get a table one Sunday morning. I honestly think I waited for close to 2 hours. The longer I waited, the more certain I became that I would give them 3 stars. Or maybe 2. But then the food came. It was some of the best brunch I've eaten in Chicago. I got the Chilaquiles and I haven't stopped thinking about them in the last two months. Dinner: I returned to Whisk when I had a friend visiting from out of town. I realized that you could turn some of their burgers into "breakfast style" burgers. WHAT?! A really great burger served on French toast with other breakfast foods added. YES! Do this. SAY YES TO THIS! Wait staff is kind and very capable of handling a huge brunch crowd. It's BYOB for drinks - so choose wisely at the Marianos grocery store across the street! Oh, and Ron Swanson is on the walls. Ron Swanson makes meals better 100% of the time. Thumbs up, Whisk.
(5)
Tasha F.
I really wanted to try one of those decadent pancakes, but the day I came I wasn't in the mood for sugar. I got the David's special and the African nectar tea. The tea was delicious! David's special not so much. If you are a person accustomed to grits or even cheesy grits, I don't think this will impress you. One reviewer called it mushy, and it was. The wine threw off the flavor for me, there wasn't enough sizable pieces of bacon and there were 3 shrimp. For 12 bucks, I was not pleased. Even if it were like 6 or 7 bucks I wouldn't order it. And it didn't even come with toast! I will try again. Maybe that snickers french toast can improve my rating.
(3)
Andrew R.
I came back and it's still freaking perfect! They have the back patio and sidewalk tables open and it's worth the wait.
(5)
Aaron G.
I love this place. I've gotten take out and have dined there and it's always great. The burger is one of the better ones in the neighborhood. The back patio is real nice. Wouldn't think you were on Chicago ave back there. Definitely a place I plan on going back to.
(5)
Edna B.
Menu was decent. Service, not so much. Another reviewer had mentioned something about an annoyed lady who was serving them. Sounds like the same lady we had. We came early morning during the week, around 830am. There was 1 other customer sitting down. We had a Gilt city voucher and I had heard stellar reviews about the food. We sat down and the lady took a look at us but did not come by. When she did come a few minutes later, she asked if she could get us something to drink. The voucher came with juice and coffee, so I let her know that I had a voucher. Her immediate reaction was, "Ok, I still don't know what you want to drink?" I'm not sure why she was not very friendly, but we let her know that we'd like the coffee and juice, since it came with the voucher. The food was good, not great. but since the service sorta ruined the mood, my friend and I couldn't stop talking about why the server was in such a bad mood since it's first thing in the morning. She did seem very chatty with the other patron, us, not so much. In my opinion this place is nothing great. Chicago is full of brunch places with comparable food. With the service I received, I would not return even if the food was above average, which it wasn't.
(3)
Shaina K.
Solid place. Check out the art on the walls, it's pretty impressive. Not very crowded at around 8:30-ish on a Saturday night and the server was wonderfully attentive and friendly. For starters, they're BYOB, and have a pretty fantastic bottled soda selection (mmmm...butterscotch rootbeer). We started out with a plate of the cheese fries, which were topped with a yummy pepper jack cheese sauce. Practically licked the plate clean! :) Entree-wise, I got the fried chicken sandwich, and the boyfriend got a burger (with onion rings on it). I liked my sandwich a lot, but I absolutely LOVED his burger. I will have to get a burger next time. The fried chicken sandwich was massive and I love that it came with jalapeño slaw on top and a generous portion of fries. The chicken was massive and really crispy. The burger came topped with two massive onion rings on it, and it was a perfectly cooked medium rare. Will definitely be back soon, it looks like they also have a pretty impressive brunch menu.
(5)
Rebecca R.
Came here last Friday after happy hour at empty bottle. I didn't realize it was BYO, so after we snagged a table, two of our crew ran over to Mariano's and provided some refreshment to accompany our burgers. The menu was pretty straight forward leaving us quick to decide on which burger we wanted (and one chicken sandwich). I was surprised to see there were no apps on the menu to keep us from starving, but it turned out to better for our waist line anyway. Our server was nice, and tried to keep us entertained as we waited for the burger with a pound of bacon to be cooked (yeah, there is always 'that guy') so the rest of us could eat. It really wasn't too long at all and we were all pretty satisfied. Mine was awesome and I loved the cajan fries. I was even surprised to hear the chicken sandwich was a hit! Overall the food is good, set-up a little weird, and lacking in the app selection. Still, I would go back. Solid burger and BYO. 4 solid stars.
(4)
Hector A.
I've been here 4 times, and can't wait to come back each time. Each burger that I've had, have been just awesome. And I love the fact that it's a BYOB spot. You get your money's worth. Service is also great. Haven't tried the Swanson Burger yet, but I will, very soon! If you want to impress your GF/BF or friends, this is the spot to be at. They'll have a bucket of ice waiting for your drinks. Salud!
(5)
Brett S.
The food here is pretty good but don't order takeout. Both times I did they didn't give me toast even though their menu clearly says it's included. The second time they also shorted me the sausage links I payed extra for and gave me a half filled cappuccino for $4. I don't think they care. I probably won't be back. For breakfast you're probably better off going a few doors to the east.
(1)
josie w.
The Ron Swanson burger was legendary & the fries rocked! Mariano's is close by for some hooch...
(5)
Scott G.
WIth paintings of Nick Offerman hung on every wall, you can't get more hipster than this, folks. BRUNCH. Greasy spoon, messy, perfect hangover food served in giant portions. I couldn't quite figure out where they're trying to go with the menu options. Is it Mexican food? Southern comfort food? Our waitress was attentive to our large party of eight. Oh, and it's BYOB, so bring your handles of liquor and TURN THE FUCK UP.
(3)
Rory M.
My brother recommended Whisk for either breakfast or lunch upon my arrival in Chicago. I was caught halfway between the two, so I figured I could make up my mind once I got there. He convinced me by saying that Nick Offerman loves this place, and that they have a burger called the Ron Swanson which is layered with a pound of bacon. How could I turn down at least checking out the rest of the menu? They brought out a carafe of water with a mason jar full of ice, which I thought was a nice touch. I reached an impasse when I couldn't decide between pumpkin pancakes - I'm a sucker for white chocolate, because I'm weak and don't actually care about your cocoa content - and the southern fried chicken sandwich with spicy coleslaw. The waitress recommended the latter, along with Cajun fries, so I went for it. The sandwich did not disappoint. It was huge, roughly the size of a 45 RPM record, and it sat on the plate like a giant turtle. I tried the coleslaw before eating the sandwich as a whole, and it was incredible. Sweet and just moist enough without being runny, and the jalapeño delivered a nice kick at the end. As for the sandwich - you're gonna need a few extra napkins. This thing is a monster which will haunt my restless dreams as well as the futures of every other chicken sandwich I ever eat. The chicken to breading ratio was perfect, and the spices they used gave it a nice flavor. The fries were great too, and it was all adequately priced. Probably could pay a few dollars more for a sandwich of that size and calibre, to be honest. I'm only knocking it down to four stars because I ordered a coffee that I subsequently did not receive which then appeared on the check, but they quickly and politely rectified the situation. You ought to check this place out if you've got the time and the means.
(4)
Elizabeth E.
Fantastic BYOB brunch spot. I went on a Saturday morning around 10am. I live in the neighborhood but we drove since it was a bit chilly and found pretty easy street parking outside. So many options on the menu. All of which looked and sounded amazing. I opted for the garden omlette. Smaller than what you get at most places but also way more veggies than you get at most places. Garlic was intense but delish if you're like me and love garlic. The gouda cheese was diced. It should have been shredding IMO to melt a little better. The boyfriend got the chorizo Benedict. He loves Benedict's and chorizo omelettes so this hit it out of the park. He was a fan. Potatoes for both of us had a bit of Rosemary- yum! Will go back again most certainly! And will bring friends!
(4)
Zac T.
Fun little place in a nice neighborhood. Good choice of burgers with great breakfast options for a few of those burgers. Any place that has the Buzzcocks on the playlist gets an extra star just for the cool factor.
(4)
Delightful D.
I enjoyed food here just wasn't wowed. The pancakes Def are the star of the show. Those are delish. Chilaquiles mediocre, shrimp and grits good but I have had better. Burger mediocre as well. If in area I would stop by again but it's not a must. It is byob which is always great. I also didn't really care for the service here.
(3)
Rosanna W.
This place is a funny looking place, its like you in the olding days, wild, wild west. They need to retrained the staff, they was acting like they didnt know nothing. The wait was long to sit and it was a a booth ready, just needed to be wiped down. Everything was big, they sat me and a friend at a booth that seats 8 to 10 people, I was disappointed, because the food looked good, but it wasn't. I order the biggest burger which was the Ron Swanson ($18.00). an 8 oz burger wrapped in 1 Ib of bacon, topped with bacon-mayo. That was so nasty, the bacon was not apple beacon it tasted like baloney and it was not 1Ib of bacon on it. I didn't even finish it. I wait almost a 45 to an hour for that nasty burger. My friend had the steak and egg,($12.00). The Steak was so tough and she ask for med-well, why was it tough, no one known, after waiting 45 til 1hr, I didn't want to order anything else I was just ready to go. I should have gotten my money back or not paid for that.
(1)
Chicago A.
Great neighborhood restaurant. You can't order wrong at Whisk for dinner or for breakfast. The menu is has everything one would want from slaty to sweet. The prices are awesome and you leave with money left in your pocket and great food in your belly.
(4)
Sameena K.
I totally would not recommend this place. The hostess told us 45 min wait that turned into 1 h and 30 mins with 2 kids under 2 in 98 degree weather. The hostess kept telling us 5 min -10 min for 30 mins giving us a lame excuse about not being able to seat us because they are busy even though the table is ready. Then we finally got seated and waitress was new and waited another hour for food. Will never go back. Food n service was horrible
(1)
Sean K.
Nothing bad to say just average and nothing more. Give an average restaurant a crafty name like whisk to attract the yuppies. Food is okay nothing special. They aren't doing anything special or orifinal
(2)
Claudia D.
We were VERY disappointed by Whisk after seeing it on Chicago's Best. 1-If you do not want potatoes with your eggs, you must pay an upcharge of $2.50 to change to replacing them with black beans or anything else! 2-the egg white omelet that I had did not have a blend of the garlic and other fillings inside. Rather the garlic, in a pile, was dumped in to one side where the omelet was folded. The first bite I took was on the garlic end! Thereafter, the only taste in my mouth for the entire meal was garlic. The rosemary flavoring the potatoes included long hard sharp pieces of the Rosemary twig-unacceptable! 3-Raised booths, a long raised communal table, counter seating and a few short tables provided the only seating. I hate communal seating, raised chairs or stools. We had to sit at the end of the long communal table. I was very uncomfortable our entire meal. 4-no purse hooks, nor coat hooks anywhere. 5-friendly, but perfunctory servers who never checked with us to see if we were happy with our meal. 6-Higher price point than the food deserved The husband and I decided never to return.
(2)
Hannah C.
We arrived at 9:15 for brunch and managed to snag one of the last no-wait tables, so definitely get there early. Service was moderately attentive, if occasionally forgetful (we never found out what the daily specials might be, the wrong order was brought to our table first). The snickers French toast is perfect for the diehard sweet tooth. I imagine most people might be overwhelmed by the amount of sugar, but hopefully they know better than to order candy French toast? The pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes had so many pecans in them that it was hard to taste anything else, which was a little disappointing. A fun spot for the sugar hungry, but perhaps not worth a trip for more reasonable people.
(3)
Agnes I.
--I was nervous about having to wait in a long line before being served but that didn't happen. I came here on a Sunday at 8:30am and it wasn't packed. It only got packed around 10am --Great brunch place in Ukranian village. --Friendly service --FOOD: sta
(4)
Julia D.
Been here a handful of times since my last review.. In short, it just keeps getting better! My boyfriend and I have tried most of the menu and allllll of it is awesome! With it getting colder we have been sitting inside and the art work is gorgeous, ambience is chill and inviting. The staff has evolved into a great team and the service is way more efficient since theyve opened. I want to give this place 5 stars but theres still room for a little improvement before this place can get all the attention it deserves... Liquor license would be awesome. But they do have BYOB option and Mariano's directly across the street if you arent too lazy to fetch your own booze like me :(
(4)
Theresa F.
5 stars for food, 3.5 for service. I am not a brunch fan by any means - in fact I avoid it like the plague. But this spot has me re-thinking my deep-rooted aversion to infamously long lines, mediocre food and burnt coffee. Definitely no skimping on quality and taste here! Portions are perfect considering no one EVER requests a doggie bag for brunch leftovers (soggy waffles - no thanks). We ordered: The Chilaquiles - this dish was bursting with flavor and quality ingredients. Biscuits and gravy - The gravy was flavorful and light enough where you wouldn't feel like a fat ass if you ate the whole dish. Wheat toast - Super quality bread! House potatoes - Tender, flavorful and still hot when it was brought out! Total opposite of what I'm used to at brunch-type joints in Chicago. Atmosphere was super comfortable and clean. Server was a bit edgy but I guess that's what one should expect from the Brunch B-team... Will def be back!
(5)
John W T.
Burgers are cooked to order and done right. The patty had lots of flavor by itself, adding their unique toppings just makes it that much better. The bun is very soft, lightly toasted, and has good flavor. Fries are served in generous portions and plentiful toppings. $12 meal but I was able to make two meals out of it. The service was top notch. You will see the two owners on the floor serving, greeting, and even clearing tables.
(5)
Wendy C.
The food gets 5++ stars but the waitstaff was really slow...nice but slow. Loved the Ukranian Scramble and will definitely go again. Took our waitress awhile to bring us water and a check.
(4)
Sarah D.
Stopped by for brunch with some friends and we were not disappointed. We each had a savory dish and split the mocha pancakes between us. They were the perfect amount of sweet without being too sweet. Great food, great prices, great service. Watch out for all the strollers once lunch starts, though.
(4)
Dana B.
This was our first brunch experience in the city. It was very cute and the Ron Swanson vibe was very unique. The menu had a lot of great options. It was very hard to choose. I had the croissant sandwich and it was very tasty. The sausage was very good as well. Fresh watermelon was served with our meal and was very juicy. I would recommend for a great brunch experience.
(5)
Kaylee W.
I really wanted to like this establishment and am sad to say I enjoyed a minimal part of my experience here. After spotting the restaurant on Groupon, visiting the website for more info on the menu and finally looking through reviews on yelp, I thought WHISK would be a good choice for a laid back family dinner, thus purchasing the Groupon. Upon arrival my guest and I were greeted at the door by the guy who would become our waiter. After looking through the menu, majority of the members of my party decided to go with the chicken and waffles dinner. In the section of the menu were the chicken and waffles dinner was listed it indicated that fries were included. I tell him I want to substitute fries for salad and he gives me a slight attitude saying sides weren't included with my meal. If this is the case A. why are you getting an attitude with me and B. why list chicken and waffles in that particular section. I decided I also wanted lemonade but the waiter said they weren't serving it. OK fine I can live with that. Because everyone in my party decided the best alternative was iced tea we asked if it were possible to get a pitcher of ice tea. The waiter, whom I never learned the name of, said he'd never done it before and would give us a pitcher for $12. We also asked if the chicken was all chicken breast and the waiter said yes. After receiving our meals, we saw that it was a combination of white and dark meat, mostly dark meat. While this wasn't a huge deal, it was another incident of misinformation. He returns with a pitcher that could only fill about 2 of the 4 cups in my party. After going back and forth with another waiter over our issue, our original waiter brings us another pitcher. It was a few moments after this happened that one of the members of my party overheard an employee saying " that's why I didn't want to wait on that table". I am not sure if this comment was directed at my table or not because there was another table being seated at the moment but it was still offensive. After what had previously occurred at the restaurant, it did not add to my already shaky experience. I gave WHISK 2 stars because the one waiter was accommodating to us on the issue of the iced tea and I did enjoy the meal I ordered although it took a little long to arrive at the table.
(2)
Adeline A.
The best brunch in the area in my opinion. The chilaquiles were perfectly flavorful, pozole was amazing as it should be, and the banana berry pancakes absolutely stole the show. I also had a juicy burger for lunch that had chips on it, which lets me know how serious they are about burgers! Super friendly, helpful, patient staff from host to waitresses. Hats off to the chefs! Warm setting, clean restaurant, cool art on the walls. I was only in Chicago for a week, but visited this place thrice it was so good!
(5)
Greg P.
UPDATE as of 05.26 The owner of Whisk was kind enough to reach out and offer some feedback about the Grub Hub experience. He said that they reached out to GrubHub to have my order refunded. I will be willing to try Whisk again in the future, but maybe dining in vs. using a delivery service. Sometimes restaurants can have an off night, and I get that, so It's worth another shot.
(4)
Mark H.
For Ukrainian Village, this spot is above par. Mixed with local art and interesting wooden wall decor, the two hermanos puts a fresh Latin flavored spin to the classic brunch and dinner menu. Stopped in check to out the changing landscape of retail space just west of Damen from the powerhouse Mariano's grocery store to smaller independent shops like Whisk. Tried their House burger. Well...the burger is misleading cuz it's very difficult to pick up. But with a fork and knife the explosion of flavor is definitely a surprise and left me wanting more. The tortilla was the kicker. For locals, I could see this could be a regular stop. But if you're competing with the city, it's a just another cool spot in the plethora of nuevo hipster food stops.
(3)
Kenya R.
I love love this place. Food is amazing!!! The service is even more amazing. Truffle fries & Southern style chicken sandwich!!!!! YUMMY!!!!
(4)
Jewel L.
Had brunch there. Crab cakes were very good.
(4)
Robb S.
I would actually give this place a 4.5 if I could. Great selection of breakfast and lunch food. The pancake options are insane. The French toast is stuffed with snickers!!! Are u kidding me. I get the omelette mostly and it's great. Veggies seem very fresh and omelette is fluffy. I have friends that get the grits and the burger and they love it Solid spot
(4)
Prajna A.
4 only because there was a lot of waiting and also the ambience is not top notch. But the food is definitely a 5 star. Mocha, caramel and chocolate pancakes. All sorts of fries - greek fries and cheese fries. Not only this but they have an amazing resees French toast to die for. Love it here. Coupon available for 50% off on living social
(4)
Phil B.
This little cafe is on what is becoming quite the street for new restaurants on Chicago Ave! I love it! The food is delicious and fresh. I had the huevos rancheros. Made with homemade tortillas, fresh cilantro, avocado and eggs the way you prefer ( I had them over easy). Yummy! I didn't have coffee, but the Dark Matter coffee is delish! Get over there, but prepare to wait. It's become quite popular.
(5)
Bill H.
While I've been wanting to stop in here for a while, most brunch hours have been too long of a wait for us (personal preference). We saw it mostly empty and had heard their burgers were good, so decided to BYOB a few bottles of wine and stop in for dinner last night. I had the steak & eggs - while it's a simple, straight forward dish, the steak was really fantastic, perfect medium as requested, and the black beans stood out. My wife got the burger - they had no problem adding cheese and bacon however they don't carry any type of blue cheese (her typical go-to). Also her burger, ordered medium, was more on the side of medium-well but was still very delicious. Perhaps with the thicker steak cooking, the timing was off slightly; it happens. She also upgraded the side to the chimichurri fries which were fantastic but be warned; the garlic sticks with you! The place was very clean, service was good even as the place filled up through our meal, and there was no corkage fee. Also really liked the CoOp Sauce Co. hot sauces on the tables. In the end a welcome addition to the neighborhood - good food at reasonable prices. Bonus points for the Ron Swanson portraits. The burger on the menu named after that fine character is a bit of a joke... A POUND of bacon wrapped around an 8 oz burger? I'd never get that in all honesty. Consider, instead changing it to burger with 4 strips of bacon and a fried egg!
(4)
Cindy P.
My love affair with WHISK continues.... ; ) We went for dinner last night and sat outside in the front. After dinner the chef came out and we chatted for a bit and then he showed us their new patio area in the back. Absolutely lovely!! 2 tables for parties of 4-6 and several smaller tables. Food is still great and now, another reason to come back!
(5)
Aaliya B.
Great restaurant overall. Chicken sausage links and honey bbq wings were delicious . Husband liked the snickers French toast and said steak was made to perfection for his steak and eggs. Waitress could have had a better demeanor. We were out for my husbands bday brunch and she could've been friendlier. Good up and coming home place. Well come back at night for burgers and the outdoor seating.
(4)
Izzy F.
Whisk is one of a kind! Great staff. Great food. Burgers are really good. I mostly order breakfast from here because I love the potatoes. Just amazing! What other restaurant has a Ron Swanson theme?! None! Whisk is awesome! It's kind of small and there's usually a wait on weekends but it is well worth it. Byob with Marianos across the street is perfect! Dont go to sunrise cafe next door. They are horrible!!! Worst breakfast Ive ever had in my life!!
(5)
Amy A.
This is currently my favorite breakfast place! The staff is always dependable and familiar. I love the Ukrainian Breakfast, Biscuits and Gravy, Hash, Vegetable Breakfast Sandwich, etc & etc. So many good things on the menu and my very picky boyfriend loves it too. They once had a special drink (Aztec hot chocolate?) which was a mix of hot chocolate, espresso, and some spice. DELISH! I also regularly overhear other customers complimenting their food. I need to try for dinner.
(5)
Kurt H.
My wife and I headed out to Whisk for brunch recently on a weekend as we were looking for a new place to try. The experience overall was pretty negative. We started out well, the restaurant was at about 60% capacity and we were told that the only seats available were at the community table.. fine, we actually like sitting at community tables so no worries. I looked over and saw three huge booths open and remarked to my wife "Its kind of cool they hold the booths for large parties, might be a good place to come with friends." ... within five minutes they then seated three couples at the three booths... so why were we told they were not available? But again, not a big deal... we don't mind community seating. The wait staff was wonderful, which is why this review gets two stars instead of one. Our server was courteous, quick, and seemed to care about her customers... this is where the positives ended though. We ordered our brunch. My wife ordered biscuits and gravy, I ordered a signature eggs benedict the menu suggested was a house special and a side of bacon. After about ten to fifteen minutes (normal) my wife's plate was brought out. She waited for mine to arrive. And waited.. and waited. After about five minutes our server came over (she was busy) and said (confused) "Wait, where's your food?" I shrugged my shoulders and said "I don't know"... She hustled back to the kitchen and came back and said "Sorry, It's coming" I said no worries... A few minutes went by, she came back and said "Really sorry" and brought my side of bacon... The manger was nearby and she mentioned it to the manager and the manager went back to the kitchen. At this point we were about ten minutes in and my wife had started eating her meal. We had a long day planned and had places to head off to. After another minute or two, the manager came back and said "There was a mixup, they accidentally threw out your plate but they are making it over again." I said "Don't you have an expediter that would keep that from happening? This is a simple order, I'd imagine you'd be able to plate two meals at once?" The manager replied "Ya, I don't know...." (or something similar) Well this annoyed me a bit and my wife was about done with her meal.. so I said, "You know, we have to get going, just cancel my order please, I'll eat my bacon and finish my coffee and thats fine." The manager seemed a bit annoyed and said "So, you don't want it???" (Kind of annoyed that I would say that)... I said "Nope, please cancel it." So the waitress came back, apologized half a dozen times. I said "You have nothing to apologize for, not your fault." (again, she was great) and she brought the check. No offer from the manager to compensate us... didn't even comp the $2 cup of coffee... and I left without eating. Two Stars. .... Andrew thanks for responding. I don't want to get into an argument but there is no way that my order was re-fired in five minutes. I was wearing a watch and looking at it often because we had a busy day. Not a chance. If it was I would've accepted it and given a much better review. Look at my profile, I don't give negative reviews.
(2)
Katy S.
So I'm taking a bit of a different approach with this review, because my experiences at Whisk have been different each time. For a few minutes, I am going to pretend I am a guy and Whisk is a girl I have recently met. The first time her and I met, we instantly hit it off. I like all of Whisk's attributes, great vibe, clean space, hip decor, small but cute outdoor patio area where my Sunday brunch loving ass can sit and have a cup of joe when hungover. The best characteristic about my first date with Whisk, was her delicious red pepper Benedict. Wow. She really impressed me here. But with all things great, comes a negative that comes to light about mid way through the first encounter. The chilquiles. Oh no. Whisk chefs, you seriously screwed this one up. The taste, so overwhelmingly spicy, the chips soggy and frail; simply horrible. But there are always some sad traits you are willing to hurdle through because well, she was just so damn fine in other ways. First visit. 3.5 stars. Second date: needed. Second time was about three days post pepper Benedict. I could not stop thinking about her, despite that one evil downfall from visit 1. It was a week day, my vacation. I was highly looking forward to getting to know her better and seeing where it went. After all, I did abide by the "three day rule." Visit two: I was sat with an older African American woman as my server. Her attitude was unbelievable...suchstrong, condescending mannerisms that I honestly felt uncomfortable. Maybe she was having an off day but this day, she was not meant to be a server! Nonetheless, I was there to keep giving it a go so I was determined to stay. No Benedicts on the weekdays, she said. What ?!?! Gtfoh. I was pissed. I ended up having some normal eggs, potatoes, and bacon type deal, something I could easily get at IHOP for half the price. What was funny about my date this time was that the server thought she was getting a $20 tip on a $40 tab for my party and I. Have you lost your blessed mind? Her service was not up to par, she knew we were upset, and she "mistakingly" thought we had told her to keep the change. Ummm no, no bueno. Visit two: two whimsy stars. I would've never gone on a third date with whisk after experience numero dos but man...this girl, there's just something about her. Plus, she lives only two blocks away from me. Convenience at its best, if it works out, of course. Visit three: that's it, if she doesn't put out on this date, I am "peacing out." I came in and looked around. I saw the lady server I wanted to avoid. I thought, well, I will get a to go order (this time I was alone and packing weight, aka. a bag of groceries from Mariano's). I sat at the bar and told this incredibly nice, blonde barista what I wanted. She was so friendly and so welcoming, complete opposite from her evil stepmother, ahem...I mean coworker. She convinced me to stay and eat there. Eh, okay, okay. She told me the pepper Benedict had been removed from the menu for good. What?!?! Seriously? I felt like I couldn't win!! She then recommended the crab cake Benedict instead and I was just praying it went well. My food came out within minutes, piping hot and absolutely delicious. The crab was lumpy and generous. It came with potatoes and a piece of watermelon (see pic). When I took that first bite, let me tell you, it was instant love. It was as if my date was finally saying the right things I needed to hear to capture my attention and make my heart grow fonder. It was a true mouthgasm, fireworks and all. The service was absolutely amazing this visit. Though I was brunching alone, the staff made me feel a little less loser(ish) by chatting with me. The server from visit #2 even came up to me and asked me if I needed more Splenda for my coffee, wuuuuuttt ?! And this is why I decided to see her again. Because even though Whisk had her bad traits, it takes a while to really get to know somebody. And though she didn't give it up completely, Whisk and I are still dating, one visit at a time. I will be patient with her. After all, good things come to those who wait :) I'm the type of "guy" that sees past her flaws and focuses on the bigger picture. Beautiful, mostly kind, and delicious to the core. Keep it up Whisk. Cliff notes: byob. Dark matter coffee. Gourmet sodas ($3.00+) Killer crab cake Benedict. Service hit or miss. Outdoor patio. Bring your shades. SYOY
(4)
Cristina F.
We came in at 330 on a Saturday to purposely avoid the long wait. The host was friendly and let us snag the back corner booth (best seat in the house). My boyfriend and I both asked for coffee. Our server took our order but someone else delivered our food. The food was delicious-- my boyfriend ordered the pulled pork benedict and I chose the snickers french toast. Our coffee was gross-- my boyfriend compared it to swamp water. Usually, after we get our food, it's customary for the server to check in and asks how everything is--- and this is the point where I would have brought up the gross coffee. However, our server failed to do that. Luckily for us, they deliver a carafe of water so we didn't have to rely on our server too much. The next time we saw our server, she asked if my boyfriend wanted a refill on his coffee--- he said no and so she promptly left to get the check (I had food in my mouth so she bailed out of there before I was able to chew/swallow and speak up). We get our check and I told her I wanted to return my coffee. And in the words of Dave Barry, I swear I am not making this up, no apologies, no follow up questions.. she immediately left to take care of it. I think her manager had to void it--- so the manager must have been aware of the situation. This is probably the worst restaurant experience I've had in years (my last one was at 90 miles in 2012 and our server ignored us too--- luckily my friend spoke Spanish and got our busboy to get us utensils and water etc). We ended up paying $32.64 (pulled pork benedict $11, snickers french toast $11, and coffee $3--- yep they still charged us for my boyfriend's coffee--- and tip). For those kind of prices, their servers and managers should be trained accordingly. The beauty of brunch (for me) is the bottomless coffee. I waited a whole 10 days to write this review so I wouldn't be blinded by coffee rage. Hopefully, our experience was an anomaly. I was having a pretty good day that day so I didn't make a fuss. We did enjoy the food, the ambience, and the easy parking--- but we won't be back any time soon.
(1)
Eric T.
We came in one morning and were quoted a 45 minute wait. We figured it would be shorter but it ended up being almost 40 minutes which put us tight on time for whatever it was we had to do next. We had looked over the menu though and were ready to order when we sat down. Told the hostess as we sat about the time crunch, she went right to the waiter who came right over. Waiter totally understood, and why wouldn't you want to flip a table quickly? We ordered immediately and our coffee was brought in to go cups (didn't even ask). The food came out quickly, although I do not know if the waiter put a rush on it. We ate, got a refil on coffee and paid in plenty of time. Even with a rush the service was spot on. Manager stopped by, waiter came by a couple times. The food I thought was fantastic. It is definitely on par with some local places (The Winchester) but I thought the $ was better for the serving size. Need to go back, but the initial experience was spot on.
(5)
Kevin B.
Decided to check out this spot after hearing good things. Was a little disappointed in how small the place was which led to our 30 min wait. But then I heard the 4 magic letters that made everything better... BYOB!!!!! I almost feel like brunch without BYOB is sacrilegious. Maybe because I've gotten spoiled by places like this and Batter & Berries. And what's even better, there is a Marianos right across the street. So I was able to run over and grab some cheap champagne while waiting on a table to come free. Ordered the crab cakes and eggs platter which was delicious. The crab cakes and sauce may have been the best I've had in a restaurant, period. For my sides I had cheese grits and toast. The cheese grits were just okay (a little too cheesy for my liking). But if you are cheese grits person, it's probably perfect for you. Staff was courteous. It was packed and apparently a party going on, so it was a little chaotic. But besides that, everything was great.
(4)
Antaash U.
Tried Whisk this morning when I spotted the adorable storefront while picking up groceries at Mariano's across the street. The space is nice and they seem to have a really nice breakfast/brunch and lunch menu (hello Snickers French Toast!!). I am definitely tempted to go back for lunch because they have an INCREDIBLE menu of specialty sodas! If it wasn't 7:45am, I think I would have definitely ordered one. Instead, I had to settle on an iced chai since their espresso machine was out of commission...sad face. Anyway, my breakfast entree made me more than happy. I ordered the chilaquiles. They were DELICIOUS! They had clearly been made to order because the tortialla was still warm and crispy, the cheese and salsa perfectly melted and gooey, instead of the congealed mess often times found on chilaquiles. The dish was accompanied with grilled chicken, avocado slices and an egg prepared your way. To finish the entree off, there was a generous wedge of watermelon. They obviously know that the only way to complete a savory meal is with a little bit of sweetness ;). My fiancee chose the Mexican scramble minus the ham. His words: "Outstanding". I don't think I have ever heard him rate any breakfast place with such high regard, so I know that his dish had to be just as good, if not better! Wisk also has a patio in the back if outdoor dining is your thing! I'm excited to have it so close to home and in a location with parking galore. I think I may have discovered my new breakfast/brunch place :D.
(4)
Jola B.
I've heard this place gets crowded but I just stopped by for lunch on a Thursday afternoon last month. Small restaurant. Looks nice and new and well-kept. I had the fried chicken burger? It was sooo good. Definitely recommend as a casual brunch, lunch spot with friends. Eating alone in a small, quiet place was less fun for me personally. And I definitely couldn't imagine that place packed with people--it seems too small to handle that successfully.
(3)
Frank O.
The burgers are solid, large and flavorful. The Big Bite was so large I had to bring the rest of it home, but the House Burger was easily finished at the table. Unfortunately the rest of the food didn't meet the same high standard. The Steak Tacos were overly salted, as were the Cajun Fries (go to 5 Guys instead). The jalapeno cole slaw was a nice twist, but went overboard on the spiciness. With the price pretty high and not convenient from public transport, it's not worth searching out unless you have a singular burger craving.
(2)
Sam T.
Came here a little while back to grab a quick breakfast since its in the neighborhood, and was very disappointed with the service. They sat the two of us in one of the booths (since the restaurant was empty). It took about 5 minutes before we were even greeted or given menus. Some water was dropped off at the table, yet still no server. As we were sitting, we kept smelling a very funky smell; almost like dirty mop water and sewer. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from and it was very off putting. Another 5-7 minutes went by and still no server. The smell was gross and since nobody seemed to acknowledge us, we just got up and left. Pretty sure nobody even noticed. If you're not going to take care of your customers, you should really rethink the business you are in.
(1)
Megan M.
service has some room for development. but holy cow, this place is amazing. ordered david's special ($12). cheesy grits, shrimp, mushrooms, bacon, creamy wine sauce. never thought i'd be into that, but it was phenomenal. the bf got biscuits and gravy ($12), topped with two eggs. def one of the best biscuits and gravy we've ever had (& we've had a lot to compare to). portions were generous too. overall, very impressed. the paintings of nick offerman on the wall's were a plus too. can't wait to go back!
(5)
Tiffani S.
Went to Whisk on a Groupon after mixed reviews from friends. I'm so glad I wasn't paying full price because after we inquired about the Groupon the service quickly diminished! We asked for a glass of ice to go with a Diet Coke and when it arrived after our food, it was basically half a glass of water. No apology, no offer to actually bring out a fresh one that was not melted. The cheese grits were not to my liking (go to Wishbone if you would like proper cheese grits). The real problem is when Chef Ricky dismissed my complaint via Groupon and said that our service was not bad implying that Whisk never gives bad service and that he stands 100% behind his food. I would hope that you stand 100% behind your product but don't take offense if my tastebuds don't like it, I'm entitled to my opinion. More importantly don't dismiss my experience just because it was negative, especially if you weren't dining with me nor were my server. I'm appalled more by the response that I received from Chef Ricky than anything else. This is Chicago where restaurants close just as fast as they open you should be more aware in your response to your customers. That was not good Customer Service.
(1)
Kevin K.
This place is just one more excuse not to move to the burbs. Crab cakes from scratch. Loaded w crab and perfectly seasoned. Potatoes cooked to perfection. Coffee is legit. Best toast I've ever had, complimented w homemade jelly and homemade butter. Wow.
(5)
N Prashant B.
We went for brunch and the food was awesome. The service was ok. Bought a $29 for $35 on Yelp and they only gave me 32. Wasn't worth the confrontation so we went ahead and moved on. But, be careful with that. Back to the food- freaking awesome.
(4)
Natalka K.
Burgers are great but filling. They also have different wraps and tacos if you're not in the mood for a burger. In the summer, you can sit in their back patio. Their main dining area is roomy for groups. I'd be back!
(5)
Gregory C.
BYOB hands down one of my new all time favorite places to go to in Chicago. The brunch is terrific!
(5)
Rosa C.
I love the wide selection of Mexican breakfasts that they have! I ordered the steak and eggs for the gains and Snickers French toast (SFT) for pleasure! I came with four other people and they were all very hesitant on ordering the SFT. By the time I was done with my steak meal, these jerks almost finished my SFT! They left me two bites! It sounds like it will be very sweet, but it is not! It is so delicious! I am definitely going back for the SFT!
(5)
Kolyan D.
Solid for brunch and for burgers! And you can get burgers breakfast style! We had brunch a while ago, but I remember that it was pretty darn good and I'd go again. Had the burgers last night and they were very good! Lots of good options available, as well as other dinner items. The back patio is a nice cozy place to eat as well. Get your Groupon on and then come back for the full price meal because it's worth it!
(5)
Alfredo G.
The rajas tacos lacked flavor and weren't even spicy. Just a taco full of bland vegetables. The tortilla wasn't even hand made. The best part of my meal was the water they served.
(2)
Damaris C.
First time here. Came in for breakfast on a random Thursday morning. The look and feel of the place invite you to linger over your meal. The music is on point. The service is quite efficient. The food is off the chain good. Seriously. Oh ma lawd!! I had the biscuits and gravy. My husband ordered the steak and eggs. We shared an order of the Salted Caramel Pancakes: AMAZEBALLS!!!! I know it sounds like a cavity on a plate, but it's so subtle and the combination of white chocolate, caramel and crushed pretzels over the most delicious flapjacks is just sublime. Try it. Our orders came out in a timely manner and piping hot. The variety of brunch offerings on the menu is impressive. The burgers sound delicious. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Anna G.
Brunched here yesterday with a friend. It was just us 2 and another table. I ordered and iced chai and the chicken pear club; my friend a coffee and the egg breakfast entree. The food and drinks were great, no complaints there (my portion of the club was so large, I saved half for lunch today). Our server was very friendly and attentive, buuuut, he didn't seem to know the basics of the menu (the sides, in particular) and was a bit thrown off/confused when we asked follow up questions. The other complaint? It took FOREVER for the food to come out. There were only 4 people dining in the entire place! I hope they figure out these new restaurant kinks because I really liked the space and the food... and hope to try more!
(3)
Ryan L.
With the giant comfy booths in the back and the tiled ceiling, it feels like High Dive. That is - it feels like High Dive only with Mexican food and bright lighting, and minus the hipster jukebox. Concept here is dinner for breakfast. They have burgers, sandwiches, and wraps in which some could be made breakfast-style (replacing with eggs, chorizo, french toast, etc). There is also Mexican fare, reflective of the roots of the chef. Determined to order the specialties, we ordered the chilaquiles and the horseshoe. Both delicious. The scrambled eggs that came with the chilaquiles were prepared just the way I like them - soft and fluffy. Not that it needed more flavor, but adding salsa verde to the chilaquiles rocked. The horseshoe breakfast-style had chipotle hollandaise sauce and a sunnyside up egg. Also delicious. Delicious fresh-cut fries complete the horseshoe. One suggestion- concerns the booths in the back. It works in High Dive because it's a bar, but not really for a sit down restaurant. The space would be better served with more tables than 3 booths. Let's just say 5-6 tables could fit there instead. That's double the capacity in terms of parties. I overheard a couple waiting at the bar discussing the same thing about the booth. BYOB - it's totes worth it as small bottles of soda will run you $3. The meal itself was quite inexpensive so this is a nice spot for a group dinner.
(4)
Melissa K.
Absolutely adorable!!! We walked over this past Sunday for a late brunch (around noon). We had a group of 5 and asked to sit outside thinking it was a bit of a tall order as we only saw small two-tops on the sidewalk. The hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes for the first available table. Roughly 7 minutes later she told us our table was ready and started walking away..Curiously, we followed her past the restaurant and down the gangway. We reached the back and came upon the most adorable back patio complete with a little garden and umbrellas and all things perfect. We were seated in a very large, comfortable booth outside and could not have been happier. The menu had something for everyone and the food was delicious. Our server was fun, and funny and wonderful. The only reason I am not going with 5 stars is the food took a rather long time for being a breakfast joint but at least we had wonderful surroundings while we waited and the waiter was very good about refilling coffee and waters. A hidden gem and I highly recommend it. Added bonus - the staff were wearing Whisk shirts that featured the blackhawks feathers...nice touch!!
(4)
Justin B.
Although you do get a lot of food here for the bucks, I was disappointed by Whisk. The space is a bit of a mishmash of styles; it's got some art on the walls, a cool whisk in the entryway, but a massive TV in the middle of the restaurant. The food was not bad and priced well for the size of the burgers, but the fries (especially the chimichurri fries) were terrible and they were out of pepper jack cheese when we showed up. (I guess the Mariano's across the street doesn't sell cheese in bulk???) BYO, friendly service and the Horseshoe burger served breakfast style without the pepper jack were all great attributes of this spot...but I would come back for brunch to give it one more try, given the proximity to my house.
(3)
Jason E.
The cakes were AWESOME, but the sandwiches were too rich.
(3)
Michelle R.
The food is so awesome here!! I love their Ron Swanson wall! Cracks me up every time. The staff is also super friendly!
(5)
Lyness H.
So my bf and I went to this place randomly today because we found a groupon for $22 for $36 which is MORE than enough to grab a good amount of food for two here. Pricing & Portions: The menu offers so many great dishes it was kinda hard to pick one thing! But because their pricing is so great we didn't have to haha. Average dish price is $10. I ordered a croissant sandwich, my bf had the southern style chicken burger, and we split an order of Snickers French Toast. Everything was amazing. They had to substitute my croissant for texas toast but it was still really good. Decor & BYOB Policy: The place isn't big and it's very creatively and nicely decorated. Kinda funky wall paintings and old school soul music playing over head. Really comfy HUGE booths in addition to bar seating. It was just a really great atmosphere. They're also BYOB and supply you with wine glasses. Who doesn't love BYOB? Service: The service was great, we were seated immediately and our waiter was really attentive and funny. I thought they couldn't top the awesome table side service: wrong. I ended up boxing half my sandwich that I didn't finish to go and ended up leaving it on the table. We came back by and i ran in to grab it but they'd already thrown in out. So a woman, who I'm assuming was the manager, asked if I just wanted them to make me another one. I didn't wanna be a bother but she assured me it was no problem and even gave it to me for free. So that was pretty awesome. Needless to say, the bf and I will definitely be back and will definitely be recommending this place to our friends.
(5)
Lindsey M.
Cute place. Very cozy. Always love BYOB. Food was decent- had the chilaquiles. They were ok. Honestly wasn't all too impressed, especially since people rave about them. Service was a little slow but not terrible- although I did over hear our waitress bashing some customers. $4 for a TINY carafe of OJ- not even fresh squeeze. Yikes bikes. I'll probably go back to try some other menu options but not in a rush to go back. Enjoyable but not to die for.
(4)
Shane G.
I have ordered from Whisk 4 times in the last three weeks on GrubHub. The first time I ordered from them I was skeptical because I know a lot of times I order from places and the food that is delivered is soggy and doesn't taste that great. (I'm looking at you Lockdown.) However, all four of my orders arrived on time and very fresh. I had their crab cakes, pepper jack cheese fries, and cheesy grits. The crab cakes were amazing. The fries weren't soggy, and the cheesy grits were pretty good, too. Each time I ordered from Whisk the subsequent three times I tried something new: Aztec omelette, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, Snickers Stuffed French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy, Truffle Fries, Crab Benedict, and Reese's Pancakes. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach because the menu here has soooo many great options and I can't help but want to try them all. I have honestly never been disappointed by this place. My favorite things so far have been the Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, the Crab Benedict, the Reese's Pancakes, and the truffle fries. Please do yourself a favor and try this place. You won't regret it. I'm not sure what sort of problems these other Yelpers have had, but in 4 orders Whisk has always delivered VERY quickly and never messed up my order.
(5)
Joey M.
Went for weekend brunch and were fortunate enough to get bar seating (small but cozy) Whisk boasts a plethora of coffee and soda varieties that are part of it's appeal I ordered the Snickers Stuffed french toast which I believe was just two pieces of french toast with a melted snickers between them (a french toast snickers sandwich if you will) but was very tasty :) Sampled (benefit of eating out with friends lol) -- biscuits and gravy dish was ultra flavorful and savory. Served in a bowl and looks like a hodge-podge of food but tastes better than it looks! Large serving. --black beans which have a spicy after-kick but are delicious While I enjoyed the food I think there are other places around that I would like to try out before I returned here
(3)
Ben S.
Best place for brunch in the city! Everything on the menu is great. I suggest coming with a few people and sharing all the menu items. The southern chicken sandwich might be the best in the city. It's a must try and you will be hooked after.
(5)
Miharu H.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a new place to try before the Bulls' game and thought we'd tried something in the surrounding area. We shared the Spicy Honey BBQ wings, House Burger and Big Bite Burger. The wings had a little spice and sweetness to them, which were delicious. The House Burger was by far the star of the meal. Everything just melted together really well. If we are in the area again, I would definitely try some other items on the menu. The one downside was the menu was that the fries were just a let down.
(4)
Jorge M.
So i bought a groupon for this place and after 50 min waiting we finally got a table. Place is sooooo small and was packed, because is BYOB people takes longer to eat since some people bring a lot of booze. Our waiter was nice but was kinda confused cause first we ordered a orange juice and a bucket for the champagne and took him almost 10 min probably more to bring it. Then because you share tables with more people the one next to us they ordered kinda the same plate that I ordered and they brought them the wrong food theirs food runner gave it to the wrong table. They had to apologize and make a new one. Now good thing that after those incidents food was actually very good specially the David's special. In overall good place but to small and they should put a time for the people cause they waiting for a table was very annoying because people don't want leave the place drinking and talking.
(3)
Paulette S.
Wonderful brunch! The chef really knows how to use herbs and seasonings. Among the three of us, we enjoyed items including black bean patties with mango sauce (so tasty!), fried potatoes (crispy and seasoned wonderfully with rosemary); sweet potato fries (crispy and delicious), and more. The pancakes with pear and white chocolate sauce sounded like they would be "too sweet," but they were "just right." The batter reminded us of the taste of sweet cream waffles. The toast was served with home made jam. In addition, the staff was friendly and attentive.
(5)
Rosaileen B.
This place was awesome! Food was delicious! I got the chorizo omelette and it was perfect. My sister ordered the snickers pancakes and the only regret I have is that I didn't order my own. The service was great as well. Definitely going back!
(5)
Michelle R.
Brunch was amazing! Bought a groupon last night & went this morning on my day off! Snickers French toast was bomb!!! Def will go back again! Top brunch place in Chicago!!
(5)
julie q.
So, because it's the first official day of their opening, I'll let the long wait time for our food slide. But, man oh man - it was worth the wait! I had the BLT Benedict - The hollandaise was super flavorful and the pesto was some of the best tasting pesto I've had in awhile. Husbo had the Dave's special - garlic shrimp, cheese grits, shrooms, bacon, and white wine cream sauce - How can you go wrong??? It was super delish. By the time we left there was a long wait to get in - I'm sure it will continue as long as they keep the food as flavorful as it is and get the kinks worked out... YAY Whisk! Note - The iced tea is a sweet, maybe peach?, tea. I do not like sweet tea so it was kind of a rude awakening. Just an FYI.
(4)
Emily E.
Thought the food was delicious and well portioned ( although if you are getting the cheesy grits with shrimp make sure to share its huge and oh so delicious) The outdoor area was quaint and nicely set up.
(3)
Eric R.
Looooooong wait. They kept taking everyone but my party. No explanations, No apologies. The food was good, but not worthy of s 40 minute wait
(2)
Amy G.
I love brunch so I decided to give WHISK a try. The food was good, but I wouldn't say great..? I got a panini and the bread was pretty hard. But their potatoes were really good. Maybe I just need to try something else if I were to go again.
(4)
Laur N.
Good place to grab a bite! Had the House Salad - REally like & appreciate that chicken/steak is included - hate when other places don't include, so bonus points to Whisk! slightly more ice burg than flat out spring greens but it was really beautiful, delicious and filling overall - I'd get it again. The burger we had was the one on texas toast with jalapenos and it was Awesome. Recommend trying it. Tacos were also good - meat was juicy and lean, little confused about the cheese on the bottom and was the tortilla fried ? but it was good! Soda selection was fun : ) Cute place, really attentive and friendly nice service. Try it.
(4)
Linda H.
Absolutely love everything about it. Food is great , people are great, kid friendly. So happy to have such a wonderful delicious place in our neighborhood.
(5)
John U.
Great breakfast. A little slow on the service and seating for busier mornings but you can't fault them for being good at what they do. Try the breakfast burrito. I'd also recommend they put in some appetizer options for dinner menu to extend your visit but their burgers are great. Back patio is well shaded.
(4)
Becky C.
Yummy burger and great service! Went for dinner but will definitely be back for brunch!
(5)
Roman M.
Solid local option. Had the breakfast burrito, which was tasty but not too overwhelmingly big. Perfect size, and with nicely cooked potatoes and a great chipotle based salsa - I was content. Nothing really blew me away though, so I had trouble going over 3 stars. Just to be clear, nothing was wrong with this meal or atmosphere or service - just not totally blown away. I recommend this place to anyone in the hood.
(3)
Vanessa B.
This place is great. I really enjoyed my food, and saw several other options on the menu that I plan to go back and try. The best part though was the friendly genuine staff. What a lovely place.
(5)
Teresa B.
Good food, nice atmosphere. Came with a party & everyone enjoyed their food. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Nicki P.
Just had a great brunch at whisk. Arrived about 1:30pm and didn't have to wait long for a seat the the communal table which was fine. I opted for the crab Benedict which was great and covered in a Chipotle sauce ( I would have preferred this on the side but was still good). The bacon I ordered on the side was really tasty as well. My friend ordered the chilequiles which were great. The best part is BYOB, will be back for sure for the reeses pancakes!
(4)
Dawn G.
Me and my husband were in Whisk the other night and the hostess was wonderful. She was polite and always smiling. It was a great experience with great food but having someone like her to welcome us and make sure everything was ok was a delight. Me and my husband will be frequently going to whisk not for just the food and ambience but for the hostess that was so polite to us. Thanks for having someone like her. Great place
(5)
Brunchar V.
Everything was OK, but why eat just OK? Our first issue was our Groupon, which was our own fault. We did not look at prices ahead of time. Our Groupon got us $36 worth of breakfast, which is way more than we needed. We didn't realize it was BYOB. Everything on the menu sounded really good. Unfortunately, almost nothing was. We both ordered the crab cakes, our waitress' personal favorite. They had a slight freezer taste to them. The house potatoes could have been crispier. The jam for the toast was excellent - it was the best part of the meal. Whisk prides itself on its bacon - good, but nothing to write home about. The grits were awful. They made me glad I didn't order the house special of shrimp and grits. While we were waiting (a long time) for our food, we thought we should come back on the weekend for the benedicts, but we're not going back. I always root for little brunch places, but the food here just doesn't cut it.
(2)
Freddy F.
Great 1st experience ! We enjoyed brunch items on a Tuesday afternoon. My wife had the Whisk Hash which had a great combination of pulled pork, sweet potatoes, chipotle hollandaise and scrambled eggs, quite DELICIOUS ! I tried the Mexican Scramble which consisted of scrambled eggs, jalapeños, ham, onions, tomatoes and sour cream. Simple, yet tasteful! Then came dessert, which the name immediately caught our eye ......Snickers Stuffed French Toast, need I say more ? One word ..... UnF'nBelievable !!! On the service side they're wait/bus staff was super friendly, oh and they had the best baby changing station :) We'll see you real soon, Whisk ! Thanks!
(4)
Nancy A.
Ok... Where do I start? I just left this place and I am absolutely infuriated! Is my birthday and decided to give this place a try. The second I walked in, the vibe from the hostess was so cold. She didn't smile, she hardly even greeted my family and I. When asked where the bathroom was, she replied very rudely while not looking at me with "Next to the exit sign". Our food took forever and it was cold. The menu also said my dish came with potatoes and they didn't came with my food. My Chileaquiles were dry and cold. Even the cheese was already clumpy. Our orange juice was 4 dollars for less than 8oz. The service was slow. The hostess asked in order to redeem my groupon voucher I needed to download the app. Once I was ready to pay, she made sure to grab everyone's else's check first even after I was standing next to the cashier register. She forgot to hand me my food to go and I got a parking ticket because she was taking so long to take care of me. Smh. Food was expensive and not worth it. Sorry Whisk, you lost a few customer. Get better and friendly staff!!!
(1)
Sebastian W.
Havent been here since i moved out if UK, but this place is THE place to have brunch at. The Pumpkin cinnamon pancakes are AMAZING, take advantage of their BYOB and No corkage fee. I cant wait to go back for dinner next time I'm visiting my sister and sit on their patio.
(5)
Tracy L.
Such an amazing place! I am in love with chilaquiles and they made them just right. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Dan S.
I got the famous "Ron Swanson" burger last night and was completely underwhelmed. Ow was cooked way over well done and served on a bun about 3x bigger than the burger. Wouldn't have been a big deal, but seeing that they charge $18 for the burger it kinda is.
(2)
Walter T.
Come here hungry, the food is so good you won't want to stop eating. Be it Brunch or Dinner haven't had a bad experience yet! The decor adds a unique flair to the restaurant, including a giant whisk in front. Great ode to Ron Swanson with a burger wrapped in a pound of bacon, yum!!!
(5)
Brian K.
Went for breakfast a few weeks ago with my girlfriend for breakfast. It was a weekday and it was not very crowded - there was only one server working so it took a little while for us to make our order. I had bacon/egg/cheese croissant, she ordered the chilaquiles. Both dishes were excellent - the Chilaquiles really stood out. I only deducted one star as the service was a bit slow and our server seemed to be wishing she was anywhere but there. Other than that it was delicious food and we will be back, hopeful to catch our server on a better day.
I love WHISK! I had the white chocolate and pear pancakes that were to die for! My husband had the southern Benedict that made me jealous ! I had a bottle of Procecco and my husband had beer. Our waiter was super friendly and super knowledgeable with the menu. He even asked if I wanted orange juice to make a Mimosa! "Why yes I do!" I wish I remembered his name, but when I go back I'll make sure to update this review!
(5)
Tim C.
Just tried to dine at Whisk. We had high hopes, but they would not let us sit on the patio with our dog. If you have a dog and want to sit outside, keep on walking.
(1)
Mak D.
I saw this restaurant on Groupon and said I had to try this place out. I had purchased the brunch Groupon for two, so I took my lady friend. We arrived there about 7:45am on a Monday and we were the first customers. My lady friend ordered the crab cake breakfast and I ordered the half caramel pancake(1 pancake instead of two), the breakfast House Burger which consisted of a 8 oz. beef burger, chorizo, avocado, chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, tortilla chips, and 2eggs(which I had sunny side up) on French Texas toast. What a burger!!! I had Greek fries on the side. We both thought the food was pretty good. The only thing we were not pleased with was the food was not hot which was surprising due to the fact that we were the only customers. Therefore we gave them a 4 star instead of a 5 star but we will come again!!!
(4)
Stephen M.
One of the best brunches I have had in a very long time. Pulled pork eggs benedict & the snickers French toast were both awesome. Added bonus they a byob! The place is not huge... expect a wait. Price is reasonable especially since they are byob.
(5)
Jay S.
Mexican brunch and gourmet burgers are two of my favorite types of food and this place has variety of excellent options in both of these categories. Several of the gourmet burgers are also Mexican inspired. I could honestly eat here for both brunch and dinner in the same day. Their goofy but very nice server/manager is very courteous and makes the dining experience even better.
(5)
Dan D.
solid option in UKV.
(4)
Mary Ann C.
I was eager to try this new brunch spot, and it was even better than I expected. Super cute inside. Friendly service. Kilogram tea! Really?! This shows attention to detail. But, it gets better.......the FOOD! I ordered David's Special, which included cheese grits with sauce and shrimp over. Probably a million calories, but this dish was perfectly executed and stunningly delicious! Plump and tasty shrimp, addictive grits with a creamy bacon sauce over! Piping hot. A winner. I will be back on another weekday. This place is small, so you will not see me waiting for a table (and I imagine there is a lengthy wait) on the weekends!!!!
(5)
Kaley C.
This place is the bomb dot com. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich with truffle fries, absolutely amazing. I want to go back to try their breakfast. It's also BYOB which is a plus but if you're planning on making mimosas don't order their orange juice. That was the only bad experience of my meal!
(4)
Kelley C.
"And if you like [shrimp] and grits and all that pimp shit..." We live so close to this place...but this was our first visit. YUM! Dave's Special, add a side of spinach. Omg. "Drip drip drop, there goes [a mouthgasm]..." I like the way you cook. Thank you for coming to the neighborhood.
(5)
Adam J.
Great service, wonderful food, and wonderful atmosphere. The Swanson Burger was great, and could easily be shared. The Hawaiian salad was delicious also. I will come back with friends again!
(5)
Sam D.
Cute spot but i should have ordered brunch. Instead looking at menu, i ordered the chicken w pear slices and that was not to my liking. There wasn't enough chicken for the price I paid for the sandwich. The chicken was hard and not in good taste. The cajun fries on the other hand were delicious. I'll order breakfast next time.
(1)
Adam D.
This place is like watching Gladiator for the first time. Freaking awesome! Best breakfast I've had in a long time. I work an early shift and I'm always eating at different joints but this one is tops. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and they were the best I think I've ever had. The coffee is fantastic too. The biggest bonus was the changing table! We have 7 week old and the table in the bathroom is huge and cushioned. They definitely had families in mind when putting this place together. I'm telling you, forget Yolk or even Palace Grill. This place beats them all for breakfast.
(5)
Captain M.
This place is tiny but it has a lot of character. I've never been a huge fan of byob but they were pretty accommodating. The food was great. The service was great. I want to try the whole menu.
(4)
Denise G.
When I eat brunch, I prefer to do so while a portrait of Ron Swanson watches over me, so of course I was in luck when I went to Whisk. Leslie Knope and the whole cast of Parks & Rec would have died and gone to Heaven the second they stepped through the door here. The brunch choices are absolutely amazing, and really I don't think I could have gone wrong with whatever I chose. I was torn between the Snickers French Toast, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, and the Reese's Pancakes. Narrowing my options down to one entree was so tenuous that I had to decide over a side order of bacon and an artisan soda (both delicious). Like anyone who aspires to someday weigh 9,000 pounds solely based on their choices of breakfast food, I asked my server if it was possible to try one of each pancake, and leave the Snickers French Toast for another time when I wanted to slip into a delicious food coma. Two months after my trip to Whisk, I still can't decide which pancake I liked better. I'll probably need to go back at least ten more times before I can decide. I am eager to check out the dinner menu and also add a BYOB Brunch into the mix as well. There's also a grocery store right across the street in case there is any need for BYOB reinforcements.
(5)
Gregory G.
We've returned several times since my original review. We liked it well enough, they're decent with medium sized groups, and it was extremely closeby, but today is likely my last visit. Walked in hoping to grab a quick breakfast. Several tables were open. One couple was waiting at the hostess stand waiting for their table to be set up. I asked how long for one, was told I would be seated as soon as she was back from taking them to their table, so I had a seat in the waiting area. Meanwhile, a couple walks in and waits by the stand. Hostess returns and they ask how long for two. She shows them to seats right away. Queue the party of 4 walking in saying "let's just see how long the wait is." Hostess returns, they're seated. I waited at the stand and asked what the deal was when she returned. She said it would just be a moment, as she wanted to give the servers a chance to catch up with the people she just seated. When asked why they were seated before me, she said they already had their names on the "list." When I told her I heard their conversations and knew that wasn't the case, she stumbled and rudely said "well, it'll just be a couple of minutes." As I started walking towards the door, she quickly exclaimed that she could show me to my seat, conveniently squished between a corner and another diner (there were still tables open and other seats at the bar). I just continued out the door. I don't mind waiting, I understand servers need time to catch up, and I understand you're not going to seat a person alone at a giant table right before brunch rush, but I don't appreciate being lied to. Someone needs to teach that girl the value of a customer. I won't be back, and you can be darn sure I'll be passing this on to my friends, many of whom are regular customers.
(1)
Angie D.
First time going. Had brunch with my sissy. It was FANTASTIC!! We got there at 9:45 am on a Saturday, so we beat the crowd. No wait. The food was delicious. And the BYOB.... Enough said! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Michelle R.
I *love* the food at Whisk, it is amazing. The service on the other hand, is mediocre at best. I eat at Whisk often and can no longer just chalk the bad service up to someone having a bad day. The hostess there is SO unfriendly every time we're in there - without fail - and has been downright rude at other times. God forbid you go in there with a baby - she will NOT be accommodating and will undoubtedly make you feel like you're burdening her. Then there is the one server with permanent BRF - another unpleasant and very unfriendly woman to deal with. I have worked in restaurants - I know how customers can be a huge pain in the ass - but our party of 4 was very chill, friendly, and understanding yet we were still treated like crap. The people I was with have already decided they will never go back simply based on the terrible service. I don't understand how these two women still have jobs after multiple people have commented on the bad service - Whisk is starting to get a bad reputation. Aside from these two women, the rest of the staff has been pretty good. There was a gentleman who waited on us for dinner last week who was awesome. And again, the food is outstanding. Just a shame you have to feel like you're a bother when you're there.
(2)
Carrie G.
Came in around 9am this morning for breakfast with my husband. There were multiple open tables outside, so we asked the hostess about sitting out there. She informed us that we couldn't sit there because babies weren't allowed outside. Mind you we purposely left the stroller at home, knowing space is tight at Whisk. My sleeping infant was in a Bjorn carrier attached to me and didn't need a chair, which I see is an explanation management gave to another reviewer who cited similar issue when coming in with a baby. Also, when we arrived, there was a couple dining outside with their two children, so the 2 person max claim doesn't even hold. Sounds like it's time to educate the staff on exactly what your patio "rules" are. To those with children- don't bother coming here. Go down the street to child-friendly West Town Bakery- baby/kid/stroller friendly!! My husband and I sat outside at a two-top table while my infant happily snoozed in the Bjorn.
(1)
Michael V.
Whisk is a great addition to the neighborhood. I had high hopes for this place -- Chickpea was one of my favorites -- and happily I wasn't disappointed. I went for brunch for the first time this week and got the breakfast burrito. It's my test food for new brunch restaurants -- if you can nail the breakfast burrito, you can usually count on everything else being good. They nailed it -- generous chorizo, avocado and salsa. My companions got the chorizo omelette and the fried chicken sandwich, and both loved their meals. Looking forward to taking one of those fried chicken sandwiches home for dinner soon. Service was great, although the wait for the food was a little long considering that they weren't particularly busy. Unlike some of the other reviewers here, however, I like to give a restaurant in its first few weeks a little slack. Seriously people -- one star for slow service on a restaurant's first day?! Anyway, happy to have a new brunch staple in the neighborhood, and I look forward to trying the burgers!
(5)
Carly P.
I am dumbfounded at the more negative reviews - I thought Whisk was great! We ordered the croissant sandwich and the breakfast burrito and everything was perfect. It's a little pricey, but my meal was worth it. My only criticism is minor - I wish they had another option for pop drinkers. Buying bottle after bottle of speciality soda gets expensive, even though it's delicious and aesthetically adorable. I think my favorite thing about Whisk so far is how willing they are to hear criticism. Many other members of staff - not just our server - checked in with us regarding the quality of our food and experience . There are even surveys on the tables asking for suggestions. Your negative reviews will not hurt the restaurant, only make it better. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Natalie B.
After seeing a line out the door, I figured this place must be worth the wait. We were told it would be a 1.5 hour wait, and planned to go somewhere else. The owner told then told us that he was preparing a table for us and it would only be about 10 minutes, so we decided to stay. Nope. 1.5 hours was still accurate. A few times we got ready to leave and he'd come by and say "I'm getting your table ready, only a few more minutes!" But it was never really true. To their defense, a lot of other restaurants were closed for labor day and I noticed people sitting at their table for a long time after finishing, but don't lie. He was apologetic for the wait, though. We finally got in, and they showed the 5 of us to a "communal table" with two other groups sitting at it. There were 4 chairs in a line...And 5 of us. He pulled up another bar stool so we could squish in, and promised he would move us to a booth when another group left. They started seating other groups at the booths when they cleared out, and when I asked about it he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about. We finally got moved after asking if we could take the booth when another group left. It's byob, so we brought champagne for mimosas and ordered orange juice. 15-20 minutes later, the waitress bring 4 ojs in tiny jars and leaves. She didn't come by to check on us, so I eventually flagged her down while she was walking by to ask for the 5th oj and you know, maybe some glasses to put it in. It eventually came out, but again we were short a glass and had to ask for another. Our food was dropped off by a runner. It was good (I had the breakfast burrito), but I think at this point we were irritated enough that we didn't enjoy it as much as we would have otherwise. The runner didn't bring silverware or napkins, so we sat with our food on the table unable to eat it. After asking 3 times for silverware, a waitress brought some forks in a paper cup , saying that they had run out of rolled silverware. It wouldn't be a big deal, but we didn't have napkins either. Three out of 5 of our meals were supposed to come with toast or an English muffin, but nobody got them. Our waitress never came by to check on us during the entire meal, so we had all finished eating and didn't want to wait for it anymore. It was extra disappointing because we were celebrating a birthday and hoped for a better experience. The food was fine, but there are a million other restaurants in the neighborhood that do it better. I don't plan on returning.
(2)
Rui C.
4 stars for the food, 5 stars for the service, and 5 stars for BYOB. Seriously, how can you go wrong with a place that's BYOB & charges no corkage fee?! Great brunch spot if you wanna get a little buzzed with your salted caramel pancakes. Call ahead to reserve a table if you want to come Saturday mornings.
(5)
Courtney M.
Stopped in here after arriving for a couple days in the Ukrainian village last Saturday. Brunch was amazing! The patio with beautiful cherry tree growing in one corner also made for wonderful ambience. Our pooch was welcome too and the waitress was quick to bring him over a bowl of water which we supremely appreciated. Such a small thing, but pet owners will love you forever if you show their four legged friend a little kindness... I ordered the house salad with steak (think corn, avo, crispy rommaine, I also added jalapeno) and my partner the David's special (garlic shrimp, bacon, scallions over cheesy grits). Both meals were a complete home run which was perfect because they carried us all day through to Wrigley Field that night. We'll definitely be back here next Chicago trip!
(5)
Iveliss G.
Southern chicken sandwich= amazing!!!!!! Truffle fries or Cajun you can't go wrong with either. The orange pop is also tasty. BYOB!!!! And of course the service is quick and friendly, always. I think I have been here 6 times since they have opened and ordered the same thing every time. My best friend likes the grits with shrimp for breakfast, chicken tacos for dinner and the chicken and waffles for dinner. Dessert changes everyday, so that's a nice surprise. You will enjoy anything on the menu. Stop reading this review and go now :)
(5)
Kirby M.
I have a Spring account and Whisk has been sent to me on multiple occasions so a friend and I decided to give Sunday brunch a shot. I ordered the chilaquiles on recommendation from our waiter (who was very sweet). My friend got the eggs benedict. We licked our plates. Service was slow but with a smile. On a leisurely Sunday morning where my friend and I wanted to spend time catching up, it was a perfect scene. The shared table experience isn't my favorite and I don't care for high chairs, but the couple seated next to us was adorable and friendly and I quickly forgot the high discomfort when all the pros were so gleaming. It was a solid experience. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Vanna T.
Great new brunch spot to this neighborhood. Went with a party of 5 and the food we all agreed was great, service great, and prices great too! BYOB you cannot beat! I ordered the crab cakes and eggs and substituted the grits for the breakfast potatoes. The crab cakes were delicious! I will definitely go again! Next time I'd like to try some of their coffees and get a sweet dish. (snickers french toast that went by our table looked AWEOSOME!)
(4)
Jordan F.
Fifth time here. Entire place smelled like a toilet. Poor service. Food was good but we had to take it to-go due to the terrible aroma. We won't be back. Shame because we live just around the block.
(2)
E S.
Get the southern style chicken sandwich! So good! We ate in the back patio and it was a great set up.
(4)
Lynette R.
Love this place. Brunch has a great combination of sweet and savory without having huge portions. The breakfast croissant is outstanding. They don't load up the community table, so go for it!
(5)
Pam H.
We came for a late lunch/early supper when there were maybe 3-4 other customers there. Service was fine. We had an enthusiastic server. I had the David's Special cheese grits with grilled shrimp. Excellent. Stick to your ribs ,superb for a wintery or damp day; generous portion. Next time ( and there will be a next time) I need to find out if I can order it with extra shrimp. (P.S.You need soup spoons for this, not teaspoons.) My friend had the burger which had the spicy cheese sauce and the crispy peppers on top. He was making pleasure noises and had a look on his face that ought not to be shown in a public place. He was happy, but I was very involved with my cheese grits. Excellent coffee. Dark Matter, I think they said. Brewed so it was strong , not burnt. Street parking. $4.00 for a 2 hour slot on the meter, but spaces were readily available. As noted, BYOB but Mariano is literally right across the street. One quibble. They had been doing some mid-shift cleaning and the scent from the bathroom cleaning solution was noticeable. Get an unscented brand.
(4)
Hector T.
The place is very nice looking. They serve Dark Matter coffee. The food ranges from ok to good. The Davies special was really good. The Reeses pancakes were borderline ok but not sure why the name because did not taste like reeses. The menu stated "Reeses chocolate pieces" there were chocolate chips on them. I inquired about this and was told they actually just stick a small portion of a peanut butter cup inside and it melts. I however found no peanut butter flavor which seems very odd for a dish called Reeses Pancakes. The staff was friendly but need to improve their service. For example asking if things are ok, refilling coffee, and making sure order is complete. The price is a bit high.
(3)
Breanne G.
I have been planning my next trip here. That is unheard from me... Yes, as I have said before, if you are on a diet, then brunch is not for you. I ordered the Aztec omelette and my husband ordered the breakfast burrito. They were not chintzy with the ingredients and I loved all the flavors. We both cleaned our plates!! I ordered beans instead of potatoes, but ended up getting potatoes. I was so glad I did. The potatoes will not disappoint. That's if you like your potatoes a little crunchy, not over cooked or soggy/mushy. The slice of watermelon on the plate was a nice added touch. Okay, I'm a person that loves great customer service. I felt the hostess needed a little more pep in her step. A smile goes a long way and she needs to be a little more inviting - especially if she is in the front of the restaurant. In addition, we were seated, but it took a little over five minutes for someone to acknowledge us, but the server was apologetic and super nice. Maybe the hostess could have said something about the rush in service and that we'd have to wait a little. I know they recently opened and are a work in progress. So far they are doing great!! Overall, I will definitely be going back to try some other yummy creations (not on a diet day). The food we ordered was delicious. Rick and David you did not disappoint!! The place is BYOB so don't forget your alcohol, if you want it. If I could, I would give them 4 1/2 stars. I hope to give them 5 stars one of these days.
(4)
Burnt T.
Ownership has reached out and said it was an isolated incident. Since I'm local I'll definitely give it another shot and update the review accordingly. Thanks for being classy Whisk!
(3)
Mark C.
Wow! I had no idea what to expect from Whisk, but let me tell you I was amazed at what came my way. The inside looks lovely, but surprise, there's a patio in the back! Another welcome surprise, BYOB. BUT let's talk about the food. Greek fries, steak and eggs ( with an added waffle) and a burger came to my table. What stole the show was the late addition of the fried chicken tender tacos. I know we in Chicago especially in the areas surrounding wicker park have become taco crazy. The bits of heaven in a tortilla have got to be the best I've ever had. Anyone who comes to Whisk will have to make a return trip, the menu is that inviting. The chef and owner are amazing gentleman and I wish you the best of luck.
(5)
natalia k.
Average place. Got a burger , it was very satisfying. Place has an odd smell but I wouldn't say it's reflective of the quality. Very neat and clean. Used groupon. Worth a try!
(4)
Charlotte B.
Mediocre at best. So many better breakfasts. We were very disappointed. Amateur. Food prep. That did not know how to prepare egg over easy or it sat & cooked waiting to go out. Had to send hard cooked egg dish back. Snicker French toast like what I make at home with Nutella. Just not ready for prime time! When woman who seemed to be front of house mgr asked & was told about our experience, she seemed ill prepared to comment or make an effort to make us want to come back. Skip this one. Not worth a wait either. Felt sorry for ppl waiting & complaining about their wait on our way out
(2)
Thomas T.
Great location in the Ukrainian Village. The food was very good. Great burgers, fries & the salted caramel pancakes were amazing. Our only problem was upon entering there was a stuffy smell of mold. The closer to the back of the restaurant you go the stronger the mold becomes. The washroom was unbearable. Remediate your mold problem Whisk, we want to breath.
(3)
Edwin W.
Not a bad addition to the UKV neighborhood. I went during their brunch hours on a weekday and the place was empty. We ordered the steak and eggs and the house burger to split. Everything tasted good until I got to eggs. We ordered the eggs over easy, but this egg came beyond well done. There was no runny yolk and the egg white was pretty tough. The eggs costed this place an extra star. regardless, I will definitely be coming back to try their dinner menu.
(3)
Cori D.
Shrimp and cheesy grits - so, so good. Had that this morning, and I'll definitely come back again for it. (My friend had the crab benedict, and she said it was really good too.) I'd heard this pace was small, so I was really worried about getting a table for brunch on labor day weekend, but, by the time my friend arrived, we were seated. Score! Also, I saw other reviewers had complained about the service, but it was flawless for us. Our waiter was super funny and nice. And coffee refills were prompt, which is pretty important to me in a brunch place.
(5)
Daisy R.
Really good place to have breakfast. I went with my boyfriend and it was really relaxing. I ordered the banana berry pancakes, let me just say I'm not a fan of pancakes and these were really good, they weren't too sweet for breakfast. My boyfriend ordered the Ukrainian scrambled eggs. We ended up trying each other's dish and we loved both of them. The one thing I didn't like was the coffee which was watered down but other than that I would love to go again and try the biscuit and gravy as well as the gourmet pops. This a very well recommended place. I'm glad I came here and I'll be going back soon.
(4)
Victoria A.
Food was delicious! We ordered the Reese's pancakes, when whisk hash, and the biscuits and gravy. Portions are large and the environment is adorable. Love the Ron Swanson painting everywhere! Found them hilarious.
(4)
Vivian R.
I've only been for breakfast so far but everything I've had, has been DELICIOUS!! The David's special is my absolute favorite but nothing I've tried was disappointing, all good! Definitely a must try!
(5)
Mich S.
YES!! YES!! Whisk, has done it. I have wanted to find a dinning experience that offered the American style brunch with a twist of Mexican flavor. I LOVE THIS PLACE. The steak and Chicken options are excellent. Cooked magnificently leaving your taste buds pleased and wanting more. The owners David and Rick are great people and hard at work. They take what they do seriously but treat it as a craft not a job. They love what they do and it shows through the food, flavor and experience. I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Leang E.
I was sad to know that Chickpea had gotten replaced because it was the closest Mediterranean food spot to me, and then I ate here at Whisk and all was forgiven. I had already done my research in buying my GiltCity voucher because this place had 4 stars here and saw that it was BYOB. I decided that it was ok for us to try this place out for dinner before brunch first. My boyfriend and I were impressed by the service. Scott, our waiter, was great with the recommendations and was genuinely personable and very attentive. On special that day were the wings which were pretty good if you like them breaded as they were nice and crispy and not soggy. I was able to do the breakfast style House burger which was AMAZE-balls! I've never had a burger that was made out of a French toast as the buns before and it was a great combination of sweetness with the saltiness of the filling inside - the egg, the tortilla strips, chorizo, and burger meat and the right amount of spicy. Scott was so money about pairing the burger with the chimichurri fries. Holy cow - so flavorful and I didn't even need or want this with ketchup and I am definitely a sauce girl. I would say watch out because the garlic is pretty potent, so make-out sessions will be put on hold. Prices are reasonable. This only makes me want to come here for brunch.
(5)
Shannon C.
Awesome Goose Island root beer and one of the best huavoes Ranchero I've ever had. Amazing and friendly service!
(4)
Matt M.
I'm signing up for Yelp mainly to write a review of this wonderful restaurant. In December of 2012, my girlfriend and I moved to the Ukrainian Village because it was the perfect central location for both of our jobs, and we really enjoyed the vibe of the neighborhood. However, when we welcomed our son in 2013, we realized that the neighborhood was not the best for taking kids out to eat. We love the restaurants in the area and Wicker Park, but found that many of the restaurants are of the bar/gastropub variety, and many that will welcome kids don't have high chairs or children's menus. Don't get me wrong, we understand the desire for the childless to eat without being surrounded by crying/screaming kids, and we are the first to remove our son if he acts up. Still, though, we don't always want to cook or grab takeout. Whisk was a godsend for us. The food is delicious. Try the David's Special (shrimp and grits) or the morning hash. They are both "slap your grandma" delicious. Plus, while they are not all up to par, the bottled rootbeers that they sell are all interesting tastes. Best of all, they are very accommodating for families. When we first went in (within two weeks of their opening), Whisk didn't have a kids menu, but they happily gave us several child-friendly options for $5-$6. Our little guy loved the chicken strips. The next time we came back, they had an official menu, but our son didn't care for the changes made to the chicken. They happily made it for him "original style." He also loves the burger and Mickey Mouse pancakes. We live almost directly across the street, so we have seen Whisk in the middle of the week for dinner when it's almost empty and on busy weekend brunches. We have never had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a table. The servers are extremely friendly. We want to give a special shout out to Sonya who always makes time to stop by our table for a brief chat whenever we come in. I think our son might be developing a little crush. She certainly adds to the warm family atmosphere that we've experienced every time we come to Whisk.
(5)
Terra Z.
The food was great I would give this more stars. As soon as we were done eating, the manager asked us to leave to give the table to another party even though the restaurant was not busy. I have never experienced that before.
(1)
Billy S.
If you're looking for food that's just a step above a random truck stop diner, or not quite as good as Chili's, then Whisk is your place! My Whisk experience, in chronological order, went from bad to worse: - Glasses were dirty - Waiter was clueless about the menu - We were served the wrong order - Food failed on all levels: Taste, presentation, and creativity The chilaquiles were mush, the fries were oily and limp, and the burger tasted like it had been microwaved. It was only $25 bucks for two people, but we could have eaten at McD's across the street for half that and been more satisfied.
(1)
Jenny A.
I visited Whisk on a weekday morning for breakfast with a girlfriend. Despite being one of two parties in the restaurant, we did not receive great service. I had to ask the server for a coffee refill several times. They were also out of the menu item that I wanted. I thought the menu was not especially interesting.
(3)
Heather M.
The food here is outstanding!! Unique flavors and dishes in a sea of generic brunch places. The Whisk hash, pulled pork, sweet potatoes, eggs and an amazing savory hollandaise..... Nom nom nom. I don't know if I will ever try the sandwiches here because the breakfast fare is just so damn delicious. A true gem in Ukrainian Village!!
(5)
Brian H.
Visited this place with a few co-workers today. Server was quick and attentive. The place is very small, so if you don't come at the right time expect to wait a few mins. I enjoyed the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich w/Cajun fries. Chicken breast was tender with a slightly crunchy crust. The sandwich had great flavor with the spicy mayo and jalapeno cole slaw. Co-workers had Turkey Burger and Shrimp and Grits. I believe that they enjoyed theirs too because there wasn't a crumb left anyone's plate.
(4)
Melissa M.
The best Grubhub I've ever ordered! Super fast, super hot n super delicious! Get the southern style chicken sand with creamy slaw garnish! Unreal, huge portion w a side of cheese fries you will most certainly lose your mind. Dined in as well and was equally delish n byob. Try this place!!!!
(5)
Katie V.
Ordered delivery from here which was very fast , alwasy awesome!! We got a burger and a turkey burger with regular/cajun fries. Both were good , toppings were fresh, buns were good. However, the burger seem to be a pre-formed pattie and was dry. There was no option to request how to cook the burger. Both definitely have MSG or other preservatives due to symptoms after eating. Wanted to love this place but probably won't return.
(3)
Brett F.
I'm a bit torn on how i feel about this place. The food is great, but it's hipster service. We had the Breakfast Burrito and Chorizo Benedict. They were great, wish there was more on the plate. Our waiter seemed to like he didn't care how are experience was. A few examples are, coffee wasn't refilled we had to go up to the little drink bar and ask for more coffee, when telling us about the Chorizo Benedict, which was the special, all he said was, "It's good" no further description. The drinks list we got was literally a handwritten piece of copy paper folded in half that was wet....wtf? It was just not a great experience with out waiter and it seemed like that was the general vibe through the place. The back of house definitely has their stuff together, the front of house needs some help and direction. The prices were very reasonable for the food, around 8-12$ for all the plates. It is a BYOB place, so that's nice. The soda they had was all glass bottled soda and about $3 a bottle a little high for me to enjoy a soda. The actual space is nice for groups of about 5-7 people. They have a few big booths. I get it, you want to be cool and hip, but a smile and some pleasantries go a long way when you are waiting on someone. This place would get 4 stars from me if not for the service. I might try dinner here.
(3)
M. J. W.
Considering the trove of 1-2 star reviews, I had to come down and see what all the fuss was about. Honestly, I don't have one negative thing to say about the joint. The space itself is intimate, the decor is warm and nonintrusive, the staff was pleasant and personable and our orders came out in the normal expectation for a brunch establishment. I had my two kids with me, and we were very happy to see Mickey Mouse pancakes on the menu (much respect for going out of the way for kids, thank you)! This made my life so much easier. I appreciated the build-your-own omelette (as this keeps us picky eaters placated). I think the only minor issues I had were that the side portions with my meal were smaller than most other places, and the kids pancakes (only $4, not bad at all) didn't come with a side such as fruit - again like many other places. Again, very minor and more thank likely a chef's choice I guess. The other was that the waitperson was all alone. No busser, no back up at all. She had to seat everyone, pour everyone's water, coffee, take orders from all the sit downs and the take-out orders of people who walked in. She had the whole room to herself. I was scared for her, I really was. We'll be back again, but more than likely due to the size of the place and lack of quality brunch places nearby, we'll stay away on the weekends. I bet this place has a line on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
(5)
La'Dweena S.
We went on a Sunday evening and had steak, tacos and burgers and all the food was great! We had three children in our party and the server was AWESOME and had the kids LOL !!! The prices are very reasonable and the portion sizes were perfect. I would go back again.
(4)
Samantha R.
I love the food, love the service but would never return due to the uneducated, useless host. He clearly has not been in the industry long and doesn't care to stay. Sunrise is next door and Old Oak down the street which are both amazing and less frustrating. Don't waste your time at whisk.
(1)
Matt G.
Friendly, fast, tasty, and reasonably priced. Chilaquiles were some of the best I've had, garden omelet was ok, but way too heavy on the garlic. Overall a good spot, though. I'll certainly be returning.
(4)
C. B.
Really a very good neighbor spot. Although our fourth time, my husband and I agree that when it gets busy, the food out of the kitchen slows down drastically. It remains very good, but it can slow. Crab cakes with a mild but tasty chipotle sauce is wonderful, 33 omelet is fluffy, and they're pancakes are great, the pancake batter they use is excellent especially with the berries and bananas on top! Huevos rancheros are delicious. I love they're cheesy grits, a hint of spicy type heat but really excellent. Service is friendly and thorough. Go!
(4)
Matt T.
Whisk is a pretty good local brunch spot -- it's become quite hard to go anywhere that isn't BYOB so we loved that. Place is a very small and the wait for seating is hard when your hungover and craving biscuits and gravy (order them). Service was good. Portions are huge. Would go back again.
(4)
Rocky S.
Eat here often. Live about 15 minutes walk but worth it to get breakfast anytime I'm in the area. The Mexican spins on breakfast are exactly the spicy kick I need in the mornings to start the day. If I could eat here everyday I would, but great for families when I get a chance to bring the kid with me on weekends. Highly recommend these guys. Staff is very courteous. Worth trying at least once.
(5)
Jim M.
A visit to Whisk always feels like a visit to your best friends place. Great food and wonderful people. I've been there many times and have never been disappointed.
(4)
Jun-Jun V.
we ordered the house burger, big bite burger, and wings. 1. the house burger was cooked just how we liked it. medium rare. it was juicy and full of flavor. the chipotle mayo and guac paired well together. this was my favorite of the 2 we ordered. 2. the big bite burger was slightly over cooked and i think it needed a little more bbq sauce to complete it. 3. their award winning wings were fantastic. moist, great sauces, and defintitely worth it. i am definitely ordering these again next time.
(4)
M Q.
This is my favorite place in Chicago. Great food, better service. If you want a place to eat well, be welcome and have a nice night, this is it!
(5)
dee l.
We had high hopes after reading reviews but it was very disappointing. In a nutshell, the service was ok, the coffee was bitter and their chilaquilles were terrible. They basically piled tortilla pieces on a plate, mixed those with a bland tomato sauce, burnt/tough pieces of chicken and topped it with an egg. We also ordered the pork and sweet potatoes dish which was better. We won't be returning.
(2)
David B.
Great new find. This is my newest favorite burger place in Chicago and the southern fried chicken is tasty as well. I've been here 3 times in the last 2 weeks for dinner and brunch. It keeps on getting better and better. I haven't even had the burger wrapped in bacon with bacon mayo yet but that will have to be in my future update. What I can say is they serve delicious burgers and sandwiches on buttery toasted buns with Cajun or Regular fries. I had the burger topped with a poached egg and the chicken sandwich comes with Jalepēno slaw, I did throw some Bacon mayo on the chicken instead of the Chipoltle mayo. Top it off with a Homemade iced tea or BYOB. Love it
(5)
Melanie A.
I've been hearing about lines out the door on weekends, so I came here on a quiet Mon morning and I can see why people line up, this place is great! I was able to resist the Snickers French toast, but that's definitely for next time, and got an omelet instead. Great flavors, wonderful service and a fun space. I had a friend visiting from Dallas so we tried many breakfast spots while she was here and this was definitely our favorite. Come on a weekday if you can and avoid the crowd!
(5)
Eli W.
Had brunch here the other day and it was amazing!! The waiter was awesome! He was so friendly and nice and provided great service! And the food was wonderful as well! Highly suggested!!!!! The back patio is the place to go!
(5)
Nicholas G.
I've really enjoyed every single thing I've eaten here. I've been at least a dozen times now, and everything I've had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner has been really tasty. Friendly staff, cute atmosphere. Only complaint I've ever had was on one occasion when one member of the staff was playing his iPod over the stereo and he had pretty questionable taste in music (it skewed heavily Nickelback, which, ew). But still - awesome burgers and breakfast.
(5)
Laura M.
This sweet little place was a delightful surprise. The Blue Crab cakes were so very tasty and just the right size. The turkey club had layer upon layer of flavor. It's a big portion for a great price.
(4)
Brian S.
I have been back every week and not had one bad dish. David's special (shrimp n grits) are excellent. My favorite is Buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich (slaw on side) is best chicken sandwich i ever had. EVER!! Shrimp p.o. boy, chicken and waffles, chiliqules...everything is so good. BYOB from Mariana across the street is awesome. Or I sometimes get their large selection of bottled pop(goose island root beer) You need to try this place out. Right now, go right now.
(5)
Jeremy P.
My new favorite place. I'm a stickler for good service, and this place passes with flying colors. Blazing fast free wi-fi and a flavorful, unique menu put this over the top. David's Special will melt your brain. I could see a restaurant skimping on every ingredient in this dish to botch it royally, so I didn't have high expectations. However, the shrimp is big, meaty, and cooked just right, the cheesy grits are hearty and flavorful, the bacon is actual bacon that's been coarsely crushed, and the sauce is bold and ties everything together. It is very rich and filling, so don't be surprised that it doesn't come with any "sides;" it is packed with hearty goodness. My other favorites are the Gobbler Burger, The House burger, and Crab Benedict (weekends only) because they are all filling, bold, well-balanced unique concepts.
(5)
Leila H.
Came for brunch. Friendly staff and well-prepared food. It's BYO, but there's a Mariano's across the street. Will be back to try their PM burger menu.
(4)
Chris F.
Great place nice patio in Back Scott our waiter was super helpful and very attentive I had the southern fried chicken sandwich with jalapeño coleslaw Awesome everything was great and byob
(4)
Jesse W.
I've been here before for dinner with friends so my parents and I decided to check it out for brunch today thinking it will be slow since is 4th of july but we were wrong. After waiting in line we were greated and told it will be a 30 minute wait so knowing there isnt anyother good brunch place around we decided to wait. Once we got seated we order the David's special, chilaquiles and the mexican scramble after 15 minutes the food came out and if was gone before we even had a coffee refill on our table. The flavors and textures were on point, it was defitnetly worth the wait. we will defitnetly keep coming back since we live in the neighboorhood and this has become our favorite brunch place,
(5)
Clare J.
I haven't written a yelp review in a year... Dining at Whisk not only made me want to start my yelp return today but Ill also be returning to Whisk tomorrow. Three Words.. Fried Chicken Taco... Ive lived in New York, dabbled in L.A., frequented taco spots in Chicago. Ive never ever ever had a taco this good. This restaurant is seriously going to be one of my go to spots this Summer. They also have an excellent burger which you can turn into breakfast by adding french toast (who does that?) Not to mention the quaint out door seating, the perfect chill spot. The real kicker was its BYOB.. Theres a Mariano's across the street with a vast liquor option!
(5)
Kevin W.
We live in the area and went in for breakfast a few weeks ago. The place smelled like bleach strong enough that it almost forced us to leave, and in hindsight we should've. The coffee was barely luke warm and had a cheap, watered down taste to it. The bread was old and stale and the breakfast in general was not very good. We whisked ourselves out of there and will not return. Just about every breakfast place in our area is better than this. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
Meredith F.
We've been here a few times for brunch and dinner. Love the Omelets and French Toast here! Very decadent! The Burgers are good and love the different fries, Chimchurri and pepper jack are good. Place is BYOB so prices are great. Will definitely be back to try the other dishes!
(4)
Jason R.
The smoked, pulled brisket with sweet potato was wonderful! This is the place to go for creative, quality comfort food! Yes, service could be a little bit faster...but...considering that they have only been opened for a week, this is to be expected...I am confident that this small kink will get worked out in no time.
(5)
mike w.
Had the most amazing sandwich at Whisk, Southern Chicken fried with jalapeno coleslaw! And its BYOB, definitely coming back for weekend brunch
(5)
Bethany S.
Great food! Fun atmosphere! Interesting and yummy menu! And GREAT coffee! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Jackie G.
Food was good not wowing but good. Customer service was above par for this little cozy place. We were greeted before we even walked to the door who showed us to our seats.
(3)
Jessica F.
My man and I stopped by here looking to share a burger. This place is great! The patty was cooked perfectly ( I asked for medium well) the fries were tasty and the server was sweet and attentive. They also split the meal on two plates for no extra charge. We will be back!
(5)
Tatiana B.
Mediocre at best. Food took 45 minutes to come out, and was cold. No coffee refill and service was Ok. Not in a rush to come back.
(2)
JC W.
This place won't be around long. We were so excited about a new place in our neighborhood, but they are not ready to operate a restaurant in Chicago. The staff was attempting to be very helpful, but the product they're putting out is just awful. We went for brunch on a Sat. Took a few minutes to get sat, but you can expect that for a new place. After being sat, it took 10 minutes to get water. We had the menu and ordered immediately. Took another 10 minutes to get our drinks, or at least half of our drinks. They forgot my wife's OJ, which is a good thing. Took another 25 minutes to get the food. Overall service and timing was sub-par, but that was the best part of the experience. The food and beverages were awful. When we did get our drinks the "sweet lemon tea" was just from a non-descript a can, not even Lipton quality. They were trying to hide it, but they got caught. Everyone who ordered the tea took one sip and sat it down. The OJ is from a generic half-gallon carton. Not fresh squeezed, probably from a restaurant supply store. We took 1 drink and that was enough. You can tell the level of quality from a restaurant when they're not willing to invest in good beverages. Then came the food. My wife ordered a chorizo omelet. They forgot the toast, which the staff had no idea it was suppose to come with the omelet. They also forgot the main ingredient, the queso fresco sauce that was supposed to go on the omelet. The omelet was full if potatoes and a half blackened lump of avocado, barely any chorizo. It was cooked to a dark brown and so dry she had to smother it in ketchup to get any taste. I got the beef brisket hash. THE MEET WAS SPOILED. My wife took a bite and immediately spit it out. Never had that happen anywhere ever. Sat it aside and picked through the cold potatoes and ate part of the over-medium eggs, which were burnt on the edges. As we sat there and contemplated what to do, we watched other people taste the tea, OJ and their entrees and saw the same reaction. Nobody finished their food. A few bites and plates were set aside. Not good. I have high hopes that they will turn things around, but it's obvious they spent more time on the decor than the food. They're going to have a hard time getting any return business. Word on the street will spread fast about the food they're attempting to churn-out. Too bad. It's a cool little spot in a great neighborhood.
(1)
Rich B.
Great food from previous visits .horrible waitress if you are pressed for time. I was in a hurry and ready to order but waitress insisted on asking everyone who wasnt ready first. Had to walk out with just coffee. Never again!
(2)
Ann S.
I had decent expectations for this place none of which were met. Our server wasn't very pleasant to start. And I couldn't get her attention to get a cup of coffee. Our food came and it wasn't hot. I sent mine back and the manager wasn't very great about it. Then before I got my food my boyfriend found paper from the ham in his omlet. By this point neither of us was very hungry. The manager was apologetic and took care of the bill. But needless to say we won't be back.
(1)
York H.
I write this review having eaten at Whisk about 8 times, each at different times of the week. After the other night, I decided that 8 times was 8 times too many. The service here is absolutely horrible. You wait 15 minutes just for them to get you started with a cup of water, but by the time that cup of water arrives, you wonder if it came from whatever broken pipe system that yields that horrible smell of URINE that plagues the entire restaurant. So, in a way, maybe them taking forever to get you drinks is a good thing? After that serving of water, you'll have to wait another 15 minutes for them to finally reach your table and take your order. No, ladies and gentlemen, this isn't because the place is busy: the long wait times are present even if there's only one other couple at the restaurant ordering a modest burger entree. After they take your order, you wait for your food. I swear to God: once, I actually forgot what I ordered, it took them so long. I've eaten at burger joints all over the Chicagoland area: Umami, DMK, Kuma's, etc. I've eaten at restaurants all over Ukrainian village/Wicker Park as well. There's simply no excuse for how long the food takes to arrive at the table. Hell, even Michelin-starred restaurants deliver food quicker than Whisk does. If you don't believe me, try it out. So your food finally arrives: you're not very hungry anymore, as the stench of URINE has wiped away any appetite you had (you're no longer hungry- so maybe the stench of urine is a good thing?) but hey, the food is in front of you, so might as well eat it, right? Most times, the food was surprisingly decent. One bite led to another, if only to disguise the olfactory (nasal) senses from the plumbing mess in the bathroom. One time, though, the food wasn't cooked so well. That trip to the emergency room set me back, and it's one of those instances that I count my blessings for having health insurance. The bill comes: I mean, the prices aren't bad at all on paper. However, considering that for the same amount of money, you can get a MUCH more satisfying experience elsewhere, I'd say that anything above $2-3 is just overpriced. Don't get me started with their take out. DON'T DO THE TAKE OUT. They tell you "15 minutes," on the phone. You wait 15 minutes, show up, and patiently wait an extra 10 minutes just to find out they haven't even started your meal yet. Did I mention this happened to me during a slow night, with no one else in the restaurant? When you ask for your money back (after all, you have no food in your hand and need to get on with your life), they treat the ordeal as if they're doing you a favor. Do yourself a favor and find a restaurant that has standards.
(1)
Gayle P.
Update:-Visit #2. The coffee was thankfully a NEW blend and was great. The bacon was still not a favorite. Hubbie had the croissant breakfast sandwich and devoured it. The owner guessed who I was from my last visit and coffee comment....Hhhmmm. I appreciate owners who "listen" to their customers and adjust where needed. St.John 3:16
(4)
Becca R.
Whisk's menu will make you drool as you read over it. Burgers to tacos, chicken and waffles to wraps and salads. The choices and selection is great. It is not your average burger or taco, they have great, fresh ingredients that make the food taste even better. The group I was with ordered beer battered tilapia tacos with a jalapeño aioli, a horseshoe (a ginormous burger on Texas toast), and chilaquiles. Everything Was delicious, can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)
Andrea H.
I recently visited Whisk for my birthday dinner with 10 of my friends. The GM, Samantha, was so very accomodating and made our experience delightful. The ambience was very nice, service was wonderful and everyone was so nice and polite. Beers stayed cold, appetizers were flowing and music was enjoyable..not too loud. The presentation of the food was up to par and the flavors and spices used in the dishes were stellar. Since we had such a big group we were lucky enough to order a little of this and a little of that as we shared across the table. My recommendations include the steak or crispy tacos (sauce on both were amazing), the House burger and the ANY of the fries side selection. YUM! I enjoyed my visit to Whisk and will be back for more!
(4)
Patrick S.
Really good place, good burgers and fries, looking forward to trying the tacos
(4)
Jennifer P.
Just visited this place for the first time and I had a great experiences. We had the Daniel's special, biscuits and gravy and steak and eggs. All was absolutely delicious!! Good portion size and great variety. They have some service kinks to work out..nothing major but I will be back for brunch. Oh yeah and BYOB so don't forget your champagne.
(4)
Mandy B.
Tried Whisk on Sunday... it was delicious! I loved their menu and the patio. The service was a bit slow... if it's Sunday morning and I don't have a coffee poured for me (or at least offered) within a minute of being seated, I'm annoyed. But the food made up for that. We had the breakfast burrito and the Dave's Special (shrimp and grits). Bother were tasty. Nothing mind blowing, but good food. There are many more options on the menu I am willing to go back and try.
(3)
Jaun F.
I finally made it here for breakfast and it was really good. My omelette was perfect as was the service. I'll most definitely be back.
(4)
Andrew D.
this was my first time trying Whisk and it was fantastic! they are byob but have a unique selection of craft sodas, I tried the rhubarb and was not disappointed. we had hot BBQ wings which had great flavor. the burgers were juicy and tasted as good as any of the best burger bars in the city, we tried the big bite and the Ron Swanson. The fries were only okay and they had limited appetizer and dessert menus. our server was very friendly and the whole staff took great care of us.
(4)
Imran A.
Burger sucked. Preformed and prefrozen patty was mushy and tasteless. Space is nice and down the street from me so may come back for their brunch. Hopefully that would be better.
(2)
Joseph S.
This would be 5 stars but they are still working out the kinks with service when there is a line out the door on weekends. The reason is that their brunch is awesome as are their burgers. The wait for food has been a little long during busy periods which is always a little frustrating. If you go in at other times, you're in for a real treat. They have a friendly staff. I'm addicted to their burgers and they are a great addition to Chicago Ave. And BYOB.
Can't comment on the quality of the food because after about 50 minutes, it never came out. Waitress came at about the 40 minute mark to ask us, "How are you doing over here? Just waiting for your food?". Five minutes later, she asked us to clarify what we ordered. Shouldn't take 45 minutes to clarify an order. Really unfortunate. Decided to leave a few minutes later to eat next door where the good was great, and we were in and out in about half the time.
(1)
Andrew L.
I saw the menu for this place after drunkenly stumbling out of Gari sushi one night and I knew I had to come back. So I did. I got the breakfast burrito which was WAY better than Flash Taco, by like 1 billion times. You suck Flash Taco. Anyways my girl got the shrimp and bacon and cheese grits bowl which was equally bomb. I don't think I'll ever forgive her for getting the last order of cheese grits (although the potatoes I got instead were pure tits with a side of ranch). These guys also have butterscotch root beer which is tied with GTA V for 2nd best thing after sex. The only reason this place missed the 5 star rating was our server who had way too much energy for my hungover ass. He was just too peppy. I'd even go so far so as to say he was peppy as fuck. Dude needs to dial it back a bit. Regardless I'll probably be back this sunday to try the snickers pancakes or french toast or waffle or whatever. It has Snickers in it. I'm sold.
(4)
Jenna B.
First when we got there it was a wait and no one seemed to know where to go. Then we got to sit down to get a large glass bottle of water..... No cups so we asked for some cups. When our waitress finally came she had a thousand mile stare and didn't know the menu and asked us if she forgot anything and had a little cheat sheet to see what came with what on the menu and to get a refill of tea was a cluster because she gave a refill but there was no ice in the glass so I had asked for glass of ice and the waitress had come back with a small kids cup with ice. After ordering we had waited for 45 minutes until we asked if someone could check on our food. Shortly after a man came and asked what we ordered once we told him another woman asked what we ordered then came back and asked again. After that 2 out of our party of 4 received their food. Expecting the two other plates we didn't get them. Then our server came back and tried to ask is what we ordered and we told her that we were leaving because we had waited for an hour so we went to tumans tavern.
(1)
Brian T.
Eaten here more than a few times. I wanted to try many things before I gave my opinion. I'm not a huge breakfast person but friends I went with had the breakfast. After eating here I would ask my friends what they thought. The response was always the same. It was ok. Not amazing but not bad. I felt the burgers were under seasoned. Fries are delicious. Tacos were good. My friends had the chicken a waffles, said they were good but the portion of chicken was fairly small. We noticed The chicken breast was split between the two of them. It was fried well but then cut in half and put on their plates. Kind of odd imo. I would eat here again but not a go to spot.
(3)
Summer F.
Brunch here was great, the biscuits and gravy, the crab cakes, everything excellent. Portions were good for the prices. Friendly service, nice comfortable seating so I didnt feel like I was dining with the next table. Great brunch spot, no complaints
(5)
Stephan S.
Solid experience.
(4)
Donna K.
This place serves great food and the prices are fair. It is also a BYOB. However if they don't get their act together they will be closing . They should be turning the tables every 45 minutes. I arrived with three of my fiends at 1145am. I saw lots of people standing outside . There was a host stand , but no one was there. I went in and spoke with one of the owners or managers. He said it would be 20 minute wait. Perfect! However , we were not seated until 1230pm. Which is not a problem . They were slammed and very disorganized. They have some Booths and shared tables. We were sat at the end of a shared table. We thought we were going to be served quick because they had two waitress asking for our order . We had to ask for silverware. Again the food was great, but they need to work in being more organized . Maybe it was disorganized because it was Memorial Day and few places were open. I really hope this was the case
(3)
Emily M.
I have been here twice and the food is excellent but they are pretty disorganized. The first time I figured they were still working out the kinks and today maybe it was because it's a holiday, but it really seems like the folks running the place may know food but not the restaurant business. We were told a 20 minute wait and it was about a 45 minute wait. Now I don't mind a 45 minute wait (it's brunch, I'm used to it), but I want to know how long it's actually going to be. Even after our table was 10+ over the 20 minute quote they were still saying 20-30 minutes. They don't appear very good at figuring this out. My friend asked the host to check on it and he said he'd get back to us but then seemed to forget he told us this because he never did come back. Once we sat two waitresses came over (separately) to take our order when we had been seated about 15 seconds. (A minute with the menu would be nice. Please don't come to take my drink order and also asked wide-eyed, looking terribly frantic, if I'm ready to order when I literally just sat down.) We asked them to come back, and when the first came back, we placed out order. Then the second came back again and looked terribly confused when we said we'd already ordered. The waitresses don't seem to be assigned to any particular table, which leads to total chaos. Even if they help each other, each table should have a server responsible for it. It took probably 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The dishes were excellent, and fortunately we weren't that hungry, but the slow kitchen time explains the long wait for a table. I was concerned ordering over easy eggs from a frantic restaurant but they came out perfectly cooked. (I had the hash.) I didn't realize it until I read a review (which I could tell was the people sitting next to us), but my breakfast was supposed to come with toast and I didn't get any! Interesting that both groups had this issue. Finally, despite the fact that we evidently had 2 waitresses, it took us 20-30 minutes to get the check because they kept scurrying by without looking over. When we'd been waiting 10 minutes or so, I asked the completely frazzled host to send our waitress over with it, but he seemed to forget and alas, 10 minutes passed and I finally had to get up and find her and ask for it. And then I had to walk my credit card over to her. To make money as a brunch place, especially BYOB, you need to get the tables turned. (And they are charging not very much for very large portions. I'm not complaining, but how can they survive if every table sits for 2 hours waiting without buying booze?) Through no fault of ours, we were probably sitting there for at least an hour total not eating, if you add up the time before the food arrived and after we got the check. They could probably be doing double the business if they were properly managed. I write this review not because I was annoyed or angry, but because I would genuinely like to see this place get better because the food is good and I love having another good brunch place nearby. The servers and everyone seemed friendly as well so no complaints there. I just think they need to take a critical eye to how they run the restaurant or I'm afraid it is going to close. (The rent can't be cheap. Chickpea was very popular and still closed.) Even with big crowds outside, if you can't get people through efficiently, you won't make money at brunch.
(3)
Ian M.
I am very disappointed with the service and overall experience during brunch today. Not only did we wait at least 15 minutes for the server to come by and acknowledge us, when we finally were able to order, the server seemed very confused about the menu and was acting rude. My wife asked for ice, and she never came back with it. So we asked a bus boy to bring it to us. We also ordered two cups of coffee that were brought out after our food came, which was never refilled during our entire hour and a half brunch. During our long wait, we had to get up several times to get our own water from the jugs sitting on the counter, which wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't run out of water jugs or if someone came by to see how we were doing or needed any more water. When we got our food, we asked for butter for the untoasted English muffins, but again, was never given what we requested. Our friend ordered the breakfast burrito and it came without some of the ingredients listed in the menu. We couldn't even ask for the missing ingredients because the waitress never came back after we received our food to see how our food was. When we were clearly not finished eating, we were asked by two other workers if they could take our plates away. Finally we got our check, still without the waitress asking how we were doing or if we needed anything else. Poor food quality and service for the price. Maybe get more staff? We miss Chickpea!
(1)
M F.
Easy - really really great food, really really poor service. We've been in two times now. Food was really tasty, but little to no check in from waitstaff. Coffee never refilled, brought food but no silverware, had to wait 5 minutes to flag someone down to get a fork so we could eat.
(1)
Dante P.
What a nice surprise. The crab Benedict is fabulous. They put a chipotle sauce with the hollandaise and lots of crab to make the most fabulous Benedict that I've ever tasted. The service was amazing. My glass of coffee or water was never empty. This particular dish is only served on weekends but whisk is definitely worth a visit anytime.
(5)
Mike C.
Horrible experience. I had an Amazon Local voucher for lunch. I came with my 2 boys on Saturday at 2:00. They wouldn't honor the voucher claiming that it was "brunch"on weekends until 5:00. I showed them the voucher which did not have any exclusions (I.e., not valid on weekends), but they still wouldn't honor it. They could have made some accommodation, but didn't do anything even though the manager admitted the error was their fault. It was a total bait and switch. I was stuck ordering lunch for my boys or else I would have simply walked out. And they ruined the lunch for my boys who didn't like the confrontational manner of the manager. Thanks! And the food and service was just average. Will never go back to this place. There is no reason to patronize a place who fails to honor its commitments. They won't be in business for long if they don't change their ways. You can only play the bait and switch game for so long. Hopefully, this review helps others avoid the same fate and hastens the demise of this place.
(1)
I L.
Came here today (friday) for lunch after so so many positive raves and reviews and impossible to get in waits over the weekends. Walked in no problem, got a seat right away. The lady serving us had zero smile on her face, very cold, stand-off-ish, clearly she was working for the tip... Ordered the chicken wings that on their board were said to be some of the best? yea right, dry, deep fried, not fresh, sorry, wont be trying those again. My friend had the fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw on top, word of advice, coleslaw is good and not expensive, put more on! Dont be stingy, in the South they cover the whole portion with coleslaw, not 1/3. I had the pulled pork with hollandaise on top, very tasty. During our meal we had the waitress come up to us and ask us in a very cold manner if everything is ok, of course its ok im afraid to say no to you. Never got a refill of the water from the busboy, I shouldn't have to ask.. All in all, Mexique for brunch down the street with no line or Flo a few blocks further kill this place, so no reason for the hype in all honesty.
(2)
Nicole B.
Went for dinner and had great food and great service. An excellent addition to the neighborhood! Will definitely be going back again, this time to try the brunch!
(5)
Lisa R.
I really really wanted to love this place, but I didn't. I loved the food at Rocking Horse and High Dive. I expected great things since the chef from those two left and opened Whisk. Went early on Saturday. Service was slow and appeared unexperienced. I ordered the crab benedict. My eggs were supposed to be poached. They BOTH looked poached but when I cut into them, they were hard boiled. What a disappointment. I took my friend for birthday breakfast. She ordered the breakfast burrito. She had ask for the salsa that was to be served with it. I normally wouldn't send a dish back, but those "poached" eggs were awful. By the time I got my new plate, my friend was almost done with her plate. We basically ate breakfast individually. Once I got the new plate, I wasn't super impressed with the taste. I may have just been turned off by the whole experience thus far, I'm not sure. The potatoes were great though, otherwise I would have gave one star.
(2)
Sky cake W.
First off, I hate writing bad reviews. The only reason I'm doing this now is so hopefully the owners will read it and take some action. Living in this neighborhood, I really wanted the place to be great. Unfortunately it came up short in almost every way. The place has been revamped since it was Chickpea and I have to say I liked it. But that is the only positive thing I have to say. The service was slow (the food took almost 30 minutes) and the waitress forgot my drink despite telling her twice. But the food was the real disappointment. I had the chorizo omelet and it was dry, practically burnt, and they forgot to add the pico. It also only had a smattering of chorizo - it could more accurately be described as a potato omelet. My husband had the beef hash and the meat actually tasted gamey, almost spoiled. Needless to say, we only had a few bites of the food. Also, the orange juice is straight out of a jug and the iced tea is canned. I wish I could say they just needed some tweaking, but with the food being so bad, I think they just need to start over.
(1)
Julie A.
Great food and byob to boot! I had a burger and one of their specialty sodas. The fries were awesome, and the food was great. I will totally be back for brunch too!
(4)
Charlotte M.
the food here is peeeeerrrfect. seriously, it's amazing. they don't skimp or try to go cheap on ingredients. haven't had anything i didn't love.
(5)
Stacey L.
I chose WHISK based off its Yelp rating while lying bleary-eyed on my friend's couch after a night spent getting soaked in the never-ending downpour at an outdoor concert. I was starving and probably would have been happy with freezer-burned Eggos at that point, but our foursome managed to get dressed and venture out. The WHISK storefront is adorable, and the inside is even better. In addition to a homey space, there are paintings of Ron Swanson everywhere. The place is a shrine to character, whipped forward with the force of a meat tornado. There were no available regular tables, so we were offered a community high-top. Our group's configuration around it was a little awkward, but we never ended up with anyone else at the table so it wasn't too bad. Mostly for anyone who would have joined us, as with these friends filters do not exist in our conversations. Our server was pretty sassy - like, Ed Debevic's sassy - but I was fine with it. Once we got our orders placed it took a bit to get the food, but when it arrived it was delicious. + Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes: my order; not generally a pancake person but I am a fan of pumpkin everything. They were delicious. The pecans gave a good contrast in texture and the white chocolate sauce worked as the "frosting" for the cinnamon roll idea they were going for. + Reese's Pancakes: the perfect thing for my pregnant friend. This is definitely more along the lines of dessert than breakfast. It's loaded with peanut butter cups and rich mascarpone. I am a bottomless pit for sugar and prefer sweet breakfasts but this might have even been able to take me down. I fully approve. + Biscuits and Gravy: boyfriend's order; they aren't kidding when they say the biscuits are smothered - it's literally a giant bowl of gravy with eggs and biscuits thrown in. The portion is ridiculous. Ron Swanson would be proud. I would be ill. I have no idea how my gent took almost the whole thing down. I tried a bite and it was good, and the breakfast potatoes on the side were fantastic. + I can't remember what my other friend had. I think an omelet? He definitely had a side of potatoes and subbed a croissant. I hate eggs so I'm guessing it was an omelet. He ate the whole thing, so I'm going to assume that it followed the trend of the rest of our dishes. Glad to have stumbled across WHISK, and I plan to be back!
(5)
Melissa W.
Dear Whisk, Your chef is killing' it, dog. In the two times I have been to Chicago, I've stopped at Whisk for brunch. First time, I had the David's Special. This meal... holy cow. It tastes like luxury in your mouth. Thats a delicious flavor my friends. Second time: the Chilaquiles. I'm from Texas man. I haven't ever had Chilaquiles THAT good. Unfortunately, overtime I've gone, they were empty. People need to get with the program dude. The food here is awesome. (I'd reevaluate your service staff though. I see a problem there.)
(4)
Marissa D.
Came here for brunch with a friend and it was good, but not great. The service was ok, but nothing spectacular. Came here another night and it was way better. The server was a one man show, constantly checking on us and with a full restaurant. The house burger was scrumptious. I will be returning for dinner, but maybe not brunch. Good place to grab a bite and bring a drink!
(4)
Peggah G.
I got a groupon for a weekday brunch special and it didn't really work out in my favor discount wise, but the food was good. I got the pear pancakes, which were sweeter than normal normal pancakes. The pear/berry toppings were amazing. I got the white chocolate sauce on the side, because I don't like white chocolate, and they don't like anything but chocolate (white or milk) as an option for pancake topping. My dining companion got the David's Special, which made me crinkle my nose, but apparently not only was it edible, it tasted great. Cheesy grits and shrimp and bacon and mushrooms. Very confusing to my picky palate. While we were seated quickly, our service wasn't all that great. They got busier after we ordered, but they weren't that busy when we got in. A few tables got their food ahead of us and I was pouting at that point. Their lunch and dinner menu looked interesting enough to where I may give it another chance. I would give this place an overall 4/5 stars because of food and service, but I'm taking away another star because they said they had coke on their menu. I ordered the coke and got some weird Luchador Mexican Cola instead. It wasn't coke and its high fructose corn syrup-y goodness. It amused me, but this isn't the South where every carbonated soft drink is a 'coke'. I mean, when I order a Coke at Applebee's, they ask me if Pepsi is alright, because there's a difference. My waitress should have asked me if "some quirky offbrand Mexican cola" was alright, because I would have said, "Hahahaha, what? No. What?"
(3)
Tracy X.
We came here on a Sunday with a group of 6 and were quoted an hour wait. Not that bad for Sunday brunch, especially if it's really as good as the reviews may have suggested. I really like the GIANT whisk they have in the display window. So we entertained ourselves and chatted until we eventually got seated. The food however was very underwhelming. The David's Special was just a bunch of protein bits over a giant bowl of mush that's also too salty. The Mexican scramble was decent, but nothing I can't make by myself in 20 minutes. I didn't try the other entrees, but several friends also voiced that they were not impressed. Definitely not going to waste another hour of my precious life waiting in line for mediocre diner food.
(2)
Thomas C.
A burger, wrapped in bacon and cooked to juicy perfection ... OF COURSE you're going to love this place. And that's probably not even the best sandwich on the menu. Wife's fried chicken sandwich had me jealous .. even though I loved my burger. Fries come with variety of toppings, all good. Wings are very good starter as well.
(4)
Luke D.
I don't get these rave reviews. Whisk is very average. I had the crab cakes which were ice cold (and uneaten). My wife had the Mexican scramble which she described as "fine." My son's banana berry pancakes were OK but very sweet. On the positive side, my friend had David's Special (shrimp, bacon and cheese grits) which everyone at the table liked and the house potatoes were solid. Service was generally fine, although when we asked for one fork the busboy gave us a bundle of supplies and asked us to re-stock a table caddy which was 5 feet from our table with flatware and napkins. There is often a line at Whisk. Not that I would return, but I wouldn't wait 2 minutes here-- especially since there are much better options nearby (Flo probably topping the list).
(2)
Rosa J.
My exploration at West Town continued. After a coffee trip to Star Lounge nearby, we walked to WHISK, located near Damen/Chicago (directly across from the McDonald's). I purchased a groupon for their dinner deal. We had $30 worth of credit to spend on their food and beverages. Speaking of beverages, they are BYOB. Yet they have many selections of soda to choose from. We had one of the JOIA with the blackberry, pomegranate, and ginger. That combination was "da bomb"! It was refreshing, robust in flavors, and great for spring time. Hubby, on the other hand, had one of the DRY soda with the rhubarb flavor. Yes, that was the celery-looking vegetable that you all were thinking of. Once again, trying a veggie-tasting pop shouldn't be that intimating. The rhubarb one reminded me of the "Beverly" soda I've had at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. The "Beverly" is exclusive in Italy, and the DRY rhubarb has a sweeter after note that is built upon "Beverly." That was my mere observation and reflection with the soda portion of the meal. How about the burgers? My garlic mushroom burger wasn't extraordinary. However, the portion was large. For an average individual with a normal appetite, he or she would have enough to take home. Hubby had the black bean burger with Parmesan cheese fries. By the way, you can substitute for one of their specialty sides for additional $2.50. Otherwise, having regular or Cajun-flavored fries is included with no extra charge. His black bean burger was well-constructed, stacked with pita breads on top and bottom. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, this burger is great for anyone. In my opinion, they made this burger interesting and eclectic in flavors. The entire patty was compact and way-more-easy to consume, comparing to a traditional meat burger. There was a minor glitch on hubby's cheese fries. The chef accidentally put bacon on top of them, but this mistake was quickly rectified and wasn't detrimental to our dining experience. The restaurant itself was a bit crowded. The space wouldn't be able to accommodate to a very large party. But for a party between two (2) to four (4), this place would be intimate and comfortable. Hubby and I think WHISK is repeat-business worthy, with or without a groupon. Nevertheless, having a groupon wouldn't hurt; we paid $7 and some change (before tips) after the $30-deduction.
(4)
Andrea A.
I had the pulled pork benedict, it was so great! I'm coming back for their burgers!!! Prices are just right...highly recommended
(5)
Pilsbury T.
We wrote a 2 star review and Andrew from whisk answered untruthfully. 1). There were 5 tables out side. Not 2. Three in front of your store front. Two in front of the next door store front you were sitting people at when we were waiting. 2). We have a 4 year old and a 6 month old in a car seat. We made no request or mention of a baby seat. The car seat sat on a chair and the 4 year old sure doesn't need the baby seat. I get that you want to respond to public reviews in a manner that addresses and rationalized bad experiences, but don't make things up. Just say "we're sorry" and move forward.
(1)
Annie M.
After two visits this place has been upgraded to one of my top 5 favorite brunch places in the city! We went on a Friday for a very late breakfast, and there were plenty of open tables. The staff was super friendly and really accommodating. I ordered the David's Special without bacon. I don't think I've ever had anything that even remotely compared to in my life. Rich, cheesy grits, topped with an even richer (alfredo?) sauce, with shrimp and mushrooms. It's so savory and delicious and I'm sure is at least a million calories. I literally called my dad afterwards to tell him how good it was. I also split a single order mocha pancake with my boyfriend. It's not listed on the menu, but you can do a half order of the pancakes, which is totally clutch. I plan on making it my mission to try all of them. The food/service was so good that we came back two days later with friends for Sunday brunch. The wait was about an hour and a half but we had a party of 6 so that was to be expected. There were plenty of smaller parties that were sat before us, but we had an awesome, big booth that fit everyone so it was worth the wait. I chose the "healthier" option of the crab cakes benedict. Again, loved my food and would recommend it to anyone. The breakfast potatoes the meal came with were also very good. My friend ordered a pumpkin roll pancake for the table to split...just as good as the mocha one! Also: Whisk is BYOB and they serve the best orange juice. And they're themed after Parks and Rec. This place hits it out of the park for me on all levels!
(5)
Angela B.
I tried Whisk totally based on the Yelp reviews and was pleasantly surprised. This is a hidden gem and I will definitely be back. Small & cute with attentive staff and great food at reasonable prices. I tried the pulled pork benedict (which sounds weird, I know) and it was AMAZING. My boyfriend had the chicken & pear club sandwich and was equally satisfied. There were several items on the menu that I would love to try.. everything looked fantastic. Some of the tables are "group" seating which may not be to everyone's liking. For instance, we were seated at a table for 10 with other parties of 2. I actually enjoyed this arrangement and had pleasant conversation with the other people at our table and it made for a fun meal. Easy street parking, BYOB if you like, and our yummy brunch for 2 was right around $25. Can't beat that!
(5)
Belle L.
BYOB. Worth the trek. Excellent $ for portion. Quality ingredients. A better option than Mariano foods. ;-) DAVIDS'S SPECIAL ($12) -- 4+ big shrimp. Even distribution of ingredients that every scoop is a perfect bite. No, no to grits? This dish would change you. Addictive from first bite. Hearty dude portion. HOMEMADE ICED TEA ($6) -- skip it. With 1/3 ice and single serving, it's overpriced. Stay with bottomless coffee. BYOB -- freshly squeezed orange juice available by carafe for a self made mimosa. Iced bucket provided. The main reason for the wait. KIDDIE MENU -- love it! See photo. VENUE -- cluttered. Old school coffee house setup with group seating booths. STAFF & SERVICE -- attentive. Informative. Friendly. Nice. Polite. Your new BFF. *wink* Quick cleanup. More dishes to taste. A list of fries to try. I shall be back for more.
(5)
Amanda M.
Came here for brunch Saturday around 11 as a group of 4 and waited only about 15 minutes, which was refreshing to me, as I'm used to hearing hour wait times for brunch places. Loved the ambiance of the place. It was a nice cozy feeling but somewhat elegant as well. A little rustic chic? Menu isn't overwhelming with a million options like traditional diners, but their offerings are quite unique. I got the crab benedict (served only on weekends). It was very good and full of crab flavor. Eggs were perfectly poached, although aesthetically, they didn't look the best. Another minor criticism was that I thought that there was just a tad too much sauce. Overall though, tasty and satisfying meal. Also tried the pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes with the white chocolate sauce on the side, and I surprisingly enjoyed these despite not being a sweet tooth. They really did these right, as they weren't overly sweet or heavy and had really good flavor. What I also loved was their soda list. They had every unique flavor imaginable. I tried the almond cola and it was delightful. Service was pretty good. Didn't have to wait too long for anything and the server and hostess and rest of the staff were friendly. We also had a TravelZoo deal ($20 for 40), so that made it extra worth it. Definitely would come back though, regardless of having any deals. Delish food and great brunch spot.
(5)
Bob S.
The breakfast potatoes are amazing. The best item on the table was the breakfast sandwich.
(4)
James V.
I have to say the casual greeting at door by the owner was a nice touch finished off by a great dinner. You rarely get that commitment to service anymore especially on high volume "hipster" Chicago Ave. The horseshoe was absolutely filling completed by a sunny-side up egg as an up charge but way worth it. Now I that is not the most original concept but the added French toast to the mix was Genius! Grab a napkin because your gonna need it for this dish. The patio in the back felt like I was not in chicago,which is a good thing on Friday night. This place is worth trying out and becoming a loyal customer. Trust me I love great service and food. Whisk was no exception!
(5)
Lucy C.
I was pleasantly confused by Whisk's obsession with Ron Swanson. I mean he's great, but I just don't get it. Anyway. I stopped by with a friend on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty empty but the hostess wouldn't seat us for some reason. She seemed confused by what we were saying and we eventually just grabbed two seats at the bar. Service was kind of slow and awkward, but one of the guys was so genuine. It was actually quite refreshing. The hash I got was decent, but nothing to write home about. My friend ordered David's special which was super tasty. I ended up eating maybe a third of her grits. That's what friends are for, right? At some point during our meal, there was some sort of altercation at the booth behind us. The customer was red in the face (from drinking?), yelled at the servers/management, and stormed out after pushing over the stool next to mine. It was pretty terrifying. Aside from that little snafu, we had a perfectly satisfactory meal.
(3)
Jake C.
I was disappointed with the brunch and dinner items I have tried. I first came here a while back and ordered the omelette special. It was by no means bad, it just was something I felt like I could get anywhere else in the neighborhood. Second time was a couple weeks ago and I ordered their turkey burger with whatever on it. It tasted bland and boring and no seasoning. I would have figured for $13 it would have at least had a little kick to it. Other places in the neighborhood make the same product and it tastes better at equal value. I probably won't return which is a shame because it is so close to home. The BYOB is nice with Mariano's across the street!
(2)
Laura R.
This is my third time being here. The food is simply delicious. The kitchen seem to know what's up! Today l had the 33 omelette and it was just superb. The home fries are crispy to perfection, l order a side of sausage links and a side of beans that hit the stop this morning. Coffee was on cue. Hot and fresh!! We were there early this morning and service was prompt friendly and attentite. We sat outside and we notice the place was getting crowded. Overall l think this place is going to be a huge hit. I for once will be coming more often as long as service continues to evolve like it has. (Super important to have good staff) To the owners, l know you have a groupon and all, but your food is that good to stand alone without any promotions. Keep working of points of service and keep things simple and moving along. I wish you great success because you deserve it!! Whisk food quality is that of a 5 star Hotel in Miami. No joke!!! Delish!!! I absolutely recomend this place to foodies and people that support small little places like this. Great job!!! Look forward to coming back again. Will try it for dinner next!
(4)
Fiyah C.
Came in for brunch with my mom and omg this place was awesome. We both had the shrimp and grits which was to die for!!! The menu was interesting and we had a hard time deciding however I was very happy with the service and the food. Highly recommended!
(5)
Rachel D.
Gave this place another shot and I'm so glad I did! We got to sit on their patio which was absolutely lovely. The food was great, the service was great. I'll be back again and again!
(5)
Cody S.
Being from out of town I took my girlfriend's advice to try this place and I was glad I did. The atmosphere is nice and the biscuits and gravy was really good.
(4)
Sheri M.
The food and coffee here is always perfection. I've had the burger, the ckn sandwich, shrimp and grits, and the pancakes. By far, the ckn sandwich is my fave. It is fried to perfection and is donned with jalapeno cole slaw - WTF!?!? My mouth does the tango with every chew! I don't really care for the manager - she always makes me feel as if she's doing me a favor by allowing me into the establishment. I try to visit when I think she's not there, but she's always there! Other than her, this place is a great brunch, lunch or dinner choice. BTW, there is only 1 co-ed bathroom and seating is limited. They do have patio seating in the back of the restaurant in the summer. I forgot the great artwork that is forever changing.
(4)
Rita B.
Let me start by saying YUM!!! Really, this is an eclectic and funky in a good way. The decor was interesting and funny because of who it was modeled after. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners/chefs and he was so sweet. I asked about the decor and he explained, which I thought was pretty awesome. Now, back to the delicious food. I ordered a Texas burger (which was off of their dinner menu but I didn't know that until after I spoke with the chef). He was nice enough to make it for me and my friend without any complaints. Awesome business. So this burger, it's an open faced burger (not mentioned on the menu but still delicious as ever). Besides the fact that it is HUGE, the flavors are amazing and I can't even begin to describe how the cheese sauce and burger blend together so well. Good fries too. For dessert we had the pumpkin cinnamon bun something or other pancake. Heaven!!! It's an orange pumpkin pancake with cinnamon bun icing drizzled over it (def no need for syrup). The two of use couldn't attack the entire short stack. Sadly, we left it behind. But seriously, you have to try this pancake. I'll come back in a heart beat. So many different things I'd like to try. Menu is very creative. Downside, parking sucks. And it's street parking that you have to pay for. Ugh. Still worth the $4 spent to park on the street.
(4)
Kyle P.
I liked this place. One of the better bacon egg and cheese croissant I have had and also the loaded fries. Didn't have to wait just go early
(5)
Steven M.
Average food. I had for better since the line was so long. And the wait staff really needs to be re-trained. They were not prepared at all, like it was their first day. Hopefully they can improve.
(3)
Mouse C.
I had brunch this morning at Whisk with one of my girlfriends. We were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away with NO wait! Woohoo. I will say the restaurant itself is tiny, so if you come over a weekend I think you will be looking at a wait. But let me tell you...it's worth it. Both of us found it very difficult to choose what to order as everything sounded delicious! The best decision I think both of us will make all week were the SALTED CARMEL PANCAKES! What, yes, that's right, you heard me. These babies were to-die-for. Salty, carmely, and pancakey...what more could you ask for. Egg-wise, I went with the chilaquiles and my gf went with a Mexican scramble. We enjoyed both dishes very much. I will add though that my chilaquiles came to the table deconstructed but the second I married all of the ingredients together, it was pure magic. Whisk knows what they are doing. I will absolutely be back to try additional menu items. Oh, and, it's BYOB. Perfection!
(4)
Gaftie M.
The food deserved 4 stars for taste and creativity........... But wait...... Theres more..... BYOB!!!!!!!!!! They definitely earned the 5th star.
(5)
Matthew D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. We had the breakfast burrito, spicy crab cake Benedict, and souther style chicken sandwich (very delicious), Caesar salad. Byob. Service was great and prices are very extremely cheap.
(5)
yhm m.
Bought a groupon for brunch. The service was excellent, great food options (especially he salted caramel pancakes).
(5)
Mz C.
Prepare to wait for weekend brunch hours, but it's worth the wait. You can taste the freshness. We had the Old Time & their shrimp & grits special. Yum!
(5)
Elizabeth W.
They couldn't get us in past the door because the service people were rude. I called ahead to ask about the wait for 6 people for breakfast/brunch. The hostess said the place wasn't busy so there would only be a 15 minute wait. We got there 20 minutes later and the wait became a 50 minute wait. There weren't many people seated in the restaurant. Not a big deal, but we felt lied to. We were chatting for literally 30 seconds at the door, then the hostess got really impatient and rudely asked,"So are you staying or going?" Strike 1. As my party of 6 was deliberating (at the door by the hostess) whether or not waiting would be worth it, a waiter swooped by and said, "How many are there of you? A million?" to which a patron laughed. It sounds like he was making a racist joke at my family's expense. Not ok. Strike 2. I didn't want to wait around for the 3rd strike. Whisk lost out on some $$$ from me.
(1)
Leah K.
After reading all the awesome reviews about the chilaquiles, we decided to head there for brunch with another couple and both of our toddlers. We went around 9-9:30 and were told the wait would be 30 minutes but really it was only about 10-15 which is awesome for brunch. They have a cute outdoor seating area in the back but we opted for inside since it was a hot day. We were greeted by our server pretty quickly and got some drinks. The food took a bit of time but hey it's rush time on the weekend...but we were all kind a little underwhelmed. The chilaquiles were really a miss for me. My husband is Mexican and we have/make it quite a bit but these were just missing kind of key elements flavor wise. I will say the half order of pancakes were lovely...lots of flavor, sweet without being super heavy (thumbs up!) I think the brunch bar is set pretty high in the city and unfortunately it makes whisk just okay. If I lived in the area, I'd probably be back a lot to try some more of the menu bc trying anywhere once is always a shot in the dark
(3)
Simma Down Na H.
Duuuuuuuddddeeee!!!! You NEED to eat HERE!!! So so so delicious!! My boyfriend and I ordered the David's Special, Chilequiles, and banana berry pancakes and we loved all the entrees. I highly recommend the David's Special which is a big bowl of grits with shrimp, mushrooms, scallions, and bacon...it's so yummy. We cannot wait to come back and eat the burgers! Thank you Whisk for making our bellies happy!
(4)
Kristin F.
So the 2 stars is because my husband really likes their biscuits and gravy... Now the -3... So apparently children can't sit outside? No explanation. Okay, we will wait 25 minutes to sit inside then with 3 open tables outside. No service whatsoever. Had to ask to order, the lady that came seemed annoyed, no one checked on us at all. And then we had to request our check. We had no server the whole time, no greeting nothing. I just ordered a croissant and it was a strange combination of greasy and stale. Disappointing as we really enjoyed our first experience here.
(2)
Chanel M.
DEAR WHISK: Technology has opened doors social media and networking sites that allow consumers to have a meaningful say about their experiences when patronizing a business. YELP has created this platform to do just that. Business tip... Accosting dissatisfied customers as opposed to finding the source and solutions to failed service isn't the way to go. Pity. THIS IS THE RESTAURANT'S RESPONSE TO A CUSTOMER GRIEVANCE!! HOW DOES A HORRIFYING BRUNCH EXPERIENCE KEEP GETTING WORSE, EVEN AFTER YOU'VE LEFT THE ESTABLISHMENT?? (their response to my original post)... "Chanel I'm sorry we fail to impress you, but I think you are Streaching the true alittle. Just pancakes might not have been what you wanted but everytime you change the dish it loses the charm. You requested the sauce on the side, or friends biscuits were just out of the oven, I don't know how they were hard. Sundae did greet you and even ask you if you wanted any oj to go with your champagne and you were short and rude. Your friend was nothing but polite to sundae. I also was present when she ask if you were still working or need it anything and you were rude as you had your head buried on your phone. Your friend said "she is talking to you" your response was no she is not since she hast talk to me all day" again I'm sorry about this but please don't Streaching the true". Sooooo.... let me get this right. I complain about appallingly terrible service, and I am challenged on the truthfulness of my personal experience to extent of being accused of "stretching the truth"?? What would I gain from that Ricardo? The fact that you overheard me verbalizing my dissatisfaction of service in a private conversation at the table, (stating that Sundae hadn't spoken to me all day), actually proves my point Sir. The burden of service is on the person who was being paid to RENDER a service. Btw, my head was buried in my phone at the table because I was busy writing my YELP review. I don't even know where to start with this place of "business". No worries... Nothing the BBB can't handle!
(1)
Michelle K.
One of my favorite places in the area! The chicken tacos and the chicken and waffles are ridiculous. The chicken literally melts in your mouth. Also recommend the chips and guac, which they usually have on special but for whatever reason isn't on the menu. I've only been in for dinner and I'm always surprised they aren't busier. I've never had to wait for a table for dinner, even on a Saturday night. Brunch seems to get more crowded. LOVE the inside decor and the outdoor space out back is cute. Service is always great. Love that it's byob (and no corking fees!) They (almost?) always have groupons, too.
(5)
Adam M.
BYOB Burger Bar??? Heck, they already made a fan out of me even before I stepped foot inside. To start off our Server was awesome, he was super cool, and very funny. I give them 5 stars for service! Now on to the important part, the Food! The burgers here were real solid. I had a hard time deciding between the Horseshoe and the House Burger. I wound up going with The House which is a 8oz burger, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, guacamole and tortilla strips on a bun. YUMMM this was sooo good. Fries (Just alright) - Loaded Pepper Jack Cheese Fries - best that we had, the cheese was a bit thicker than I'm used to on fries but these are the ones to pick - Chimichurri Fries - Decent but very soggy - Truffle Fries - Good, not tons of truffle flavor, but they're alright Overall, 4 stars, because the burger was really good and the service was awesome
(4)
Kat A.
I've been here twice. Definitely be prepared to wait. They do not take reservations. It's usually about a 20-30 minute wait on weekends (not toooo bad). Thanks to other Yelpers suggestions, we went across the street to Marianos to get drinks since Whisk is BYOB. But depending on your waiter, you may or may not be able to bring in orange juice to go along with your mimosa. The first time we went, we only brought champagne because the hostess said we couldn't bring in our own orange juice since they sell orange juice. The group sitting across from us (some tables are communal seating) had brought in their own orange juice so we figured we would bring our own in next time.The second time we came here, the waiter told us we couldn't bring our own juice...but also told us if we brought in a juice they didn't sell that would've been fine (i.e. lemonade). I look over at another table and clearly see a couple of girls who brought in their own orange juice but their waitress didn't force them to put it away and purchase the o.j. from whisk. We made our waiter aware of it but he didn't seem to care. I was pretty pissed about it since both times we were told not to bring in our own juice yet they let other customers bring theirs in. The food, however, was amazing. We ordered the snickers stuffed french toast...possibly one of the best french toasts I've had. It somehow is fluffy even after being soaked in the egg batter...and the snickers of course is all melted, gooey, heaven inside. We also tried the Whisk hash and David's special. Both were so good. The first time we were there I got a side of cheese grits. They were pretty bland but the grits in the David's special is mixed in with everything else and tastes amazing. We also had a side of the loaded fries...basically just cheese sauce on fries...good but nothing unique. I'd come back here just because the food is so damn amazing. But I hope the next time I go, the waiter lets me bring my own juice!!!
(4)
Jackie M.
3.5 stars - BYOB, large portion, reasonable price (less then $12 entree )and good variety of hangover food. The server was friendly, but it took a while for the food to come out. THere is a good selection of sodas and beer. We had the special french toast burger w/fried egg, which it sounds pretty kickass. However, it's difficult to eat a burger with texas toast that gets soggy overtime. The portion was huge and i couldnt finish. The enchilada dish was delightful.
(3)
Libby H.
We had a great meal here. They chargrill their burgers and my husband said it was the best burger patty he has had at a restaurant in a very long time. Sweet potato fry option were great. We also had the wings as an appetizer and they were very well done. Nice atmosphere too. All around we seriously give it a big thumbs up. We used a groupon too!
(5)
Carlos S.
We came on a Monday. We ordered: Reeses Pancakes: absolutely amazing and perfect. Not too sweet, not soggy, no overwhelming toppings. House Burguer: Amazing. They get the medium well thing(some places over sear it...). They serve the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the side (classy). Coffee is very good, would prefer fresh half and half. We paid $35 with great service, left a $6 tip. Would I return: yes!
(5)
Natalia K.
Used a groupon here with a friend the other night. It was a difficult choice of what to order. I said before that I want to try Chilaquiles whenever I see them on a menu, but this place says "Brunch by Day, Burgers by Night" so I wanted a burger and brunch. Lo and behold, the perfect concoction brought itself to my attention on the menu: The House Burger, breakfast style. This combines burger, brunch, and mexican, because it has guacamole and tortilla strips on it. And the bun is replaced with french toast and it's topped with eggs and chorizo! Mind blown. Also, you get a choice of fries other than the two offered, for a bit more, so I asked our server what she recommended. She liked the greek and chimichurri the best, and I went with the chimichurri, but I asked for them to be on a separate plate so that the garlickiness wouldn't mess with my burger. My friend ordered the Old Timer, breakfast style, and truffle fries. My fries came on my plate- sadness- and my friend's burger wasn't breakfast style- more sadness. He sent it back to get his french toast, and I [had] to wait until his food came out before I could eat mine. My eggs were getting cold. And I was starving. Finally, when we were both able to comfortably eat, the burgers were magical. I ate mine until it was done, even though my stomach was near bursting. The fries were ok- tasty from the garlic, but a bit soggy with the oil, so the burger was priority, and after it was done, I had negative room for the fries. My friend liked his burger as well, although he said his french toast was clearly rushed and not as well done as he would have liked. His fries were mostly untouched as well. Besides the imperfect orders, my other grievance was the price of the cokes. $3!! And you get this (super cute, but) teeny bottle. I don't know if you're paying more because they have to pay more for the fancy bottle, which they really just shouldn't even bother giving, or if they just mean to gouge you by upcharging the two dollars. If I come back, I will only be drinking water, and I probably will come back. It's a nice walk from my place and there are more burgers to try! And brunch as well!
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Went here for dinner last night. I found a Groupon and thought I'd try it out. The food was amazing! I ordered the Canadian burger and truffle fries. Those fries were an up charge but certainly worth it! If you are looking for a great buger, Whisk is a great place to go!
(5)
Sarah N.
We came from Cali ! Here on a small trip and we love to try mom and pop places because we feel like they are diamonds in the rough and we were sooo happy with this location! It's adorable inside and My BF and I are major food lovers and we loved the Food ! I had the Big Bite burger and it was scrumptious My BF had the Gobbler Burger which was a turkey Burger Service was friendly and it was just overall a great atmosphere for us Californians Will definitely be coming back when we come back to Chicago! Highly recommend
(5)
Arelys G.
This place is a real diamond in the neighborhood, the place is real small and cute and everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable with the menu. The food is always fresh and very flavorful. My boyfriend loves the steak tacos and the wings are by far in best top three in the city. We have been in during the week and we love the big booths they have. We recently came on Sunday and we waited 45 minutes but it was worth the wait, we went to marianos across the street because WHISK is BYOB. After we sat to order my boyfriend order the steak benedicts since he loves the steak tacos and they were cook to perfection. Their back patio is amazing!!!. Seriously guys you need to check them out and be prepare to wait on the weekends.
(5)
Courtney G.
Mmmmmm. So good. For the love of god, get the big bite burger (pictured). The attention to detail on this beautiful creation deserves an award: smoked Gouda, housemade barbecue sauce, perfectly fried onion ring. And it gets better: their selection of add-ons to the fries is especially interesting. I got the chimichurri fries and they were definitely worth it. Service was great. Shout out to the manager sundae for making us feel so welcomed. Meal for two came in at $33.
Brunch by day and burgers by night? Talk about two winning concepts in one stylish restaurant with great food. So far I've only been in for the dinner menu, although I actually ordered some breakfast - go figure. Went in with a group of friends last Friday and they were able to seat us in the tiny garden area in back. Nice that it's BYOB- they immediately accommodated us with a bunch of ice buckets and variety of glasses for our various beverages. We honestly had a hard time deciding what to order since the menu has a lot of tempting options- but like I mentioned, the nice thing is they have some of their breakfast options on the dinner menu and they also have some wraps/sandwiches in addition to the burgers. I ordered the chilaquiles which is considered a house fave, and it did not disappoint. I would definitely order it again. My friends had actually stopped in the week before and brought me a takeout Gobbler Burger, and I thought that was delicious even the next day when I ate it. We sampled some of the truffle fries and sweet potato fries to start and those were also awesome. One of us was celebrating a birthday and they brought out Snickers cheesecake- yes...Snickers cheesecake. Everyone in the group was pleased with their tacos, wraps, and burgers, so it seems like they are already succeeding with their menu I would definitely like to return soon- love the food and the BYOB not to mention the inside ambiance is just as nice as their back patio. Maybe I will order dinner for brunch next time
(4)
Dave V.
Well isn't this a quaint little place. I must say the decor and atmosphere allows intimacy without forcing it on you. It is great for groups and one on one. We came on a tuesday night with a giltcity voucher for 2 burgers and two sides. I had the gobbler (first time ever ordering a turkey burger....it felt wrong) and my gf got the steak taco plate. We shared a side of jalapeno coleslaw and truffle fries. The fries were awesome, but come on, have you have had bad truffle anything? The jalapeno coleslaw was new and delicious, i just may start adding jalapeno to any coleslaw dish i make, which has never happened but still. You can really tell that everything is fresh, unless it's not, in which case they do a great job fooling you. I kept biting into hard pieces in my burger which was rather annoying, so idk if they grind their own meat and are doing a bad job of removing bones or what but it was a bit annoying and was really the only negative i have about my meal. The steak tacos were delicious and come with a side of what my gf said was bacon salsa, though to me tasted like salsa with liquid smoke added. Either way, pretty good. No, don't worry, i haven't forgotten to mention that THIS PLACE IS BYOB. Which means you can what? You got it, bring your own beer. In case you wan't the freshest possible, there is a mariano's literally across the street and for you winos out there, they have a 5 minute wine chiller so your warm bottle can be cool and crisp in the restaurant. I do plan, one day, to return to try out their breakfast/brunch menu Alright, i'm done here, go yelp it for yourself.
(3)
Brad O.
Put my name in here for breakfast on a weekend and was told it would be about 45 minutes. Hostess took my number and told me that she would text me when the table was ready. 45 minutes is pretty long to wait for breakfast so I hopped in my car and drove a couple of blocks away to check another breakfast spot. Hostess texted me about 20 minutes after I left - much sooner than 45 minutes. I called and spoke to her and told her I was driving back and would be there in 5 minutes. There was no parking within 3 blocks of the restaurant so i had to park a bit far away. I walked in the door 8 minutes after I spoke to the hostess. As I walked in the door, she had just sat a table and says to me - "oh I'm sorry you took too long getting back so I just gave away your table." After 8 minutes. Even when I JUST spoke to her and told her I was coming...she still have my table away. I was unimpressed and am not inclined to return, and I told the hostess as much.
(1)
Dawn M.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. They do an excellent job of satisfying the sweet side and the savory side. My favorite brunch dish is the Salted Caramel Pancakes. I get a side of the cheesy grits and chicken sausage to make my brunch trifecta complete. For dinner, The Horshoe! Just try it!! Words will not do it justice. A burger on texas toast with loaded pepper jack fries on top. The secret ingredient must be crack because it is addictive! All staff have been pleasant and expedient each time I visit. Congratulations on your one year anniversary Whisk!
(5)
S M.
This is a relatively new - and welcomed! - addition to the neighborhood. I love the addition of this 5-star (in my humble opinion) eatery to Chicago Ave., which is grossly lacking in restaurant options.
(5)
McKenzie S.
I'm wavering between 4 stars and 5. Brunch: We waited for what seemed like forever to get a table one Sunday morning. I honestly think I waited for close to 2 hours. The longer I waited, the more certain I became that I would give them 3 stars. Or maybe 2. But then the food came. It was some of the best brunch I've eaten in Chicago. I got the Chilaquiles and I haven't stopped thinking about them in the last two months. Dinner: I returned to Whisk when I had a friend visiting from out of town. I realized that you could turn some of their burgers into "breakfast style" burgers. WHAT?! A really great burger served on French toast with other breakfast foods added. YES! Do this. SAY YES TO THIS! Wait staff is kind and very capable of handling a huge brunch crowd. It's BYOB for drinks - so choose wisely at the Marianos grocery store across the street! Oh, and Ron Swanson is on the walls. Ron Swanson makes meals better 100% of the time. Thumbs up, Whisk.
(5)
Tasha F.
I really wanted to try one of those decadent pancakes, but the day I came I wasn't in the mood for sugar. I got the David's special and the African nectar tea. The tea was delicious! David's special not so much. If you are a person accustomed to grits or even cheesy grits, I don't think this will impress you. One reviewer called it mushy, and it was. The wine threw off the flavor for me, there wasn't enough sizable pieces of bacon and there were 3 shrimp. For 12 bucks, I was not pleased. Even if it were like 6 or 7 bucks I wouldn't order it. And it didn't even come with toast! I will try again. Maybe that snickers french toast can improve my rating.
(3)
Andrew R.
I came back and it's still freaking perfect! They have the back patio and sidewalk tables open and it's worth the wait.
(5)
Aaron G.
I love this place. I've gotten take out and have dined there and it's always great. The burger is one of the better ones in the neighborhood. The back patio is real nice. Wouldn't think you were on Chicago ave back there. Definitely a place I plan on going back to.
(5)
Edna B.
Menu was decent. Service, not so much. Another reviewer had mentioned something about an annoyed lady who was serving them. Sounds like the same lady we had. We came early morning during the week, around 830am. There was 1 other customer sitting down. We had a Gilt city voucher and I had heard stellar reviews about the food. We sat down and the lady took a look at us but did not come by. When she did come a few minutes later, she asked if she could get us something to drink. The voucher came with juice and coffee, so I let her know that I had a voucher. Her immediate reaction was, "Ok, I still don't know what you want to drink?" I'm not sure why she was not very friendly, but we let her know that we'd like the coffee and juice, since it came with the voucher. The food was good, not great. but since the service sorta ruined the mood, my friend and I couldn't stop talking about why the server was in such a bad mood since it's first thing in the morning. She did seem very chatty with the other patron, us, not so much. In my opinion this place is nothing great. Chicago is full of brunch places with comparable food. With the service I received, I would not return even if the food was above average, which it wasn't.
(3)
Shaina K.
Solid place. Check out the art on the walls, it's pretty impressive. Not very crowded at around 8:30-ish on a Saturday night and the server was wonderfully attentive and friendly. For starters, they're BYOB, and have a pretty fantastic bottled soda selection (mmmm...butterscotch rootbeer). We started out with a plate of the cheese fries, which were topped with a yummy pepper jack cheese sauce. Practically licked the plate clean! :) Entree-wise, I got the fried chicken sandwich, and the boyfriend got a burger (with onion rings on it). I liked my sandwich a lot, but I absolutely LOVED his burger. I will have to get a burger next time. The fried chicken sandwich was massive and I love that it came with jalapeño slaw on top and a generous portion of fries. The chicken was massive and really crispy. The burger came topped with two massive onion rings on it, and it was a perfectly cooked medium rare. Will definitely be back soon, it looks like they also have a pretty impressive brunch menu.
(5)
Rebecca R.
Came here last Friday after happy hour at empty bottle. I didn't realize it was BYO, so after we snagged a table, two of our crew ran over to Mariano's and provided some refreshment to accompany our burgers. The menu was pretty straight forward leaving us quick to decide on which burger we wanted (and one chicken sandwich). I was surprised to see there were no apps on the menu to keep us from starving, but it turned out to better for our waist line anyway. Our server was nice, and tried to keep us entertained as we waited for the burger with a pound of bacon to be cooked (yeah, there is always 'that guy') so the rest of us could eat. It really wasn't too long at all and we were all pretty satisfied. Mine was awesome and I loved the cajan fries. I was even surprised to hear the chicken sandwich was a hit! Overall the food is good, set-up a little weird, and lacking in the app selection. Still, I would go back. Solid burger and BYO. 4 solid stars.
(4)
Hector A.
I've been here 4 times, and can't wait to come back each time. Each burger that I've had, have been just awesome. And I love the fact that it's a BYOB spot. You get your money's worth. Service is also great. Haven't tried the Swanson Burger yet, but I will, very soon! If you want to impress your GF/BF or friends, this is the spot to be at. They'll have a bucket of ice waiting for your drinks. Salud!
(5)
Brett S.
The food here is pretty good but don't order takeout. Both times I did they didn't give me toast even though their menu clearly says it's included. The second time they also shorted me the sausage links I payed extra for and gave me a half filled cappuccino for $4. I don't think they care. I probably won't be back. For breakfast you're probably better off going a few doors to the east.
(1)
josie w.
The Ron Swanson burger was legendary & the fries rocked! Mariano's is close by for some hooch...
(5)
Scott G.
WIth paintings of Nick Offerman hung on every wall, you can't get more hipster than this, folks. BRUNCH. Greasy spoon, messy, perfect hangover food served in giant portions. I couldn't quite figure out where they're trying to go with the menu options. Is it Mexican food? Southern comfort food? Our waitress was attentive to our large party of eight. Oh, and it's BYOB, so bring your handles of liquor and TURN THE FUCK UP.
(3)
Rory M.
My brother recommended Whisk for either breakfast or lunch upon my arrival in Chicago. I was caught halfway between the two, so I figured I could make up my mind once I got there. He convinced me by saying that Nick Offerman loves this place, and that they have a burger called the Ron Swanson which is layered with a pound of bacon. How could I turn down at least checking out the rest of the menu? They brought out a carafe of water with a mason jar full of ice, which I thought was a nice touch. I reached an impasse when I couldn't decide between pumpkin pancakes - I'm a sucker for white chocolate, because I'm weak and don't actually care about your cocoa content - and the southern fried chicken sandwich with spicy coleslaw. The waitress recommended the latter, along with Cajun fries, so I went for it. The sandwich did not disappoint. It was huge, roughly the size of a 45 RPM record, and it sat on the plate like a giant turtle. I tried the coleslaw before eating the sandwich as a whole, and it was incredible. Sweet and just moist enough without being runny, and the jalapeño delivered a nice kick at the end. As for the sandwich - you're gonna need a few extra napkins. This thing is a monster which will haunt my restless dreams as well as the futures of every other chicken sandwich I ever eat. The chicken to breading ratio was perfect, and the spices they used gave it a nice flavor. The fries were great too, and it was all adequately priced. Probably could pay a few dollars more for a sandwich of that size and calibre, to be honest. I'm only knocking it down to four stars because I ordered a coffee that I subsequently did not receive which then appeared on the check, but they quickly and politely rectified the situation. You ought to check this place out if you've got the time and the means.
(4)
Elizabeth E.
Fantastic BYOB brunch spot. I went on a Saturday morning around 10am. I live in the neighborhood but we drove since it was a bit chilly and found pretty easy street parking outside. So many options on the menu. All of which looked and sounded amazing. I opted for the garden omlette. Smaller than what you get at most places but also way more veggies than you get at most places. Garlic was intense but delish if you're like me and love garlic. The gouda cheese was diced. It should have been shredding IMO to melt a little better. The boyfriend got the chorizo Benedict. He loves Benedict's and chorizo omelettes so this hit it out of the park. He was a fan. Potatoes for both of us had a bit of Rosemary- yum! Will go back again most certainly! And will bring friends!
(4)
Zac T.
Fun little place in a nice neighborhood. Good choice of burgers with great breakfast options for a few of those burgers. Any place that has the Buzzcocks on the playlist gets an extra star just for the cool factor.
(4)
Delightful D.
I enjoyed food here just wasn't wowed. The pancakes Def are the star of the show. Those are delish. Chilaquiles mediocre, shrimp and grits good but I have had better. Burger mediocre as well. If in area I would stop by again but it's not a must. It is byob which is always great. I also didn't really care for the service here.
(3)
Kenny O.
Got lucky with communal seating since we had exactly 3 people, so our wait went from 1 hour to 5 minutes. Food was solid, hash didn't disappoint and would definitely come back and try something different.
(4)
Rosanna W.
This place is a funny looking place, its like you in the olding days, wild, wild west. They need to retrained the staff, they was acting like they didnt know nothing. The wait was long to sit and it was a a booth ready, just needed to be wiped down. Everything was big, they sat me and a friend at a booth that seats 8 to 10 people, I was disappointed, because the food looked good, but it wasn't. I order the biggest burger which was the Ron Swanson ($18.00). an 8 oz burger wrapped in 1 Ib of bacon, topped with bacon-mayo. That was so nasty, the bacon was not apple beacon it tasted like baloney and it was not 1Ib of bacon on it. I didn't even finish it. I wait almost a 45 to an hour for that nasty burger. My friend had the steak and egg,($12.00). The Steak was so tough and she ask for med-well, why was it tough, no one known, after waiting 45 til 1hr, I didn't want to order anything else I was just ready to go. I should have gotten my money back or not paid for that.
(1)
Chicago A.
Great neighborhood restaurant. You can't order wrong at Whisk for dinner or for breakfast. The menu is has everything one would want from slaty to sweet. The prices are awesome and you leave with money left in your pocket and great food in your belly.
(4)
Sameena K.
I totally would not recommend this place. The hostess told us 45 min wait that turned into 1 h and 30 mins with 2 kids under 2 in 98 degree weather. The hostess kept telling us 5 min -10 min for 30 mins giving us a lame excuse about not being able to seat us because they are busy even though the table is ready. Then we finally got seated and waitress was new and waited another hour for food. Will never go back. Food n service was horrible
(1)
Sean K.
Nothing bad to say just average and nothing more. Give an average restaurant a crafty name like whisk to attract the yuppies. Food is okay nothing special. They aren't doing anything special or orifinal
(2)
Claudia D.
We were VERY disappointed by Whisk after seeing it on Chicago's Best. 1-If you do not want potatoes with your eggs, you must pay an upcharge of $2.50 to change to replacing them with black beans or anything else! 2-the egg white omelet that I had did not have a blend of the garlic and other fillings inside. Rather the garlic, in a pile, was dumped in to one side where the omelet was folded. The first bite I took was on the garlic end! Thereafter, the only taste in my mouth for the entire meal was garlic. The rosemary flavoring the potatoes included long hard sharp pieces of the Rosemary twig-unacceptable! 3-Raised booths, a long raised communal table, counter seating and a few short tables provided the only seating. I hate communal seating, raised chairs or stools. We had to sit at the end of the long communal table. I was very uncomfortable our entire meal. 4-no purse hooks, nor coat hooks anywhere. 5-friendly, but perfunctory servers who never checked with us to see if we were happy with our meal. 6-Higher price point than the food deserved The husband and I decided never to return.
(2)
Iaroslav M.
i only knew one place with the truffle fries to die for(Anchovies in Boston) and now i found this spot!I had Chorizo Burger which was amazing and the truffle fries-nomnom nom!!!They have cool backyard patio and BYOB which makes you feel you got a six-pack and hanging out at your friends backyard!Service is friendly and great!! On my list to go when in the Ukrainian Village
(5)
Andrew F.
I love this place and its theme! My favorite is definitely David' special. The location is prime. The only downside is that its always so busy but hey, that's because everyone wants to try this place.
(5)
Briana U.
Love love whisk. It has quickly become our favorite spot for breakfast. The service is always great. Disgruntled yelpers complaining about slow service have clearly never worked in the restaurant industry. We always have the same server, and she's always the only server working in the restaurant! Have a little patience ;)
(5)
Hannah C.
We arrived at 9:15 for brunch and managed to snag one of the last no-wait tables, so definitely get there early. Service was moderately attentive, if occasionally forgetful (we never found out what the daily specials might be, the wrong order was brought to our table first). The snickers French toast is perfect for the diehard sweet tooth. I imagine most people might be overwhelmed by the amount of sugar, but hopefully they know better than to order candy French toast? The pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes had so many pecans in them that it was hard to taste anything else, which was a little disappointing. A fun spot for the sugar hungry, but perhaps not worth a trip for more reasonable people.
(3)
Agnes I.
--I was nervous about having to wait in a long line before being served but that didn't happen. I came here on a Sunday at 8:30am and it wasn't packed. It only got packed around 10am --Great brunch place in Ukranian village. --Friendly service --FOOD: sta
(4)
Julia D.
Been here a handful of times since my last review.. In short, it just keeps getting better! My boyfriend and I have tried most of the menu and allllll of it is awesome! With it getting colder we have been sitting inside and the art work is gorgeous, ambience is chill and inviting. The staff has evolved into a great team and the service is way more efficient since theyve opened. I want to give this place 5 stars but theres still room for a little improvement before this place can get all the attention it deserves... Liquor license would be awesome. But they do have BYOB option and Mariano's directly across the street if you arent too lazy to fetch your own booze like me :(
(4)
Izzy F.
Whisk is one of a kind! Great staff. Great food. Burgers are really good. I mostly order breakfast from here because I love the potatoes. Just amazing! What other restaurant has a Ron Swanson theme?! None! Whisk is awesome! It's kind of small and there's usually a wait on weekends but it is well worth it. Byob with Marianos across the street is perfect! Dont go to sunrise cafe next door. They are horrible!!! Worst breakfast Ive ever had in my life!!
(5)
Theresa F.
5 stars for food, 3.5 for service. I am not a brunch fan by any means - in fact I avoid it like the plague. But this spot has me re-thinking my deep-rooted aversion to infamously long lines, mediocre food and burnt coffee. Definitely no skimping on quality and taste here! Portions are perfect considering no one EVER requests a doggie bag for brunch leftovers (soggy waffles - no thanks). We ordered: The Chilaquiles - this dish was bursting with flavor and quality ingredients. Biscuits and gravy - The gravy was flavorful and light enough where you wouldn't feel like a fat ass if you ate the whole dish. Wheat toast - Super quality bread! House potatoes - Tender, flavorful and still hot when it was brought out! Total opposite of what I'm used to at brunch-type joints in Chicago. Atmosphere was super comfortable and clean. Server was a bit edgy but I guess that's what one should expect from the Brunch B-team... Will def be back!
(5)
John W T.
Burgers are cooked to order and done right. The patty had lots of flavor by itself, adding their unique toppings just makes it that much better. The bun is very soft, lightly toasted, and has good flavor. Fries are served in generous portions and plentiful toppings. $12 meal but I was able to make two meals out of it. The service was top notch. You will see the two owners on the floor serving, greeting, and even clearing tables.
(5)
Wendy C.
The food gets 5++ stars but the waitstaff was really slow...nice but slow. Loved the Ukranian Scramble and will definitely go again. Took our waitress awhile to bring us water and a check.
(4)
Sarah D.
Stopped by for brunch with some friends and we were not disappointed. We each had a savory dish and split the mocha pancakes between us. They were the perfect amount of sweet without being too sweet. Great food, great prices, great service. Watch out for all the strollers once lunch starts, though.
(4)
Dana B.
This was our first brunch experience in the city. It was very cute and the Ron Swanson vibe was very unique. The menu had a lot of great options. It was very hard to choose. I had the croissant sandwich and it was very tasty. The sausage was very good as well. Fresh watermelon was served with our meal and was very juicy. I would recommend for a great brunch experience.
(5)
Cindy P.
My love affair with WHISK continues.... ; ) We went for dinner last night and sat outside in the front. After dinner the chef came out and we chatted for a bit and then he showed us their new patio area in the back. Absolutely lovely!! 2 tables for parties of 4-6 and several smaller tables. Food is still great and now, another reason to come back!
(5)
Aaliya B.
Great restaurant overall. Chicken sausage links and honey bbq wings were delicious . Husband liked the snickers French toast and said steak was made to perfection for his steak and eggs. Waitress could have had a better demeanor. We were out for my husbands bday brunch and she could've been friendlier. Good up and coming home place. Well come back at night for burgers and the outdoor seating.
(4)
Kaylee W.
I really wanted to like this establishment and am sad to say I enjoyed a minimal part of my experience here. After spotting the restaurant on Groupon, visiting the website for more info on the menu and finally looking through reviews on yelp, I thought WHISK would be a good choice for a laid back family dinner, thus purchasing the Groupon. Upon arrival my guest and I were greeted at the door by the guy who would become our waiter. After looking through the menu, majority of the members of my party decided to go with the chicken and waffles dinner. In the section of the menu were the chicken and waffles dinner was listed it indicated that fries were included. I tell him I want to substitute fries for salad and he gives me a slight attitude saying sides weren't included with my meal. If this is the case A. why are you getting an attitude with me and B. why list chicken and waffles in that particular section. I decided I also wanted lemonade but the waiter said they weren't serving it. OK fine I can live with that. Because everyone in my party decided the best alternative was iced tea we asked if it were possible to get a pitcher of ice tea. The waiter, whom I never learned the name of, said he'd never done it before and would give us a pitcher for $12. We also asked if the chicken was all chicken breast and the waiter said yes. After receiving our meals, we saw that it was a combination of white and dark meat, mostly dark meat. While this wasn't a huge deal, it was another incident of misinformation. He returns with a pitcher that could only fill about 2 of the 4 cups in my party. After going back and forth with another waiter over our issue, our original waiter brings us another pitcher. It was a few moments after this happened that one of the members of my party overheard an employee saying " that's why I didn't want to wait on that table". I am not sure if this comment was directed at my table or not because there was another table being seated at the moment but it was still offensive. After what had previously occurred at the restaurant, it did not add to my already shaky experience. I gave WHISK 2 stars because the one waiter was accommodating to us on the issue of the iced tea and I did enjoy the meal I ordered although it took a little long to arrive at the table.
(2)
Adeline A.
The best brunch in the area in my opinion. The chilaquiles were perfectly flavorful, pozole was amazing as it should be, and the banana berry pancakes absolutely stole the show. I also had a juicy burger for lunch that had chips on it, which lets me know how serious they are about burgers! Super friendly, helpful, patient staff from host to waitresses. Hats off to the chefs! Warm setting, clean restaurant, cool art on the walls. I was only in Chicago for a week, but visited this place thrice it was so good!
(5)
Greg P.
UPDATE as of 05.26 The owner of Whisk was kind enough to reach out and offer some feedback about the Grub Hub experience. He said that they reached out to GrubHub to have my order refunded. I will be willing to try Whisk again in the future, but maybe dining in vs. using a delivery service. Sometimes restaurants can have an off night, and I get that, so It's worth another shot.
(4)
Mark H.
For Ukrainian Village, this spot is above par. Mixed with local art and interesting wooden wall decor, the two hermanos puts a fresh Latin flavored spin to the classic brunch and dinner menu. Stopped in check to out the changing landscape of retail space just west of Damen from the powerhouse Mariano's grocery store to smaller independent shops like Whisk. Tried their House burger. Well...the burger is misleading cuz it's very difficult to pick up. But with a fork and knife the explosion of flavor is definitely a surprise and left me wanting more. The tortilla was the kicker. For locals, I could see this could be a regular stop. But if you're competing with the city, it's a just another cool spot in the plethora of nuevo hipster food stops.
(3)
Kenya R.
I love love this place. Food is amazing!!! The service is even more amazing. Truffle fries & Southern style chicken sandwich!!!!! YUMMY!!!!
(4)
Jewel L.
Had brunch there. Crab cakes were very good.
(4)
Robb S.
I would actually give this place a 4.5 if I could. Great selection of breakfast and lunch food. The pancake options are insane. The French toast is stuffed with snickers!!! Are u kidding me. I get the omelette mostly and it's great. Veggies seem very fresh and omelette is fluffy. I have friends that get the grits and the burger and they love it Solid spot
(4)
Prajna A.
4 only because there was a lot of waiting and also the ambience is not top notch. But the food is definitely a 5 star. Mocha, caramel and chocolate pancakes. All sorts of fries - greek fries and cheese fries. Not only this but they have an amazing resees French toast to die for. Love it here. Coupon available for 50% off on living social
(4)
Bill H.
While I've been wanting to stop in here for a while, most brunch hours have been too long of a wait for us (personal preference). We saw it mostly empty and had heard their burgers were good, so decided to BYOB a few bottles of wine and stop in for dinner last night. I had the steak & eggs - while it's a simple, straight forward dish, the steak was really fantastic, perfect medium as requested, and the black beans stood out. My wife got the burger - they had no problem adding cheese and bacon however they don't carry any type of blue cheese (her typical go-to). Also her burger, ordered medium, was more on the side of medium-well but was still very delicious. Perhaps with the thicker steak cooking, the timing was off slightly; it happens. She also upgraded the side to the chimichurri fries which were fantastic but be warned; the garlic sticks with you! The place was very clean, service was good even as the place filled up through our meal, and there was no corkage fee. Also really liked the CoOp Sauce Co. hot sauces on the tables. In the end a welcome addition to the neighborhood - good food at reasonable prices. Bonus points for the Ron Swanson portraits. The burger on the menu named after that fine character is a bit of a joke... A POUND of bacon wrapped around an 8 oz burger? I'd never get that in all honesty. Consider, instead changing it to burger with 4 strips of bacon and a fried egg!
(4)
Amy A.
This is currently my favorite breakfast place! The staff is always dependable and familiar. I love the Ukrainian Breakfast, Biscuits and Gravy, Hash, Vegetable Breakfast Sandwich, etc & etc. So many good things on the menu and my very picky boyfriend loves it too. They once had a special drink (Aztec hot chocolate?) which was a mix of hot chocolate, espresso, and some spice. DELISH! I also regularly overhear other customers complimenting their food. I need to try for dinner.
(5)
Kurt H.
My wife and I headed out to Whisk for brunch recently on a weekend as we were looking for a new place to try. The experience overall was pretty negative. We started out well, the restaurant was at about 60% capacity and we were told that the only seats available were at the community table.. fine, we actually like sitting at community tables so no worries. I looked over and saw three huge booths open and remarked to my wife "Its kind of cool they hold the booths for large parties, might be a good place to come with friends." ... within five minutes they then seated three couples at the three booths... so why were we told they were not available? But again, not a big deal... we don't mind community seating. The wait staff was wonderful, which is why this review gets two stars instead of one. Our server was courteous, quick, and seemed to care about her customers... this is where the positives ended though. We ordered our brunch. My wife ordered biscuits and gravy, I ordered a signature eggs benedict the menu suggested was a house special and a side of bacon. After about ten to fifteen minutes (normal) my wife's plate was brought out. She waited for mine to arrive. And waited.. and waited. After about five minutes our server came over (she was busy) and said (confused) "Wait, where's your food?" I shrugged my shoulders and said "I don't know"... She hustled back to the kitchen and came back and said "Sorry, It's coming" I said no worries... A few minutes went by, she came back and said "Really sorry" and brought my side of bacon... The manger was nearby and she mentioned it to the manager and the manager went back to the kitchen. At this point we were about ten minutes in and my wife had started eating her meal. We had a long day planned and had places to head off to. After another minute or two, the manager came back and said "There was a mixup, they accidentally threw out your plate but they are making it over again." I said "Don't you have an expediter that would keep that from happening? This is a simple order, I'd imagine you'd be able to plate two meals at once?" The manager replied "Ya, I don't know...." (or something similar) Well this annoyed me a bit and my wife was about done with her meal.. so I said, "You know, we have to get going, just cancel my order please, I'll eat my bacon and finish my coffee and thats fine." The manager seemed a bit annoyed and said "So, you don't want it???" (Kind of annoyed that I would say that)... I said "Nope, please cancel it." So the waitress came back, apologized half a dozen times. I said "You have nothing to apologize for, not your fault." (again, she was great) and she brought the check. No offer from the manager to compensate us... didn't even comp the $2 cup of coffee... and I left without eating. Two Stars. .... Andrew thanks for responding. I don't want to get into an argument but there is no way that my order was re-fired in five minutes. I was wearing a watch and looking at it often because we had a busy day. Not a chance. If it was I would've accepted it and given a much better review. Look at my profile, I don't give negative reviews.
(2)
Katy S.
So I'm taking a bit of a different approach with this review, because my experiences at Whisk have been different each time. For a few minutes, I am going to pretend I am a guy and Whisk is a girl I have recently met. The first time her and I met, we instantly hit it off. I like all of Whisk's attributes, great vibe, clean space, hip decor, small but cute outdoor patio area where my Sunday brunch loving ass can sit and have a cup of joe when hungover. The best characteristic about my first date with Whisk, was her delicious red pepper Benedict. Wow. She really impressed me here. But with all things great, comes a negative that comes to light about mid way through the first encounter. The chilquiles. Oh no. Whisk chefs, you seriously screwed this one up. The taste, so overwhelmingly spicy, the chips soggy and frail; simply horrible. But there are always some sad traits you are willing to hurdle through because well, she was just so damn fine in other ways. First visit. 3.5 stars. Second date: needed. Second time was about three days post pepper Benedict. I could not stop thinking about her, despite that one evil downfall from visit 1. It was a week day, my vacation. I was highly looking forward to getting to know her better and seeing where it went. After all, I did abide by the "three day rule." Visit two: I was sat with an older African American woman as my server. Her attitude was unbelievable...suchstrong, condescending mannerisms that I honestly felt uncomfortable. Maybe she was having an off day but this day, she was not meant to be a server! Nonetheless, I was there to keep giving it a go so I was determined to stay. No Benedicts on the weekdays, she said. What ?!?! Gtfoh. I was pissed. I ended up having some normal eggs, potatoes, and bacon type deal, something I could easily get at IHOP for half the price. What was funny about my date this time was that the server thought she was getting a $20 tip on a $40 tab for my party and I. Have you lost your blessed mind? Her service was not up to par, she knew we were upset, and she "mistakingly" thought we had told her to keep the change. Ummm no, no bueno. Visit two: two whimsy stars. I would've never gone on a third date with whisk after experience numero dos but man...this girl, there's just something about her. Plus, she lives only two blocks away from me. Convenience at its best, if it works out, of course. Visit three: that's it, if she doesn't put out on this date, I am "peacing out." I came in and looked around. I saw the lady server I wanted to avoid. I thought, well, I will get a to go order (this time I was alone and packing weight, aka. a bag of groceries from Mariano's). I sat at the bar and told this incredibly nice, blonde barista what I wanted. She was so friendly and so welcoming, complete opposite from her evil stepmother, ahem...I mean coworker. She convinced me to stay and eat there. Eh, okay, okay. She told me the pepper Benedict had been removed from the menu for good. What?!?! Seriously? I felt like I couldn't win!! She then recommended the crab cake Benedict instead and I was just praying it went well. My food came out within minutes, piping hot and absolutely delicious. The crab was lumpy and generous. It came with potatoes and a piece of watermelon (see pic). When I took that first bite, let me tell you, it was instant love. It was as if my date was finally saying the right things I needed to hear to capture my attention and make my heart grow fonder. It was a true mouthgasm, fireworks and all. The service was absolutely amazing this visit. Though I was brunching alone, the staff made me feel a little less loser(ish) by chatting with me. The server from visit #2 even came up to me and asked me if I needed more Splenda for my coffee, wuuuuuttt ?! And this is why I decided to see her again. Because even though Whisk had her bad traits, it takes a while to really get to know somebody. And though she didn't give it up completely, Whisk and I are still dating, one visit at a time. I will be patient with her. After all, good things come to those who wait :) I'm the type of "guy" that sees past her flaws and focuses on the bigger picture. Beautiful, mostly kind, and delicious to the core. Keep it up Whisk. Cliff notes: byob. Dark matter coffee. Gourmet sodas ($3.00+) Killer crab cake Benedict. Service hit or miss. Outdoor patio. Bring your shades. SYOY
(4)
Cristina F.
We came in at 330 on a Saturday to purposely avoid the long wait. The host was friendly and let us snag the back corner booth (best seat in the house). My boyfriend and I both asked for coffee. Our server took our order but someone else delivered our food. The food was delicious-- my boyfriend ordered the pulled pork benedict and I chose the snickers french toast. Our coffee was gross-- my boyfriend compared it to swamp water. Usually, after we get our food, it's customary for the server to check in and asks how everything is--- and this is the point where I would have brought up the gross coffee. However, our server failed to do that. Luckily for us, they deliver a carafe of water so we didn't have to rely on our server too much. The next time we saw our server, she asked if my boyfriend wanted a refill on his coffee--- he said no and so she promptly left to get the check (I had food in my mouth so she bailed out of there before I was able to chew/swallow and speak up). We get our check and I told her I wanted to return my coffee. And in the words of Dave Barry, I swear I am not making this up, no apologies, no follow up questions.. she immediately left to take care of it. I think her manager had to void it--- so the manager must have been aware of the situation. This is probably the worst restaurant experience I've had in years (my last one was at 90 miles in 2012 and our server ignored us too--- luckily my friend spoke Spanish and got our busboy to get us utensils and water etc). We ended up paying $32.64 (pulled pork benedict $11, snickers french toast $11, and coffee $3--- yep they still charged us for my boyfriend's coffee--- and tip). For those kind of prices, their servers and managers should be trained accordingly. The beauty of brunch (for me) is the bottomless coffee. I waited a whole 10 days to write this review so I wouldn't be blinded by coffee rage. Hopefully, our experience was an anomaly. I was having a pretty good day that day so I didn't make a fuss. We did enjoy the food, the ambience, and the easy parking--- but we won't be back any time soon.
(1)
Eric T.
We came in one morning and were quoted a 45 minute wait. We figured it would be shorter but it ended up being almost 40 minutes which put us tight on time for whatever it was we had to do next. We had looked over the menu though and were ready to order when we sat down. Told the hostess as we sat about the time crunch, she went right to the waiter who came right over. Waiter totally understood, and why wouldn't you want to flip a table quickly? We ordered immediately and our coffee was brought in to go cups (didn't even ask). The food came out quickly, although I do not know if the waiter put a rush on it. We ate, got a refil on coffee and paid in plenty of time. Even with a rush the service was spot on. Manager stopped by, waiter came by a couple times. The food I thought was fantastic. It is definitely on par with some local places (The Winchester) but I thought the $ was better for the serving size. Need to go back, but the initial experience was spot on.
(5)
Kevin B.
Decided to check out this spot after hearing good things. Was a little disappointed in how small the place was which led to our 30 min wait. But then I heard the 4 magic letters that made everything better... BYOB!!!!! I almost feel like brunch without BYOB is sacrilegious. Maybe because I've gotten spoiled by places like this and Batter & Berries. And what's even better, there is a Marianos right across the street. So I was able to run over and grab some cheap champagne while waiting on a table to come free. Ordered the crab cakes and eggs platter which was delicious. The crab cakes and sauce may have been the best I've had in a restaurant, period. For my sides I had cheese grits and toast. The cheese grits were just okay (a little too cheesy for my liking). But if you are cheese grits person, it's probably perfect for you. Staff was courteous. It was packed and apparently a party going on, so it was a little chaotic. But besides that, everything was great.
(4)
Antaash U.
Tried Whisk this morning when I spotted the adorable storefront while picking up groceries at Mariano's across the street. The space is nice and they seem to have a really nice breakfast/brunch and lunch menu (hello Snickers French Toast!!). I am definitely tempted to go back for lunch because they have an INCREDIBLE menu of specialty sodas! If it wasn't 7:45am, I think I would have definitely ordered one. Instead, I had to settle on an iced chai since their espresso machine was out of commission...sad face. Anyway, my breakfast entree made me more than happy. I ordered the chilaquiles. They were DELICIOUS! They had clearly been made to order because the tortialla was still warm and crispy, the cheese and salsa perfectly melted and gooey, instead of the congealed mess often times found on chilaquiles. The dish was accompanied with grilled chicken, avocado slices and an egg prepared your way. To finish the entree off, there was a generous wedge of watermelon. They obviously know that the only way to complete a savory meal is with a little bit of sweetness ;). My fiancee chose the Mexican scramble minus the ham. His words: "Outstanding". I don't think I have ever heard him rate any breakfast place with such high regard, so I know that his dish had to be just as good, if not better! Wisk also has a patio in the back if outdoor dining is your thing! I'm excited to have it so close to home and in a location with parking galore. I think I may have discovered my new breakfast/brunch place :D.
(4)
Jola B.
I've heard this place gets crowded but I just stopped by for lunch on a Thursday afternoon last month. Small restaurant. Looks nice and new and well-kept. I had the fried chicken burger? It was sooo good. Definitely recommend as a casual brunch, lunch spot with friends. Eating alone in a small, quiet place was less fun for me personally. And I definitely couldn't imagine that place packed with people--it seems too small to handle that successfully.
(3)
Frank O.
The burgers are solid, large and flavorful. The Big Bite was so large I had to bring the rest of it home, but the House Burger was easily finished at the table. Unfortunately the rest of the food didn't meet the same high standard. The Steak Tacos were overly salted, as were the Cajun Fries (go to 5 Guys instead). The jalapeno cole slaw was a nice twist, but went overboard on the spiciness. With the price pretty high and not convenient from public transport, it's not worth searching out unless you have a singular burger craving.
(2)
Phil B.
This little cafe is on what is becoming quite the street for new restaurants on Chicago Ave! I love it! The food is delicious and fresh. I had the huevos rancheros. Made with homemade tortillas, fresh cilantro, avocado and eggs the way you prefer ( I had them over easy). Yummy! I didn't have coffee, but the Dark Matter coffee is delish! Get over there, but prepare to wait. It's become quite popular.
(5)
Sam T.
Came here a little while back to grab a quick breakfast since its in the neighborhood, and was very disappointed with the service. They sat the two of us in one of the booths (since the restaurant was empty). It took about 5 minutes before we were even greeted or given menus. Some water was dropped off at the table, yet still no server. As we were sitting, we kept smelling a very funky smell; almost like dirty mop water and sewer. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from and it was very off putting. Another 5-7 minutes went by and still no server. The smell was gross and since nobody seemed to acknowledge us, we just got up and left. Pretty sure nobody even noticed. If you're not going to take care of your customers, you should really rethink the business you are in.
(1)
Megan M.
service has some room for development. but holy cow, this place is amazing. ordered david's special ($12). cheesy grits, shrimp, mushrooms, bacon, creamy wine sauce. never thought i'd be into that, but it was phenomenal. the bf got biscuits and gravy ($12), topped with two eggs. def one of the best biscuits and gravy we've ever had (& we've had a lot to compare to). portions were generous too. overall, very impressed. the paintings of nick offerman on the wall's were a plus too. can't wait to go back!
(5)
Tiffani S.
Went to Whisk on a Groupon after mixed reviews from friends. I'm so glad I wasn't paying full price because after we inquired about the Groupon the service quickly diminished! We asked for a glass of ice to go with a Diet Coke and when it arrived after our food, it was basically half a glass of water. No apology, no offer to actually bring out a fresh one that was not melted. The cheese grits were not to my liking (go to Wishbone if you would like proper cheese grits). The real problem is when Chef Ricky dismissed my complaint via Groupon and said that our service was not bad implying that Whisk never gives bad service and that he stands 100% behind his food. I would hope that you stand 100% behind your product but don't take offense if my tastebuds don't like it, I'm entitled to my opinion. More importantly don't dismiss my experience just because it was negative, especially if you weren't dining with me nor were my server. I'm appalled more by the response that I received from Chef Ricky than anything else. This is Chicago where restaurants close just as fast as they open you should be more aware in your response to your customers. That was not good Customer Service.
(1)
Kevin K.
This place is just one more excuse not to move to the burbs. Crab cakes from scratch. Loaded w crab and perfectly seasoned. Potatoes cooked to perfection. Coffee is legit. Best toast I've ever had, complimented w homemade jelly and homemade butter. Wow.
(5)
N Prashant B.
We went for brunch and the food was awesome. The service was ok. Bought a $29 for $35 on Yelp and they only gave me 32. Wasn't worth the confrontation so we went ahead and moved on. But, be careful with that. Back to the food- freaking awesome.
(4)
Natalka K.
Burgers are great but filling. They also have different wraps and tacos if you're not in the mood for a burger. In the summer, you can sit in their back patio. Their main dining area is roomy for groups. I'd be back!
(5)
Gregory C.
BYOB hands down one of my new all time favorite places to go to in Chicago. The brunch is terrific!
(5)
Rosa C.
I love the wide selection of Mexican breakfasts that they have! I ordered the steak and eggs for the gains and Snickers French toast (SFT) for pleasure! I came with four other people and they were all very hesitant on ordering the SFT. By the time I was done with my steak meal, these jerks almost finished my SFT! They left me two bites! It sounds like it will be very sweet, but it is not! It is so delicious! I am definitely going back for the SFT!
(5)
Kolyan D.
Solid for brunch and for burgers! And you can get burgers breakfast style! We had brunch a while ago, but I remember that it was pretty darn good and I'd go again. Had the burgers last night and they were very good! Lots of good options available, as well as other dinner items. The back patio is a nice cozy place to eat as well. Get your Groupon on and then come back for the full price meal because it's worth it!
(5)
Alfredo G.
The rajas tacos lacked flavor and weren't even spicy. Just a taco full of bland vegetables. The tortilla wasn't even hand made. The best part of my meal was the water they served.
(2)
Damaris C.
First time here. Came in for breakfast on a random Thursday morning. The look and feel of the place invite you to linger over your meal. The music is on point. The service is quite efficient. The food is off the chain good. Seriously. Oh ma lawd!! I had the biscuits and gravy. My husband ordered the steak and eggs. We shared an order of the Salted Caramel Pancakes: AMAZEBALLS!!!! I know it sounds like a cavity on a plate, but it's so subtle and the combination of white chocolate, caramel and crushed pretzels over the most delicious flapjacks is just sublime. Try it. Our orders came out in a timely manner and piping hot. The variety of brunch offerings on the menu is impressive. The burgers sound delicious. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Anna G.
Brunched here yesterday with a friend. It was just us 2 and another table. I ordered and iced chai and the chicken pear club; my friend a coffee and the egg breakfast entree. The food and drinks were great, no complaints there (my portion of the club was so large, I saved half for lunch today). Our server was very friendly and attentive, buuuut, he didn't seem to know the basics of the menu (the sides, in particular) and was a bit thrown off/confused when we asked follow up questions. The other complaint? It took FOREVER for the food to come out. There were only 4 people dining in the entire place! I hope they figure out these new restaurant kinks because I really liked the space and the food... and hope to try more!
(3)
Ryan L.
With the giant comfy booths in the back and the tiled ceiling, it feels like High Dive. That is - it feels like High Dive only with Mexican food and bright lighting, and minus the hipster jukebox. Concept here is dinner for breakfast. They have burgers, sandwiches, and wraps in which some could be made breakfast-style (replacing with eggs, chorizo, french toast, etc). There is also Mexican fare, reflective of the roots of the chef. Determined to order the specialties, we ordered the chilaquiles and the horseshoe. Both delicious. The scrambled eggs that came with the chilaquiles were prepared just the way I like them - soft and fluffy. Not that it needed more flavor, but adding salsa verde to the chilaquiles rocked. The horseshoe breakfast-style had chipotle hollandaise sauce and a sunnyside up egg. Also delicious. Delicious fresh-cut fries complete the horseshoe. One suggestion- concerns the booths in the back. It works in High Dive because it's a bar, but not really for a sit down restaurant. The space would be better served with more tables than 3 booths. Let's just say 5-6 tables could fit there instead. That's double the capacity in terms of parties. I overheard a couple waiting at the bar discussing the same thing about the booth. BYOB - it's totes worth it as small bottles of soda will run you $3. The meal itself was quite inexpensive so this is a nice spot for a group dinner.
(4)
Melissa K.
Absolutely adorable!!! We walked over this past Sunday for a late brunch (around noon). We had a group of 5 and asked to sit outside thinking it was a bit of a tall order as we only saw small two-tops on the sidewalk. The hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes for the first available table. Roughly 7 minutes later she told us our table was ready and started walking away..Curiously, we followed her past the restaurant and down the gangway. We reached the back and came upon the most adorable back patio complete with a little garden and umbrellas and all things perfect. We were seated in a very large, comfortable booth outside and could not have been happier. The menu had something for everyone and the food was delicious. Our server was fun, and funny and wonderful. The only reason I am not going with 5 stars is the food took a rather long time for being a breakfast joint but at least we had wonderful surroundings while we waited and the waiter was very good about refilling coffee and waters. A hidden gem and I highly recommend it. Added bonus - the staff were wearing Whisk shirts that featured the blackhawks feathers...nice touch!!
(4)
Justin B.
Although you do get a lot of food here for the bucks, I was disappointed by Whisk. The space is a bit of a mishmash of styles; it's got some art on the walls, a cool whisk in the entryway, but a massive TV in the middle of the restaurant. The food was not bad and priced well for the size of the burgers, but the fries (especially the chimichurri fries) were terrible and they were out of pepper jack cheese when we showed up. (I guess the Mariano's across the street doesn't sell cheese in bulk???) BYO, friendly service and the Horseshoe burger served breakfast style without the pepper jack were all great attributes of this spot...but I would come back for brunch to give it one more try, given the proximity to my house.
(3)
Jason E.
The cakes were AWESOME, but the sandwiches were too rich.
(3)
Michelle R.
The food is so awesome here!! I love their Ron Swanson wall! Cracks me up every time. The staff is also super friendly!
(5)
Lyness H.
So my bf and I went to this place randomly today because we found a groupon for $22 for $36 which is MORE than enough to grab a good amount of food for two here. Pricing & Portions: The menu offers so many great dishes it was kinda hard to pick one thing! But because their pricing is so great we didn't have to haha. Average dish price is $10. I ordered a croissant sandwich, my bf had the southern style chicken burger, and we split an order of Snickers French Toast. Everything was amazing. They had to substitute my croissant for texas toast but it was still really good. Decor & BYOB Policy: The place isn't big and it's very creatively and nicely decorated. Kinda funky wall paintings and old school soul music playing over head. Really comfy HUGE booths in addition to bar seating. It was just a really great atmosphere. They're also BYOB and supply you with wine glasses. Who doesn't love BYOB? Service: The service was great, we were seated immediately and our waiter was really attentive and funny. I thought they couldn't top the awesome table side service: wrong. I ended up boxing half my sandwich that I didn't finish to go and ended up leaving it on the table. We came back by and i ran in to grab it but they'd already thrown in out. So a woman, who I'm assuming was the manager, asked if I just wanted them to make me another one. I didn't wanna be a bother but she assured me it was no problem and even gave it to me for free. So that was pretty awesome. Needless to say, the bf and I will definitely be back and will definitely be recommending this place to our friends.
(5)
Lindsey M.
Cute place. Very cozy. Always love BYOB. Food was decent- had the chilaquiles. They were ok. Honestly wasn't all too impressed, especially since people rave about them. Service was a little slow but not terrible- although I did over hear our waitress bashing some customers. $4 for a TINY carafe of OJ- not even fresh squeeze. Yikes bikes. I'll probably go back to try some other menu options but not in a rush to go back. Enjoyable but not to die for.
(4)
Shane G.
I have ordered from Whisk 4 times in the last three weeks on GrubHub. The first time I ordered from them I was skeptical because I know a lot of times I order from places and the food that is delivered is soggy and doesn't taste that great. (I'm looking at you Lockdown.) However, all four of my orders arrived on time and very fresh. I had their crab cakes, pepper jack cheese fries, and cheesy grits. The crab cakes were amazing. The fries weren't soggy, and the cheesy grits were pretty good, too. Each time I ordered from Whisk the subsequent three times I tried something new: Aztec omelette, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, Snickers Stuffed French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy, Truffle Fries, Crab Benedict, and Reese's Pancakes. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach because the menu here has soooo many great options and I can't help but want to try them all. I have honestly never been disappointed by this place. My favorite things so far have been the Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, the Crab Benedict, the Reese's Pancakes, and the truffle fries. Please do yourself a favor and try this place. You won't regret it. I'm not sure what sort of problems these other Yelpers have had, but in 4 orders Whisk has always delivered VERY quickly and never messed up my order.
(5)
Joey M.
Went for weekend brunch and were fortunate enough to get bar seating (small but cozy) Whisk boasts a plethora of coffee and soda varieties that are part of it's appeal I ordered the Snickers Stuffed french toast which I believe was just two pieces of french toast with a melted snickers between them (a french toast snickers sandwich if you will) but was very tasty :) Sampled (benefit of eating out with friends lol) -- biscuits and gravy dish was ultra flavorful and savory. Served in a bowl and looks like a hodge-podge of food but tastes better than it looks! Large serving. --black beans which have a spicy after-kick but are delicious While I enjoyed the food I think there are other places around that I would like to try out before I returned here
(3)
Ben S.
Best place for brunch in the city! Everything on the menu is great. I suggest coming with a few people and sharing all the menu items. The southern chicken sandwich might be the best in the city. It's a must try and you will be hooked after.
(5)
Miharu H.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a new place to try before the Bulls' game and thought we'd tried something in the surrounding area. We shared the Spicy Honey BBQ wings, House Burger and Big Bite Burger. The wings had a little spice and sweetness to them, which were delicious. The House Burger was by far the star of the meal. Everything just melted together really well. If we are in the area again, I would definitely try some other items on the menu. The one downside was the menu was that the fries were just a let down.
(4)
Jorge M.
So i bought a groupon for this place and after 50 min waiting we finally got a table. Place is sooooo small and was packed, because is BYOB people takes longer to eat since some people bring a lot of booze. Our waiter was nice but was kinda confused cause first we ordered a orange juice and a bucket for the champagne and took him almost 10 min probably more to bring it. Then because you share tables with more people the one next to us they ordered kinda the same plate that I ordered and they brought them the wrong food theirs food runner gave it to the wrong table. They had to apologize and make a new one. Now good thing that after those incidents food was actually very good specially the David's special. In overall good place but to small and they should put a time for the people cause they waiting for a table was very annoying because people don't want leave the place drinking and talking.
(3)
Paulette S.
Wonderful brunch! The chef really knows how to use herbs and seasonings. Among the three of us, we enjoyed items including black bean patties with mango sauce (so tasty!), fried potatoes (crispy and seasoned wonderfully with rosemary); sweet potato fries (crispy and delicious), and more. The pancakes with pear and white chocolate sauce sounded like they would be "too sweet," but they were "just right." The batter reminded us of the taste of sweet cream waffles. The toast was served with home made jam. In addition, the staff was friendly and attentive.
(5)
Rosaileen B.
This place was awesome! Food was delicious! I got the chorizo omelette and it was perfect. My sister ordered the snickers pancakes and the only regret I have is that I didn't order my own. The service was great as well. Definitely going back!
(5)
Michelle R.
Brunch was amazing! Bought a groupon last night & went this morning on my day off! Snickers French toast was bomb!!! Def will go back again! Top brunch place in Chicago!!
(5)
julie q.
So, because it's the first official day of their opening, I'll let the long wait time for our food slide. But, man oh man - it was worth the wait! I had the BLT Benedict - The hollandaise was super flavorful and the pesto was some of the best tasting pesto I've had in awhile. Husbo had the Dave's special - garlic shrimp, cheese grits, shrooms, bacon, and white wine cream sauce - How can you go wrong??? It was super delish. By the time we left there was a long wait to get in - I'm sure it will continue as long as they keep the food as flavorful as it is and get the kinks worked out... YAY Whisk! Note - The iced tea is a sweet, maybe peach?, tea. I do not like sweet tea so it was kind of a rude awakening. Just an FYI.
(4)
Emily E.
Thought the food was delicious and well portioned ( although if you are getting the cheesy grits with shrimp make sure to share its huge and oh so delicious) The outdoor area was quaint and nicely set up.
(3)
Eric R.
Looooooong wait. They kept taking everyone but my party. No explanations, No apologies. The food was good, but not worthy of s 40 minute wait
(2)
Amy G.
I love brunch so I decided to give WHISK a try. The food was good, but I wouldn't say great..? I got a panini and the bread was pretty hard. But their potatoes were really good. Maybe I just need to try something else if I were to go again.
(4)
Laur N.
Good place to grab a bite! Had the House Salad - REally like & appreciate that chicken/steak is included - hate when other places don't include, so bonus points to Whisk! slightly more ice burg than flat out spring greens but it was really beautiful, delicious and filling overall - I'd get it again. The burger we had was the one on texas toast with jalapenos and it was Awesome. Recommend trying it. Tacos were also good - meat was juicy and lean, little confused about the cheese on the bottom and was the tortilla fried ? but it was good! Soda selection was fun : ) Cute place, really attentive and friendly nice service. Try it.
(4)
Linda H.
Absolutely love everything about it. Food is great , people are great, kid friendly. So happy to have such a wonderful delicious place in our neighborhood.
(5)
John U.
Great breakfast. A little slow on the service and seating for busier mornings but you can't fault them for being good at what they do. Try the breakfast burrito. I'd also recommend they put in some appetizer options for dinner menu to extend your visit but their burgers are great. Back patio is well shaded.
(4)
Becky C.
Yummy burger and great service! Went for dinner but will definitely be back for brunch!
(5)
Roman M.
Solid local option. Had the breakfast burrito, which was tasty but not too overwhelmingly big. Perfect size, and with nicely cooked potatoes and a great chipotle based salsa - I was content. Nothing really blew me away though, so I had trouble going over 3 stars. Just to be clear, nothing was wrong with this meal or atmosphere or service - just not totally blown away. I recommend this place to anyone in the hood.
(3)
Vanessa B.
This place is great. I really enjoyed my food, and saw several other options on the menu that I plan to go back and try. The best part though was the friendly genuine staff. What a lovely place.
(5)
Teresa B.
Good food, nice atmosphere. Came with a party & everyone enjoyed their food. Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Nicki P.
Just had a great brunch at whisk. Arrived about 1:30pm and didn't have to wait long for a seat the the communal table which was fine. I opted for the crab Benedict which was great and covered in a Chipotle sauce ( I would have preferred this on the side but was still good). The bacon I ordered on the side was really tasty as well. My friend ordered the chilequiles which were great. The best part is BYOB, will be back for sure for the reeses pancakes!
(4)
Dawn G.
Me and my husband were in Whisk the other night and the hostess was wonderful. She was polite and always smiling. It was a great experience with great food but having someone like her to welcome us and make sure everything was ok was a delight. Me and my husband will be frequently going to whisk not for just the food and ambience but for the hostess that was so polite to us. Thanks for having someone like her. Great place
(5)
Brunchar V.
Everything was OK, but why eat just OK? Our first issue was our Groupon, which was our own fault. We did not look at prices ahead of time. Our Groupon got us $36 worth of breakfast, which is way more than we needed. We didn't realize it was BYOB. Everything on the menu sounded really good. Unfortunately, almost nothing was. We both ordered the crab cakes, our waitress' personal favorite. They had a slight freezer taste to them. The house potatoes could have been crispier. The jam for the toast was excellent - it was the best part of the meal. Whisk prides itself on its bacon - good, but nothing to write home about. The grits were awful. They made me glad I didn't order the house special of shrimp and grits. While we were waiting (a long time) for our food, we thought we should come back on the weekend for the benedicts, but we're not going back. I always root for little brunch places, but the food here just doesn't cut it.
(2)
Edwin W.
Not a bad addition to the UKV neighborhood. I went during their brunch hours on a weekday and the place was empty. We ordered the steak and eggs and the house burger to split. Everything tasted good until I got to eggs. We ordered the eggs over easy, but this egg came beyond well done. There was no runny yolk and the egg white was pretty tough. The eggs costed this place an extra star. regardless, I will definitely be coming back to try their dinner menu.
(3)
Nancy A.
Ok... Where do I start? I just left this place and I am absolutely infuriated! Is my birthday and decided to give this place a try. The second I walked in, the vibe from the hostess was so cold. She didn't smile, she hardly even greeted my family and I. When asked where the bathroom was, she replied very rudely while not looking at me with "Next to the exit sign". Our food took forever and it was cold. The menu also said my dish came with potatoes and they didn't came with my food. My Chileaquiles were dry and cold. Even the cheese was already clumpy. Our orange juice was 4 dollars for less than 8oz. The service was slow. The hostess asked in order to redeem my groupon voucher I needed to download the app. Once I was ready to pay, she made sure to grab everyone's else's check first even after I was standing next to the cashier register. She forgot to hand me my food to go and I got a parking ticket because she was taking so long to take care of me. Smh. Food was expensive and not worth it. Sorry Whisk, you lost a few customer. Get better and friendly staff!!!
(1)
Sebastian W.
Havent been here since i moved out if UK, but this place is THE place to have brunch at. The Pumpkin cinnamon pancakes are AMAZING, take advantage of their BYOB and No corkage fee. I cant wait to go back for dinner next time I'm visiting my sister and sit on their patio.
(5)
Tracy L.
Such an amazing place! I am in love with chilaquiles and they made them just right. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Dan S.
I got the famous "Ron Swanson" burger last night and was completely underwhelmed. Ow was cooked way over well done and served on a bun about 3x bigger than the burger. Wouldn't have been a big deal, but seeing that they charge $18 for the burger it kinda is.
(2)
natalia k.
Average place. Got a burger , it was very satisfying. Place has an odd smell but I wouldn't say it's reflective of the quality. Very neat and clean. Used groupon. Worth a try!
(4)
Charlotte B.
Mediocre at best. So many better breakfasts. We were very disappointed. Amateur. Food prep. That did not know how to prepare egg over easy or it sat & cooked waiting to go out. Had to send hard cooked egg dish back. Snicker French toast like what I make at home with Nutella. Just not ready for prime time! When woman who seemed to be front of house mgr asked & was told about our experience, she seemed ill prepared to comment or make an effort to make us want to come back. Skip this one. Not worth a wait either. Felt sorry for ppl waiting & complaining about their wait on our way out
(2)
Thomas T.
Great location in the Ukrainian Village. The food was very good. Great burgers, fries & the salted caramel pancakes were amazing. Our only problem was upon entering there was a stuffy smell of mold. The closer to the back of the restaurant you go the stronger the mold becomes. The washroom was unbearable. Remediate your mold problem Whisk, we want to breath.
(3)
Cori D.
Shrimp and cheesy grits - so, so good. Had that this morning, and I'll definitely come back again for it. (My friend had the crab benedict, and she said it was really good too.) I'd heard this pace was small, so I was really worried about getting a table for brunch on labor day weekend, but, by the time my friend arrived, we were seated. Score! Also, I saw other reviewers had complained about the service, but it was flawless for us. Our waiter was super funny and nice. And coffee refills were prompt, which is pretty important to me in a brunch place.
(5)
Daisy R.
Really good place to have breakfast. I went with my boyfriend and it was really relaxing. I ordered the banana berry pancakes, let me just say I'm not a fan of pancakes and these were really good, they weren't too sweet for breakfast. My boyfriend ordered the Ukrainian scrambled eggs. We ended up trying each other's dish and we loved both of them. The one thing I didn't like was the coffee which was watered down but other than that I would love to go again and try the biscuit and gravy as well as the gourmet pops. This a very well recommended place. I'm glad I came here and I'll be going back soon.
(4)
Victoria A.
Food was delicious! We ordered the Reese's pancakes, when whisk hash, and the biscuits and gravy. Portions are large and the environment is adorable. Love the Ron Swanson painting everywhere! Found them hilarious.
(4)
Vivian R.
I've only been for breakfast so far but everything I've had, has been DELICIOUS!! The David's special is my absolute favorite but nothing I've tried was disappointing, all good! Definitely a must try!
(5)
Mich S.
YES!! YES!! Whisk, has done it. I have wanted to find a dinning experience that offered the American style brunch with a twist of Mexican flavor. I LOVE THIS PLACE. The steak and Chicken options are excellent. Cooked magnificently leaving your taste buds pleased and wanting more. The owners David and Rick are great people and hard at work. They take what they do seriously but treat it as a craft not a job. They love what they do and it shows through the food, flavor and experience. I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Katie V.
Ordered delivery from here which was very fast , alwasy awesome!! We got a burger and a turkey burger with regular/cajun fries. Both were good , toppings were fresh, buns were good. However, the burger seem to be a pre-formed pattie and was dry. There was no option to request how to cook the burger. Both definitely have MSG or other preservatives due to symptoms after eating. Wanted to love this place but probably won't return.
(3)
Matt M.
I'm signing up for Yelp mainly to write a review of this wonderful restaurant. In December of 2012, my girlfriend and I moved to the Ukrainian Village because it was the perfect central location for both of our jobs, and we really enjoyed the vibe of the neighborhood. However, when we welcomed our son in 2013, we realized that the neighborhood was not the best for taking kids out to eat. We love the restaurants in the area and Wicker Park, but found that many of the restaurants are of the bar/gastropub variety, and many that will welcome kids don't have high chairs or children's menus. Don't get me wrong, we understand the desire for the childless to eat without being surrounded by crying/screaming kids, and we are the first to remove our son if he acts up. Still, though, we don't always want to cook or grab takeout. Whisk was a godsend for us. The food is delicious. Try the David's Special (shrimp and grits) or the morning hash. They are both "slap your grandma" delicious. Plus, while they are not all up to par, the bottled rootbeers that they sell are all interesting tastes. Best of all, they are very accommodating for families. When we first went in (within two weeks of their opening), Whisk didn't have a kids menu, but they happily gave us several child-friendly options for $5-$6. Our little guy loved the chicken strips. The next time we came back, they had an official menu, but our son didn't care for the changes made to the chicken. They happily made it for him "original style." He also loves the burger and Mickey Mouse pancakes. We live almost directly across the street, so we have seen Whisk in the middle of the week for dinner when it's almost empty and on busy weekend brunches. We have never had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a table. The servers are extremely friendly. We want to give a special shout out to Sonya who always makes time to stop by our table for a brief chat whenever we come in. I think our son might be developing a little crush. She certainly adds to the warm family atmosphere that we've experienced every time we come to Whisk.
(5)
Terra Z.
The food was great I would give this more stars. As soon as we were done eating, the manager asked us to leave to give the table to another party even though the restaurant was not busy. I have never experienced that before.
(1)
Billy S.
If you're looking for food that's just a step above a random truck stop diner, or not quite as good as Chili's, then Whisk is your place! My Whisk experience, in chronological order, went from bad to worse: - Glasses were dirty - Waiter was clueless about the menu - We were served the wrong order - Food failed on all levels: Taste, presentation, and creativity The chilaquiles were mush, the fries were oily and limp, and the burger tasted like it had been microwaved. It was only $25 bucks for two people, but we could have eaten at McD's across the street for half that and been more satisfied.
(1)
Leang E.
I was sad to know that Chickpea had gotten replaced because it was the closest Mediterranean food spot to me, and then I ate here at Whisk and all was forgiven. I had already done my research in buying my GiltCity voucher because this place had 4 stars here and saw that it was BYOB. I decided that it was ok for us to try this place out for dinner before brunch first. My boyfriend and I were impressed by the service. Scott, our waiter, was great with the recommendations and was genuinely personable and very attentive. On special that day were the wings which were pretty good if you like them breaded as they were nice and crispy and not soggy. I was able to do the breakfast style House burger which was AMAZE-balls! I've never had a burger that was made out of a French toast as the buns before and it was a great combination of sweetness with the saltiness of the filling inside - the egg, the tortilla strips, chorizo, and burger meat and the right amount of spicy. Scott was so money about pairing the burger with the chimichurri fries. Holy cow - so flavorful and I didn't even need or want this with ketchup and I am definitely a sauce girl. I would say watch out because the garlic is pretty potent, so make-out sessions will be put on hold. Prices are reasonable. This only makes me want to come here for brunch.
(5)
Shannon C.
Awesome Goose Island root beer and one of the best huavoes Ranchero I've ever had. Amazing and friendly service!
(4)
Jenny A.
I visited Whisk on a weekday morning for breakfast with a girlfriend. Despite being one of two parties in the restaurant, we did not receive great service. I had to ask the server for a coffee refill several times. They were also out of the menu item that I wanted. I thought the menu was not especially interesting.
(3)
Heather M.
The food here is outstanding!! Unique flavors and dishes in a sea of generic brunch places. The Whisk hash, pulled pork, sweet potatoes, eggs and an amazing savory hollandaise..... Nom nom nom. I don't know if I will ever try the sandwiches here because the breakfast fare is just so damn delicious. A true gem in Ukrainian Village!!
(5)
Brian H.
Visited this place with a few co-workers today. Server was quick and attentive. The place is very small, so if you don't come at the right time expect to wait a few mins. I enjoyed the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich w/Cajun fries. Chicken breast was tender with a slightly crunchy crust. The sandwich had great flavor with the spicy mayo and jalapeno cole slaw. Co-workers had Turkey Burger and Shrimp and Grits. I believe that they enjoyed theirs too because there wasn't a crumb left anyone's plate.
(4)
Melissa M.
The best Grubhub I've ever ordered! Super fast, super hot n super delicious! Get the southern style chicken sand with creamy slaw garnish! Unreal, huge portion w a side of cheese fries you will most certainly lose your mind. Dined in as well and was equally delish n byob. Try this place!!!!
(5)
Brett F.
I'm a bit torn on how i feel about this place. The food is great, but it's hipster service. We had the Breakfast Burrito and Chorizo Benedict. They were great, wish there was more on the plate. Our waiter seemed to like he didn't care how are experience was. A few examples are, coffee wasn't refilled we had to go up to the little drink bar and ask for more coffee, when telling us about the Chorizo Benedict, which was the special, all he said was, "It's good" no further description. The drinks list we got was literally a handwritten piece of copy paper folded in half that was wet....wtf? It was just not a great experience with out waiter and it seemed like that was the general vibe through the place. The back of house definitely has their stuff together, the front of house needs some help and direction. The prices were very reasonable for the food, around 8-12$ for all the plates. It is a BYOB place, so that's nice. The soda they had was all glass bottled soda and about $3 a bottle a little high for me to enjoy a soda. The actual space is nice for groups of about 5-7 people. They have a few big booths. I get it, you want to be cool and hip, but a smile and some pleasantries go a long way when you are waiting on someone. This place would get 4 stars from me if not for the service. I might try dinner here.
(3)
M. J. W.
Considering the trove of 1-2 star reviews, I had to come down and see what all the fuss was about. Honestly, I don't have one negative thing to say about the joint. The space itself is intimate, the decor is warm and nonintrusive, the staff was pleasant and personable and our orders came out in the normal expectation for a brunch establishment. I had my two kids with me, and we were very happy to see Mickey Mouse pancakes on the menu (much respect for going out of the way for kids, thank you)! This made my life so much easier. I appreciated the build-your-own omelette (as this keeps us picky eaters placated). I think the only minor issues I had were that the side portions with my meal were smaller than most other places, and the kids pancakes (only $4, not bad at all) didn't come with a side such as fruit - again like many other places. Again, very minor and more thank likely a chef's choice I guess. The other was that the waitperson was all alone. No busser, no back up at all. She had to seat everyone, pour everyone's water, coffee, take orders from all the sit downs and the take-out orders of people who walked in. She had the whole room to herself. I was scared for her, I really was. We'll be back again, but more than likely due to the size of the place and lack of quality brunch places nearby, we'll stay away on the weekends. I bet this place has a line on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
(5)
La'Dweena S.
We went on a Sunday evening and had steak, tacos and burgers and all the food was great! We had three children in our party and the server was AWESOME and had the kids LOL !!! The prices are very reasonable and the portion sizes were perfect. I would go back again.
(4)
Samantha R.
I love the food, love the service but would never return due to the uneducated, useless host. He clearly has not been in the industry long and doesn't care to stay. Sunrise is next door and Old Oak down the street which are both amazing and less frustrating. Don't waste your time at whisk.
(1)
Matt G.
Friendly, fast, tasty, and reasonably priced. Chilaquiles were some of the best I've had, garden omelet was ok, but way too heavy on the garlic. Overall a good spot, though. I'll certainly be returning.
(4)
C. B.
Really a very good neighbor spot. Although our fourth time, my husband and I agree that when it gets busy, the food out of the kitchen slows down drastically. It remains very good, but it can slow. Crab cakes with a mild but tasty chipotle sauce is wonderful, 33 omelet is fluffy, and they're pancakes are great, the pancake batter they use is excellent especially with the berries and bananas on top! Huevos rancheros are delicious. I love they're cheesy grits, a hint of spicy type heat but really excellent. Service is friendly and thorough. Go!
(4)
Matt T.
Whisk is a pretty good local brunch spot -- it's become quite hard to go anywhere that isn't BYOB so we loved that. Place is a very small and the wait for seating is hard when your hungover and craving biscuits and gravy (order them). Service was good. Portions are huge. Would go back again.
(4)
Rocky S.
Eat here often. Live about 15 minutes walk but worth it to get breakfast anytime I'm in the area. The Mexican spins on breakfast are exactly the spicy kick I need in the mornings to start the day. If I could eat here everyday I would, but great for families when I get a chance to bring the kid with me on weekends. Highly recommend these guys. Staff is very courteous. Worth trying at least once.
(5)
Jim M.
A visit to Whisk always feels like a visit to your best friends place. Great food and wonderful people. I've been there many times and have never been disappointed.
(4)
Jun-Jun V.
we ordered the house burger, big bite burger, and wings. 1. the house burger was cooked just how we liked it. medium rare. it was juicy and full of flavor. the chipotle mayo and guac paired well together. this was my favorite of the 2 we ordered. 2. the big bite burger was slightly over cooked and i think it needed a little more bbq sauce to complete it. 3. their award winning wings were fantastic. moist, great sauces, and defintitely worth it. i am definitely ordering these again next time.
(4)
M Q.
This is my favorite place in Chicago. Great food, better service. If you want a place to eat well, be welcome and have a nice night, this is it!
(5)
dee l.
We had high hopes after reading reviews but it was very disappointing. In a nutshell, the service was ok, the coffee was bitter and their chilaquilles were terrible. They basically piled tortilla pieces on a plate, mixed those with a bland tomato sauce, burnt/tough pieces of chicken and topped it with an egg. We also ordered the pork and sweet potatoes dish which was better. We won't be returning.
(2)
David B.
Great new find. This is my newest favorite burger place in Chicago and the southern fried chicken is tasty as well. I've been here 3 times in the last 2 weeks for dinner and brunch. It keeps on getting better and better. I haven't even had the burger wrapped in bacon with bacon mayo yet but that will have to be in my future update. What I can say is they serve delicious burgers and sandwiches on buttery toasted buns with Cajun or Regular fries. I had the burger topped with a poached egg and the chicken sandwich comes with Jalepēno slaw, I did throw some Bacon mayo on the chicken instead of the Chipoltle mayo. Top it off with a Homemade iced tea or BYOB. Love it
(5)
Melanie A.
I've been hearing about lines out the door on weekends, so I came here on a quiet Mon morning and I can see why people line up, this place is great! I was able to resist the Snickers French toast, but that's definitely for next time, and got an omelet instead. Great flavors, wonderful service and a fun space. I had a friend visiting from Dallas so we tried many breakfast spots while she was here and this was definitely our favorite. Come on a weekday if you can and avoid the crowd!
(5)
Eli W.
Had brunch here the other day and it was amazing!! The waiter was awesome! He was so friendly and nice and provided great service! And the food was wonderful as well! Highly suggested!!!!! The back patio is the place to go!
(5)
Nicholas G.
I've really enjoyed every single thing I've eaten here. I've been at least a dozen times now, and everything I've had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner has been really tasty. Friendly staff, cute atmosphere. Only complaint I've ever had was on one occasion when one member of the staff was playing his iPod over the stereo and he had pretty questionable taste in music (it skewed heavily Nickelback, which, ew). But still - awesome burgers and breakfast.
(5)
Laura M.
This sweet little place was a delightful surprise. The Blue Crab cakes were so very tasty and just the right size. The turkey club had layer upon layer of flavor. It's a big portion for a great price.
(4)
Brian S.
I have been back every week and not had one bad dish. David's special (shrimp n grits) are excellent. My favorite is Buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich (slaw on side) is best chicken sandwich i ever had. EVER!! Shrimp p.o. boy, chicken and waffles, chiliqules...everything is so good. BYOB from Mariana across the street is awesome. Or I sometimes get their large selection of bottled pop(goose island root beer) You need to try this place out. Right now, go right now.
(5)
Meredith F.
We've been here a few times for brunch and dinner. Love the Omelets and French Toast here! Very decadent! The Burgers are good and love the different fries, Chimchurri and pepper jack are good. Place is BYOB so prices are great. Will definitely be back to try the other dishes!
(4)
Jason R.
The smoked, pulled brisket with sweet potato was wonderful! This is the place to go for creative, quality comfort food! Yes, service could be a little bit faster...but...considering that they have only been opened for a week, this is to be expected...I am confident that this small kink will get worked out in no time.
(5)
Jeremy P.
My new favorite place. I'm a stickler for good service, and this place passes with flying colors. Blazing fast free wi-fi and a flavorful, unique menu put this over the top. David's Special will melt your brain. I could see a restaurant skimping on every ingredient in this dish to botch it royally, so I didn't have high expectations. However, the shrimp is big, meaty, and cooked just right, the cheesy grits are hearty and flavorful, the bacon is actual bacon that's been coarsely crushed, and the sauce is bold and ties everything together. It is very rich and filling, so don't be surprised that it doesn't come with any "sides;" it is packed with hearty goodness. My other favorites are the Gobbler Burger, The House burger, and Crab Benedict (weekends only) because they are all filling, bold, well-balanced unique concepts.
(5)
Leila H.
Came for brunch. Friendly staff and well-prepared food. It's BYO, but there's a Mariano's across the street. Will be back to try their PM burger menu.
(4)
Chris F.
Great place nice patio in Back Scott our waiter was super helpful and very attentive I had the southern fried chicken sandwich with jalapeño coleslaw Awesome everything was great and byob
(4)
Jesse W.
I've been here before for dinner with friends so my parents and I decided to check it out for brunch today thinking it will be slow since is 4th of july but we were wrong. After waiting in line we were greated and told it will be a 30 minute wait so knowing there isnt anyother good brunch place around we decided to wait. Once we got seated we order the David's special, chilaquiles and the mexican scramble after 15 minutes the food came out and if was gone before we even had a coffee refill on our table. The flavors and textures were on point, it was defitnetly worth the wait. we will defitnetly keep coming back since we live in the neighboorhood and this has become our favorite brunch place,
(5)
Clare J.
I haven't written a yelp review in a year... Dining at Whisk not only made me want to start my yelp return today but Ill also be returning to Whisk tomorrow. Three Words.. Fried Chicken Taco... Ive lived in New York, dabbled in L.A., frequented taco spots in Chicago. Ive never ever ever had a taco this good. This restaurant is seriously going to be one of my go to spots this Summer. They also have an excellent burger which you can turn into breakfast by adding french toast (who does that?) Not to mention the quaint out door seating, the perfect chill spot. The real kicker was its BYOB.. Theres a Mariano's across the street with a vast liquor option!
(5)
Kevin W.
We live in the area and went in for breakfast a few weeks ago. The place smelled like bleach strong enough that it almost forced us to leave, and in hindsight we should've. The coffee was barely luke warm and had a cheap, watered down taste to it. The bread was old and stale and the breakfast in general was not very good. We whisked ourselves out of there and will not return. Just about every breakfast place in our area is better than this. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
mike w.
Had the most amazing sandwich at Whisk, Southern Chicken fried with jalapeno coleslaw! And its BYOB, definitely coming back for weekend brunch
(5)
Bethany S.
Great food! Fun atmosphere! Interesting and yummy menu! And GREAT coffee! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Jackie G.
Food was good not wowing but good. Customer service was above par for this little cozy place. We were greeted before we even walked to the door who showed us to our seats.
(3)
JC W.
This place won't be around long. We were so excited about a new place in our neighborhood, but they are not ready to operate a restaurant in Chicago. The staff was attempting to be very helpful, but the product they're putting out is just awful. We went for brunch on a Sat. Took a few minutes to get sat, but you can expect that for a new place. After being sat, it took 10 minutes to get water. We had the menu and ordered immediately. Took another 10 minutes to get our drinks, or at least half of our drinks. They forgot my wife's OJ, which is a good thing. Took another 25 minutes to get the food. Overall service and timing was sub-par, but that was the best part of the experience. The food and beverages were awful. When we did get our drinks the "sweet lemon tea" was just from a non-descript a can, not even Lipton quality. They were trying to hide it, but they got caught. Everyone who ordered the tea took one sip and sat it down. The OJ is from a generic half-gallon carton. Not fresh squeezed, probably from a restaurant supply store. We took 1 drink and that was enough. You can tell the level of quality from a restaurant when they're not willing to invest in good beverages. Then came the food. My wife ordered a chorizo omelet. They forgot the toast, which the staff had no idea it was suppose to come with the omelet. They also forgot the main ingredient, the queso fresco sauce that was supposed to go on the omelet. The omelet was full if potatoes and a half blackened lump of avocado, barely any chorizo. It was cooked to a dark brown and so dry she had to smother it in ketchup to get any taste. I got the beef brisket hash. THE MEET WAS SPOILED. My wife took a bite and immediately spit it out. Never had that happen anywhere ever. Sat it aside and picked through the cold potatoes and ate part of the over-medium eggs, which were burnt on the edges. As we sat there and contemplated what to do, we watched other people taste the tea, OJ and their entrees and saw the same reaction. Nobody finished their food. A few bites and plates were set aside. Not good. I have high hopes that they will turn things around, but it's obvious they spent more time on the decor than the food. They're going to have a hard time getting any return business. Word on the street will spread fast about the food they're attempting to churn-out. Too bad. It's a cool little spot in a great neighborhood.
(1)
Rich B.
Great food from previous visits .horrible waitress if you are pressed for time. I was in a hurry and ready to order but waitress insisted on asking everyone who wasnt ready first. Had to walk out with just coffee. Never again!
(2)
York H.
I write this review having eaten at Whisk about 8 times, each at different times of the week. After the other night, I decided that 8 times was 8 times too many. The service here is absolutely horrible. You wait 15 minutes just for them to get you started with a cup of water, but by the time that cup of water arrives, you wonder if it came from whatever broken pipe system that yields that horrible smell of URINE that plagues the entire restaurant. So, in a way, maybe them taking forever to get you drinks is a good thing? After that serving of water, you'll have to wait another 15 minutes for them to finally reach your table and take your order. No, ladies and gentlemen, this isn't because the place is busy: the long wait times are present even if there's only one other couple at the restaurant ordering a modest burger entree. After they take your order, you wait for your food. I swear to God: once, I actually forgot what I ordered, it took them so long. I've eaten at burger joints all over the Chicagoland area: Umami, DMK, Kuma's, etc. I've eaten at restaurants all over Ukrainian village/Wicker Park as well. There's simply no excuse for how long the food takes to arrive at the table. Hell, even Michelin-starred restaurants deliver food quicker than Whisk does. If you don't believe me, try it out. So your food finally arrives: you're not very hungry anymore, as the stench of URINE has wiped away any appetite you had (you're no longer hungry- so maybe the stench of urine is a good thing?) but hey, the food is in front of you, so might as well eat it, right? Most times, the food was surprisingly decent. One bite led to another, if only to disguise the olfactory (nasal) senses from the plumbing mess in the bathroom. One time, though, the food wasn't cooked so well. That trip to the emergency room set me back, and it's one of those instances that I count my blessings for having health insurance. The bill comes: I mean, the prices aren't bad at all on paper. However, considering that for the same amount of money, you can get a MUCH more satisfying experience elsewhere, I'd say that anything above $2-3 is just overpriced. Don't get me started with their take out. DON'T DO THE TAKE OUT. They tell you "15 minutes," on the phone. You wait 15 minutes, show up, and patiently wait an extra 10 minutes just to find out they haven't even started your meal yet. Did I mention this happened to me during a slow night, with no one else in the restaurant? When you ask for your money back (after all, you have no food in your hand and need to get on with your life), they treat the ordeal as if they're doing you a favor. Do yourself a favor and find a restaurant that has standards.
(1)
Gayle P.
Update:-Visit #2. The coffee was thankfully a NEW blend and was great. The bacon was still not a favorite. Hubbie had the croissant breakfast sandwich and devoured it. The owner guessed who I was from my last visit and coffee comment....Hhhmmm. I appreciate owners who "listen" to their customers and adjust where needed. St.John 3:16
(4)
Becca R.
Whisk's menu will make you drool as you read over it. Burgers to tacos, chicken and waffles to wraps and salads. The choices and selection is great. It is not your average burger or taco, they have great, fresh ingredients that make the food taste even better. The group I was with ordered beer battered tilapia tacos with a jalapeño aioli, a horseshoe (a ginormous burger on Texas toast), and chilaquiles. Everything Was delicious, can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)
Jessica F.
My man and I stopped by here looking to share a burger. This place is great! The patty was cooked perfectly ( I asked for medium well) the fries were tasty and the server was sweet and attentive. They also split the meal on two plates for no extra charge. We will be back!
(5)
Tatiana B.
Mediocre at best. Food took 45 minutes to come out, and was cold. No coffee refill and service was Ok. Not in a rush to come back.
(2)
Andrea H.
I recently visited Whisk for my birthday dinner with 10 of my friends. The GM, Samantha, was so very accomodating and made our experience delightful. The ambience was very nice, service was wonderful and everyone was so nice and polite. Beers stayed cold, appetizers were flowing and music was enjoyable..not too loud. The presentation of the food was up to par and the flavors and spices used in the dishes were stellar. Since we had such a big group we were lucky enough to order a little of this and a little of that as we shared across the table. My recommendations include the steak or crispy tacos (sauce on both were amazing), the House burger and the ANY of the fries side selection. YUM! I enjoyed my visit to Whisk and will be back for more!
(4)
Patrick S.
Really good place, good burgers and fries, looking forward to trying the tacos
(4)
Jennifer P.
Just visited this place for the first time and I had a great experiences. We had the Daniel's special, biscuits and gravy and steak and eggs. All was absolutely delicious!! Good portion size and great variety. They have some service kinks to work out..nothing major but I will be back for brunch. Oh yeah and BYOB so don't forget your champagne.
(4)
Mandy B.
Tried Whisk on Sunday... it was delicious! I loved their menu and the patio. The service was a bit slow... if it's Sunday morning and I don't have a coffee poured for me (or at least offered) within a minute of being seated, I'm annoyed. But the food made up for that. We had the breakfast burrito and the Dave's Special (shrimp and grits). Bother were tasty. Nothing mind blowing, but good food. There are many more options on the menu I am willing to go back and try.
(3)
Jaun F.
I finally made it here for breakfast and it was really good. My omelette was perfect as was the service. I'll most definitely be back.
(4)
Andrew D.
this was my first time trying Whisk and it was fantastic! they are byob but have a unique selection of craft sodas, I tried the rhubarb and was not disappointed. we had hot BBQ wings which had great flavor. the burgers were juicy and tasted as good as any of the best burger bars in the city, we tried the big bite and the Ron Swanson. The fries were only okay and they had limited appetizer and dessert menus. our server was very friendly and the whole staff took great care of us.
(4)
Imran A.
Burger sucked. Preformed and prefrozen patty was mushy and tasteless. Space is nice and down the street from me so may come back for their brunch. Hopefully that would be better.
(2)
Joseph S.
This would be 5 stars but they are still working out the kinks with service when there is a line out the door on weekends. The reason is that their brunch is awesome as are their burgers. The wait for food has been a little long during busy periods which is always a little frustrating. If you go in at other times, you're in for a real treat. They have a friendly staff. I'm addicted to their burgers and they are a great addition to Chicago Ave. And BYOB.
(4)
Ann S.
I had decent expectations for this place none of which were met. Our server wasn't very pleasant to start. And I couldn't get her attention to get a cup of coffee. Our food came and it wasn't hot. I sent mine back and the manager wasn't very great about it. Then before I got my food my boyfriend found paper from the ham in his omlet. By this point neither of us was very hungry. The manager was apologetic and took care of the bill. But needless to say we won't be back.
Can't comment on the quality of the food because after about 50 minutes, it never came out. Waitress came at about the 40 minute mark to ask us, "How are you doing over here? Just waiting for your food?". Five minutes later, she asked us to clarify what we ordered. Shouldn't take 45 minutes to clarify an order. Really unfortunate. Decided to leave a few minutes later to eat next door where the good was great, and we were in and out in about half the time.
(1)
Andrew L.
I saw the menu for this place after drunkenly stumbling out of Gari sushi one night and I knew I had to come back. So I did. I got the breakfast burrito which was WAY better than Flash Taco, by like 1 billion times. You suck Flash Taco. Anyways my girl got the shrimp and bacon and cheese grits bowl which was equally bomb. I don't think I'll ever forgive her for getting the last order of cheese grits (although the potatoes I got instead were pure tits with a side of ranch). These guys also have butterscotch root beer which is tied with GTA V for 2nd best thing after sex. The only reason this place missed the 5 star rating was our server who had way too much energy for my hungover ass. He was just too peppy. I'd even go so far so as to say he was peppy as fuck. Dude needs to dial it back a bit. Regardless I'll probably be back this sunday to try the snickers pancakes or french toast or waffle or whatever. It has Snickers in it. I'm sold.
(4)
Jenna B.
First when we got there it was a wait and no one seemed to know where to go. Then we got to sit down to get a large glass bottle of water..... No cups so we asked for some cups. When our waitress finally came she had a thousand mile stare and didn't know the menu and asked us if she forgot anything and had a little cheat sheet to see what came with what on the menu and to get a refill of tea was a cluster because she gave a refill but there was no ice in the glass so I had asked for glass of ice and the waitress had come back with a small kids cup with ice. After ordering we had waited for 45 minutes until we asked if someone could check on our food. Shortly after a man came and asked what we ordered once we told him another woman asked what we ordered then came back and asked again. After that 2 out of our party of 4 received their food. Expecting the two other plates we didn't get them. Then our server came back and tried to ask is what we ordered and we told her that we were leaving because we had waited for an hour so we went to tumans tavern.
(1)
Brian T.
Eaten here more than a few times. I wanted to try many things before I gave my opinion. I'm not a huge breakfast person but friends I went with had the breakfast. After eating here I would ask my friends what they thought. The response was always the same. It was ok. Not amazing but not bad. I felt the burgers were under seasoned. Fries are delicious. Tacos were good. My friends had the chicken a waffles, said they were good but the portion of chicken was fairly small. We noticed The chicken breast was split between the two of them. It was fried well but then cut in half and put on their plates. Kind of odd imo. I would eat here again but not a go to spot.
(3)
Summer F.
Brunch here was great, the biscuits and gravy, the crab cakes, everything excellent. Portions were good for the prices. Friendly service, nice comfortable seating so I didnt feel like I was dining with the next table. Great brunch spot, no complaints
(5)
Stephan S.
Solid experience.
(4)
Donna K.
This place serves great food and the prices are fair. It is also a BYOB. However if they don't get their act together they will be closing . They should be turning the tables every 45 minutes. I arrived with three of my fiends at 1145am. I saw lots of people standing outside . There was a host stand , but no one was there. I went in and spoke with one of the owners or managers. He said it would be 20 minute wait. Perfect! However , we were not seated until 1230pm. Which is not a problem . They were slammed and very disorganized. They have some Booths and shared tables. We were sat at the end of a shared table. We thought we were going to be served quick because they had two waitress asking for our order . We had to ask for silverware. Again the food was great, but they need to work in being more organized . Maybe it was disorganized because it was Memorial Day and few places were open. I really hope this was the case
(3)
Emily M.
I have been here twice and the food is excellent but they are pretty disorganized. The first time I figured they were still working out the kinks and today maybe it was because it's a holiday, but it really seems like the folks running the place may know food but not the restaurant business. We were told a 20 minute wait and it was about a 45 minute wait. Now I don't mind a 45 minute wait (it's brunch, I'm used to it), but I want to know how long it's actually going to be. Even after our table was 10+ over the 20 minute quote they were still saying 20-30 minutes. They don't appear very good at figuring this out. My friend asked the host to check on it and he said he'd get back to us but then seemed to forget he told us this because he never did come back. Once we sat two waitresses came over (separately) to take our order when we had been seated about 15 seconds. (A minute with the menu would be nice. Please don't come to take my drink order and also asked wide-eyed, looking terribly frantic, if I'm ready to order when I literally just sat down.) We asked them to come back, and when the first came back, we placed out order. Then the second came back again and looked terribly confused when we said we'd already ordered. The waitresses don't seem to be assigned to any particular table, which leads to total chaos. Even if they help each other, each table should have a server responsible for it. It took probably 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The dishes were excellent, and fortunately we weren't that hungry, but the slow kitchen time explains the long wait for a table. I was concerned ordering over easy eggs from a frantic restaurant but they came out perfectly cooked. (I had the hash.) I didn't realize it until I read a review (which I could tell was the people sitting next to us), but my breakfast was supposed to come with toast and I didn't get any! Interesting that both groups had this issue. Finally, despite the fact that we evidently had 2 waitresses, it took us 20-30 minutes to get the check because they kept scurrying by without looking over. When we'd been waiting 10 minutes or so, I asked the completely frazzled host to send our waitress over with it, but he seemed to forget and alas, 10 minutes passed and I finally had to get up and find her and ask for it. And then I had to walk my credit card over to her. To make money as a brunch place, especially BYOB, you need to get the tables turned. (And they are charging not very much for very large portions. I'm not complaining, but how can they survive if every table sits for 2 hours waiting without buying booze?) Through no fault of ours, we were probably sitting there for at least an hour total not eating, if you add up the time before the food arrived and after we got the check. They could probably be doing double the business if they were properly managed. I write this review not because I was annoyed or angry, but because I would genuinely like to see this place get better because the food is good and I love having another good brunch place nearby. The servers and everyone seemed friendly as well so no complaints there. I just think they need to take a critical eye to how they run the restaurant or I'm afraid it is going to close. (The rent can't be cheap. Chickpea was very popular and still closed.) Even with big crowds outside, if you can't get people through efficiently, you won't make money at brunch.
(3)
Ian M.
I am very disappointed with the service and overall experience during brunch today. Not only did we wait at least 15 minutes for the server to come by and acknowledge us, when we finally were able to order, the server seemed very confused about the menu and was acting rude. My wife asked for ice, and she never came back with it. So we asked a bus boy to bring it to us. We also ordered two cups of coffee that were brought out after our food came, which was never refilled during our entire hour and a half brunch. During our long wait, we had to get up several times to get our own water from the jugs sitting on the counter, which wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't run out of water jugs or if someone came by to see how we were doing or needed any more water. When we got our food, we asked for butter for the untoasted English muffins, but again, was never given what we requested. Our friend ordered the breakfast burrito and it came without some of the ingredients listed in the menu. We couldn't even ask for the missing ingredients because the waitress never came back after we received our food to see how our food was. When we were clearly not finished eating, we were asked by two other workers if they could take our plates away. Finally we got our check, still without the waitress asking how we were doing or if we needed anything else. Poor food quality and service for the price. Maybe get more staff? We miss Chickpea!
(1)
M F.
Easy - really really great food, really really poor service. We've been in two times now. Food was really tasty, but little to no check in from waitstaff. Coffee never refilled, brought food but no silverware, had to wait 5 minutes to flag someone down to get a fork so we could eat.
(1)
Dante P.
What a nice surprise. The crab Benedict is fabulous. They put a chipotle sauce with the hollandaise and lots of crab to make the most fabulous Benedict that I've ever tasted. The service was amazing. My glass of coffee or water was never empty. This particular dish is only served on weekends but whisk is definitely worth a visit anytime.
(5)
Mike C.
Horrible experience. I had an Amazon Local voucher for lunch. I came with my 2 boys on Saturday at 2:00. They wouldn't honor the voucher claiming that it was "brunch"on weekends until 5:00. I showed them the voucher which did not have any exclusions (I.e., not valid on weekends), but they still wouldn't honor it. They could have made some accommodation, but didn't do anything even though the manager admitted the error was their fault. It was a total bait and switch. I was stuck ordering lunch for my boys or else I would have simply walked out. And they ruined the lunch for my boys who didn't like the confrontational manner of the manager. Thanks! And the food and service was just average. Will never go back to this place. There is no reason to patronize a place who fails to honor its commitments. They won't be in business for long if they don't change their ways. You can only play the bait and switch game for so long. Hopefully, this review helps others avoid the same fate and hastens the demise of this place.
(1)
I L.
Came here today (friday) for lunch after so so many positive raves and reviews and impossible to get in waits over the weekends. Walked in no problem, got a seat right away. The lady serving us had zero smile on her face, very cold, stand-off-ish, clearly she was working for the tip... Ordered the chicken wings that on their board were said to be some of the best? yea right, dry, deep fried, not fresh, sorry, wont be trying those again. My friend had the fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw on top, word of advice, coleslaw is good and not expensive, put more on! Dont be stingy, in the South they cover the whole portion with coleslaw, not 1/3. I had the pulled pork with hollandaise on top, very tasty. During our meal we had the waitress come up to us and ask us in a very cold manner if everything is ok, of course its ok im afraid to say no to you. Never got a refill of the water from the busboy, I shouldn't have to ask.. All in all, Mexique for brunch down the street with no line or Flo a few blocks further kill this place, so no reason for the hype in all honesty.
(2)
Nicole B.
Went for dinner and had great food and great service. An excellent addition to the neighborhood! Will definitely be going back again, this time to try the brunch!
(5)
Lisa R.
I really really wanted to love this place, but I didn't. I loved the food at Rocking Horse and High Dive. I expected great things since the chef from those two left and opened Whisk. Went early on Saturday. Service was slow and appeared unexperienced. I ordered the crab benedict. My eggs were supposed to be poached. They BOTH looked poached but when I cut into them, they were hard boiled. What a disappointment. I took my friend for birthday breakfast. She ordered the breakfast burrito. She had ask for the salsa that was to be served with it. I normally wouldn't send a dish back, but those "poached" eggs were awful. By the time I got my new plate, my friend was almost done with her plate. We basically ate breakfast individually. Once I got the new plate, I wasn't super impressed with the taste. I may have just been turned off by the whole experience thus far, I'm not sure. The potatoes were great though, otherwise I would have gave one star.
(2)
Sky cake W.
First off, I hate writing bad reviews. The only reason I'm doing this now is so hopefully the owners will read it and take some action. Living in this neighborhood, I really wanted the place to be great. Unfortunately it came up short in almost every way. The place has been revamped since it was Chickpea and I have to say I liked it. But that is the only positive thing I have to say. The service was slow (the food took almost 30 minutes) and the waitress forgot my drink despite telling her twice. But the food was the real disappointment. I had the chorizo omelet and it was dry, practically burnt, and they forgot to add the pico. It also only had a smattering of chorizo - it could more accurately be described as a potato omelet. My husband had the beef hash and the meat actually tasted gamey, almost spoiled. Needless to say, we only had a few bites of the food. Also, the orange juice is straight out of a jug and the iced tea is canned. I wish I could say they just needed some tweaking, but with the food being so bad, I think they just need to start over.
(1)
Walter T.
Come here hungry, the food is so good you won't want to stop eating. Be it Brunch or Dinner haven't had a bad experience yet! The decor adds a unique flair to the restaurant, including a giant whisk in front. Great ode to Ron Swanson with a burger wrapped in a pound of bacon, yum!!!
(5)
Brian K.
Went for breakfast a few weeks ago with my girlfriend for breakfast. It was a weekday and it was not very crowded - there was only one server working so it took a little while for us to make our order. I had bacon/egg/cheese croissant, she ordered the chilaquiles. Both dishes were excellent - the Chilaquiles really stood out. I only deducted one star as the service was a bit slow and our server seemed to be wishing she was anywhere but there. Other than that it was delicious food and we will be back, hopeful to catch our server on a better day.
I love WHISK! I had the white chocolate and pear pancakes that were to die for! My husband had the southern Benedict that made me jealous ! I had a bottle of Procecco and my husband had beer. Our waiter was super friendly and super knowledgeable with the menu. He even asked if I wanted orange juice to make a Mimosa! "Why yes I do!" I wish I remembered his name, but when I go back I'll make sure to update this review!
(5)
Tim C.
Just tried to dine at Whisk. We had high hopes, but they would not let us sit on the patio with our dog. If you have a dog and want to sit outside, keep on walking.
(1)
Mak D.
I saw this restaurant on Groupon and said I had to try this place out. I had purchased the brunch Groupon for two, so I took my lady friend. We arrived there about 7:45am on a Monday and we were the first customers. My lady friend ordered the crab cake breakfast and I ordered the half caramel pancake(1 pancake instead of two), the breakfast House Burger which consisted of a 8 oz. beef burger, chorizo, avocado, chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, tortilla chips, and 2eggs(which I had sunny side up) on French Texas toast. What a burger!!! I had Greek fries on the side. We both thought the food was pretty good. The only thing we were not pleased with was the food was not hot which was surprising due to the fact that we were the only customers. Therefore we gave them a 4 star instead of a 5 star but we will come again!!!
(4)
Stephen M.
One of the best brunches I have had in a very long time. Pulled pork eggs benedict & the snickers French toast were both awesome. Added bonus they a byob! The place is not huge... expect a wait. Price is reasonable especially since they are byob.
(5)
Jay S.
Mexican brunch and gourmet burgers are two of my favorite types of food and this place has variety of excellent options in both of these categories. Several of the gourmet burgers are also Mexican inspired. I could honestly eat here for both brunch and dinner in the same day. Their goofy but very nice server/manager is very courteous and makes the dining experience even better.
(5)
Freddy F.
Great 1st experience ! We enjoyed brunch items on a Tuesday afternoon. My wife had the Whisk Hash which had a great combination of pulled pork, sweet potatoes, chipotle hollandaise and scrambled eggs, quite DELICIOUS ! I tried the Mexican Scramble which consisted of scrambled eggs, jalapeños, ham, onions, tomatoes and sour cream. Simple, yet tasteful! Then came dessert, which the name immediately caught our eye ......Snickers Stuffed French Toast, need I say more ? One word ..... UnF'nBelievable !!! On the service side they're wait/bus staff was super friendly, oh and they had the best baby changing station :) We'll see you real soon, Whisk ! Thanks!
(4)
Dan D.
solid option in UKV.
(4)
Mary Ann C.
I was eager to try this new brunch spot, and it was even better than I expected. Super cute inside. Friendly service. Kilogram tea! Really?! This shows attention to detail. But, it gets better.......the FOOD! I ordered David's Special, which included cheese grits with sauce and shrimp over. Probably a million calories, but this dish was perfectly executed and stunningly delicious! Plump and tasty shrimp, addictive grits with a creamy bacon sauce over! Piping hot. A winner. I will be back on another weekday. This place is small, so you will not see me waiting for a table (and I imagine there is a lengthy wait) on the weekends!!!!
(5)
Kaley C.
This place is the bomb dot com. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich with truffle fries, absolutely amazing. I want to go back to try their breakfast. It's also BYOB which is a plus but if you're planning on making mimosas don't order their orange juice. That was the only bad experience of my meal!
(4)
Kelley C.
"And if you like [shrimp] and grits and all that pimp shit..." We live so close to this place...but this was our first visit. YUM! Dave's Special, add a side of spinach. Omg. "Drip drip drop, there goes [a mouthgasm]..." I like the way you cook. Thank you for coming to the neighborhood.
(5)
Julie A.
Great food and byob to boot! I had a burger and one of their specialty sodas. The fries were awesome, and the food was great. I will totally be back for brunch too!
(4)
Charlotte M.
the food here is peeeeerrrfect. seriously, it's amazing. they don't skimp or try to go cheap on ingredients. haven't had anything i didn't love.
(5)
Adam J.
Great service, wonderful food, and wonderful atmosphere. The Swanson Burger was great, and could easily be shared. The Hawaiian salad was delicious also. I will come back with friends again!
(5)
Sam D.
Cute spot but i should have ordered brunch. Instead looking at menu, i ordered the chicken w pear slices and that was not to my liking. There wasn't enough chicken for the price I paid for the sandwich. The chicken was hard and not in good taste. The cajun fries on the other hand were delicious. I'll order breakfast next time.
(1)
Denise G.
When I eat brunch, I prefer to do so while a portrait of Ron Swanson watches over me, so of course I was in luck when I went to Whisk. Leslie Knope and the whole cast of Parks & Rec would have died and gone to Heaven the second they stepped through the door here. The brunch choices are absolutely amazing, and really I don't think I could have gone wrong with whatever I chose. I was torn between the Snickers French Toast, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, and the Reese's Pancakes. Narrowing my options down to one entree was so tenuous that I had to decide over a side order of bacon and an artisan soda (both delicious). Like anyone who aspires to someday weigh 9,000 pounds solely based on their choices of breakfast food, I asked my server if it was possible to try one of each pancake, and leave the Snickers French Toast for another time when I wanted to slip into a delicious food coma. Two months after my trip to Whisk, I still can't decide which pancake I liked better. I'll probably need to go back at least ten more times before I can decide. I am eager to check out the dinner menu and also add a BYOB Brunch into the mix as well. There's also a grocery store right across the street in case there is any need for BYOB reinforcements.
(5)
Gregory G.
We've returned several times since my original review. We liked it well enough, they're decent with medium sized groups, and it was extremely closeby, but today is likely my last visit. Walked in hoping to grab a quick breakfast. Several tables were open. One couple was waiting at the hostess stand waiting for their table to be set up. I asked how long for one, was told I would be seated as soon as she was back from taking them to their table, so I had a seat in the waiting area. Meanwhile, a couple walks in and waits by the stand. Hostess returns and they ask how long for two. She shows them to seats right away. Queue the party of 4 walking in saying "let's just see how long the wait is." Hostess returns, they're seated. I waited at the stand and asked what the deal was when she returned. She said it would just be a moment, as she wanted to give the servers a chance to catch up with the people she just seated. When asked why they were seated before me, she said they already had their names on the "list." When I told her I heard their conversations and knew that wasn't the case, she stumbled and rudely said "well, it'll just be a couple of minutes." As I started walking towards the door, she quickly exclaimed that she could show me to my seat, conveniently squished between a corner and another diner (there were still tables open and other seats at the bar). I just continued out the door. I don't mind waiting, I understand servers need time to catch up, and I understand you're not going to seat a person alone at a giant table right before brunch rush, but I don't appreciate being lied to. Someone needs to teach that girl the value of a customer. I won't be back, and you can be darn sure I'll be passing this on to my friends, many of whom are regular customers.
(1)
Angie D.
First time going. Had brunch with my sissy. It was FANTASTIC!! We got there at 9:45 am on a Saturday, so we beat the crowd. No wait. The food was delicious. And the BYOB.... Enough said! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Adam D.
This place is like watching Gladiator for the first time. Freaking awesome! Best breakfast I've had in a long time. I work an early shift and I'm always eating at different joints but this one is tops. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and they were the best I think I've ever had. The coffee is fantastic too. The biggest bonus was the changing table! We have 7 week old and the table in the bathroom is huge and cushioned. They definitely had families in mind when putting this place together. I'm telling you, forget Yolk or even Palace Grill. This place beats them all for breakfast.
(5)
Captain M.
This place is tiny but it has a lot of character. I've never been a huge fan of byob but they were pretty accommodating. The food was great. The service was great. I want to try the whole menu.
(4)
Michelle R.
I *love* the food at Whisk, it is amazing. The service on the other hand, is mediocre at best. I eat at Whisk often and can no longer just chalk the bad service up to someone having a bad day. The hostess there is SO unfriendly every time we're in there - without fail - and has been downright rude at other times. God forbid you go in there with a baby - she will NOT be accommodating and will undoubtedly make you feel like you're burdening her. Then there is the one server with permanent BRF - another unpleasant and very unfriendly woman to deal with. I have worked in restaurants - I know how customers can be a huge pain in the ass - but our party of 4 was very chill, friendly, and understanding yet we were still treated like crap. The people I was with have already decided they will never go back simply based on the terrible service. I don't understand how these two women still have jobs after multiple people have commented on the bad service - Whisk is starting to get a bad reputation. Aside from these two women, the rest of the staff has been pretty good. There was a gentleman who waited on us for dinner last week who was awesome. And again, the food is outstanding. Just a shame you have to feel like you're a bother when you're there.
(2)
Carrie G.
Came in around 9am this morning for breakfast with my husband. There were multiple open tables outside, so we asked the hostess about sitting out there. She informed us that we couldn't sit there because babies weren't allowed outside. Mind you we purposely left the stroller at home, knowing space is tight at Whisk. My sleeping infant was in a Bjorn carrier attached to me and didn't need a chair, which I see is an explanation management gave to another reviewer who cited similar issue when coming in with a baby. Also, when we arrived, there was a couple dining outside with their two children, so the 2 person max claim doesn't even hold. Sounds like it's time to educate the staff on exactly what your patio "rules" are. To those with children- don't bother coming here. Go down the street to child-friendly West Town Bakery- baby/kid/stroller friendly!! My husband and I sat outside at a two-top table while my infant happily snoozed in the Bjorn.
(1)
Michael V.
Whisk is a great addition to the neighborhood. I had high hopes for this place -- Chickpea was one of my favorites -- and happily I wasn't disappointed. I went for brunch for the first time this week and got the breakfast burrito. It's my test food for new brunch restaurants -- if you can nail the breakfast burrito, you can usually count on everything else being good. They nailed it -- generous chorizo, avocado and salsa. My companions got the chorizo omelette and the fried chicken sandwich, and both loved their meals. Looking forward to taking one of those fried chicken sandwiches home for dinner soon. Service was great, although the wait for the food was a little long considering that they weren't particularly busy. Unlike some of the other reviewers here, however, I like to give a restaurant in its first few weeks a little slack. Seriously people -- one star for slow service on a restaurant's first day?! Anyway, happy to have a new brunch staple in the neighborhood, and I look forward to trying the burgers!
(5)
Carly P.
I am dumbfounded at the more negative reviews - I thought Whisk was great! We ordered the croissant sandwich and the breakfast burrito and everything was perfect. It's a little pricey, but my meal was worth it. My only criticism is minor - I wish they had another option for pop drinkers. Buying bottle after bottle of speciality soda gets expensive, even though it's delicious and aesthetically adorable. I think my favorite thing about Whisk so far is how willing they are to hear criticism. Many other members of staff - not just our server - checked in with us regarding the quality of our food and experience . There are even surveys on the tables asking for suggestions. Your negative reviews will not hurt the restaurant, only make it better. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Iveliss G.
Southern chicken sandwich= amazing!!!!!! Truffle fries or Cajun you can't go wrong with either. The orange pop is also tasty. BYOB!!!! And of course the service is quick and friendly, always. I think I have been here 6 times since they have opened and ordered the same thing every time. My best friend likes the grits with shrimp for breakfast, chicken tacos for dinner and the chicken and waffles for dinner. Dessert changes everyday, so that's a nice surprise. You will enjoy anything on the menu. Stop reading this review and go now :)
(5)
Kirby M.
I have a Spring account and Whisk has been sent to me on multiple occasions so a friend and I decided to give Sunday brunch a shot. I ordered the chilaquiles on recommendation from our waiter (who was very sweet). My friend got the eggs benedict. We licked our plates. Service was slow but with a smile. On a leisurely Sunday morning where my friend and I wanted to spend time catching up, it was a perfect scene. The shared table experience isn't my favorite and I don't care for high chairs, but the couple seated next to us was adorable and friendly and I quickly forgot the high discomfort when all the pros were so gleaming. It was a solid experience. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Vanna T.
Great new brunch spot to this neighborhood. Went with a party of 5 and the food we all agreed was great, service great, and prices great too! BYOB you cannot beat! I ordered the crab cakes and eggs and substituted the grits for the breakfast potatoes. The crab cakes were delicious! I will definitely go again! Next time I'd like to try some of their coffees and get a sweet dish. (snickers french toast that went by our table looked AWEOSOME!)
(4)
Natalie B.
After seeing a line out the door, I figured this place must be worth the wait. We were told it would be a 1.5 hour wait, and planned to go somewhere else. The owner told then told us that he was preparing a table for us and it would only be about 10 minutes, so we decided to stay. Nope. 1.5 hours was still accurate. A few times we got ready to leave and he'd come by and say "I'm getting your table ready, only a few more minutes!" But it was never really true. To their defense, a lot of other restaurants were closed for labor day and I noticed people sitting at their table for a long time after finishing, but don't lie. He was apologetic for the wait, though. We finally got in, and they showed the 5 of us to a "communal table" with two other groups sitting at it. There were 4 chairs in a line...And 5 of us. He pulled up another bar stool so we could squish in, and promised he would move us to a booth when another group left. They started seating other groups at the booths when they cleared out, and when I asked about it he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about. We finally got moved after asking if we could take the booth when another group left. It's byob, so we brought champagne for mimosas and ordered orange juice. 15-20 minutes later, the waitress bring 4 ojs in tiny jars and leaves. She didn't come by to check on us, so I eventually flagged her down while she was walking by to ask for the 5th oj and you know, maybe some glasses to put it in. It eventually came out, but again we were short a glass and had to ask for another. Our food was dropped off by a runner. It was good (I had the breakfast burrito), but I think at this point we were irritated enough that we didn't enjoy it as much as we would have otherwise. The runner didn't bring silverware or napkins, so we sat with our food on the table unable to eat it. After asking 3 times for silverware, a waitress brought some forks in a paper cup , saying that they had run out of rolled silverware. It wouldn't be a big deal, but we didn't have napkins either. Three out of 5 of our meals were supposed to come with toast or an English muffin, but nobody got them. Our waitress never came by to check on us during the entire meal, so we had all finished eating and didn't want to wait for it anymore. It was extra disappointing because we were celebrating a birthday and hoped for a better experience. The food was fine, but there are a million other restaurants in the neighborhood that do it better. I don't plan on returning.
(2)
Rui C.
4 stars for the food, 5 stars for the service, and 5 stars for BYOB. Seriously, how can you go wrong with a place that's BYOB & charges no corkage fee?! Great brunch spot if you wanna get a little buzzed with your salted caramel pancakes. Call ahead to reserve a table if you want to come Saturday mornings.
(5)
Courtney M.
Stopped in here after arriving for a couple days in the Ukrainian village last Saturday. Brunch was amazing! The patio with beautiful cherry tree growing in one corner also made for wonderful ambience. Our pooch was welcome too and the waitress was quick to bring him over a bowl of water which we supremely appreciated. Such a small thing, but pet owners will love you forever if you show their four legged friend a little kindness... I ordered the house salad with steak (think corn, avo, crispy rommaine, I also added jalapeno) and my partner the David's special (garlic shrimp, bacon, scallions over cheesy grits). Both meals were a complete home run which was perfect because they carried us all day through to Wrigley Field that night. We'll definitely be back here next Chicago trip!
(5)
Jordan F.
Fifth time here. Entire place smelled like a toilet. Poor service. Food was good but we had to take it to-go due to the terrible aroma. We won't be back. Shame because we live just around the block.
(2)
E S.
Get the southern style chicken sandwich! So good! We ate in the back patio and it was a great set up.
(4)
Lynette R.
Love this place. Brunch has a great combination of sweet and savory without having huge portions. The breakfast croissant is outstanding. They don't load up the community table, so go for it!
(5)
Pam H.
We came for a late lunch/early supper when there were maybe 3-4 other customers there. Service was fine. We had an enthusiastic server. I had the David's Special cheese grits with grilled shrimp. Excellent. Stick to your ribs ,superb for a wintery or damp day; generous portion. Next time ( and there will be a next time) I need to find out if I can order it with extra shrimp. (P.S.You need soup spoons for this, not teaspoons.) My friend had the burger which had the spicy cheese sauce and the crispy peppers on top. He was making pleasure noises and had a look on his face that ought not to be shown in a public place. He was happy, but I was very involved with my cheese grits. Excellent coffee. Dark Matter, I think they said. Brewed so it was strong , not burnt. Street parking. $4.00 for a 2 hour slot on the meter, but spaces were readily available. As noted, BYOB but Mariano is literally right across the street. One quibble. They had been doing some mid-shift cleaning and the scent from the bathroom cleaning solution was noticeable. Get an unscented brand.
(4)
Hector T.
The place is very nice looking. They serve Dark Matter coffee. The food ranges from ok to good. The Davies special was really good. The Reeses pancakes were borderline ok but not sure why the name because did not taste like reeses. The menu stated "Reeses chocolate pieces" there were chocolate chips on them. I inquired about this and was told they actually just stick a small portion of a peanut butter cup inside and it melts. I however found no peanut butter flavor which seems very odd for a dish called Reeses Pancakes. The staff was friendly but need to improve their service. For example asking if things are ok, refilling coffee, and making sure order is complete. The price is a bit high.
(3)
Breanne G.
I have been planning my next trip here. That is unheard from me... Yes, as I have said before, if you are on a diet, then brunch is not for you. I ordered the Aztec omelette and my husband ordered the breakfast burrito. They were not chintzy with the ingredients and I loved all the flavors. We both cleaned our plates!! I ordered beans instead of potatoes, but ended up getting potatoes. I was so glad I did. The potatoes will not disappoint. That's if you like your potatoes a little crunchy, not over cooked or soggy/mushy. The slice of watermelon on the plate was a nice added touch. Okay, I'm a person that loves great customer service. I felt the hostess needed a little more pep in her step. A smile goes a long way and she needs to be a little more inviting - especially if she is in the front of the restaurant. In addition, we were seated, but it took a little over five minutes for someone to acknowledge us, but the server was apologetic and super nice. Maybe the hostess could have said something about the rush in service and that we'd have to wait a little. I know they recently opened and are a work in progress. So far they are doing great!! Overall, I will definitely be going back to try some other yummy creations (not on a diet day). The food we ordered was delicious. Rick and David you did not disappoint!! The place is BYOB so don't forget your alcohol, if you want it. If I could, I would give them 4 1/2 stars. I hope to give them 5 stars one of these days.
(4)
Burnt T.
Ownership has reached out and said it was an isolated incident. Since I'm local I'll definitely give it another shot and update the review accordingly. Thanks for being classy Whisk!
(3)
Mark C.
Wow! I had no idea what to expect from Whisk, but let me tell you I was amazed at what came my way. The inside looks lovely, but surprise, there's a patio in the back! Another welcome surprise, BYOB. BUT let's talk about the food. Greek fries, steak and eggs ( with an added waffle) and a burger came to my table. What stole the show was the late addition of the fried chicken tender tacos. I know we in Chicago especially in the areas surrounding wicker park have become taco crazy. The bits of heaven in a tortilla have got to be the best I've ever had. Anyone who comes to Whisk will have to make a return trip, the menu is that inviting. The chef and owner are amazing gentleman and I wish you the best of luck.
(5)
Christina C.
I have so many good things to say about this place. Not only is WHISK good for brunch but also it is good for dinner. The burgers will make your heart stop, figuratively and literally. When they say 8 oz. burger, you receive basically a pound of burger if you add in all the toppings they give. I have ordered the House burger twice now. I still don't know what chihuahua cheese is, but it is delicious. I'm thinking they make their guacamole in house because that is also delicious and goes perfectly with the tortilla strips on the burger. I love the burger bun they use, toasted and soft. Unfortunately, the patty is so large that I don't have room to eat the bun. The cajun fries are delicious. You can't go wrong with them. The fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - the definition of a perfect fry. For an extra $2, you can upgrade your fries. I got the truffle fries the other day. You can definitely taste the truffle oil and they put parmesan and parsley on top. I've also been here for breakfast. I got steak and eggs, medium rare and over easy, respectively. Honestly, I've never thought of steak as a breakfast food, since it's very much an elegant dinner entree. They prepared the rib eye like a steakhouse would. I'm thoroughly impressed. It's a huge breakfast, so prepare to food coma after you just climbed out of bed hours before your trip to WHISK. It's usually pretty busy on weekends. I do recommend going during the week day for dinner and sitting out in their patio out back.
(5)
Rana T.
I went back recently for dinner and it was nothing like the place I gave 5 stars to earlier. Maybe you guys should really just stick to brunch. Whisk does brunch so so soooo very well, but really just seems to give up on variety and customer service around dinner time. I was seated and actually waited 20 minutes before anyone came to even asked if I wanted something to drink, but get this, there was only 1 other group in the place. All other staff seemed to be standing around chatting, busy bro hugging or congregating in the back. When our waiter did finally surface, he came up seeming uninterested, never making eye contact and said, "what do you all want?" And we're sitting there thinking the hell kinda service is this? Of course being me I mentioned it because it's uncalled for and not proper professionalism. The attitude was quickly checked and corrected but that's more than I can say for the food. They ran out of peach mint tea, didn't have appetizers and the dinner menu had not enough variety, mainly just burgers. I really wanted brunch so I got the only thing on the menu that was close to a brunch entree but when my steak and eggs arrived with my grits I literally wanted to go back there in the kichen and teach whoever was back there how to cook grits because Whisk's little recipe damn near made me not want to return, BUT I keep thinking about that brunch, that oh so AMAZING brunch. Yeah, I think I'll just stick with brunch.
(3)
Juan G.
We went there wanting to use a Groupon, Brunch and Burgers for $19. When I tried to use the voucher the waitress said "you can't use it on the weekends". I told her it did not say that on the fine print and she went to get the manager. After I explained the situation, the manager said "This Groupon is for dinner only". Even though it said "Brunch and Burgers", she would not honor it. * Extremely slow service (Burger and Pancakes took 50 mins!) * No alcohol * Inattentive waitress * Shady Groupon to bring in customers * Manager didn't honor Groupon 1 Star.
(1)
Aurora D.
This place was great. First off, love the Ron Swanson/Nick Offerman theme. We went super early after my friend got off her night shift and whoever served us (looked like a manager) was great. Seriously one of my best dining experiences in a while. He humored us, cracked jokes, was helpful when needed, but didn't crowd us. The food was great and had many unique options for us to try. They had your regular breakfast options but with fun spins so definitely good for groups if you have a mix of picky people and/or want something fun. I will give them my business as long as they're there!
(5)
Gina S.
I've been here half a dozen times and my official vote is in. This place has THE best burger in Chicago. I've been to the heavy metal place and aucheval and this blows them away. A close second is the bad apple on Lincoln. I've had a few different varieties here. I don't know what it is, but the flavors meld together perfectly. The burger itself tastes amazing without condiments overwhelming it. Perfection. I've also had breakfast and non-burgers. Everything was excellent.
(5)
Daniel C.
I've been to whisk twice now. I went the first time because I heard tell of a horseshoe style burger. I remember not actually being that into it. I don't remember why but I prefer the legit horseshoe from 6 degrees on Damen. Last night I went again and they had a great special on guacamole and chips for $5. I got a turkey burger with avocado, provolone. cilantro and a nice mayo. My friend said she has the old timer burger when she goes and it doesn't disappoint. They have a mexican flair and the back page of the menu includes many mexican entrees including chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and tacos of course. I haven't been by for brunch but you can try some of the burgers brunch style which involves french toast instead of a bun. DECADENT! it's also BYOB so that's a plus.
(4)
Kaitlin M.
Well I have to start off by saying this is the first 5 star rating I have given a breakfast restaurant in a long time. I would say it's closer to 4.5 but that's only because the Bithday Boy I was with was being difficult and the manager didn't respond the way he expected. The food however was delightful! My boy had the Shrimp and Grits and said it met is savory southern craving. I had the Garden Omelette that was full of fresh produce and bold in flavor. When they say garlic they meant it. And the breakfast potatoes were perfectly crispy with a touch of rosemary. We enjoyed the BYOB with beers from the convenient Mariono's next door. The coffee was a little wrong for our taste. Service was good even though they didn't tell us we could not have drinks on the front patio and have to move us inside. The back patio is cute but small. Prices were about average but I felt like my plate was a little over valued. I would recommend this for breakfast for sure!
(5)
Chloe T.
The little hidden gem...I Iove this place! Very very fresh. I had the turkey burger and it was delicious!! Everything was so flavorful! I really like the hours of this place and I like how it's not too big not too small. I'd definitely come back again.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : Yes
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Kenny O.
Got lucky with communal seating since we had exactly 3 people, so our wait went from 1 hour to 5 minutes. Food was solid, hash didn't disappoint and would definitely come back and try something different.
(4)Christina C.
I have so many good things to say about this place. Not only is WHISK good for brunch but also it is good for dinner. The burgers will make your heart stop, figuratively and literally. When they say 8 oz. burger, you receive basically a pound of burger if you add in all the toppings they give. I have ordered the House burger twice now. I still don't know what chihuahua cheese is, but it is delicious. I'm thinking they make their guacamole in house because that is also delicious and goes perfectly with the tortilla strips on the burger. I love the burger bun they use, toasted and soft. Unfortunately, the patty is so large that I don't have room to eat the bun. The cajun fries are delicious. You can't go wrong with them. The fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - the definition of a perfect fry. For an extra $2, you can upgrade your fries. I got the truffle fries the other day. You can definitely taste the truffle oil and they put parmesan and parsley on top. I've also been here for breakfast. I got steak and eggs, medium rare and over easy, respectively. Honestly, I've never thought of steak as a breakfast food, since it's very much an elegant dinner entree. They prepared the rib eye like a steakhouse would. I'm thoroughly impressed. It's a huge breakfast, so prepare to food coma after you just climbed out of bed hours before your trip to WHISK. It's usually pretty busy on weekends. I do recommend going during the week day for dinner and sitting out in their patio out back.
(5)Jake C.
I was disappointed with the brunch and dinner items I have tried. I first came here a while back and ordered the omelette special. It was by no means bad, it just was something I felt like I could get anywhere else in the neighborhood. Second time was a couple weeks ago and I ordered their turkey burger with whatever on it. It tasted bland and boring and no seasoning. I would have figured for $13 it would have at least had a little kick to it. Other places in the neighborhood make the same product and it tastes better at equal value. I probably won't return which is a shame because it is so close to home. The BYOB is nice with Mariano's across the street!
(2)Rana T.
I went back recently for dinner and it was nothing like the place I gave 5 stars to earlier. Maybe you guys should really just stick to brunch. Whisk does brunch so so soooo very well, but really just seems to give up on variety and customer service around dinner time. I was seated and actually waited 20 minutes before anyone came to even asked if I wanted something to drink, but get this, there was only 1 other group in the place. All other staff seemed to be standing around chatting, busy bro hugging or congregating in the back. When our waiter did finally surface, he came up seeming uninterested, never making eye contact and said, "what do you all want?" And we're sitting there thinking the hell kinda service is this? Of course being me I mentioned it because it's uncalled for and not proper professionalism. The attitude was quickly checked and corrected but that's more than I can say for the food. They ran out of peach mint tea, didn't have appetizers and the dinner menu had not enough variety, mainly just burgers. I really wanted brunch so I got the only thing on the menu that was close to a brunch entree but when my steak and eggs arrived with my grits I literally wanted to go back there in the kichen and teach whoever was back there how to cook grits because Whisk's little recipe damn near made me not want to return, BUT I keep thinking about that brunch, that oh so AMAZING brunch. Yeah, I think I'll just stick with brunch.
(3)Juan G.
We went there wanting to use a Groupon, Brunch and Burgers for $19. When I tried to use the voucher the waitress said "you can't use it on the weekends". I told her it did not say that on the fine print and she went to get the manager. After I explained the situation, the manager said "This Groupon is for dinner only". Even though it said "Brunch and Burgers", she would not honor it. * Extremely slow service (Burger and Pancakes took 50 mins!) * No alcohol * Inattentive waitress * Shady Groupon to bring in customers * Manager didn't honor Groupon 1 Star.
(1)Aurora D.
This place was great. First off, love the Ron Swanson/Nick Offerman theme. We went super early after my friend got off her night shift and whoever served us (looked like a manager) was great. Seriously one of my best dining experiences in a while. He humored us, cracked jokes, was helpful when needed, but didn't crowd us. The food was great and had many unique options for us to try. They had your regular breakfast options but with fun spins so definitely good for groups if you have a mix of picky people and/or want something fun. I will give them my business as long as they're there!
(5)Gina S.
I've been here half a dozen times and my official vote is in. This place has THE best burger in Chicago. I've been to the heavy metal place and aucheval and this blows them away. A close second is the bad apple on Lincoln. I've had a few different varieties here. I don't know what it is, but the flavors meld together perfectly. The burger itself tastes amazing without condiments overwhelming it. Perfection. I've also had breakfast and non-burgers. Everything was excellent.
(5)Daniel C.
I've been to whisk twice now. I went the first time because I heard tell of a horseshoe style burger. I remember not actually being that into it. I don't remember why but I prefer the legit horseshoe from 6 degrees on Damen. Last night I went again and they had a great special on guacamole and chips for $5. I got a turkey burger with avocado, provolone. cilantro and a nice mayo. My friend said she has the old timer burger when she goes and it doesn't disappoint. They have a mexican flair and the back page of the menu includes many mexican entrees including chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and tacos of course. I haven't been by for brunch but you can try some of the burgers brunch style which involves french toast instead of a bun. DECADENT! it's also BYOB so that's a plus.
(4)Kaitlin M.
Well I have to start off by saying this is the first 5 star rating I have given a breakfast restaurant in a long time. I would say it's closer to 4.5 but that's only because the Bithday Boy I was with was being difficult and the manager didn't respond the way he expected. The food however was delightful! My boy had the Shrimp and Grits and said it met is savory southern craving. I had the Garden Omelette that was full of fresh produce and bold in flavor. When they say garlic they meant it. And the breakfast potatoes were perfectly crispy with a touch of rosemary. We enjoyed the BYOB with beers from the convenient Mariono's next door. The coffee was a little wrong for our taste. Service was good even though they didn't tell us we could not have drinks on the front patio and have to move us inside. The back patio is cute but small. Prices were about average but I felt like my plate was a little over valued. I would recommend this for breakfast for sure!
(5)Chloe T.
The little hidden gem...I Iove this place! Very very fresh. I had the turkey burger and it was delicious!! Everything was so flavorful! I really like the hours of this place and I like how it's not too big not too small. I'd definitely come back again.
(4)Thomas C.
A burger, wrapped in bacon and cooked to juicy perfection ... OF COURSE you're going to love this place. And that's probably not even the best sandwich on the menu. Wife's fried chicken sandwich had me jealous .. even though I loved my burger. Fries come with variety of toppings, all good. Wings are very good starter as well.
(4)Luke D.
I don't get these rave reviews. Whisk is very average. I had the crab cakes which were ice cold (and uneaten). My wife had the Mexican scramble which she described as "fine." My son's banana berry pancakes were OK but very sweet. On the positive side, my friend had David's Special (shrimp, bacon and cheese grits) which everyone at the table liked and the house potatoes were solid. Service was generally fine, although when we asked for one fork the busboy gave us a bundle of supplies and asked us to re-stock a table caddy which was 5 feet from our table with flatware and napkins. There is often a line at Whisk. Not that I would return, but I wouldn't wait 2 minutes here-- especially since there are much better options nearby (Flo probably topping the list).
(2)Stacey L.
I chose WHISK based off its Yelp rating while lying bleary-eyed on my friend's couch after a night spent getting soaked in the never-ending downpour at an outdoor concert. I was starving and probably would have been happy with freezer-burned Eggos at that point, but our foursome managed to get dressed and venture out. The WHISK storefront is adorable, and the inside is even better. In addition to a homey space, there are paintings of Ron Swanson everywhere. The place is a shrine to character, whipped forward with the force of a meat tornado. There were no available regular tables, so we were offered a community high-top. Our group's configuration around it was a little awkward, but we never ended up with anyone else at the table so it wasn't too bad. Mostly for anyone who would have joined us, as with these friends filters do not exist in our conversations. Our server was pretty sassy - like, Ed Debevic's sassy - but I was fine with it. Once we got our orders placed it took a bit to get the food, but when it arrived it was delicious. + Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes: my order; not generally a pancake person but I am a fan of pumpkin everything. They were delicious. The pecans gave a good contrast in texture and the white chocolate sauce worked as the "frosting" for the cinnamon roll idea they were going for. + Reese's Pancakes: the perfect thing for my pregnant friend. This is definitely more along the lines of dessert than breakfast. It's loaded with peanut butter cups and rich mascarpone. I am a bottomless pit for sugar and prefer sweet breakfasts but this might have even been able to take me down. I fully approve. + Biscuits and Gravy: boyfriend's order; they aren't kidding when they say the biscuits are smothered - it's literally a giant bowl of gravy with eggs and biscuits thrown in. The portion is ridiculous. Ron Swanson would be proud. I would be ill. I have no idea how my gent took almost the whole thing down. I tried a bite and it was good, and the breakfast potatoes on the side were fantastic. + I can't remember what my other friend had. I think an omelet? He definitely had a side of potatoes and subbed a croissant. I hate eggs so I'm guessing it was an omelet. He ate the whole thing, so I'm going to assume that it followed the trend of the rest of our dishes. Glad to have stumbled across WHISK, and I plan to be back!
(5)Simma Down Na H.
Duuuuuuuddddeeee!!!! You NEED to eat HERE!!! So so so delicious!! My boyfriend and I ordered the David's Special, Chilequiles, and banana berry pancakes and we loved all the entrees. I highly recommend the David's Special which is a big bowl of grits with shrimp, mushrooms, scallions, and bacon...it's so yummy. We cannot wait to come back and eat the burgers! Thank you Whisk for making our bellies happy!
(4)Kristin F.
So the 2 stars is because my husband really likes their biscuits and gravy... Now the -3... So apparently children can't sit outside? No explanation. Okay, we will wait 25 minutes to sit inside then with 3 open tables outside. No service whatsoever. Had to ask to order, the lady that came seemed annoyed, no one checked on us at all. And then we had to request our check. We had no server the whole time, no greeting nothing. I just ordered a croissant and it was a strange combination of greasy and stale. Disappointing as we really enjoyed our first experience here.
(2)Peggah G.
I got a groupon for a weekday brunch special and it didn't really work out in my favor discount wise, but the food was good. I got the pear pancakes, which were sweeter than normal normal pancakes. The pear/berry toppings were amazing. I got the white chocolate sauce on the side, because I don't like white chocolate, and they don't like anything but chocolate (white or milk) as an option for pancake topping. My dining companion got the David's Special, which made me crinkle my nose, but apparently not only was it edible, it tasted great. Cheesy grits and shrimp and bacon and mushrooms. Very confusing to my picky palate. While we were seated quickly, our service wasn't all that great. They got busier after we ordered, but they weren't that busy when we got in. A few tables got their food ahead of us and I was pouting at that point. Their lunch and dinner menu looked interesting enough to where I may give it another chance. I would give this place an overall 4/5 stars because of food and service, but I'm taking away another star because they said they had coke on their menu. I ordered the coke and got some weird Luchador Mexican Cola instead. It wasn't coke and its high fructose corn syrup-y goodness. It amused me, but this isn't the South where every carbonated soft drink is a 'coke'. I mean, when I order a Coke at Applebee's, they ask me if Pepsi is alright, because there's a difference. My waitress should have asked me if "some quirky offbrand Mexican cola" was alright, because I would have said, "Hahahaha, what? No. What?"
(3)Tracy X.
We came here on a Sunday with a group of 6 and were quoted an hour wait. Not that bad for Sunday brunch, especially if it's really as good as the reviews may have suggested. I really like the GIANT whisk they have in the display window. So we entertained ourselves and chatted until we eventually got seated. The food however was very underwhelming. The David's Special was just a bunch of protein bits over a giant bowl of mush that's also too salty. The Mexican scramble was decent, but nothing I can't make by myself in 20 minutes. I didn't try the other entrees, but several friends also voiced that they were not impressed. Definitely not going to waste another hour of my precious life waiting in line for mediocre diner food.
(2)Melissa W.
Dear Whisk, Your chef is killing' it, dog. In the two times I have been to Chicago, I've stopped at Whisk for brunch. First time, I had the David's Special. This meal... holy cow. It tastes like luxury in your mouth. Thats a delicious flavor my friends. Second time: the Chilaquiles. I'm from Texas man. I haven't ever had Chilaquiles THAT good. Unfortunately, overtime I've gone, they were empty. People need to get with the program dude. The food here is awesome. (I'd reevaluate your service staff though. I see a problem there.)
(4)Marissa D.
Came here for brunch with a friend and it was good, but not great. The service was ok, but nothing spectacular. Came here another night and it was way better. The server was a one man show, constantly checking on us and with a full restaurant. The house burger was scrumptious. I will be returning for dinner, but maybe not brunch. Good place to grab a bite and bring a drink!
(4)Rosa J.
My exploration at West Town continued. After a coffee trip to Star Lounge nearby, we walked to WHISK, located near Damen/Chicago (directly across from the McDonald's). I purchased a groupon for their dinner deal. We had $30 worth of credit to spend on their food and beverages. Speaking of beverages, they are BYOB. Yet they have many selections of soda to choose from. We had one of the JOIA with the blackberry, pomegranate, and ginger. That combination was "da bomb"! It was refreshing, robust in flavors, and great for spring time. Hubby, on the other hand, had one of the DRY soda with the rhubarb flavor. Yes, that was the celery-looking vegetable that you all were thinking of. Once again, trying a veggie-tasting pop shouldn't be that intimating. The rhubarb one reminded me of the "Beverly" soda I've had at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. The "Beverly" is exclusive in Italy, and the DRY rhubarb has a sweeter after note that is built upon "Beverly." That was my mere observation and reflection with the soda portion of the meal. How about the burgers? My garlic mushroom burger wasn't extraordinary. However, the portion was large. For an average individual with a normal appetite, he or she would have enough to take home. Hubby had the black bean burger with Parmesan cheese fries. By the way, you can substitute for one of their specialty sides for additional $2.50. Otherwise, having regular or Cajun-flavored fries is included with no extra charge. His black bean burger was well-constructed, stacked with pita breads on top and bottom. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, this burger is great for anyone. In my opinion, they made this burger interesting and eclectic in flavors. The entire patty was compact and way-more-easy to consume, comparing to a traditional meat burger. There was a minor glitch on hubby's cheese fries. The chef accidentally put bacon on top of them, but this mistake was quickly rectified and wasn't detrimental to our dining experience. The restaurant itself was a bit crowded. The space wouldn't be able to accommodate to a very large party. But for a party between two (2) to four (4), this place would be intimate and comfortable. Hubby and I think WHISK is repeat-business worthy, with or without a groupon. Nevertheless, having a groupon wouldn't hurt; we paid $7 and some change (before tips) after the $30-deduction.
(4)Andrea A.
I had the pulled pork benedict, it was so great! I'm coming back for their burgers!!! Prices are just right...highly recommended
(5)Pilsbury T.
We wrote a 2 star review and Andrew from whisk answered untruthfully. 1). There were 5 tables out side. Not 2. Three in front of your store front. Two in front of the next door store front you were sitting people at when we were waiting. 2). We have a 4 year old and a 6 month old in a car seat. We made no request or mention of a baby seat. The car seat sat on a chair and the 4 year old sure doesn't need the baby seat. I get that you want to respond to public reviews in a manner that addresses and rationalized bad experiences, but don't make things up. Just say "we're sorry" and move forward.
(1)Annie M.
After two visits this place has been upgraded to one of my top 5 favorite brunch places in the city! We went on a Friday for a very late breakfast, and there were plenty of open tables. The staff was super friendly and really accommodating. I ordered the David's Special without bacon. I don't think I've ever had anything that even remotely compared to in my life. Rich, cheesy grits, topped with an even richer (alfredo?) sauce, with shrimp and mushrooms. It's so savory and delicious and I'm sure is at least a million calories. I literally called my dad afterwards to tell him how good it was. I also split a single order mocha pancake with my boyfriend. It's not listed on the menu, but you can do a half order of the pancakes, which is totally clutch. I plan on making it my mission to try all of them. The food/service was so good that we came back two days later with friends for Sunday brunch. The wait was about an hour and a half but we had a party of 6 so that was to be expected. There were plenty of smaller parties that were sat before us, but we had an awesome, big booth that fit everyone so it was worth the wait. I chose the "healthier" option of the crab cakes benedict. Again, loved my food and would recommend it to anyone. The breakfast potatoes the meal came with were also very good. My friend ordered a pumpkin roll pancake for the table to split...just as good as the mocha one! Also: Whisk is BYOB and they serve the best orange juice. And they're themed after Parks and Rec. This place hits it out of the park for me on all levels!
(5)Angela B.
I tried Whisk totally based on the Yelp reviews and was pleasantly surprised. This is a hidden gem and I will definitely be back. Small & cute with attentive staff and great food at reasonable prices. I tried the pulled pork benedict (which sounds weird, I know) and it was AMAZING. My boyfriend had the chicken & pear club sandwich and was equally satisfied. There were several items on the menu that I would love to try.. everything looked fantastic. Some of the tables are "group" seating which may not be to everyone's liking. For instance, we were seated at a table for 10 with other parties of 2. I actually enjoyed this arrangement and had pleasant conversation with the other people at our table and it made for a fun meal. Easy street parking, BYOB if you like, and our yummy brunch for 2 was right around $25. Can't beat that!
(5)Belle L.
BYOB. Worth the trek. Excellent $ for portion. Quality ingredients. A better option than Mariano foods. ;-) DAVIDS'S SPECIAL ($12) -- 4+ big shrimp. Even distribution of ingredients that every scoop is a perfect bite. No, no to grits? This dish would change you. Addictive from first bite. Hearty dude portion. HOMEMADE ICED TEA ($6) -- skip it. With 1/3 ice and single serving, it's overpriced. Stay with bottomless coffee. BYOB -- freshly squeezed orange juice available by carafe for a self made mimosa. Iced bucket provided. The main reason for the wait. KIDDIE MENU -- love it! See photo. VENUE -- cluttered. Old school coffee house setup with group seating booths. STAFF & SERVICE -- attentive. Informative. Friendly. Nice. Polite. Your new BFF. *wink* Quick cleanup. More dishes to taste. A list of fries to try. I shall be back for more.
(5)Amanda M.
Came here for brunch Saturday around 11 as a group of 4 and waited only about 15 minutes, which was refreshing to me, as I'm used to hearing hour wait times for brunch places. Loved the ambiance of the place. It was a nice cozy feeling but somewhat elegant as well. A little rustic chic? Menu isn't overwhelming with a million options like traditional diners, but their offerings are quite unique. I got the crab benedict (served only on weekends). It was very good and full of crab flavor. Eggs were perfectly poached, although aesthetically, they didn't look the best. Another minor criticism was that I thought that there was just a tad too much sauce. Overall though, tasty and satisfying meal. Also tried the pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes with the white chocolate sauce on the side, and I surprisingly enjoyed these despite not being a sweet tooth. They really did these right, as they weren't overly sweet or heavy and had really good flavor. What I also loved was their soda list. They had every unique flavor imaginable. I tried the almond cola and it was delightful. Service was pretty good. Didn't have to wait too long for anything and the server and hostess and rest of the staff were friendly. We also had a TravelZoo deal ($20 for 40), so that made it extra worth it. Definitely would come back though, regardless of having any deals. Delish food and great brunch spot.
(5)Bob S.
The breakfast potatoes are amazing. The best item on the table was the breakfast sandwich.
(4)James V.
I have to say the casual greeting at door by the owner was a nice touch finished off by a great dinner. You rarely get that commitment to service anymore especially on high volume "hipster" Chicago Ave. The horseshoe was absolutely filling completed by a sunny-side up egg as an up charge but way worth it. Now I that is not the most original concept but the added French toast to the mix was Genius! Grab a napkin because your gonna need it for this dish. The patio in the back felt like I was not in chicago,which is a good thing on Friday night. This place is worth trying out and becoming a loyal customer. Trust me I love great service and food. Whisk was no exception!
(5)Lucy C.
I was pleasantly confused by Whisk's obsession with Ron Swanson. I mean he's great, but I just don't get it. Anyway. I stopped by with a friend on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty empty but the hostess wouldn't seat us for some reason. She seemed confused by what we were saying and we eventually just grabbed two seats at the bar. Service was kind of slow and awkward, but one of the guys was so genuine. It was actually quite refreshing. The hash I got was decent, but nothing to write home about. My friend ordered David's special which was super tasty. I ended up eating maybe a third of her grits. That's what friends are for, right? At some point during our meal, there was some sort of altercation at the booth behind us. The customer was red in the face (from drinking?), yelled at the servers/management, and stormed out after pushing over the stool next to mine. It was pretty terrifying. Aside from that little snafu, we had a perfectly satisfactory meal.
(3)Laura R.
This is my third time being here. The food is simply delicious. The kitchen seem to know what's up! Today l had the 33 omelette and it was just superb. The home fries are crispy to perfection, l order a side of sausage links and a side of beans that hit the stop this morning. Coffee was on cue. Hot and fresh!! We were there early this morning and service was prompt friendly and attentite. We sat outside and we notice the place was getting crowded. Overall l think this place is going to be a huge hit. I for once will be coming more often as long as service continues to evolve like it has. (Super important to have good staff) To the owners, l know you have a groupon and all, but your food is that good to stand alone without any promotions. Keep working of points of service and keep things simple and moving along. I wish you great success because you deserve it!! Whisk food quality is that of a 5 star Hotel in Miami. No joke!!! Delish!!! I absolutely recomend this place to foodies and people that support small little places like this. Great job!!! Look forward to coming back again. Will try it for dinner next!
(4)Fiyah C.
Came in for brunch with my mom and omg this place was awesome. We both had the shrimp and grits which was to die for!!! The menu was interesting and we had a hard time deciding however I was very happy with the service and the food. Highly recommended!
(5)Rachel D.
Gave this place another shot and I'm so glad I did! We got to sit on their patio which was absolutely lovely. The food was great, the service was great. I'll be back again and again!
(5)Rita B.
Let me start by saying YUM!!! Really, this is an eclectic and funky in a good way. The decor was interesting and funny because of who it was modeled after. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners/chefs and he was so sweet. I asked about the decor and he explained, which I thought was pretty awesome. Now, back to the delicious food. I ordered a Texas burger (which was off of their dinner menu but I didn't know that until after I spoke with the chef). He was nice enough to make it for me and my friend without any complaints. Awesome business. So this burger, it's an open faced burger (not mentioned on the menu but still delicious as ever). Besides the fact that it is HUGE, the flavors are amazing and I can't even begin to describe how the cheese sauce and burger blend together so well. Good fries too. For dessert we had the pumpkin cinnamon bun something or other pancake. Heaven!!! It's an orange pumpkin pancake with cinnamon bun icing drizzled over it (def no need for syrup). The two of use couldn't attack the entire short stack. Sadly, we left it behind. But seriously, you have to try this pancake. I'll come back in a heart beat. So many different things I'd like to try. Menu is very creative. Downside, parking sucks. And it's street parking that you have to pay for. Ugh. Still worth the $4 spent to park on the street.
(4)Kyle P.
I liked this place. One of the better bacon egg and cheese croissant I have had and also the loaded fries. Didn't have to wait just go early
(5)Steven M.
Average food. I had for better since the line was so long. And the wait staff really needs to be re-trained. They were not prepared at all, like it was their first day. Hopefully they can improve.
(3)Mouse C.
I had brunch this morning at Whisk with one of my girlfriends. We were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away with NO wait! Woohoo. I will say the restaurant itself is tiny, so if you come over a weekend I think you will be looking at a wait. But let me tell you...it's worth it. Both of us found it very difficult to choose what to order as everything sounded delicious! The best decision I think both of us will make all week were the SALTED CARMEL PANCAKES! What, yes, that's right, you heard me. These babies were to-die-for. Salty, carmely, and pancakey...what more could you ask for. Egg-wise, I went with the chilaquiles and my gf went with a Mexican scramble. We enjoyed both dishes very much. I will add though that my chilaquiles came to the table deconstructed but the second I married all of the ingredients together, it was pure magic. Whisk knows what they are doing. I will absolutely be back to try additional menu items. Oh, and, it's BYOB. Perfection!
(4)Gaftie M.
The food deserved 4 stars for taste and creativity........... But wait...... Theres more..... BYOB!!!!!!!!!! They definitely earned the 5th star.
(5)Matthew D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. We had the breakfast burrito, spicy crab cake Benedict, and souther style chicken sandwich (very delicious), Caesar salad. Byob. Service was great and prices are very extremely cheap.
(5)yhm m.
Bought a groupon for brunch. The service was excellent, great food options (especially he salted caramel pancakes).
(5)Cody S.
Being from out of town I took my girlfriend's advice to try this place and I was glad I did. The atmosphere is nice and the biscuits and gravy was really good.
(4)Sheri M.
The food and coffee here is always perfection. I've had the burger, the ckn sandwich, shrimp and grits, and the pancakes. By far, the ckn sandwich is my fave. It is fried to perfection and is donned with jalapeno cole slaw - WTF!?!? My mouth does the tango with every chew! I don't really care for the manager - she always makes me feel as if she's doing me a favor by allowing me into the establishment. I try to visit when I think she's not there, but she's always there! Other than her, this place is a great brunch, lunch or dinner choice. BTW, there is only 1 co-ed bathroom and seating is limited. They do have patio seating in the back of the restaurant in the summer. I forgot the great artwork that is forever changing.
(4)Mz C.
Prepare to wait for weekend brunch hours, but it's worth the wait. You can taste the freshness. We had the Old Time & their shrimp & grits special. Yum!
(5)Elizabeth W.
They couldn't get us in past the door because the service people were rude. I called ahead to ask about the wait for 6 people for breakfast/brunch. The hostess said the place wasn't busy so there would only be a 15 minute wait. We got there 20 minutes later and the wait became a 50 minute wait. There weren't many people seated in the restaurant. Not a big deal, but we felt lied to. We were chatting for literally 30 seconds at the door, then the hostess got really impatient and rudely asked,"So are you staying or going?" Strike 1. As my party of 6 was deliberating (at the door by the hostess) whether or not waiting would be worth it, a waiter swooped by and said, "How many are there of you? A million?" to which a patron laughed. It sounds like he was making a racist joke at my family's expense. Not ok. Strike 2. I didn't want to wait around for the 3rd strike. Whisk lost out on some $$$ from me.
(1)Leah K.
After reading all the awesome reviews about the chilaquiles, we decided to head there for brunch with another couple and both of our toddlers. We went around 9-9:30 and were told the wait would be 30 minutes but really it was only about 10-15 which is awesome for brunch. They have a cute outdoor seating area in the back but we opted for inside since it was a hot day. We were greeted by our server pretty quickly and got some drinks. The food took a bit of time but hey it's rush time on the weekend...but we were all kind a little underwhelmed. The chilaquiles were really a miss for me. My husband is Mexican and we have/make it quite a bit but these were just missing kind of key elements flavor wise. I will say the half order of pancakes were lovely...lots of flavor, sweet without being super heavy (thumbs up!) I think the brunch bar is set pretty high in the city and unfortunately it makes whisk just okay. If I lived in the area, I'd probably be back a lot to try some more of the menu bc trying anywhere once is always a shot in the dark
(3)Michelle K.
One of my favorite places in the area! The chicken tacos and the chicken and waffles are ridiculous. The chicken literally melts in your mouth. Also recommend the chips and guac, which they usually have on special but for whatever reason isn't on the menu. I've only been in for dinner and I'm always surprised they aren't busier. I've never had to wait for a table for dinner, even on a Saturday night. Brunch seems to get more crowded. LOVE the inside decor and the outdoor space out back is cute. Service is always great. Love that it's byob (and no corking fees!) They (almost?) always have groupons, too.
(5)Adam M.
BYOB Burger Bar??? Heck, they already made a fan out of me even before I stepped foot inside. To start off our Server was awesome, he was super cool, and very funny. I give them 5 stars for service! Now on to the important part, the Food! The burgers here were real solid. I had a hard time deciding between the Horseshoe and the House Burger. I wound up going with The House which is a 8oz burger, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, guacamole and tortilla strips on a bun. YUMMM this was sooo good. Fries (Just alright) - Loaded Pepper Jack Cheese Fries - best that we had, the cheese was a bit thicker than I'm used to on fries but these are the ones to pick - Chimichurri Fries - Decent but very soggy - Truffle Fries - Good, not tons of truffle flavor, but they're alright Overall, 4 stars, because the burger was really good and the service was awesome
(4)Chanel M.
DEAR WHISK: Technology has opened doors social media and networking sites that allow consumers to have a meaningful say about their experiences when patronizing a business. YELP has created this platform to do just that. Business tip... Accosting dissatisfied customers as opposed to finding the source and solutions to failed service isn't the way to go. Pity. THIS IS THE RESTAURANT'S RESPONSE TO A CUSTOMER GRIEVANCE!! HOW DOES A HORRIFYING BRUNCH EXPERIENCE KEEP GETTING WORSE, EVEN AFTER YOU'VE LEFT THE ESTABLISHMENT?? (their response to my original post)... "Chanel I'm sorry we fail to impress you, but I think you are Streaching the true alittle. Just pancakes might not have been what you wanted but everytime you change the dish it loses the charm. You requested the sauce on the side, or friends biscuits were just out of the oven, I don't know how they were hard. Sundae did greet you and even ask you if you wanted any oj to go with your champagne and you were short and rude. Your friend was nothing but polite to sundae. I also was present when she ask if you were still working or need it anything and you were rude as you had your head buried on your phone. Your friend said "she is talking to you" your response was no she is not since she hast talk to me all day" again I'm sorry about this but please don't Streaching the true". Sooooo.... let me get this right. I complain about appallingly terrible service, and I am challenged on the truthfulness of my personal experience to extent of being accused of "stretching the truth"?? What would I gain from that Ricardo? The fact that you overheard me verbalizing my dissatisfaction of service in a private conversation at the table, (stating that Sundae hadn't spoken to me all day), actually proves my point Sir. The burden of service is on the person who was being paid to RENDER a service. Btw, my head was buried in my phone at the table because I was busy writing my YELP review. I don't even know where to start with this place of "business". No worries... Nothing the BBB can't handle!
(1)Iaroslav M.
i only knew one place with the truffle fries to die for(Anchovies in Boston) and now i found this spot!I had Chorizo Burger which was amazing and the truffle fries-nomnom nom!!!They have cool backyard patio and BYOB which makes you feel you got a six-pack and hanging out at your friends backyard!Service is friendly and great!! On my list to go when in the Ukrainian Village
(5)Andrew F.
I love this place and its theme! My favorite is definitely David' special. The location is prime. The only downside is that its always so busy but hey, that's because everyone wants to try this place.
(5)Briana U.
Love love whisk. It has quickly become our favorite spot for breakfast. The service is always great. Disgruntled yelpers complaining about slow service have clearly never worked in the restaurant industry. We always have the same server, and she's always the only server working in the restaurant! Have a little patience ;)
(5)Kat A.
I've been here twice. Definitely be prepared to wait. They do not take reservations. It's usually about a 20-30 minute wait on weekends (not toooo bad). Thanks to other Yelpers suggestions, we went across the street to Marianos to get drinks since Whisk is BYOB. But depending on your waiter, you may or may not be able to bring in orange juice to go along with your mimosa. The first time we went, we only brought champagne because the hostess said we couldn't bring in our own orange juice since they sell orange juice. The group sitting across from us (some tables are communal seating) had brought in their own orange juice so we figured we would bring our own in next time.The second time we came here, the waiter told us we couldn't bring our own juice...but also told us if we brought in a juice they didn't sell that would've been fine (i.e. lemonade). I look over at another table and clearly see a couple of girls who brought in their own orange juice but their waitress didn't force them to put it away and purchase the o.j. from whisk. We made our waiter aware of it but he didn't seem to care. I was pretty pissed about it since both times we were told not to bring in our own juice yet they let other customers bring theirs in. The food, however, was amazing. We ordered the snickers stuffed french toast...possibly one of the best french toasts I've had. It somehow is fluffy even after being soaked in the egg batter...and the snickers of course is all melted, gooey, heaven inside. We also tried the Whisk hash and David's special. Both were so good. The first time we were there I got a side of cheese grits. They were pretty bland but the grits in the David's special is mixed in with everything else and tastes amazing. We also had a side of the loaded fries...basically just cheese sauce on fries...good but nothing unique. I'd come back here just because the food is so damn amazing. But I hope the next time I go, the waiter lets me bring my own juice!!!
(4)Jackie M.
3.5 stars - BYOB, large portion, reasonable price (less then $12 entree )and good variety of hangover food. The server was friendly, but it took a while for the food to come out. THere is a good selection of sodas and beer. We had the special french toast burger w/fried egg, which it sounds pretty kickass. However, it's difficult to eat a burger with texas toast that gets soggy overtime. The portion was huge and i couldnt finish. The enchilada dish was delightful.
(3)Libby H.
We had a great meal here. They chargrill their burgers and my husband said it was the best burger patty he has had at a restaurant in a very long time. Sweet potato fry option were great. We also had the wings as an appetizer and they were very well done. Nice atmosphere too. All around we seriously give it a big thumbs up. We used a groupon too!
(5)Carlos S.
We came on a Monday. We ordered: Reeses Pancakes: absolutely amazing and perfect. Not too sweet, not soggy, no overwhelming toppings. House Burguer: Amazing. They get the medium well thing(some places over sear it...). They serve the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the side (classy). Coffee is very good, would prefer fresh half and half. We paid $35 with great service, left a $6 tip. Would I return: yes!
(5)Natalia K.
Used a groupon here with a friend the other night. It was a difficult choice of what to order. I said before that I want to try Chilaquiles whenever I see them on a menu, but this place says "Brunch by Day, Burgers by Night" so I wanted a burger and brunch. Lo and behold, the perfect concoction brought itself to my attention on the menu: The House Burger, breakfast style. This combines burger, brunch, and mexican, because it has guacamole and tortilla strips on it. And the bun is replaced with french toast and it's topped with eggs and chorizo! Mind blown. Also, you get a choice of fries other than the two offered, for a bit more, so I asked our server what she recommended. She liked the greek and chimichurri the best, and I went with the chimichurri, but I asked for them to be on a separate plate so that the garlickiness wouldn't mess with my burger. My friend ordered the Old Timer, breakfast style, and truffle fries. My fries came on my plate- sadness- and my friend's burger wasn't breakfast style- more sadness. He sent it back to get his french toast, and I [had] to wait until his food came out before I could eat mine. My eggs were getting cold. And I was starving. Finally, when we were both able to comfortably eat, the burgers were magical. I ate mine until it was done, even though my stomach was near bursting. The fries were ok- tasty from the garlic, but a bit soggy with the oil, so the burger was priority, and after it was done, I had negative room for the fries. My friend liked his burger as well, although he said his french toast was clearly rushed and not as well done as he would have liked. His fries were mostly untouched as well. Besides the imperfect orders, my other grievance was the price of the cokes. $3!! And you get this (super cute, but) teeny bottle. I don't know if you're paying more because they have to pay more for the fancy bottle, which they really just shouldn't even bother giving, or if they just mean to gouge you by upcharging the two dollars. If I come back, I will only be drinking water, and I probably will come back. It's a nice walk from my place and there are more burgers to try! And brunch as well!
(4)Elizabeth W.
Went here for dinner last night. I found a Groupon and thought I'd try it out. The food was amazing! I ordered the Canadian burger and truffle fries. Those fries were an up charge but certainly worth it! If you are looking for a great buger, Whisk is a great place to go!
(5)Sarah N.
We came from Cali ! Here on a small trip and we love to try mom and pop places because we feel like they are diamonds in the rough and we were sooo happy with this location! It's adorable inside and My BF and I are major food lovers and we loved the Food ! I had the Big Bite burger and it was scrumptious My BF had the Gobbler Burger which was a turkey Burger Service was friendly and it was just overall a great atmosphere for us Californians Will definitely be coming back when we come back to Chicago! Highly recommend
(5)Arelys G.
This place is a real diamond in the neighborhood, the place is real small and cute and everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable with the menu. The food is always fresh and very flavorful. My boyfriend loves the steak tacos and the wings are by far in best top three in the city. We have been in during the week and we love the big booths they have. We recently came on Sunday and we waited 45 minutes but it was worth the wait, we went to marianos across the street because WHISK is BYOB. After we sat to order my boyfriend order the steak benedicts since he loves the steak tacos and they were cook to perfection. Their back patio is amazing!!!. Seriously guys you need to check them out and be prepare to wait on the weekends.
(5)Courtney G.
Mmmmmm. So good. For the love of god, get the big bite burger (pictured). The attention to detail on this beautiful creation deserves an award: smoked Gouda, housemade barbecue sauce, perfectly fried onion ring. And it gets better: their selection of add-ons to the fries is especially interesting. I got the chimichurri fries and they were definitely worth it. Service was great. Shout out to the manager sundae for making us feel so welcomed. Meal for two came in at $33.
(5)Bill R.
The initial aroma is not the smell of bacon and eggs... It's oddly the smell of women's shampoo... Not even trying to make a funny. Asked for the signature breakfast... I was recommended the "DAVID SPECIAL " Combination of sautéed garlic shrimp, mushrooms, bacon, scallions mixed with a wine and cream sauce over grits. I like shrimp, but not for breakfast. I do not recommend stirring the grits in with everything because the grits absorb all of the wine and cream sauce making it a bit gritty (pun intended)
(3)Kate M.
Brunch by day and burgers by night? Talk about two winning concepts in one stylish restaurant with great food. So far I've only been in for the dinner menu, although I actually ordered some breakfast - go figure. Went in with a group of friends last Friday and they were able to seat us in the tiny garden area in back. Nice that it's BYOB- they immediately accommodated us with a bunch of ice buckets and variety of glasses for our various beverages. We honestly had a hard time deciding what to order since the menu has a lot of tempting options- but like I mentioned, the nice thing is they have some of their breakfast options on the dinner menu and they also have some wraps/sandwiches in addition to the burgers. I ordered the chilaquiles which is considered a house fave, and it did not disappoint. I would definitely order it again. My friends had actually stopped in the week before and brought me a takeout Gobbler Burger, and I thought that was delicious even the next day when I ate it. We sampled some of the truffle fries and sweet potato fries to start and those were also awesome. One of us was celebrating a birthday and they brought out Snickers cheesecake- yes...Snickers cheesecake. Everyone in the group was pleased with their tacos, wraps, and burgers, so it seems like they are already succeeding with their menu I would definitely like to return soon- love the food and the BYOB not to mention the inside ambiance is just as nice as their back patio. Maybe I will order dinner for brunch next time
(4)Dave V.
Well isn't this a quaint little place. I must say the decor and atmosphere allows intimacy without forcing it on you. It is great for groups and one on one. We came on a tuesday night with a giltcity voucher for 2 burgers and two sides. I had the gobbler (first time ever ordering a turkey burger....it felt wrong) and my gf got the steak taco plate. We shared a side of jalapeno coleslaw and truffle fries. The fries were awesome, but come on, have you have had bad truffle anything? The jalapeno coleslaw was new and delicious, i just may start adding jalapeno to any coleslaw dish i make, which has never happened but still. You can really tell that everything is fresh, unless it's not, in which case they do a great job fooling you. I kept biting into hard pieces in my burger which was rather annoying, so idk if they grind their own meat and are doing a bad job of removing bones or what but it was a bit annoying and was really the only negative i have about my meal. The steak tacos were delicious and come with a side of what my gf said was bacon salsa, though to me tasted like salsa with liquid smoke added. Either way, pretty good. No, don't worry, i haven't forgotten to mention that THIS PLACE IS BYOB. Which means you can what? You got it, bring your own beer. In case you wan't the freshest possible, there is a mariano's literally across the street and for you winos out there, they have a 5 minute wine chiller so your warm bottle can be cool and crisp in the restaurant. I do plan, one day, to return to try out their breakfast/brunch menu Alright, i'm done here, go yelp it for yourself.
(3)Brad O.
Put my name in here for breakfast on a weekend and was told it would be about 45 minutes. Hostess took my number and told me that she would text me when the table was ready. 45 minutes is pretty long to wait for breakfast so I hopped in my car and drove a couple of blocks away to check another breakfast spot. Hostess texted me about 20 minutes after I left - much sooner than 45 minutes. I called and spoke to her and told her I was driving back and would be there in 5 minutes. There was no parking within 3 blocks of the restaurant so i had to park a bit far away. I walked in the door 8 minutes after I spoke to the hostess. As I walked in the door, she had just sat a table and says to me - "oh I'm sorry you took too long getting back so I just gave away your table." After 8 minutes. Even when I JUST spoke to her and told her I was coming...she still have my table away. I was unimpressed and am not inclined to return, and I told the hostess as much.
(1)Dawn M.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. They do an excellent job of satisfying the sweet side and the savory side. My favorite brunch dish is the Salted Caramel Pancakes. I get a side of the cheesy grits and chicken sausage to make my brunch trifecta complete. For dinner, The Horshoe! Just try it!! Words will not do it justice. A burger on texas toast with loaded pepper jack fries on top. The secret ingredient must be crack because it is addictive! All staff have been pleasant and expedient each time I visit. Congratulations on your one year anniversary Whisk!
(5)S M.
This is a relatively new - and welcomed! - addition to the neighborhood. I love the addition of this 5-star (in my humble opinion) eatery to Chicago Ave., which is grossly lacking in restaurant options.
(5)McKenzie S.
I'm wavering between 4 stars and 5. Brunch: We waited for what seemed like forever to get a table one Sunday morning. I honestly think I waited for close to 2 hours. The longer I waited, the more certain I became that I would give them 3 stars. Or maybe 2. But then the food came. It was some of the best brunch I've eaten in Chicago. I got the Chilaquiles and I haven't stopped thinking about them in the last two months. Dinner: I returned to Whisk when I had a friend visiting from out of town. I realized that you could turn some of their burgers into "breakfast style" burgers. WHAT?! A really great burger served on French toast with other breakfast foods added. YES! Do this. SAY YES TO THIS! Wait staff is kind and very capable of handling a huge brunch crowd. It's BYOB for drinks - so choose wisely at the Marianos grocery store across the street! Oh, and Ron Swanson is on the walls. Ron Swanson makes meals better 100% of the time. Thumbs up, Whisk.
(5)Tasha F.
I really wanted to try one of those decadent pancakes, but the day I came I wasn't in the mood for sugar. I got the David's special and the African nectar tea. The tea was delicious! David's special not so much. If you are a person accustomed to grits or even cheesy grits, I don't think this will impress you. One reviewer called it mushy, and it was. The wine threw off the flavor for me, there wasn't enough sizable pieces of bacon and there were 3 shrimp. For 12 bucks, I was not pleased. Even if it were like 6 or 7 bucks I wouldn't order it. And it didn't even come with toast! I will try again. Maybe that snickers french toast can improve my rating.
(3)Andrew R.
I came back and it's still freaking perfect! They have the back patio and sidewalk tables open and it's worth the wait.
(5)Aaron G.
I love this place. I've gotten take out and have dined there and it's always great. The burger is one of the better ones in the neighborhood. The back patio is real nice. Wouldn't think you were on Chicago ave back there. Definitely a place I plan on going back to.
(5)Edna B.
Menu was decent. Service, not so much. Another reviewer had mentioned something about an annoyed lady who was serving them. Sounds like the same lady we had. We came early morning during the week, around 830am. There was 1 other customer sitting down. We had a Gilt city voucher and I had heard stellar reviews about the food. We sat down and the lady took a look at us but did not come by. When she did come a few minutes later, she asked if she could get us something to drink. The voucher came with juice and coffee, so I let her know that I had a voucher. Her immediate reaction was, "Ok, I still don't know what you want to drink?" I'm not sure why she was not very friendly, but we let her know that we'd like the coffee and juice, since it came with the voucher. The food was good, not great. but since the service sorta ruined the mood, my friend and I couldn't stop talking about why the server was in such a bad mood since it's first thing in the morning. She did seem very chatty with the other patron, us, not so much. In my opinion this place is nothing great. Chicago is full of brunch places with comparable food. With the service I received, I would not return even if the food was above average, which it wasn't.
(3)Shaina K.
Solid place. Check out the art on the walls, it's pretty impressive. Not very crowded at around 8:30-ish on a Saturday night and the server was wonderfully attentive and friendly. For starters, they're BYOB, and have a pretty fantastic bottled soda selection (mmmm...butterscotch rootbeer). We started out with a plate of the cheese fries, which were topped with a yummy pepper jack cheese sauce. Practically licked the plate clean! :) Entree-wise, I got the fried chicken sandwich, and the boyfriend got a burger (with onion rings on it). I liked my sandwich a lot, but I absolutely LOVED his burger. I will have to get a burger next time. The fried chicken sandwich was massive and I love that it came with jalapeño slaw on top and a generous portion of fries. The chicken was massive and really crispy. The burger came topped with two massive onion rings on it, and it was a perfectly cooked medium rare. Will definitely be back soon, it looks like they also have a pretty impressive brunch menu.
(5)Rebecca R.
Came here last Friday after happy hour at empty bottle. I didn't realize it was BYO, so after we snagged a table, two of our crew ran over to Mariano's and provided some refreshment to accompany our burgers. The menu was pretty straight forward leaving us quick to decide on which burger we wanted (and one chicken sandwich). I was surprised to see there were no apps on the menu to keep us from starving, but it turned out to better for our waist line anyway. Our server was nice, and tried to keep us entertained as we waited for the burger with a pound of bacon to be cooked (yeah, there is always 'that guy') so the rest of us could eat. It really wasn't too long at all and we were all pretty satisfied. Mine was awesome and I loved the cajan fries. I was even surprised to hear the chicken sandwich was a hit! Overall the food is good, set-up a little weird, and lacking in the app selection. Still, I would go back. Solid burger and BYO. 4 solid stars.
(4)Hector A.
I've been here 4 times, and can't wait to come back each time. Each burger that I've had, have been just awesome. And I love the fact that it's a BYOB spot. You get your money's worth. Service is also great. Haven't tried the Swanson Burger yet, but I will, very soon! If you want to impress your GF/BF or friends, this is the spot to be at. They'll have a bucket of ice waiting for your drinks. Salud!
(5)Brett S.
The food here is pretty good but don't order takeout. Both times I did they didn't give me toast even though their menu clearly says it's included. The second time they also shorted me the sausage links I payed extra for and gave me a half filled cappuccino for $4. I don't think they care. I probably won't be back. For breakfast you're probably better off going a few doors to the east.
(1)josie w.
The Ron Swanson burger was legendary & the fries rocked! Mariano's is close by for some hooch...
(5)Scott G.
WIth paintings of Nick Offerman hung on every wall, you can't get more hipster than this, folks. BRUNCH. Greasy spoon, messy, perfect hangover food served in giant portions. I couldn't quite figure out where they're trying to go with the menu options. Is it Mexican food? Southern comfort food? Our waitress was attentive to our large party of eight. Oh, and it's BYOB, so bring your handles of liquor and TURN THE FUCK UP.
(3)Rory M.
My brother recommended Whisk for either breakfast or lunch upon my arrival in Chicago. I was caught halfway between the two, so I figured I could make up my mind once I got there. He convinced me by saying that Nick Offerman loves this place, and that they have a burger called the Ron Swanson which is layered with a pound of bacon. How could I turn down at least checking out the rest of the menu? They brought out a carafe of water with a mason jar full of ice, which I thought was a nice touch. I reached an impasse when I couldn't decide between pumpkin pancakes - I'm a sucker for white chocolate, because I'm weak and don't actually care about your cocoa content - and the southern fried chicken sandwich with spicy coleslaw. The waitress recommended the latter, along with Cajun fries, so I went for it. The sandwich did not disappoint. It was huge, roughly the size of a 45 RPM record, and it sat on the plate like a giant turtle. I tried the coleslaw before eating the sandwich as a whole, and it was incredible. Sweet and just moist enough without being runny, and the jalapeño delivered a nice kick at the end. As for the sandwich - you're gonna need a few extra napkins. This thing is a monster which will haunt my restless dreams as well as the futures of every other chicken sandwich I ever eat. The chicken to breading ratio was perfect, and the spices they used gave it a nice flavor. The fries were great too, and it was all adequately priced. Probably could pay a few dollars more for a sandwich of that size and calibre, to be honest. I'm only knocking it down to four stars because I ordered a coffee that I subsequently did not receive which then appeared on the check, but they quickly and politely rectified the situation. You ought to check this place out if you've got the time and the means.
(4)Elizabeth E.
Fantastic BYOB brunch spot. I went on a Saturday morning around 10am. I live in the neighborhood but we drove since it was a bit chilly and found pretty easy street parking outside. So many options on the menu. All of which looked and sounded amazing. I opted for the garden omlette. Smaller than what you get at most places but also way more veggies than you get at most places. Garlic was intense but delish if you're like me and love garlic. The gouda cheese was diced. It should have been shredding IMO to melt a little better. The boyfriend got the chorizo Benedict. He loves Benedict's and chorizo omelettes so this hit it out of the park. He was a fan. Potatoes for both of us had a bit of Rosemary- yum! Will go back again most certainly! And will bring friends!
(4)Zac T.
Fun little place in a nice neighborhood. Good choice of burgers with great breakfast options for a few of those burgers. Any place that has the Buzzcocks on the playlist gets an extra star just for the cool factor.
(4)Delightful D.
I enjoyed food here just wasn't wowed. The pancakes Def are the star of the show. Those are delish. Chilaquiles mediocre, shrimp and grits good but I have had better. Burger mediocre as well. If in area I would stop by again but it's not a must. It is byob which is always great. I also didn't really care for the service here.
(3)Rosanna W.
This place is a funny looking place, its like you in the olding days, wild, wild west. They need to retrained the staff, they was acting like they didnt know nothing. The wait was long to sit and it was a a booth ready, just needed to be wiped down. Everything was big, they sat me and a friend at a booth that seats 8 to 10 people, I was disappointed, because the food looked good, but it wasn't. I order the biggest burger which was the Ron Swanson ($18.00). an 8 oz burger wrapped in 1 Ib of bacon, topped with bacon-mayo. That was so nasty, the bacon was not apple beacon it tasted like baloney and it was not 1Ib of bacon on it. I didn't even finish it. I wait almost a 45 to an hour for that nasty burger. My friend had the steak and egg,($12.00). The Steak was so tough and she ask for med-well, why was it tough, no one known, after waiting 45 til 1hr, I didn't want to order anything else I was just ready to go. I should have gotten my money back or not paid for that.
(1)Chicago A.
Great neighborhood restaurant. You can't order wrong at Whisk for dinner or for breakfast. The menu is has everything one would want from slaty to sweet. The prices are awesome and you leave with money left in your pocket and great food in your belly.
(4)Sameena K.
I totally would not recommend this place. The hostess told us 45 min wait that turned into 1 h and 30 mins with 2 kids under 2 in 98 degree weather. The hostess kept telling us 5 min -10 min for 30 mins giving us a lame excuse about not being able to seat us because they are busy even though the table is ready. Then we finally got seated and waitress was new and waited another hour for food. Will never go back. Food n service was horrible
(1)Sean K.
Nothing bad to say just average and nothing more. Give an average restaurant a crafty name like whisk to attract the yuppies. Food is okay nothing special. They aren't doing anything special or orifinal
(2)Claudia D.
We were VERY disappointed by Whisk after seeing it on Chicago's Best. 1-If you do not want potatoes with your eggs, you must pay an upcharge of $2.50 to change to replacing them with black beans or anything else! 2-the egg white omelet that I had did not have a blend of the garlic and other fillings inside. Rather the garlic, in a pile, was dumped in to one side where the omelet was folded. The first bite I took was on the garlic end! Thereafter, the only taste in my mouth for the entire meal was garlic. The rosemary flavoring the potatoes included long hard sharp pieces of the Rosemary twig-unacceptable! 3-Raised booths, a long raised communal table, counter seating and a few short tables provided the only seating. I hate communal seating, raised chairs or stools. We had to sit at the end of the long communal table. I was very uncomfortable our entire meal. 4-no purse hooks, nor coat hooks anywhere. 5-friendly, but perfunctory servers who never checked with us to see if we were happy with our meal. 6-Higher price point than the food deserved The husband and I decided never to return.
(2)Hannah C.
We arrived at 9:15 for brunch and managed to snag one of the last no-wait tables, so definitely get there early. Service was moderately attentive, if occasionally forgetful (we never found out what the daily specials might be, the wrong order was brought to our table first). The snickers French toast is perfect for the diehard sweet tooth. I imagine most people might be overwhelmed by the amount of sugar, but hopefully they know better than to order candy French toast? The pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes had so many pecans in them that it was hard to taste anything else, which was a little disappointing. A fun spot for the sugar hungry, but perhaps not worth a trip for more reasonable people.
(3)Agnes I.
--I was nervous about having to wait in a long line before being served but that didn't happen. I came here on a Sunday at 8:30am and it wasn't packed. It only got packed around 10am --Great brunch place in Ukranian village. --Friendly service --FOOD: sta
(4)Julia D.
Been here a handful of times since my last review.. In short, it just keeps getting better! My boyfriend and I have tried most of the menu and allllll of it is awesome! With it getting colder we have been sitting inside and the art work is gorgeous, ambience is chill and inviting. The staff has evolved into a great team and the service is way more efficient since theyve opened. I want to give this place 5 stars but theres still room for a little improvement before this place can get all the attention it deserves... Liquor license would be awesome. But they do have BYOB option and Mariano's directly across the street if you arent too lazy to fetch your own booze like me :(
(4)Theresa F.
5 stars for food, 3.5 for service. I am not a brunch fan by any means - in fact I avoid it like the plague. But this spot has me re-thinking my deep-rooted aversion to infamously long lines, mediocre food and burnt coffee. Definitely no skimping on quality and taste here! Portions are perfect considering no one EVER requests a doggie bag for brunch leftovers (soggy waffles - no thanks). We ordered: The Chilaquiles - this dish was bursting with flavor and quality ingredients. Biscuits and gravy - The gravy was flavorful and light enough where you wouldn't feel like a fat ass if you ate the whole dish. Wheat toast - Super quality bread! House potatoes - Tender, flavorful and still hot when it was brought out! Total opposite of what I'm used to at brunch-type joints in Chicago. Atmosphere was super comfortable and clean. Server was a bit edgy but I guess that's what one should expect from the Brunch B-team... Will def be back!
(5)John W T.
Burgers are cooked to order and done right. The patty had lots of flavor by itself, adding their unique toppings just makes it that much better. The bun is very soft, lightly toasted, and has good flavor. Fries are served in generous portions and plentiful toppings. $12 meal but I was able to make two meals out of it. The service was top notch. You will see the two owners on the floor serving, greeting, and even clearing tables.
(5)Wendy C.
The food gets 5++ stars but the waitstaff was really slow...nice but slow. Loved the Ukranian Scramble and will definitely go again. Took our waitress awhile to bring us water and a check.
(4)Sarah D.
Stopped by for brunch with some friends and we were not disappointed. We each had a savory dish and split the mocha pancakes between us. They were the perfect amount of sweet without being too sweet. Great food, great prices, great service. Watch out for all the strollers once lunch starts, though.
(4)Dana B.
This was our first brunch experience in the city. It was very cute and the Ron Swanson vibe was very unique. The menu had a lot of great options. It was very hard to choose. I had the croissant sandwich and it was very tasty. The sausage was very good as well. Fresh watermelon was served with our meal and was very juicy. I would recommend for a great brunch experience.
(5)Kaylee W.
I really wanted to like this establishment and am sad to say I enjoyed a minimal part of my experience here. After spotting the restaurant on Groupon, visiting the website for more info on the menu and finally looking through reviews on yelp, I thought WHISK would be a good choice for a laid back family dinner, thus purchasing the Groupon. Upon arrival my guest and I were greeted at the door by the guy who would become our waiter. After looking through the menu, majority of the members of my party decided to go with the chicken and waffles dinner. In the section of the menu were the chicken and waffles dinner was listed it indicated that fries were included. I tell him I want to substitute fries for salad and he gives me a slight attitude saying sides weren't included with my meal. If this is the case A. why are you getting an attitude with me and B. why list chicken and waffles in that particular section. I decided I also wanted lemonade but the waiter said they weren't serving it. OK fine I can live with that. Because everyone in my party decided the best alternative was iced tea we asked if it were possible to get a pitcher of ice tea. The waiter, whom I never learned the name of, said he'd never done it before and would give us a pitcher for $12. We also asked if the chicken was all chicken breast and the waiter said yes. After receiving our meals, we saw that it was a combination of white and dark meat, mostly dark meat. While this wasn't a huge deal, it was another incident of misinformation. He returns with a pitcher that could only fill about 2 of the 4 cups in my party. After going back and forth with another waiter over our issue, our original waiter brings us another pitcher. It was a few moments after this happened that one of the members of my party overheard an employee saying " that's why I didn't want to wait on that table". I am not sure if this comment was directed at my table or not because there was another table being seated at the moment but it was still offensive. After what had previously occurred at the restaurant, it did not add to my already shaky experience. I gave WHISK 2 stars because the one waiter was accommodating to us on the issue of the iced tea and I did enjoy the meal I ordered although it took a little long to arrive at the table.
(2)Adeline A.
The best brunch in the area in my opinion. The chilaquiles were perfectly flavorful, pozole was amazing as it should be, and the banana berry pancakes absolutely stole the show. I also had a juicy burger for lunch that had chips on it, which lets me know how serious they are about burgers! Super friendly, helpful, patient staff from host to waitresses. Hats off to the chefs! Warm setting, clean restaurant, cool art on the walls. I was only in Chicago for a week, but visited this place thrice it was so good!
(5)Greg P.
UPDATE as of 05.26 The owner of Whisk was kind enough to reach out and offer some feedback about the Grub Hub experience. He said that they reached out to GrubHub to have my order refunded. I will be willing to try Whisk again in the future, but maybe dining in vs. using a delivery service. Sometimes restaurants can have an off night, and I get that, so It's worth another shot.
(4)Mark H.
For Ukrainian Village, this spot is above par. Mixed with local art and interesting wooden wall decor, the two hermanos puts a fresh Latin flavored spin to the classic brunch and dinner menu. Stopped in check to out the changing landscape of retail space just west of Damen from the powerhouse Mariano's grocery store to smaller independent shops like Whisk. Tried their House burger. Well...the burger is misleading cuz it's very difficult to pick up. But with a fork and knife the explosion of flavor is definitely a surprise and left me wanting more. The tortilla was the kicker. For locals, I could see this could be a regular stop. But if you're competing with the city, it's a just another cool spot in the plethora of nuevo hipster food stops.
(3)Kenya R.
I love love this place. Food is amazing!!! The service is even more amazing. Truffle fries & Southern style chicken sandwich!!!!! YUMMY!!!!
(4)Jewel L.
Had brunch there. Crab cakes were very good.
(4)Robb S.
I would actually give this place a 4.5 if I could. Great selection of breakfast and lunch food. The pancake options are insane. The French toast is stuffed with snickers!!! Are u kidding me. I get the omelette mostly and it's great. Veggies seem very fresh and omelette is fluffy. I have friends that get the grits and the burger and they love it Solid spot
(4)Prajna A.
4 only because there was a lot of waiting and also the ambience is not top notch. But the food is definitely a 5 star. Mocha, caramel and chocolate pancakes. All sorts of fries - greek fries and cheese fries. Not only this but they have an amazing resees French toast to die for. Love it here. Coupon available for 50% off on living social
(4)Phil B.
This little cafe is on what is becoming quite the street for new restaurants on Chicago Ave! I love it! The food is delicious and fresh. I had the huevos rancheros. Made with homemade tortillas, fresh cilantro, avocado and eggs the way you prefer ( I had them over easy). Yummy! I didn't have coffee, but the Dark Matter coffee is delish! Get over there, but prepare to wait. It's become quite popular.
(5)Bill H.
While I've been wanting to stop in here for a while, most brunch hours have been too long of a wait for us (personal preference). We saw it mostly empty and had heard their burgers were good, so decided to BYOB a few bottles of wine and stop in for dinner last night. I had the steak & eggs - while it's a simple, straight forward dish, the steak was really fantastic, perfect medium as requested, and the black beans stood out. My wife got the burger - they had no problem adding cheese and bacon however they don't carry any type of blue cheese (her typical go-to). Also her burger, ordered medium, was more on the side of medium-well but was still very delicious. Perhaps with the thicker steak cooking, the timing was off slightly; it happens. She also upgraded the side to the chimichurri fries which were fantastic but be warned; the garlic sticks with you! The place was very clean, service was good even as the place filled up through our meal, and there was no corkage fee. Also really liked the CoOp Sauce Co. hot sauces on the tables. In the end a welcome addition to the neighborhood - good food at reasonable prices. Bonus points for the Ron Swanson portraits. The burger on the menu named after that fine character is a bit of a joke... A POUND of bacon wrapped around an 8 oz burger? I'd never get that in all honesty. Consider, instead changing it to burger with 4 strips of bacon and a fried egg!
(4)Cindy P.
My love affair with WHISK continues.... ; ) We went for dinner last night and sat outside in the front. After dinner the chef came out and we chatted for a bit and then he showed us their new patio area in the back. Absolutely lovely!! 2 tables for parties of 4-6 and several smaller tables. Food is still great and now, another reason to come back!
(5)Aaliya B.
Great restaurant overall. Chicken sausage links and honey bbq wings were delicious . Husband liked the snickers French toast and said steak was made to perfection for his steak and eggs. Waitress could have had a better demeanor. We were out for my husbands bday brunch and she could've been friendlier. Good up and coming home place. Well come back at night for burgers and the outdoor seating.
(4)Izzy F.
Whisk is one of a kind! Great staff. Great food. Burgers are really good. I mostly order breakfast from here because I love the potatoes. Just amazing! What other restaurant has a Ron Swanson theme?! None! Whisk is awesome! It's kind of small and there's usually a wait on weekends but it is well worth it. Byob with Marianos across the street is perfect! Dont go to sunrise cafe next door. They are horrible!!! Worst breakfast Ive ever had in my life!!
(5)Amy A.
This is currently my favorite breakfast place! The staff is always dependable and familiar. I love the Ukrainian Breakfast, Biscuits and Gravy, Hash, Vegetable Breakfast Sandwich, etc & etc. So many good things on the menu and my very picky boyfriend loves it too. They once had a special drink (Aztec hot chocolate?) which was a mix of hot chocolate, espresso, and some spice. DELISH! I also regularly overhear other customers complimenting their food. I need to try for dinner.
(5)Kurt H.
My wife and I headed out to Whisk for brunch recently on a weekend as we were looking for a new place to try. The experience overall was pretty negative. We started out well, the restaurant was at about 60% capacity and we were told that the only seats available were at the community table.. fine, we actually like sitting at community tables so no worries. I looked over and saw three huge booths open and remarked to my wife "Its kind of cool they hold the booths for large parties, might be a good place to come with friends." ... within five minutes they then seated three couples at the three booths... so why were we told they were not available? But again, not a big deal... we don't mind community seating. The wait staff was wonderful, which is why this review gets two stars instead of one. Our server was courteous, quick, and seemed to care about her customers... this is where the positives ended though. We ordered our brunch. My wife ordered biscuits and gravy, I ordered a signature eggs benedict the menu suggested was a house special and a side of bacon. After about ten to fifteen minutes (normal) my wife's plate was brought out. She waited for mine to arrive. And waited.. and waited. After about five minutes our server came over (she was busy) and said (confused) "Wait, where's your food?" I shrugged my shoulders and said "I don't know"... She hustled back to the kitchen and came back and said "Sorry, It's coming" I said no worries... A few minutes went by, she came back and said "Really sorry" and brought my side of bacon... The manger was nearby and she mentioned it to the manager and the manager went back to the kitchen. At this point we were about ten minutes in and my wife had started eating her meal. We had a long day planned and had places to head off to. After another minute or two, the manager came back and said "There was a mixup, they accidentally threw out your plate but they are making it over again." I said "Don't you have an expediter that would keep that from happening? This is a simple order, I'd imagine you'd be able to plate two meals at once?" The manager replied "Ya, I don't know...." (or something similar) Well this annoyed me a bit and my wife was about done with her meal.. so I said, "You know, we have to get going, just cancel my order please, I'll eat my bacon and finish my coffee and thats fine." The manager seemed a bit annoyed and said "So, you don't want it???" (Kind of annoyed that I would say that)... I said "Nope, please cancel it." So the waitress came back, apologized half a dozen times. I said "You have nothing to apologize for, not your fault." (again, she was great) and she brought the check. No offer from the manager to compensate us... didn't even comp the $2 cup of coffee... and I left without eating. Two Stars. .... Andrew thanks for responding. I don't want to get into an argument but there is no way that my order was re-fired in five minutes. I was wearing a watch and looking at it often because we had a busy day. Not a chance. If it was I would've accepted it and given a much better review. Look at my profile, I don't give negative reviews.
(2)Katy S.
So I'm taking a bit of a different approach with this review, because my experiences at Whisk have been different each time. For a few minutes, I am going to pretend I am a guy and Whisk is a girl I have recently met. The first time her and I met, we instantly hit it off. I like all of Whisk's attributes, great vibe, clean space, hip decor, small but cute outdoor patio area where my Sunday brunch loving ass can sit and have a cup of joe when hungover. The best characteristic about my first date with Whisk, was her delicious red pepper Benedict. Wow. She really impressed me here. But with all things great, comes a negative that comes to light about mid way through the first encounter. The chilquiles. Oh no. Whisk chefs, you seriously screwed this one up. The taste, so overwhelmingly spicy, the chips soggy and frail; simply horrible. But there are always some sad traits you are willing to hurdle through because well, she was just so damn fine in other ways. First visit. 3.5 stars. Second date: needed. Second time was about three days post pepper Benedict. I could not stop thinking about her, despite that one evil downfall from visit 1. It was a week day, my vacation. I was highly looking forward to getting to know her better and seeing where it went. After all, I did abide by the "three day rule." Visit two: I was sat with an older African American woman as my server. Her attitude was unbelievable...suchstrong, condescending mannerisms that I honestly felt uncomfortable. Maybe she was having an off day but this day, she was not meant to be a server! Nonetheless, I was there to keep giving it a go so I was determined to stay. No Benedicts on the weekdays, she said. What ?!?! Gtfoh. I was pissed. I ended up having some normal eggs, potatoes, and bacon type deal, something I could easily get at IHOP for half the price. What was funny about my date this time was that the server thought she was getting a $20 tip on a $40 tab for my party and I. Have you lost your blessed mind? Her service was not up to par, she knew we were upset, and she "mistakingly" thought we had told her to keep the change. Ummm no, no bueno. Visit two: two whimsy stars. I would've never gone on a third date with whisk after experience numero dos but man...this girl, there's just something about her. Plus, she lives only two blocks away from me. Convenience at its best, if it works out, of course. Visit three: that's it, if she doesn't put out on this date, I am "peacing out." I came in and looked around. I saw the lady server I wanted to avoid. I thought, well, I will get a to go order (this time I was alone and packing weight, aka. a bag of groceries from Mariano's). I sat at the bar and told this incredibly nice, blonde barista what I wanted. She was so friendly and so welcoming, complete opposite from her evil stepmother, ahem...I mean coworker. She convinced me to stay and eat there. Eh, okay, okay. She told me the pepper Benedict had been removed from the menu for good. What?!?! Seriously? I felt like I couldn't win!! She then recommended the crab cake Benedict instead and I was just praying it went well. My food came out within minutes, piping hot and absolutely delicious. The crab was lumpy and generous. It came with potatoes and a piece of watermelon (see pic). When I took that first bite, let me tell you, it was instant love. It was as if my date was finally saying the right things I needed to hear to capture my attention and make my heart grow fonder. It was a true mouthgasm, fireworks and all. The service was absolutely amazing this visit. Though I was brunching alone, the staff made me feel a little less loser(ish) by chatting with me. The server from visit #2 even came up to me and asked me if I needed more Splenda for my coffee, wuuuuuttt ?! And this is why I decided to see her again. Because even though Whisk had her bad traits, it takes a while to really get to know somebody. And though she didn't give it up completely, Whisk and I are still dating, one visit at a time. I will be patient with her. After all, good things come to those who wait :) I'm the type of "guy" that sees past her flaws and focuses on the bigger picture. Beautiful, mostly kind, and delicious to the core. Keep it up Whisk. Cliff notes: byob. Dark matter coffee. Gourmet sodas ($3.00+) Killer crab cake Benedict. Service hit or miss. Outdoor patio. Bring your shades. SYOY
(4)Cristina F.
We came in at 330 on a Saturday to purposely avoid the long wait. The host was friendly and let us snag the back corner booth (best seat in the house). My boyfriend and I both asked for coffee. Our server took our order but someone else delivered our food. The food was delicious-- my boyfriend ordered the pulled pork benedict and I chose the snickers french toast. Our coffee was gross-- my boyfriend compared it to swamp water. Usually, after we get our food, it's customary for the server to check in and asks how everything is--- and this is the point where I would have brought up the gross coffee. However, our server failed to do that. Luckily for us, they deliver a carafe of water so we didn't have to rely on our server too much. The next time we saw our server, she asked if my boyfriend wanted a refill on his coffee--- he said no and so she promptly left to get the check (I had food in my mouth so she bailed out of there before I was able to chew/swallow and speak up). We get our check and I told her I wanted to return my coffee. And in the words of Dave Barry, I swear I am not making this up, no apologies, no follow up questions.. she immediately left to take care of it. I think her manager had to void it--- so the manager must have been aware of the situation. This is probably the worst restaurant experience I've had in years (my last one was at 90 miles in 2012 and our server ignored us too--- luckily my friend spoke Spanish and got our busboy to get us utensils and water etc). We ended up paying $32.64 (pulled pork benedict $11, snickers french toast $11, and coffee $3--- yep they still charged us for my boyfriend's coffee--- and tip). For those kind of prices, their servers and managers should be trained accordingly. The beauty of brunch (for me) is the bottomless coffee. I waited a whole 10 days to write this review so I wouldn't be blinded by coffee rage. Hopefully, our experience was an anomaly. I was having a pretty good day that day so I didn't make a fuss. We did enjoy the food, the ambience, and the easy parking--- but we won't be back any time soon.
(1)Eric T.
We came in one morning and were quoted a 45 minute wait. We figured it would be shorter but it ended up being almost 40 minutes which put us tight on time for whatever it was we had to do next. We had looked over the menu though and were ready to order when we sat down. Told the hostess as we sat about the time crunch, she went right to the waiter who came right over. Waiter totally understood, and why wouldn't you want to flip a table quickly? We ordered immediately and our coffee was brought in to go cups (didn't even ask). The food came out quickly, although I do not know if the waiter put a rush on it. We ate, got a refil on coffee and paid in plenty of time. Even with a rush the service was spot on. Manager stopped by, waiter came by a couple times. The food I thought was fantastic. It is definitely on par with some local places (The Winchester) but I thought the $ was better for the serving size. Need to go back, but the initial experience was spot on.
(5)Kevin B.
Decided to check out this spot after hearing good things. Was a little disappointed in how small the place was which led to our 30 min wait. But then I heard the 4 magic letters that made everything better... BYOB!!!!! I almost feel like brunch without BYOB is sacrilegious. Maybe because I've gotten spoiled by places like this and Batter & Berries. And what's even better, there is a Marianos right across the street. So I was able to run over and grab some cheap champagne while waiting on a table to come free. Ordered the crab cakes and eggs platter which was delicious. The crab cakes and sauce may have been the best I've had in a restaurant, period. For my sides I had cheese grits and toast. The cheese grits were just okay (a little too cheesy for my liking). But if you are cheese grits person, it's probably perfect for you. Staff was courteous. It was packed and apparently a party going on, so it was a little chaotic. But besides that, everything was great.
(4)Antaash U.
Tried Whisk this morning when I spotted the adorable storefront while picking up groceries at Mariano's across the street. The space is nice and they seem to have a really nice breakfast/brunch and lunch menu (hello Snickers French Toast!!). I am definitely tempted to go back for lunch because they have an INCREDIBLE menu of specialty sodas! If it wasn't 7:45am, I think I would have definitely ordered one. Instead, I had to settle on an iced chai since their espresso machine was out of commission...sad face. Anyway, my breakfast entree made me more than happy. I ordered the chilaquiles. They were DELICIOUS! They had clearly been made to order because the tortialla was still warm and crispy, the cheese and salsa perfectly melted and gooey, instead of the congealed mess often times found on chilaquiles. The dish was accompanied with grilled chicken, avocado slices and an egg prepared your way. To finish the entree off, there was a generous wedge of watermelon. They obviously know that the only way to complete a savory meal is with a little bit of sweetness ;). My fiancee chose the Mexican scramble minus the ham. His words: "Outstanding". I don't think I have ever heard him rate any breakfast place with such high regard, so I know that his dish had to be just as good, if not better! Wisk also has a patio in the back if outdoor dining is your thing! I'm excited to have it so close to home and in a location with parking galore. I think I may have discovered my new breakfast/brunch place :D.
(4)Jola B.
I've heard this place gets crowded but I just stopped by for lunch on a Thursday afternoon last month. Small restaurant. Looks nice and new and well-kept. I had the fried chicken burger? It was sooo good. Definitely recommend as a casual brunch, lunch spot with friends. Eating alone in a small, quiet place was less fun for me personally. And I definitely couldn't imagine that place packed with people--it seems too small to handle that successfully.
(3)Frank O.
The burgers are solid, large and flavorful. The Big Bite was so large I had to bring the rest of it home, but the House Burger was easily finished at the table. Unfortunately the rest of the food didn't meet the same high standard. The Steak Tacos were overly salted, as were the Cajun Fries (go to 5 Guys instead). The jalapeno cole slaw was a nice twist, but went overboard on the spiciness. With the price pretty high and not convenient from public transport, it's not worth searching out unless you have a singular burger craving.
(2)Sam T.
Came here a little while back to grab a quick breakfast since its in the neighborhood, and was very disappointed with the service. They sat the two of us in one of the booths (since the restaurant was empty). It took about 5 minutes before we were even greeted or given menus. Some water was dropped off at the table, yet still no server. As we were sitting, we kept smelling a very funky smell; almost like dirty mop water and sewer. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from and it was very off putting. Another 5-7 minutes went by and still no server. The smell was gross and since nobody seemed to acknowledge us, we just got up and left. Pretty sure nobody even noticed. If you're not going to take care of your customers, you should really rethink the business you are in.
(1)Megan M.
service has some room for development. but holy cow, this place is amazing. ordered david's special ($12). cheesy grits, shrimp, mushrooms, bacon, creamy wine sauce. never thought i'd be into that, but it was phenomenal. the bf got biscuits and gravy ($12), topped with two eggs. def one of the best biscuits and gravy we've ever had (& we've had a lot to compare to). portions were generous too. overall, very impressed. the paintings of nick offerman on the wall's were a plus too. can't wait to go back!
(5)Tiffani S.
Went to Whisk on a Groupon after mixed reviews from friends. I'm so glad I wasn't paying full price because after we inquired about the Groupon the service quickly diminished! We asked for a glass of ice to go with a Diet Coke and when it arrived after our food, it was basically half a glass of water. No apology, no offer to actually bring out a fresh one that was not melted. The cheese grits were not to my liking (go to Wishbone if you would like proper cheese grits). The real problem is when Chef Ricky dismissed my complaint via Groupon and said that our service was not bad implying that Whisk never gives bad service and that he stands 100% behind his food. I would hope that you stand 100% behind your product but don't take offense if my tastebuds don't like it, I'm entitled to my opinion. More importantly don't dismiss my experience just because it was negative, especially if you weren't dining with me nor were my server. I'm appalled more by the response that I received from Chef Ricky than anything else. This is Chicago where restaurants close just as fast as they open you should be more aware in your response to your customers. That was not good Customer Service.
(1)Kevin K.
This place is just one more excuse not to move to the burbs. Crab cakes from scratch. Loaded w crab and perfectly seasoned. Potatoes cooked to perfection. Coffee is legit. Best toast I've ever had, complimented w homemade jelly and homemade butter. Wow.
(5)N Prashant B.
We went for brunch and the food was awesome. The service was ok. Bought a $29 for $35 on Yelp and they only gave me 32. Wasn't worth the confrontation so we went ahead and moved on. But, be careful with that. Back to the food- freaking awesome.
(4)Natalka K.
Burgers are great but filling. They also have different wraps and tacos if you're not in the mood for a burger. In the summer, you can sit in their back patio. Their main dining area is roomy for groups. I'd be back!
(5)Gregory C.
BYOB hands down one of my new all time favorite places to go to in Chicago. The brunch is terrific!
(5)Rosa C.
I love the wide selection of Mexican breakfasts that they have! I ordered the steak and eggs for the gains and Snickers French toast (SFT) for pleasure! I came with four other people and they were all very hesitant on ordering the SFT. By the time I was done with my steak meal, these jerks almost finished my SFT! They left me two bites! It sounds like it will be very sweet, but it is not! It is so delicious! I am definitely going back for the SFT!
(5)Kolyan D.
Solid for brunch and for burgers! And you can get burgers breakfast style! We had brunch a while ago, but I remember that it was pretty darn good and I'd go again. Had the burgers last night and they were very good! Lots of good options available, as well as other dinner items. The back patio is a nice cozy place to eat as well. Get your Groupon on and then come back for the full price meal because it's worth it!
(5)Alfredo G.
The rajas tacos lacked flavor and weren't even spicy. Just a taco full of bland vegetables. The tortilla wasn't even hand made. The best part of my meal was the water they served.
(2)Damaris C.
First time here. Came in for breakfast on a random Thursday morning. The look and feel of the place invite you to linger over your meal. The music is on point. The service is quite efficient. The food is off the chain good. Seriously. Oh ma lawd!! I had the biscuits and gravy. My husband ordered the steak and eggs. We shared an order of the Salted Caramel Pancakes: AMAZEBALLS!!!! I know it sounds like a cavity on a plate, but it's so subtle and the combination of white chocolate, caramel and crushed pretzels over the most delicious flapjacks is just sublime. Try it. Our orders came out in a timely manner and piping hot. The variety of brunch offerings on the menu is impressive. The burgers sound delicious. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)Anna G.
Brunched here yesterday with a friend. It was just us 2 and another table. I ordered and iced chai and the chicken pear club; my friend a coffee and the egg breakfast entree. The food and drinks were great, no complaints there (my portion of the club was so large, I saved half for lunch today). Our server was very friendly and attentive, buuuut, he didn't seem to know the basics of the menu (the sides, in particular) and was a bit thrown off/confused when we asked follow up questions. The other complaint? It took FOREVER for the food to come out. There were only 4 people dining in the entire place! I hope they figure out these new restaurant kinks because I really liked the space and the food... and hope to try more!
(3)Ryan L.
With the giant comfy booths in the back and the tiled ceiling, it feels like High Dive. That is - it feels like High Dive only with Mexican food and bright lighting, and minus the hipster jukebox. Concept here is dinner for breakfast. They have burgers, sandwiches, and wraps in which some could be made breakfast-style (replacing with eggs, chorizo, french toast, etc). There is also Mexican fare, reflective of the roots of the chef. Determined to order the specialties, we ordered the chilaquiles and the horseshoe. Both delicious. The scrambled eggs that came with the chilaquiles were prepared just the way I like them - soft and fluffy. Not that it needed more flavor, but adding salsa verde to the chilaquiles rocked. The horseshoe breakfast-style had chipotle hollandaise sauce and a sunnyside up egg. Also delicious. Delicious fresh-cut fries complete the horseshoe. One suggestion- concerns the booths in the back. It works in High Dive because it's a bar, but not really for a sit down restaurant. The space would be better served with more tables than 3 booths. Let's just say 5-6 tables could fit there instead. That's double the capacity in terms of parties. I overheard a couple waiting at the bar discussing the same thing about the booth. BYOB - it's totes worth it as small bottles of soda will run you $3. The meal itself was quite inexpensive so this is a nice spot for a group dinner.
(4)Melissa K.
Absolutely adorable!!! We walked over this past Sunday for a late brunch (around noon). We had a group of 5 and asked to sit outside thinking it was a bit of a tall order as we only saw small two-tops on the sidewalk. The hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes for the first available table. Roughly 7 minutes later she told us our table was ready and started walking away..Curiously, we followed her past the restaurant and down the gangway. We reached the back and came upon the most adorable back patio complete with a little garden and umbrellas and all things perfect. We were seated in a very large, comfortable booth outside and could not have been happier. The menu had something for everyone and the food was delicious. Our server was fun, and funny and wonderful. The only reason I am not going with 5 stars is the food took a rather long time for being a breakfast joint but at least we had wonderful surroundings while we waited and the waiter was very good about refilling coffee and waters. A hidden gem and I highly recommend it. Added bonus - the staff were wearing Whisk shirts that featured the blackhawks feathers...nice touch!!
(4)Justin B.
Although you do get a lot of food here for the bucks, I was disappointed by Whisk. The space is a bit of a mishmash of styles; it's got some art on the walls, a cool whisk in the entryway, but a massive TV in the middle of the restaurant. The food was not bad and priced well for the size of the burgers, but the fries (especially the chimichurri fries) were terrible and they were out of pepper jack cheese when we showed up. (I guess the Mariano's across the street doesn't sell cheese in bulk???) BYO, friendly service and the Horseshoe burger served breakfast style without the pepper jack were all great attributes of this spot...but I would come back for brunch to give it one more try, given the proximity to my house.
(3)Jason E.
The cakes were AWESOME, but the sandwiches were too rich.
(3)Michelle R.
The food is so awesome here!! I love their Ron Swanson wall! Cracks me up every time. The staff is also super friendly!
(5)Lyness H.
So my bf and I went to this place randomly today because we found a groupon for $22 for $36 which is MORE than enough to grab a good amount of food for two here. Pricing & Portions: The menu offers so many great dishes it was kinda hard to pick one thing! But because their pricing is so great we didn't have to haha. Average dish price is $10. I ordered a croissant sandwich, my bf had the southern style chicken burger, and we split an order of Snickers French Toast. Everything was amazing. They had to substitute my croissant for texas toast but it was still really good. Decor & BYOB Policy: The place isn't big and it's very creatively and nicely decorated. Kinda funky wall paintings and old school soul music playing over head. Really comfy HUGE booths in addition to bar seating. It was just a really great atmosphere. They're also BYOB and supply you with wine glasses. Who doesn't love BYOB? Service: The service was great, we were seated immediately and our waiter was really attentive and funny. I thought they couldn't top the awesome table side service: wrong. I ended up boxing half my sandwich that I didn't finish to go and ended up leaving it on the table. We came back by and i ran in to grab it but they'd already thrown in out. So a woman, who I'm assuming was the manager, asked if I just wanted them to make me another one. I didn't wanna be a bother but she assured me it was no problem and even gave it to me for free. So that was pretty awesome. Needless to say, the bf and I will definitely be back and will definitely be recommending this place to our friends.
(5)Lindsey M.
Cute place. Very cozy. Always love BYOB. Food was decent- had the chilaquiles. They were ok. Honestly wasn't all too impressed, especially since people rave about them. Service was a little slow but not terrible- although I did over hear our waitress bashing some customers. $4 for a TINY carafe of OJ- not even fresh squeeze. Yikes bikes. I'll probably go back to try some other menu options but not in a rush to go back. Enjoyable but not to die for.
(4)Shane G.
I have ordered from Whisk 4 times in the last three weeks on GrubHub. The first time I ordered from them I was skeptical because I know a lot of times I order from places and the food that is delivered is soggy and doesn't taste that great. (I'm looking at you Lockdown.) However, all four of my orders arrived on time and very fresh. I had their crab cakes, pepper jack cheese fries, and cheesy grits. The crab cakes were amazing. The fries weren't soggy, and the cheesy grits were pretty good, too. Each time I ordered from Whisk the subsequent three times I tried something new: Aztec omelette, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, Snickers Stuffed French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy, Truffle Fries, Crab Benedict, and Reese's Pancakes. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach because the menu here has soooo many great options and I can't help but want to try them all. I have honestly never been disappointed by this place. My favorite things so far have been the Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, the Crab Benedict, the Reese's Pancakes, and the truffle fries. Please do yourself a favor and try this place. You won't regret it. I'm not sure what sort of problems these other Yelpers have had, but in 4 orders Whisk has always delivered VERY quickly and never messed up my order.
(5)Joey M.
Went for weekend brunch and were fortunate enough to get bar seating (small but cozy) Whisk boasts a plethora of coffee and soda varieties that are part of it's appeal I ordered the Snickers Stuffed french toast which I believe was just two pieces of french toast with a melted snickers between them (a french toast snickers sandwich if you will) but was very tasty :) Sampled (benefit of eating out with friends lol) -- biscuits and gravy dish was ultra flavorful and savory. Served in a bowl and looks like a hodge-podge of food but tastes better than it looks! Large serving. --black beans which have a spicy after-kick but are delicious While I enjoyed the food I think there are other places around that I would like to try out before I returned here
(3)Ben S.
Best place for brunch in the city! Everything on the menu is great. I suggest coming with a few people and sharing all the menu items. The southern chicken sandwich might be the best in the city. It's a must try and you will be hooked after.
(5)Miharu H.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a new place to try before the Bulls' game and thought we'd tried something in the surrounding area. We shared the Spicy Honey BBQ wings, House Burger and Big Bite Burger. The wings had a little spice and sweetness to them, which were delicious. The House Burger was by far the star of the meal. Everything just melted together really well. If we are in the area again, I would definitely try some other items on the menu. The one downside was the menu was that the fries were just a let down.
(4)Jorge M.
So i bought a groupon for this place and after 50 min waiting we finally got a table. Place is sooooo small and was packed, because is BYOB people takes longer to eat since some people bring a lot of booze. Our waiter was nice but was kinda confused cause first we ordered a orange juice and a bucket for the champagne and took him almost 10 min probably more to bring it. Then because you share tables with more people the one next to us they ordered kinda the same plate that I ordered and they brought them the wrong food theirs food runner gave it to the wrong table. They had to apologize and make a new one. Now good thing that after those incidents food was actually very good specially the David's special. In overall good place but to small and they should put a time for the people cause they waiting for a table was very annoying because people don't want leave the place drinking and talking.
(3)Paulette S.
Wonderful brunch! The chef really knows how to use herbs and seasonings. Among the three of us, we enjoyed items including black bean patties with mango sauce (so tasty!), fried potatoes (crispy and seasoned wonderfully with rosemary); sweet potato fries (crispy and delicious), and more. The pancakes with pear and white chocolate sauce sounded like they would be "too sweet," but they were "just right." The batter reminded us of the taste of sweet cream waffles. The toast was served with home made jam. In addition, the staff was friendly and attentive.
(5)Rosaileen B.
This place was awesome! Food was delicious! I got the chorizo omelette and it was perfect. My sister ordered the snickers pancakes and the only regret I have is that I didn't order my own. The service was great as well. Definitely going back!
(5)Michelle R.
Brunch was amazing! Bought a groupon last night & went this morning on my day off! Snickers French toast was bomb!!! Def will go back again! Top brunch place in Chicago!!
(5)julie q.
So, because it's the first official day of their opening, I'll let the long wait time for our food slide. But, man oh man - it was worth the wait! I had the BLT Benedict - The hollandaise was super flavorful and the pesto was some of the best tasting pesto I've had in awhile. Husbo had the Dave's special - garlic shrimp, cheese grits, shrooms, bacon, and white wine cream sauce - How can you go wrong??? It was super delish. By the time we left there was a long wait to get in - I'm sure it will continue as long as they keep the food as flavorful as it is and get the kinks worked out... YAY Whisk! Note - The iced tea is a sweet, maybe peach?, tea. I do not like sweet tea so it was kind of a rude awakening. Just an FYI.
(4)Emily E.
Thought the food was delicious and well portioned ( although if you are getting the cheesy grits with shrimp make sure to share its huge and oh so delicious) The outdoor area was quaint and nicely set up.
(3)Eric R.
Looooooong wait. They kept taking everyone but my party. No explanations, No apologies. The food was good, but not worthy of s 40 minute wait
(2)Amy G.
I love brunch so I decided to give WHISK a try. The food was good, but I wouldn't say great..? I got a panini and the bread was pretty hard. But their potatoes were really good. Maybe I just need to try something else if I were to go again.
(4)Laur N.
Good place to grab a bite! Had the House Salad - REally like & appreciate that chicken/steak is included - hate when other places don't include, so bonus points to Whisk! slightly more ice burg than flat out spring greens but it was really beautiful, delicious and filling overall - I'd get it again. The burger we had was the one on texas toast with jalapenos and it was Awesome. Recommend trying it. Tacos were also good - meat was juicy and lean, little confused about the cheese on the bottom and was the tortilla fried ? but it was good! Soda selection was fun : ) Cute place, really attentive and friendly nice service. Try it.
(4)Linda H.
Absolutely love everything about it. Food is great , people are great, kid friendly. So happy to have such a wonderful delicious place in our neighborhood.
(5)John U.
Great breakfast. A little slow on the service and seating for busier mornings but you can't fault them for being good at what they do. Try the breakfast burrito. I'd also recommend they put in some appetizer options for dinner menu to extend your visit but their burgers are great. Back patio is well shaded.
(4)Becky C.
Yummy burger and great service! Went for dinner but will definitely be back for brunch!
(5)Roman M.
Solid local option. Had the breakfast burrito, which was tasty but not too overwhelmingly big. Perfect size, and with nicely cooked potatoes and a great chipotle based salsa - I was content. Nothing really blew me away though, so I had trouble going over 3 stars. Just to be clear, nothing was wrong with this meal or atmosphere or service - just not totally blown away. I recommend this place to anyone in the hood.
(3)Vanessa B.
This place is great. I really enjoyed my food, and saw several other options on the menu that I plan to go back and try. The best part though was the friendly genuine staff. What a lovely place.
(5)Teresa B.
Good food, nice atmosphere. Came with a party & everyone enjoyed their food. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Nicki P.
Just had a great brunch at whisk. Arrived about 1:30pm and didn't have to wait long for a seat the the communal table which was fine. I opted for the crab Benedict which was great and covered in a Chipotle sauce ( I would have preferred this on the side but was still good). The bacon I ordered on the side was really tasty as well. My friend ordered the chilequiles which were great. The best part is BYOB, will be back for sure for the reeses pancakes!
(4)Dawn G.
Me and my husband were in Whisk the other night and the hostess was wonderful. She was polite and always smiling. It was a great experience with great food but having someone like her to welcome us and make sure everything was ok was a delight. Me and my husband will be frequently going to whisk not for just the food and ambience but for the hostess that was so polite to us. Thanks for having someone like her. Great place
(5)Brunchar V.
Everything was OK, but why eat just OK? Our first issue was our Groupon, which was our own fault. We did not look at prices ahead of time. Our Groupon got us $36 worth of breakfast, which is way more than we needed. We didn't realize it was BYOB. Everything on the menu sounded really good. Unfortunately, almost nothing was. We both ordered the crab cakes, our waitress' personal favorite. They had a slight freezer taste to them. The house potatoes could have been crispier. The jam for the toast was excellent - it was the best part of the meal. Whisk prides itself on its bacon - good, but nothing to write home about. The grits were awful. They made me glad I didn't order the house special of shrimp and grits. While we were waiting (a long time) for our food, we thought we should come back on the weekend for the benedicts, but we're not going back. I always root for little brunch places, but the food here just doesn't cut it.
(2)Freddy F.
Great 1st experience ! We enjoyed brunch items on a Tuesday afternoon. My wife had the Whisk Hash which had a great combination of pulled pork, sweet potatoes, chipotle hollandaise and scrambled eggs, quite DELICIOUS ! I tried the Mexican Scramble which consisted of scrambled eggs, jalapeños, ham, onions, tomatoes and sour cream. Simple, yet tasteful! Then came dessert, which the name immediately caught our eye ......Snickers Stuffed French Toast, need I say more ? One word ..... UnF'nBelievable !!! On the service side they're wait/bus staff was super friendly, oh and they had the best baby changing station :) We'll see you real soon, Whisk ! Thanks!
(4)Nancy A.
Ok... Where do I start? I just left this place and I am absolutely infuriated! Is my birthday and decided to give this place a try. The second I walked in, the vibe from the hostess was so cold. She didn't smile, she hardly even greeted my family and I. When asked where the bathroom was, she replied very rudely while not looking at me with "Next to the exit sign". Our food took forever and it was cold. The menu also said my dish came with potatoes and they didn't came with my food. My Chileaquiles were dry and cold. Even the cheese was already clumpy. Our orange juice was 4 dollars for less than 8oz. The service was slow. The hostess asked in order to redeem my groupon voucher I needed to download the app. Once I was ready to pay, she made sure to grab everyone's else's check first even after I was standing next to the cashier register. She forgot to hand me my food to go and I got a parking ticket because she was taking so long to take care of me. Smh. Food was expensive and not worth it. Sorry Whisk, you lost a few customer. Get better and friendly staff!!!
(1)Sebastian W.
Havent been here since i moved out if UK, but this place is THE place to have brunch at. The Pumpkin cinnamon pancakes are AMAZING, take advantage of their BYOB and No corkage fee. I cant wait to go back for dinner next time I'm visiting my sister and sit on their patio.
(5)Tracy L.
Such an amazing place! I am in love with chilaquiles and they made them just right. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Dan S.
I got the famous "Ron Swanson" burger last night and was completely underwhelmed. Ow was cooked way over well done and served on a bun about 3x bigger than the burger. Wouldn't have been a big deal, but seeing that they charge $18 for the burger it kinda is.
(2)Walter T.
Come here hungry, the food is so good you won't want to stop eating. Be it Brunch or Dinner haven't had a bad experience yet! The decor adds a unique flair to the restaurant, including a giant whisk in front. Great ode to Ron Swanson with a burger wrapped in a pound of bacon, yum!!!
(5)Brian K.
Went for breakfast a few weeks ago with my girlfriend for breakfast. It was a weekday and it was not very crowded - there was only one server working so it took a little while for us to make our order. I had bacon/egg/cheese croissant, she ordered the chilaquiles. Both dishes were excellent - the Chilaquiles really stood out. I only deducted one star as the service was a bit slow and our server seemed to be wishing she was anywhere but there. Other than that it was delicious food and we will be back, hopeful to catch our server on a better day.
(4)Nicki S.
Have now been to WHISK for brunch twice and had great experiences both times. First of all, it's BYOB and across the street from a Mariano's. Go getcha somethin! The first time a friend and I tried WHISK, there was a 20 minute wait on a Saturday around noon, which is pretty standard and well worth the wait. The menu was so appealing, the two of us couldn't decide on what to get so we ended up getting 3 entrees to share. My favorite was the David's Special which consists of sautéed garlic shrimp, bacon, mushrooms, scallions, wine and cream sauce served over cheesy grits...say no more! We also got the Pulled Pork Benedict, whcih was delightful if you are a benedict fan. Our third dish was the Salted Caramel Pancakes, which are pure heaven and great to share. I am yet to try WHISK for dinner, but that is next on my list!
(5)No N.
I love WHISK! I had the white chocolate and pear pancakes that were to die for! My husband had the southern Benedict that made me jealous ! I had a bottle of Procecco and my husband had beer. Our waiter was super friendly and super knowledgeable with the menu. He even asked if I wanted orange juice to make a Mimosa! "Why yes I do!" I wish I remembered his name, but when I go back I'll make sure to update this review!
(5)Tim C.
Just tried to dine at Whisk. We had high hopes, but they would not let us sit on the patio with our dog. If you have a dog and want to sit outside, keep on walking.
(1)Mak D.
I saw this restaurant on Groupon and said I had to try this place out. I had purchased the brunch Groupon for two, so I took my lady friend. We arrived there about 7:45am on a Monday and we were the first customers. My lady friend ordered the crab cake breakfast and I ordered the half caramel pancake(1 pancake instead of two), the breakfast House Burger which consisted of a 8 oz. beef burger, chorizo, avocado, chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, tortilla chips, and 2eggs(which I had sunny side up) on French Texas toast. What a burger!!! I had Greek fries on the side. We both thought the food was pretty good. The only thing we were not pleased with was the food was not hot which was surprising due to the fact that we were the only customers. Therefore we gave them a 4 star instead of a 5 star but we will come again!!!
(4)Stephen M.
One of the best brunches I have had in a very long time. Pulled pork eggs benedict & the snickers French toast were both awesome. Added bonus they a byob! The place is not huge... expect a wait. Price is reasonable especially since they are byob.
(5)Jay S.
Mexican brunch and gourmet burgers are two of my favorite types of food and this place has variety of excellent options in both of these categories. Several of the gourmet burgers are also Mexican inspired. I could honestly eat here for both brunch and dinner in the same day. Their goofy but very nice server/manager is very courteous and makes the dining experience even better.
(5)Dan D.
solid option in UKV.
(4)Mary Ann C.
I was eager to try this new brunch spot, and it was even better than I expected. Super cute inside. Friendly service. Kilogram tea! Really?! This shows attention to detail. But, it gets better.......the FOOD! I ordered David's Special, which included cheese grits with sauce and shrimp over. Probably a million calories, but this dish was perfectly executed and stunningly delicious! Plump and tasty shrimp, addictive grits with a creamy bacon sauce over! Piping hot. A winner. I will be back on another weekday. This place is small, so you will not see me waiting for a table (and I imagine there is a lengthy wait) on the weekends!!!!
(5)Kaley C.
This place is the bomb dot com. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich with truffle fries, absolutely amazing. I want to go back to try their breakfast. It's also BYOB which is a plus but if you're planning on making mimosas don't order their orange juice. That was the only bad experience of my meal!
(4)Kelley C.
"And if you like [shrimp] and grits and all that pimp shit..." We live so close to this place...but this was our first visit. YUM! Dave's Special, add a side of spinach. Omg. "Drip drip drop, there goes [a mouthgasm]..." I like the way you cook. Thank you for coming to the neighborhood.
(5)Adam J.
Great service, wonderful food, and wonderful atmosphere. The Swanson Burger was great, and could easily be shared. The Hawaiian salad was delicious also. I will come back with friends again!
(5)Sam D.
Cute spot but i should have ordered brunch. Instead looking at menu, i ordered the chicken w pear slices and that was not to my liking. There wasn't enough chicken for the price I paid for the sandwich. The chicken was hard and not in good taste. The cajun fries on the other hand were delicious. I'll order breakfast next time.
(1)Adam D.
This place is like watching Gladiator for the first time. Freaking awesome! Best breakfast I've had in a long time. I work an early shift and I'm always eating at different joints but this one is tops. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and they were the best I think I've ever had. The coffee is fantastic too. The biggest bonus was the changing table! We have 7 week old and the table in the bathroom is huge and cushioned. They definitely had families in mind when putting this place together. I'm telling you, forget Yolk or even Palace Grill. This place beats them all for breakfast.
(5)Captain M.
This place is tiny but it has a lot of character. I've never been a huge fan of byob but they were pretty accommodating. The food was great. The service was great. I want to try the whole menu.
(4)Denise G.
When I eat brunch, I prefer to do so while a portrait of Ron Swanson watches over me, so of course I was in luck when I went to Whisk. Leslie Knope and the whole cast of Parks & Rec would have died and gone to Heaven the second they stepped through the door here. The brunch choices are absolutely amazing, and really I don't think I could have gone wrong with whatever I chose. I was torn between the Snickers French Toast, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, and the Reese's Pancakes. Narrowing my options down to one entree was so tenuous that I had to decide over a side order of bacon and an artisan soda (both delicious). Like anyone who aspires to someday weigh 9,000 pounds solely based on their choices of breakfast food, I asked my server if it was possible to try one of each pancake, and leave the Snickers French Toast for another time when I wanted to slip into a delicious food coma. Two months after my trip to Whisk, I still can't decide which pancake I liked better. I'll probably need to go back at least ten more times before I can decide. I am eager to check out the dinner menu and also add a BYOB Brunch into the mix as well. There's also a grocery store right across the street in case there is any need for BYOB reinforcements.
(5)Gregory G.
We've returned several times since my original review. We liked it well enough, they're decent with medium sized groups, and it was extremely closeby, but today is likely my last visit. Walked in hoping to grab a quick breakfast. Several tables were open. One couple was waiting at the hostess stand waiting for their table to be set up. I asked how long for one, was told I would be seated as soon as she was back from taking them to their table, so I had a seat in the waiting area. Meanwhile, a couple walks in and waits by the stand. Hostess returns and they ask how long for two. She shows them to seats right away. Queue the party of 4 walking in saying "let's just see how long the wait is." Hostess returns, they're seated. I waited at the stand and asked what the deal was when she returned. She said it would just be a moment, as she wanted to give the servers a chance to catch up with the people she just seated. When asked why they were seated before me, she said they already had their names on the "list." When I told her I heard their conversations and knew that wasn't the case, she stumbled and rudely said "well, it'll just be a couple of minutes." As I started walking towards the door, she quickly exclaimed that she could show me to my seat, conveniently squished between a corner and another diner (there were still tables open and other seats at the bar). I just continued out the door. I don't mind waiting, I understand servers need time to catch up, and I understand you're not going to seat a person alone at a giant table right before brunch rush, but I don't appreciate being lied to. Someone needs to teach that girl the value of a customer. I won't be back, and you can be darn sure I'll be passing this on to my friends, many of whom are regular customers.
(1)Angie D.
First time going. Had brunch with my sissy. It was FANTASTIC!! We got there at 9:45 am on a Saturday, so we beat the crowd. No wait. The food was delicious. And the BYOB.... Enough said! Will definitely be back!
(4)Michelle R.
I *love* the food at Whisk, it is amazing. The service on the other hand, is mediocre at best. I eat at Whisk often and can no longer just chalk the bad service up to someone having a bad day. The hostess there is SO unfriendly every time we're in there - without fail - and has been downright rude at other times. God forbid you go in there with a baby - she will NOT be accommodating and will undoubtedly make you feel like you're burdening her. Then there is the one server with permanent BRF - another unpleasant and very unfriendly woman to deal with. I have worked in restaurants - I know how customers can be a huge pain in the ass - but our party of 4 was very chill, friendly, and understanding yet we were still treated like crap. The people I was with have already decided they will never go back simply based on the terrible service. I don't understand how these two women still have jobs after multiple people have commented on the bad service - Whisk is starting to get a bad reputation. Aside from these two women, the rest of the staff has been pretty good. There was a gentleman who waited on us for dinner last week who was awesome. And again, the food is outstanding. Just a shame you have to feel like you're a bother when you're there.
(2)Carrie G.
Came in around 9am this morning for breakfast with my husband. There were multiple open tables outside, so we asked the hostess about sitting out there. She informed us that we couldn't sit there because babies weren't allowed outside. Mind you we purposely left the stroller at home, knowing space is tight at Whisk. My sleeping infant was in a Bjorn carrier attached to me and didn't need a chair, which I see is an explanation management gave to another reviewer who cited similar issue when coming in with a baby. Also, when we arrived, there was a couple dining outside with their two children, so the 2 person max claim doesn't even hold. Sounds like it's time to educate the staff on exactly what your patio "rules" are. To those with children- don't bother coming here. Go down the street to child-friendly West Town Bakery- baby/kid/stroller friendly!! My husband and I sat outside at a two-top table while my infant happily snoozed in the Bjorn.
(1)Michael V.
Whisk is a great addition to the neighborhood. I had high hopes for this place -- Chickpea was one of my favorites -- and happily I wasn't disappointed. I went for brunch for the first time this week and got the breakfast burrito. It's my test food for new brunch restaurants -- if you can nail the breakfast burrito, you can usually count on everything else being good. They nailed it -- generous chorizo, avocado and salsa. My companions got the chorizo omelette and the fried chicken sandwich, and both loved their meals. Looking forward to taking one of those fried chicken sandwiches home for dinner soon. Service was great, although the wait for the food was a little long considering that they weren't particularly busy. Unlike some of the other reviewers here, however, I like to give a restaurant in its first few weeks a little slack. Seriously people -- one star for slow service on a restaurant's first day?! Anyway, happy to have a new brunch staple in the neighborhood, and I look forward to trying the burgers!
(5)Carly P.
I am dumbfounded at the more negative reviews - I thought Whisk was great! We ordered the croissant sandwich and the breakfast burrito and everything was perfect. It's a little pricey, but my meal was worth it. My only criticism is minor - I wish they had another option for pop drinkers. Buying bottle after bottle of speciality soda gets expensive, even though it's delicious and aesthetically adorable. I think my favorite thing about Whisk so far is how willing they are to hear criticism. Many other members of staff - not just our server - checked in with us regarding the quality of our food and experience . There are even surveys on the tables asking for suggestions. Your negative reviews will not hurt the restaurant, only make it better. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Natalie B.
After seeing a line out the door, I figured this place must be worth the wait. We were told it would be a 1.5 hour wait, and planned to go somewhere else. The owner told then told us that he was preparing a table for us and it would only be about 10 minutes, so we decided to stay. Nope. 1.5 hours was still accurate. A few times we got ready to leave and he'd come by and say "I'm getting your table ready, only a few more minutes!" But it was never really true. To their defense, a lot of other restaurants were closed for labor day and I noticed people sitting at their table for a long time after finishing, but don't lie. He was apologetic for the wait, though. We finally got in, and they showed the 5 of us to a "communal table" with two other groups sitting at it. There were 4 chairs in a line...And 5 of us. He pulled up another bar stool so we could squish in, and promised he would move us to a booth when another group left. They started seating other groups at the booths when they cleared out, and when I asked about it he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about. We finally got moved after asking if we could take the booth when another group left. It's byob, so we brought champagne for mimosas and ordered orange juice. 15-20 minutes later, the waitress bring 4 ojs in tiny jars and leaves. She didn't come by to check on us, so I eventually flagged her down while she was walking by to ask for the 5th oj and you know, maybe some glasses to put it in. It eventually came out, but again we were short a glass and had to ask for another. Our food was dropped off by a runner. It was good (I had the breakfast burrito), but I think at this point we were irritated enough that we didn't enjoy it as much as we would have otherwise. The runner didn't bring silverware or napkins, so we sat with our food on the table unable to eat it. After asking 3 times for silverware, a waitress brought some forks in a paper cup , saying that they had run out of rolled silverware. It wouldn't be a big deal, but we didn't have napkins either. Three out of 5 of our meals were supposed to come with toast or an English muffin, but nobody got them. Our waitress never came by to check on us during the entire meal, so we had all finished eating and didn't want to wait for it anymore. It was extra disappointing because we were celebrating a birthday and hoped for a better experience. The food was fine, but there are a million other restaurants in the neighborhood that do it better. I don't plan on returning.
(2)Rui C.
4 stars for the food, 5 stars for the service, and 5 stars for BYOB. Seriously, how can you go wrong with a place that's BYOB & charges no corkage fee?! Great brunch spot if you wanna get a little buzzed with your salted caramel pancakes. Call ahead to reserve a table if you want to come Saturday mornings.
(5)Courtney M.
Stopped in here after arriving for a couple days in the Ukrainian village last Saturday. Brunch was amazing! The patio with beautiful cherry tree growing in one corner also made for wonderful ambience. Our pooch was welcome too and the waitress was quick to bring him over a bowl of water which we supremely appreciated. Such a small thing, but pet owners will love you forever if you show their four legged friend a little kindness... I ordered the house salad with steak (think corn, avo, crispy rommaine, I also added jalapeno) and my partner the David's special (garlic shrimp, bacon, scallions over cheesy grits). Both meals were a complete home run which was perfect because they carried us all day through to Wrigley Field that night. We'll definitely be back here next Chicago trip!
(5)Iveliss G.
Southern chicken sandwich= amazing!!!!!! Truffle fries or Cajun you can't go wrong with either. The orange pop is also tasty. BYOB!!!! And of course the service is quick and friendly, always. I think I have been here 6 times since they have opened and ordered the same thing every time. My best friend likes the grits with shrimp for breakfast, chicken tacos for dinner and the chicken and waffles for dinner. Dessert changes everyday, so that's a nice surprise. You will enjoy anything on the menu. Stop reading this review and go now :)
(5)Kirby M.
I have a Spring account and Whisk has been sent to me on multiple occasions so a friend and I decided to give Sunday brunch a shot. I ordered the chilaquiles on recommendation from our waiter (who was very sweet). My friend got the eggs benedict. We licked our plates. Service was slow but with a smile. On a leisurely Sunday morning where my friend and I wanted to spend time catching up, it was a perfect scene. The shared table experience isn't my favorite and I don't care for high chairs, but the couple seated next to us was adorable and friendly and I quickly forgot the high discomfort when all the pros were so gleaming. It was a solid experience. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Vanna T.
Great new brunch spot to this neighborhood. Went with a party of 5 and the food we all agreed was great, service great, and prices great too! BYOB you cannot beat! I ordered the crab cakes and eggs and substituted the grits for the breakfast potatoes. The crab cakes were delicious! I will definitely go again! Next time I'd like to try some of their coffees and get a sweet dish. (snickers french toast that went by our table looked AWEOSOME!)
(4)Jordan F.
Fifth time here. Entire place smelled like a toilet. Poor service. Food was good but we had to take it to-go due to the terrible aroma. We won't be back. Shame because we live just around the block.
(2)E S.
Get the southern style chicken sandwich! So good! We ate in the back patio and it was a great set up.
(4)Lynette R.
Love this place. Brunch has a great combination of sweet and savory without having huge portions. The breakfast croissant is outstanding. They don't load up the community table, so go for it!
(5)Pam H.
We came for a late lunch/early supper when there were maybe 3-4 other customers there. Service was fine. We had an enthusiastic server. I had the David's Special cheese grits with grilled shrimp. Excellent. Stick to your ribs ,superb for a wintery or damp day; generous portion. Next time ( and there will be a next time) I need to find out if I can order it with extra shrimp. (P.S.You need soup spoons for this, not teaspoons.) My friend had the burger which had the spicy cheese sauce and the crispy peppers on top. He was making pleasure noises and had a look on his face that ought not to be shown in a public place. He was happy, but I was very involved with my cheese grits. Excellent coffee. Dark Matter, I think they said. Brewed so it was strong , not burnt. Street parking. $4.00 for a 2 hour slot on the meter, but spaces were readily available. As noted, BYOB but Mariano is literally right across the street. One quibble. They had been doing some mid-shift cleaning and the scent from the bathroom cleaning solution was noticeable. Get an unscented brand.
(4)Hector T.
The place is very nice looking. They serve Dark Matter coffee. The food ranges from ok to good. The Davies special was really good. The Reeses pancakes were borderline ok but not sure why the name because did not taste like reeses. The menu stated "Reeses chocolate pieces" there were chocolate chips on them. I inquired about this and was told they actually just stick a small portion of a peanut butter cup inside and it melts. I however found no peanut butter flavor which seems very odd for a dish called Reeses Pancakes. The staff was friendly but need to improve their service. For example asking if things are ok, refilling coffee, and making sure order is complete. The price is a bit high.
(3)Breanne G.
I have been planning my next trip here. That is unheard from me... Yes, as I have said before, if you are on a diet, then brunch is not for you. I ordered the Aztec omelette and my husband ordered the breakfast burrito. They were not chintzy with the ingredients and I loved all the flavors. We both cleaned our plates!! I ordered beans instead of potatoes, but ended up getting potatoes. I was so glad I did. The potatoes will not disappoint. That's if you like your potatoes a little crunchy, not over cooked or soggy/mushy. The slice of watermelon on the plate was a nice added touch. Okay, I'm a person that loves great customer service. I felt the hostess needed a little more pep in her step. A smile goes a long way and she needs to be a little more inviting - especially if she is in the front of the restaurant. In addition, we were seated, but it took a little over five minutes for someone to acknowledge us, but the server was apologetic and super nice. Maybe the hostess could have said something about the rush in service and that we'd have to wait a little. I know they recently opened and are a work in progress. So far they are doing great!! Overall, I will definitely be going back to try some other yummy creations (not on a diet day). The food we ordered was delicious. Rick and David you did not disappoint!! The place is BYOB so don't forget your alcohol, if you want it. If I could, I would give them 4 1/2 stars. I hope to give them 5 stars one of these days.
(4)Burnt T.
Ownership has reached out and said it was an isolated incident. Since I'm local I'll definitely give it another shot and update the review accordingly. Thanks for being classy Whisk!
(3)Mark C.
Wow! I had no idea what to expect from Whisk, but let me tell you I was amazed at what came my way. The inside looks lovely, but surprise, there's a patio in the back! Another welcome surprise, BYOB. BUT let's talk about the food. Greek fries, steak and eggs ( with an added waffle) and a burger came to my table. What stole the show was the late addition of the fried chicken tender tacos. I know we in Chicago especially in the areas surrounding wicker park have become taco crazy. The bits of heaven in a tortilla have got to be the best I've ever had. Anyone who comes to Whisk will have to make a return trip, the menu is that inviting. The chef and owner are amazing gentleman and I wish you the best of luck.
(5)natalia k.
Average place. Got a burger , it was very satisfying. Place has an odd smell but I wouldn't say it's reflective of the quality. Very neat and clean. Used groupon. Worth a try!
(4)Charlotte B.
Mediocre at best. So many better breakfasts. We were very disappointed. Amateur. Food prep. That did not know how to prepare egg over easy or it sat & cooked waiting to go out. Had to send hard cooked egg dish back. Snicker French toast like what I make at home with Nutella. Just not ready for prime time! When woman who seemed to be front of house mgr asked & was told about our experience, she seemed ill prepared to comment or make an effort to make us want to come back. Skip this one. Not worth a wait either. Felt sorry for ppl waiting & complaining about their wait on our way out
(2)Thomas T.
Great location in the Ukrainian Village. The food was very good. Great burgers, fries & the salted caramel pancakes were amazing. Our only problem was upon entering there was a stuffy smell of mold. The closer to the back of the restaurant you go the stronger the mold becomes. The washroom was unbearable. Remediate your mold problem Whisk, we want to breath.
(3)Edwin W.
Not a bad addition to the UKV neighborhood. I went during their brunch hours on a weekday and the place was empty. We ordered the steak and eggs and the house burger to split. Everything tasted good until I got to eggs. We ordered the eggs over easy, but this egg came beyond well done. There was no runny yolk and the egg white was pretty tough. The eggs costed this place an extra star. regardless, I will definitely be coming back to try their dinner menu.
(3)Cori D.
Shrimp and cheesy grits - so, so good. Had that this morning, and I'll definitely come back again for it. (My friend had the crab benedict, and she said it was really good too.) I'd heard this pace was small, so I was really worried about getting a table for brunch on labor day weekend, but, by the time my friend arrived, we were seated. Score! Also, I saw other reviewers had complained about the service, but it was flawless for us. Our waiter was super funny and nice. And coffee refills were prompt, which is pretty important to me in a brunch place.
(5)Daisy R.
Really good place to have breakfast. I went with my boyfriend and it was really relaxing. I ordered the banana berry pancakes, let me just say I'm not a fan of pancakes and these were really good, they weren't too sweet for breakfast. My boyfriend ordered the Ukrainian scrambled eggs. We ended up trying each other's dish and we loved both of them. The one thing I didn't like was the coffee which was watered down but other than that I would love to go again and try the biscuit and gravy as well as the gourmet pops. This a very well recommended place. I'm glad I came here and I'll be going back soon.
(4)Victoria A.
Food was delicious! We ordered the Reese's pancakes, when whisk hash, and the biscuits and gravy. Portions are large and the environment is adorable. Love the Ron Swanson painting everywhere! Found them hilarious.
(4)Vivian R.
I've only been for breakfast so far but everything I've had, has been DELICIOUS!! The David's special is my absolute favorite but nothing I've tried was disappointing, all good! Definitely a must try!
(5)Mich S.
YES!! YES!! Whisk, has done it. I have wanted to find a dinning experience that offered the American style brunch with a twist of Mexican flavor. I LOVE THIS PLACE. The steak and Chicken options are excellent. Cooked magnificently leaving your taste buds pleased and wanting more. The owners David and Rick are great people and hard at work. They take what they do seriously but treat it as a craft not a job. They love what they do and it shows through the food, flavor and experience. I can't wait to come back.
(5)Leang E.
I was sad to know that Chickpea had gotten replaced because it was the closest Mediterranean food spot to me, and then I ate here at Whisk and all was forgiven. I had already done my research in buying my GiltCity voucher because this place had 4 stars here and saw that it was BYOB. I decided that it was ok for us to try this place out for dinner before brunch first. My boyfriend and I were impressed by the service. Scott, our waiter, was great with the recommendations and was genuinely personable and very attentive. On special that day were the wings which were pretty good if you like them breaded as they were nice and crispy and not soggy. I was able to do the breakfast style House burger which was AMAZE-balls! I've never had a burger that was made out of a French toast as the buns before and it was a great combination of sweetness with the saltiness of the filling inside - the egg, the tortilla strips, chorizo, and burger meat and the right amount of spicy. Scott was so money about pairing the burger with the chimichurri fries. Holy cow - so flavorful and I didn't even need or want this with ketchup and I am definitely a sauce girl. I would say watch out because the garlic is pretty potent, so make-out sessions will be put on hold. Prices are reasonable. This only makes me want to come here for brunch.
(5)Shannon C.
Awesome Goose Island root beer and one of the best huavoes Ranchero I've ever had. Amazing and friendly service!
(4)Matt M.
I'm signing up for Yelp mainly to write a review of this wonderful restaurant. In December of 2012, my girlfriend and I moved to the Ukrainian Village because it was the perfect central location for both of our jobs, and we really enjoyed the vibe of the neighborhood. However, when we welcomed our son in 2013, we realized that the neighborhood was not the best for taking kids out to eat. We love the restaurants in the area and Wicker Park, but found that many of the restaurants are of the bar/gastropub variety, and many that will welcome kids don't have high chairs or children's menus. Don't get me wrong, we understand the desire for the childless to eat without being surrounded by crying/screaming kids, and we are the first to remove our son if he acts up. Still, though, we don't always want to cook or grab takeout. Whisk was a godsend for us. The food is delicious. Try the David's Special (shrimp and grits) or the morning hash. They are both "slap your grandma" delicious. Plus, while they are not all up to par, the bottled rootbeers that they sell are all interesting tastes. Best of all, they are very accommodating for families. When we first went in (within two weeks of their opening), Whisk didn't have a kids menu, but they happily gave us several child-friendly options for $5-$6. Our little guy loved the chicken strips. The next time we came back, they had an official menu, but our son didn't care for the changes made to the chicken. They happily made it for him "original style." He also loves the burger and Mickey Mouse pancakes. We live almost directly across the street, so we have seen Whisk in the middle of the week for dinner when it's almost empty and on busy weekend brunches. We have never had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a table. The servers are extremely friendly. We want to give a special shout out to Sonya who always makes time to stop by our table for a brief chat whenever we come in. I think our son might be developing a little crush. She certainly adds to the warm family atmosphere that we've experienced every time we come to Whisk.
(5)Terra Z.
The food was great I would give this more stars. As soon as we were done eating, the manager asked us to leave to give the table to another party even though the restaurant was not busy. I have never experienced that before.
(1)Billy S.
If you're looking for food that's just a step above a random truck stop diner, or not quite as good as Chili's, then Whisk is your place! My Whisk experience, in chronological order, went from bad to worse: - Glasses were dirty - Waiter was clueless about the menu - We were served the wrong order - Food failed on all levels: Taste, presentation, and creativity The chilaquiles were mush, the fries were oily and limp, and the burger tasted like it had been microwaved. It was only $25 bucks for two people, but we could have eaten at McD's across the street for half that and been more satisfied.
(1)Jenny A.
I visited Whisk on a weekday morning for breakfast with a girlfriend. Despite being one of two parties in the restaurant, we did not receive great service. I had to ask the server for a coffee refill several times. They were also out of the menu item that I wanted. I thought the menu was not especially interesting.
(3)Heather M.
The food here is outstanding!! Unique flavors and dishes in a sea of generic brunch places. The Whisk hash, pulled pork, sweet potatoes, eggs and an amazing savory hollandaise..... Nom nom nom. I don't know if I will ever try the sandwiches here because the breakfast fare is just so damn delicious. A true gem in Ukrainian Village!!
(5)Brian H.
Visited this place with a few co-workers today. Server was quick and attentive. The place is very small, so if you don't come at the right time expect to wait a few mins. I enjoyed the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich w/Cajun fries. Chicken breast was tender with a slightly crunchy crust. The sandwich had great flavor with the spicy mayo and jalapeno cole slaw. Co-workers had Turkey Burger and Shrimp and Grits. I believe that they enjoyed theirs too because there wasn't a crumb left anyone's plate.
(4)Melissa M.
The best Grubhub I've ever ordered! Super fast, super hot n super delicious! Get the southern style chicken sand with creamy slaw garnish! Unreal, huge portion w a side of cheese fries you will most certainly lose your mind. Dined in as well and was equally delish n byob. Try this place!!!!
(5)Katie V.
Ordered delivery from here which was very fast , alwasy awesome!! We got a burger and a turkey burger with regular/cajun fries. Both were good , toppings were fresh, buns were good. However, the burger seem to be a pre-formed pattie and was dry. There was no option to request how to cook the burger. Both definitely have MSG or other preservatives due to symptoms after eating. Wanted to love this place but probably won't return.
(3)Brett F.
I'm a bit torn on how i feel about this place. The food is great, but it's hipster service. We had the Breakfast Burrito and Chorizo Benedict. They were great, wish there was more on the plate. Our waiter seemed to like he didn't care how are experience was. A few examples are, coffee wasn't refilled we had to go up to the little drink bar and ask for more coffee, when telling us about the Chorizo Benedict, which was the special, all he said was, "It's good" no further description. The drinks list we got was literally a handwritten piece of copy paper folded in half that was wet....wtf? It was just not a great experience with out waiter and it seemed like that was the general vibe through the place. The back of house definitely has their stuff together, the front of house needs some help and direction. The prices were very reasonable for the food, around 8-12$ for all the plates. It is a BYOB place, so that's nice. The soda they had was all glass bottled soda and about $3 a bottle a little high for me to enjoy a soda. The actual space is nice for groups of about 5-7 people. They have a few big booths. I get it, you want to be cool and hip, but a smile and some pleasantries go a long way when you are waiting on someone. This place would get 4 stars from me if not for the service. I might try dinner here.
(3)M. J. W.
Considering the trove of 1-2 star reviews, I had to come down and see what all the fuss was about. Honestly, I don't have one negative thing to say about the joint. The space itself is intimate, the decor is warm and nonintrusive, the staff was pleasant and personable and our orders came out in the normal expectation for a brunch establishment. I had my two kids with me, and we were very happy to see Mickey Mouse pancakes on the menu (much respect for going out of the way for kids, thank you)! This made my life so much easier. I appreciated the build-your-own omelette (as this keeps us picky eaters placated). I think the only minor issues I had were that the side portions with my meal were smaller than most other places, and the kids pancakes (only $4, not bad at all) didn't come with a side such as fruit - again like many other places. Again, very minor and more thank likely a chef's choice I guess. The other was that the waitperson was all alone. No busser, no back up at all. She had to seat everyone, pour everyone's water, coffee, take orders from all the sit downs and the take-out orders of people who walked in. She had the whole room to herself. I was scared for her, I really was. We'll be back again, but more than likely due to the size of the place and lack of quality brunch places nearby, we'll stay away on the weekends. I bet this place has a line on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
(5)La'Dweena S.
We went on a Sunday evening and had steak, tacos and burgers and all the food was great! We had three children in our party and the server was AWESOME and had the kids LOL !!! The prices are very reasonable and the portion sizes were perfect. I would go back again.
(4)Samantha R.
I love the food, love the service but would never return due to the uneducated, useless host. He clearly has not been in the industry long and doesn't care to stay. Sunrise is next door and Old Oak down the street which are both amazing and less frustrating. Don't waste your time at whisk.
(1)Matt G.
Friendly, fast, tasty, and reasonably priced. Chilaquiles were some of the best I've had, garden omelet was ok, but way too heavy on the garlic. Overall a good spot, though. I'll certainly be returning.
(4)C. B.
Really a very good neighbor spot. Although our fourth time, my husband and I agree that when it gets busy, the food out of the kitchen slows down drastically. It remains very good, but it can slow. Crab cakes with a mild but tasty chipotle sauce is wonderful, 33 omelet is fluffy, and they're pancakes are great, the pancake batter they use is excellent especially with the berries and bananas on top! Huevos rancheros are delicious. I love they're cheesy grits, a hint of spicy type heat but really excellent. Service is friendly and thorough. Go!
(4)Matt T.
Whisk is a pretty good local brunch spot -- it's become quite hard to go anywhere that isn't BYOB so we loved that. Place is a very small and the wait for seating is hard when your hungover and craving biscuits and gravy (order them). Service was good. Portions are huge. Would go back again.
(4)Rocky S.
Eat here often. Live about 15 minutes walk but worth it to get breakfast anytime I'm in the area. The Mexican spins on breakfast are exactly the spicy kick I need in the mornings to start the day. If I could eat here everyday I would, but great for families when I get a chance to bring the kid with me on weekends. Highly recommend these guys. Staff is very courteous. Worth trying at least once.
(5)Jim M.
A visit to Whisk always feels like a visit to your best friends place. Great food and wonderful people. I've been there many times and have never been disappointed.
(4)Jun-Jun V.
we ordered the house burger, big bite burger, and wings. 1. the house burger was cooked just how we liked it. medium rare. it was juicy and full of flavor. the chipotle mayo and guac paired well together. this was my favorite of the 2 we ordered. 2. the big bite burger was slightly over cooked and i think it needed a little more bbq sauce to complete it. 3. their award winning wings were fantastic. moist, great sauces, and defintitely worth it. i am definitely ordering these again next time.
(4)M Q.
This is my favorite place in Chicago. Great food, better service. If you want a place to eat well, be welcome and have a nice night, this is it!
(5)dee l.
We had high hopes after reading reviews but it was very disappointing. In a nutshell, the service was ok, the coffee was bitter and their chilaquilles were terrible. They basically piled tortilla pieces on a plate, mixed those with a bland tomato sauce, burnt/tough pieces of chicken and topped it with an egg. We also ordered the pork and sweet potatoes dish which was better. We won't be returning.
(2)David B.
Great new find. This is my newest favorite burger place in Chicago and the southern fried chicken is tasty as well. I've been here 3 times in the last 2 weeks for dinner and brunch. It keeps on getting better and better. I haven't even had the burger wrapped in bacon with bacon mayo yet but that will have to be in my future update. What I can say is they serve delicious burgers and sandwiches on buttery toasted buns with Cajun or Regular fries. I had the burger topped with a poached egg and the chicken sandwich comes with Jalepēno slaw, I did throw some Bacon mayo on the chicken instead of the Chipoltle mayo. Top it off with a Homemade iced tea or BYOB. Love it
(5)Melanie A.
I've been hearing about lines out the door on weekends, so I came here on a quiet Mon morning and I can see why people line up, this place is great! I was able to resist the Snickers French toast, but that's definitely for next time, and got an omelet instead. Great flavors, wonderful service and a fun space. I had a friend visiting from Dallas so we tried many breakfast spots while she was here and this was definitely our favorite. Come on a weekday if you can and avoid the crowd!
(5)Eli W.
Had brunch here the other day and it was amazing!! The waiter was awesome! He was so friendly and nice and provided great service! And the food was wonderful as well! Highly suggested!!!!! The back patio is the place to go!
(5)Nicholas G.
I've really enjoyed every single thing I've eaten here. I've been at least a dozen times now, and everything I've had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner has been really tasty. Friendly staff, cute atmosphere. Only complaint I've ever had was on one occasion when one member of the staff was playing his iPod over the stereo and he had pretty questionable taste in music (it skewed heavily Nickelback, which, ew). But still - awesome burgers and breakfast.
(5)Laura M.
This sweet little place was a delightful surprise. The Blue Crab cakes were so very tasty and just the right size. The turkey club had layer upon layer of flavor. It's a big portion for a great price.
(4)Brian S.
I have been back every week and not had one bad dish. David's special (shrimp n grits) are excellent. My favorite is Buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich (slaw on side) is best chicken sandwich i ever had. EVER!! Shrimp p.o. boy, chicken and waffles, chiliqules...everything is so good. BYOB from Mariana across the street is awesome. Or I sometimes get their large selection of bottled pop(goose island root beer) You need to try this place out. Right now, go right now.
(5)Jeremy P.
My new favorite place. I'm a stickler for good service, and this place passes with flying colors. Blazing fast free wi-fi and a flavorful, unique menu put this over the top. David's Special will melt your brain. I could see a restaurant skimping on every ingredient in this dish to botch it royally, so I didn't have high expectations. However, the shrimp is big, meaty, and cooked just right, the cheesy grits are hearty and flavorful, the bacon is actual bacon that's been coarsely crushed, and the sauce is bold and ties everything together. It is very rich and filling, so don't be surprised that it doesn't come with any "sides;" it is packed with hearty goodness. My other favorites are the Gobbler Burger, The House burger, and Crab Benedict (weekends only) because they are all filling, bold, well-balanced unique concepts.
(5)Leila H.
Came for brunch. Friendly staff and well-prepared food. It's BYO, but there's a Mariano's across the street. Will be back to try their PM burger menu.
(4)Chris F.
Great place nice patio in Back Scott our waiter was super helpful and very attentive I had the southern fried chicken sandwich with jalapeño coleslaw Awesome everything was great and byob
(4)Jesse W.
I've been here before for dinner with friends so my parents and I decided to check it out for brunch today thinking it will be slow since is 4th of july but we were wrong. After waiting in line we were greated and told it will be a 30 minute wait so knowing there isnt anyother good brunch place around we decided to wait. Once we got seated we order the David's special, chilaquiles and the mexican scramble after 15 minutes the food came out and if was gone before we even had a coffee refill on our table. The flavors and textures were on point, it was defitnetly worth the wait. we will defitnetly keep coming back since we live in the neighboorhood and this has become our favorite brunch place,
(5)Clare J.
I haven't written a yelp review in a year... Dining at Whisk not only made me want to start my yelp return today but Ill also be returning to Whisk tomorrow. Three Words.. Fried Chicken Taco... Ive lived in New York, dabbled in L.A., frequented taco spots in Chicago. Ive never ever ever had a taco this good. This restaurant is seriously going to be one of my go to spots this Summer. They also have an excellent burger which you can turn into breakfast by adding french toast (who does that?) Not to mention the quaint out door seating, the perfect chill spot. The real kicker was its BYOB.. Theres a Mariano's across the street with a vast liquor option!
(5)Kevin W.
We live in the area and went in for breakfast a few weeks ago. The place smelled like bleach strong enough that it almost forced us to leave, and in hindsight we should've. The coffee was barely luke warm and had a cheap, watered down taste to it. The bread was old and stale and the breakfast in general was not very good. We whisked ourselves out of there and will not return. Just about every breakfast place in our area is better than this. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)Meredith F.
We've been here a few times for brunch and dinner. Love the Omelets and French Toast here! Very decadent! The Burgers are good and love the different fries, Chimchurri and pepper jack are good. Place is BYOB so prices are great. Will definitely be back to try the other dishes!
(4)Jason R.
The smoked, pulled brisket with sweet potato was wonderful! This is the place to go for creative, quality comfort food! Yes, service could be a little bit faster...but...considering that they have only been opened for a week, this is to be expected...I am confident that this small kink will get worked out in no time.
(5)mike w.
Had the most amazing sandwich at Whisk, Southern Chicken fried with jalapeno coleslaw! And its BYOB, definitely coming back for weekend brunch
(5)Bethany S.
Great food! Fun atmosphere! Interesting and yummy menu! And GREAT coffee! Will definitely be back!
(4)Jackie G.
Food was good not wowing but good. Customer service was above par for this little cozy place. We were greeted before we even walked to the door who showed us to our seats.
(3)Jessica F.
My man and I stopped by here looking to share a burger. This place is great! The patty was cooked perfectly ( I asked for medium well) the fries were tasty and the server was sweet and attentive. They also split the meal on two plates for no extra charge. We will be back!
(5)Tatiana B.
Mediocre at best. Food took 45 minutes to come out, and was cold. No coffee refill and service was Ok. Not in a rush to come back.
(2)JC W.
This place won't be around long. We were so excited about a new place in our neighborhood, but they are not ready to operate a restaurant in Chicago. The staff was attempting to be very helpful, but the product they're putting out is just awful. We went for brunch on a Sat. Took a few minutes to get sat, but you can expect that for a new place. After being sat, it took 10 minutes to get water. We had the menu and ordered immediately. Took another 10 minutes to get our drinks, or at least half of our drinks. They forgot my wife's OJ, which is a good thing. Took another 25 minutes to get the food. Overall service and timing was sub-par, but that was the best part of the experience. The food and beverages were awful. When we did get our drinks the "sweet lemon tea" was just from a non-descript a can, not even Lipton quality. They were trying to hide it, but they got caught. Everyone who ordered the tea took one sip and sat it down. The OJ is from a generic half-gallon carton. Not fresh squeezed, probably from a restaurant supply store. We took 1 drink and that was enough. You can tell the level of quality from a restaurant when they're not willing to invest in good beverages. Then came the food. My wife ordered a chorizo omelet. They forgot the toast, which the staff had no idea it was suppose to come with the omelet. They also forgot the main ingredient, the queso fresco sauce that was supposed to go on the omelet. The omelet was full if potatoes and a half blackened lump of avocado, barely any chorizo. It was cooked to a dark brown and so dry she had to smother it in ketchup to get any taste. I got the beef brisket hash. THE MEET WAS SPOILED. My wife took a bite and immediately spit it out. Never had that happen anywhere ever. Sat it aside and picked through the cold potatoes and ate part of the over-medium eggs, which were burnt on the edges. As we sat there and contemplated what to do, we watched other people taste the tea, OJ and their entrees and saw the same reaction. Nobody finished their food. A few bites and plates were set aside. Not good. I have high hopes that they will turn things around, but it's obvious they spent more time on the decor than the food. They're going to have a hard time getting any return business. Word on the street will spread fast about the food they're attempting to churn-out. Too bad. It's a cool little spot in a great neighborhood.
(1)Rich B.
Great food from previous visits .horrible waitress if you are pressed for time. I was in a hurry and ready to order but waitress insisted on asking everyone who wasnt ready first. Had to walk out with just coffee. Never again!
(2)Ann S.
I had decent expectations for this place none of which were met. Our server wasn't very pleasant to start. And I couldn't get her attention to get a cup of coffee. Our food came and it wasn't hot. I sent mine back and the manager wasn't very great about it. Then before I got my food my boyfriend found paper from the ham in his omlet. By this point neither of us was very hungry. The manager was apologetic and took care of the bill. But needless to say we won't be back.
(1)York H.
I write this review having eaten at Whisk about 8 times, each at different times of the week. After the other night, I decided that 8 times was 8 times too many. The service here is absolutely horrible. You wait 15 minutes just for them to get you started with a cup of water, but by the time that cup of water arrives, you wonder if it came from whatever broken pipe system that yields that horrible smell of URINE that plagues the entire restaurant. So, in a way, maybe them taking forever to get you drinks is a good thing? After that serving of water, you'll have to wait another 15 minutes for them to finally reach your table and take your order. No, ladies and gentlemen, this isn't because the place is busy: the long wait times are present even if there's only one other couple at the restaurant ordering a modest burger entree. After they take your order, you wait for your food. I swear to God: once, I actually forgot what I ordered, it took them so long. I've eaten at burger joints all over the Chicagoland area: Umami, DMK, Kuma's, etc. I've eaten at restaurants all over Ukrainian village/Wicker Park as well. There's simply no excuse for how long the food takes to arrive at the table. Hell, even Michelin-starred restaurants deliver food quicker than Whisk does. If you don't believe me, try it out. So your food finally arrives: you're not very hungry anymore, as the stench of URINE has wiped away any appetite you had (you're no longer hungry- so maybe the stench of urine is a good thing?) but hey, the food is in front of you, so might as well eat it, right? Most times, the food was surprisingly decent. One bite led to another, if only to disguise the olfactory (nasal) senses from the plumbing mess in the bathroom. One time, though, the food wasn't cooked so well. That trip to the emergency room set me back, and it's one of those instances that I count my blessings for having health insurance. The bill comes: I mean, the prices aren't bad at all on paper. However, considering that for the same amount of money, you can get a MUCH more satisfying experience elsewhere, I'd say that anything above $2-3 is just overpriced. Don't get me started with their take out. DON'T DO THE TAKE OUT. They tell you "15 minutes," on the phone. You wait 15 minutes, show up, and patiently wait an extra 10 minutes just to find out they haven't even started your meal yet. Did I mention this happened to me during a slow night, with no one else in the restaurant? When you ask for your money back (after all, you have no food in your hand and need to get on with your life), they treat the ordeal as if they're doing you a favor. Do yourself a favor and find a restaurant that has standards.
(1)Gayle P.
Update:-Visit #2. The coffee was thankfully a NEW blend and was great. The bacon was still not a favorite. Hubbie had the croissant breakfast sandwich and devoured it. The owner guessed who I was from my last visit and coffee comment....Hhhmmm. I appreciate owners who "listen" to their customers and adjust where needed. St.John 3:16
(4)Becca R.
Whisk's menu will make you drool as you read over it. Burgers to tacos, chicken and waffles to wraps and salads. The choices and selection is great. It is not your average burger or taco, they have great, fresh ingredients that make the food taste even better. The group I was with ordered beer battered tilapia tacos with a jalapeño aioli, a horseshoe (a ginormous burger on Texas toast), and chilaquiles. Everything Was delicious, can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)Andrea H.
I recently visited Whisk for my birthday dinner with 10 of my friends. The GM, Samantha, was so very accomodating and made our experience delightful. The ambience was very nice, service was wonderful and everyone was so nice and polite. Beers stayed cold, appetizers were flowing and music was enjoyable..not too loud. The presentation of the food was up to par and the flavors and spices used in the dishes were stellar. Since we had such a big group we were lucky enough to order a little of this and a little of that as we shared across the table. My recommendations include the steak or crispy tacos (sauce on both were amazing), the House burger and the ANY of the fries side selection. YUM! I enjoyed my visit to Whisk and will be back for more!
(4)Patrick S.
Really good place, good burgers and fries, looking forward to trying the tacos
(4)Jennifer P.
Just visited this place for the first time and I had a great experiences. We had the Daniel's special, biscuits and gravy and steak and eggs. All was absolutely delicious!! Good portion size and great variety. They have some service kinks to work out..nothing major but I will be back for brunch. Oh yeah and BYOB so don't forget your champagne.
(4)Mandy B.
Tried Whisk on Sunday... it was delicious! I loved their menu and the patio. The service was a bit slow... if it's Sunday morning and I don't have a coffee poured for me (or at least offered) within a minute of being seated, I'm annoyed. But the food made up for that. We had the breakfast burrito and the Dave's Special (shrimp and grits). Bother were tasty. Nothing mind blowing, but good food. There are many more options on the menu I am willing to go back and try.
(3)Jaun F.
I finally made it here for breakfast and it was really good. My omelette was perfect as was the service. I'll most definitely be back.
(4)Andrew D.
this was my first time trying Whisk and it was fantastic! they are byob but have a unique selection of craft sodas, I tried the rhubarb and was not disappointed. we had hot BBQ wings which had great flavor. the burgers were juicy and tasted as good as any of the best burger bars in the city, we tried the big bite and the Ron Swanson. The fries were only okay and they had limited appetizer and dessert menus. our server was very friendly and the whole staff took great care of us.
(4)Imran A.
Burger sucked. Preformed and prefrozen patty was mushy and tasteless. Space is nice and down the street from me so may come back for their brunch. Hopefully that would be better.
(2)Joseph S.
This would be 5 stars but they are still working out the kinks with service when there is a line out the door on weekends. The reason is that their brunch is awesome as are their burgers. The wait for food has been a little long during busy periods which is always a little frustrating. If you go in at other times, you're in for a real treat. They have a friendly staff. I'm addicted to their burgers and they are a great addition to Chicago Ave. And BYOB.
(4)Lisa L.
I just finished every bite of my delicious Garden Omelette courtesy of Whisk, a great new breakfast and dinner place in my neighborhood. The artwork and music is an eclectic mix (think Native American with a twist with Motown playing in the background) and the food is fresh and staff friendly. The place has WIFI and also to my surprise, outdoor seating in back (about 4-5 tables, so smallish, but intimate and leafy). Back to the omelette: three egg whites with lots of yummy grilled vegetables and swiss cheese served with sautéed spinach with a lemony flavor. I ate mine with a side of rye toast. The perfect breakfast: not too heavy, but delicious. For parents, there's a children's menu on the blackboard and an assortment of really cool gourmet sodas the kids will groove on and you can sneak a little vodka or tequila into (it's byob). First timer. Totally satisfied. We'll be coming back!
(5)Chelsea G.
Can't comment on the quality of the food because after about 50 minutes, it never came out. Waitress came at about the 40 minute mark to ask us, "How are you doing over here? Just waiting for your food?". Five minutes later, she asked us to clarify what we ordered. Shouldn't take 45 minutes to clarify an order. Really unfortunate. Decided to leave a few minutes later to eat next door where the good was great, and we were in and out in about half the time.
(1)Andrew L.
I saw the menu for this place after drunkenly stumbling out of Gari sushi one night and I knew I had to come back. So I did. I got the breakfast burrito which was WAY better than Flash Taco, by like 1 billion times. You suck Flash Taco. Anyways my girl got the shrimp and bacon and cheese grits bowl which was equally bomb. I don't think I'll ever forgive her for getting the last order of cheese grits (although the potatoes I got instead were pure tits with a side of ranch). These guys also have butterscotch root beer which is tied with GTA V for 2nd best thing after sex. The only reason this place missed the 5 star rating was our server who had way too much energy for my hungover ass. He was just too peppy. I'd even go so far so as to say he was peppy as fuck. Dude needs to dial it back a bit. Regardless I'll probably be back this sunday to try the snickers pancakes or french toast or waffle or whatever. It has Snickers in it. I'm sold.
(4)Jenna B.
First when we got there it was a wait and no one seemed to know where to go. Then we got to sit down to get a large glass bottle of water..... No cups so we asked for some cups. When our waitress finally came she had a thousand mile stare and didn't know the menu and asked us if she forgot anything and had a little cheat sheet to see what came with what on the menu and to get a refill of tea was a cluster because she gave a refill but there was no ice in the glass so I had asked for glass of ice and the waitress had come back with a small kids cup with ice. After ordering we had waited for 45 minutes until we asked if someone could check on our food. Shortly after a man came and asked what we ordered once we told him another woman asked what we ordered then came back and asked again. After that 2 out of our party of 4 received their food. Expecting the two other plates we didn't get them. Then our server came back and tried to ask is what we ordered and we told her that we were leaving because we had waited for an hour so we went to tumans tavern.
(1)Brian T.
Eaten here more than a few times. I wanted to try many things before I gave my opinion. I'm not a huge breakfast person but friends I went with had the breakfast. After eating here I would ask my friends what they thought. The response was always the same. It was ok. Not amazing but not bad. I felt the burgers were under seasoned. Fries are delicious. Tacos were good. My friends had the chicken a waffles, said they were good but the portion of chicken was fairly small. We noticed The chicken breast was split between the two of them. It was fried well but then cut in half and put on their plates. Kind of odd imo. I would eat here again but not a go to spot.
(3)Summer F.
Brunch here was great, the biscuits and gravy, the crab cakes, everything excellent. Portions were good for the prices. Friendly service, nice comfortable seating so I didnt feel like I was dining with the next table. Great brunch spot, no complaints
(5)Stephan S.
Solid experience.
(4)Donna K.
This place serves great food and the prices are fair. It is also a BYOB. However if they don't get their act together they will be closing . They should be turning the tables every 45 minutes. I arrived with three of my fiends at 1145am. I saw lots of people standing outside . There was a host stand , but no one was there. I went in and spoke with one of the owners or managers. He said it would be 20 minute wait. Perfect! However , we were not seated until 1230pm. Which is not a problem . They were slammed and very disorganized. They have some Booths and shared tables. We were sat at the end of a shared table. We thought we were going to be served quick because they had two waitress asking for our order . We had to ask for silverware. Again the food was great, but they need to work in being more organized . Maybe it was disorganized because it was Memorial Day and few places were open. I really hope this was the case
(3)Emily M.
I have been here twice and the food is excellent but they are pretty disorganized. The first time I figured they were still working out the kinks and today maybe it was because it's a holiday, but it really seems like the folks running the place may know food but not the restaurant business. We were told a 20 minute wait and it was about a 45 minute wait. Now I don't mind a 45 minute wait (it's brunch, I'm used to it), but I want to know how long it's actually going to be. Even after our table was 10+ over the 20 minute quote they were still saying 20-30 minutes. They don't appear very good at figuring this out. My friend asked the host to check on it and he said he'd get back to us but then seemed to forget he told us this because he never did come back. Once we sat two waitresses came over (separately) to take our order when we had been seated about 15 seconds. (A minute with the menu would be nice. Please don't come to take my drink order and also asked wide-eyed, looking terribly frantic, if I'm ready to order when I literally just sat down.) We asked them to come back, and when the first came back, we placed out order. Then the second came back again and looked terribly confused when we said we'd already ordered. The waitresses don't seem to be assigned to any particular table, which leads to total chaos. Even if they help each other, each table should have a server responsible for it. It took probably 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The dishes were excellent, and fortunately we weren't that hungry, but the slow kitchen time explains the long wait for a table. I was concerned ordering over easy eggs from a frantic restaurant but they came out perfectly cooked. (I had the hash.) I didn't realize it until I read a review (which I could tell was the people sitting next to us), but my breakfast was supposed to come with toast and I didn't get any! Interesting that both groups had this issue. Finally, despite the fact that we evidently had 2 waitresses, it took us 20-30 minutes to get the check because they kept scurrying by without looking over. When we'd been waiting 10 minutes or so, I asked the completely frazzled host to send our waitress over with it, but he seemed to forget and alas, 10 minutes passed and I finally had to get up and find her and ask for it. And then I had to walk my credit card over to her. To make money as a brunch place, especially BYOB, you need to get the tables turned. (And they are charging not very much for very large portions. I'm not complaining, but how can they survive if every table sits for 2 hours waiting without buying booze?) Through no fault of ours, we were probably sitting there for at least an hour total not eating, if you add up the time before the food arrived and after we got the check. They could probably be doing double the business if they were properly managed. I write this review not because I was annoyed or angry, but because I would genuinely like to see this place get better because the food is good and I love having another good brunch place nearby. The servers and everyone seemed friendly as well so no complaints there. I just think they need to take a critical eye to how they run the restaurant or I'm afraid it is going to close. (The rent can't be cheap. Chickpea was very popular and still closed.) Even with big crowds outside, if you can't get people through efficiently, you won't make money at brunch.
(3)Ian M.
I am very disappointed with the service and overall experience during brunch today. Not only did we wait at least 15 minutes for the server to come by and acknowledge us, when we finally were able to order, the server seemed very confused about the menu and was acting rude. My wife asked for ice, and she never came back with it. So we asked a bus boy to bring it to us. We also ordered two cups of coffee that were brought out after our food came, which was never refilled during our entire hour and a half brunch. During our long wait, we had to get up several times to get our own water from the jugs sitting on the counter, which wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't run out of water jugs or if someone came by to see how we were doing or needed any more water. When we got our food, we asked for butter for the untoasted English muffins, but again, was never given what we requested. Our friend ordered the breakfast burrito and it came without some of the ingredients listed in the menu. We couldn't even ask for the missing ingredients because the waitress never came back after we received our food to see how our food was. When we were clearly not finished eating, we were asked by two other workers if they could take our plates away. Finally we got our check, still without the waitress asking how we were doing or if we needed anything else. Poor food quality and service for the price. Maybe get more staff? We miss Chickpea!
(1)M F.
Easy - really really great food, really really poor service. We've been in two times now. Food was really tasty, but little to no check in from waitstaff. Coffee never refilled, brought food but no silverware, had to wait 5 minutes to flag someone down to get a fork so we could eat.
(1)Dante P.
What a nice surprise. The crab Benedict is fabulous. They put a chipotle sauce with the hollandaise and lots of crab to make the most fabulous Benedict that I've ever tasted. The service was amazing. My glass of coffee or water was never empty. This particular dish is only served on weekends but whisk is definitely worth a visit anytime.
(5)Mike C.
Horrible experience. I had an Amazon Local voucher for lunch. I came with my 2 boys on Saturday at 2:00. They wouldn't honor the voucher claiming that it was "brunch"on weekends until 5:00. I showed them the voucher which did not have any exclusions (I.e., not valid on weekends), but they still wouldn't honor it. They could have made some accommodation, but didn't do anything even though the manager admitted the error was their fault. It was a total bait and switch. I was stuck ordering lunch for my boys or else I would have simply walked out. And they ruined the lunch for my boys who didn't like the confrontational manner of the manager. Thanks! And the food and service was just average. Will never go back to this place. There is no reason to patronize a place who fails to honor its commitments. They won't be in business for long if they don't change their ways. You can only play the bait and switch game for so long. Hopefully, this review helps others avoid the same fate and hastens the demise of this place.
(1)I L.
Came here today (friday) for lunch after so so many positive raves and reviews and impossible to get in waits over the weekends. Walked in no problem, got a seat right away. The lady serving us had zero smile on her face, very cold, stand-off-ish, clearly she was working for the tip... Ordered the chicken wings that on their board were said to be some of the best? yea right, dry, deep fried, not fresh, sorry, wont be trying those again. My friend had the fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw on top, word of advice, coleslaw is good and not expensive, put more on! Dont be stingy, in the South they cover the whole portion with coleslaw, not 1/3. I had the pulled pork with hollandaise on top, very tasty. During our meal we had the waitress come up to us and ask us in a very cold manner if everything is ok, of course its ok im afraid to say no to you. Never got a refill of the water from the busboy, I shouldn't have to ask.. All in all, Mexique for brunch down the street with no line or Flo a few blocks further kill this place, so no reason for the hype in all honesty.
(2)Nicole B.
Went for dinner and had great food and great service. An excellent addition to the neighborhood! Will definitely be going back again, this time to try the brunch!
(5)Lisa R.
I really really wanted to love this place, but I didn't. I loved the food at Rocking Horse and High Dive. I expected great things since the chef from those two left and opened Whisk. Went early on Saturday. Service was slow and appeared unexperienced. I ordered the crab benedict. My eggs were supposed to be poached. They BOTH looked poached but when I cut into them, they were hard boiled. What a disappointment. I took my friend for birthday breakfast. She ordered the breakfast burrito. She had ask for the salsa that was to be served with it. I normally wouldn't send a dish back, but those "poached" eggs were awful. By the time I got my new plate, my friend was almost done with her plate. We basically ate breakfast individually. Once I got the new plate, I wasn't super impressed with the taste. I may have just been turned off by the whole experience thus far, I'm not sure. The potatoes were great though, otherwise I would have gave one star.
(2)Sky cake W.
First off, I hate writing bad reviews. The only reason I'm doing this now is so hopefully the owners will read it and take some action. Living in this neighborhood, I really wanted the place to be great. Unfortunately it came up short in almost every way. The place has been revamped since it was Chickpea and I have to say I liked it. But that is the only positive thing I have to say. The service was slow (the food took almost 30 minutes) and the waitress forgot my drink despite telling her twice. But the food was the real disappointment. I had the chorizo omelet and it was dry, practically burnt, and they forgot to add the pico. It also only had a smattering of chorizo - it could more accurately be described as a potato omelet. My husband had the beef hash and the meat actually tasted gamey, almost spoiled. Needless to say, we only had a few bites of the food. Also, the orange juice is straight out of a jug and the iced tea is canned. I wish I could say they just needed some tweaking, but with the food being so bad, I think they just need to start over.
(1)Julie A.
Great food and byob to boot! I had a burger and one of their specialty sodas. The fries were awesome, and the food was great. I will totally be back for brunch too!
(4)Charlotte M.
the food here is peeeeerrrfect. seriously, it's amazing. they don't skimp or try to go cheap on ingredients. haven't had anything i didn't love.
(5)Stacey L.
I chose WHISK based off its Yelp rating while lying bleary-eyed on my friend's couch after a night spent getting soaked in the never-ending downpour at an outdoor concert. I was starving and probably would have been happy with freezer-burned Eggos at that point, but our foursome managed to get dressed and venture out. The WHISK storefront is adorable, and the inside is even better. In addition to a homey space, there are paintings of Ron Swanson everywhere. The place is a shrine to character, whipped forward with the force of a meat tornado. There were no available regular tables, so we were offered a community high-top. Our group's configuration around it was a little awkward, but we never ended up with anyone else at the table so it wasn't too bad. Mostly for anyone who would have joined us, as with these friends filters do not exist in our conversations. Our server was pretty sassy - like, Ed Debevic's sassy - but I was fine with it. Once we got our orders placed it took a bit to get the food, but when it arrived it was delicious. + Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes: my order; not generally a pancake person but I am a fan of pumpkin everything. They were delicious. The pecans gave a good contrast in texture and the white chocolate sauce worked as the "frosting" for the cinnamon roll idea they were going for. + Reese's Pancakes: the perfect thing for my pregnant friend. This is definitely more along the lines of dessert than breakfast. It's loaded with peanut butter cups and rich mascarpone. I am a bottomless pit for sugar and prefer sweet breakfasts but this might have even been able to take me down. I fully approve. + Biscuits and Gravy: boyfriend's order; they aren't kidding when they say the biscuits are smothered - it's literally a giant bowl of gravy with eggs and biscuits thrown in. The portion is ridiculous. Ron Swanson would be proud. I would be ill. I have no idea how my gent took almost the whole thing down. I tried a bite and it was good, and the breakfast potatoes on the side were fantastic. + I can't remember what my other friend had. I think an omelet? He definitely had a side of potatoes and subbed a croissant. I hate eggs so I'm guessing it was an omelet. He ate the whole thing, so I'm going to assume that it followed the trend of the rest of our dishes. Glad to have stumbled across WHISK, and I plan to be back!
(5)Melissa W.
Dear Whisk, Your chef is killing' it, dog. In the two times I have been to Chicago, I've stopped at Whisk for brunch. First time, I had the David's Special. This meal... holy cow. It tastes like luxury in your mouth. Thats a delicious flavor my friends. Second time: the Chilaquiles. I'm from Texas man. I haven't ever had Chilaquiles THAT good. Unfortunately, overtime I've gone, they were empty. People need to get with the program dude. The food here is awesome. (I'd reevaluate your service staff though. I see a problem there.)
(4)Marissa D.
Came here for brunch with a friend and it was good, but not great. The service was ok, but nothing spectacular. Came here another night and it was way better. The server was a one man show, constantly checking on us and with a full restaurant. The house burger was scrumptious. I will be returning for dinner, but maybe not brunch. Good place to grab a bite and bring a drink!
(4)Peggah G.
I got a groupon for a weekday brunch special and it didn't really work out in my favor discount wise, but the food was good. I got the pear pancakes, which were sweeter than normal normal pancakes. The pear/berry toppings were amazing. I got the white chocolate sauce on the side, because I don't like white chocolate, and they don't like anything but chocolate (white or milk) as an option for pancake topping. My dining companion got the David's Special, which made me crinkle my nose, but apparently not only was it edible, it tasted great. Cheesy grits and shrimp and bacon and mushrooms. Very confusing to my picky palate. While we were seated quickly, our service wasn't all that great. They got busier after we ordered, but they weren't that busy when we got in. A few tables got their food ahead of us and I was pouting at that point. Their lunch and dinner menu looked interesting enough to where I may give it another chance. I would give this place an overall 4/5 stars because of food and service, but I'm taking away another star because they said they had coke on their menu. I ordered the coke and got some weird Luchador Mexican Cola instead. It wasn't coke and its high fructose corn syrup-y goodness. It amused me, but this isn't the South where every carbonated soft drink is a 'coke'. I mean, when I order a Coke at Applebee's, they ask me if Pepsi is alright, because there's a difference. My waitress should have asked me if "some quirky offbrand Mexican cola" was alright, because I would have said, "Hahahaha, what? No. What?"
(3)Tracy X.
We came here on a Sunday with a group of 6 and were quoted an hour wait. Not that bad for Sunday brunch, especially if it's really as good as the reviews may have suggested. I really like the GIANT whisk they have in the display window. So we entertained ourselves and chatted until we eventually got seated. The food however was very underwhelming. The David's Special was just a bunch of protein bits over a giant bowl of mush that's also too salty. The Mexican scramble was decent, but nothing I can't make by myself in 20 minutes. I didn't try the other entrees, but several friends also voiced that they were not impressed. Definitely not going to waste another hour of my precious life waiting in line for mediocre diner food.
(2)Thomas C.
A burger, wrapped in bacon and cooked to juicy perfection ... OF COURSE you're going to love this place. And that's probably not even the best sandwich on the menu. Wife's fried chicken sandwich had me jealous .. even though I loved my burger. Fries come with variety of toppings, all good. Wings are very good starter as well.
(4)Luke D.
I don't get these rave reviews. Whisk is very average. I had the crab cakes which were ice cold (and uneaten). My wife had the Mexican scramble which she described as "fine." My son's banana berry pancakes were OK but very sweet. On the positive side, my friend had David's Special (shrimp, bacon and cheese grits) which everyone at the table liked and the house potatoes were solid. Service was generally fine, although when we asked for one fork the busboy gave us a bundle of supplies and asked us to re-stock a table caddy which was 5 feet from our table with flatware and napkins. There is often a line at Whisk. Not that I would return, but I wouldn't wait 2 minutes here-- especially since there are much better options nearby (Flo probably topping the list).
(2)Rosa J.
My exploration at West Town continued. After a coffee trip to Star Lounge nearby, we walked to WHISK, located near Damen/Chicago (directly across from the McDonald's). I purchased a groupon for their dinner deal. We had $30 worth of credit to spend on their food and beverages. Speaking of beverages, they are BYOB. Yet they have many selections of soda to choose from. We had one of the JOIA with the blackberry, pomegranate, and ginger. That combination was "da bomb"! It was refreshing, robust in flavors, and great for spring time. Hubby, on the other hand, had one of the DRY soda with the rhubarb flavor. Yes, that was the celery-looking vegetable that you all were thinking of. Once again, trying a veggie-tasting pop shouldn't be that intimating. The rhubarb one reminded me of the "Beverly" soda I've had at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. The "Beverly" is exclusive in Italy, and the DRY rhubarb has a sweeter after note that is built upon "Beverly." That was my mere observation and reflection with the soda portion of the meal. How about the burgers? My garlic mushroom burger wasn't extraordinary. However, the portion was large. For an average individual with a normal appetite, he or she would have enough to take home. Hubby had the black bean burger with Parmesan cheese fries. By the way, you can substitute for one of their specialty sides for additional $2.50. Otherwise, having regular or Cajun-flavored fries is included with no extra charge. His black bean burger was well-constructed, stacked with pita breads on top and bottom. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, this burger is great for anyone. In my opinion, they made this burger interesting and eclectic in flavors. The entire patty was compact and way-more-easy to consume, comparing to a traditional meat burger. There was a minor glitch on hubby's cheese fries. The chef accidentally put bacon on top of them, but this mistake was quickly rectified and wasn't detrimental to our dining experience. The restaurant itself was a bit crowded. The space wouldn't be able to accommodate to a very large party. But for a party between two (2) to four (4), this place would be intimate and comfortable. Hubby and I think WHISK is repeat-business worthy, with or without a groupon. Nevertheless, having a groupon wouldn't hurt; we paid $7 and some change (before tips) after the $30-deduction.
(4)Andrea A.
I had the pulled pork benedict, it was so great! I'm coming back for their burgers!!! Prices are just right...highly recommended
(5)Pilsbury T.
We wrote a 2 star review and Andrew from whisk answered untruthfully. 1). There were 5 tables out side. Not 2. Three in front of your store front. Two in front of the next door store front you were sitting people at when we were waiting. 2). We have a 4 year old and a 6 month old in a car seat. We made no request or mention of a baby seat. The car seat sat on a chair and the 4 year old sure doesn't need the baby seat. I get that you want to respond to public reviews in a manner that addresses and rationalized bad experiences, but don't make things up. Just say "we're sorry" and move forward.
(1)Annie M.
After two visits this place has been upgraded to one of my top 5 favorite brunch places in the city! We went on a Friday for a very late breakfast, and there were plenty of open tables. The staff was super friendly and really accommodating. I ordered the David's Special without bacon. I don't think I've ever had anything that even remotely compared to in my life. Rich, cheesy grits, topped with an even richer (alfredo?) sauce, with shrimp and mushrooms. It's so savory and delicious and I'm sure is at least a million calories. I literally called my dad afterwards to tell him how good it was. I also split a single order mocha pancake with my boyfriend. It's not listed on the menu, but you can do a half order of the pancakes, which is totally clutch. I plan on making it my mission to try all of them. The food/service was so good that we came back two days later with friends for Sunday brunch. The wait was about an hour and a half but we had a party of 6 so that was to be expected. There were plenty of smaller parties that were sat before us, but we had an awesome, big booth that fit everyone so it was worth the wait. I chose the "healthier" option of the crab cakes benedict. Again, loved my food and would recommend it to anyone. The breakfast potatoes the meal came with were also very good. My friend ordered a pumpkin roll pancake for the table to split...just as good as the mocha one! Also: Whisk is BYOB and they serve the best orange juice. And they're themed after Parks and Rec. This place hits it out of the park for me on all levels!
(5)Angela B.
I tried Whisk totally based on the Yelp reviews and was pleasantly surprised. This is a hidden gem and I will definitely be back. Small & cute with attentive staff and great food at reasonable prices. I tried the pulled pork benedict (which sounds weird, I know) and it was AMAZING. My boyfriend had the chicken & pear club sandwich and was equally satisfied. There were several items on the menu that I would love to try.. everything looked fantastic. Some of the tables are "group" seating which may not be to everyone's liking. For instance, we were seated at a table for 10 with other parties of 2. I actually enjoyed this arrangement and had pleasant conversation with the other people at our table and it made for a fun meal. Easy street parking, BYOB if you like, and our yummy brunch for 2 was right around $25. Can't beat that!
(5)Belle L.
BYOB. Worth the trek. Excellent $ for portion. Quality ingredients. A better option than Mariano foods. ;-) DAVIDS'S SPECIAL ($12) -- 4+ big shrimp. Even distribution of ingredients that every scoop is a perfect bite. No, no to grits? This dish would change you. Addictive from first bite. Hearty dude portion. HOMEMADE ICED TEA ($6) -- skip it. With 1/3 ice and single serving, it's overpriced. Stay with bottomless coffee. BYOB -- freshly squeezed orange juice available by carafe for a self made mimosa. Iced bucket provided. The main reason for the wait. KIDDIE MENU -- love it! See photo. VENUE -- cluttered. Old school coffee house setup with group seating booths. STAFF & SERVICE -- attentive. Informative. Friendly. Nice. Polite. Your new BFF. *wink* Quick cleanup. More dishes to taste. A list of fries to try. I shall be back for more.
(5)Amanda M.
Came here for brunch Saturday around 11 as a group of 4 and waited only about 15 minutes, which was refreshing to me, as I'm used to hearing hour wait times for brunch places. Loved the ambiance of the place. It was a nice cozy feeling but somewhat elegant as well. A little rustic chic? Menu isn't overwhelming with a million options like traditional diners, but their offerings are quite unique. I got the crab benedict (served only on weekends). It was very good and full of crab flavor. Eggs were perfectly poached, although aesthetically, they didn't look the best. Another minor criticism was that I thought that there was just a tad too much sauce. Overall though, tasty and satisfying meal. Also tried the pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes with the white chocolate sauce on the side, and I surprisingly enjoyed these despite not being a sweet tooth. They really did these right, as they weren't overly sweet or heavy and had really good flavor. What I also loved was their soda list. They had every unique flavor imaginable. I tried the almond cola and it was delightful. Service was pretty good. Didn't have to wait too long for anything and the server and hostess and rest of the staff were friendly. We also had a TravelZoo deal ($20 for 40), so that made it extra worth it. Definitely would come back though, regardless of having any deals. Delish food and great brunch spot.
(5)Bob S.
The breakfast potatoes are amazing. The best item on the table was the breakfast sandwich.
(4)James V.
I have to say the casual greeting at door by the owner was a nice touch finished off by a great dinner. You rarely get that commitment to service anymore especially on high volume "hipster" Chicago Ave. The horseshoe was absolutely filling completed by a sunny-side up egg as an up charge but way worth it. Now I that is not the most original concept but the added French toast to the mix was Genius! Grab a napkin because your gonna need it for this dish. The patio in the back felt like I was not in chicago,which is a good thing on Friday night. This place is worth trying out and becoming a loyal customer. Trust me I love great service and food. Whisk was no exception!
(5)Lucy C.
I was pleasantly confused by Whisk's obsession with Ron Swanson. I mean he's great, but I just don't get it. Anyway. I stopped by with a friend on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty empty but the hostess wouldn't seat us for some reason. She seemed confused by what we were saying and we eventually just grabbed two seats at the bar. Service was kind of slow and awkward, but one of the guys was so genuine. It was actually quite refreshing. The hash I got was decent, but nothing to write home about. My friend ordered David's special which was super tasty. I ended up eating maybe a third of her grits. That's what friends are for, right? At some point during our meal, there was some sort of altercation at the booth behind us. The customer was red in the face (from drinking?), yelled at the servers/management, and stormed out after pushing over the stool next to mine. It was pretty terrifying. Aside from that little snafu, we had a perfectly satisfactory meal.
(3)Jake C.
I was disappointed with the brunch and dinner items I have tried. I first came here a while back and ordered the omelette special. It was by no means bad, it just was something I felt like I could get anywhere else in the neighborhood. Second time was a couple weeks ago and I ordered their turkey burger with whatever on it. It tasted bland and boring and no seasoning. I would have figured for $13 it would have at least had a little kick to it. Other places in the neighborhood make the same product and it tastes better at equal value. I probably won't return which is a shame because it is so close to home. The BYOB is nice with Mariano's across the street!
(2)Laura R.
This is my third time being here. The food is simply delicious. The kitchen seem to know what's up! Today l had the 33 omelette and it was just superb. The home fries are crispy to perfection, l order a side of sausage links and a side of beans that hit the stop this morning. Coffee was on cue. Hot and fresh!! We were there early this morning and service was prompt friendly and attentite. We sat outside and we notice the place was getting crowded. Overall l think this place is going to be a huge hit. I for once will be coming more often as long as service continues to evolve like it has. (Super important to have good staff) To the owners, l know you have a groupon and all, but your food is that good to stand alone without any promotions. Keep working of points of service and keep things simple and moving along. I wish you great success because you deserve it!! Whisk food quality is that of a 5 star Hotel in Miami. No joke!!! Delish!!! I absolutely recomend this place to foodies and people that support small little places like this. Great job!!! Look forward to coming back again. Will try it for dinner next!
(4)Fiyah C.
Came in for brunch with my mom and omg this place was awesome. We both had the shrimp and grits which was to die for!!! The menu was interesting and we had a hard time deciding however I was very happy with the service and the food. Highly recommended!
(5)Rachel D.
Gave this place another shot and I'm so glad I did! We got to sit on their patio which was absolutely lovely. The food was great, the service was great. I'll be back again and again!
(5)Cody S.
Being from out of town I took my girlfriend's advice to try this place and I was glad I did. The atmosphere is nice and the biscuits and gravy was really good.
(4)Sheri M.
The food and coffee here is always perfection. I've had the burger, the ckn sandwich, shrimp and grits, and the pancakes. By far, the ckn sandwich is my fave. It is fried to perfection and is donned with jalapeno cole slaw - WTF!?!? My mouth does the tango with every chew! I don't really care for the manager - she always makes me feel as if she's doing me a favor by allowing me into the establishment. I try to visit when I think she's not there, but she's always there! Other than her, this place is a great brunch, lunch or dinner choice. BTW, there is only 1 co-ed bathroom and seating is limited. They do have patio seating in the back of the restaurant in the summer. I forgot the great artwork that is forever changing.
(4)Rita B.
Let me start by saying YUM!!! Really, this is an eclectic and funky in a good way. The decor was interesting and funny because of who it was modeled after. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners/chefs and he was so sweet. I asked about the decor and he explained, which I thought was pretty awesome. Now, back to the delicious food. I ordered a Texas burger (which was off of their dinner menu but I didn't know that until after I spoke with the chef). He was nice enough to make it for me and my friend without any complaints. Awesome business. So this burger, it's an open faced burger (not mentioned on the menu but still delicious as ever). Besides the fact that it is HUGE, the flavors are amazing and I can't even begin to describe how the cheese sauce and burger blend together so well. Good fries too. For dessert we had the pumpkin cinnamon bun something or other pancake. Heaven!!! It's an orange pumpkin pancake with cinnamon bun icing drizzled over it (def no need for syrup). The two of use couldn't attack the entire short stack. Sadly, we left it behind. But seriously, you have to try this pancake. I'll come back in a heart beat. So many different things I'd like to try. Menu is very creative. Downside, parking sucks. And it's street parking that you have to pay for. Ugh. Still worth the $4 spent to park on the street.
(4)Kyle P.
I liked this place. One of the better bacon egg and cheese croissant I have had and also the loaded fries. Didn't have to wait just go early
(5)Steven M.
Average food. I had for better since the line was so long. And the wait staff really needs to be re-trained. They were not prepared at all, like it was their first day. Hopefully they can improve.
(3)Mouse C.
I had brunch this morning at Whisk with one of my girlfriends. We were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away with NO wait! Woohoo. I will say the restaurant itself is tiny, so if you come over a weekend I think you will be looking at a wait. But let me tell you...it's worth it. Both of us found it very difficult to choose what to order as everything sounded delicious! The best decision I think both of us will make all week were the SALTED CARMEL PANCAKES! What, yes, that's right, you heard me. These babies were to-die-for. Salty, carmely, and pancakey...what more could you ask for. Egg-wise, I went with the chilaquiles and my gf went with a Mexican scramble. We enjoyed both dishes very much. I will add though that my chilaquiles came to the table deconstructed but the second I married all of the ingredients together, it was pure magic. Whisk knows what they are doing. I will absolutely be back to try additional menu items. Oh, and, it's BYOB. Perfection!
(4)Gaftie M.
The food deserved 4 stars for taste and creativity........... But wait...... Theres more..... BYOB!!!!!!!!!! They definitely earned the 5th star.
(5)Matthew D.
Excellent food and atmosphere. We had the breakfast burrito, spicy crab cake Benedict, and souther style chicken sandwich (very delicious), Caesar salad. Byob. Service was great and prices are very extremely cheap.
(5)yhm m.
Bought a groupon for brunch. The service was excellent, great food options (especially he salted caramel pancakes).
(5)Mz C.
Prepare to wait for weekend brunch hours, but it's worth the wait. You can taste the freshness. We had the Old Time & their shrimp & grits special. Yum!
(5)Elizabeth W.
They couldn't get us in past the door because the service people were rude. I called ahead to ask about the wait for 6 people for breakfast/brunch. The hostess said the place wasn't busy so there would only be a 15 minute wait. We got there 20 minutes later and the wait became a 50 minute wait. There weren't many people seated in the restaurant. Not a big deal, but we felt lied to. We were chatting for literally 30 seconds at the door, then the hostess got really impatient and rudely asked,"So are you staying or going?" Strike 1. As my party of 6 was deliberating (at the door by the hostess) whether or not waiting would be worth it, a waiter swooped by and said, "How many are there of you? A million?" to which a patron laughed. It sounds like he was making a racist joke at my family's expense. Not ok. Strike 2. I didn't want to wait around for the 3rd strike. Whisk lost out on some $$$ from me.
(1)Leah K.
After reading all the awesome reviews about the chilaquiles, we decided to head there for brunch with another couple and both of our toddlers. We went around 9-9:30 and were told the wait would be 30 minutes but really it was only about 10-15 which is awesome for brunch. They have a cute outdoor seating area in the back but we opted for inside since it was a hot day. We were greeted by our server pretty quickly and got some drinks. The food took a bit of time but hey it's rush time on the weekend...but we were all kind a little underwhelmed. The chilaquiles were really a miss for me. My husband is Mexican and we have/make it quite a bit but these were just missing kind of key elements flavor wise. I will say the half order of pancakes were lovely...lots of flavor, sweet without being super heavy (thumbs up!) I think the brunch bar is set pretty high in the city and unfortunately it makes whisk just okay. If I lived in the area, I'd probably be back a lot to try some more of the menu bc trying anywhere once is always a shot in the dark
(3)Simma Down Na H.
Duuuuuuuddddeeee!!!! You NEED to eat HERE!!! So so so delicious!! My boyfriend and I ordered the David's Special, Chilequiles, and banana berry pancakes and we loved all the entrees. I highly recommend the David's Special which is a big bowl of grits with shrimp, mushrooms, scallions, and bacon...it's so yummy. We cannot wait to come back and eat the burgers! Thank you Whisk for making our bellies happy!
(4)Kristin F.
So the 2 stars is because my husband really likes their biscuits and gravy... Now the -3... So apparently children can't sit outside? No explanation. Okay, we will wait 25 minutes to sit inside then with 3 open tables outside. No service whatsoever. Had to ask to order, the lady that came seemed annoyed, no one checked on us at all. And then we had to request our check. We had no server the whole time, no greeting nothing. I just ordered a croissant and it was a strange combination of greasy and stale. Disappointing as we really enjoyed our first experience here.
(2)Chanel M.
DEAR WHISK: Technology has opened doors social media and networking sites that allow consumers to have a meaningful say about their experiences when patronizing a business. YELP has created this platform to do just that. Business tip... Accosting dissatisfied customers as opposed to finding the source and solutions to failed service isn't the way to go. Pity. THIS IS THE RESTAURANT'S RESPONSE TO A CUSTOMER GRIEVANCE!! HOW DOES A HORRIFYING BRUNCH EXPERIENCE KEEP GETTING WORSE, EVEN AFTER YOU'VE LEFT THE ESTABLISHMENT?? (their response to my original post)... "Chanel I'm sorry we fail to impress you, but I think you are Streaching the true alittle. Just pancakes might not have been what you wanted but everytime you change the dish it loses the charm. You requested the sauce on the side, or friends biscuits were just out of the oven, I don't know how they were hard. Sundae did greet you and even ask you if you wanted any oj to go with your champagne and you were short and rude. Your friend was nothing but polite to sundae. I also was present when she ask if you were still working or need it anything and you were rude as you had your head buried on your phone. Your friend said "she is talking to you" your response was no she is not since she hast talk to me all day" again I'm sorry about this but please don't Streaching the true". Sooooo.... let me get this right. I complain about appallingly terrible service, and I am challenged on the truthfulness of my personal experience to extent of being accused of "stretching the truth"?? What would I gain from that Ricardo? The fact that you overheard me verbalizing my dissatisfaction of service in a private conversation at the table, (stating that Sundae hadn't spoken to me all day), actually proves my point Sir. The burden of service is on the person who was being paid to RENDER a service. Btw, my head was buried in my phone at the table because I was busy writing my YELP review. I don't even know where to start with this place of "business". No worries... Nothing the BBB can't handle!
(1)Michelle K.
One of my favorite places in the area! The chicken tacos and the chicken and waffles are ridiculous. The chicken literally melts in your mouth. Also recommend the chips and guac, which they usually have on special but for whatever reason isn't on the menu. I've only been in for dinner and I'm always surprised they aren't busier. I've never had to wait for a table for dinner, even on a Saturday night. Brunch seems to get more crowded. LOVE the inside decor and the outdoor space out back is cute. Service is always great. Love that it's byob (and no corking fees!) They (almost?) always have groupons, too.
(5)Adam M.
BYOB Burger Bar??? Heck, they already made a fan out of me even before I stepped foot inside. To start off our Server was awesome, he was super cool, and very funny. I give them 5 stars for service! Now on to the important part, the Food! The burgers here were real solid. I had a hard time deciding between the Horseshoe and the House Burger. I wound up going with The House which is a 8oz burger, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, guacamole and tortilla strips on a bun. YUMMM this was sooo good. Fries (Just alright) - Loaded Pepper Jack Cheese Fries - best that we had, the cheese was a bit thicker than I'm used to on fries but these are the ones to pick - Chimichurri Fries - Decent but very soggy - Truffle Fries - Good, not tons of truffle flavor, but they're alright Overall, 4 stars, because the burger was really good and the service was awesome
(4)Kat A.
I've been here twice. Definitely be prepared to wait. They do not take reservations. It's usually about a 20-30 minute wait on weekends (not toooo bad). Thanks to other Yelpers suggestions, we went across the street to Marianos to get drinks since Whisk is BYOB. But depending on your waiter, you may or may not be able to bring in orange juice to go along with your mimosa. The first time we went, we only brought champagne because the hostess said we couldn't bring in our own orange juice since they sell orange juice. The group sitting across from us (some tables are communal seating) had brought in their own orange juice so we figured we would bring our own in next time.The second time we came here, the waiter told us we couldn't bring our own juice...but also told us if we brought in a juice they didn't sell that would've been fine (i.e. lemonade). I look over at another table and clearly see a couple of girls who brought in their own orange juice but their waitress didn't force them to put it away and purchase the o.j. from whisk. We made our waiter aware of it but he didn't seem to care. I was pretty pissed about it since both times we were told not to bring in our own juice yet they let other customers bring theirs in. The food, however, was amazing. We ordered the snickers stuffed french toast...possibly one of the best french toasts I've had. It somehow is fluffy even after being soaked in the egg batter...and the snickers of course is all melted, gooey, heaven inside. We also tried the Whisk hash and David's special. Both were so good. The first time we were there I got a side of cheese grits. They were pretty bland but the grits in the David's special is mixed in with everything else and tastes amazing. We also had a side of the loaded fries...basically just cheese sauce on fries...good but nothing unique. I'd come back here just because the food is so damn amazing. But I hope the next time I go, the waiter lets me bring my own juice!!!
(4)Jackie M.
3.5 stars - BYOB, large portion, reasonable price (less then $12 entree )and good variety of hangover food. The server was friendly, but it took a while for the food to come out. THere is a good selection of sodas and beer. We had the special french toast burger w/fried egg, which it sounds pretty kickass. However, it's difficult to eat a burger with texas toast that gets soggy overtime. The portion was huge and i couldnt finish. The enchilada dish was delightful.
(3)Libby H.
We had a great meal here. They chargrill their burgers and my husband said it was the best burger patty he has had at a restaurant in a very long time. Sweet potato fry option were great. We also had the wings as an appetizer and they were very well done. Nice atmosphere too. All around we seriously give it a big thumbs up. We used a groupon too!
(5)Carlos S.
We came on a Monday. We ordered: Reeses Pancakes: absolutely amazing and perfect. Not too sweet, not soggy, no overwhelming toppings. House Burguer: Amazing. They get the medium well thing(some places over sear it...). They serve the lettuce, tomato and red onion on the side (classy). Coffee is very good, would prefer fresh half and half. We paid $35 with great service, left a $6 tip. Would I return: yes!
(5)Natalia K.
Used a groupon here with a friend the other night. It was a difficult choice of what to order. I said before that I want to try Chilaquiles whenever I see them on a menu, but this place says "Brunch by Day, Burgers by Night" so I wanted a burger and brunch. Lo and behold, the perfect concoction brought itself to my attention on the menu: The House Burger, breakfast style. This combines burger, brunch, and mexican, because it has guacamole and tortilla strips on it. And the bun is replaced with french toast and it's topped with eggs and chorizo! Mind blown. Also, you get a choice of fries other than the two offered, for a bit more, so I asked our server what she recommended. She liked the greek and chimichurri the best, and I went with the chimichurri, but I asked for them to be on a separate plate so that the garlickiness wouldn't mess with my burger. My friend ordered the Old Timer, breakfast style, and truffle fries. My fries came on my plate- sadness- and my friend's burger wasn't breakfast style- more sadness. He sent it back to get his french toast, and I [had] to wait until his food came out before I could eat mine. My eggs were getting cold. And I was starving. Finally, when we were both able to comfortably eat, the burgers were magical. I ate mine until it was done, even though my stomach was near bursting. The fries were ok- tasty from the garlic, but a bit soggy with the oil, so the burger was priority, and after it was done, I had negative room for the fries. My friend liked his burger as well, although he said his french toast was clearly rushed and not as well done as he would have liked. His fries were mostly untouched as well. Besides the imperfect orders, my other grievance was the price of the cokes. $3!! And you get this (super cute, but) teeny bottle. I don't know if you're paying more because they have to pay more for the fancy bottle, which they really just shouldn't even bother giving, or if they just mean to gouge you by upcharging the two dollars. If I come back, I will only be drinking water, and I probably will come back. It's a nice walk from my place and there are more burgers to try! And brunch as well!
(4)Elizabeth W.
Went here for dinner last night. I found a Groupon and thought I'd try it out. The food was amazing! I ordered the Canadian burger and truffle fries. Those fries were an up charge but certainly worth it! If you are looking for a great buger, Whisk is a great place to go!
(5)Sarah N.
We came from Cali ! Here on a small trip and we love to try mom and pop places because we feel like they are diamonds in the rough and we were sooo happy with this location! It's adorable inside and My BF and I are major food lovers and we loved the Food ! I had the Big Bite burger and it was scrumptious My BF had the Gobbler Burger which was a turkey Burger Service was friendly and it was just overall a great atmosphere for us Californians Will definitely be coming back when we come back to Chicago! Highly recommend
(5)Arelys G.
This place is a real diamond in the neighborhood, the place is real small and cute and everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable with the menu. The food is always fresh and very flavorful. My boyfriend loves the steak tacos and the wings are by far in best top three in the city. We have been in during the week and we love the big booths they have. We recently came on Sunday and we waited 45 minutes but it was worth the wait, we went to marianos across the street because WHISK is BYOB. After we sat to order my boyfriend order the steak benedicts since he loves the steak tacos and they were cook to perfection. Their back patio is amazing!!!. Seriously guys you need to check them out and be prepare to wait on the weekends.
(5)Courtney G.
Mmmmmm. So good. For the love of god, get the big bite burger (pictured). The attention to detail on this beautiful creation deserves an award: smoked Gouda, housemade barbecue sauce, perfectly fried onion ring. And it gets better: their selection of add-ons to the fries is especially interesting. I got the chimichurri fries and they were definitely worth it. Service was great. Shout out to the manager sundae for making us feel so welcomed. Meal for two came in at $33.
(5)Bill R.
The initial aroma is not the smell of bacon and eggs... It's oddly the smell of women's shampoo... Not even trying to make a funny. Asked for the signature breakfast... I was recommended the "DAVID SPECIAL " Combination of sautéed garlic shrimp, mushrooms, bacon, scallions mixed with a wine and cream sauce over grits. I like shrimp, but not for breakfast. I do not recommend stirring the grits in with everything because the grits absorb all of the wine and cream sauce making it a bit gritty (pun intended)
(3)Kate M.
Brunch by day and burgers by night? Talk about two winning concepts in one stylish restaurant with great food. So far I've only been in for the dinner menu, although I actually ordered some breakfast - go figure. Went in with a group of friends last Friday and they were able to seat us in the tiny garden area in back. Nice that it's BYOB- they immediately accommodated us with a bunch of ice buckets and variety of glasses for our various beverages. We honestly had a hard time deciding what to order since the menu has a lot of tempting options- but like I mentioned, the nice thing is they have some of their breakfast options on the dinner menu and they also have some wraps/sandwiches in addition to the burgers. I ordered the chilaquiles which is considered a house fave, and it did not disappoint. I would definitely order it again. My friends had actually stopped in the week before and brought me a takeout Gobbler Burger, and I thought that was delicious even the next day when I ate it. We sampled some of the truffle fries and sweet potato fries to start and those were also awesome. One of us was celebrating a birthday and they brought out Snickers cheesecake- yes...Snickers cheesecake. Everyone in the group was pleased with their tacos, wraps, and burgers, so it seems like they are already succeeding with their menu I would definitely like to return soon- love the food and the BYOB not to mention the inside ambiance is just as nice as their back patio. Maybe I will order dinner for brunch next time
(4)Dave V.
Well isn't this a quaint little place. I must say the decor and atmosphere allows intimacy without forcing it on you. It is great for groups and one on one. We came on a tuesday night with a giltcity voucher for 2 burgers and two sides. I had the gobbler (first time ever ordering a turkey burger....it felt wrong) and my gf got the steak taco plate. We shared a side of jalapeno coleslaw and truffle fries. The fries were awesome, but come on, have you have had bad truffle anything? The jalapeno coleslaw was new and delicious, i just may start adding jalapeno to any coleslaw dish i make, which has never happened but still. You can really tell that everything is fresh, unless it's not, in which case they do a great job fooling you. I kept biting into hard pieces in my burger which was rather annoying, so idk if they grind their own meat and are doing a bad job of removing bones or what but it was a bit annoying and was really the only negative i have about my meal. The steak tacos were delicious and come with a side of what my gf said was bacon salsa, though to me tasted like salsa with liquid smoke added. Either way, pretty good. No, don't worry, i haven't forgotten to mention that THIS PLACE IS BYOB. Which means you can what? You got it, bring your own beer. In case you wan't the freshest possible, there is a mariano's literally across the street and for you winos out there, they have a 5 minute wine chiller so your warm bottle can be cool and crisp in the restaurant. I do plan, one day, to return to try out their breakfast/brunch menu Alright, i'm done here, go yelp it for yourself.
(3)Brad O.
Put my name in here for breakfast on a weekend and was told it would be about 45 minutes. Hostess took my number and told me that she would text me when the table was ready. 45 minutes is pretty long to wait for breakfast so I hopped in my car and drove a couple of blocks away to check another breakfast spot. Hostess texted me about 20 minutes after I left - much sooner than 45 minutes. I called and spoke to her and told her I was driving back and would be there in 5 minutes. There was no parking within 3 blocks of the restaurant so i had to park a bit far away. I walked in the door 8 minutes after I spoke to the hostess. As I walked in the door, she had just sat a table and says to me - "oh I'm sorry you took too long getting back so I just gave away your table." After 8 minutes. Even when I JUST spoke to her and told her I was coming...she still have my table away. I was unimpressed and am not inclined to return, and I told the hostess as much.
(1)Dawn M.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. They do an excellent job of satisfying the sweet side and the savory side. My favorite brunch dish is the Salted Caramel Pancakes. I get a side of the cheesy grits and chicken sausage to make my brunch trifecta complete. For dinner, The Horshoe! Just try it!! Words will not do it justice. A burger on texas toast with loaded pepper jack fries on top. The secret ingredient must be crack because it is addictive! All staff have been pleasant and expedient each time I visit. Congratulations on your one year anniversary Whisk!
(5)S M.
This is a relatively new - and welcomed! - addition to the neighborhood. I love the addition of this 5-star (in my humble opinion) eatery to Chicago Ave., which is grossly lacking in restaurant options.
(5)McKenzie S.
I'm wavering between 4 stars and 5. Brunch: We waited for what seemed like forever to get a table one Sunday morning. I honestly think I waited for close to 2 hours. The longer I waited, the more certain I became that I would give them 3 stars. Or maybe 2. But then the food came. It was some of the best brunch I've eaten in Chicago. I got the Chilaquiles and I haven't stopped thinking about them in the last two months. Dinner: I returned to Whisk when I had a friend visiting from out of town. I realized that you could turn some of their burgers into "breakfast style" burgers. WHAT?! A really great burger served on French toast with other breakfast foods added. YES! Do this. SAY YES TO THIS! Wait staff is kind and very capable of handling a huge brunch crowd. It's BYOB for drinks - so choose wisely at the Marianos grocery store across the street! Oh, and Ron Swanson is on the walls. Ron Swanson makes meals better 100% of the time. Thumbs up, Whisk.
(5)Tasha F.
I really wanted to try one of those decadent pancakes, but the day I came I wasn't in the mood for sugar. I got the David's special and the African nectar tea. The tea was delicious! David's special not so much. If you are a person accustomed to grits or even cheesy grits, I don't think this will impress you. One reviewer called it mushy, and it was. The wine threw off the flavor for me, there wasn't enough sizable pieces of bacon and there were 3 shrimp. For 12 bucks, I was not pleased. Even if it were like 6 or 7 bucks I wouldn't order it. And it didn't even come with toast! I will try again. Maybe that snickers french toast can improve my rating.
(3)Andrew R.
I came back and it's still freaking perfect! They have the back patio and sidewalk tables open and it's worth the wait.
(5)Aaron G.
I love this place. I've gotten take out and have dined there and it's always great. The burger is one of the better ones in the neighborhood. The back patio is real nice. Wouldn't think you were on Chicago ave back there. Definitely a place I plan on going back to.
(5)Edna B.
Menu was decent. Service, not so much. Another reviewer had mentioned something about an annoyed lady who was serving them. Sounds like the same lady we had. We came early morning during the week, around 830am. There was 1 other customer sitting down. We had a Gilt city voucher and I had heard stellar reviews about the food. We sat down and the lady took a look at us but did not come by. When she did come a few minutes later, she asked if she could get us something to drink. The voucher came with juice and coffee, so I let her know that I had a voucher. Her immediate reaction was, "Ok, I still don't know what you want to drink?" I'm not sure why she was not very friendly, but we let her know that we'd like the coffee and juice, since it came with the voucher. The food was good, not great. but since the service sorta ruined the mood, my friend and I couldn't stop talking about why the server was in such a bad mood since it's first thing in the morning. She did seem very chatty with the other patron, us, not so much. In my opinion this place is nothing great. Chicago is full of brunch places with comparable food. With the service I received, I would not return even if the food was above average, which it wasn't.
(3)Shaina K.
Solid place. Check out the art on the walls, it's pretty impressive. Not very crowded at around 8:30-ish on a Saturday night and the server was wonderfully attentive and friendly. For starters, they're BYOB, and have a pretty fantastic bottled soda selection (mmmm...butterscotch rootbeer). We started out with a plate of the cheese fries, which were topped with a yummy pepper jack cheese sauce. Practically licked the plate clean! :) Entree-wise, I got the fried chicken sandwich, and the boyfriend got a burger (with onion rings on it). I liked my sandwich a lot, but I absolutely LOVED his burger. I will have to get a burger next time. The fried chicken sandwich was massive and I love that it came with jalapeño slaw on top and a generous portion of fries. The chicken was massive and really crispy. The burger came topped with two massive onion rings on it, and it was a perfectly cooked medium rare. Will definitely be back soon, it looks like they also have a pretty impressive brunch menu.
(5)Rebecca R.
Came here last Friday after happy hour at empty bottle. I didn't realize it was BYO, so after we snagged a table, two of our crew ran over to Mariano's and provided some refreshment to accompany our burgers. The menu was pretty straight forward leaving us quick to decide on which burger we wanted (and one chicken sandwich). I was surprised to see there were no apps on the menu to keep us from starving, but it turned out to better for our waist line anyway. Our server was nice, and tried to keep us entertained as we waited for the burger with a pound of bacon to be cooked (yeah, there is always 'that guy') so the rest of us could eat. It really wasn't too long at all and we were all pretty satisfied. Mine was awesome and I loved the cajan fries. I was even surprised to hear the chicken sandwich was a hit! Overall the food is good, set-up a little weird, and lacking in the app selection. Still, I would go back. Solid burger and BYO. 4 solid stars.
(4)Hector A.
I've been here 4 times, and can't wait to come back each time. Each burger that I've had, have been just awesome. And I love the fact that it's a BYOB spot. You get your money's worth. Service is also great. Haven't tried the Swanson Burger yet, but I will, very soon! If you want to impress your GF/BF or friends, this is the spot to be at. They'll have a bucket of ice waiting for your drinks. Salud!
(5)Brett S.
The food here is pretty good but don't order takeout. Both times I did they didn't give me toast even though their menu clearly says it's included. The second time they also shorted me the sausage links I payed extra for and gave me a half filled cappuccino for $4. I don't think they care. I probably won't be back. For breakfast you're probably better off going a few doors to the east.
(1)josie w.
The Ron Swanson burger was legendary & the fries rocked! Mariano's is close by for some hooch...
(5)Scott G.
WIth paintings of Nick Offerman hung on every wall, you can't get more hipster than this, folks. BRUNCH. Greasy spoon, messy, perfect hangover food served in giant portions. I couldn't quite figure out where they're trying to go with the menu options. Is it Mexican food? Southern comfort food? Our waitress was attentive to our large party of eight. Oh, and it's BYOB, so bring your handles of liquor and TURN THE FUCK UP.
(3)Rory M.
My brother recommended Whisk for either breakfast or lunch upon my arrival in Chicago. I was caught halfway between the two, so I figured I could make up my mind once I got there. He convinced me by saying that Nick Offerman loves this place, and that they have a burger called the Ron Swanson which is layered with a pound of bacon. How could I turn down at least checking out the rest of the menu? They brought out a carafe of water with a mason jar full of ice, which I thought was a nice touch. I reached an impasse when I couldn't decide between pumpkin pancakes - I'm a sucker for white chocolate, because I'm weak and don't actually care about your cocoa content - and the southern fried chicken sandwich with spicy coleslaw. The waitress recommended the latter, along with Cajun fries, so I went for it. The sandwich did not disappoint. It was huge, roughly the size of a 45 RPM record, and it sat on the plate like a giant turtle. I tried the coleslaw before eating the sandwich as a whole, and it was incredible. Sweet and just moist enough without being runny, and the jalapeño delivered a nice kick at the end. As for the sandwich - you're gonna need a few extra napkins. This thing is a monster which will haunt my restless dreams as well as the futures of every other chicken sandwich I ever eat. The chicken to breading ratio was perfect, and the spices they used gave it a nice flavor. The fries were great too, and it was all adequately priced. Probably could pay a few dollars more for a sandwich of that size and calibre, to be honest. I'm only knocking it down to four stars because I ordered a coffee that I subsequently did not receive which then appeared on the check, but they quickly and politely rectified the situation. You ought to check this place out if you've got the time and the means.
(4)Elizabeth E.
Fantastic BYOB brunch spot. I went on a Saturday morning around 10am. I live in the neighborhood but we drove since it was a bit chilly and found pretty easy street parking outside. So many options on the menu. All of which looked and sounded amazing. I opted for the garden omlette. Smaller than what you get at most places but also way more veggies than you get at most places. Garlic was intense but delish if you're like me and love garlic. The gouda cheese was diced. It should have been shredding IMO to melt a little better. The boyfriend got the chorizo Benedict. He loves Benedict's and chorizo omelettes so this hit it out of the park. He was a fan. Potatoes for both of us had a bit of Rosemary- yum! Will go back again most certainly! And will bring friends!
(4)Zac T.
Fun little place in a nice neighborhood. Good choice of burgers with great breakfast options for a few of those burgers. Any place that has the Buzzcocks on the playlist gets an extra star just for the cool factor.
(4)Delightful D.
I enjoyed food here just wasn't wowed. The pancakes Def are the star of the show. Those are delish. Chilaquiles mediocre, shrimp and grits good but I have had better. Burger mediocre as well. If in area I would stop by again but it's not a must. It is byob which is always great. I also didn't really care for the service here.
(3)Kenny O.
Got lucky with communal seating since we had exactly 3 people, so our wait went from 1 hour to 5 minutes. Food was solid, hash didn't disappoint and would definitely come back and try something different.
(4)Rosanna W.
This place is a funny looking place, its like you in the olding days, wild, wild west. They need to retrained the staff, they was acting like they didnt know nothing. The wait was long to sit and it was a a booth ready, just needed to be wiped down. Everything was big, they sat me and a friend at a booth that seats 8 to 10 people, I was disappointed, because the food looked good, but it wasn't. I order the biggest burger which was the Ron Swanson ($18.00). an 8 oz burger wrapped in 1 Ib of bacon, topped with bacon-mayo. That was so nasty, the bacon was not apple beacon it tasted like baloney and it was not 1Ib of bacon on it. I didn't even finish it. I wait almost a 45 to an hour for that nasty burger. My friend had the steak and egg,($12.00). The Steak was so tough and she ask for med-well, why was it tough, no one known, after waiting 45 til 1hr, I didn't want to order anything else I was just ready to go. I should have gotten my money back or not paid for that.
(1)Chicago A.
Great neighborhood restaurant. You can't order wrong at Whisk for dinner or for breakfast. The menu is has everything one would want from slaty to sweet. The prices are awesome and you leave with money left in your pocket and great food in your belly.
(4)Sameena K.
I totally would not recommend this place. The hostess told us 45 min wait that turned into 1 h and 30 mins with 2 kids under 2 in 98 degree weather. The hostess kept telling us 5 min -10 min for 30 mins giving us a lame excuse about not being able to seat us because they are busy even though the table is ready. Then we finally got seated and waitress was new and waited another hour for food. Will never go back. Food n service was horrible
(1)Sean K.
Nothing bad to say just average and nothing more. Give an average restaurant a crafty name like whisk to attract the yuppies. Food is okay nothing special. They aren't doing anything special or orifinal
(2)Claudia D.
We were VERY disappointed by Whisk after seeing it on Chicago's Best. 1-If you do not want potatoes with your eggs, you must pay an upcharge of $2.50 to change to replacing them with black beans or anything else! 2-the egg white omelet that I had did not have a blend of the garlic and other fillings inside. Rather the garlic, in a pile, was dumped in to one side where the omelet was folded. The first bite I took was on the garlic end! Thereafter, the only taste in my mouth for the entire meal was garlic. The rosemary flavoring the potatoes included long hard sharp pieces of the Rosemary twig-unacceptable! 3-Raised booths, a long raised communal table, counter seating and a few short tables provided the only seating. I hate communal seating, raised chairs or stools. We had to sit at the end of the long communal table. I was very uncomfortable our entire meal. 4-no purse hooks, nor coat hooks anywhere. 5-friendly, but perfunctory servers who never checked with us to see if we were happy with our meal. 6-Higher price point than the food deserved The husband and I decided never to return.
(2)Iaroslav M.
i only knew one place with the truffle fries to die for(Anchovies in Boston) and now i found this spot!I had Chorizo Burger which was amazing and the truffle fries-nomnom nom!!!They have cool backyard patio and BYOB which makes you feel you got a six-pack and hanging out at your friends backyard!Service is friendly and great!! On my list to go when in the Ukrainian Village
(5)Andrew F.
I love this place and its theme! My favorite is definitely David' special. The location is prime. The only downside is that its always so busy but hey, that's because everyone wants to try this place.
(5)Briana U.
Love love whisk. It has quickly become our favorite spot for breakfast. The service is always great. Disgruntled yelpers complaining about slow service have clearly never worked in the restaurant industry. We always have the same server, and she's always the only server working in the restaurant! Have a little patience ;)
(5)Hannah C.
We arrived at 9:15 for brunch and managed to snag one of the last no-wait tables, so definitely get there early. Service was moderately attentive, if occasionally forgetful (we never found out what the daily specials might be, the wrong order was brought to our table first). The snickers French toast is perfect for the diehard sweet tooth. I imagine most people might be overwhelmed by the amount of sugar, but hopefully they know better than to order candy French toast? The pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes had so many pecans in them that it was hard to taste anything else, which was a little disappointing. A fun spot for the sugar hungry, but perhaps not worth a trip for more reasonable people.
(3)Agnes I.
--I was nervous about having to wait in a long line before being served but that didn't happen. I came here on a Sunday at 8:30am and it wasn't packed. It only got packed around 10am --Great brunch place in Ukranian village. --Friendly service --FOOD: sta
(4)Julia D.
Been here a handful of times since my last review.. In short, it just keeps getting better! My boyfriend and I have tried most of the menu and allllll of it is awesome! With it getting colder we have been sitting inside and the art work is gorgeous, ambience is chill and inviting. The staff has evolved into a great team and the service is way more efficient since theyve opened. I want to give this place 5 stars but theres still room for a little improvement before this place can get all the attention it deserves... Liquor license would be awesome. But they do have BYOB option and Mariano's directly across the street if you arent too lazy to fetch your own booze like me :(
(4)Izzy F.
Whisk is one of a kind! Great staff. Great food. Burgers are really good. I mostly order breakfast from here because I love the potatoes. Just amazing! What other restaurant has a Ron Swanson theme?! None! Whisk is awesome! It's kind of small and there's usually a wait on weekends but it is well worth it. Byob with Marianos across the street is perfect! Dont go to sunrise cafe next door. They are horrible!!! Worst breakfast Ive ever had in my life!!
(5)Theresa F.
5 stars for food, 3.5 for service. I am not a brunch fan by any means - in fact I avoid it like the plague. But this spot has me re-thinking my deep-rooted aversion to infamously long lines, mediocre food and burnt coffee. Definitely no skimping on quality and taste here! Portions are perfect considering no one EVER requests a doggie bag for brunch leftovers (soggy waffles - no thanks). We ordered: The Chilaquiles - this dish was bursting with flavor and quality ingredients. Biscuits and gravy - The gravy was flavorful and light enough where you wouldn't feel like a fat ass if you ate the whole dish. Wheat toast - Super quality bread! House potatoes - Tender, flavorful and still hot when it was brought out! Total opposite of what I'm used to at brunch-type joints in Chicago. Atmosphere was super comfortable and clean. Server was a bit edgy but I guess that's what one should expect from the Brunch B-team... Will def be back!
(5)John W T.
Burgers are cooked to order and done right. The patty had lots of flavor by itself, adding their unique toppings just makes it that much better. The bun is very soft, lightly toasted, and has good flavor. Fries are served in generous portions and plentiful toppings. $12 meal but I was able to make two meals out of it. The service was top notch. You will see the two owners on the floor serving, greeting, and even clearing tables.
(5)Wendy C.
The food gets 5++ stars but the waitstaff was really slow...nice but slow. Loved the Ukranian Scramble and will definitely go again. Took our waitress awhile to bring us water and a check.
(4)Sarah D.
Stopped by for brunch with some friends and we were not disappointed. We each had a savory dish and split the mocha pancakes between us. They were the perfect amount of sweet without being too sweet. Great food, great prices, great service. Watch out for all the strollers once lunch starts, though.
(4)Dana B.
This was our first brunch experience in the city. It was very cute and the Ron Swanson vibe was very unique. The menu had a lot of great options. It was very hard to choose. I had the croissant sandwich and it was very tasty. The sausage was very good as well. Fresh watermelon was served with our meal and was very juicy. I would recommend for a great brunch experience.
(5)Cindy P.
My love affair with WHISK continues.... ; ) We went for dinner last night and sat outside in the front. After dinner the chef came out and we chatted for a bit and then he showed us their new patio area in the back. Absolutely lovely!! 2 tables for parties of 4-6 and several smaller tables. Food is still great and now, another reason to come back!
(5)Aaliya B.
Great restaurant overall. Chicken sausage links and honey bbq wings were delicious . Husband liked the snickers French toast and said steak was made to perfection for his steak and eggs. Waitress could have had a better demeanor. We were out for my husbands bday brunch and she could've been friendlier. Good up and coming home place. Well come back at night for burgers and the outdoor seating.
(4)Kaylee W.
I really wanted to like this establishment and am sad to say I enjoyed a minimal part of my experience here. After spotting the restaurant on Groupon, visiting the website for more info on the menu and finally looking through reviews on yelp, I thought WHISK would be a good choice for a laid back family dinner, thus purchasing the Groupon. Upon arrival my guest and I were greeted at the door by the guy who would become our waiter. After looking through the menu, majority of the members of my party decided to go with the chicken and waffles dinner. In the section of the menu were the chicken and waffles dinner was listed it indicated that fries were included. I tell him I want to substitute fries for salad and he gives me a slight attitude saying sides weren't included with my meal. If this is the case A. why are you getting an attitude with me and B. why list chicken and waffles in that particular section. I decided I also wanted lemonade but the waiter said they weren't serving it. OK fine I can live with that. Because everyone in my party decided the best alternative was iced tea we asked if it were possible to get a pitcher of ice tea. The waiter, whom I never learned the name of, said he'd never done it before and would give us a pitcher for $12. We also asked if the chicken was all chicken breast and the waiter said yes. After receiving our meals, we saw that it was a combination of white and dark meat, mostly dark meat. While this wasn't a huge deal, it was another incident of misinformation. He returns with a pitcher that could only fill about 2 of the 4 cups in my party. After going back and forth with another waiter over our issue, our original waiter brings us another pitcher. It was a few moments after this happened that one of the members of my party overheard an employee saying " that's why I didn't want to wait on that table". I am not sure if this comment was directed at my table or not because there was another table being seated at the moment but it was still offensive. After what had previously occurred at the restaurant, it did not add to my already shaky experience. I gave WHISK 2 stars because the one waiter was accommodating to us on the issue of the iced tea and I did enjoy the meal I ordered although it took a little long to arrive at the table.
(2)Adeline A.
The best brunch in the area in my opinion. The chilaquiles were perfectly flavorful, pozole was amazing as it should be, and the banana berry pancakes absolutely stole the show. I also had a juicy burger for lunch that had chips on it, which lets me know how serious they are about burgers! Super friendly, helpful, patient staff from host to waitresses. Hats off to the chefs! Warm setting, clean restaurant, cool art on the walls. I was only in Chicago for a week, but visited this place thrice it was so good!
(5)Greg P.
UPDATE as of 05.26 The owner of Whisk was kind enough to reach out and offer some feedback about the Grub Hub experience. He said that they reached out to GrubHub to have my order refunded. I will be willing to try Whisk again in the future, but maybe dining in vs. using a delivery service. Sometimes restaurants can have an off night, and I get that, so It's worth another shot.
(4)Mark H.
For Ukrainian Village, this spot is above par. Mixed with local art and interesting wooden wall decor, the two hermanos puts a fresh Latin flavored spin to the classic brunch and dinner menu. Stopped in check to out the changing landscape of retail space just west of Damen from the powerhouse Mariano's grocery store to smaller independent shops like Whisk. Tried their House burger. Well...the burger is misleading cuz it's very difficult to pick up. But with a fork and knife the explosion of flavor is definitely a surprise and left me wanting more. The tortilla was the kicker. For locals, I could see this could be a regular stop. But if you're competing with the city, it's a just another cool spot in the plethora of nuevo hipster food stops.
(3)Kenya R.
I love love this place. Food is amazing!!! The service is even more amazing. Truffle fries & Southern style chicken sandwich!!!!! YUMMY!!!!
(4)Jewel L.
Had brunch there. Crab cakes were very good.
(4)Robb S.
I would actually give this place a 4.5 if I could. Great selection of breakfast and lunch food. The pancake options are insane. The French toast is stuffed with snickers!!! Are u kidding me. I get the omelette mostly and it's great. Veggies seem very fresh and omelette is fluffy. I have friends that get the grits and the burger and they love it Solid spot
(4)Prajna A.
4 only because there was a lot of waiting and also the ambience is not top notch. But the food is definitely a 5 star. Mocha, caramel and chocolate pancakes. All sorts of fries - greek fries and cheese fries. Not only this but they have an amazing resees French toast to die for. Love it here. Coupon available for 50% off on living social
(4)Bill H.
While I've been wanting to stop in here for a while, most brunch hours have been too long of a wait for us (personal preference). We saw it mostly empty and had heard their burgers were good, so decided to BYOB a few bottles of wine and stop in for dinner last night. I had the steak & eggs - while it's a simple, straight forward dish, the steak was really fantastic, perfect medium as requested, and the black beans stood out. My wife got the burger - they had no problem adding cheese and bacon however they don't carry any type of blue cheese (her typical go-to). Also her burger, ordered medium, was more on the side of medium-well but was still very delicious. Perhaps with the thicker steak cooking, the timing was off slightly; it happens. She also upgraded the side to the chimichurri fries which were fantastic but be warned; the garlic sticks with you! The place was very clean, service was good even as the place filled up through our meal, and there was no corkage fee. Also really liked the CoOp Sauce Co. hot sauces on the tables. In the end a welcome addition to the neighborhood - good food at reasonable prices. Bonus points for the Ron Swanson portraits. The burger on the menu named after that fine character is a bit of a joke... A POUND of bacon wrapped around an 8 oz burger? I'd never get that in all honesty. Consider, instead changing it to burger with 4 strips of bacon and a fried egg!
(4)Amy A.
This is currently my favorite breakfast place! The staff is always dependable and familiar. I love the Ukrainian Breakfast, Biscuits and Gravy, Hash, Vegetable Breakfast Sandwich, etc & etc. So many good things on the menu and my very picky boyfriend loves it too. They once had a special drink (Aztec hot chocolate?) which was a mix of hot chocolate, espresso, and some spice. DELISH! I also regularly overhear other customers complimenting their food. I need to try for dinner.
(5)Kurt H.
My wife and I headed out to Whisk for brunch recently on a weekend as we were looking for a new place to try. The experience overall was pretty negative. We started out well, the restaurant was at about 60% capacity and we were told that the only seats available were at the community table.. fine, we actually like sitting at community tables so no worries. I looked over and saw three huge booths open and remarked to my wife "Its kind of cool they hold the booths for large parties, might be a good place to come with friends." ... within five minutes they then seated three couples at the three booths... so why were we told they were not available? But again, not a big deal... we don't mind community seating. The wait staff was wonderful, which is why this review gets two stars instead of one. Our server was courteous, quick, and seemed to care about her customers... this is where the positives ended though. We ordered our brunch. My wife ordered biscuits and gravy, I ordered a signature eggs benedict the menu suggested was a house special and a side of bacon. After about ten to fifteen minutes (normal) my wife's plate was brought out. She waited for mine to arrive. And waited.. and waited. After about five minutes our server came over (she was busy) and said (confused) "Wait, where's your food?" I shrugged my shoulders and said "I don't know"... She hustled back to the kitchen and came back and said "Sorry, It's coming" I said no worries... A few minutes went by, she came back and said "Really sorry" and brought my side of bacon... The manger was nearby and she mentioned it to the manager and the manager went back to the kitchen. At this point we were about ten minutes in and my wife had started eating her meal. We had a long day planned and had places to head off to. After another minute or two, the manager came back and said "There was a mixup, they accidentally threw out your plate but they are making it over again." I said "Don't you have an expediter that would keep that from happening? This is a simple order, I'd imagine you'd be able to plate two meals at once?" The manager replied "Ya, I don't know...." (or something similar) Well this annoyed me a bit and my wife was about done with her meal.. so I said, "You know, we have to get going, just cancel my order please, I'll eat my bacon and finish my coffee and thats fine." The manager seemed a bit annoyed and said "So, you don't want it???" (Kind of annoyed that I would say that)... I said "Nope, please cancel it." So the waitress came back, apologized half a dozen times. I said "You have nothing to apologize for, not your fault." (again, she was great) and she brought the check. No offer from the manager to compensate us... didn't even comp the $2 cup of coffee... and I left without eating. Two Stars. .... Andrew thanks for responding. I don't want to get into an argument but there is no way that my order was re-fired in five minutes. I was wearing a watch and looking at it often because we had a busy day. Not a chance. If it was I would've accepted it and given a much better review. Look at my profile, I don't give negative reviews.
(2)Katy S.
So I'm taking a bit of a different approach with this review, because my experiences at Whisk have been different each time. For a few minutes, I am going to pretend I am a guy and Whisk is a girl I have recently met. The first time her and I met, we instantly hit it off. I like all of Whisk's attributes, great vibe, clean space, hip decor, small but cute outdoor patio area where my Sunday brunch loving ass can sit and have a cup of joe when hungover. The best characteristic about my first date with Whisk, was her delicious red pepper Benedict. Wow. She really impressed me here. But with all things great, comes a negative that comes to light about mid way through the first encounter. The chilquiles. Oh no. Whisk chefs, you seriously screwed this one up. The taste, so overwhelmingly spicy, the chips soggy and frail; simply horrible. But there are always some sad traits you are willing to hurdle through because well, she was just so damn fine in other ways. First visit. 3.5 stars. Second date: needed. Second time was about three days post pepper Benedict. I could not stop thinking about her, despite that one evil downfall from visit 1. It was a week day, my vacation. I was highly looking forward to getting to know her better and seeing where it went. After all, I did abide by the "three day rule." Visit two: I was sat with an older African American woman as my server. Her attitude was unbelievable...suchstrong, condescending mannerisms that I honestly felt uncomfortable. Maybe she was having an off day but this day, she was not meant to be a server! Nonetheless, I was there to keep giving it a go so I was determined to stay. No Benedicts on the weekdays, she said. What ?!?! Gtfoh. I was pissed. I ended up having some normal eggs, potatoes, and bacon type deal, something I could easily get at IHOP for half the price. What was funny about my date this time was that the server thought she was getting a $20 tip on a $40 tab for my party and I. Have you lost your blessed mind? Her service was not up to par, she knew we were upset, and she "mistakingly" thought we had told her to keep the change. Ummm no, no bueno. Visit two: two whimsy stars. I would've never gone on a third date with whisk after experience numero dos but man...this girl, there's just something about her. Plus, she lives only two blocks away from me. Convenience at its best, if it works out, of course. Visit three: that's it, if she doesn't put out on this date, I am "peacing out." I came in and looked around. I saw the lady server I wanted to avoid. I thought, well, I will get a to go order (this time I was alone and packing weight, aka. a bag of groceries from Mariano's). I sat at the bar and told this incredibly nice, blonde barista what I wanted. She was so friendly and so welcoming, complete opposite from her evil stepmother, ahem...I mean coworker. She convinced me to stay and eat there. Eh, okay, okay. She told me the pepper Benedict had been removed from the menu for good. What?!?! Seriously? I felt like I couldn't win!! She then recommended the crab cake Benedict instead and I was just praying it went well. My food came out within minutes, piping hot and absolutely delicious. The crab was lumpy and generous. It came with potatoes and a piece of watermelon (see pic). When I took that first bite, let me tell you, it was instant love. It was as if my date was finally saying the right things I needed to hear to capture my attention and make my heart grow fonder. It was a true mouthgasm, fireworks and all. The service was absolutely amazing this visit. Though I was brunching alone, the staff made me feel a little less loser(ish) by chatting with me. The server from visit #2 even came up to me and asked me if I needed more Splenda for my coffee, wuuuuuttt ?! And this is why I decided to see her again. Because even though Whisk had her bad traits, it takes a while to really get to know somebody. And though she didn't give it up completely, Whisk and I are still dating, one visit at a time. I will be patient with her. After all, good things come to those who wait :) I'm the type of "guy" that sees past her flaws and focuses on the bigger picture. Beautiful, mostly kind, and delicious to the core. Keep it up Whisk. Cliff notes: byob. Dark matter coffee. Gourmet sodas ($3.00+) Killer crab cake Benedict. Service hit or miss. Outdoor patio. Bring your shades. SYOY
(4)Cristina F.
We came in at 330 on a Saturday to purposely avoid the long wait. The host was friendly and let us snag the back corner booth (best seat in the house). My boyfriend and I both asked for coffee. Our server took our order but someone else delivered our food. The food was delicious-- my boyfriend ordered the pulled pork benedict and I chose the snickers french toast. Our coffee was gross-- my boyfriend compared it to swamp water. Usually, after we get our food, it's customary for the server to check in and asks how everything is--- and this is the point where I would have brought up the gross coffee. However, our server failed to do that. Luckily for us, they deliver a carafe of water so we didn't have to rely on our server too much. The next time we saw our server, she asked if my boyfriend wanted a refill on his coffee--- he said no and so she promptly left to get the check (I had food in my mouth so she bailed out of there before I was able to chew/swallow and speak up). We get our check and I told her I wanted to return my coffee. And in the words of Dave Barry, I swear I am not making this up, no apologies, no follow up questions.. she immediately left to take care of it. I think her manager had to void it--- so the manager must have been aware of the situation. This is probably the worst restaurant experience I've had in years (my last one was at 90 miles in 2012 and our server ignored us too--- luckily my friend spoke Spanish and got our busboy to get us utensils and water etc). We ended up paying $32.64 (pulled pork benedict $11, snickers french toast $11, and coffee $3--- yep they still charged us for my boyfriend's coffee--- and tip). For those kind of prices, their servers and managers should be trained accordingly. The beauty of brunch (for me) is the bottomless coffee. I waited a whole 10 days to write this review so I wouldn't be blinded by coffee rage. Hopefully, our experience was an anomaly. I was having a pretty good day that day so I didn't make a fuss. We did enjoy the food, the ambience, and the easy parking--- but we won't be back any time soon.
(1)Eric T.
We came in one morning and were quoted a 45 minute wait. We figured it would be shorter but it ended up being almost 40 minutes which put us tight on time for whatever it was we had to do next. We had looked over the menu though and were ready to order when we sat down. Told the hostess as we sat about the time crunch, she went right to the waiter who came right over. Waiter totally understood, and why wouldn't you want to flip a table quickly? We ordered immediately and our coffee was brought in to go cups (didn't even ask). The food came out quickly, although I do not know if the waiter put a rush on it. We ate, got a refil on coffee and paid in plenty of time. Even with a rush the service was spot on. Manager stopped by, waiter came by a couple times. The food I thought was fantastic. It is definitely on par with some local places (The Winchester) but I thought the $ was better for the serving size. Need to go back, but the initial experience was spot on.
(5)Kevin B.
Decided to check out this spot after hearing good things. Was a little disappointed in how small the place was which led to our 30 min wait. But then I heard the 4 magic letters that made everything better... BYOB!!!!! I almost feel like brunch without BYOB is sacrilegious. Maybe because I've gotten spoiled by places like this and Batter & Berries. And what's even better, there is a Marianos right across the street. So I was able to run over and grab some cheap champagne while waiting on a table to come free. Ordered the crab cakes and eggs platter which was delicious. The crab cakes and sauce may have been the best I've had in a restaurant, period. For my sides I had cheese grits and toast. The cheese grits were just okay (a little too cheesy for my liking). But if you are cheese grits person, it's probably perfect for you. Staff was courteous. It was packed and apparently a party going on, so it was a little chaotic. But besides that, everything was great.
(4)Antaash U.
Tried Whisk this morning when I spotted the adorable storefront while picking up groceries at Mariano's across the street. The space is nice and they seem to have a really nice breakfast/brunch and lunch menu (hello Snickers French Toast!!). I am definitely tempted to go back for lunch because they have an INCREDIBLE menu of specialty sodas! If it wasn't 7:45am, I think I would have definitely ordered one. Instead, I had to settle on an iced chai since their espresso machine was out of commission...sad face. Anyway, my breakfast entree made me more than happy. I ordered the chilaquiles. They were DELICIOUS! They had clearly been made to order because the tortialla was still warm and crispy, the cheese and salsa perfectly melted and gooey, instead of the congealed mess often times found on chilaquiles. The dish was accompanied with grilled chicken, avocado slices and an egg prepared your way. To finish the entree off, there was a generous wedge of watermelon. They obviously know that the only way to complete a savory meal is with a little bit of sweetness ;). My fiancee chose the Mexican scramble minus the ham. His words: "Outstanding". I don't think I have ever heard him rate any breakfast place with such high regard, so I know that his dish had to be just as good, if not better! Wisk also has a patio in the back if outdoor dining is your thing! I'm excited to have it so close to home and in a location with parking galore. I think I may have discovered my new breakfast/brunch place :D.
(4)Jola B.
I've heard this place gets crowded but I just stopped by for lunch on a Thursday afternoon last month. Small restaurant. Looks nice and new and well-kept. I had the fried chicken burger? It was sooo good. Definitely recommend as a casual brunch, lunch spot with friends. Eating alone in a small, quiet place was less fun for me personally. And I definitely couldn't imagine that place packed with people--it seems too small to handle that successfully.
(3)Frank O.
The burgers are solid, large and flavorful. The Big Bite was so large I had to bring the rest of it home, but the House Burger was easily finished at the table. Unfortunately the rest of the food didn't meet the same high standard. The Steak Tacos were overly salted, as were the Cajun Fries (go to 5 Guys instead). The jalapeno cole slaw was a nice twist, but went overboard on the spiciness. With the price pretty high and not convenient from public transport, it's not worth searching out unless you have a singular burger craving.
(2)Phil B.
This little cafe is on what is becoming quite the street for new restaurants on Chicago Ave! I love it! The food is delicious and fresh. I had the huevos rancheros. Made with homemade tortillas, fresh cilantro, avocado and eggs the way you prefer ( I had them over easy). Yummy! I didn't have coffee, but the Dark Matter coffee is delish! Get over there, but prepare to wait. It's become quite popular.
(5)Sam T.
Came here a little while back to grab a quick breakfast since its in the neighborhood, and was very disappointed with the service. They sat the two of us in one of the booths (since the restaurant was empty). It took about 5 minutes before we were even greeted or given menus. Some water was dropped off at the table, yet still no server. As we were sitting, we kept smelling a very funky smell; almost like dirty mop water and sewer. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from and it was very off putting. Another 5-7 minutes went by and still no server. The smell was gross and since nobody seemed to acknowledge us, we just got up and left. Pretty sure nobody even noticed. If you're not going to take care of your customers, you should really rethink the business you are in.
(1)Megan M.
service has some room for development. but holy cow, this place is amazing. ordered david's special ($12). cheesy grits, shrimp, mushrooms, bacon, creamy wine sauce. never thought i'd be into that, but it was phenomenal. the bf got biscuits and gravy ($12), topped with two eggs. def one of the best biscuits and gravy we've ever had (& we've had a lot to compare to). portions were generous too. overall, very impressed. the paintings of nick offerman on the wall's were a plus too. can't wait to go back!
(5)Tiffani S.
Went to Whisk on a Groupon after mixed reviews from friends. I'm so glad I wasn't paying full price because after we inquired about the Groupon the service quickly diminished! We asked for a glass of ice to go with a Diet Coke and when it arrived after our food, it was basically half a glass of water. No apology, no offer to actually bring out a fresh one that was not melted. The cheese grits were not to my liking (go to Wishbone if you would like proper cheese grits). The real problem is when Chef Ricky dismissed my complaint via Groupon and said that our service was not bad implying that Whisk never gives bad service and that he stands 100% behind his food. I would hope that you stand 100% behind your product but don't take offense if my tastebuds don't like it, I'm entitled to my opinion. More importantly don't dismiss my experience just because it was negative, especially if you weren't dining with me nor were my server. I'm appalled more by the response that I received from Chef Ricky than anything else. This is Chicago where restaurants close just as fast as they open you should be more aware in your response to your customers. That was not good Customer Service.
(1)Kevin K.
This place is just one more excuse not to move to the burbs. Crab cakes from scratch. Loaded w crab and perfectly seasoned. Potatoes cooked to perfection. Coffee is legit. Best toast I've ever had, complimented w homemade jelly and homemade butter. Wow.
(5)N Prashant B.
We went for brunch and the food was awesome. The service was ok. Bought a $29 for $35 on Yelp and they only gave me 32. Wasn't worth the confrontation so we went ahead and moved on. But, be careful with that. Back to the food- freaking awesome.
(4)Natalka K.
Burgers are great but filling. They also have different wraps and tacos if you're not in the mood for a burger. In the summer, you can sit in their back patio. Their main dining area is roomy for groups. I'd be back!
(5)Gregory C.
BYOB hands down one of my new all time favorite places to go to in Chicago. The brunch is terrific!
(5)Rosa C.
I love the wide selection of Mexican breakfasts that they have! I ordered the steak and eggs for the gains and Snickers French toast (SFT) for pleasure! I came with four other people and they were all very hesitant on ordering the SFT. By the time I was done with my steak meal, these jerks almost finished my SFT! They left me two bites! It sounds like it will be very sweet, but it is not! It is so delicious! I am definitely going back for the SFT!
(5)Kolyan D.
Solid for brunch and for burgers! And you can get burgers breakfast style! We had brunch a while ago, but I remember that it was pretty darn good and I'd go again. Had the burgers last night and they were very good! Lots of good options available, as well as other dinner items. The back patio is a nice cozy place to eat as well. Get your Groupon on and then come back for the full price meal because it's worth it!
(5)Alfredo G.
The rajas tacos lacked flavor and weren't even spicy. Just a taco full of bland vegetables. The tortilla wasn't even hand made. The best part of my meal was the water they served.
(2)Damaris C.
First time here. Came in for breakfast on a random Thursday morning. The look and feel of the place invite you to linger over your meal. The music is on point. The service is quite efficient. The food is off the chain good. Seriously. Oh ma lawd!! I had the biscuits and gravy. My husband ordered the steak and eggs. We shared an order of the Salted Caramel Pancakes: AMAZEBALLS!!!! I know it sounds like a cavity on a plate, but it's so subtle and the combination of white chocolate, caramel and crushed pretzels over the most delicious flapjacks is just sublime. Try it. Our orders came out in a timely manner and piping hot. The variety of brunch offerings on the menu is impressive. The burgers sound delicious. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)Anna G.
Brunched here yesterday with a friend. It was just us 2 and another table. I ordered and iced chai and the chicken pear club; my friend a coffee and the egg breakfast entree. The food and drinks were great, no complaints there (my portion of the club was so large, I saved half for lunch today). Our server was very friendly and attentive, buuuut, he didn't seem to know the basics of the menu (the sides, in particular) and was a bit thrown off/confused when we asked follow up questions. The other complaint? It took FOREVER for the food to come out. There were only 4 people dining in the entire place! I hope they figure out these new restaurant kinks because I really liked the space and the food... and hope to try more!
(3)Ryan L.
With the giant comfy booths in the back and the tiled ceiling, it feels like High Dive. That is - it feels like High Dive only with Mexican food and bright lighting, and minus the hipster jukebox. Concept here is dinner for breakfast. They have burgers, sandwiches, and wraps in which some could be made breakfast-style (replacing with eggs, chorizo, french toast, etc). There is also Mexican fare, reflective of the roots of the chef. Determined to order the specialties, we ordered the chilaquiles and the horseshoe. Both delicious. The scrambled eggs that came with the chilaquiles were prepared just the way I like them - soft and fluffy. Not that it needed more flavor, but adding salsa verde to the chilaquiles rocked. The horseshoe breakfast-style had chipotle hollandaise sauce and a sunnyside up egg. Also delicious. Delicious fresh-cut fries complete the horseshoe. One suggestion- concerns the booths in the back. It works in High Dive because it's a bar, but not really for a sit down restaurant. The space would be better served with more tables than 3 booths. Let's just say 5-6 tables could fit there instead. That's double the capacity in terms of parties. I overheard a couple waiting at the bar discussing the same thing about the booth. BYOB - it's totes worth it as small bottles of soda will run you $3. The meal itself was quite inexpensive so this is a nice spot for a group dinner.
(4)Melissa K.
Absolutely adorable!!! We walked over this past Sunday for a late brunch (around noon). We had a group of 5 and asked to sit outside thinking it was a bit of a tall order as we only saw small two-tops on the sidewalk. The hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes for the first available table. Roughly 7 minutes later she told us our table was ready and started walking away..Curiously, we followed her past the restaurant and down the gangway. We reached the back and came upon the most adorable back patio complete with a little garden and umbrellas and all things perfect. We were seated in a very large, comfortable booth outside and could not have been happier. The menu had something for everyone and the food was delicious. Our server was fun, and funny and wonderful. The only reason I am not going with 5 stars is the food took a rather long time for being a breakfast joint but at least we had wonderful surroundings while we waited and the waiter was very good about refilling coffee and waters. A hidden gem and I highly recommend it. Added bonus - the staff were wearing Whisk shirts that featured the blackhawks feathers...nice touch!!
(4)Justin B.
Although you do get a lot of food here for the bucks, I was disappointed by Whisk. The space is a bit of a mishmash of styles; it's got some art on the walls, a cool whisk in the entryway, but a massive TV in the middle of the restaurant. The food was not bad and priced well for the size of the burgers, but the fries (especially the chimichurri fries) were terrible and they were out of pepper jack cheese when we showed up. (I guess the Mariano's across the street doesn't sell cheese in bulk???) BYO, friendly service and the Horseshoe burger served breakfast style without the pepper jack were all great attributes of this spot...but I would come back for brunch to give it one more try, given the proximity to my house.
(3)Jason E.
The cakes were AWESOME, but the sandwiches were too rich.
(3)Michelle R.
The food is so awesome here!! I love their Ron Swanson wall! Cracks me up every time. The staff is also super friendly!
(5)Lyness H.
So my bf and I went to this place randomly today because we found a groupon for $22 for $36 which is MORE than enough to grab a good amount of food for two here. Pricing & Portions: The menu offers so many great dishes it was kinda hard to pick one thing! But because their pricing is so great we didn't have to haha. Average dish price is $10. I ordered a croissant sandwich, my bf had the southern style chicken burger, and we split an order of Snickers French Toast. Everything was amazing. They had to substitute my croissant for texas toast but it was still really good. Decor & BYOB Policy: The place isn't big and it's very creatively and nicely decorated. Kinda funky wall paintings and old school soul music playing over head. Really comfy HUGE booths in addition to bar seating. It was just a really great atmosphere. They're also BYOB and supply you with wine glasses. Who doesn't love BYOB? Service: The service was great, we were seated immediately and our waiter was really attentive and funny. I thought they couldn't top the awesome table side service: wrong. I ended up boxing half my sandwich that I didn't finish to go and ended up leaving it on the table. We came back by and i ran in to grab it but they'd already thrown in out. So a woman, who I'm assuming was the manager, asked if I just wanted them to make me another one. I didn't wanna be a bother but she assured me it was no problem and even gave it to me for free. So that was pretty awesome. Needless to say, the bf and I will definitely be back and will definitely be recommending this place to our friends.
(5)Lindsey M.
Cute place. Very cozy. Always love BYOB. Food was decent- had the chilaquiles. They were ok. Honestly wasn't all too impressed, especially since people rave about them. Service was a little slow but not terrible- although I did over hear our waitress bashing some customers. $4 for a TINY carafe of OJ- not even fresh squeeze. Yikes bikes. I'll probably go back to try some other menu options but not in a rush to go back. Enjoyable but not to die for.
(4)Shane G.
I have ordered from Whisk 4 times in the last three weeks on GrubHub. The first time I ordered from them I was skeptical because I know a lot of times I order from places and the food that is delivered is soggy and doesn't taste that great. (I'm looking at you Lockdown.) However, all four of my orders arrived on time and very fresh. I had their crab cakes, pepper jack cheese fries, and cheesy grits. The crab cakes were amazing. The fries weren't soggy, and the cheesy grits were pretty good, too. Each time I ordered from Whisk the subsequent three times I tried something new: Aztec omelette, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, Snickers Stuffed French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy, Truffle Fries, Crab Benedict, and Reese's Pancakes. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach because the menu here has soooo many great options and I can't help but want to try them all. I have honestly never been disappointed by this place. My favorite things so far have been the Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll pancakes, the Crab Benedict, the Reese's Pancakes, and the truffle fries. Please do yourself a favor and try this place. You won't regret it. I'm not sure what sort of problems these other Yelpers have had, but in 4 orders Whisk has always delivered VERY quickly and never messed up my order.
(5)Joey M.
Went for weekend brunch and were fortunate enough to get bar seating (small but cozy) Whisk boasts a plethora of coffee and soda varieties that are part of it's appeal I ordered the Snickers Stuffed french toast which I believe was just two pieces of french toast with a melted snickers between them (a french toast snickers sandwich if you will) but was very tasty :) Sampled (benefit of eating out with friends lol) -- biscuits and gravy dish was ultra flavorful and savory. Served in a bowl and looks like a hodge-podge of food but tastes better than it looks! Large serving. --black beans which have a spicy after-kick but are delicious While I enjoyed the food I think there are other places around that I would like to try out before I returned here
(3)Ben S.
Best place for brunch in the city! Everything on the menu is great. I suggest coming with a few people and sharing all the menu items. The southern chicken sandwich might be the best in the city. It's a must try and you will be hooked after.
(5)Miharu H.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a new place to try before the Bulls' game and thought we'd tried something in the surrounding area. We shared the Spicy Honey BBQ wings, House Burger and Big Bite Burger. The wings had a little spice and sweetness to them, which were delicious. The House Burger was by far the star of the meal. Everything just melted together really well. If we are in the area again, I would definitely try some other items on the menu. The one downside was the menu was that the fries were just a let down.
(4)Jorge M.
So i bought a groupon for this place and after 50 min waiting we finally got a table. Place is sooooo small and was packed, because is BYOB people takes longer to eat since some people bring a lot of booze. Our waiter was nice but was kinda confused cause first we ordered a orange juice and a bucket for the champagne and took him almost 10 min probably more to bring it. Then because you share tables with more people the one next to us they ordered kinda the same plate that I ordered and they brought them the wrong food theirs food runner gave it to the wrong table. They had to apologize and make a new one. Now good thing that after those incidents food was actually very good specially the David's special. In overall good place but to small and they should put a time for the people cause they waiting for a table was very annoying because people don't want leave the place drinking and talking.
(3)Paulette S.
Wonderful brunch! The chef really knows how to use herbs and seasonings. Among the three of us, we enjoyed items including black bean patties with mango sauce (so tasty!), fried potatoes (crispy and seasoned wonderfully with rosemary); sweet potato fries (crispy and delicious), and more. The pancakes with pear and white chocolate sauce sounded like they would be "too sweet," but they were "just right." The batter reminded us of the taste of sweet cream waffles. The toast was served with home made jam. In addition, the staff was friendly and attentive.
(5)Rosaileen B.
This place was awesome! Food was delicious! I got the chorizo omelette and it was perfect. My sister ordered the snickers pancakes and the only regret I have is that I didn't order my own. The service was great as well. Definitely going back!
(5)Michelle R.
Brunch was amazing! Bought a groupon last night & went this morning on my day off! Snickers French toast was bomb!!! Def will go back again! Top brunch place in Chicago!!
(5)julie q.
So, because it's the first official day of their opening, I'll let the long wait time for our food slide. But, man oh man - it was worth the wait! I had the BLT Benedict - The hollandaise was super flavorful and the pesto was some of the best tasting pesto I've had in awhile. Husbo had the Dave's special - garlic shrimp, cheese grits, shrooms, bacon, and white wine cream sauce - How can you go wrong??? It was super delish. By the time we left there was a long wait to get in - I'm sure it will continue as long as they keep the food as flavorful as it is and get the kinks worked out... YAY Whisk! Note - The iced tea is a sweet, maybe peach?, tea. I do not like sweet tea so it was kind of a rude awakening. Just an FYI.
(4)Emily E.
Thought the food was delicious and well portioned ( although if you are getting the cheesy grits with shrimp make sure to share its huge and oh so delicious) The outdoor area was quaint and nicely set up.
(3)Eric R.
Looooooong wait. They kept taking everyone but my party. No explanations, No apologies. The food was good, but not worthy of s 40 minute wait
(2)Amy G.
I love brunch so I decided to give WHISK a try. The food was good, but I wouldn't say great..? I got a panini and the bread was pretty hard. But their potatoes were really good. Maybe I just need to try something else if I were to go again.
(4)Laur N.
Good place to grab a bite! Had the House Salad - REally like & appreciate that chicken/steak is included - hate when other places don't include, so bonus points to Whisk! slightly more ice burg than flat out spring greens but it was really beautiful, delicious and filling overall - I'd get it again. The burger we had was the one on texas toast with jalapenos and it was Awesome. Recommend trying it. Tacos were also good - meat was juicy and lean, little confused about the cheese on the bottom and was the tortilla fried ? but it was good! Soda selection was fun : ) Cute place, really attentive and friendly nice service. Try it.
(4)Linda H.
Absolutely love everything about it. Food is great , people are great, kid friendly. So happy to have such a wonderful delicious place in our neighborhood.
(5)John U.
Great breakfast. A little slow on the service and seating for busier mornings but you can't fault them for being good at what they do. Try the breakfast burrito. I'd also recommend they put in some appetizer options for dinner menu to extend your visit but their burgers are great. Back patio is well shaded.
(4)Becky C.
Yummy burger and great service! Went for dinner but will definitely be back for brunch!
(5)Roman M.
Solid local option. Had the breakfast burrito, which was tasty but not too overwhelmingly big. Perfect size, and with nicely cooked potatoes and a great chipotle based salsa - I was content. Nothing really blew me away though, so I had trouble going over 3 stars. Just to be clear, nothing was wrong with this meal or atmosphere or service - just not totally blown away. I recommend this place to anyone in the hood.
(3)Vanessa B.
This place is great. I really enjoyed my food, and saw several other options on the menu that I plan to go back and try. The best part though was the friendly genuine staff. What a lovely place.
(5)Teresa B.
Good food, nice atmosphere. Came with a party & everyone enjoyed their food. Can't wait to come back.
(5)Nicki P.
Just had a great brunch at whisk. Arrived about 1:30pm and didn't have to wait long for a seat the the communal table which was fine. I opted for the crab Benedict which was great and covered in a Chipotle sauce ( I would have preferred this on the side but was still good). The bacon I ordered on the side was really tasty as well. My friend ordered the chilequiles which were great. The best part is BYOB, will be back for sure for the reeses pancakes!
(4)Dawn G.
Me and my husband were in Whisk the other night and the hostess was wonderful. She was polite and always smiling. It was a great experience with great food but having someone like her to welcome us and make sure everything was ok was a delight. Me and my husband will be frequently going to whisk not for just the food and ambience but for the hostess that was so polite to us. Thanks for having someone like her. Great place
(5)Brunchar V.
Everything was OK, but why eat just OK? Our first issue was our Groupon, which was our own fault. We did not look at prices ahead of time. Our Groupon got us $36 worth of breakfast, which is way more than we needed. We didn't realize it was BYOB. Everything on the menu sounded really good. Unfortunately, almost nothing was. We both ordered the crab cakes, our waitress' personal favorite. They had a slight freezer taste to them. The house potatoes could have been crispier. The jam for the toast was excellent - it was the best part of the meal. Whisk prides itself on its bacon - good, but nothing to write home about. The grits were awful. They made me glad I didn't order the house special of shrimp and grits. While we were waiting (a long time) for our food, we thought we should come back on the weekend for the benedicts, but we're not going back. I always root for little brunch places, but the food here just doesn't cut it.
(2)Edwin W.
Not a bad addition to the UKV neighborhood. I went during their brunch hours on a weekday and the place was empty. We ordered the steak and eggs and the house burger to split. Everything tasted good until I got to eggs. We ordered the eggs over easy, but this egg came beyond well done. There was no runny yolk and the egg white was pretty tough. The eggs costed this place an extra star. regardless, I will definitely be coming back to try their dinner menu.
(3)Nancy A.
Ok... Where do I start? I just left this place and I am absolutely infuriated! Is my birthday and decided to give this place a try. The second I walked in, the vibe from the hostess was so cold. She didn't smile, she hardly even greeted my family and I. When asked where the bathroom was, she replied very rudely while not looking at me with "Next to the exit sign". Our food took forever and it was cold. The menu also said my dish came with potatoes and they didn't came with my food. My Chileaquiles were dry and cold. Even the cheese was already clumpy. Our orange juice was 4 dollars for less than 8oz. The service was slow. The hostess asked in order to redeem my groupon voucher I needed to download the app. Once I was ready to pay, she made sure to grab everyone's else's check first even after I was standing next to the cashier register. She forgot to hand me my food to go and I got a parking ticket because she was taking so long to take care of me. Smh. Food was expensive and not worth it. Sorry Whisk, you lost a few customer. Get better and friendly staff!!!
(1)Sebastian W.
Havent been here since i moved out if UK, but this place is THE place to have brunch at. The Pumpkin cinnamon pancakes are AMAZING, take advantage of their BYOB and No corkage fee. I cant wait to go back for dinner next time I'm visiting my sister and sit on their patio.
(5)Tracy L.
Such an amazing place! I am in love with chilaquiles and they made them just right. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Dan S.
I got the famous "Ron Swanson" burger last night and was completely underwhelmed. Ow was cooked way over well done and served on a bun about 3x bigger than the burger. Wouldn't have been a big deal, but seeing that they charge $18 for the burger it kinda is.
(2)natalia k.
Average place. Got a burger , it was very satisfying. Place has an odd smell but I wouldn't say it's reflective of the quality. Very neat and clean. Used groupon. Worth a try!
(4)Charlotte B.
Mediocre at best. So many better breakfasts. We were very disappointed. Amateur. Food prep. That did not know how to prepare egg over easy or it sat & cooked waiting to go out. Had to send hard cooked egg dish back. Snicker French toast like what I make at home with Nutella. Just not ready for prime time! When woman who seemed to be front of house mgr asked & was told about our experience, she seemed ill prepared to comment or make an effort to make us want to come back. Skip this one. Not worth a wait either. Felt sorry for ppl waiting & complaining about their wait on our way out
(2)Thomas T.
Great location in the Ukrainian Village. The food was very good. Great burgers, fries & the salted caramel pancakes were amazing. Our only problem was upon entering there was a stuffy smell of mold. The closer to the back of the restaurant you go the stronger the mold becomes. The washroom was unbearable. Remediate your mold problem Whisk, we want to breath.
(3)Cori D.
Shrimp and cheesy grits - so, so good. Had that this morning, and I'll definitely come back again for it. (My friend had the crab benedict, and she said it was really good too.) I'd heard this pace was small, so I was really worried about getting a table for brunch on labor day weekend, but, by the time my friend arrived, we were seated. Score! Also, I saw other reviewers had complained about the service, but it was flawless for us. Our waiter was super funny and nice. And coffee refills were prompt, which is pretty important to me in a brunch place.
(5)Daisy R.
Really good place to have breakfast. I went with my boyfriend and it was really relaxing. I ordered the banana berry pancakes, let me just say I'm not a fan of pancakes and these were really good, they weren't too sweet for breakfast. My boyfriend ordered the Ukrainian scrambled eggs. We ended up trying each other's dish and we loved both of them. The one thing I didn't like was the coffee which was watered down but other than that I would love to go again and try the biscuit and gravy as well as the gourmet pops. This a very well recommended place. I'm glad I came here and I'll be going back soon.
(4)Victoria A.
Food was delicious! We ordered the Reese's pancakes, when whisk hash, and the biscuits and gravy. Portions are large and the environment is adorable. Love the Ron Swanson painting everywhere! Found them hilarious.
(4)Vivian R.
I've only been for breakfast so far but everything I've had, has been DELICIOUS!! The David's special is my absolute favorite but nothing I've tried was disappointing, all good! Definitely a must try!
(5)Mich S.
YES!! YES!! Whisk, has done it. I have wanted to find a dinning experience that offered the American style brunch with a twist of Mexican flavor. I LOVE THIS PLACE. The steak and Chicken options are excellent. Cooked magnificently leaving your taste buds pleased and wanting more. The owners David and Rick are great people and hard at work. They take what they do seriously but treat it as a craft not a job. They love what they do and it shows through the food, flavor and experience. I can't wait to come back.
(5)Katie V.
Ordered delivery from here which was very fast , alwasy awesome!! We got a burger and a turkey burger with regular/cajun fries. Both were good , toppings were fresh, buns were good. However, the burger seem to be a pre-formed pattie and was dry. There was no option to request how to cook the burger. Both definitely have MSG or other preservatives due to symptoms after eating. Wanted to love this place but probably won't return.
(3)Matt M.
I'm signing up for Yelp mainly to write a review of this wonderful restaurant. In December of 2012, my girlfriend and I moved to the Ukrainian Village because it was the perfect central location for both of our jobs, and we really enjoyed the vibe of the neighborhood. However, when we welcomed our son in 2013, we realized that the neighborhood was not the best for taking kids out to eat. We love the restaurants in the area and Wicker Park, but found that many of the restaurants are of the bar/gastropub variety, and many that will welcome kids don't have high chairs or children's menus. Don't get me wrong, we understand the desire for the childless to eat without being surrounded by crying/screaming kids, and we are the first to remove our son if he acts up. Still, though, we don't always want to cook or grab takeout. Whisk was a godsend for us. The food is delicious. Try the David's Special (shrimp and grits) or the morning hash. They are both "slap your grandma" delicious. Plus, while they are not all up to par, the bottled rootbeers that they sell are all interesting tastes. Best of all, they are very accommodating for families. When we first went in (within two weeks of their opening), Whisk didn't have a kids menu, but they happily gave us several child-friendly options for $5-$6. Our little guy loved the chicken strips. The next time we came back, they had an official menu, but our son didn't care for the changes made to the chicken. They happily made it for him "original style." He also loves the burger and Mickey Mouse pancakes. We live almost directly across the street, so we have seen Whisk in the middle of the week for dinner when it's almost empty and on busy weekend brunches. We have never had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a table. The servers are extremely friendly. We want to give a special shout out to Sonya who always makes time to stop by our table for a brief chat whenever we come in. I think our son might be developing a little crush. She certainly adds to the warm family atmosphere that we've experienced every time we come to Whisk.
(5)Terra Z.
The food was great I would give this more stars. As soon as we were done eating, the manager asked us to leave to give the table to another party even though the restaurant was not busy. I have never experienced that before.
(1)Billy S.
If you're looking for food that's just a step above a random truck stop diner, or not quite as good as Chili's, then Whisk is your place! My Whisk experience, in chronological order, went from bad to worse: - Glasses were dirty - Waiter was clueless about the menu - We were served the wrong order - Food failed on all levels: Taste, presentation, and creativity The chilaquiles were mush, the fries were oily and limp, and the burger tasted like it had been microwaved. It was only $25 bucks for two people, but we could have eaten at McD's across the street for half that and been more satisfied.
(1)Leang E.
I was sad to know that Chickpea had gotten replaced because it was the closest Mediterranean food spot to me, and then I ate here at Whisk and all was forgiven. I had already done my research in buying my GiltCity voucher because this place had 4 stars here and saw that it was BYOB. I decided that it was ok for us to try this place out for dinner before brunch first. My boyfriend and I were impressed by the service. Scott, our waiter, was great with the recommendations and was genuinely personable and very attentive. On special that day were the wings which were pretty good if you like them breaded as they were nice and crispy and not soggy. I was able to do the breakfast style House burger which was AMAZE-balls! I've never had a burger that was made out of a French toast as the buns before and it was a great combination of sweetness with the saltiness of the filling inside - the egg, the tortilla strips, chorizo, and burger meat and the right amount of spicy. Scott was so money about pairing the burger with the chimichurri fries. Holy cow - so flavorful and I didn't even need or want this with ketchup and I am definitely a sauce girl. I would say watch out because the garlic is pretty potent, so make-out sessions will be put on hold. Prices are reasonable. This only makes me want to come here for brunch.
(5)Shannon C.
Awesome Goose Island root beer and one of the best huavoes Ranchero I've ever had. Amazing and friendly service!
(4)Jenny A.
I visited Whisk on a weekday morning for breakfast with a girlfriend. Despite being one of two parties in the restaurant, we did not receive great service. I had to ask the server for a coffee refill several times. They were also out of the menu item that I wanted. I thought the menu was not especially interesting.
(3)Heather M.
The food here is outstanding!! Unique flavors and dishes in a sea of generic brunch places. The Whisk hash, pulled pork, sweet potatoes, eggs and an amazing savory hollandaise..... Nom nom nom. I don't know if I will ever try the sandwiches here because the breakfast fare is just so damn delicious. A true gem in Ukrainian Village!!
(5)Brian H.
Visited this place with a few co-workers today. Server was quick and attentive. The place is very small, so if you don't come at the right time expect to wait a few mins. I enjoyed the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich w/Cajun fries. Chicken breast was tender with a slightly crunchy crust. The sandwich had great flavor with the spicy mayo and jalapeno cole slaw. Co-workers had Turkey Burger and Shrimp and Grits. I believe that they enjoyed theirs too because there wasn't a crumb left anyone's plate.
(4)Melissa M.
The best Grubhub I've ever ordered! Super fast, super hot n super delicious! Get the southern style chicken sand with creamy slaw garnish! Unreal, huge portion w a side of cheese fries you will most certainly lose your mind. Dined in as well and was equally delish n byob. Try this place!!!!
(5)Brett F.
I'm a bit torn on how i feel about this place. The food is great, but it's hipster service. We had the Breakfast Burrito and Chorizo Benedict. They were great, wish there was more on the plate. Our waiter seemed to like he didn't care how are experience was. A few examples are, coffee wasn't refilled we had to go up to the little drink bar and ask for more coffee, when telling us about the Chorizo Benedict, which was the special, all he said was, "It's good" no further description. The drinks list we got was literally a handwritten piece of copy paper folded in half that was wet....wtf? It was just not a great experience with out waiter and it seemed like that was the general vibe through the place. The back of house definitely has their stuff together, the front of house needs some help and direction. The prices were very reasonable for the food, around 8-12$ for all the plates. It is a BYOB place, so that's nice. The soda they had was all glass bottled soda and about $3 a bottle a little high for me to enjoy a soda. The actual space is nice for groups of about 5-7 people. They have a few big booths. I get it, you want to be cool and hip, but a smile and some pleasantries go a long way when you are waiting on someone. This place would get 4 stars from me if not for the service. I might try dinner here.
(3)M. J. W.
Considering the trove of 1-2 star reviews, I had to come down and see what all the fuss was about. Honestly, I don't have one negative thing to say about the joint. The space itself is intimate, the decor is warm and nonintrusive, the staff was pleasant and personable and our orders came out in the normal expectation for a brunch establishment. I had my two kids with me, and we were very happy to see Mickey Mouse pancakes on the menu (much respect for going out of the way for kids, thank you)! This made my life so much easier. I appreciated the build-your-own omelette (as this keeps us picky eaters placated). I think the only minor issues I had were that the side portions with my meal were smaller than most other places, and the kids pancakes (only $4, not bad at all) didn't come with a side such as fruit - again like many other places. Again, very minor and more thank likely a chef's choice I guess. The other was that the waitperson was all alone. No busser, no back up at all. She had to seat everyone, pour everyone's water, coffee, take orders from all the sit downs and the take-out orders of people who walked in. She had the whole room to herself. I was scared for her, I really was. We'll be back again, but more than likely due to the size of the place and lack of quality brunch places nearby, we'll stay away on the weekends. I bet this place has a line on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
(5)La'Dweena S.
We went on a Sunday evening and had steak, tacos and burgers and all the food was great! We had three children in our party and the server was AWESOME and had the kids LOL !!! The prices are very reasonable and the portion sizes were perfect. I would go back again.
(4)Samantha R.
I love the food, love the service but would never return due to the uneducated, useless host. He clearly has not been in the industry long and doesn't care to stay. Sunrise is next door and Old Oak down the street which are both amazing and less frustrating. Don't waste your time at whisk.
(1)Matt G.
Friendly, fast, tasty, and reasonably priced. Chilaquiles were some of the best I've had, garden omelet was ok, but way too heavy on the garlic. Overall a good spot, though. I'll certainly be returning.
(4)C. B.
Really a very good neighbor spot. Although our fourth time, my husband and I agree that when it gets busy, the food out of the kitchen slows down drastically. It remains very good, but it can slow. Crab cakes with a mild but tasty chipotle sauce is wonderful, 33 omelet is fluffy, and they're pancakes are great, the pancake batter they use is excellent especially with the berries and bananas on top! Huevos rancheros are delicious. I love they're cheesy grits, a hint of spicy type heat but really excellent. Service is friendly and thorough. Go!
(4)Matt T.
Whisk is a pretty good local brunch spot -- it's become quite hard to go anywhere that isn't BYOB so we loved that. Place is a very small and the wait for seating is hard when your hungover and craving biscuits and gravy (order them). Service was good. Portions are huge. Would go back again.
(4)Rocky S.
Eat here often. Live about 15 minutes walk but worth it to get breakfast anytime I'm in the area. The Mexican spins on breakfast are exactly the spicy kick I need in the mornings to start the day. If I could eat here everyday I would, but great for families when I get a chance to bring the kid with me on weekends. Highly recommend these guys. Staff is very courteous. Worth trying at least once.
(5)Jim M.
A visit to Whisk always feels like a visit to your best friends place. Great food and wonderful people. I've been there many times and have never been disappointed.
(4)Jun-Jun V.
we ordered the house burger, big bite burger, and wings. 1. the house burger was cooked just how we liked it. medium rare. it was juicy and full of flavor. the chipotle mayo and guac paired well together. this was my favorite of the 2 we ordered. 2. the big bite burger was slightly over cooked and i think it needed a little more bbq sauce to complete it. 3. their award winning wings were fantastic. moist, great sauces, and defintitely worth it. i am definitely ordering these again next time.
(4)M Q.
This is my favorite place in Chicago. Great food, better service. If you want a place to eat well, be welcome and have a nice night, this is it!
(5)dee l.
We had high hopes after reading reviews but it was very disappointing. In a nutshell, the service was ok, the coffee was bitter and their chilaquilles were terrible. They basically piled tortilla pieces on a plate, mixed those with a bland tomato sauce, burnt/tough pieces of chicken and topped it with an egg. We also ordered the pork and sweet potatoes dish which was better. We won't be returning.
(2)David B.
Great new find. This is my newest favorite burger place in Chicago and the southern fried chicken is tasty as well. I've been here 3 times in the last 2 weeks for dinner and brunch. It keeps on getting better and better. I haven't even had the burger wrapped in bacon with bacon mayo yet but that will have to be in my future update. What I can say is they serve delicious burgers and sandwiches on buttery toasted buns with Cajun or Regular fries. I had the burger topped with a poached egg and the chicken sandwich comes with Jalepēno slaw, I did throw some Bacon mayo on the chicken instead of the Chipoltle mayo. Top it off with a Homemade iced tea or BYOB. Love it
(5)Melanie A.
I've been hearing about lines out the door on weekends, so I came here on a quiet Mon morning and I can see why people line up, this place is great! I was able to resist the Snickers French toast, but that's definitely for next time, and got an omelet instead. Great flavors, wonderful service and a fun space. I had a friend visiting from Dallas so we tried many breakfast spots while she was here and this was definitely our favorite. Come on a weekday if you can and avoid the crowd!
(5)Eli W.
Had brunch here the other day and it was amazing!! The waiter was awesome! He was so friendly and nice and provided great service! And the food was wonderful as well! Highly suggested!!!!! The back patio is the place to go!
(5)Nicholas G.
I've really enjoyed every single thing I've eaten here. I've been at least a dozen times now, and everything I've had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner has been really tasty. Friendly staff, cute atmosphere. Only complaint I've ever had was on one occasion when one member of the staff was playing his iPod over the stereo and he had pretty questionable taste in music (it skewed heavily Nickelback, which, ew). But still - awesome burgers and breakfast.
(5)Laura M.
This sweet little place was a delightful surprise. The Blue Crab cakes were so very tasty and just the right size. The turkey club had layer upon layer of flavor. It's a big portion for a great price.
(4)Brian S.
I have been back every week and not had one bad dish. David's special (shrimp n grits) are excellent. My favorite is Buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich (slaw on side) is best chicken sandwich i ever had. EVER!! Shrimp p.o. boy, chicken and waffles, chiliqules...everything is so good. BYOB from Mariana across the street is awesome. Or I sometimes get their large selection of bottled pop(goose island root beer) You need to try this place out. Right now, go right now.
(5)Meredith F.
We've been here a few times for brunch and dinner. Love the Omelets and French Toast here! Very decadent! The Burgers are good and love the different fries, Chimchurri and pepper jack are good. Place is BYOB so prices are great. Will definitely be back to try the other dishes!
(4)Jason R.
The smoked, pulled brisket with sweet potato was wonderful! This is the place to go for creative, quality comfort food! Yes, service could be a little bit faster...but...considering that they have only been opened for a week, this is to be expected...I am confident that this small kink will get worked out in no time.
(5)Jeremy P.
My new favorite place. I'm a stickler for good service, and this place passes with flying colors. Blazing fast free wi-fi and a flavorful, unique menu put this over the top. David's Special will melt your brain. I could see a restaurant skimping on every ingredient in this dish to botch it royally, so I didn't have high expectations. However, the shrimp is big, meaty, and cooked just right, the cheesy grits are hearty and flavorful, the bacon is actual bacon that's been coarsely crushed, and the sauce is bold and ties everything together. It is very rich and filling, so don't be surprised that it doesn't come with any "sides;" it is packed with hearty goodness. My other favorites are the Gobbler Burger, The House burger, and Crab Benedict (weekends only) because they are all filling, bold, well-balanced unique concepts.
(5)Leila H.
Came for brunch. Friendly staff and well-prepared food. It's BYO, but there's a Mariano's across the street. Will be back to try their PM burger menu.
(4)Chris F.
Great place nice patio in Back Scott our waiter was super helpful and very attentive I had the southern fried chicken sandwich with jalapeño coleslaw Awesome everything was great and byob
(4)Jesse W.
I've been here before for dinner with friends so my parents and I decided to check it out for brunch today thinking it will be slow since is 4th of july but we were wrong. After waiting in line we were greated and told it will be a 30 minute wait so knowing there isnt anyother good brunch place around we decided to wait. Once we got seated we order the David's special, chilaquiles and the mexican scramble after 15 minutes the food came out and if was gone before we even had a coffee refill on our table. The flavors and textures were on point, it was defitnetly worth the wait. we will defitnetly keep coming back since we live in the neighboorhood and this has become our favorite brunch place,
(5)Clare J.
I haven't written a yelp review in a year... Dining at Whisk not only made me want to start my yelp return today but Ill also be returning to Whisk tomorrow. Three Words.. Fried Chicken Taco... Ive lived in New York, dabbled in L.A., frequented taco spots in Chicago. Ive never ever ever had a taco this good. This restaurant is seriously going to be one of my go to spots this Summer. They also have an excellent burger which you can turn into breakfast by adding french toast (who does that?) Not to mention the quaint out door seating, the perfect chill spot. The real kicker was its BYOB.. Theres a Mariano's across the street with a vast liquor option!
(5)Kevin W.
We live in the area and went in for breakfast a few weeks ago. The place smelled like bleach strong enough that it almost forced us to leave, and in hindsight we should've. The coffee was barely luke warm and had a cheap, watered down taste to it. The bread was old and stale and the breakfast in general was not very good. We whisked ourselves out of there and will not return. Just about every breakfast place in our area is better than this. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)mike w.
Had the most amazing sandwich at Whisk, Southern Chicken fried with jalapeno coleslaw! And its BYOB, definitely coming back for weekend brunch
(5)Bethany S.
Great food! Fun atmosphere! Interesting and yummy menu! And GREAT coffee! Will definitely be back!
(4)Jackie G.
Food was good not wowing but good. Customer service was above par for this little cozy place. We were greeted before we even walked to the door who showed us to our seats.
(3)JC W.
This place won't be around long. We were so excited about a new place in our neighborhood, but they are not ready to operate a restaurant in Chicago. The staff was attempting to be very helpful, but the product they're putting out is just awful. We went for brunch on a Sat. Took a few minutes to get sat, but you can expect that for a new place. After being sat, it took 10 minutes to get water. We had the menu and ordered immediately. Took another 10 minutes to get our drinks, or at least half of our drinks. They forgot my wife's OJ, which is a good thing. Took another 25 minutes to get the food. Overall service and timing was sub-par, but that was the best part of the experience. The food and beverages were awful. When we did get our drinks the "sweet lemon tea" was just from a non-descript a can, not even Lipton quality. They were trying to hide it, but they got caught. Everyone who ordered the tea took one sip and sat it down. The OJ is from a generic half-gallon carton. Not fresh squeezed, probably from a restaurant supply store. We took 1 drink and that was enough. You can tell the level of quality from a restaurant when they're not willing to invest in good beverages. Then came the food. My wife ordered a chorizo omelet. They forgot the toast, which the staff had no idea it was suppose to come with the omelet. They also forgot the main ingredient, the queso fresco sauce that was supposed to go on the omelet. The omelet was full if potatoes and a half blackened lump of avocado, barely any chorizo. It was cooked to a dark brown and so dry she had to smother it in ketchup to get any taste. I got the beef brisket hash. THE MEET WAS SPOILED. My wife took a bite and immediately spit it out. Never had that happen anywhere ever. Sat it aside and picked through the cold potatoes and ate part of the over-medium eggs, which were burnt on the edges. As we sat there and contemplated what to do, we watched other people taste the tea, OJ and their entrees and saw the same reaction. Nobody finished their food. A few bites and plates were set aside. Not good. I have high hopes that they will turn things around, but it's obvious they spent more time on the decor than the food. They're going to have a hard time getting any return business. Word on the street will spread fast about the food they're attempting to churn-out. Too bad. It's a cool little spot in a great neighborhood.
(1)Rich B.
Great food from previous visits .horrible waitress if you are pressed for time. I was in a hurry and ready to order but waitress insisted on asking everyone who wasnt ready first. Had to walk out with just coffee. Never again!
(2)York H.
I write this review having eaten at Whisk about 8 times, each at different times of the week. After the other night, I decided that 8 times was 8 times too many. The service here is absolutely horrible. You wait 15 minutes just for them to get you started with a cup of water, but by the time that cup of water arrives, you wonder if it came from whatever broken pipe system that yields that horrible smell of URINE that plagues the entire restaurant. So, in a way, maybe them taking forever to get you drinks is a good thing? After that serving of water, you'll have to wait another 15 minutes for them to finally reach your table and take your order. No, ladies and gentlemen, this isn't because the place is busy: the long wait times are present even if there's only one other couple at the restaurant ordering a modest burger entree. After they take your order, you wait for your food. I swear to God: once, I actually forgot what I ordered, it took them so long. I've eaten at burger joints all over the Chicagoland area: Umami, DMK, Kuma's, etc. I've eaten at restaurants all over Ukrainian village/Wicker Park as well. There's simply no excuse for how long the food takes to arrive at the table. Hell, even Michelin-starred restaurants deliver food quicker than Whisk does. If you don't believe me, try it out. So your food finally arrives: you're not very hungry anymore, as the stench of URINE has wiped away any appetite you had (you're no longer hungry- so maybe the stench of urine is a good thing?) but hey, the food is in front of you, so might as well eat it, right? Most times, the food was surprisingly decent. One bite led to another, if only to disguise the olfactory (nasal) senses from the plumbing mess in the bathroom. One time, though, the food wasn't cooked so well. That trip to the emergency room set me back, and it's one of those instances that I count my blessings for having health insurance. The bill comes: I mean, the prices aren't bad at all on paper. However, considering that for the same amount of money, you can get a MUCH more satisfying experience elsewhere, I'd say that anything above $2-3 is just overpriced. Don't get me started with their take out. DON'T DO THE TAKE OUT. They tell you "15 minutes," on the phone. You wait 15 minutes, show up, and patiently wait an extra 10 minutes just to find out they haven't even started your meal yet. Did I mention this happened to me during a slow night, with no one else in the restaurant? When you ask for your money back (after all, you have no food in your hand and need to get on with your life), they treat the ordeal as if they're doing you a favor. Do yourself a favor and find a restaurant that has standards.
(1)Gayle P.
Update:-Visit #2. The coffee was thankfully a NEW blend and was great. The bacon was still not a favorite. Hubbie had the croissant breakfast sandwich and devoured it. The owner guessed who I was from my last visit and coffee comment....Hhhmmm. I appreciate owners who "listen" to their customers and adjust where needed. St.John 3:16
(4)Becca R.
Whisk's menu will make you drool as you read over it. Burgers to tacos, chicken and waffles to wraps and salads. The choices and selection is great. It is not your average burger or taco, they have great, fresh ingredients that make the food taste even better. The group I was with ordered beer battered tilapia tacos with a jalapeño aioli, a horseshoe (a ginormous burger on Texas toast), and chilaquiles. Everything Was delicious, can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)Jessica F.
My man and I stopped by here looking to share a burger. This place is great! The patty was cooked perfectly ( I asked for medium well) the fries were tasty and the server was sweet and attentive. They also split the meal on two plates for no extra charge. We will be back!
(5)Tatiana B.
Mediocre at best. Food took 45 minutes to come out, and was cold. No coffee refill and service was Ok. Not in a rush to come back.
(2)Andrea H.
I recently visited Whisk for my birthday dinner with 10 of my friends. The GM, Samantha, was so very accomodating and made our experience delightful. The ambience was very nice, service was wonderful and everyone was so nice and polite. Beers stayed cold, appetizers were flowing and music was enjoyable..not too loud. The presentation of the food was up to par and the flavors and spices used in the dishes were stellar. Since we had such a big group we were lucky enough to order a little of this and a little of that as we shared across the table. My recommendations include the steak or crispy tacos (sauce on both were amazing), the House burger and the ANY of the fries side selection. YUM! I enjoyed my visit to Whisk and will be back for more!
(4)Patrick S.
Really good place, good burgers and fries, looking forward to trying the tacos
(4)Jennifer P.
Just visited this place for the first time and I had a great experiences. We had the Daniel's special, biscuits and gravy and steak and eggs. All was absolutely delicious!! Good portion size and great variety. They have some service kinks to work out..nothing major but I will be back for brunch. Oh yeah and BYOB so don't forget your champagne.
(4)Mandy B.
Tried Whisk on Sunday... it was delicious! I loved their menu and the patio. The service was a bit slow... if it's Sunday morning and I don't have a coffee poured for me (or at least offered) within a minute of being seated, I'm annoyed. But the food made up for that. We had the breakfast burrito and the Dave's Special (shrimp and grits). Bother were tasty. Nothing mind blowing, but good food. There are many more options on the menu I am willing to go back and try.
(3)Jaun F.
I finally made it here for breakfast and it was really good. My omelette was perfect as was the service. I'll most definitely be back.
(4)Andrew D.
this was my first time trying Whisk and it was fantastic! they are byob but have a unique selection of craft sodas, I tried the rhubarb and was not disappointed. we had hot BBQ wings which had great flavor. the burgers were juicy and tasted as good as any of the best burger bars in the city, we tried the big bite and the Ron Swanson. The fries were only okay and they had limited appetizer and dessert menus. our server was very friendly and the whole staff took great care of us.
(4)Imran A.
Burger sucked. Preformed and prefrozen patty was mushy and tasteless. Space is nice and down the street from me so may come back for their brunch. Hopefully that would be better.
(2)Joseph S.
This would be 5 stars but they are still working out the kinks with service when there is a line out the door on weekends. The reason is that their brunch is awesome as are their burgers. The wait for food has been a little long during busy periods which is always a little frustrating. If you go in at other times, you're in for a real treat. They have a friendly staff. I'm addicted to their burgers and they are a great addition to Chicago Ave. And BYOB.
(4)Ann S.
I had decent expectations for this place none of which were met. Our server wasn't very pleasant to start. And I couldn't get her attention to get a cup of coffee. Our food came and it wasn't hot. I sent mine back and the manager wasn't very great about it. Then before I got my food my boyfriend found paper from the ham in his omlet. By this point neither of us was very hungry. The manager was apologetic and took care of the bill. But needless to say we won't be back.
(1)Lisa L.
I just finished every bite of my delicious Garden Omelette courtesy of Whisk, a great new breakfast and dinner place in my neighborhood. The artwork and music is an eclectic mix (think Native American with a twist with Motown playing in the background) and the food is fresh and staff friendly. The place has WIFI and also to my surprise, outdoor seating in back (about 4-5 tables, so smallish, but intimate and leafy). Back to the omelette: three egg whites with lots of yummy grilled vegetables and swiss cheese served with sautéed spinach with a lemony flavor. I ate mine with a side of rye toast. The perfect breakfast: not too heavy, but delicious. For parents, there's a children's menu on the blackboard and an assortment of really cool gourmet sodas the kids will groove on and you can sneak a little vodka or tequila into (it's byob). First timer. Totally satisfied. We'll be coming back!
(5)Chelsea G.
Can't comment on the quality of the food because after about 50 minutes, it never came out. Waitress came at about the 40 minute mark to ask us, "How are you doing over here? Just waiting for your food?". Five minutes later, she asked us to clarify what we ordered. Shouldn't take 45 minutes to clarify an order. Really unfortunate. Decided to leave a few minutes later to eat next door where the good was great, and we were in and out in about half the time.
(1)Andrew L.
I saw the menu for this place after drunkenly stumbling out of Gari sushi one night and I knew I had to come back. So I did. I got the breakfast burrito which was WAY better than Flash Taco, by like 1 billion times. You suck Flash Taco. Anyways my girl got the shrimp and bacon and cheese grits bowl which was equally bomb. I don't think I'll ever forgive her for getting the last order of cheese grits (although the potatoes I got instead were pure tits with a side of ranch). These guys also have butterscotch root beer which is tied with GTA V for 2nd best thing after sex. The only reason this place missed the 5 star rating was our server who had way too much energy for my hungover ass. He was just too peppy. I'd even go so far so as to say he was peppy as fuck. Dude needs to dial it back a bit. Regardless I'll probably be back this sunday to try the snickers pancakes or french toast or waffle or whatever. It has Snickers in it. I'm sold.
(4)Jenna B.
First when we got there it was a wait and no one seemed to know where to go. Then we got to sit down to get a large glass bottle of water..... No cups so we asked for some cups. When our waitress finally came she had a thousand mile stare and didn't know the menu and asked us if she forgot anything and had a little cheat sheet to see what came with what on the menu and to get a refill of tea was a cluster because she gave a refill but there was no ice in the glass so I had asked for glass of ice and the waitress had come back with a small kids cup with ice. After ordering we had waited for 45 minutes until we asked if someone could check on our food. Shortly after a man came and asked what we ordered once we told him another woman asked what we ordered then came back and asked again. After that 2 out of our party of 4 received their food. Expecting the two other plates we didn't get them. Then our server came back and tried to ask is what we ordered and we told her that we were leaving because we had waited for an hour so we went to tumans tavern.
(1)Brian T.
Eaten here more than a few times. I wanted to try many things before I gave my opinion. I'm not a huge breakfast person but friends I went with had the breakfast. After eating here I would ask my friends what they thought. The response was always the same. It was ok. Not amazing but not bad. I felt the burgers were under seasoned. Fries are delicious. Tacos were good. My friends had the chicken a waffles, said they were good but the portion of chicken was fairly small. We noticed The chicken breast was split between the two of them. It was fried well but then cut in half and put on their plates. Kind of odd imo. I would eat here again but not a go to spot.
(3)Summer F.
Brunch here was great, the biscuits and gravy, the crab cakes, everything excellent. Portions were good for the prices. Friendly service, nice comfortable seating so I didnt feel like I was dining with the next table. Great brunch spot, no complaints
(5)Stephan S.
Solid experience.
(4)Donna K.
This place serves great food and the prices are fair. It is also a BYOB. However if they don't get their act together they will be closing . They should be turning the tables every 45 minutes. I arrived with three of my fiends at 1145am. I saw lots of people standing outside . There was a host stand , but no one was there. I went in and spoke with one of the owners or managers. He said it would be 20 minute wait. Perfect! However , we were not seated until 1230pm. Which is not a problem . They were slammed and very disorganized. They have some Booths and shared tables. We were sat at the end of a shared table. We thought we were going to be served quick because they had two waitress asking for our order . We had to ask for silverware. Again the food was great, but they need to work in being more organized . Maybe it was disorganized because it was Memorial Day and few places were open. I really hope this was the case
(3)Emily M.
I have been here twice and the food is excellent but they are pretty disorganized. The first time I figured they were still working out the kinks and today maybe it was because it's a holiday, but it really seems like the folks running the place may know food but not the restaurant business. We were told a 20 minute wait and it was about a 45 minute wait. Now I don't mind a 45 minute wait (it's brunch, I'm used to it), but I want to know how long it's actually going to be. Even after our table was 10+ over the 20 minute quote they were still saying 20-30 minutes. They don't appear very good at figuring this out. My friend asked the host to check on it and he said he'd get back to us but then seemed to forget he told us this because he never did come back. Once we sat two waitresses came over (separately) to take our order when we had been seated about 15 seconds. (A minute with the menu would be nice. Please don't come to take my drink order and also asked wide-eyed, looking terribly frantic, if I'm ready to order when I literally just sat down.) We asked them to come back, and when the first came back, we placed out order. Then the second came back again and looked terribly confused when we said we'd already ordered. The waitresses don't seem to be assigned to any particular table, which leads to total chaos. Even if they help each other, each table should have a server responsible for it. It took probably 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The dishes were excellent, and fortunately we weren't that hungry, but the slow kitchen time explains the long wait for a table. I was concerned ordering over easy eggs from a frantic restaurant but they came out perfectly cooked. (I had the hash.) I didn't realize it until I read a review (which I could tell was the people sitting next to us), but my breakfast was supposed to come with toast and I didn't get any! Interesting that both groups had this issue. Finally, despite the fact that we evidently had 2 waitresses, it took us 20-30 minutes to get the check because they kept scurrying by without looking over. When we'd been waiting 10 minutes or so, I asked the completely frazzled host to send our waitress over with it, but he seemed to forget and alas, 10 minutes passed and I finally had to get up and find her and ask for it. And then I had to walk my credit card over to her. To make money as a brunch place, especially BYOB, you need to get the tables turned. (And they are charging not very much for very large portions. I'm not complaining, but how can they survive if every table sits for 2 hours waiting without buying booze?) Through no fault of ours, we were probably sitting there for at least an hour total not eating, if you add up the time before the food arrived and after we got the check. They could probably be doing double the business if they were properly managed. I write this review not because I was annoyed or angry, but because I would genuinely like to see this place get better because the food is good and I love having another good brunch place nearby. The servers and everyone seemed friendly as well so no complaints there. I just think they need to take a critical eye to how they run the restaurant or I'm afraid it is going to close. (The rent can't be cheap. Chickpea was very popular and still closed.) Even with big crowds outside, if you can't get people through efficiently, you won't make money at brunch.
(3)Ian M.
I am very disappointed with the service and overall experience during brunch today. Not only did we wait at least 15 minutes for the server to come by and acknowledge us, when we finally were able to order, the server seemed very confused about the menu and was acting rude. My wife asked for ice, and she never came back with it. So we asked a bus boy to bring it to us. We also ordered two cups of coffee that were brought out after our food came, which was never refilled during our entire hour and a half brunch. During our long wait, we had to get up several times to get our own water from the jugs sitting on the counter, which wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't run out of water jugs or if someone came by to see how we were doing or needed any more water. When we got our food, we asked for butter for the untoasted English muffins, but again, was never given what we requested. Our friend ordered the breakfast burrito and it came without some of the ingredients listed in the menu. We couldn't even ask for the missing ingredients because the waitress never came back after we received our food to see how our food was. When we were clearly not finished eating, we were asked by two other workers if they could take our plates away. Finally we got our check, still without the waitress asking how we were doing or if we needed anything else. Poor food quality and service for the price. Maybe get more staff? We miss Chickpea!
(1)M F.
Easy - really really great food, really really poor service. We've been in two times now. Food was really tasty, but little to no check in from waitstaff. Coffee never refilled, brought food but no silverware, had to wait 5 minutes to flag someone down to get a fork so we could eat.
(1)Dante P.
What a nice surprise. The crab Benedict is fabulous. They put a chipotle sauce with the hollandaise and lots of crab to make the most fabulous Benedict that I've ever tasted. The service was amazing. My glass of coffee or water was never empty. This particular dish is only served on weekends but whisk is definitely worth a visit anytime.
(5)Mike C.
Horrible experience. I had an Amazon Local voucher for lunch. I came with my 2 boys on Saturday at 2:00. They wouldn't honor the voucher claiming that it was "brunch"on weekends until 5:00. I showed them the voucher which did not have any exclusions (I.e., not valid on weekends), but they still wouldn't honor it. They could have made some accommodation, but didn't do anything even though the manager admitted the error was their fault. It was a total bait and switch. I was stuck ordering lunch for my boys or else I would have simply walked out. And they ruined the lunch for my boys who didn't like the confrontational manner of the manager. Thanks! And the food and service was just average. Will never go back to this place. There is no reason to patronize a place who fails to honor its commitments. They won't be in business for long if they don't change their ways. You can only play the bait and switch game for so long. Hopefully, this review helps others avoid the same fate and hastens the demise of this place.
(1)I L.
Came here today (friday) for lunch after so so many positive raves and reviews and impossible to get in waits over the weekends. Walked in no problem, got a seat right away. The lady serving us had zero smile on her face, very cold, stand-off-ish, clearly she was working for the tip... Ordered the chicken wings that on their board were said to be some of the best? yea right, dry, deep fried, not fresh, sorry, wont be trying those again. My friend had the fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw on top, word of advice, coleslaw is good and not expensive, put more on! Dont be stingy, in the South they cover the whole portion with coleslaw, not 1/3. I had the pulled pork with hollandaise on top, very tasty. During our meal we had the waitress come up to us and ask us in a very cold manner if everything is ok, of course its ok im afraid to say no to you. Never got a refill of the water from the busboy, I shouldn't have to ask.. All in all, Mexique for brunch down the street with no line or Flo a few blocks further kill this place, so no reason for the hype in all honesty.
(2)Nicole B.
Went for dinner and had great food and great service. An excellent addition to the neighborhood! Will definitely be going back again, this time to try the brunch!
(5)Lisa R.
I really really wanted to love this place, but I didn't. I loved the food at Rocking Horse and High Dive. I expected great things since the chef from those two left and opened Whisk. Went early on Saturday. Service was slow and appeared unexperienced. I ordered the crab benedict. My eggs were supposed to be poached. They BOTH looked poached but when I cut into them, they were hard boiled. What a disappointment. I took my friend for birthday breakfast. She ordered the breakfast burrito. She had ask for the salsa that was to be served with it. I normally wouldn't send a dish back, but those "poached" eggs were awful. By the time I got my new plate, my friend was almost done with her plate. We basically ate breakfast individually. Once I got the new plate, I wasn't super impressed with the taste. I may have just been turned off by the whole experience thus far, I'm not sure. The potatoes were great though, otherwise I would have gave one star.
(2)Sky cake W.
First off, I hate writing bad reviews. The only reason I'm doing this now is so hopefully the owners will read it and take some action. Living in this neighborhood, I really wanted the place to be great. Unfortunately it came up short in almost every way. The place has been revamped since it was Chickpea and I have to say I liked it. But that is the only positive thing I have to say. The service was slow (the food took almost 30 minutes) and the waitress forgot my drink despite telling her twice. But the food was the real disappointment. I had the chorizo omelet and it was dry, practically burnt, and they forgot to add the pico. It also only had a smattering of chorizo - it could more accurately be described as a potato omelet. My husband had the beef hash and the meat actually tasted gamey, almost spoiled. Needless to say, we only had a few bites of the food. Also, the orange juice is straight out of a jug and the iced tea is canned. I wish I could say they just needed some tweaking, but with the food being so bad, I think they just need to start over.
(1)Walter T.
Come here hungry, the food is so good you won't want to stop eating. Be it Brunch or Dinner haven't had a bad experience yet! The decor adds a unique flair to the restaurant, including a giant whisk in front. Great ode to Ron Swanson with a burger wrapped in a pound of bacon, yum!!!
(5)Brian K.
Went for breakfast a few weeks ago with my girlfriend for breakfast. It was a weekday and it was not very crowded - there was only one server working so it took a little while for us to make our order. I had bacon/egg/cheese croissant, she ordered the chilaquiles. Both dishes were excellent - the Chilaquiles really stood out. I only deducted one star as the service was a bit slow and our server seemed to be wishing she was anywhere but there. Other than that it was delicious food and we will be back, hopeful to catch our server on a better day.
(4)Nicki S.
Have now been to WHISK for brunch twice and had great experiences both times. First of all, it's BYOB and across the street from a Mariano's. Go getcha somethin! The first time a friend and I tried WHISK, there was a 20 minute wait on a Saturday around noon, which is pretty standard and well worth the wait. The menu was so appealing, the two of us couldn't decide on what to get so we ended up getting 3 entrees to share. My favorite was the David's Special which consists of sautéed garlic shrimp, bacon, mushrooms, scallions, wine and cream sauce served over cheesy grits...say no more! We also got the Pulled Pork Benedict, whcih was delightful if you are a benedict fan. Our third dish was the Salted Caramel Pancakes, which are pure heaven and great to share. I am yet to try WHISK for dinner, but that is next on my list!
(5)No N.
I love WHISK! I had the white chocolate and pear pancakes that were to die for! My husband had the southern Benedict that made me jealous ! I had a bottle of Procecco and my husband had beer. Our waiter was super friendly and super knowledgeable with the menu. He even asked if I wanted orange juice to make a Mimosa! "Why yes I do!" I wish I remembered his name, but when I go back I'll make sure to update this review!
(5)Tim C.
Just tried to dine at Whisk. We had high hopes, but they would not let us sit on the patio with our dog. If you have a dog and want to sit outside, keep on walking.
(1)Mak D.
I saw this restaurant on Groupon and said I had to try this place out. I had purchased the brunch Groupon for two, so I took my lady friend. We arrived there about 7:45am on a Monday and we were the first customers. My lady friend ordered the crab cake breakfast and I ordered the half caramel pancake(1 pancake instead of two), the breakfast House Burger which consisted of a 8 oz. beef burger, chorizo, avocado, chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, tortilla chips, and 2eggs(which I had sunny side up) on French Texas toast. What a burger!!! I had Greek fries on the side. We both thought the food was pretty good. The only thing we were not pleased with was the food was not hot which was surprising due to the fact that we were the only customers. Therefore we gave them a 4 star instead of a 5 star but we will come again!!!
(4)Stephen M.
One of the best brunches I have had in a very long time. Pulled pork eggs benedict & the snickers French toast were both awesome. Added bonus they a byob! The place is not huge... expect a wait. Price is reasonable especially since they are byob.
(5)Jay S.
Mexican brunch and gourmet burgers are two of my favorite types of food and this place has variety of excellent options in both of these categories. Several of the gourmet burgers are also Mexican inspired. I could honestly eat here for both brunch and dinner in the same day. Their goofy but very nice server/manager is very courteous and makes the dining experience even better.
(5)Freddy F.
Great 1st experience ! We enjoyed brunch items on a Tuesday afternoon. My wife had the Whisk Hash which had a great combination of pulled pork, sweet potatoes, chipotle hollandaise and scrambled eggs, quite DELICIOUS ! I tried the Mexican Scramble which consisted of scrambled eggs, jalapeños, ham, onions, tomatoes and sour cream. Simple, yet tasteful! Then came dessert, which the name immediately caught our eye ......Snickers Stuffed French Toast, need I say more ? One word ..... UnF'nBelievable !!! On the service side they're wait/bus staff was super friendly, oh and they had the best baby changing station :) We'll see you real soon, Whisk ! Thanks!
(4)Dan D.
solid option in UKV.
(4)Mary Ann C.
I was eager to try this new brunch spot, and it was even better than I expected. Super cute inside. Friendly service. Kilogram tea! Really?! This shows attention to detail. But, it gets better.......the FOOD! I ordered David's Special, which included cheese grits with sauce and shrimp over. Probably a million calories, but this dish was perfectly executed and stunningly delicious! Plump and tasty shrimp, addictive grits with a creamy bacon sauce over! Piping hot. A winner. I will be back on another weekday. This place is small, so you will not see me waiting for a table (and I imagine there is a lengthy wait) on the weekends!!!!
(5)Kaley C.
This place is the bomb dot com. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich with truffle fries, absolutely amazing. I want to go back to try their breakfast. It's also BYOB which is a plus but if you're planning on making mimosas don't order their orange juice. That was the only bad experience of my meal!
(4)Kelley C.
"And if you like [shrimp] and grits and all that pimp shit..." We live so close to this place...but this was our first visit. YUM! Dave's Special, add a side of spinach. Omg. "Drip drip drop, there goes [a mouthgasm]..." I like the way you cook. Thank you for coming to the neighborhood.
(5)Julie A.
Great food and byob to boot! I had a burger and one of their specialty sodas. The fries were awesome, and the food was great. I will totally be back for brunch too!
(4)Charlotte M.
the food here is peeeeerrrfect. seriously, it's amazing. they don't skimp or try to go cheap on ingredients. haven't had anything i didn't love.
(5)Adam J.
Great service, wonderful food, and wonderful atmosphere. The Swanson Burger was great, and could easily be shared. The Hawaiian salad was delicious also. I will come back with friends again!
(5)Sam D.
Cute spot but i should have ordered brunch. Instead looking at menu, i ordered the chicken w pear slices and that was not to my liking. There wasn't enough chicken for the price I paid for the sandwich. The chicken was hard and not in good taste. The cajun fries on the other hand were delicious. I'll order breakfast next time.
(1)Denise G.
When I eat brunch, I prefer to do so while a portrait of Ron Swanson watches over me, so of course I was in luck when I went to Whisk. Leslie Knope and the whole cast of Parks & Rec would have died and gone to Heaven the second they stepped through the door here. The brunch choices are absolutely amazing, and really I don't think I could have gone wrong with whatever I chose. I was torn between the Snickers French Toast, Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, and the Reese's Pancakes. Narrowing my options down to one entree was so tenuous that I had to decide over a side order of bacon and an artisan soda (both delicious). Like anyone who aspires to someday weigh 9,000 pounds solely based on their choices of breakfast food, I asked my server if it was possible to try one of each pancake, and leave the Snickers French Toast for another time when I wanted to slip into a delicious food coma. Two months after my trip to Whisk, I still can't decide which pancake I liked better. I'll probably need to go back at least ten more times before I can decide. I am eager to check out the dinner menu and also add a BYOB Brunch into the mix as well. There's also a grocery store right across the street in case there is any need for BYOB reinforcements.
(5)Gregory G.
We've returned several times since my original review. We liked it well enough, they're decent with medium sized groups, and it was extremely closeby, but today is likely my last visit. Walked in hoping to grab a quick breakfast. Several tables were open. One couple was waiting at the hostess stand waiting for their table to be set up. I asked how long for one, was told I would be seated as soon as she was back from taking them to their table, so I had a seat in the waiting area. Meanwhile, a couple walks in and waits by the stand. Hostess returns and they ask how long for two. She shows them to seats right away. Queue the party of 4 walking in saying "let's just see how long the wait is." Hostess returns, they're seated. I waited at the stand and asked what the deal was when she returned. She said it would just be a moment, as she wanted to give the servers a chance to catch up with the people she just seated. When asked why they were seated before me, she said they already had their names on the "list." When I told her I heard their conversations and knew that wasn't the case, she stumbled and rudely said "well, it'll just be a couple of minutes." As I started walking towards the door, she quickly exclaimed that she could show me to my seat, conveniently squished between a corner and another diner (there were still tables open and other seats at the bar). I just continued out the door. I don't mind waiting, I understand servers need time to catch up, and I understand you're not going to seat a person alone at a giant table right before brunch rush, but I don't appreciate being lied to. Someone needs to teach that girl the value of a customer. I won't be back, and you can be darn sure I'll be passing this on to my friends, many of whom are regular customers.
(1)Angie D.
First time going. Had brunch with my sissy. It was FANTASTIC!! We got there at 9:45 am on a Saturday, so we beat the crowd. No wait. The food was delicious. And the BYOB.... Enough said! Will definitely be back!
(4)Adam D.
This place is like watching Gladiator for the first time. Freaking awesome! Best breakfast I've had in a long time. I work an early shift and I'm always eating at different joints but this one is tops. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and they were the best I think I've ever had. The coffee is fantastic too. The biggest bonus was the changing table! We have 7 week old and the table in the bathroom is huge and cushioned. They definitely had families in mind when putting this place together. I'm telling you, forget Yolk or even Palace Grill. This place beats them all for breakfast.
(5)Captain M.
This place is tiny but it has a lot of character. I've never been a huge fan of byob but they were pretty accommodating. The food was great. The service was great. I want to try the whole menu.
(4)Michelle R.
I *love* the food at Whisk, it is amazing. The service on the other hand, is mediocre at best. I eat at Whisk often and can no longer just chalk the bad service up to someone having a bad day. The hostess there is SO unfriendly every time we're in there - without fail - and has been downright rude at other times. God forbid you go in there with a baby - she will NOT be accommodating and will undoubtedly make you feel like you're burdening her. Then there is the one server with permanent BRF - another unpleasant and very unfriendly woman to deal with. I have worked in restaurants - I know how customers can be a huge pain in the ass - but our party of 4 was very chill, friendly, and understanding yet we were still treated like crap. The people I was with have already decided they will never go back simply based on the terrible service. I don't understand how these two women still have jobs after multiple people have commented on the bad service - Whisk is starting to get a bad reputation. Aside from these two women, the rest of the staff has been pretty good. There was a gentleman who waited on us for dinner last week who was awesome. And again, the food is outstanding. Just a shame you have to feel like you're a bother when you're there.
(2)Carrie G.
Came in around 9am this morning for breakfast with my husband. There were multiple open tables outside, so we asked the hostess about sitting out there. She informed us that we couldn't sit there because babies weren't allowed outside. Mind you we purposely left the stroller at home, knowing space is tight at Whisk. My sleeping infant was in a Bjorn carrier attached to me and didn't need a chair, which I see is an explanation management gave to another reviewer who cited similar issue when coming in with a baby. Also, when we arrived, there was a couple dining outside with their two children, so the 2 person max claim doesn't even hold. Sounds like it's time to educate the staff on exactly what your patio "rules" are. To those with children- don't bother coming here. Go down the street to child-friendly West Town Bakery- baby/kid/stroller friendly!! My husband and I sat outside at a two-top table while my infant happily snoozed in the Bjorn.
(1)Michael V.
Whisk is a great addition to the neighborhood. I had high hopes for this place -- Chickpea was one of my favorites -- and happily I wasn't disappointed. I went for brunch for the first time this week and got the breakfast burrito. It's my test food for new brunch restaurants -- if you can nail the breakfast burrito, you can usually count on everything else being good. They nailed it -- generous chorizo, avocado and salsa. My companions got the chorizo omelette and the fried chicken sandwich, and both loved their meals. Looking forward to taking one of those fried chicken sandwiches home for dinner soon. Service was great, although the wait for the food was a little long considering that they weren't particularly busy. Unlike some of the other reviewers here, however, I like to give a restaurant in its first few weeks a little slack. Seriously people -- one star for slow service on a restaurant's first day?! Anyway, happy to have a new brunch staple in the neighborhood, and I look forward to trying the burgers!
(5)Carly P.
I am dumbfounded at the more negative reviews - I thought Whisk was great! We ordered the croissant sandwich and the breakfast burrito and everything was perfect. It's a little pricey, but my meal was worth it. My only criticism is minor - I wish they had another option for pop drinkers. Buying bottle after bottle of speciality soda gets expensive, even though it's delicious and aesthetically adorable. I think my favorite thing about Whisk so far is how willing they are to hear criticism. Many other members of staff - not just our server - checked in with us regarding the quality of our food and experience . There are even surveys on the tables asking for suggestions. Your negative reviews will not hurt the restaurant, only make it better. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Iveliss G.
Southern chicken sandwich= amazing!!!!!! Truffle fries or Cajun you can't go wrong with either. The orange pop is also tasty. BYOB!!!! And of course the service is quick and friendly, always. I think I have been here 6 times since they have opened and ordered the same thing every time. My best friend likes the grits with shrimp for breakfast, chicken tacos for dinner and the chicken and waffles for dinner. Dessert changes everyday, so that's a nice surprise. You will enjoy anything on the menu. Stop reading this review and go now :)
(5)Kirby M.
I have a Spring account and Whisk has been sent to me on multiple occasions so a friend and I decided to give Sunday brunch a shot. I ordered the chilaquiles on recommendation from our waiter (who was very sweet). My friend got the eggs benedict. We licked our plates. Service was slow but with a smile. On a leisurely Sunday morning where my friend and I wanted to spend time catching up, it was a perfect scene. The shared table experience isn't my favorite and I don't care for high chairs, but the couple seated next to us was adorable and friendly and I quickly forgot the high discomfort when all the pros were so gleaming. It was a solid experience. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Vanna T.
Great new brunch spot to this neighborhood. Went with a party of 5 and the food we all agreed was great, service great, and prices great too! BYOB you cannot beat! I ordered the crab cakes and eggs and substituted the grits for the breakfast potatoes. The crab cakes were delicious! I will definitely go again! Next time I'd like to try some of their coffees and get a sweet dish. (snickers french toast that went by our table looked AWEOSOME!)
(4)Natalie B.
After seeing a line out the door, I figured this place must be worth the wait. We were told it would be a 1.5 hour wait, and planned to go somewhere else. The owner told then told us that he was preparing a table for us and it would only be about 10 minutes, so we decided to stay. Nope. 1.5 hours was still accurate. A few times we got ready to leave and he'd come by and say "I'm getting your table ready, only a few more minutes!" But it was never really true. To their defense, a lot of other restaurants were closed for labor day and I noticed people sitting at their table for a long time after finishing, but don't lie. He was apologetic for the wait, though. We finally got in, and they showed the 5 of us to a "communal table" with two other groups sitting at it. There were 4 chairs in a line...And 5 of us. He pulled up another bar stool so we could squish in, and promised he would move us to a booth when another group left. They started seating other groups at the booths when they cleared out, and when I asked about it he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about. We finally got moved after asking if we could take the booth when another group left. It's byob, so we brought champagne for mimosas and ordered orange juice. 15-20 minutes later, the waitress bring 4 ojs in tiny jars and leaves. She didn't come by to check on us, so I eventually flagged her down while she was walking by to ask for the 5th oj and you know, maybe some glasses to put it in. It eventually came out, but again we were short a glass and had to ask for another. Our food was dropped off by a runner. It was good (I had the breakfast burrito), but I think at this point we were irritated enough that we didn't enjoy it as much as we would have otherwise. The runner didn't bring silverware or napkins, so we sat with our food on the table unable to eat it. After asking 3 times for silverware, a waitress brought some forks in a paper cup , saying that they had run out of rolled silverware. It wouldn't be a big deal, but we didn't have napkins either. Three out of 5 of our meals were supposed to come with toast or an English muffin, but nobody got them. Our waitress never came by to check on us during the entire meal, so we had all finished eating and didn't want to wait for it anymore. It was extra disappointing because we were celebrating a birthday and hoped for a better experience. The food was fine, but there are a million other restaurants in the neighborhood that do it better. I don't plan on returning.
(2)Rui C.
4 stars for the food, 5 stars for the service, and 5 stars for BYOB. Seriously, how can you go wrong with a place that's BYOB & charges no corkage fee?! Great brunch spot if you wanna get a little buzzed with your salted caramel pancakes. Call ahead to reserve a table if you want to come Saturday mornings.
(5)Courtney M.
Stopped in here after arriving for a couple days in the Ukrainian village last Saturday. Brunch was amazing! The patio with beautiful cherry tree growing in one corner also made for wonderful ambience. Our pooch was welcome too and the waitress was quick to bring him over a bowl of water which we supremely appreciated. Such a small thing, but pet owners will love you forever if you show their four legged friend a little kindness... I ordered the house salad with steak (think corn, avo, crispy rommaine, I also added jalapeno) and my partner the David's special (garlic shrimp, bacon, scallions over cheesy grits). Both meals were a complete home run which was perfect because they carried us all day through to Wrigley Field that night. We'll definitely be back here next Chicago trip!
(5)Jordan F.
Fifth time here. Entire place smelled like a toilet. Poor service. Food was good but we had to take it to-go due to the terrible aroma. We won't be back. Shame because we live just around the block.
(2)E S.
Get the southern style chicken sandwich! So good! We ate in the back patio and it was a great set up.
(4)Lynette R.
Love this place. Brunch has a great combination of sweet and savory without having huge portions. The breakfast croissant is outstanding. They don't load up the community table, so go for it!
(5)Pam H.
We came for a late lunch/early supper when there were maybe 3-4 other customers there. Service was fine. We had an enthusiastic server. I had the David's Special cheese grits with grilled shrimp. Excellent. Stick to your ribs ,superb for a wintery or damp day; generous portion. Next time ( and there will be a next time) I need to find out if I can order it with extra shrimp. (P.S.You need soup spoons for this, not teaspoons.) My friend had the burger which had the spicy cheese sauce and the crispy peppers on top. He was making pleasure noises and had a look on his face that ought not to be shown in a public place. He was happy, but I was very involved with my cheese grits. Excellent coffee. Dark Matter, I think they said. Brewed so it was strong , not burnt. Street parking. $4.00 for a 2 hour slot on the meter, but spaces were readily available. As noted, BYOB but Mariano is literally right across the street. One quibble. They had been doing some mid-shift cleaning and the scent from the bathroom cleaning solution was noticeable. Get an unscented brand.
(4)Hector T.
The place is very nice looking. They serve Dark Matter coffee. The food ranges from ok to good. The Davies special was really good. The Reeses pancakes were borderline ok but not sure why the name because did not taste like reeses. The menu stated "Reeses chocolate pieces" there were chocolate chips on them. I inquired about this and was told they actually just stick a small portion of a peanut butter cup inside and it melts. I however found no peanut butter flavor which seems very odd for a dish called Reeses Pancakes. The staff was friendly but need to improve their service. For example asking if things are ok, refilling coffee, and making sure order is complete. The price is a bit high.
(3)Breanne G.
I have been planning my next trip here. That is unheard from me... Yes, as I have said before, if you are on a diet, then brunch is not for you. I ordered the Aztec omelette and my husband ordered the breakfast burrito. They were not chintzy with the ingredients and I loved all the flavors. We both cleaned our plates!! I ordered beans instead of potatoes, but ended up getting potatoes. I was so glad I did. The potatoes will not disappoint. That's if you like your potatoes a little crunchy, not over cooked or soggy/mushy. The slice of watermelon on the plate was a nice added touch. Okay, I'm a person that loves great customer service. I felt the hostess needed a little more pep in her step. A smile goes a long way and she needs to be a little more inviting - especially if she is in the front of the restaurant. In addition, we were seated, but it took a little over five minutes for someone to acknowledge us, but the server was apologetic and super nice. Maybe the hostess could have said something about the rush in service and that we'd have to wait a little. I know they recently opened and are a work in progress. So far they are doing great!! Overall, I will definitely be going back to try some other yummy creations (not on a diet day). The food we ordered was delicious. Rick and David you did not disappoint!! The place is BYOB so don't forget your alcohol, if you want it. If I could, I would give them 4 1/2 stars. I hope to give them 5 stars one of these days.
(4)Burnt T.
Ownership has reached out and said it was an isolated incident. Since I'm local I'll definitely give it another shot and update the review accordingly. Thanks for being classy Whisk!
(3)Mark C.
Wow! I had no idea what to expect from Whisk, but let me tell you I was amazed at what came my way. The inside looks lovely, but surprise, there's a patio in the back! Another welcome surprise, BYOB. BUT let's talk about the food. Greek fries, steak and eggs ( with an added waffle) and a burger came to my table. What stole the show was the late addition of the fried chicken tender tacos. I know we in Chicago especially in the areas surrounding wicker park have become taco crazy. The bits of heaven in a tortilla have got to be the best I've ever had. Anyone who comes to Whisk will have to make a return trip, the menu is that inviting. The chef and owner are amazing gentleman and I wish you the best of luck.
(5)Christina C.
I have so many good things to say about this place. Not only is WHISK good for brunch but also it is good for dinner. The burgers will make your heart stop, figuratively and literally. When they say 8 oz. burger, you receive basically a pound of burger if you add in all the toppings they give. I have ordered the House burger twice now. I still don't know what chihuahua cheese is, but it is delicious. I'm thinking they make their guacamole in house because that is also delicious and goes perfectly with the tortilla strips on the burger. I love the burger bun they use, toasted and soft. Unfortunately, the patty is so large that I don't have room to eat the bun. The cajun fries are delicious. You can't go wrong with them. The fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - the definition of a perfect fry. For an extra $2, you can upgrade your fries. I got the truffle fries the other day. You can definitely taste the truffle oil and they put parmesan and parsley on top. I've also been here for breakfast. I got steak and eggs, medium rare and over easy, respectively. Honestly, I've never thought of steak as a breakfast food, since it's very much an elegant dinner entree. They prepared the rib eye like a steakhouse would. I'm thoroughly impressed. It's a huge breakfast, so prepare to food coma after you just climbed out of bed hours before your trip to WHISK. It's usually pretty busy on weekends. I do recommend going during the week day for dinner and sitting out in their patio out back.
(5)Rana T.
I went back recently for dinner and it was nothing like the place I gave 5 stars to earlier. Maybe you guys should really just stick to brunch. Whisk does brunch so so soooo very well, but really just seems to give up on variety and customer service around dinner time. I was seated and actually waited 20 minutes before anyone came to even asked if I wanted something to drink, but get this, there was only 1 other group in the place. All other staff seemed to be standing around chatting, busy bro hugging or congregating in the back. When our waiter did finally surface, he came up seeming uninterested, never making eye contact and said, "what do you all want?" And we're sitting there thinking the hell kinda service is this? Of course being me I mentioned it because it's uncalled for and not proper professionalism. The attitude was quickly checked and corrected but that's more than I can say for the food. They ran out of peach mint tea, didn't have appetizers and the dinner menu had not enough variety, mainly just burgers. I really wanted brunch so I got the only thing on the menu that was close to a brunch entree but when my steak and eggs arrived with my grits I literally wanted to go back there in the kichen and teach whoever was back there how to cook grits because Whisk's little recipe damn near made me not want to return, BUT I keep thinking about that brunch, that oh so AMAZING brunch. Yeah, I think I'll just stick with brunch.
(3)Juan G.
We went there wanting to use a Groupon, Brunch and Burgers for $19. When I tried to use the voucher the waitress said "you can't use it on the weekends". I told her it did not say that on the fine print and she went to get the manager. After I explained the situation, the manager said "This Groupon is for dinner only". Even though it said "Brunch and Burgers", she would not honor it. * Extremely slow service (Burger and Pancakes took 50 mins!) * No alcohol * Inattentive waitress * Shady Groupon to bring in customers * Manager didn't honor Groupon 1 Star.
(1)Aurora D.
This place was great. First off, love the Ron Swanson/Nick Offerman theme. We went super early after my friend got off her night shift and whoever served us (looked like a manager) was great. Seriously one of my best dining experiences in a while. He humored us, cracked jokes, was helpful when needed, but didn't crowd us. The food was great and had many unique options for us to try. They had your regular breakfast options but with fun spins so definitely good for groups if you have a mix of picky people and/or want something fun. I will give them my business as long as they're there!
(5)Gina S.
I've been here half a dozen times and my official vote is in. This place has THE best burger in Chicago. I've been to the heavy metal place and aucheval and this blows them away. A close second is the bad apple on Lincoln. I've had a few different varieties here. I don't know what it is, but the flavors meld together perfectly. The burger itself tastes amazing without condiments overwhelming it. Perfection. I've also had breakfast and non-burgers. Everything was excellent.
(5)Daniel C.
I've been to whisk twice now. I went the first time because I heard tell of a horseshoe style burger. I remember not actually being that into it. I don't remember why but I prefer the legit horseshoe from 6 degrees on Damen. Last night I went again and they had a great special on guacamole and chips for $5. I got a turkey burger with avocado, provolone. cilantro and a nice mayo. My friend said she has the old timer burger when she goes and it doesn't disappoint. They have a mexican flair and the back page of the menu includes many mexican entrees including chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and tacos of course. I haven't been by for brunch but you can try some of the burgers brunch style which involves french toast instead of a bun. DECADENT! it's also BYOB so that's a plus.
(4)Kaitlin M.
Well I have to start off by saying this is the first 5 star rating I have given a breakfast restaurant in a long time. I would say it's closer to 4.5 but that's only because the Bithday Boy I was with was being difficult and the manager didn't respond the way he expected. The food however was delightful! My boy had the Shrimp and Grits and said it met is savory southern craving. I had the Garden Omelette that was full of fresh produce and bold in flavor. When they say garlic they meant it. And the breakfast potatoes were perfectly crispy with a touch of rosemary. We enjoyed the BYOB with beers from the convenient Mariono's next door. The coffee was a little wrong for our taste. Service was good even though they didn't tell us we could not have drinks on the front patio and have to move us inside. The back patio is cute but small. Prices were about average but I felt like my plate was a little over valued. I would recommend this for breakfast for sure!
(5)Chloe T.
The little hidden gem...I Iove this place! Very very fresh. I had the turkey burger and it was delicious!! Everything was so flavorful! I really like the hours of this place and I like how it's not too big not too small. I'd definitely come back again.
(4)