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Name: Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop
Address: 825 Church St, Evanston, IL, 60201
Telephone: (847) 733-9030
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.64

Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop

825 Church St, Evanston, IL, 60201

(847) 733-9030
Store is closed

Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop Menu

Starters

Fried Green Tomatoes

Catfish Strips

Bbq Peel N' Eat Shrimp

Breaded Fresh Oysters

Sweet Plantains
Southern Salads

Dixie Garden Salad

Green Goddess Salad

House Smoked Salmon Salad

Southwestern Salad

Seafood Salad

Blackened Chicken Salad
Entrees - Meat N' Three

Catfish Fillet

Seafood Cakes

Trout Pecan

Tilapia Fillet

Salmon Fillet
Sandwiches

Oyster Po' Boy

Shrimp Po' Boy

Catfish Po' Boy

Grilled Jerk Catfish Po' Boy

Tilapia Po' Boy
Southern Specialties

Gumbo

Red Beans & Rice

Shrimp Creole

Jambalaya

Crayfish Etouffe
Dessert

Beignets

Peach Cobbler

Key Lime Pie

Bread Pudding

Pecan Pie

Healthy Meal suggestions for Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop

Starters

Fried Green Tomatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Catfish Strips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Peel N' Eat Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breaded Fresh Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Plantains [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Southern Salads

Dixie Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Goddess Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Smoked Salmon Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwestern Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackened Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees - Meat N' Three

Catfish Fillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Trout Pecan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia Fillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Fillet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Oyster Po' Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Po' Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Catfish Po' Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Jerk Catfish Po' Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia Po' Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Southern Specialties

Gumbo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Beans & Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Creole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jambalaya [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crayfish Etouffe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Beignets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peach Cobbler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Key Lime Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pecan Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Linda S.

Amazing banana bread french toast here!
(4)
Travis L.

I have come here a number of times now, with each being a successful southern experience. There is a solid choice for brunch with choices of sides from grits to cornbread. They also have a good selection of specials, such as jambalaya and a BLT with a southern twist of fried green tomatoes that I would recommend.
(4)
Matt G.

BIG disappointment after waiting for 25 minutes to get in. Brunch on Father's Day and I was ready to take on some southern food. Too bad it took nearly 10 minutes of waiting patiently to order. Chicken and hash, fried egg, cheese grits and some greens, fried oysters and okra. Sounds like I'm Gordon Ramsey ordering for Kitchen Nightmares..... well, not too far off. HORRIBLE plate presentation and the food was just average at best. My four year old son tried the cheese grits (which I didn't taste the cheese) and said, I swear, "I like the ones at home better." Those are mine, which are good but I'd figure a creole restaurant would do it up. The fried eggs looked like amateur high school work. To their credit, the oysters and okra were tasty. I'm not coming back as there are much better options.
(2)
Anne M.

Dixie Kitchen is Da Dixie Bomb! On an outing to Evanston, a friend and I stopped by Dixie for Sunday brunch. Although the smaller place was packed and we waited in the narrow hallway across from the ever-swinging kitchen doors for over 15 minutes, the food was worth the wait. This place was like a well-oiled machine. Every table was filled, and as SOON as people left, the table was cleared / cleaned and reset, and the next party was seated. The host was also keeping a close eye on waiting parties, letting them know their eta. Water refills a'plenty; Quick wait service; Food came out fast. This restaurant has an old-timey / southern flair - menu-wise, and decor-wise. Checkered tablecloths, eclectic adornments lining the walls + ceilings - it's cute and interesting. We were starving, so we started with a plate of 3 beignetes to share. Hot, fresh, big, and coated in a thick blanket of powdered sugar. yummmmmmm. I ordered the Eggs Sardou: Poached eggs served over fried green tomatoes + cornbread, with creamed spinach / artichoke hollandaise; served with a side of cheese grits and cajun potatoes. Holy shit. That is a magical combination. The eggs were soft-poached with runny yolk, the sauce was creamy and rich, and the crispy tomatoes and cornbread were perfect combos. Fabulous! Fast, friendly service, awesome food + low prices - I'd love to go back to Dixie (asap - today please..?)
(5)
Jane W.

Been here four time. The first two times were AGES ago and to be honest I don't quite remember exactly what my experience was like. The one thing I do remember is getting the jambalaya and being disappointed :/ For my third visit, I started with a cup of gumbo, which was delicious. Also ordered BBQ peel and eat shrimp... had mixed feelings about this dish. When it came out, I was a bit appalled because it literally looked like the shrimp was swimming in oil and burnt. To make matters worse, the 10 pieces of shrimp looked pretty wimpy. HOWEVER, upon actually tasting the food, it was quite delicious, which is all that really matters to me. Yesterday was my fourth visit and got the shrimp and okra creole. Ehh... Flavors were too muddled. Not worth the $13. I do love the cornbread-pancakes they give out at the beginning. Light, fluffy, and WAY better than the typical bread and butter restaurants usually give you. Food is a bit heavy for my taste, so probably won't come back too frequently. And tends to be a hit or miss situation depending on your choice of food.
(3)
Sam N.

This is where it's at! I love this place so much! Great service, always crowded and they still seem to find a way to feed you fast. Beignets are the best part! Obama has good taste! (Obamas favorite place to eat is Dixie Kitchen) Overall it's a awesome place to eat, we love going for breakfast.
(5)
Crystal P.

This Evanston staple can be counted on to deliver a simple good inexpensive meal, Im not sure what happen recently the soul of the food is missing. Soft scrambled eggs aren't soft, food doesn't come out hot. The morning potatoes seem always dried out and the grits are no longer creamy. Red beans tasted like they were just poured out a can....... they had to have had a chef change in the last year or so. Le Peep may be a better option even as their service is not great.
(2)
Cara T.

My in-laws were visiting us from Southern Indiana (almost Kentucky). I watched President Obama refer the Hyde Park Dixie Kitchen on Check Please and I thought this would be the perfect place to take the in-laws. We watched the episode of Check Please and then headed out to Evanston. I had to explain that the decor was what "city folks" thought country was like. My father-in-law found it humorous that the place was decorated like his garage. The corn cakes they give you to start--holy crap, they are addicting. I could have ate a whole basket by myself. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes and Seafood Cakes. Everyone loved the Seafood Cakes with the spicy mustard. I think the consensus was that the in-laws could make better Fried Green Tomatoes... I had the blackened catfish with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The catfish was a little watery for my taste, but the spice rub was really good. The mac and cheese was a little dry for me and the potatoes were okay. Overall, it was a perfect place to take my in-laws. They loved the event of watching Check Please and then going to the restaurant. The atmosphere was laid back and the food was good, country fare.
(4)
Brianna P.

Hey they hired some decidedly less surly people. The host was downright cheerful, I was floored. Our waitress still seemed like she couldn't care less that we were there, but hey, I'll take what I can get.
(3)
Andy M.

Dixie Kitchen. Where have you been all my life? You would think a land lubber like myself wouldn't enjoy a place that prides itself as a seafood restaurant, but this Northshore eatery has something for everyone. Let me start by describing the tacky, eclectic decor. And I mean tacky in a good way. There are old restaurant memorabilia and fishing signs posted on the walls. There's even a full sized fishing boat anchored to the ceiling. I felt like I was dining in the mess hall of Davey Jones locker. The decor is odd, but in a goofy way, it works. The menu is extensive. They offer a wide variety of seafood, burgers and ribs. But there was one thing on the menu that caught my eye. The Southern, Country Fried Steak. It wasn't the best fried steak I ever had, but it may have been the best one I've had north of the Mason-Dixon line. Most of the entrees come with two sides. I went with the mashed taters and red beans and rice. All of it was delicious. Here's the bottom line: Dixie Kitchen and Bait shop is a wonderful, laid back dining experience. The food, service and overall vibe of the joint are all top notch. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Mary M.

BLT...with fried green tomatoes? Do I even need to say more? The mashed potatoes with brown gravy was great, too. I have been working in Evanston for almost a year and I can't believe I have not been before.
(4)
Susanne D.

Our favorite Southern style restaurant. Service is friendly, food is fantastic. The lines can be long. . . so come early. The fried green tomatoes and the Key lime pie are to DIE FOR. Yes, believe it. It's also a great laugh reading all the weird signs on the walls while you wait.
(5)
Richie D.

I am truly saddened to accept the fact that the infamous landmark Dixie Kitchen in Hyde Park has closed. Thankfully there is still this location to keep the legacy going. Any reason I can find to escape the city to the calmer, less urban surrounding communities of Chicago, I take it. Dixie just to be another perk; one which brings cultural eats. Follow one of the antique Royal Crown Cola sign on the interior: "Best by taste-test." Dixie is bound to please, after all it's Obama approved. Tuesday is the new Friday with their $9.99 fried chicken special. Fill your stomach with Dixie Kitchen's Southern Fried Chicken meal consisting of fried chicken (breast, wing, leg AND thigh), corn muffin, cole slaw and two sides of your choice (you can't go wrong with the fried sweet plantains, mac n cheese, or black eyed peas). It's quite the deal! Add a glass of their sweet tea or peach tea, you got a perfect match! If you're not feeling the golden fried chicken, you can't go wrong with the Po'boy, Whole Baby Catfish or Dixie Ribs. All in all, when I want good olde Southern home cookin', Dixie Kitchen is the place. Featured in the Weekly Yelp-Chicago Burbs edition "ChiBurby Fried Chicken" List on April 4, 2012: yelp.com/weekly?editoriaâ€¦
(5)
Matthew S.

After a rather thrilling movie at the AMC theatre next door, we decided that a nice dinner was in order. I picked the last restaurant, it was his turn this time. He picked Dixie Kitchen. I'd never been before, and was totally eager to try this place. I liked the interior when I walked in. I really felt like I'd been transported out of Evanston, and into a little Bayou restaurant. Plaid red table clothes, a overstuffed china hutch, white washed boards - perfect. The specials on the menu board looked amazing - this place gave me a good vibe. When I sat down and looked at the menu, I just wanted to order one of everything. Nothing looked bad! We were started off with a free basket of Johnny Cakes, and fresh butter. We both ordered the same thing: chicken fried steak. I ordered collared greens and the mac and cheese. It comes with cole slaw, and a corn bread muffin. He ordered the cheese grits, and steamed broccoli. The service was prompt, our waitress was super friendly. The dinners came out pretty quickly. Everything was served with a special gravy on the side, in cute little gravy boats. Something you might not guess about me : I LOVE me some collared greens. And these DID NOT disappoint me. They tasted like they had been slow cooked in a ham broth. Served with a cruet of spiced vinegar - perfect. Again. The mac and cheese surprised me. It had a kick to it! But in a good way. Between the good conversation, the beer that was on special, and the great food - the hour and half in the restaurant just melted away. The price was great for all that food. I will definitely return - and probably bring friends. The whole atmosphere just lends itself to conversation, laughter and eating like a dixie pig. What is a dixie pig? I have no idea. But I'm sure they are hungry.
(4)
Belle L.

Interior Decor takes you to the south. Room temperature hot cakes was nice with creamy spreadable butter. Southern Sampler -- nicely cooked rice and lots of it. Dominant spice is heat that makes it impossible to understand and appreciate the combined flavors. Food was microwaved in less than 1 min as it is 1/2 notch above room temperature. Iced Tea -- My sweet tea reincarnated as peach tea after refill. Beignet -- the only authenticity is the mega dose of powdered sugar. Dough was so thick that the middle was chewy as it was uncooked. The food can be good. Kitchen has a severe problem keeping the food fresh (hopefully cooked early in the morning, not the previous day), warm and NOT dried up.
(1)
Natalie S.

I brought the kiddo in to meet up with the family for brunch. I had some apprehensions because Cajun isn't really my thing but I'm willing to give anything a try. I had the catfish and eggs. I thought catfish was a strange combo with eggs but was willing to try anything once. The catfish was amazing, crispy and not at all greasy. The boy shared with me and ate it all up. I brought some take out for the Mr., he had jambalaya and an oyster po boy and loved it. Sadly, we also had some beignets and they were not great. A little dense for me. The service was pretty good. The waiter disappeared for a while which was kinda frustrating but overall it was good. Parking can be tricky around there so be patient!
(4)
Jim R.

Great little spot that will make you think for a minute you are deep in the Bayou. Great lunch special M-F. For $6.50 you can choose from a large variety of items including 1/2 a po boy with a cup of gumbo or jambalaya. Or choose 1/4 chicken or one of two entree salads. The meal starts with some warm cornmeal Ho-cakes (little pancakes) and butter. A great value and tasty chow.
(4)
Dr. M.

Not! Like the Dixie Kitchen that was in Hyde Park. Not! Excited about the service... Not! Enthused about the food... I came and conquered the green tomatoes, which was and still is an all-time favorite! The crab cakes were fishy and mushy...I had to send them back and the waitress wasn't pleased about that...oh well! The fried catfish is always a safe "go to." Overall, I would only go back for the tomatoes. The slow and inattentive staff only adds to the disappointment.
(3)
Ron M.

The atmosphere here is totally southern and great! The fried green tomatoes and key lime pie make a great meal.
(5)
Bex A.

It's a cozy and very charming southern style, but warning do not come here if you are on a diet. You will just be missing out!! My dad was marveling at all the old authentic signs. Apparently, they really did use to serve Lays Chips in cans. (Who knew?) The johnny cakes, as my mom called them, are addictive. We tried every dish we could fried shrimp, plantains, ribs, fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, cheesy grits. Darn it, now I am hungry again. Everything was great. The only thing is the beignets are not quite like Cafe Du Monde, but that is a tall order.
(5)
Catie V.

Loved my visit here! The decor was super cute, the service was fast and friendly, and i definitely left with a food baby or two. The house bloody marys are delicious. Only thing is that it was a little too spicy for me due to the addition of whole-crushed peppercorn, and I love spicy! I'm the kind person who eats hot cheetos and kim-chee likes its going out of style, so my advice if you want something more mild-moderate, 86 the corns. The boo and I ordered fried plantains as an appetizer and they were very good. Fried, crispy, sweet, and they came with a sweet sour cream sauce. For the entree I got the southern sampler which consisted of the jambalaya, red beans and rice, and the gumbo. Now, this was a delicious entree, but when it arrived on my plate i was kind of perplexed by the mountains of rice that were on my plate. Now, one could argue that I had it coming since I read the description of the dish before I ordered. In the end I guess my only qualm with this sampler is I wished there was more variety as opposed to rice dishes which taste pretty similar to one another. I the jamalaya was delicious as was the gumbo. I wasn't a fan of the red beans and rice but....eh. It was definitely a ton of food and I legit ate that meal for breakfast and lunch the next day. I will definitely come back here to try new things such as the po-boy's, and the fried chicken. love.
(4)
Antony v.

My daughter and I had breakfast here this morning. I had the Cajun biscuits and gravy. Biscuits were stale and dry, gravy was cold floury glop with no sausage and no flavor. Cajun potatoes were cold and dry. My daughter had the big easy with a side of banana French toast. Her food was fine except for the potatoes....cold and dry. No refills on the coffee, no butter that we asked...and the place was not busy. This was one of my go to places for breakfast in Evanston, but I think that it's time has come and gone. The owners and staff just don't seem to care anymore and the lack of attention shows. I gave it two stars because my daughters banana bread French toast was great. $30 for a breakfast that was below standard ..... Never again.
(2)
Polly S.

When in Evanston, go to Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop for lunch! Picture southern charm and kitschy decor. I often get the Eggs Sardou. Sometimes I feel compelled to try another option, but I just can't seem to quit the Eggs Sardou. SO GOOD! During the weekends, a crowd forms lined up single file by the wall. It moves quick so don't be deterred!
(5)
Jacqueline B.

First timer, and I have to say the food wasn't impressive at all, I had a cup of gumbo, breaded steak, mac n cheese, red beans and rice. The food had NO FLAVOR! :( two stars because our service was good!
(2)
Daniel W.

This place is awesome. Came here for breakfast and I ordered the Eggs Sardou which was a wonder. The Grits were the best I've had although I have really not tried too many Grits, they happened to be the only grits I have even liked to be honest, but none the less they were excellent. The atmosphere was casual and the service was on point.
(5)
Nelson M.

Restaurant Review Delicious, southern cooking at its best. I can see why Obama loves to eat at this restaurant when he is in town. You start off your meal with complimentary mini pancakes with butter. The food is straight out of the south/cajun with fried chicken to gumbo. I had the country fried steak which was a bit thin but perfect in flavor. Your meal comes with cole slaw, corn muffin, and 2 sides (Mashed Potatoes * Collard Greens * Black-Eyed Peas * Red Beans & Rice * Cole Slaw * Mashed Sweet Potatoes * Rice * French Fries * Cheese Grits * Vegetarian Black Beans & Rice * Fried Sweet Plantains * Veggie of the Day * Mac & Cheese) I would recommendthe mac and cheese with sweet plantains. The other awesome thing about this place is the killer prices. Where else can you get a dinner entree for 10-15 dollars. Pro- tasty southern food, low prices, killer complimentary mini pancakes Con- limited seating, so prepare for a long line if you go late Hidden deal- unfortunately none, but the prices are good already :)
(4)
Mandy K.

One of my favorite restaurants in Evanston. The wait staff are terrific, food is delicious, and drinks are wonderful. I have never been here for dinner, but the brunch and lunch menus are amazing and very well priced. Whenever I have family in this is one of the restaurants I am sure to take them to.
(4)
Jeff R.

2 of us shared fried 1/2 chicken w/ mashed (too-)sweet potatoes & home style (soggy) fries , plus key lime pie dessert. The chicken was so dry & so tough I gave much of it to the dog. The complimentary corn meal cupcake was dry too. The key lime pie was too sweet & the crust was greasy. All in all, worst meal I have had is a while.
(1)
Dennis F.

I had heard about this spot for some time....FINALLY got here! Fried green tomatoes were a hit! As were the fried okra, and the crawfish fritters. My friends had the Blackened Chicken and the Fried Chicken while I opted for the Crawfish Etouffee. We left there with full bellies and a desire to return for Peach Cobbler!! Nice friendly staff and nostalgic southern/Cajun style dÃ©cor.
(5)
Paul N.

Wife and I aren't familiar with the chain, but we really enjoyed the food, service, and up tempo atmosphere. Price was reasonable for food quality and portions.
(5)
Nina T.

Heard it's the best place in town for fried chicken or Southern food crave. It sure does! I ordered the fried chicken breast and it was a bit too dry. But it's the breast after all, can't ask too much. We also had Red Bean & Rice, delicious as well. This was only my first time but I'm sure I'll be back for the white meat fried chicken!
(4)
Jeff H.

You can't go wrong with Dixie Kitchens lunch specials. If you're looking for some cajun food on campus, this is the place to check out. If you're willing to spend a bit more (time and money), then check out Heaven on Seven downtown.
(4)
Sarah P.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Dixie Kitchen yet! My family and I have been going here for years! I had a hard time deciding between 4 and 5 stars on this one. I always LOVE what I order here. However, I always order the same thing! They semi-recently changed their menu and added a lot of new things like salads and pastas. Having not tried anywhere near half of the menu items, I feel like I can't really give 5 stars since I have no idea how all of those things are. I can, however, speak to the po boys. The fried oyster one to be exact. I used to switch off between this and the pulled pork but somewhere along the line for whatever reason just started going with the po boy. It's just so good! It's full of oysters to the point they fall out of the sandwich. There is just enough sauce without overdoing it. It comes with just one side, and I have started going with the cheese grits, which are amazing (and this is coming from someone who doesn't usually like grits)! Oh, and I can't forget to mention the johnny cakes the table receives and the cup of jambalaya we usually order as an appetizer. Yum and yum! I've had great and decent waiters there...nothing that ever stood out one way or the other. I love the decor and ambiance of Dixie Kitchen. Tons of old signs and ads, a random mix of old chairs, etc. Fits perfectly with the food and gives it a great laid-back vibe. I've been going for years and years and don't plan to stop that any time soon!
(4)
Eduardo M.

I came here late one night, after we realized we weren't going to make the movie we wanted to see. Instead we succumbed to the need for fried stuff done in a Southern style. Honestly, there are times when I wonder if it's possible to make something deep fried taste bad. This is not the place to find out - we were starving (so most things would have tasted good), and the food was pleasing and filling. I'm definitely going to try this place out again at some point just to see if it's still just as good.
(3)
E. T.

My bf and I had the southern sampler, it has the jambalaya, gumbo, and red bean & rice, and the blackened catfish. What hit me was the red bean & rice. It was surprisingly flavorful. the food in general is good but it's still way too bland compared to the authentic cajun food. The spices are there, but not quite there yet. The crunchy popcorn shrimp has this nice crunch on it but I like it to be crunchier. The fried chicken almost hit a 4 star for me. The crunch is there, the spice is there too, but it's still one level below what I expected of cajun food.
(3)
Mark S.

Great Cajun food with good service. The johnny cakes are great to start and something new. Some of the best fried catfish ever. Oyster Po Boys are also worth the trip!
(4)
Megan W.

Dixie Kitchen - Lunch- 4 stars I went for lunch with friend who lives in Evanston. We ordered the following, it was delicious! We had leftovers. Starters 1) Breaded Fresh Oysters 2) Seafood Cakes Entrees - 1) House Smoked BBq'd Half Chicken 2) Dixie Ribs Half Slab Soup 1) Cup of Gumbo Desserts - 1) Bread Pudding 2) Pecan Pie Drinks - 1) Sweet Tea 2) French Roast Coffee
(4)
D F.

Brunch on a Sunday with the grandparents Pros: -Immediate seating for 7 (4 adults + 3 kids) -Kids get crayons and kids menu to draw on. If you're parent, you might recognize the quality of the crayons. Not quite crayola brand but not the junk that Walker Brothers gives the kids. -Kids also small rubber croc toys. Nice touch Dixie kitchen! - OMG, that fried okra is out of this world. So delicious! Hate okra generally but this stuff was the bomb. Kids ages 4-8, ate a good portion. - Grandpa enjoyed his whole fried catfish. Looked good. He devoured it, so couldn't get a taste. - Wife enjoyed the fried catfish fillet with eggs. Cons: - My entree was meh, Jambalaya omelette. Shoulda stuck to something fried. -Grandma's entree was meh. Seafood cakes kinda like crab cakes. Weak. - Kids meals off kiddie menu were expensive and not worth $6. Also, there was some weird timing issue that meant kids could only order breakfast till 2p. WTF! - Service was not good. I get it. It's a relaxed atmosphere, but jeezus dude, if the order gets screwed up, don't blame the patron! Might come back without kids. Sit outside, drink Abita and not worry about mediocre service but this place might be a one trick pony. Serving up fried southern favorites. Only time will tell.
(3)
FalconsFans I.

Dixie Kitchen should be renamed "Kitschy Kitchen" because the food and the decor is kinda corny. Eating there and saying you had Southern Food is like going to Olive Garden and saying you ate Italian. Yes, technically it resembles southern food, but that's about it. I go there when I'm in Evanston and need a fried green tomatoes fix (not easy to find in Chicagoland) or a Po Boy and some sweet tea.
(3)
Andi B.

I've been here many times and the food is delicious and consistent. The jambalaya is so good!! I love the food as well as the atmosphere. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jackie O.

In Chicagoland, I have only found two NOLA inspired restaurants, Blue Bayou and Dixie Kitchen. Dixie is the clear winner of that face-off. Maybe I am just a sucker for free Johnny Cakes. The recipes hit the nail on the head for authenticity. I wasn't impressed by the flavor or the dishes in particular - but it is the best I have had in the area. The lunch deals have a great price-tag, but teeny-tiny portions. For the boys that can take down an entire medium pizza in one sitting - just order off the regular menu. If you're looking for a small, quick bite on the cheap - Dixie lunch is a good spot. I'm partial to the fried chicken with a side of plantains.
(3)
Andy S.

Pretty solid new orleans style food. Good gumbo and the johnny cakes are a nice unique feature. Went with a couple friends after a long day out and my friend finished the entire half jerk chicken he ordered (picked it clean).
(4)
Tiffany B.

I went here after walking around downtown Evanston on Saturday. They offered a great brunch deal and we decided to do that for Sunday. So we ended up getting there around 11ish, not realizing it was right after church let out. We thought the wait might be long since it looked crowded but went inside anyway. To our surprise, it was a less than 5 minute wait for a great table. Our server was prompt, friendly, and super efficient. We ended up ordering means instead of the brunch. My bf had a delicious omelette and I had AMAZING seafood cakes. They're grits tasted a but like biscuits and gravy which isn't my thing but if you like a gravy taste, you'll probably love them. They had an option of rye toast which I liked, it was marble rye but still good. The host, the server, and the busboy were all friendly and the restaurant was clean, decorated homey like I was in the bayou or something and it was just a great experience. The prices were EXTREMELY reasonable, dishes being around 8.95-10.95. We're definitely coming back for lunch or dinner :)
(4)
Mallory S.

Great idea but the food is not that great. Their gumbo and jambalaya kind of just taste the same. I wish they would put more seafood in their jambalaya. Corn bread pancakes are great. The ambiance is very casual. Just doesnt set itself apart from Heaven On Seven
(3)
Mikki K.

Delicious food, excellent service. I just wish they were still in Hyde Park. I miss you Dixie Kitchen. And Calypso Cafe. Please come back, Hyde Park needs you.
(5)
R J.

Prefer the lunch specials and feel over dinner. Maybe just because I've had better luck on them. Salads are great- especially southwest chipotle chicken. Jambalaya is a bit bland- not nearly the spice or heat it needs. Service is hit or miss, but generally decent.
(4)
Melanie R.

My husband and I ate here for the first time today. We had the shrimp po'boy, red beans & rice, fried chicken, grits, collard greens, and cole slaw. The food was great - the fried chicken was exactly what my southern mama used to make. The collard greens were smoky and vinegary - good, but could only stomach a few bites as they're really strong-tasting. The corn muffin was dry and tasteless. Our table didn't have any silverware and the waitress didn't notice - we had to ask for some. And after bringing us our food, she never came back to check on us or to refill drinks. The worst part was seeing a cockroach crawling across the floor! I've heard that ALL restaurants have roaches, but seeing one out in the dining area was simply disgusting. I had to rate this restaurant a 1 for the service and the roach. The food itself would've received a 4 though.
(1)
Mike B.

Came in here because it was close to the hotel I was staying at. I was not expecting much since, well, this is not the south. The food was pretty good though. I had the blackened chicken sandwich and it came out perfect, juicy and full of flavor. Others in my party were also impressed. I would stop back again next time I was in town.
(4)
Gracee W.

really love this place... I come here for their delicious breakfasts and get the French toast. it's a ton of food for a really good, low price. I usually get my food pretty quickly! the service could be better but they're friendly and get me my food so I can't really complain. I love their beignets and hot chocolate, too. I mean, yeah, this isn't the place to go when you're counting calories, but no one should go to a Cajun place if they don't want sweet and fried goodness. I have been meaning to come here for dinner as well, so I'll have to do that soon! but honestly it's a cutesy place with good and inexpensive food in the heart of downtown Evanston... what more could you ask for!?
(5)
John C.

Nice place in the middle of Evanston. This place was a nice combination of southern and creole cooking. Think Southern with a kick. The fried green tomatoes were very good. A nice appetizer that I recommend every try. I got the seafood cakes made of crab, shrimp, and crawfish. Uber awesome. The coleslaw was ok, the muffiin sweet and perfect for the meal, collard greens were some of the best I have had and definitely the I've had outside of Virginia, and beans and rice was about near perfect. Sitting in the restaurant I you can't help but notice that it looks like a diner you would find on a old back road or you grannies house. One corner looked just like my grannies house growing up. Very cool and relaxing atmosphere. The waitstaff were very attentive and polite. My waiter was always filled and I love that. And it wasn'tlike someone was standing over you the whole time and for a small place you do not feel rushed to have to eat and go. Very warm and inviting. Overall: I will be back and will bring more friends. New favorite place.
(4)
Sean B.

Oh so solid. Solid enough for a 2 hour nap when I got home this afternoon in complete food coma. Pancake/griddle cakes with butter while you pick items on your menu. Service was friendly. Fried green tomatoes were so good -- you get 5 of them. And they do have hot sauce on the table if you want even more kick. I had the country steak, which came with a corn muffin with a little pepper zest to it, and fried plantains and mac and cheese. So much food for us for about $15 each after tip and tax. The thing that I loved the most is they built a bit of the south into the interior and the original sign collection (mixed with modern reprints of some more interesting ones) was fantastic. There is a bit of "intentional mismatch" going on chairs, tables, etc which gives the place some character. One chair, leans back, next chair, leans right, etc. Quaint without being annoying (and I get annoyed easily). I'd trudge up to Evanston from the city just for this.
(4)
Greg C.

I always get Jambalaya at this place, and I really like their intelligentsia coffee! You should definitely try their coffee if u are getting a brunch here. They serve intelligentsia coffee and for some reasons, their coffee is way better than other intelligentsia coffee I tried before at other places. Jambalaya comes with corn muffin. Also they serve small pancakes before the meal and it's free. Surprisingly it tastes good as well. However I didn't like their southern specialty food for some reason, although jambalaya is the one I always get. Nice music, Good for brunch and with a few good friends. Minus 1 star because they close at 9pm.
(3)
Sarah G.

Ever been to New Orleans? No? Neither have I. But after going to the Dixie Kitchen dixiekitchenevanston.comâ€¦ a few times, you'll swear you've been there! Although I like to think I'm a fairly adventurous foodie, it did take me some time before I was ready to try the Dixie Kitchen for myself. Lucky for you, I've been there for breakfast and lunch so far. For breakfast, try basically anything on their menu. Everything is reasonable, and tastes like heaven. However, I highly recommend the Beignet's, which quite literally will melt in your mouth. Also amazing are their pancakes! There was just something about them that was out of this world. I smothered them in butter and syrup, and I was quite the happy camper! In addition, do try their french toast. Because I only had a bite of my friend's and it was the best french toast I've ever tasted. The flavor was ridiculous, and they were warm and soft and tasted like something your mom would make you on the weekend, just because! On another note, for lunch, just check out the jambalaya. Seriously. Best thing ever. Hot, spicy, fragrant, delicious, what more do you really need to know? It will fill you up and make you so happy. I mean, if you don't believe me, go check it out for yourself. You will not regret it!
(3)
Leo S.

Really a 3.5 in my book. The first time I went was during mother's day without a reservation because a friend wanted brunch, so I ended up leaving. The decor reminded me of an old southern diner, and I've been meaning to come back. Unfortunately still haven't done that, but I did order out. The delivery time was not too long, and the delivery guy was one of the nicest I've met. For the food: Mac and Cheese - cheesy and creamy, pasta was slightly chewy, but overall tasty with hot sauce Cup of Gumbo - surprisingly delicious, had a bold flavors, and was my favorite part of the meal. Fried Catfish - batter was good, had the right amount of salt and spices, was fried with the skin, a little earthy, and a little tough. Popcorn Shrimp - cooked well, batter was different from the catfish batter, but also pretty good with right amount of salt. Good place: decent prices, good service( on delivery), and pretty good food. I need to stop by again.
(3)
Brooke L.

My review comes with a disclaimer; I'm from Louisiana, so I know Cajun food. I know when I go to a 'Cajun' food joint in the mid west it won't be the same. I've been here three times and they've been hit and miss. For the most part, there food is sub par. The beauty of southern food is its complexity in simplicity. Fried green tomatoes were over cooked to mush and the mudslide I ordered was WAYYYY to strong. If this place was cheaper I'd say its worth it, but for the price you're better off making the trip to 7th on the Heaven downtown.
(3)
Marissa P.

I love this place. The drinks are awesome - Swamp water... so... good. I could live on their red beans and rice. Of course the fried green tomatoes are spectacular. I've been on innumerable occasions and each time has been better than I expect. 5 big ol' stars!
(5)
Matt R.

I know some folks may think this place is a bit questionable, but I must say that I thoroughly loved the veggie platter. It was a little bit greasy, it probably wasn't the healthiest option, but damn! it was good. Personally, I like Dixie Kitchen's style, plus they're priced well too. It's just one of those places where there's a southern atmosphere with which they deliver. I'll definitely have to come back someday to try the Jambalaya.
(5)
Sunny A.

Service seemed really slow but redeemed itself when the busboy had mentioned our earlier request for coffees to the waiter. Food was hearty and good. The wait staff wear shirts that say "food that tastes good, for a good price"- Obama True that Mr. President, true that.
(4)
Brandi E.

Good "commercial" southern food. I was impressed by this place to say the least. The service was good and the menu offers an array of Cajun southern food. It's not as good as mothers cooking but it's a great substitute. Their rendition of hot water cornbread that is given complimentary is very good. I got the blackened salmon with broccoli and fries, which is not a Cajun meal but my friends ordered some traditional items and they were pleased. Only minus were the chicken fried steak that one of the guest in party didn't enjoy and the Mac n cheese because it was not "real" Mac n cheese. It was like a cheesy version of Kraft. The fried okra was well seasoned and black beans and rice was also tasty. My salmon was prepared perfectly! Over all this place is pretty good. I look forward to trying other things on their menu.
(3)
Caroline T.

Coming from a true Cajun, the food here surpasses my expectations for a northern joint. I have dined in several times and can never seem to pry myself from the half jerk chicken. It is spiced to perfection! It is also a hefty amount of food for the price you are paying. Make sure to get the fried okra or green tomatoes for an appetizer, they have a yummy dipping sauce to go along with it! Planning to return just to taste the key lime pie!
(4)
Daphne L.

I gave Dixie Kitchen a few more tries, and, I'm happy to report it was worth it. I've found the service is still good, and the food is better, or I'm ordering better options. In any event, I've enjoyed the last few meals I've had. The catfish is delicious, the omelets are to die for (try the jambalaya omelet!) and the cheese grits are too too good. Not my favorite place, but, definitely an improvement.
(4)
Jay K.

This is just for the breakfast which was very good, also a good value and an even better value if you get one of the daily specials. I had the chicken hash and eggs. It came with a dollop of creamy horseradish sauce that I mixed into everything on my place. Nice touch IMO. I'll be back to try more from their full menu. Good service but the parking sucks.
(4)
Maxine W.

I don't know... Am I giving Dixie Kitchen too much credit? Too little credit? I'm torn. I met two friends here last night for a pre-movie dinner. I arrived around 7:45 and the restaurant (which is pretty small but not cramped) was about half full. A server came up to me and asked if I was picking up a to-go order, and when I replied that I was meeting some friends to dine in, she walked away. Was I supposed to seat myself? A few minutes later another server came up to me and started the same interaction and I asked "where can I sit?" I was given my choice of a few tables. (I'm still not sure whether I was supposed to seat myself.) My friends arrived shortly after I sat down and our server was prompt coming to the table but was kind of unpleasant. She wasn't rude or anything, she just kind of had a "what do you want" attitude. I will commend her for asking whether we wanted everything out at once or if she should bring the food as it comes up, since some things take a little longer. She was around to refill drinks, but gave a little eye roll when we asked for some extra remoulade and when we were ready to pay we had to ask someone else for the check. Now, onto the food. I tried: Fried green tomatoes: Served piping hot, which is a plus, but inexplicably buried under a ton of shredded iceberg lettuce and no dipping sauce or anything. The tomatoes could have been cooked a little longer and they wee definitely lacking salt. Corn and crawfish fritters: these were probably my favorite. Again, piping hot, served with a jalapeÃ±o jelly which I surprisingly enjoyed. Oyster po'boy: ... ... ... I wanted to like it. But now that I'm really thinking about it, I didn't. All the salt, lemon, and hot sauce in the world couldn't save this sandwich. The remoulade was completely overbearing with a sweet pickle flavor. There was too much cold lettuce and cold tomato. I ended up just eating the fried oysters and leaving the sandwich. Fried plantains: you can't screw these up. Well, I mean, I did have to add a little salt (I did a sweet/salty combo) and I was really disappointed that I only got 3 little slices. And they were really little. Beignets: super hot and fresh but tough. Not light and airy the way beignets should be. The food was affordable, for 2 apps, 3 entrees and a dessert the bill was just about $50. I'm just disappointed that it was so lackluster. I was expecting so much more. I might go back in the future and just order appetizers, but I definitely don't see myself craving anything that Dixie Kitchen has to offer.
(2)
Jin Joo L.

Went here on a whim just by walking by it with a friend. She had been there before. 3 words... Fried Green Tomatoes!!!! Must try, interesting. Warning, there are a lot of fried food, afterall it is Southern... was very flavorful. I had the Catfish. It was so long ago that I don't remember much but even on a weeknight this place was poppin. Servers are pretty good about filling waters and coming by to clear stuff out. Would definitely like to come and try some other staples.
(3)
Katharine T.

First thing that must be said: Their Cheese Grits are earth shatteringly delicious. Order them NOW. Had a great Saturday lunch here, right off the Davis Purple Line stop in Evanston. My partner and I both ordered the Catfish Po'Boy which was fantastic. I ordered mine with Cheese Grits which, as I have already stated, ended up being the best thing I have ever eaten in my life, seriously try these Cheese Grits!!. My lunch-mate ordered Cajun Potatoes for his side but they were pretty lackluster, the seasoning was missing salt as well as any real pizazz. Added Louisiana hot sauce to them to make them more interesting. We also sampled a small side order of Andouille sausage which was quite delicious and an order of Beignets, which were also pretty yummy. I would say the Beignet dough was a little tough however, not quite like what I have sampled in New Orleans. Saturday brunch involved a $4.50 Spicy Bloody Mary which I sampled, comes in a mason jar and was awesome with celery, olives and lime and my lunch-mate ordered a Louisiana beer, the Abita Turbodog, which he loved. While the Cajun potatoes and Beignets were not exactly perfect the over all meal was extremely delicious and really fun. A wonderful Po 'Boy will make up for a sub-par side order of potatoes anytime. The place is definitely busy, you might expect a little wait, but it is worth it.
(4)
Kimmie H.

This place is precious! I was craving southern cuisine after a six-month taste of All Things Chicagoland. The restaurant is very quaint, over-the-top mid-1950's southern with it's cafe-meets-Cracker Barrel atmosphere. Old tin signage (replicas from the earliest signage), bygone relics, and re-purposed light fixtures will give your eyes something to do while you wait for your vittles. I had the Veggie Sampler with fried green tomatoes, sweet potatoes and greens -- my fried green tomatoes were buried under a huge mound of shredded iceberg lettuce -- what? I asked the server and he said "that's just how they come." The fried green tomatoes were seasoned well, but the breading was soggy, not crispy as we really do them down south. The lettuce still confuses me! The vegetable sides were really good, especially the sweet potatoes. My husband had the Southern Sampler (generous servings of gumbo, jambalaya and red beans & rice). He was satisfied, but admits that the food wasn't really like we've ever had down south. Abita beer selections and sweet tea are available here.
(3)
Cassie S.

Dixie Kitchen Evanston has been a favorite for many years. Pretty much, you can't go wrong. Oh, unless you're on a diet. Then you're likely going to be very sad looking at all the fried, fatty deliciousness on the menu that you cannot consume. (All breakfast/brunch items I've tried have been tasty, good jambalaya, gumbo is good but not great, fried green tomatoes, and really anything else fried, are wonderful)
(4)
Ehow C.

This place gives you bang for your buck, especially at dinner. My typical order involves either the jambalaya or gumbo, which is usually large enough for two meals. The spices are definitely good here, and the ingredients seem pretty fresh. Additionally, they serve you these mini-pancakes instead of bread rolls, which is a nice touch. Also, their cheesy grits with scallions are pretty tasty. Get some during brunch time, yum!
(4)
Amy G.

My friend and I had just finished a brutal workout over at Crossfit 847 and somehow got the idea that the best kind of self-congratulations would be a massive, decadent brunch from Dixie Kitchen. Walking into the small, busy storefront, my eyes glazed over as heaping platters of traditional brunch and Southern favorites alike cruised by. After being seated at a small window seat, my dining companion and I ordered waters and coffee-- if the coffee was an early indicator to be taken note of, it was gonna be a wicked meal-- and glanced at the folks seated a scant few feet from us. I couldn't help myself, "What is that?" "The combo. Only I substituted French toast for pancakes," said the man as he poured fresh fruit compote over the powdered sugared, eggy masterpiece gracing his personal space. That's right. Eggs, bacon, buttered toast, spiced and roasted potatoes, grits, and gorgeous French toast for about $10. Dixie Kitchen is a tremendous value with little on the menu stretching over $9. I ordered the catfish and eggs (and the waiter accommodated my odd eating habits happily by subbing cole slaw for potatoes) while my pal got the seafood cakes packed with lump crab, shrimp, and crawfish. The remoulade? Amazing. I greedily spooned her leftovers over my perfectly poached eggs. Both dishes were served with creamy, scallion-studded cheese grits and fat wedges of toast with our meal clocking out to around $20 and it easily could've fed four. Service was casual, attentive, and friendly but occasionally a little scatterbrained and disorganized. More than a few times it felt like group service was going on rather than having one dedicated waiter. Parking is rough too-- I'd suggest shelling out for the Davis/Maple garage near the movie theaters and enjoying the stroll through downtown Evanston rather than being on edge about the meter maids targeting your vehicle for their next, uh, gift. This said, Dixie Kitchen is great and I cannot wait to try it for dinner. Finally I won't need to rush down to the Loop for Heaven on Seven every time I begin to feel my redneck-- er, southern-- past nipping at my heels.
(4)
C W.

This is probably my 5-6 trip to Dixie Kitchen. It will be my last for at least awhile. The fried green tomatoes were great. After that, it all went south. The cole slaw was flavorless. Cheese grits were OK but pretty runny. The collards were mediocre. My fried chicken and the corn muffin were terrible. Incredibly dry and overcooked. If we hadn't been in a hurry, I would have sent it back. Service was slow and awkward. The bathroom was dirty and the trash was overflowing. Air conditioning was broken or not being used, either way it was uncomfortably hot in the restaurant. Not a good visit.
(2)
Aj S.

This is the type of place that makes me say "shut up, arteries, quit your complaining." Seriously awesome food and service. I'm from New York City, so I was understandably confused when I got a heaping plate of catfish the size of a large woodland creature. Astounded, I said to the waitress, "this is huge..." to which she replied, "that's midwestern hospitality." I think I need to move to the midwest...
(5)
Steve O.

Breakfast is good.
(4)
Gerry G.

Not sure why I haven't reviewed this place. I have no idea why the ratings aren't higher. I've only had one (slightly) negative experience in the dozens of times I've dined here. Breakfast/lunch/brunch is a steal, dinner is reasonable, and food is always wonderfully prepared. Service has always been great too! Favorites are pretty much any side--greens, mashed sweet potatoes, grits. I love the fried green tomatoes, the french toast, chilaquiles, fried chicken.
(5)
Christine K.

The grits and french toast, without a doubt, please my tastebuds. I personally favor the french toasts from Dixie's over those from Le Peep. However, the omelets here aren't the best. While I understand Dixie specializes in serving soul and southern food, it fails to strike a balance of the rich and heavy savory staples with a cutting (maybe even acidic) or sweet element.
(3)
Jerome H.

I have been a Dixie customer since they opened. I was bummed when they and Calypso closed in Hyde Park. So it was with a bit of nostalgia that my friends and I went to the Evanston for dinner--bad choice. The service was very poor from a server that needed to be retrained in what good customer service entails. The dining room needed to be cleaned especially in the corner which smelled so bad we had to be moved. The food for our table of five was mixed, with two entrees being worthy of being sent back due to lazy execution (i.e. overcooked and dry chicken, thin mashed sweet potatoes). I spoke to the manager on the phone and he had more excuses than I think were appropriate. All and all I will say that this is sadly amongst the last time I will make the trek from Hyde Park to Evanston. There are many more options between here and there which value upholding a strong restaurant brand. P.S. The two stars should really be one--I gave an additional one for "old times sake".
(2)
Michael P.

I eat there for breakfast all the time. Great service and food, very relaxing.
(5)
M R.

Best breakfast diner in Evanston, unbeatable in taste/price combination.
(5)
Andrea C.

One of my absolute favorite places for breakfast. The food is homey, yummy and inexpensive. My favorite is the dixie chicken and hash with sweet potatoes and bacon. if you go during the week breakfast is a great deal. French toast is consistently wonderful fluffy and butter rich every time. If you go for brunch, you gotta get a cup of gumbo. The Thursday wing special is a deal and again yummy. Southwest chipotle salad and shrimp po boy are my lunch faves. Not the best for super large groups, bar is limited to beer and a few specialty drinks but a great stop before the movies.
(4)
Phil X.

A friend of mine took me to Dixie Kitchen to indulge in some down South cookin'. Walking in I actually felt like I had stepped though a portal. The decor was very...blatant...but not in a bad way. It actually felt like we were in some joint down in the South. The only thing missing was a Southern accent from our waitress. Instead of a bread basket, they brought out "Johnny Cakes", which were like mini corn bread pancakes. I could probably have curbed my appetite with these alone. It took discipline, but I exercised restraint. We started out with some Fried Green Tomatoes & Fried Okra. I had never had fried green tomatoes. I thought they were okay. I found the portion to be somewhat lacking as it only came out with four slices.The fried okra I enjoyed. The dipping sauce that came with it was tasty, though a tad salty. Nevertheless, I coudn't stop eating it. I ordered the Southern Sampler for my entree. It consisted of Gumbo, Jambalaya, red Beans, & rice. It came with coleslaw and a corn muffin. The portion was very generous. My favorite part was the Gumbo. It had a nice kick to it. I definitely would consider ordering the Gumbo entree in the future. I also ordered a side of Collard Greens & requested their "pepper-vinegar" sauce. Our service was friendly and attentive. Free refills on the iced tea! The bill was lower than I expected. For what we received I thought it was pretty cheap. I want to come back here and try their breakfast.
(4)
Noah E.

I haven't been deep into the south but I feel if I did, it would look something similar to Dixie. It's very quaint and rustic, with light music in the background. The gumbo is good for being in the Midwest, and the po boy was good although it fell apart. A great place to grab comfort food!
(4)
L. D.

Cheesy grits. All there is to say. Except for beignets. And fried green tomatoes. They have them all. Yum.
(5)
C S.

The ambience of the Dixie Kitchen is a ten. Being born in bayou country, I am an authority on Cajun cooking as it was a staple in our house growing up. The food at the Dixie Kitchen is authentic and seasoned to perfection. Don't miss out on the cheese grits and if you can be lucky enough to be there on the weekend, then by all means order the banana bread with syrup and banana slices. I had the seafood cakes and they were okay, but not something to write home about. The reason that their rating was just okay was their inability to be flexible. We ate there twice. The second time was at 10:35AM on a weekday. When asked if we could have the banana bread, we were told no. We were only fifteen minutes from having lunch according to their timetable, but the waitress was adamant that I couldn't have the fried catfish, even though the breakfast menu had catfish and eggs. I asked could I have no eggs and just catfish and she said "NO". Now I know most of you have seen the scene from Five Easy Pieces where Jack Nicholson is trying to get toast. This experience with the Dixie Kitchen reminds me a lot of the scene in the restaurant, minus the vulgarity and being thrown out. Advice: Eat here on the weekend before 2PM. Order the banana bread and the cheese grits. You won't be sorry.
(3)
Chet M.

One of the few places still around that serves fresh deep fried oysters, very delish. Catfish is done superb too. The fried green tomatoes are the regulars fav but I still don't get it. I'd rather get a pound of jerk wings for the $5.95. I always walk out of here feeling good after a meal. Very resonable for what you get and they treat my kids nice with toy alligators every time.
(4)
Amy W.

Sometimes I'm really craving some good breakfast/brunch food, but I'm tired of the same ol' pancakes, omelettes, and French toast. That's when I decide to go to Dixie Kitchen! I love this place. I come to Dixie Kitchen semi-regularly for: - Sweet tea - Eggs sardou - Cheese grits - Bread pudding - Fried green tomatoes - Fried okra All of the dishes are hearty and filling, and service is usually great. On nice days I love to sit outside and enjoy the sun. The one thing that I would not really recommend is the lunch special. At first it seemed like a pretty good deal to me, until I actually got the food. The portions are incredibly small -- for example, my boyfriend ordered the half po'boy oyster sandwich, and it was literally three inches long and had three measly little oysters falling out the sides. I would just go with a regular entree instead!
(4)
Hannah D.

You know something's up when your waitress won't look you in the eye. We arrived on a Friday night, and the place was packed which is usually a good sign. The host was very adamant about us returning in no more than 10 minutes because he felt a whole slew of tables were just about to finish. Okay, so my girl and I used the ladies room (one person occupancy suggested) then walked next door to the overpriced camping store then walked back. Yes, we made back within the allotted time limit. The fun-sized waitress looked like she was having none of that (fun that is). She came as soon as we sat down, I don't even think we got our outer garments off. She acted like we should know exactly what we wanted to order already. Perhaps we looked like regulars. We politely told her we needed to look at the menu. She returned in 2.5 minutes. Did we know now? Um, no sorry, we need more time. And each time she came to the table she avoided eye contact. Was I growing a goiter I was unaware of? Perhaps a hump? Nope, I looked as normal as I could. She was just weird. Being the carnivore I am, I craved meat. Steak. So I ordered the country fried steak, with a side of mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. What can go wrong with mac and cheese. Well, obviously something because my mac and cheese was all wrong. I can't really describe it, cause it looked right and smelled somewhat right. It just tasted wrong. Kinda chemically and plastic. The mashed potatoes would have been good, but they put their gravy on it. And I was definitely not a fan of their gravy. It had way too much herbage going on for me. And unfortunately it had overtaken my taters. Thank the lord my meat was untouched. That was the only part I finished. And I still felt like it could have been better. The waitress also broke my heart when she told me that no, I could not substitute the coleslaw for something else. I had to live with it. There. On my plate. I might give this place another chance since others seemed to have had a better time. Perhaps it was an off night, or maybe I chose the wrong sides. It could happen.
(1)
Jordan J.

The current 3.5-star rating for the Dixie Kitchen has just confirmed something very important about Chicago people: They know NOTHING about what good Cajun food is like. The cornbread was super-dry and bland, and the crawfish etouffee was the worst I've ever had. I will say that the food isn't bad, but it certainly isn't great. I was so excited after moving to Evanston from the South to see that there was a place called the Dixie Kitchen. Unfortunately, anyone from Dixie can tell that this place has no resemblance. To be fair, I've only given this place one shot, so I might have to improve my review after going a second time. Then again, our country gave Obama one shot, and that's been a failure of epic proportions.
(2)
Pam D.

We took Mom here for lunch last week. She was extra excited because we told her that Obama likes Dixie Kitchen. (Gotta up the excitement factor sometimes.) We had a really good time. The atmosphere was fun and our server (Brandy) was a pure pleasure. The johnny cakes were a really great way to start the meal. It is a nice alternative to the standard bread rolls most places serve. Mom had the shrimp Po'boy. As she does not like spicy food, finding a side was a tad tricky, but she chose the jambalaya and swapped it out for my mac n' cheese. She really enjoyed the sandwich. I had the fried green tomatoes and cheese grits. YUMMMMMMMMMM. It really hit the spot. The jambalaya was ok, but I have had better. Christopher opted for a hickory burger which he declared "ok", but I don't think most folks come here for burgers. The best part for us though was the beignets. Delicious!!! Haven't had them since we were in New Orleans years ago. It completed a very nice lunch and guaranteed a return visit some day soon.
(4)
Marissa O.

I'd go here instead of LePeep for breakfast any day for their Eggs Sardou and banana pancakes...and their grits!!!! DO NOT go here for lunch. Definitely not as good as breakfast/brunch. Gets pretty crowded on weekends so be prepared to wait. Price is really good.
(3)
Yanyao N.

Today I decided that if I were to move away from Evanston, upon returning Dixie Kitchen would be the first place I would eat. I absolutely love it and take it for granted because I live to close. Here are the things that I most frequently eat: + Jambalaya (SO GOOD! Spicy, with dark meat chicken -- could potentially turn you into a jumbOlaya, but well worth it). + Oyster po'boy (a half sandwich paired with a cup of jambalaya is my favorite lunch special, under $7 and until 5pm during the week. Insanity!) + Fried green tomatoes (self-explanatory really). + Breaded oysters + Peach glazed wings (the wings are a little tiny but pack so much flavor). + Collard greens (make sure you ask for the pepper vinegar). + Fried plantains + Mashed sweet potato + Cheese grits + Red beans and rice + Country ham (during brunch) And no, that is not the entire menu, just my most beloved items. The service has always been pretty stellar whenever we come in. Waters and iced tea refilled, johnny cakes brought out quickly, etc. Easily one of my favorite places to eat in Evanston.
(5)
Farrah W.

Third time here and wont be back. The only thing good here are the fried green tomatoes. We ordered chicken fried steak and fried chicken breast and they were both bland. The gravy was watery and clearly not freshly made. Our waiter left dishes piled up on our table and never came back to check on us or he would have noticed I didn't eat any of it. He served me two glasses of flat soda after being told about it . He brought out the check while asking if we wanted dessert but we would not have had any room for it with our piled up dirty dishes. This place is sub par. I see now why the one in Hyde Park closed.
(1)
William B.

Not Cajun like we're used to eating, but enjoyable for lunch and a casual "supper". The fried green tomatoes are as good as anywhere, red beans and rice are likewise very good. The gumbo passes, but the jambalaya misses the mark. Eating lunch is even more enjoyable outside when weather and tables permit.
(2)
Shana W.

From the South, so i am hard on any place that attempts Southern. The Collard Greens and Catfish rival my grandma's. The ribs were a lil tough, but still good. The rice and beans were just ok. I wanted to order triple order of the plaintains though. Talk about tasty! I will surely return.
(4)
Annie Y.

Bland, bland, bland. I got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and coleslaw. Pretty standard... hard to screw that up, right? Somehow Dixie Kitchen managed to screw up not just one, but all four of the components. Everything tasted flavourless and old. The fried chicken had almost NO seasoning on it and it was way over fried, to the point where the chicken inside was starting to dry out. The mac & cheese was a joke, and the mashed potatoes tasted like store-bought instant mashed potatoes. Even the gravy was tasteless. The coleslaw was forgettable, and the cornbread they gave me was cold and dry. The restaurant was super busy and hectic, so maybe the food quality dipped because they were trying to get everything out quickly. I LOVE Southern food, and I really wanted to like this place. Maybe I should've ordered something different. Still, there's no excuse for a Southern restaurant failing so badly at a Southern food staple.
(1)
Christina B.

I love this place! The inside is so festive and feels like I'm eating down in the bayou! I will admit...I don't eat seafood. BUT this place has food for weirdos like me! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the little griddle cakes they put on the table at the beginning of every meal and the cajun chicken pasta is a winner. The breadstick is a little odd; flavorless, crisp as a rock and orange?! My favorite thing is the Bananas Foster French Toast they make on weekends...french toast made from banana bread!! One time I was in on a week day morning or something and asked where it was and they told me it was only on weekends but to hold on....they came back and said the chef would love to make it for me anyway! Great attitude!
(4)
Carrie F.

Why does the Dixie kitchen not come up when you search for brunch in Evanston? This place is delicious!
(4)
Dan S.

Was brought here by a friend with no expectations. We arrived around 1pm on a Saturday and were seated immediately. I ordered a Bloody Mary and Gumbo and my friend ordered the Jumbalya. Both were excellent. For dessert we had the pecan pie, which they make on premises. I am a big pecan pie lover and this was one of the best I've had. I would definitely return.
(4)
Adi S.

I've been here a couple of times. The johhny cakes are a delicious and welcome pre-meal snack, especially when the expectation is for bread at so many other restaurants. I recommend the seafood cakes and the veggie sampler. Very filling portions and great variety on the plates.
(4)
Bobby M.

This place is fantastic and right in the heart of Evanston. The collard greens were amazing, along with the yams. I got catfish and it was perfectly golden brown. The one thing that was rather terrible was we decided to sit outside. Their little patio is fine, but we were solicited twice while sitting outside. This is not the restaurants fault, but I don't think we will sit outside again.
(4)
Peter V.

I should have spoken up. My waitress was so overwhelmed by the crowds and her burdensome table assignments, she totally forgot our order of fried green tomatoes. I had been told by everyone - try the fried green tomatoes! So I ordered them. As an appetizer. Next thing I know, our main dishes arrived - nice! And yet I wondered to myself, wherever are those fried green tomatoes? Eventually the waitress came back around, and I had a chance to ask her. She forgot them, she said, in the sort of apologetic tone you use when you realize your mistake, but you're really just not that sorry. Do you want me to bring you an order of them? I looked down at my mostly-eaten (and excellent!) dinner, gauged my fullness levels, my overall health, and made the adult, executive decision to forego the fried green tomatoes. To this day, I still regret that decision. I guess it's a reason to return. Because the service sure isn't.
(3)
Ju L.

I love that Dixie Kitchen is a perfect place to go for a million occasions. The waitstaff are very attentive but friendly and laidback, there are brighter and dimmer parts of the restaurant, it gets pretty busy around dinnertime but you never feel rushed out. And of course the food is interesting, but still delicious comfort food at its best! LOVE: - the gumbo. Oh my gah. I always say I'll try something different-- I rarely do. Oh, massive goopy hot andouille deliciousness! And they don't skimp on the sausage or shrimp. The red beans and rice isn't bad either. - the complimentary johnnycakes (mini cornbread pancakes) that come to your table. My mind was blown when I realized (after months of coming here!) that they will refill it for free. - always having leftovers. EH: - the pastas. Also delicious and in crazy huge portions. But, insanely greasy. Take some home and stick it in the fridge; the thick layer of lard that forms on top will show the truth. - the wings are yummy and spicy, but tiiiiiiiiny and not cheap (especially for how miniscule they are). - the lunch specials. Weak! Not many options, small portions compared to their regular menu. My (half) po'boy sandwich was boring. And still, I muuuch prefer Dixie Kitchen to Heaven on Seven. And will still give them 5 stars. How do you like them apples?
(5)
Deva C.

Yum! The cheese grits were luscious, in an instance where luscious can describe something savory and not dessert of course. (Thanks previous reviewers!) The red beans and rice were good, but it's standard fare. Blackened catfish also quite satisfying! I'm not a coleslaw fan, so I'll have to defer to other reviewers for that one. I did like the pancakes instead of bread thing - definitely unique. I sat inside because it was just me, but I'm not sure about the reviewers who didn't like the service. My water was constantly being refilled, and the wait staff were incredibly polite and prompt. Anyway, it was my first time there (so take this review with a grain of salt on that account), but I do plan to be back. The brunch sounds great, and the thought of beignets does make me miss New Orleans...
(4)
Mel S.

My boyfriend and I tried various dishes and they were all awful and tasted old and reheated. I would never go back here. The fried green tomatoes, mac and cheese, burger, cornbread, were all terrible and one of the worst meals we've ever had at a restaurant.
(1)
Brent W.

The interior of this place is about as Creole Kitch as it gets and I for one loved it. Great lunch specials at under 7$ which include entree, choice of Jambalaya or Gumbo and mini cornbread pancakes. I went w the Shrimp Po' Boy which has about a dozen, very lightly breaded shrimp on a french roll with lettuce and tomato in a remoulade sauce...totally not greasy and excellent all around. Server directed me toward the gumbo which was great too and filled with more shrimp, smoked chicken and andouille sausage on a bed of rice. [x] will be back (especially to try their country fried chicken or their biscuits and gravy)
(4)
Malika J.

2nd time here. No problems 1st time but this time chicken was old and tasted weird. Like it was fried, refried in old oil, hard and dark. Key lime pie was old and dry. Like in the fridge for days. Fried green tomatoes and catfish nuggets were excellent however.
(2)
Melissa F.

Solid Cajun fare. Nothing over the top, nothing terrible. I'm a huge fan of Cajun food - ask anyone who knows me. I love the spices and flavors! Dixie Kitchen generally delivers in this department. They do gumbo very well - it has a great texture and is heavy on the veggies and protein. In fact, as far as food is concerned, it's pretty good. I was put off by a glitch in service. The service is always slow, which is not horrible, but our waitress made a major error today. I was there with one of my best friends and we decided to pay the tab in cash. We asked for change. Usually, a customer receives change and the waiter or waitress walks away while the tip is decided. This did not occur here! Before setting the cash down on our table, the waitress asked us, "So here's your change...how much do you want to leave as a tip?" It was very awkward and put us on the spot. I don't think that that is proper customer service, and it made us pretty uncomfortable. I'll come back to Dixie Kitchen - how many Cajun restaurants are there around Evanston? But still...errors like that are more or less inexcusable.
(3)
Eileen S.

I've been to Dixie Kitchen a bunch and have always had a great experience. I recently went during lunch, when they have their $6.50 lunch specials from 11-5 M-F. I cannot pass up that great deal. I got a delicious southwestern salad and a sweet tea. I always love the corn cakes that come before the meal. My server was prompt and friendly. I am from the south (Louisiana, Texas, and South Carolina), so whenever I get a chance I come here to remind me of home. Try it out if you get the chance and come when they are serving the lunch special.
(5)
Jenna S.

Honestly, all Dixie Kitchen taught me was that I'm not super into Cajun food. The pancake things at the beginning of the meal were really good and that was the end of things being really good. I decided to order the vegetarian combo platter, which came with fried okra and a bunch of sides. I chose the red beans and rice and mashed sweet potatoes. The sides were the best part of my meal. The cornbread was delish and the sweet potatoes were pretty rad with brown sugar, but the fried okra was blah. I love okra and the deep fried batter just kind of ruined it - everything was too fatty, greasy and just plain gross. The sauce for dipping the okra was OK, but overall I just wasn't that pleased. So, all in all, I'd say that the bad fried okra + good sides = average food overall. Maybe I tried the wrong dish since my boyfriend loved his Cajun shrimp pasta but I don't think I'll rush to come back here anytime soon. Maybe you'll have better luck with your entree than I did. I hear the brunch can be pretty good.
(3)
ak p.

I can only give this a 2 star rating. The decor is really cute & charming, but the service lacked any excitement or southern hospitality. Quite surprisingly, the food was just OK. Even the fried chicken was just so so. It was dry & not very flavorful. I may try it again if I am in the mood for southern food, maybe we hit it on a bad day?
(2)
Tony L.

If you can tell me of a place around here where I can get better fried green tomatoes and peach cobbler, you let me know. If not, shut up and go eat. Where do I even go with this one? Everything on the menu is so good. Sure it's a bit crowded at times and you may have to wait a few minutes for a table, but it's worth the wait.
(4)
Nick M.

I swear I was Cajun in a past life! Or at least my taste buds think so. If they could talk they would say Ã‡a c'est bon (That's good)!! I went in for brunch with two friends and surprisingly we didn't have to wait that long for a table. The decor does remind me a little of the places in NOLA that have been to, crazy stuff all over the walls and packed together tables. You're not right on top of the person next to you but you're close. The service was pretty average, fair greetings and a quickness to get whatever you need. At the time I went for a very basic eggs, toast, potatoes so I can't comment on authentic their southern cooking really is but I can say that the cheese grits were the BEST I've ever eaten! I can totally say that it's nice to have a places to go to for really nice Beignets. Next time, I'm doing it up right with some real southern cooking to see what they got. I once heard someone say "When the taste changes with every bite and the last bite is as good as the first, that's Cajun."
(4)
Rahman U.

Being from the south, no not the southside, the south, where confederate flags still fly, people say yall on a regular basis and entire cities shut down from 4 inches of snow, I've had my fair shake of "southern" cooking. Of my two trips here I've tried the both the brunch and dinner menu and enjoyed them enough to give it a slight head nod. The blackened chicken wasn't overly seasoned or salty and held it's own. I also found they had quite the selection of side dishes to offer. Of course they had the staples, red beans and rice, collard greens and mac and cheese. They took it a step farther and also had fried plantains, mashed potatoes and black eyed peas. Although I can't completely endorse this place as a bonafide soul food joint, it does satisfy and will leave you with a smile on your face.
(3)
Katie B.

The food was not fresh. My friend and I ordered beignets--they arrived within 2 minutes, were very stale, and had not even been warmed up. We had eggs/omeletes for our main courses--these were slightly better than the beignets but nothing to write home about. The cajun potatoes and grits were the best part of the experience. Service was friendly and helpful.
(2)
Arley C.

My wife and I have where craving fried oyster 'Po Boys and after reading the reviews we thought that we would give them a try. Our first visit the place was packed and we had about a 20 minute wait for a table. After being seated we knew what we wanted, so ordered right away. Sadly our waiter had informed us that they had ran out of oysters about an our ago so we had to look over the menu again. He quickly brought our drinks, Johnny cakes, and our appetizer, the fried green tomatoes, which we had served with a side of he creole mustard sauce. My family is from he south, so I know fried green tomatoes. I can honestly say that the ones at Dixie Kitchen are by far the best I have ever had. They are seasoned to perfection, with just a hint of cayenne. The corn meal batter was a nice golden color, and the fleshy green tomatoes remained crisp and not mushy. I had ordered the seafood cakes meal while my wife got the shrimp 'Po Boy. Both of our meals arrived freshly prepared, hot and delicious. The only weak thing on my plate was their corn bread muffin. They need to rethink the recipe or maybe switch to a traditional southern buttermilk cornbread and just offer slices of that instead of a sub-par muffin. Our waiter was slow in getting refills to our drinks and removing plates, other than that, he was not bad. We made a second for a late lunch yesterday. This tome, no wait, outstanding service and they had the fried oyster 'Po Boys we had been craving. The meal was so good that we ordered a second round to go. Dixie Kitchen is now on my weekly must eat places. Well worth he 40 minute drive for me.
(4)
Lois A.

Cute place for a fast lunch. The shrimp po boy and the jambalaya are both good. Staff are really friendly. Nice change up from the normal lunch spots.
(3)
Lissa W.

Awesome!!! The fried green tomatoes are off the meter. Service is on point. I highly recommend for its Southern Specialties and drinks.
(5)
Angela L.

I had brunch here on my mini vacation to Chicago. It's quaint and the decor was way cool. The people were super nice.
(4)
David Z.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for a large amount of cheap, good food. +1 star for free pre-meal cornbread silver dollar pancakes instead of bread. They're not particularly AWESOME, but definitely a good enough change of pace over bread. +1 star for the spicy red beans & rice entree that I had for lunch a couple months ago. A HUGE portion that I still managed to completely finish. +1 star for the "French Quarter" breakfast I had yesterday: Two Eggs, Two slices of Bacon or Sausage, Cajun Potatoes and Pancakes, all for $5.49. Everything was pretty good, but the french toast was EXCELLENT. +1 star for pretty good weekday specials, including $4.95 hurricanes on Fridays (haven't tried them yet though). +1 star for all around good, quick service, and a cheap final bill. -1 star because all the people that ordered chicken sandwiches yesterday at lunch didn't really like them. Glad I got breakfast! 4 stars? That seems about right.
(4)
Chris L.

Dixie Kitchen is one of my favorite places to go in Evanston. Its a small authentic looking Louisiana style restaurant and its usually not too busy. I always get the Dixie Chicken & Hash and it always unreal. The flavor mix of the sweet potatoes, golden potatoes, sauteed onions ham and chicken all topped with a creamy horseradish sauce makes your mouth sing to the heavens. I have also gotten the jambalaya omelet which is also amazing. Adding in the cheesy grits with a sweet tea and you have about as authentic of a southern style meal as you can find in Chicago. I prefer the brunch meals better than the dinners but this place is a can't miss when it comes to flavor!! Legendary Restaurant
(4)
Faye B.

I love eating here. I was really sad when they closed their south side location because it was the one place in the area I wanted to eat out at. I took my fiancÃ© to the location in Evanston and I really do enjoy it more than Heaven on Seven. Their fried catfish is delicious and it was this place that I tried my first fried green tomato and loved it. More often than not I stick to my go to fried catfish po' boy, but even if I wander I feel like you can't go wrong. If you are looking for southern comfort food this is a great place to check out.
(4)
Dr Keith W.

Great service ! Had the catfish n shrimp po boy! Both delicious and fried to perfection. Interesting ambiance reminds you of a small diner in the south. Price was perfect!
(4)
Elena K.

Decided to check Dixie Kitchen in Evanston this beautiful Sunday for brunch. I'm not a regular for bad reviews, but this time just had to write one... Family of 3 we ordered Steak and Eggs, Seafood cakes and Kids Combo Plate: Steak was simply cold, obviously cooked long before and not even heated up properly, potatoes cold and soggy... same for the cakes - barely warm and mostly crumbs, tasteless... Our son isn't a big eater, but Kids Plate was way too small... The place itself features cool BateShop decor, but unfortunately it doesn't compensate for poor service and food.
(1)
Jess S.

I have lived in Evanston my whole life and have gone to the neighboring restaurant, Le Peep countless times but never decided to try Dixie Kitchen. I finally went in there and was pleasantly surprised with how delicious the breakfast was! I got a french toast, two egg, bacon, and grits special and it was one of the best breakfasts I've ever had, and not to mention that it was only 5.95!! The grits are to die for, by far the best ones I've ever had. The only reason that this doesn't receive 4 stars is that the restaurant as a whole seemed a little dingy and unsanitary. I understand they are going for the cajun theme, but there is a way to do that and still maintain a sense of cleanliness. Other than that, I would give it 4 stars, but had to give it three due to the atmosphere.
(3)
Ted C.

I've heard about this place and have apparently driven by it numerous times without even noticing. Thanks to Spring Break, Yelp mobile and Google maps I found it though and managed to eat there. My friend got the Jambalaya omelette which is like a kick ass Cajun brunch served on one plate. The jambalaya they make there is not too think but not watery, spiced perfectly so that you can get the flavors of sausage and chicken but put together and blended well. I ordered Eggs Sardou which is like a cajunized version of Eggs Benedict, the fried green tomatoes stood out but flavor wise it was just okay. The cheese grits I got as a side were delicious though, a slightly thick mixture that was rich and not too salty. The beignets are a little different from what I've seen. You want to think less like little donuts and more like big pillows just covered in powdered sugar. The service here is also really friendly and attentive. Our server was on the spot with everything. He came by a lot to ask if we needed anything and was quick with anything we needed. I am eager to come back for more good, southern style cooking.
(4)
Matt F.

My girlfriend new about this place and took me here and I go back all the time. Some of the best food I have ever had. Louisiana Style cooking at its best! and Abita turbodog ale, what more can you ask for. Cool vibes too, place literally looks like your eating in a louisiana bait shop. You cannot live in Chicago and Northern Illinois and not go check this place out. One of Obamas favorite places to eat! I recommend the Oyster Po-boy, ah man, I just get hungry writing this review!
(5)
arpan s.

i love this place!!! the cajun chicken pasta and shrimp po boy keeps me comin back for more!!!! complimentary cornbread! AMAZING...unique decor too...
(4)
Ericka A.

Someone suggested this as a good lunch spot and I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I thought it would be a bit more exotic. Granted, I ordered a pretty standard omelet with ham and cheddar. The breakfast potatoes were nice and had a little kick to them. The grits were also pretty good. I walked away feeling that I had a good meal, but I won't be counting down the days til my return. The staff rushed us. There were open tables, so I don't see what the huge hurry was.
(3)
Lisa T.

I've been here several times for brunches and dinners in the past few years and have always had a wonderful dining experience. The dining space is not huge but extremely cozy. From the cast-iron skillets hung up on the walls to the china cabinet in the corner, the decorations are unique and charming. The tables are covered in red and green checked tablecloths. This place is not at all pretentious, just friendly and homey. My favorite dish here is the fried okra, which can be ordered as an appetizer or as a meal on its own as part of the vegetarian sampler. My only complaint is that the sides offered along with the vegetarian sampler are a little bit lacking. The rice and beans are pretty blah, and the mashed sweet potatoes are way too sweet. And yes, the corn cakes they serve at the beginning of your meal are every bit as delicious as everybody says they are. They are a welcome (and yummy) break from the traditional breads and rolls most restaurants start you off with.
(5)
Michael C.

i thought it was really expensive though all of my friends liked the place. i ordered the trout entree with 2 sides and came out to $18. they added an 18% gratuity to our group of 5 people...sides were small, and the plantains werent as good as the mexican ones ive had in LA and the coleslaw was not good. things i liked? ambience/mashed potatoes/my friends pasta looked good/the jerk chicken looked good, large portions of that
(3)
Dave O.

I usually agree with the Yelp consensus but with this place I have to disagree. The fried chicken -- the special of the day btw -- was terrible. Overcooked and drier than dust. And it was served with an extra side of surly from the waitress. I also had the Jambalaya and the fried catfish po-boy which were okay at best. But I gotta go back to the chicken. I know this is Evanston not Alabama, but c'mon "Dixie" is stamped right there on the front door and you can't do fried chicken right? Not going back.
(2)
Jackie G.

I've never claimed to be from the South, so I might not be qualified with the expertise to write this review. However, when I walk into Dixie Kitchen, I feel like I've come to a place that must resemble parts of what the South must looked like, at some point. There are rustic signs hanging all over the place, making the visit a bit of an experience. Last time, my friends and I sat on the "porch" like section of the dining room. Most times I've gone here I order the Southern Sampler that comes with gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. The portions are huge and I always get a second meal out of it. I've also enjoyed the shrimp po' boy - shrimp not breaded or fried too heavily with a tasty sauce that makes the sandwich. The corncakes, of course, come hot to the table when you sit town. The sampler is definitely more than enough food, but to me, an order of fried okra and sweet tea makes for an excellent start to the meal.
(4)
Ginger C.

Never disappoints. Never . Great atmosphere & food .... Don't miss it
(4)
Plenty F.

4 stars. Never gonna be 5 because the service is hit-or-miss. It all depends on the luck of the draw. They have one server (who sounds like she is from NOLA) that is on point. One. Lunch is okay. The (FREE) johnny cakes are the highlight for me. Everything else I've sampled has been UNremarkable. Well, except for the Key Lime Pie - that was kinda tasty. If you dine in, be prepared for a lengthy lunch - service is slow like molasses on a cold, cold, cold winter day. And, 75% of the time someone at the table's order is going to be incorrect. YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED - DINE IN AT YOUR OWN RISK. Anyway, that's why I mainly just go there for the breakfast specials. They do a great job with the cheese grits (sans onion) and the pancakes are pretty good, too. Just be sure to call ahead to place your to-go order.
(4)
Chris R.

Good food... good beer... nice friendly service. With so many options in Evanston this is a solid choice Had Gumbo pork ribs and fried chicken... bread pudding for desert.....YUM!!!
(4)
Ashley H.

I love the french toast breakfast special. It's a great price for the quality and quantity of food. I love that they serve alcohol during breakfast; mimosas are a favorite of mine :) I haven't ever tried it for dinner, but it looks like it would be a wonderful place to relax after work.
(5)
Sarah C.

Yum, yum, yum, but nothing spectacular. Smallish joint, good food, and I've never left without a full belly. Can't beat that, but it's overpriced and nothing out of the ordinary. I will say that their jambalaya is particularly not awesome and I wouldn't really put it on a list of places that you MUST visit in Evanston. People keep telling me that I must do breakfast there, but until then, they get 3 stars from me. They can try to pry the other one from me before noon. I can guarantee they'll never get a 5, simply because every time I'm in there, it's kids wall to wall. Mostly being loud. That's a huge turnoff for me :O
(3)
Jade T.

Southern food is known to be vegetarian hostile. Yet, I can still find something to eat at Dixie Kitchen. I've had their Southern Eggs Benedict (without ham) for breakfast, and it was alright. The cheese grits were too thin, the potatoes were a little dry, and there wasn't enough of the cornbread. However, the creole hollandaise sauce was unique. My boyfriend only makes a breakfast from their "A La Carte" selection. Compared to other restaurants like Le Peep, their "A La Carte" prices are considerably lower. They have a few vegetarian starters (Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Plaintains, etc) and side dishes. They can substitute any burger with a veggie patty for 75 cents extra (hm, vegetables cost less than meat and uses less resources). For dinner, they have cajun vegetarian pasta. You're better off coming to Dixie Kitchen for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
(3)
Lezah G.

I keep forgetting about this place and every time I come back I remember how much I like it. It's just plain well made and well seasoned southern food. I usually like to get some sort of blackened fish dish there. I just had blackened catfish fillet which did not disappoint. It was absolutely delicious. It was their Monday night special and for $8,50 you get a generous filet and two sides. I had cheese gritsand plantains plus all the meals come with Johnny cakes and cole slaw. I don't get the Johnny cakes but everyone else seems to like them The grits and plaintains were wonderful. Service is laid back but everyone is nice and friendly. I always enjoy eating there. I've been going there off and on for years and have never had a bad meal.
(4)
Lawrence H.

I'd read many glowing reviews of Dixie Kitchen, so the choice to try the place for lunch was an easy one for my lunch companion and me. I was immediately struck by the homey atmosphere, and the 'white trash cafe' decor. Regular-folks waitstaff, attentive not cloying, and ready to offer advice on dish choice; the perfect combo. I've eaten in the South before, but never had true Southern cuisine. Though the crayfish and catfish choices on the menu proved tempting, where else are you gonna find fried green tomatoes and cheese grits on a menu north of the Mason-Dixon line? Thanks to the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes", given the option, I had to try these, in the Veggie Sampler. Wonderful! They proved spice-crusted, spicy and excellently flavorful. The cheese grits were of an order higher than any I've had (or made) before, silky textured and a nice (not overwhelming) cheese flavor (I suspect they grind their own hominy to achieve that texture). I've also had fried plantains before, but never the sweet variety, and never quite like these; truly different and tasty to boot. Sweet tea topped off the meal perfectly; I'd have loved to try one of the mixed drinks or Bloody Mary, but since I'd driven there that was out (may have to get there by El next time!) And there will be a next time; a once-over of the breakfast menu makes me want to wander in there with the morning paper on some warm spring day (I've heard good things from newsman/bluesman Buzz Kilman about beignets, and I've GOT to try them one day!) Kudos and major thumbs-up, Dixie Kitchen; you've got a new fan!
(5)
Jims L.

Yelp search "Jambalaya" near Evanston, IL and you'll get Dixie Kitchen and.. not much else. Considering jambalaya is one of my most favorite meals ever and that this place is but one long mile away, I really can't give any other rating. Tried it both here and in Hyde Park and can't say the Evanston version was any less tastier than the other. Why the HP location has higher ratings beats me -- this one serves a much larger menu at similar prices, all the same decor, and.. I'm sure all the same tastes. Maybe it's that.. perception bias suburbian snobs tend to have -- the HP loc MUST be significantly better just bc it's the original, it's on the southside, it might take a longer wait to get seated, and Obama approves. Perhaps it IS better on the southside -- but if I want a good bowl of jambalaya and some jamaican jerk wings.. I'm def not always going to take a 45 minute drive down to Cottage Grove Ave just to abate some immediate feening for some Southern comfort. And I'm definitely not booking a flight to Louisiana. Had a catfish jerk chicken po'boy, jerk chicken wings, and seafood cakes, along with a Jambalaya -- all pretty grrrrrrrreat.
(5)
Tina B.

Godammit! How did I get suckered into eating at another Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop? I have GOT to stop trying to placate the man by letting him chose the dinner spots - this was a critical mistake! The food is okay. Nothing is bad, but nothing is fan-fricking-tastic either, and everything is priced at twice what it should be. The bill for three people and a baby was damn near $90! I didn't even get a beverage! Fried chicken was $14. I could have bought two organic roasted chickens from Whole Foods for that kind of damn money. Damn I wish I had my money back! I would use it to buy like waaay more Pollo Campero AND like four $10 nosebleed Bulls tickets. Never trust Dixie. Never ever ever ever. I didn't follow my own damn rule. Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!
(1)
Valerie B.

I love this place. The decor is a mishmash of old advertising signs, country tools etc. Anything, it seems, to suggest a southern country neighborhood restaurant. The food is consistently good. I have tried catfish fried and blackened, chicken fried, BBQ and jerked, seafood cakes and cajun chicken pasta (very tasty). Sides are good too - love the cheese grits. Portions are huge. My absolute favorite is the chicken hash which is only served for brunch. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is generally mobbed. I have a tip though for anyone who finds themselves in Evanston around lunchtime on a week day, the breakfast menu runs through 2 pm and the chicken hash is on there, together with other brunch/breakfast items. So, if you around on a weekday, you can get a seat. The only shortcoming in this restaurant, strangely for a southern food place, is the desserts. They are really lackluster, not worth the calories. I must mention the background soundtrack here, which is exceptional. Someone has put together a great playlist of ballads, blues, R&B and jazz. This is not a canned music!
(5)
Kate S.

I was a big fan of the Dixie in Hyde Park, but since it has closed I've had to come up to Evanston to get my fix. I miss the authenticity of the Hyde Park Dixie Kitchen. There was no "Cajun pasta" on the menu, no Buffalo wings, no vegetarian platter. It was good, hearty Southern/Cajun food. Luckily, though the Evanston place has diluted their menu, overall the quality of the classics remains. I still love the fried green tomatoes (I've never had them be mushy), and the catfish po'boy is to die for. The oyster po' boy is also an excellent choice, as is the blackened catfish filet. My major criticism is that this place gives you french fries with sandwiches. Back in HP, we got cole slaw, cornbread, and a choice of a legitimate side. Now I just get the cole slaw, and while it's plenty of food, I do miss a nice side of rice or sweet potatoes. Also, most of the desserts I've had have been great (like the key lime pie and the pecan pie), but avoid the peach cobbler. It definitely tastes like canned pie filling.
(5)
Beckie M.

I've been here a couple of times for lunch/dinner and the food was pretty good (I really like the little corn pancakes they give you instead of bread), but they don't have a lot of vegetarian options, so I'm not really rating based on that. They get 5 stars for breakfast, though. They have the best french toast I've found in Evanston. The banana bread version is also good, but I always get the combo breakfast because the sides are so good; I love the potatoes, cheese grits and plantains.
(5)
Seth A.

Up until January 2009, I probably ate at Dixie Kitchen once or twice over the several years it has been in downtown Evanston, but have dined here at least 4 times since, including just the other night. That's because around the Presidential Inauguration, WTTW replayed a Check, Please episode featuring a little-known state senator named Barack Obama spotlighting his visit to--and admiration for--the Dixie Kitchen in Hyde Park (you can find the Check, Please clip on Dixie Kitchen's website). But while a presidential endorsement got me to check out the nearby Evanston location once again, great food and excellent values have kept me coming back ever since. They have a pretty deep menu, including burgers and wings, but I always go for the seafood. Typically, Blackened Catfish, but also Trout Pecan, which I had just the other night. Both are excellent, as are the two sides that come with (I favor the fried sweet plantains and mashed sweet potatoes), along with good cole slaw, cornbread and wonderful corn pancakes that are provided as a free appetizer. All this for just $11.99. Although the hurricanes and desserts are both very good, you don't really need them. And while I would've thought the place would have been awash in Saints and/or Mardi Gras decorations, it was just as low-key as ever. Nothing fancy, just great food for the money. And with locations in Lansing, Hyde Park (now named Calypso Cafe) as well as Evanston, I hope there's one Bayou.
(5)
Vanessa D.

I absolutely love this place! From the kitschy decor to the music to the friendly waitstaff to the AWESOME FOOD. On my most recent trip here, I came with my mom for lunch. We split the fried green tomatoes (SO GOOD, add hot sauce!) to start and she got some lunch special combo which was (gumbo, jambalaya, and something else) and I got the friend chicken lunch combo which came with a cornbread biscuit, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Throw in the johnny cakes they put on your table when you arrive, and were very well fed AND had leftovers to take home. The people who work here are really friendly and the service is excellent. The prices were very very reasonable, too. If I lived closer, I would be here more often!
(5)
Sarah M.

Let it be known that the cheese grits give this place four stars alone. The decor is kitschy, but charming. We went on a Sunday for the brunch and got there right before 11am, which seemed to be perfect timing. By the time we left, there was a 25 minute wait. I am not a spicy fan, so the cajun potatoes were not my friend (I'm sure for those who enjoy spicy, they will just have a nice little bite... but I'm a wuss. Sorry!). The cheese omelette I had was pretty standard fare for breakfast. But like I said... cheese grits. Lovely creamy, melt in your mouth, savor every moment they are on your tongue. I won't lie. I'd come here just for the grits. YUM.
(4)
rick a.

Too spicy, or not too spicy: that is the question. I love heat, but cajun food confuses me when it comes to heat. I am aware that some people can't stand anything spicy than ice cream and others can drink lava straight from the volcano, but cajun food seems to ride the fire fence like a politician in October. I wish for more heat but I will not bash any place for my personal preferences or the natural spice level of any ethnic style. The Dixie Kitchen is a great place for the budget minded because most items on the menu come in under the 15 dollar mark. The food is definitely worth the price. I want to give them another try to see if I can give a better rating. I must say that I find fried green tomatoes overrated. I have had them on different occasions and at different locations and I find that they are always bland, mushy and powdery/crumbly from the cornmeal. When you visit try the other starters, like the seafood cakes. I had the catfish dinner, which was moist and flavorful along with red beans and rice, also a winner. When I get back around the area I will give an update and hope to give a more rounded review. The Dixie Kitchen has a great value to price ratio. I have had cajun food comparable to the Dixie and can say that they are
(3)
Nelly S.

I'm a Southerner, so when I travel I like to try non-Southern locales' versions of "Southern food". Dixie was pretty good, but definitely not real Southern. I didn't eat any of the cajun food, and since I grew up in the Carolinas I don't really have much expertise on cajun/creole... so I stuck to what I know best - FRIED. I got the fried catfish dinner. First, the fish... I consider myself a catfish expert. Growing up my mama wouldn't cook it (she didn't care for "bottom-feeders") so I only got it when I was at friends' or relatives' houses. So when I did get it, I pretty much went nuts. Dixie's catfish was fine... nothing to write home about. The fish was very tasty and fresh. The cornbread batter was not well seasoned. It really could have used some salt and pepper. But the fish was fried well and I liked that it was really a full, dressed fish, bones and all, the only way to eat em. Mac 'n' cheese... VERY good. Not truly southern, because real southern mac is baked - this was sauced - but still very delicious. Slaw- GROSS. It was basically shredded cabbage with celery seed and lemon juice?? And NO mayo in it. You can't serve fried food without white slaw. Get with it, people. Corn muffin- meh. Texture was good, flavor was okay, too much flour and not enough cornmeal. I still ate the whole thing. :) Fried plantains... okay, name ONE southern household in history that EVER served fried plantains! No such thing. Nevertheless, I got them because I wanted to see if they were any good and YES they were delicious. Recommended. Sweet tea - the TRUE mark of a southern meal - and it was great! So even though the rest of the meal was 3 stars, I bumped this review to 4 stars ONLY because of the very good, very fresh, very authentic (and very SWEET) tea. Overall, Dixie's was good, but if you want real southern food, I guess ya'll will still have to come down and visit us. :)
(4)
Cheryl B.

Have you ever been to a Cajun Food Factory? I hadn't either until I came here. It wasn't bad...it's just that this is the kind of place Lenin would have been so proud of. So the decor is cute, except for this really somber sign, printed out and framed, that says "NO DANCING". But it wasn't one of those clever, ironic signs independent retailers post. This was like "NO SMOKING". That was weird. Off subject. So the coleslaw was really good. The rice and beans were ok, the gumbo was ok, IT WAS JUST ALL SO EFFICIENT. There must be sensors in the glass, because when it seemed to get 66.666% full, it was whisked away and a new ginger ale appeared (but 10 points for having ginger ale). I enjoyed my blackened tilapia, except some of it was gooey. I'm at a loss here. What is southern food if not hospitality, laid back demeanors, and obscene portions? The very attentive but cold staff along with the measured portions were reminiscent of TGI Fridays. But without the flair. There are definitely better places in Evanston. but Obama likes it!...
(3)
Brian G.

Beats me why Dixie Kitchen is in Evanston because the decor, kill-me-now-please attitude of some of the staff, and food are a perfect fit for Orleans Place in Six Flags Great America. Hey, if you dig amusement park grub and military-grade kitsch then this is your jam. For the rest of us, laisser les bons temps rouler elsewhere. Like wayward sailors succumbing to Lorelai's beautiful singing on the Rhine, I was roped in by the Dr. John piped out to the street. I ordered the chilaquiles, and they came out bland and less than lukewarm. Even Cajun packrat Delta Burke would've been tickled pink to let this meal go.
(2)
Emma C.

Two years later, still one of my favorite restaurants. They added mac & cheese, making it a perfect southern menu, but also recently discovered their breakfasts, which are completely off the hook (artichoke and spinach hollandaise?! Yes please!!!!) and probably the best value around. Deee-licious, fresh, lots of variety, affordable, good service, family friendly or fun for a date, and great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I'm a regular, they make me fat and happy!
(5)
William B.

The Dixie Chicken thinks its a good idea to put old fried chicken back into old grease and serve it to customers posing as fresh food that order later in the day (in an effort to get ride of old food).I do not recommend anyone to patronize this establishment, this is the second time this has happened, It is not an isolated incident this is their status quo. You have been warned!
(1)
Alana D.

Ummm yeah,yea. I absolutely love the decor of this place.Luv it ! The food, was just ok.Not bad food,but not good either. Service is good and quick.I had a cajun chicken burger and,um hmmm.I tasted more salt than anytthing. Theres some kinda sauce on the sandwich.When i come to a cajun place I expect for everything I eat to be full of sodium..but i dont expect is do eat a sandwich where the sauce tastes like salt and salt..The other reviews seem pretty good,so I may give it another try.
(3)
Ngoc H.

Everything on the menu is great, the sweet tea is amazing. I always get the gumbo and the jambalaya, portions are huge. They serve these mini cornbread pancake things, they're so good. The fish tastes fresh. I would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Tanya Y.

Yum! Love the grits & fried green tomatoes! The fried chicken is a hit or miss (could be dry at times).
(4)
Kryste N.

A little pocket of New Orleans in Evanston! Went here for the first time on Friday and I loved it. BBQ Shrimp were delish, Shrimp and Grits were wonderful, I had a Hurricane too, and then, drum roll......Beignets! Warm, melt in your mouth heaven, covered in powdered sugar. It was great!
(4)
Katarina X.

Still Hurting for some authentic Southern Chicken-Fried Steak. This wasn't it. Don't get me wrong- I had a good time- the service was fine- Dixie's was not bad, simply disappointing CFS- but If I came back, I would not order the CFS because I felt a little more breading would've been more than welcome and the bland cream gravy is best ignored. Sigh. My quest continues.... The true star of the show was the Hurricane- delightfully pink- served in a mason jar- I was dizzy midway through consumption and maybe having a bit too much fun with the green plastic gator-stirrer (Which I seem to be wearing in my hair today... how did THAT get there?) Next thing you know I'm spraying up a southern big-hair-beehive with aqua net... and deep-frying anything remotely edible... so the verdict? AUTHENTIC Hurricane. Order several of those to share with me! Hold the CFS and the Aqua Net.
(3)
A C.

Johnny cakes were yummy.
(4)
Jason P.

I walked by this place probably a thousand times and always thought it was a fish place so I never walked in. Then they aired the Obama Check Please episode and he went there so I checked out the menu and there were things I could eat there. They decided to embrace the Obama fame and offer a presidential special that has what he ordered on the show for $10. My friend ordered this and they said they ran out of the peach cobbler. When asked if they allowed substitutions on the cobbler, the waiter said he had to check. He came back with a "yes we can!" (I had to do it). I ordered the veggie sampler. I got the fried okra, cornbread muffin, coleslaw, rice and beans, and the veggie of the day which was steamed broccoli. It was a ton of food. Upon receiving it, I promptly put some Lousiana on just about everything. It is not quite Tabasco, but I was fine with it. The portions here look normal sized, but they are definitely a lot of food. They also came out before the meal with a basket of cornbread pancakes that were really great and complimentary too!. I just have to make sure I go back and try the breakfast out. The menu for that seemed fantastic!
(4)
Mimi C.

Maybe the best Irish coffee I've ever had! I'm usually a sucker for chilaquiles, but decided to go with the scrambled tacos instead. (Their version of chilaquiles had chorizo, which I don't eat, anyway.) The open-faced tacos had scrambled eggs, potatoes, guacamole (!!!), black beans, cheese and chipotle sauce; it wasn't even remotely difficult to clean my plate. The reason it got 4 stars is because - even though I got there at 2 PM for brunch - I still had to wait for ten minutes for a table. I like sitting at the bar when dining alone, but there wasn't a bar to sit at....(Feel like I stick out at a table: SOLO DINER.) Also would've been seated promptly if a bar was there.
(4)
Kerry H.

Awesome Jambalaya! Great Crayfish Ettoufee! Even on a busy Friday night my take out order was quick. The key lime pie was the best I've ever had!
(4)
andrew z.

I wish we made it here for the breakfast everyone is raving about! We had lunch at Dixie Kitchen. I thought it was pretty good, but southern food is a weakness of mine. My partner did not enjoy her meal. I i want to go back again -- i didn't get to try much of the menu, and I would like to explore it more. It's obviously not exactly vegetarian friendly, so that will probably limit our trips here. I loved the pancake "bread basket" they gave us. I was disappointed when the busser took out basket away with one piece still in it, waiting to be eaten. mmm When we first moved to Evanston, a friend of ours insisted we go here right away, but we just went recently, and I am disappointed we hadn't gone sooner.
(4)
Natasha L.

Dixie's Kitchen was one of the first restaurants I've tried in Evanston and still one of my favorites. The food is always consistently good and is my go-to place dinner place when I want a low-key night with friends. Recently we've started getting carryout from Dixie's and is fast becoming a place we order from when I "decide" not to make dinner. :) Some of the favorites are the gumbo, fried green tomatoes and jambalaya. I also love ordering the catfish dinner with greens and black-eyed peas. I definitely can't get enough of Dixie's Kitchen!
(4)
Vince V.

The kitschy N'awlins decor is unapologetic and non-pretentious. I figured out what I enjoyed most on the menu almost seven years ago and I've been coming back regularly since. The gumbo is thick with chicken, shrimp and spicy andouille. Sooo yummy. The cornmeal johnny cakes often served pre-meal butter up nicely and just make me happy. Fried oysters with a tasty remoulade? I'll have another, and while we're at it, I'll have another Turbo Dog please. Always friendly service in a college town that's so close to the city limits it feels like you might as well be there. Stop by for Sunday brunch sometime too.
(5)
Carolyn G.

We LOVE this place for breakfast on the weekends. I'm a huge fan of the chicken hash and my husband loves the biscuits and gravy. We've always had great service. *** We were just at Dixie Kitchen on Friday. My husband and I both had the day off, so I convinced him to take my out to eat, by luring him with the promise of weekday discounted breakfast prices! Am I sneaky, or what?! So, discounted prices aren't really discounted when you compare to Denny's or Perkins, but the food at Dixie Kitchen is WAY better so it's not like comparing apples to apples. For $4.99, I had french toast, 2 eggs, potatoes, and sausage. Yes, it makes me sound like a pig, but boy was it some good eating!
(5)
Jorge M.

This place is awesome for breakfast or lunch. Service is pretty fast and attentive, I do feel like they push people to get out of there fast. Mimosas are only 4 bucks, nothing wrong with having one before the big meal. I just wish I could it this food every day. See you in a 6 weeks you all.
(4)
sheena r.

My sister and I went down to Evanston to grab some lunch, and decided on Dixie Kitchen. She's been there before, and I haven't, and I was just mentioning southern cooking/comfort food, and so it was a perfect fit. I ordered the southern fried steak, which i was pretty excited for, because cmon, who doesn't like southern fried steak? and it did mention gravy, so HELLO. we ordered dixie hot wings for an appetizer, and those turned out pretty tasty, sweet, not hot at all, but good. they give you little cornbread pancakes when you are seated, which are good, but i only had a bite, because i wanted to save my appetite for my steak. oh, and i also ordered my eggs poached, because i am on a poached egg kick, and i think they are my new favorite way of eating eggs. (other than softboiled). so when the food arrived, i looked at my plate, and something was not right. when i see 'southern fried steak with gravy' on a menu, i am expecting gravy on my steak. not a tiny smudge of some sort of gravy look-alike. it was already hardened, and only about a 2 inch diameter of my steak was covered in it. when i took my eggs and put em on the steak and went to break into it, i was saddened. my eggs did not have a delicious runny center -- they were hard. the yolk was hard, and even the white was pretty hard. it made me question if i ordered my eggs hard boiled, because i might as well have. the steak itself was tasty, but honestly, when i order something with gravy, i expect GRAVYYYY. like, it's not steak w/gravy, to me i want it to be gravy with a side of steak. i love love love gravy, and so this was a huge disappointment. the grits were good, but i could only eat a few spoonfuls, because i can only eat so much grits. the sweet potato hash was tasty, but nothing amazing. maybe i came on an off day? maybe the cook felt like screwing up orders because he was having a shitty day. i really feel like this place has good potential, so as much as i didn't love my meal, i would give it a second chance, in hopes that they give me gravy the way it should be, and eggs the way i like them.
(3)
Julie P.

Cute no frills kinda place. We sat at the smallest 2-top EVER, but made it work somehow. They bring out these yummy corn cakes that I wanted to eat for my entire meal. I ended up getting eggs, turkey sausage, and pancakes and everything was really good. The pancakes were really dense and needed a lot of syrup, which I didn't mind a bit...the weekends are my time to indulge so I went for it. Pretty inexpensive for the amount of great food, I'd be interested in going back for lunch or dinner if we could sit at a bigger table!
(3)
G M.

The egg sardou was amazing.
(5)
Quinney H.

There are many things that I miss about Chicago. The eggs sardou at Dixie Kitchen is one of them. Absolutely amazing!
(5)
Vijay M.

Southern Food in the Northside neighborhood. I love the Gumbo, okra and Corn muffin. If you like some good Soulfood, go there. Only cripe I have is the last time we had food the Gumbo had the spice flavor, not the mouth burning spice. I thought the Creole spice was all about the smellling and tasting, not taking a fire extinguisher to put out the heat. (Hey, I am not sure). The service was great, the ambience is a Killer. For the amount of waitstaff, they are doing an amazing job. I am impressed, I feel at home. Never been in any restaurant I've seen so many antique memorabilia in a restaurant, including the Cat statue which bids Adieu, when you exit the restaurant. Check out the Baseball players, Lampshades(I love them). The ambience neutralized the effect.
(4)
Mark B.

Would have been five stars except I've always found their dinner menu sort of disappointing. For breakfast though... Probably one of the best, if not THE best in Evanston. Their spot-on seasoned biscuits and gravy on a Sunday morning is to die for, and their prices, while not cheap, are very fair for how good their food is.
(4)
Miaowei A.

One of my favorite restaurants in Evanston. Tons of food (usually enough for two meals) at a good price -- especially the weekday breakfast and lunch specials. The fried chicken and pastas aren't very good but the jambalaya omelet (or anything with the jambalaya or gumbo) and cheese grits are phenomenal. Word gets around so usually there's a wait for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays but nothing too bad. The decor is a little too kitschy, even for my tastes (Lucky Platter does similar thing but most tastefully) but overall great if you're not on a diet.
(4)
StreetPhotos A.

In short Dixie Kitchen has sub-par service and mediocre food. I see lots of great reviews about there food written here, I'm guessing these reviewers probably never had good Cajun food as Dixie Kitchen is about as Cajun as McDonald's is fine Irish. I hate writing bad reviews. Matter of fact I hate writing bad reviews so much that I usually go back to a restaurant and give them a 2nd or 3rd try before giving them a discouraging review. The first time was a busy weekend dinner. I ordered the gumbo and half the seafood was raw. Yes, raw as in slimy, cold, and uncooked. It was obviously still frozen when they tossed it into the pot and thawed. I pointed this out to the waiter, who didn't seem to believe me at first. I received a half hearted apology and received the same plate back with the seafood just barely heated enough to be called "cooked". I wrote off the first time as just a bad day with under trained staff and a busy day. I went back a 6 months later to see if things have improved. The food was cooked this time. I went in on a slow day during lunch and ordered blacked catfish sandwich. Upon coming through the door the hostess handed us menus and told us to seat ourselves anywhere as only a few tables were occupied. Then we waited perhaps 20 minutes before someone realized we existed. Food was better this time, but it hard to screw up blackened fish. I say it's about comparable to Denny's or Chili's on a good day. If you want good service and good Cajun food look elsewhere. As the name suggests the food here is about as palatable as fish bait.
(1)
Alex G.

Hands down my favorite place for breakfast in downtown Evanston. I don't go here for lunch or dinner, but only because I don't like that kind of southern cuisine. However, the breakfast deals during the week are absolute steals and even the non breakfast specials are reasonable and outstanding. The Cajun potatoes and cheese grits are unmatched on this side of the Mason-Dixon line.
(5)
Beth E.

Johnny cakes & sweet butter, fried catfish, fried sweet plantains, key lime pie. Great Southern food! I have many relatives who are from the South & have become a devotee of good Southern cooking. Dixie Kitchen has it pretty darn close. My one concern is the cheese grits. They weren't terribly cheesy and too watery. My only other complaint was the day I visited was one of the hottest days this summer & either their AC was not working or definitely not working very well. Made dining just a tad uncomfortable.
(4)
Sally C.

Really nice brunch, and quite tasty food. I had a mushroom omelet, my companion had jambalaya omelet and we were both really happy. Let's be real, anywhere that serves me cheese grits is going to be high up on my list. Regardless, I liked all the things on my plate, and maybe stole my friend's cheese grits too. Great deal for the amount of food you get, and the coffee is top notch. Also, we sat right down on a Sunday morning at about noon, which was unexpected but definitely a huge plus.
(4)
Jenni Q.

We were looking for a joint with good southern cooking and definitely did not find that here at Dixie's. Our first impression of the restaurant - cheesy, gimmicky and like my friend said "like the TGIF for southern food." The menu listed all the things we were looking for - gumbo, fried oysters, collard greens, mac n cheese - but most of the items did not deliver on taste. The fried oysters were still wet and fishy on the inside - I like my oysters to be fresh and meaty. The collard greens looked depressing and bland and the mac n cheese was average at best. The gumbo was good but the shrimp was undercooked. They do give you pretty big portions and the service is pretty good but there's really nothing here that would entice me back.
(2)
Robert R.

This was our second trip to Dixie Kitchen, and it did not get any better. The staff was wonderful, no issues there, just with the food and drinks. We started with the "hot" wings -- these were okay, although not spicy by any means, and the bleu cheese dressing appeared somewhat watery. We had barely started the wings, when they delivered the rest of the meal, including the johnny cakes they forgot when we first sat down. My wife had "seafood" cakes -- there was almost no sea creatures to speak of, we both looked, it became a bit of a contest (she found one small flake, which appeared to be fish) -- 95% breading, bread cakes. I had the shrimp and grits special, which was advertised on the menu board as containing 6 shrimp -- this I figured meant 6 large meal size shrimp (16-20s minimum), not so much. The shrimp were buried and appeared to be salad shrimp, some of which were not even whole shrimp. The dish had fist fulls of tarragon all over it and just looked a mess. Finally, my wife had one of the specialty cocktails which clearly contained no alcohol, none. All of this was not cheap either, $50 -- definitely not worth the time or money.
(2)
Kara Z.

Great choices for cajun or more traditional items. Strong drinks and service was great. Loved the pancakes at the beginning! Next time I'm in the area, I will be back.
(4)
Cinsou E.

If you never been, you definitely have to go there. You can have a nice breakfast with a strong taste of southern cuisine. The atmosphere is cool and the interior decoration is very interesting, typically from south.
(4)
Derek G.

This is a great place to eat. I've had breakfast and dinner here and really have enjoyed both. The menu is what you might expect given the name. It's food with a southern slant to it. Moderately priced, a bit tiny, but all in all highly recommended.
(4)
Dee W.

Their lunch specials are simply delish and I keep on hearing great reviews about their breakfast and weekend brunch deals. IT's definitely very kitchy and comfy cozy inside. In the beginning, instead of a bread basket, you get a basket full of mini pancakes. What?! Did I read that right? Mini pancakes...yes. and butter and syrup if you request it, too. Their food portions are generous and the food definitely has a spicy kick to it - I get their Southwestern Salad which for $5.95 will give me more than any other salad in Evanston for lunch. Service is friendly and great. I've noticed the daily specials which I'll have to come back for. Yummy cajun food for a great price! I've even seen some families here with kids so it's nice to know that it's family friendly, too. Oh, yeah, they deliver and have take-out, too!
(4)
julie v.

disclosure -- have only been here for brunch. -the staff has been uniformly attentive. -the decor is kitschy, campy even, and fun (if youre easily offended by clutter, vintage wall art/accessories, etc., you will be unhappy). -the food is fantastic. historically, ive split the banana bread french toast and seafood cakes and eggs with my dining partner. (and people ive dined with have sung the praises of the grits.) -this is one of the few places ive found where you can get dr. pepper. (not cherry coke masquerading as dr. pepper, but actual dr. pepper. [im not a big fan of pop generally (wont drink coke/pepsi, etc.), but i love to have dr. pepper as a treat from time to time, so its always such a happy surprise to discover that a place serves it.]) -ive been to wishbone a handful of times and far and away prefer the food here. (ill only go to wishbone under duress now :P) overall: consistently yummy, different, cute.
(4)
Elizabeth D.

Wow, this was terrible! Was starving and could barely eat this stuff... We ordered delivery on a Saturday night and the food was inedible. Barbecue sauce was pure vinegar, fries cold and soggy (like chewing on a shoelace), jambalaya was a joke, coleslaw was cabbage and carrots (misted with water?) and nothing else. Blehhhh. Flushed $30 down the drain and really upset about it. Do yourself a favor and order from somewhere else. Simply awful.
(1)
Amy L.

So my cousin and his girlfriend do this thing where they drive to a random suburb and spot some interesting place to eat. I was with them this time and we ended up in Evanston at Dixie's. The restaurant was very friendly and warm. Our server was friendly. They gave us these mini-pancake things made with cornmeal. It was delish - but I made sure not to have too many before my food came out even thought I really wanted another one. We had the friend green tomatoes which were amazing - nice and crispy outside and it absolutely just melts in your mouth - add hot sauce for a little kick! That was the good part of the meal - I had the etoufette as the main meal. Flavorless and mushy - definitely let me down. The cornbread that came with it was dry and grainy. I guess I should have had more of the minipancakes since the main meal was so disappointing. If I ever go back, it'd be for the fried green tomatoes...
(3)
Rebecca R.

Very good food, they also have some daily specials that are very good deals. Personally I'm a HUGE fan of their breakfast foods, especially the Eggs Benedict type thing with fried green tomatoes instead of ham (eggs Sardou). A bit of Trivia, Barak Obama once did an episode of "check please" for PBS, the Chicago local food critic program, and this is the restaurant (albiet the south side/hyde park branch) that he chose as his favorite.
(4)
Jason M.

Southern Cooking is my vice. If you are a Northern trapped in an all too frigid world Dixie is the place for you. I am particularly fond of the Breakfast menu (served until 2pm) which can ameliorate any hangover. Dixie's saddles each patron with pancakes and has an amazing version of the Southern Staple "Sweet Tea". My favorite breakfast platter is the Southern Eggs Benedict, but nothing I have tried has disappointed. This is the optimal breakfast place in Evanston whether or not the La Peep next door has a line.
(3)
Colleen R.

I stand corrected! The owner contacted me through Yelp and let me know that you can order remoulade sauce on the side, which would definitely have helped my dry tomatoes. Knowledge worth sharing...
(4)
dan d.

I always thought the Dixie Kitchen looked a little under dressed and a bit overpriced for the place. My coworker gives this place 5 stars and forced me to go there. Boy am I happy he did!! the poboy was just like New Orleans and the peach chicken wings were OMG. All I can say is Dixie Kitchen I'm sorry I prejudged you by looks. I will see you soon. dand
(5)
Miss D.

this is one of my favorite restaurants in chicagoland. the prices are great, they have $6.75 lunch specials which will fill you up. I like the blackened chicken salad for lunch. My favorite dinner meal is the salmon dinner, a large portion which I prefer blackened. My other favorite is the jambalaya. It's orange, but don't let that throw you because its delicious. Get the southern sampler of you don't know what you like, it has jambalaya and gumbo and red beans and rice...all perfectly tasty!
(5)
Dana M.

I've been dying to try out this place and finally had a chance today after playing hooky! Shh... It was the three of us, me, my mom, and my brother. We all basically ordered the same dish... Seafood Cakes and Eggs. It is two large seafood cakes with crab, shrimp and crayfish, two eggs the way you like it, Cajun potatoes, toast and cheese grits. I was checking out the menu before eating here and had my eyes on this already! My mom and I shared this dish while my brother had his own. It was definitely enough food for her and I! It was delicious and I made myself a crabcake & egg sandwich with everything on the plate minus the grits and potatoes of course! They also serve you complimentary johnny cakes which are little pancakes made with corn meal. I loved those too because I like the grittiness of corn meal. As if that side was not enough, we ordered the beignets (fried dough with powdered sugar) which are so crispy on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside. I loved the food but the service was extremely slow... it seemed like there was only one waitress in the restaurant and she was running in and out. It took a long time to get our food. We had an extremely friendly and bubbly waitress!
(5)
Laura V.

Before my dearest friend, Sheila, moved to Australia, we went here to celebrate. Of course, this was like the 900th time we had been to the Dixie Kitchen, but a celebration makes it different. I love the Dixie Kitchen for a number of reasons. The ambience is so cute and kitschy. The food is amazing. Best bowl of crawfish etoufee outside of New Orleans. The corn bread is actually a corn pancake with jalepenos! Um, hello, that's some good cornbread. Wash it all down with a good hard lemonade (I forget the real name) and you've got yourself a great meal at a really great place. I've also had the shrimp po'boy which was divine and Sheila always got the gumbo. If I could, I would transport myself (with a self contained personal transport system that allows me to get there in an hour) to Evanston once a month just to eat here.
(5)
Stevey P.

Dixie Kitchen is definitely a must-do for breakfast/brunch if you're in the area. Decor here is decidely southern with a comfortable feel. The Southern spin on a traditional dish here is authentic and right-on. My Southern Eggs benedict were outstanding - done on cornbread with a spicy cajun hollandaise with just the right seasoning. Service was pretty good too, as they accommodated all of my friend weird Meg Ryan-like requests. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Matthew G.

Great place for getting a southern food fix. We came for dinner on a Friday evening--the place was full, but there was never more than a group or two waiting for a table. My companion wasn't too familiar with type of food, but went for a half-portion of the cajun chicken pasta and was quite pleased; the crawfish etoufee, meanwhile, was a simple version but very satisfying. The best of the meal, though, was our waiter--really friendly, but still chill. Will definitely go back next time we're in Evanston.
(4)
R K.

A nice place to get my Southern food fix. It's not authentic, but that is actually a compliment- the preparations of some of the items avoid some of the heavy/greasiness that often overpowers this type of food and takes away from the actual taste. For example, they make their fried green tomatoes with a thin and crispy batter crust. By not dousing their tomatoes way too liberally with batter, you get the right balance of deep fried , well seasoned crust and tangy green tomato. Other items I recommend include the pecan crusted trout, cheese grits, and mashed sweet potatoes. Check this place out!
(4)
Joanne E.

I'm here probably 3 mornings a week for their breakfast (I need to figure out how to make a decent breakfast at home...) BEST in town, and not just because it's also the best deal. I have no idea why people would go anywhere else for breakfast. I highly recommend the French Quarter breakfast special (M-F) as the french toast is fabulous. My husband always gets the Yankee (with ham). The wait staff is great, the service is always good. They also have a great Wing special on Thursday nights.
(5)
Rowna C.

This place is great if you like eating next to food splatters on the wall. Clean up people!
(2)
Maya P.

I had the jambalaya, the fried mussles and something else. I am not an Obama fan. The food didn't taste good. It is really expensive. They bring out hotcakes right after you order. I wouldn't recommend this really anybody.
(2)
Shonda D.

The place is very charming and the wait staff is quite attentive... but the food is not mind blowing, thus the 3 stars. It's ok and I have ventured to the Evanston location twice now. First time, I had the fried cat fish and eggs - pretty good, but the fish could have been seasoned a bit more. My family is from the south, so give it to me spicy or keep it. Second time, had the pancakes, eggs, and cheese grits... not bad. I guess I'm looking for something with a bit more kick. All in all, the prices are reasonable, I like the place and the attentive staff, so I'll go back again.
(3)
Joshua N.

I need to update my rating of Dixie Kitchen a bit. I've been going in a lot more often lately, mainly for Jambalaya, which is excellent. The fried green tomatoes are also a must order for me now; really tasty. I didn't care much for the catfish when I tried it, but that really has never been my thing any way. Nice lunch specials and very fast service. Good breakfast options also, including country ham, which rocks. Dixie Kitchen has really become one of my favorite downtown Evanston restaurants.
(4)
Gray G.

The grits are back to top form! They were kinda grainy and bland for a short time.
(5)
Tiffane C.

Being from Louisiana, I was so happy to have a restaurant near campus that I could visit for a nice, home-cooked meal. I can't say much more about this place that hasn't already been said. Like everyone else, I love the johnny cakes (cornmeal pancakes), catfish, greens, red beans and rice, black eyed peas, plantains, you name it. It's all delicious. One of the best Southern-style meals the Chicago area has to offer.
(4)
Chris S.

Not that into their lunch/dinner menu, but I'm all about their brunch menu. Great omelets, French toast, pancakes, etc.
(4)
Patrick W.

While the food was very good, not everything on the menu is as authentic to classic Louisiana cuisine as one might expect. Trust me, I lived there for 6 years and it was like nails on a chalkboard when I read that the jambalaya was tomato based. Granted, this style of jambalaya is unique to New Orleans- it's simply not found elsewhere in the state. Plus, Cajun restaurants should absolutely never call them 'crayfish'. Crawfish guys, crawfish. There are a lot of Cajun restaurants in the Chicago area that don't bother to do even basic research into their menus- Dixie Kitchen does a lot better than the vast majority of these. The food was pretty good. We started with the popcorn shrimp, which was good. I was pleased with my fried chicken, though I would have expected some more flavoring from the breading. The sides of greens and red beans and rice were both pretty good, but in my opinion lacked some kind of smoked sausage or meat flavoring that's usually more prevalent in these recipes. My princess enjoyed the oyster po-boy, which was loaded with oysters. If you're hungry, look at the "meat n' three" section, where the fried chicken can be found- the portions are quite large and I wound up bringing some chicken home, which is a rare occurence for me. At 10.95, which someone else incorrectly stated was $14.95, I thought the fried chicken was a great deal, even if it does need a little hot sauce. Friday nights, they offer $4.95 hurricanes. Unfortunately, when we went, they were pretty weak... I recalled the scene from Groundhog Day when Bill Murray asks for another drink "...and can you put some alcohol in it this time?" I love that they carry Abita beers, which is a Louisiana microbrewery whose beers that can be hard to find around here. Try the Purple Haze! Four stars for the food, the service was pretty good, but the drinks had me pretty bummed. Free tip from your Uncle Patrick: if you're thinking of opening a Louisiana-themed restaurant, consider picking up a copy of River Road Recipes, parts I and II. Don't try to improve these recipes. Just go with the flow and send me an envelope full of cash when you become successful.
(3)
Nastassia J.

I have eaten here 3 times....each time I walked away with a massive stomach ache and headache. I don't know why. I've had both breakfast and lunch cuisine. I liked the fried green tomatoes, but that was IT. The eggs are watery, and the sausage tastes funky. I won't go back as I suspect they are using MSG or too much grease.
(2)
Khalilah W.

The food was O.K.,but barely seasoned.I had the gumbo and a piece of catfish( stolen from a friend )and both were just alright..The Hyde park location seems to season the food better.
(2)
Eliot J.

it's not terrible, but it's not great either. it's less creole or cajun cuisine and more creole and cajun THEMED. sure... you're hard-pressed to find authentic cajun/southern cooking anywhere in chicago, much less on the northside (technically evanston here, but i think there's one in hyde park). it is better than heaven on seven, though. good: fried green tomatoes, seafood cakes average: bloody mary, price-to-quality ratio bad: black beans and rice, french fries
(2)
Gil N.

Great food, nice location, decent service. I've had good experiences here and...not-so good experiences. Maybe it's because the Dixie Kitchen on the southside kicks so much ass, maybe it was the time of day. That being said, the food's good, that's a given. However, I've had slow service at times, weak drinks, and incomplete orders. Taking the law of averages or whatever into consideration, I still like this place and I am tempted to give them four stars based on the food alone. Then again, they need to be more consistent.
(3)
J M.

Not fancy, but good food at prices. Our jambalaya and southwest salad hit the spot perfectly - both pretty spicy which is what we wanted. The food of the other diners' around us looked good, too. Stay away from the Hurricane (drink), though - tastes like cough syrup.
(4)
Lindley E.

ick ick ick bucket o' beers! Kitchy walls! Loud! Bright! Untasty! Not even the promise of a free recruiting dinner could get me back here. Not to be contrary, but this is as authentically southern/ cajun as my boston-born ass.
(1)
andy o.

That's right five stars... just for the cheese grits and sweet tea! They have some of the best sweet tea I've ever had. Them are some strong words from a true southerner. I've had about everything else too. My fave's would be the shrimp poboy, any their breakfast. The biscuits and gravy along with their slaw however are shyte!! Parking is always easy around here and the help is awesome. They get busy around weekend brunch so you might want to get their early if you don't like crowds. Staff is really friendly
(5)
Abby M.

I was here for dinner on Saturday and it was a few points less of ok. I had the gumbo - and it wasn't very good. I think I could make gumbo from the Zataran's box and have it taste better. I liked their rice, but really, can you screw up white rice? Our server was the kicker. She wasn't very attentive - I ordered peach ice tea and she asked me twice after she took my friend's drink order (juice) what I wanted because she kept forgetting. Then while we were in a somewhat deep conversation - she kept going in-between us grabbing bottles of hot sauce and ketchup, etc. to (I'm assuming) refill them. Really!?! You couldn't wait until after we were done and gone - or possibly while we were eating b/c then we wouldn't be talking so much - to reach in-between us without once saying excuse me - to refill the bottles?? And when we were done - it took us about 10 minutes for another server to go get our server and our check. However, after she ran my credit card, she sure waited around for me to sign my name and tip - literally standing to my right waiting and staring. Not the best way to end an already disappointing meal out.
(2)
rachel p.

hot diggity damn does this joint get busy around lunch time. i generally think of the food here as "good." it's nothing amazing, but it holds it's own. i love me some johnny cakes, but i'd love em even more if they were served warm and before my food arrived. an appetizer if you will... sort of like rolls and crackers, 'cept southern style. they've got some decent lunch specials, which i'm sure is what keeps the crowds a comin' around the noon hour. just don't expect attentive service, more of a 'ship 'em in, ship 'em out" kinda feel.
(3)
Roman W.

"This place is great and the food is even better." If you want some great gumbo then this is the place to be. They give you a huge portions too so come here with a empty stomach. Also their breakfast is stellar too, I love their Cajun Potatoes. I recommend getting: For breakfast: The Big Easy For Lunch: Gumbo or the half po'boy and gumbo or jambalaya lunch special.
(5)
Andy C.

I must have ordered the wrong thing, because my experience was pretty bad here. The service was good, but the food was borderline terrible. We came here for lunch, and we got a cheeseburger with fries and a grilled chicken salad. The burger was a frozen patty, the kind that you get at the grocery store. Very disappointing for $8. Not only that, it was overcooked, and bland. Of course since it was a frozen patty they slapped on the grill it was destined to be bland. The grilled chicken salad was even worse. The chicken was so salty from the seasoning it made it hard to eat, and the tortilla strips on the salad were drenched in oil. And the bottom of the bowl was filled with water! They could not even plate up dry lettuce. Very unappetizing. Oh, we also got a cup of gumbo. Now that was pretty good, for the few spoonfuls that it consisted of. Half of it was rice(which i am used to getting on TOP of the gumbo), and it was served in such a small cup that there was literally no room for much gumbo. And at $5 a cup i was expecting a decent sized bowl. The flavor was good, but portion size and price was terrible. With all of the good places to eat in Evanston, we will most likely never go back here. Overpriced frozen food just doesn't sound all that good.
(1)
Ben W.

Just an absolute dump. I have been to Dixie Kitchen on three different occasions and the food is just average, but expensive. Have had the burger, wings, and gumbo. However the service is just terrible. The johnny cakes(corn pancakes) are excellent; however the waiters almost refuse to give you more when asked to.
(1)
John B.

I used to love this place a lot more than I do now. Either they're having money problems, or some financial consultant told them to cut back. The portions are the same size, but the quality seems to have dropped -- the ingredients aren't as fresh, the sauces are runnier, the food is a lot more bland. The shrimp and grits, which I loved, is gone from the menu. Maybe they're trying to appeal to a more mainstream audience. I still go for the fried catfish, the greens, and the sweet tea. Skip the chicken fried steak, which used to be a favorite, but was mealy the last two times I ordered it.
(3)
Jolie R.

We had seen this little place several times and wanted to check it out this past Sunday. I was looking for a great crawfish etouffee to love. So, after we went to the movies, we decided to stop in for a late lunch. The place is cute - just what I expected. with kitchy tin ads on the walls, lights converted from old Jay's Potato Chip and Popcorn cans and blue/white checked tablecloths. The music was pretty cool and the waitstaff seemed attentive, however our server had to be reminded twice that I preferred an orange slice in my iced tea instead of lemon - he even wrote it down...... When we sat down, our clothes were assaulted by the stickiness (probably syrup from the breakfast hour) that wasn't cleaned off the top or the sides of the tablecloth. We had to use napkins and water to wipe it up before we could sit close to and put our arms on the table. The menus were also sticky..... I don't know if the staff saw us doing that, but it was pretty obvious. I ordered the etouffee. I'm not a raw onion/scallion or green pepper lover, so I scraped off the mound of scallions that covered the dish, then dove in to eliminate the huge chunks of green pepper (thanks - it made them easier to find!). The rice was not cooked enough and they could have added some more crawfish - for $11.95, it wasn't worth it. The crawfish etouffee at Joe's Be-Bop Cafe is much better than this. My s-o had the pulled pork sandwich and cole slaw. The fries were listed as "down home fries", but unless we missed something, they looked like regular old french fries to me. Tasted like it too. The pork was dry and the cole slaw barely had any flavor, although we could see there was some sort of seasoning on it. All in all, it was a disappointing meal. The only thing I truly liked were the hoe cakes that were brought to the table as a bread - they actually rocked! Two stars - don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Rhonda G.

Let's face it, Many have tried and failed to bring the true taste of Southern Cajun cuisine to Illinois. I think Dixie Kitchen is a few jumps away from making that a reality. They have not quite yet perfected the Jambalaya and in fact the idea of passing the tomato soup with "stuff in it" off as jambalaya is the reason for the one star deduction. Other than that the red beans and rice were flavorful, rice was perfect. Gumbo was pretty good for any restaurant and I'm biased in favor of home made. My boyfriend had the Cajun chicken pasta and that was awesome but left us both wondering how many calories one could consume if they ate a full size portion of it. We came during the lunch hour and they offered a few $6.25 specials. The Pasta was a little over $8. One other downfall....service was kind of slow considering it was well after the lunch rush and the place wasn't packed by any means. Makes me wonder what the dinner hour might be like. It's definitely worth giving a try...check it out!
(4)
Brenda S.

I had the Po-Boy Sandwich. It was really great. The catfish was amazing. They started me off with some cornmeal pancakes which were delicious. I'm definitely going back.
(4)
Y. W.

The mild jalapeno wings were great as well as the mac n cheese and the catfish. The greens tasted like they had too much vinegar or white pepper or something. For dessert, I had vanilla ice cream & peach cobbler which was also amazing! They give you a lot of food for the price and it's all very filling. The staff was also nice and attentive. I'd go here again.
(4)
Juanita G.

I was disappointed. It had been a while since I had been to the Hyde Park location and that was really good but I'm hardly in that area. I was excited about trying the Evanston Location. The good news: The fried okra was fabulous and the the drinks were good. The bad news: Everything else was bland. The fried chicken, cold slaw, mashed potatoes...all bland. My fellow diners weren't thrilled with the country fried steak or the salmon pasta I think this is just one of those places where you can't go wrong with anything fried. Otherwise everything else is lackluster. They only managed to get 3 stars because the service was better than average. I'd rather go to Wishbone.
(3)
Lisa M.

Tonight my little family left the house with no idea where we were going. We were too lazy to search yelp or google map but wanted to get out so out we went and somehow we ended up in Evanston and we ended up walking down Church Street and we ended up walking into Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop and we had a great time. It was 9pm on a Saturday and very quiet - only a few tables with customers. this was good for us as we had our 2 year old with us. He is unpredictable so this outing was a night of living dangerously for us. The staff set us up quickly with a highchair, kids menu/coloring paper, crayons, and a little toy crocodile. He is always happy to get crayons but the crocodile was a definite hook for him. I know next to nothing about this type of food so I ordered the bbq chicken sandwich because I thought it would be safe. It was just perfect. There was a good selection of sides - my husband enjoyed his pulled pork sandwich and our son happily munched on the corn cakes and french fries while putting crayons in the crocodile's mouth. It was a perfect evening - the staff gave us the right balance of good service without being intrusive. We enjoyed each other's company, our son was happy, food was good, my husband enjoyed his beer (which was from louisiana)...a perfect evening really. I should qualify this with a disclaimer that I don't have much experience with this type of food. I have no idea what it is 'supposed' to taste like. I just know I liked what I ate.
(4)
Richard G.

All the great reviews are correct. I had a simple side of black eyed peas along with a bowl of gumbo. As good as it gets and yet in a suburb of Chicago.
(4)
Ashley D.

I'm surprised by the less than average reviews. I enjoy this place. I like the sampler platter (Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice and Gumbo). It's not as spicy as I'd like, but still good. I get their breakfast more regularly than lunch. For about $4 I can get scrambled eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, (my favorite) spicy potatoes and toast. When I have this breakfast I'm too full to eat lunch. My husband and I agree that their wings are the best we've ever tasted (seriously). The Peach Glazed are my favorite, while he sticks to the reg. hot. The atmosphere is cute (kinda Famous Daves like). FYI - they deliver at lunch time.
(5)
Justin H.

After passing this place a million times to go to Flattop I decided we must stop short one day and eat here. After convincing my extremely picky friend to give it a try we hit it up. I have only recently discovered Home style southern cooking in the Chicago area for some reason. I ordered the Jambalaya and Fried Okra with a side of Cheesy grits. Everything was really good and just the right amount of spicy. The atmosphere makes me feel like I'm deep in the south and cannot get out. The grits were creamy and cheesy and the okra was cooked to perfection and breaded and seasoned perfectly. The staff and the customers were super friendly and made me feel that Southern hospitality had a place here in Illinois. I have been back once again already and had the Country fried steak. Very delicious and very big. I love the gravy they serve with it and my side of mac n cheese had a bit of a kick. I will be back here again real soon!
(5)
Jonathan K.

o heck yea, cajun/creole? mmm...cozy spot, was packed on a weekend night. fried green tomatoes, plantains, catfish, gumbo...good southern style here. meat and 3 options too! i'll have to come back. the shrimp creole is money.
(4)
Ross W.

Wasn't wowed by the chicken sandwich and grits. Only been once.
(3)
Meghan d.

Oh, MAN. What can I say? I lived in the south for ten years. Two of those ten were spent in LA. Not Louisiana... but lower Alabama. Although nothing will ever beat sitting on the porch eating Carol Kay's (my friends mom) BBQ -- but Dixie Kitchen made me feel a little closer to home as soon as the sweet tea and hot-cakes came out!
(4)
Paul C.

Decent southern-style food, but nothing special here. I quite liked the corn bread, but found my jambalaya to be under seasoned. I would try this place again, but I'm not in Evanston often enough and this place merits no special trip.
(3)
Alex U.

I work near this place which made it convenient for me to try. Especially since I love Cajun food at a decent price. I got carry out and my food was cold and bland. They forgot to add hot sauce which would have given the food some kick. When I went back to ask for some sauce the Manager was questioning whether or not I had actually bought something there and he was giving me a hard time about getting hot sauce? He was a humongous prick! I told him to keep his hot sauce and I have not been back since!
(2)
Ann Y.

I really love Dixie Kitchen's sunday brunch. The biscuits and gravy are amazing and I LOVE the cheese grits- yummy. I have returned there for dinner and was not that impressed. The fried chicken was ok but the corn bread was so good. I have also done lunch delivery from them and the sandwhiches are solid. Definitely go here for breakfast- it's a great deal!
(4)
Kristen P.

Never mind the kitschy decor and cutesy name, this place has some fantastic southern food. I could make a meal out of the side dishes alone... the corn cakes, the greens, and the grits were some of the best I have ever had. The entrees and apps were not as impressive but still tasty. The seafood cakes were a little to cornmeal-y for my taste, and the BBQ shrimp tasted awesome but the shrimp were on the small side. But, then again, this is the Midwest so good seafood is hard to find. This is one place I would definitely visit again, so try it!
(4)
Soo H.

I used to frequent this place alot when I lived in Evanston a few years ago (it was also literally a 5 minute walk from door to door). Well, I'm back visiting Evanston again and ordered my favorites: cheese grits & jambalaya. And now, I am wondering why? Cheese Grits tastes a bit bland & the jambalaya was only okay. Corn muffin wasn't even that good. I don't think I'm going to miss this place anymore.
(2)
Gfiddy F.

Southern cooking is such a treat.
(5)
Pam T.

I went back to DK after a friend told me she had a great experience there. The food was much better, as was the service...
(4)
Linda M.

Unfortunately we went on Saturday and lunch wasn't served until 2:30. Prior to that, it's "brunch" - omelets, etc. The omelets were good but the cheese grits were much too salty. Hash had little chicken but the potatoes were excellent. Skip the beignets - fried dough is doughy with little flavor. We both felt that a cake donut is tastier. Excellent coffee and friendly service. Very tight seating.
(3)
Eric G.

My favorite Cajun/Creole spot outside of Louisiana, where else can you get Etouffe or Gumbo this good? The menu covers the standard New Orleans fare, but my favorites are: the Crayfish Etouffe, Shrimp and Grits, the Fried Green Tomatos, Crawfish and Corn fritters, and the Gumbo. You can't go wrong with the catfish, oysters, the fried chicken, okra or the seafood cakes either. My top desserts are the Beignets, pecan pie, and peach cobbler. Enjoy with one of Abita's brew and you'll feel like Church Street should be renamed Bourbon.
(5)
Andrew T.

Love their food, I always stuff myself during brunch here. Unforntunately, I have never had the free mini-stack of pancakes that Dee W. speaks of :-( The cheese grits are great, as is the country-fried steak (of course, I've never met one I haven't liked). The steak could be thicker actually. The girlfriend LOVES the beg - begnig - bengiet - screw it, (BEN-YAYS) the new orleans fried balls of dough with sugar on top...
(4)
Angela W.

Food was okay, but service was poor. We had five people and we went on a weekday for lunch. The place was busy, and they were clearly understaffed. After we sat down, our server walked by once and told us she'll be with us. That in itself was not a problem, but she just sounded too rude and abrupt for it to be called "service". After she walked in and out of the kitchen for about 10 minutes pretty much ignoring our table, one of us finally waved her down. While we ordered food, the server responded to all questions about the menu with brusque answers, and also went around the table to ask for our orders by pointing to each guest in our table in a condescending manner. At the end, the food came promptly (this is why this review is a two star and not one), although they mixed up some of our orders. Close to the end of the meal, we asked another server to take a quick picture for our group, and he said he'll return but never did. In many ways, I agree with some of the previous reviews here in Yelp that some servers need to be retrained. With so many other places to eat in Evanston, it's safe to say that we won't be returning customers to Dixie.
(2)
Johnny M.

I went to the Evanston location today for lunch and was disappointed overall. The half-sandwich po-boy lunch special consisted of just three small pieces of oyster and was tasteless. My friend had the blackened catfish which was decent though. We were seated quickly but it took forever to get our orders in and to get our food. At least the gumbo was good!
(2)
Chika S.

We love this place for breakfast. We've loved everything in our 10+ times there. Laid back but good service. Nice casual atmosphere. Kid friendly.
(5)
Will S.

This is very average cajun food. Not bad if you are looking for a casual setting but nothing special on the culinary front.
(3)
Leigh K.

Heavenly pulled chicken and lots of it. Cheese grits to die for. I am so glad that Z suggested this place before the movie on Saturday. Oh man, this may be tied with Fat Willy's for my fave pulled chicken. Good golly. There's really nothing more to say. My taste buds were super happy that day.
(5)
luke h.

Being from the south I'm always looking for good southern food. Wishbone is ok, but this place really knows how to cook it! The fried okra and fried green tomatoes are amazing. I just had the two sides b/c I went here after a movie where I had snacked. Very tasty, you should try...
(4)
Gerardo A.

My nephews and I were absolutely amazed.
(5)
Michael G.

Excellent bang for your buck. Every time I go there, I start things off with a helping of Johnny cakes (free) and a fried okra appetizer. My advice, as difficult as it sounds, is to not fill up on Johnny cakes (for me, no more than two). Yes, they're free, but you need to save room for the okra and the mouthwatering gumbo. The okra is fried heaven, even if you're not a veggie fan, you WILL enjoy it. Then there's the gumbo. Loaded with sausage, shrimp, and a thick gumbo base, it's the ultimate comfort food. Servings are very generous, I usually can't finish the enormous plate of gumbo. Go here, you will not regret it!
(5)
Barby S.

The Dixie Kitchen is awesome. I've been there about 3-4 times now and every time I have had excellent service. The johnnycakes that you get before your meal are delicious (and bottomless). but don't fill up, because I promise that your food will be just as good. Their pulled pork sandwich is fantastic, I actually can never bring myself to order other things because I like it so much. The KC style sauce has a great tang, so pile it on if you get the pork. Their fried chicken dinner is good too, and huge. Good food, good service, good prices, whimsy atmosphere: not much more you can ask for
(5)
Andy N.

Came here for brunch and it was pretty good. The grits were a slightly stiff and too thick consistency in my opinion but otherwise, solid food.
(3)
Martin P.

My wife and I ate here today. I can not comment on the Seafood but the Burger I had was great and the Pasta with Chicken my wife had was fabulous! Order the Half order of pasta its enough, trust me. The bill was the best part! great food at a good price. When I go back I will try some seafood. The environment was cool too!
(4)
Roy A.

After going to New Orleans recently and trying a bunch of Southern fare down there, I can say that Dixie is a pretty good alternative when you're all these miles away. I wanted to really try to their breakfast and luckily on MLK day they were serving it past their normal hours so I of course got it. Eggs, fried green tomatoes, hollandaise and some grits. Can't go wrong with that. The po boys here are pretty solid too and there are quite a few other menu items that I'd love to try as well. I will be sure to go back and try something different all the time because the menu is huge and all very tempting sounding.
(4)
Saralyn M.

I really loved the food here. We had to wait a while in a pretty disorganized line to get a table, but the host was very nice and charming, and the service was good. I love that they start you off with cornbread (or cornmeal?) pancakes. I had the vegetable platter, with fried green tomatoes (delicious), sweet potatoes (tasty), and fried plantains (not vegetables but still very good). The batter was delicious on the tomatoes. It also came with a nice coleslaw, crispy rather than soft and mushy like KFC coleslaw, and a jalepeno cornbread muffin that was similarly tasty. I'd definitely go here again in a heartbeat, perhaps for brunch. You definitely get your money's worth.
(4)
Steph P.

Loved to hit this place up for some stick to your ribs food when I was at NU. Rule of thumb for ordering here, the more calories the dish has, the tastier it is. Fried oyster/shrimp/catfish po'boys. Fried chicken. Fried catfish. Fried green tomatoes. Maybe they would make a good fried salad. The cornbread they bring out w/ that delicious sweet butter mmmmm. Service is always friendly, but there's often a wait. One star off b/c I think some of the traditionally cajun/creole dishes that SHOULD be outsanding (i.e., etouffe, gumbo) are lackluster.
(4)
Han L.

i highly recommend their lunch specials: so satisfying, so affordable (only $4.99 and they come with two corn pancakes), so convenient (located in the midst of all the up-and-coming shops and bookstores), so warm...i mean, of course, in the winter! i've been here on a date, with a rowdy crowd, and alone by myself...and somehow each time i enjoyed the experience.
(4)
Chris S.

Honestly, this place is not that great. I think its fun to go here with friends because its a cool restaurant but the food is really just kind of bland. Yea, you get a lot but it gets boring after the first few bites. Wait staff is really nice so it makes the experience a bit better. Some say the location in Hyde Park is better (I have been and don't necessarily agree). I am not saying to avoid the place because like some people you might really end up liking it. The food isn't bad, its just not my style.
(3)
Melinda C.

I'm not a connoisseur of cajun/creole food in any sense but I thought this food tasted pretty darn good. We had jerk chicken wings (yum), jambalaya, and gumbo. Cornbread is also always a nice plus. Waitstaff was attentive. Prices were reasonable (I've heard lunch is even better, too).
(4)
Kat W.

I just ate lunch AND dinner here on the same day. The crawfish etouffe was not so good, but the oyster po-boy was awesome. Their lunch special (and breakfast special) is amazing. They sometimes have daily specials like wing night. Overall the price is decent , and the atmosphere was pretty unique for an Evanston restaurant. Because they are often crowded, the service can be a bit slow.
(4)
John F.

This great little place also has a Hyde Park location. Food is a combination of soul and cajun/creole and it is cleverly decorated to look like exterior of a bait shop. Awesome fried green tomatoes, very good fish/seafood entrees, and nice vegetable side choices. You get hoe cakes instead of bread as a freebie. I much prefer it to Wishbone.
(4)
tessa c.

my first taste of cajun/creole outside of new orleans. 3 stars for great cornbread and when i asked them to make my crawfish etouffe extra spicy they hooked it up. probably more than they should have, if i were 20 years older i would have expected something bad to happen following. i liked the vintage posters, but the rest of the decor was tacky. would have been more authentic to have the decor of a shotgun style house. and the waiter didn't make eye contact with us at all. what's with that?
(3)
Richard D.

An Evanston classic. Cajun menu with some good southern favorites. Some of the best fried chicken Ive had in quite some time. Very affordable as many NU students eat there. Dinner for two under $25.
(5)
Sid P.

Let's face it: it's difficult (but not impossible) to find this kind of food around here. If you miss grits, fried green tomatoes, or Cajun food, you usually have to travel to the south side if not several states south to get a really delicious meal. And while Cracker Barrel might only be the Denny's version of what you're looking for, I must admit that's sometimes as good as it gets here in Illinois. Sorry 'bout that. But on to the review. This is a great restaurant ESPECIALLY if you're looking for Southern cuisine, and even if you aren't. The food is high quality, it's authentic, and the portions are VERY generous. That being said, it's not cheap. But you walk away full and often with a to-go bag. I have a big appetite and I've never walked away hungry from this place. Usually I am surprised by how big the portions are... it's a recurring theme here for some reason (admittedly, I don't visit more than a couple times a year, and usually less). The staff could be a bit more efficient. But they're always friendly. And the kitchen does an excellent job of producing delicious fare, so there's hardly any complaints I figure (even from me, a notoriously picky and exacting customer). I'd rather have friendly and easygoing staff (this is a Southern restaurant after all) instead of a surly and speedy one. Still, it'd be nice to get a drink order at least taken if not received in the first 5 minutes of sitting down. This place isn't very big and it's usually at about 75% capacity or better, so it's not unusual to have to wait. Heck, given the lax service, I often have to wait more than 5 minutes for a seat even when there IS available seating. So I'd avoid the usual peak hours if you can. But definitely go. You'll like it. Everyone I know who's gone here, has.
(4)
Tim Y.

I'm a fan, but I have a gripe. It's a minor gripe -- shocking for someone like me who can find something to complain about just about anywhere -- but important to mention nonetheless. But first, let me gush. The gumbo was perfect. Not overwhelmingly spicy, not bland. It needed no additional spice - not even salt or pepper. The cornbread muffin was fine, though it wouldn't win any awards on its own. If you want awesome cornbread, go to chicago q. Portion control is entirely out of control, much as it should be for true Southern cuisine. Hell, even the rice was fantastic. The biscuits and gravy were delightful, and I'm glad it wasn't my meal because I'd have eaten them all and be forced to repent in the gym for a month. Good spice, good biscuits, good potatoes. Well played. Now, the gripe. Both dishes came to the table with heat lamp skin. You know, what happens to food when it sits out for a good long while? What happens in Aunt Ethel's gravy boat on Thanksgiving when nobody disturbs the mystery gravy for a good hour or two? Yeah. That was a pretty big disappointment. Having to stir up your skinned-over gumbo prior to eating kinda sucks. Thankfully, the food did not suck and I will return.
(4)
Tim M.

I was really hoping for some great Southern food, but it was just okay. I had the Jerk Catfish Fillet, which was more buttered than I had hoped it would be. The salsa covering it was not as good as I had hoped either. The plantains that came with it were the best part.
(3)
JP Y.

Delicious southern style food. Great for breakfast. Try the country fried steak and eggs, so much flavor. Plus, their grits are so creamy and tasty you just can't get enough. Oh, and the place looks just like it is right out of the Louisiana bayou.
(5)
Jacob J.

It was my first time for brunch, Le Peep next door was as busy, but Dixie got us in quicker. Dixie's waiting area is tiny and in the cold of winter it's not fun standing between the entrance and dining room door. Not to mention, for those seated near the door to be overlooked by seat waiting customers. Decor is like that of a greasy spoon on some back road in Louisiana. Find all kinds of doo dads hanging from the roof, dirty stained glass with decrepit stained shutters, random signs advertising colas of older times. Sets the stage of an authentic Cajun experience, however the food lacks the spirit of the decoration. Food was good but not Cajun enough (?) No kick of spice or anything different that grabbed my attention. With the aid of Louisiana hot sauce and black pepper, things brightened up. I'm crazy about eggs Benedict and that was my brunch option, their Southern eggs Benedict. Served atop a toasted piece of cornbread, slices of tomato and a creole hollandaise sauce. For more enjoyment, bust open that egg and let the yolk soak up the corn bread, otherwise the bread just seems way too crusty and in-able to compliment the experience. Save a bit of your appetite for the beignets, I'm glad broil warned to wait till the end of the meal. No use maxxing out before the main course. Their beignets, powdery puffed poofy soft in texture, go ahead and use the maple syrup for a sweet dip. Food was good enough, though there wasn't much to it that would drag me back for a repeat. Next time, I'll wait it out for Le Peep. If in the area, I could see myself coming back for a few drinks like a hurricane or one of their peach cobbler coladas. No problems with service, our waiter was on the mark with refills and making sure we were stocked with what we needed.
(3)
Rick R.

i was really looking forward to eating here again but instead i spent time in the bathroom afterwards. Had the gumbo which was ehh, and the southern fried steak and eggs. I think the steak was old. i did like the cheese grits but nothing else. Tamara our waitress needs an attitude adjustment. I think management needs to really screen who they hire coz Miss thang was just not pleasant and wouldnt know customer service if she sat on it. Bathrooms need some help people! clean it up! Go elsewhere for breakfast or lunch or dinner.
(1)
B L.

If I lived next door to this place I would probably be 500 lbs by now. The food here is THAT GOOD. Damn it's hard to find good Cajun. Sure Heaven on Seven is just as 5-star worthy as Dixie Kitchen but this place feels like home. That is truly special. What can I recommend? Gosh, where do I start? The whole damn menu is so good!! But, if hard-pressed to choose, here are my personal favorites: Fried green tomatoes Gumbo Georgia Peach Colada Any version of their iced tea which is so sweet and good! Make the trek and try this place! It is amazing!!
(5)
Doc M.

Must do. Terrific food. Specials. Nice beer selection. Cajun an southern down home. Best greens I've ever had. Northwestern / Evanston neighborhood.
(5)
Danielle C.

Well HELL, if Obama likes it, it must be good! In fact, a couple of friends and I headed out to Dixie kitchen due to the resurgence of the Obama Check Please! show. You MUST be thinking- How cliched, how bourgeois, how just unklassy can they be? Yup! Those phrases describe us to a "T". In an effort to avoid larger crowds, we headed to the evanston branch for brunch today! Our wait was short- even though they were packed. We did score a door side table- but that was OK with us! The fried green tomatoes were fantastic. I had the Eggs Sardou- creamed spinach with Artichoke Hollandaise over fried green tomatoes, and Cornbread. Served with Cajun Potatoes and Cheese Grits. One of my friends had the Seafood Cakes with Crab, Shrimp and Crayfish with fried eggs, potatoes and cheese grits + toast. The other had the catfish sandwich. The portions were ENORMOUS! We were over full. In my opinion, the cheese grits stole the meal. I normally detest grits, but these, WOW! They were awesome, the consistency was right, the taste was savory and full. We had way too much food and needed a nap afterwards but it was well worth it!
(4)
mike f.

My wife and I used to eat at Dixie Kitchen at least once a week. Well,tonight we went there because we hadn't been there in a while and we were quite disappointed. First we saw THE NEW MENUS!!! New menus means HIGHER PRICES!! Okay ,the cost of food gets higher and their wholesaler is charging them more.Okay,understood. But do you have to LOWER THE QUALITY AND THE PORTION SIZES TOO? Our corn muffins had the consistency of cardboard. They were dry as a bone. Speaking of dry,my fried chicken was dry also. It wasn't moist at all. They really skimped on my portion of black-eyed peas not to mention the cole slaw. (The size of the serving dish itself looked considerably smaller.) It,s sad to have to write a review like this ,especially when Dixie Kitchen WAS one of our favorite places to eat. BTW NO MORE Bar-be Que Chicken (one of my favorites). I asked about the "Veggie of the Day" Our server said that they "didn't get around to making it " today!!!!!!! Dixie Kitchen: A word of advice ,If you're going to RAISE YOUR PRICES CONSIDERABLY like you have done THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS KEEP THE QUALITY YOU USED TO HAVE!!!!! BTW You used to have a lot more people there at the time we came in,have OTHERS noticed your slide toward mediocrity too and have decided to eat elsewhere like we're doing?
(1)
Eliza Z.

I always forget that this place is in downtown Evanston, but I'm always happy to go when someone suggests it for lunch or dinner. I suppose that sums up how I feel about this restaurant. The food is solid and priced well. You get HUGE portions, and it usually looks as if I haven't touched my food at all at the end of the meal. I usually stick with the jambalaya or etouffee, but for indecisive people (which is me!) they also have a sampler plate with three cups: one each of jambalaya, etouffee, and red beans and rice. Not so crazy about their brunch, but the lunch specials are good. I've only had drinks here once, and I had a hurricane or something like that. Huge, colorful, and *deceptively* alcoholic. In fact, if you'd like dinner with drinks in Evanston and don't want to spend a lot of money, this place is a winner.
(3)
Chris S.

My wife and I ate dinner here on 2/26/2011. Interior - Love the decor, liked the ambiance. It was a Sunday night, so not too incredibly busy, but I felt like the noise level was perfect. Service - The service here wasn't awful, but I don't want to say it was good either. Our server looked like he was way overloaded with tables (looked like only two servers on the job). As a result, it took probably 10 minutes for someone to even come take our order. When he was able to help us, he was always polite but rushed. I don't blame him, as I'm fairly sure he had been running around all night trying to keep all of his tables happy. Appetizer - We ordered the fried plantains. The actual plantains were delicious, but I felt like 6 small pieces for 4.99 was a little bit ridiculous. The dipping sauce was not good, as it tasted like sour cream with barely any hint of rum flavoring. Extremely dissapointing, as I was really looking forward to some good fried plantains. Dinner - I had the cajun chicken sandwich, my wife had blackened catfish filet. My sandwich was absolutely amazing, possibly the best cajun chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. The cajun marinade was plentiful, the chicken breast was plentiful, and it all came together very well. The fries that came with my sandwich weren't anything impressive, but I honestly don't expect a place like Dixie Kitchen to pay any attention to their french fries. My wife absolutely loved her blackened catfish, and the cheese grits and sweet potatoes were tasty as well. The serving size was also pretty good for the price of 11.99 Overall, it was a good dining experience and we'll probably go back. The lack of servers would give me definite pause about going on any sort of rush period. Also, we will definitely NOT be ordering the fried plantains ever again.
(3)
E T.

I went here after reading the good reviews - I wish I hadn't. Our server couldn't care less and the food was really not that great. The fried chicken was dry, the mashed potatoes had a film over the gravy, the mac and cheese tasted like it was velveeta with cayenne pepper in it, and the fried dough desserts tasted like fried chicken/seafood, I'm guessing cause they fried it in the same oil. I'm usually not a hater, this food/ambiance was really not that great.
(2)
Kristin L.

I want to bathe in their rum sauce! Is that too much of a statement? How's this, for my last meal I would like their fried plantains with rum sauce. I know it's only a little side dish but those fried little nuggets of heaven, along with the scrumptious, creamy rum sauce...now that is pure joy my friends. I've been to Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop several times now. I always try to get something different (well I always get the fried plantains, that goes without saying). I've had breakfast, brunch and lunch here and I have to say I've enjoyed most of my visits. Their bloody marys are great, very spicy. Just the way I like it. The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars and not 5 is that they can be a little slow and their oyster poor boy sandwich was not a hit. The oysters had a funny smell and the sandwich wasn't that great. But hey I had my bloody mary and my fried plantains with rum sauce, so I was still in good spirits. This place is adorable and the food is yummy. So if you're in Evanston, I say go check it out. Hey Obama thought it was so good, he told all of Chicago he loved it on Check Please!
(4)
Kathryn S.

I'll admit, I have never been so put-off by a restaurant that I actually left before our food could even arrive, so Saturday night was a first for me. My partner and I went to Dixie Kitchen after a movie, as we had a decent experience at brunch a while back, and had always planned on returning for dinner. I am from Mississippi, raised close to Louisiana, and love Southern and Cajun food, so coming back here was always a no-brainer. We were seated immediately, which was good, since it was still early. My first impression was the sticky tablecloth that awaited me. My second was the glass of ice one of the waiters set down in front of me. I say ice, because it was filled to the top, meaning there was only about two sips of water in there. (And every time he filled it, he just added more ice, not water.) I didn't think twice about either of these things, just sort of laughed it off ... But then we had the "pleasure" of meeting our waitress. What can I say? She was terrible. Not once did she look down at either of us, even when we asked her questions about the menu. Every time she came back to our table, she seemed to be in a huff, and we both felt like we were bothering her in a way, just to take our order. We ordered the Barbecue shrimp as an appetizer, and my partner got an Abita beer. He chose the Southern Sampler for his entree, while I opted for the catfish, something I had been craving for a while. She kind of rolled her eyes at my choice of sides, which I found somewhat degrading. When I asked her if tartar sauce came with the catfish, her snotty response, without even looking at me, but giving me an actual sigh, was "Do you want tartar sauce?" No ... I just thought I'd ask. Come on now. When she came back and slammed the shrimp down in front of us, I knew I was about to my limit. We each ate one of them, were not impressed in the slightest, and decided that was it, we had to leave. I refused to pay $45 or upwards for our dinner, when I was already disgusted by my experience to begin with. I'm not sure if the waitress was having a bad night, or if that's simply her personality, but it was all uncalled for. She was really disgusting to us, and never once treated us with the respect that we both as paying customers so rightfully deserved. All-in-all, the whole experience felt depressing, and I hate we ever set foot in the door. Not only that, we weren't even asked why we had requested the check after not even eating our appetizer, which I felt spoke volumes about how this business treats its customers. A costly $16 mistake for the "shrimp" and my partner's beer, but it was made so much better by simply leaving. We at least got out of there with our dignity in tact, because I would have felt worse about myself had we stayed for the entire meal. Really disgusted by our Dixie Kitchen experience.
(1)
Dana E.

I love this place. The decor is kitschy. And the food is superiorly satisfactory considering the prices. After a 100 mile bike ride, I indulged in the fried chicken. It was great. Super crispy, and well cooked. I've had the gumbo, jambalaya, grilled chicken, tilapia, and it's all been great. Never had a problem with service either. This is definitely a go-to when my mind is drawing a blank on trying something new.
(5)
Kay D.

I had eaten here a few years ago, and thought it was fine, but after my trip here for brunch last weekend, it's off my list forever. Starting out, the staffing was odd. When we asked for water, the server made a face--I figured out he was actually angry with the busboy, who he felt wasn't doing his job--but it was really odd and offputting. Then I went in the restroom, which was fairly dirty, and noticed that the diningroom floor was filthy (we were eating our front, so I hadn't seen it before). Then my food came. I ordered chilequiles, which were billed as "crispy chips." Well, these were soggy and pretty nasty. Chilequiles is a casserole, and this one must've been baked at least a day or two earlier. I finished maybe half of it--it was dry and unpleasant. Suffice it to say, my digestive tract didn't like it either. It had a /definite/ impact. On the plus side, my husband thought the fried chicken was pretty good, but I won't be back.
(1)
Danny M.

Do you want to feel like the South has risen again? Do you think sweet tea should be injected through IV's? Does the word "po-boy" make you think that everything in the world will be ok? I have been here solely to get the lunch specials. I mean this is a super deal when you think about it. $6.25 for a lot of food! Would do this over Panera anyday! I always get, out of habit, the po-boy with blackened catfish (you have to ask for it) and a cup of gumbo. Honestly, they could have brought out an entire pot of that gumbo and I would have went swimming in it. It was delicious, hearty, and salty! I wish there shrimp in it, as it is advertised. The catfish is a HUGE piece (for the price) and with a great blackening spice. It is a meaty piece of fish that sits so well on its bread. Like a fat man sitting on a couch. Yes. ... And those mini-pancakes they put on your table while you are waiting. Move over bread, I want a damn Dixie Kitchen pancake. Dont kid yourself, they dont taste like much. But once you eat one, with a smear of butter and a dash of hot sauce, ...well ..before you know it you have eaten like 943863 of them. Good for you Dixie Kitchen!
(4)
Liz S.

The first time I came here, I found it really weird how they switched over from the breakfast/brunch menu to the dinner. They stop making the brunch fare at 2pm. Then, although you can still sit there and keep eating, for half an hour you can't order anything. At 2:30 you can order again, but anything except brunch. One of our friends was running really late that first time, and this was a very strange problem for us to deal with, since we had to order for her even though by the time she arrived, they were accepting orders again.... At any rate, the decor in Dixie Kitchen is so cute and creative. They have all kinds of vintage Americana and bait-shop accoutrement. A southern on-the-water feel. My favorite dish is the Dixie hash and chicken: chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, ham bits, caramelized onions and horseradish cream, with eggs and grits. Perfect balance of sweet and salty, plus a brunch meal you won't find anywhere else. They serve smoothies in mason jars and have red-checkered tablecloths. Whatever you do, don't order the chilaquiles...they were just mushy and gross. I made that mistake once and have also seen other patrons be unhappy with it too.
(4)
Robyn B.

This is the first place where I've had decent Southern and Creole standards that is north of the Mason-Dixon line! I particularly recommend their gumbo and the hoppin' john special they run on Wednesday nights.
(4)
Nat T.

I normally.don't write reviews but I just had a terrible experience at a place I used to go to pretty often when I lived in Evanston. The food was good for the most part though the cheese grits didnt taste like there was any cheese in them. What made my experience truly horrible was the service. I understand It was busy but how you gonna bring some soft drinks out and forget one.. tell me they're making a new batch of the jack cakes then bring some for the table next to me and finally bring some for my table after entreea are out. Refills??? Haha way to not be on top of those. The best part. .. since I had a table.of 6 auto gratuity of 18%. Called em out on this as with the service I received the waitress didn't deserve 1%. Tje cashiet said there was nothing he could do about it but would comp me the next time I came in. What?? You just lost a long time customer why wouldn I come back in ever?
(2)
Matthew W.

I write this with a heavy heart. After being a long time customer , the experience that I had at Dixie was subpar; from the low-energy wait-person, food was a collective "meh"; the catfish for one diner was overly salted, chicken for another was over-done, drinks were a bit weak. I really dislike writing this sort of reviews , but it is what it is; maybe it was an off night, but I'll be taking a break from ole' Dixie .
(2)
Katrina R.

Okay, so I usually order the fried chicken and I usually wish it had more flavor, but-- that's MY FAULT for ordering the most boring thing on the menu. I mean, the place comes with corn bread pancakes instead of lame white bread and the gumbo is FREAKIN' DELICIOUS. But nevermind the kick butt beignets (better-than-doughnuts which beg to be paired with coffee) or the absolutely awesome po' boys. Let's talk dessert. THEY HAVE THE BEST DESSERT. Key Lime Pie and the Bread Pudding compete and both come out smelling awesome. I vote yesplease. Also Barack likes this place, is pandering to your celebrity-obsessed heart appeals to you.
(5)
Amanda O.

So out comes the basket full of pancakes. Pancakes???? Uuummm. Okay, so after actually tasting them they aren't pancakes but corn griddle cakes... things. Really quite a nice alternative "bread basket". Dinner with 5 friends totalled just under $76.00 and there was alcohol consumed by some. Very good value. ANYHOW! I'm a southern girl so of course I'm a bit of a skeptic, even if I was excited. I had the veggie sampler and the greens were delish (as well as the flavored/spicy vinegar they offer for them on the side), mashed potatoes a bit dry and the gravey was nothing exciting. Fried green tomatoes were good but needed a sauce. Corn bread was dry. And of course I had to have some SWEET TEA! Just like back home :) AND I had to try everyone elses plates LOL. Heck! I'm the southerner so I have to let them know if what they're enjoying is TRULY authentic ;-) Pulled Pork Sandwich - HELLO!!!! Fantastic. As were the mashed sweet potatos. Gumbo - UM YUM! Fried plantains... okay, not truly a southern food (I don't think) but very, very good. The server was super friendly and we were a rambunctous bunch of jokesters and he handled it well, smiling and keeping the spirits up and lively. Good job, Dixie's Kitchen. I'll be back. Don't you worry, I'll be back!
(4)
Sharon M.

Are you experiencing the New Orleans Nostalgia?? This is the place to cure your melancholy. My friend took me to this joint in Evanston, she had recently returned from a trip to New Orleans and was craving some Jambalaya and all the other goodies she ate in the "Big Easy." The decor is pretty neat and the staff was super nice and attentive. They start you off with some Johnny Cakes..warning..Very addicting. I had the Country Steak with the corn muffin (MMMmm corn muffins! ....MMMmm Johnny Cakes..) and two sides ( Mashed Potatoes and Fried Sweet Plantains) = Pretty Awesome! My friend had the Southern Sampler - Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Red Beans & Rice = Ridiculously Awesome! They definitely have a lot of dishes on the menu and I need to make a couple more trips and experience my very own "Taste of New Orleans." The variety of food is what makes this place pretty special.You know its good when you finish your plate and want to reach over to the next table and eat their food too!
(4)
Erich S.

Fun Louisiana diner feel with southern / Mexican leaning cuisine. Walk in and take a peek - the food matches the decor, which was fun and well executed. I'm not in Evanston much, but it is a nice breakfast option!
(4)
Sarah S.

YES, PLEASE! Must haves: fried green tomatoes, fried okra, collards, crawfish ettouffee. I can't find Southern comfort food quite like this where I'm living now in CA (insert: sad violin), which may actually be a blessing in disguise since I'd probably weigh 400 lbs otherwise. Worth the hop, skip, and jump to Evanston if you're in the city.
(4)
Rits M.

for some reason i thought I had already written 10 reviews about this place. clearly I haven't. YUM brunch- that's what I go for. I usually get the combo breakfast (you can swap out the pancakes and get french toast instead) and if you are kept waiting you get jimmy cakes in a basket. Honestly, I like the jimmy cakes more than the pancakes, but they wont serve them to me if i order them :( Soooo for the breakfast... the 2 things that I have to get here are andouille sausage and the cheese grits. I'm not a fan of the northshore potatoes, but they are truly well made, I'm just not a potato fan. The andouille sausage is just the right texture with the right amount of spice to make my taste buds happy. The cheese grits are smooth and delicious and have spring onions on the top- yum yum - with just the right hint of cheese. A recent discovery- they have awesome bacon as well, my brother had some the last time we went, and we both agreed that it was indeed made from contented pigs. I have also had the Cajun chicken pasta and the blackened chicken as well as the fried green tomatoes. I would give them all 3 stars... the breakfast gets 4 stars from me. But my main reason for going here is the awesome decor. Ive never seen another place like it- love love love the look. Its got big tins for lights, a raccoon playing the guitar, a huge for real boat and a little enclave that looks like a shack. The walls are covered with old advertisements for grape ola and other brands that have since gone out of style (more's the pity)
(5)
Te D.

Dixie if you don't get up outta that kitchen an' come home with me, we gon' have some isshas! Eating at Dixie Kitchen is like having the best cooks from my Dad's side and my Mom's side get together in the kitchen and throw down, but since that NEVER happens, I gotta shell out cash to Dixie. Sad wallet face :/ This is how it would play out in Dixie Kitchen if my family were the chefs Greens- Grandma stickin her foot in them greens as always Cornbread- You know wit a name like Ernestine she can throw down Cheese and Shrimp Grits - Papi style Black beans and rice - courtesy of my Amma Flapjacks and Fried Green Tomaters- Gramsies makes 'em right every time. If you want extra just holla Catfish- You best be hungry when Unk is on the grill Platanos- Umm, I will never jip you with 25% of a plantain and charge you $2+ for it Dixie loses one star for aforementioned small platanos portions, Decent but not great crabcakes (the mustard sauce is perfect for french fries though), kinda yucky french fries, sometimes bland crawfish etouffe and yucky velveeta mac n cheese. Seating is adequate for up to 6 people. Prices are kinda, you know, pricey, but you'll probably have a little bit of leftovers. Watch out for tiny tinkle puddles in the bathroom. Dixie customers seem to struggle with weeing just inside the toilet bowl.
(4)
Stef F.

Ordered the oyster po'boy which arrived cold and later resulted in food poisoning. Thumbs down for this place.
(1)
Deborah H.

This was a good place for breakfast/brunch-better than a diner and reasonable prices. I had eggs Sardou and cheese grits. My tea water was tepid and it took them 5 mins to bring the tea bags (I don't understand why places can't make a decent pot of hot water and bring the tea prior to the water arriving). Everyone enjoyed what they choose.
(3)
Keith K.

Went here for a "cheap place to eat" without even knowing until I got there that this is the counterpart of the location of "Check Please!" fame. On Tuesday business was slow so we were seated right away. Very impressed that they gave my daughter crayons and a little toy right off the bat. We also were were greeted by the corn cakes almost immediately-very tasty. Our party of three plus baby was served fairly quickly. My wife and friend ordered a salad and the fried green tomatoes (respectively) which they enjoyed. For entrees they had the Red beans and rice with andouille sausage, southwestern chicken salad, 1/2 fried chicken (for me, tuesday's special) and chicken nuggets and fries for the little one. I also ordered a beer that was on special and only got 3/4 of the bottle, not really a special if the serving size is reduced. The red beans and rice was good. The salad was very big, our friend did not even finish it. More can be desired of the fried chicken, not any flavor to the breading at all. It came out very hot and crispy but I was disappointed. The sides however, were great. I ordered the cheesy grits and black eyed peas. The meal also came with a cornbread muffin and cole slaw. Not impressed with the slaw either, as i am a fan of mayo based versions and this was not. Overall definitely a cheap place to eat and the portion sizes are good but the lack of standout flavors left us all wanting more.
(3)
Casey M.

Stopped into Dixie for a late lunch with my brother on a slow Monday afternoon. There were a few patrons in the restaurant and our server was prompt and courteous. We sipped Hurricanes, ate Pancakes with butter (their cute take on dinner rolls) and snacked on Peach Glazed Chicken Wings before our meal came. The drinks were quite stiff, wow!, and the wings were sweet and savory and a bit too small. The wings tasted similar to orange chicken, but better, much better. And for our entree, my brother had the Pecan Trout which came with a choice of sides. He chose the Mac & Cheese and Fried Plantains. I could not decide what to eat so I chose the Louisiana Sampler. The Pecan Trout was tender with a delicate pecan sauce served on top and the sides were tasty and fresh. The Louisiana Sampler came with a sample of Jambalaya, Gumbo, Rice & Beans, a vinegar-based Coleslaw and a Corn Muffin. The Sampler was tasty, but with all the starches (rice, corn muffin, beans and more rice) I was over-starched and full half-way through the meal. The overall experience was good at Dixie Kitchen especially because we had a $25 gift certificate for the restaurant. I'd suggest getting the speciality drinks and the Peach Glazed Wings, they were the most enjoyable part of the meal. The rest of the food was predictable, but good. I will have to give Dixie Kitchen another shot to get a better idea of how Cajun their food really is.
(3)
Sarah H.

DELICIOUS! Even though I only gave it four stars, this place is AWESOME. I went here for the first time today and had the Jambalaya omelet - it was a perfect mix of spicy and cheesy. The hollondaise sauce was just so-so and the potatoes were, well, potatoes, but the main part of the dish (which is what is important) was amazing! The toast on the side was nice and they have Knott's jam! Even though at first I thought it was kind of expensive for an omelet (8.95 - poor college student...) b/c it came with potatoes and toast it was a little less pricy. (yay!) The only gripe I have is that they didn't fill my water that often, so I was found with only ice left over. It's crowded on Saturdays, so be prepared to wait for 20 minutes and you will feel a bit rushed. But who cares? delicious food!
(4)
Cory A.

Being from the south, I hold southern food, as well as Cajun and creole food dear to my heart. I can't say that a lot places attempt, let a lone deliver in Chicago, but the Dixie Kitchen makes me proud. I've probably been here ten times over the last year and had most of their menu by now, but no matter how many times I've had their food, I always want to come back. There are a few things on the menu I personally think they need to work on, especially their mashed potatoes. Being a southern restaurant, these just have to be right, and they are far from it. They basically taste as if they were from a box without even any imitation flavor. I just find it strange because the fried chicken is seasoned perfectly and the Ã©touffÃ©e is some of the best I have ever had, even growing up. The Dixie Kitchen serves up some of the best southern food around in a "homely" decorated restaurant that could be in Bumblescum, Alabama, with a bait shop right in the middle. If you're in the mood for some soul food or maybe something a little spicy, do yourself a favor and head on over to the Dixie Kitchen and chow down on some fried green tomatoes and some Jambalaya!
(4)
Jeremy N.

Excellent, authentic breakfast, NOLA-style. I liked the kitschy decor, and the service was just fine. I'll definitely go back, if only to try the lunch menu.
(4)
krebpm k.

Was at this place with some people a few months ago. Food was "meh." What stuck in my mind was a sad story. My sister ordered a dish that listed as $19. The printed price on the actual bill said $22. Small difference, but still it should have been updated on the menu. The server just did what he was trained to do. We asked for the supervisor thinking that she'd have some integrity and professionalism. She told us that $22 should be the price we pay, despite the wrong listing on the menu. We went back and forth and she finally relented. She then proceeded to yell at the poor server in front of the entire restaurant. Not sure what she said, but I think it was in Spanish, and it was clearly yelling. Terribly terribly disrespectful and seriously UNPROFESSIONAL. We made sure we gave the server a good tip. That manager should be fired.
(1)
Dawni C.

Great breakfast, the fried green tomatoes are to die for!
(4)
Patrick K.

So my girl friend and I decided to go and explore Evanston for lunch one afternoon and stumbled upon Dixie Kitchen. For a sit down lunch, this placeis a GREAT VALUE! If your in downtown Evanston and you have a craving for some southern classics, then Dixie kitchen is the place for you. Great atmosphere and frendly staff. They have all these lunch specials that are resonably priced and come with a side and "hot cakes." I had the half shrimp po-boy with jambalaya. VERY GOOD! My girl friend had the fried chicken with red beans and rice, equally as good. However, DO NOT GET THE BEIGNETS. I have had and cooked my fair share of beignets over the year and they cook them wrong. The batchI had was dense and doughy. True beignets are light and airy. If your in a southern state of mind, check out DIxie kitchen for a quick fix of some homestyle southern cooking.
(4)
Lori L.

I may have eaten the blandest grilled chicken sandwich of my life today. Even on my worse days in the kitchen, I couldn't make a more tasteless meal. I never salt or pepper my meal at a restaurant, but I couldn't wait to do so today. So why the three stars you wonder? The fries were perfection. Long, skinny, and fried to a nice golden brown. Not overdone, not underdone. Plus, they serve silver dollar pancakes to munch on while you wait for your meal. Also, you can get some bang for your buck here. I was eyeballing their Yankee which is two eggs, two slices of bacon or sausage, Cajun potatoes, and toast for $4.49. I think I'll try that next time.
(3)
Grace S.

The value at this Louisiana-esque kitchen is great- had the weekday breakfast special "The Yankee" and for $5- it was pretty good. Opted for the grits and toast (instead of potatoes) just for the sake of trying the grits. I'm generally not a fan but their cheesy grits were very flavorful- how you gonna say no to cheese?! c'mon- but the important thing is, it lived up to the name. It was good. The sausage links were standard, college cafeteria-ish- nothing to write home about but for for the value with the eggs, buttered toast and the cheese grits- was perfectly fine by me!
(4)
I. Auberjyne S.

I was looking for a new experience for lunch in Evanston. Dixie Kitchen looked appealing enough. Was I mistaken! I sat and ordered the blackened chicken salad. About 10 minutes later, a table of 3 arrived. They ordered and received their meals before mine. The service was horrific, no efforts on management's part to intervene and all I got was a pathetic 'sorry'. If your time is valuable, don't waste it here!
(1)
Aaron N.

Dixie Kitchen might be my favorite restaurant in Evanston. JAMBALAYA!!!! It's freaking amazing. I can't say this about many meals, but everything about Dixie's jambalaya screams perfection. I continued to spoil my taste buds and had the key lime pie afterwards. It was the best key lime pie I've ever had. Pretty much, I love this place and if you're in Evanston, you will agree with these comments if you try out Dixie Kitchen. I would suggest coming for lunch or brunch. Boooooom!
(5)
Taryn T.

YUM! I came here with a friend during their Saturday morning rush, but they worked through their list of names efficiently and we were seated within 10 minutes. Service was unfailingly courteous - they even apologized profusely (not necessary!) for mispronouncing my name. My cheese omelet was enormous and delicious, along with the side servings of hash browns and cheese grits. I was full until dinner. Plus, my friend and I spent about $6 each in total. A+.
(5)
Sandeep P.

Came back here in the fall for a proper sit down dinner with a mentor. I think I even got the same Cajun pasta again! The service was quite friendly, but not intrusive, so pretty much perfect in my book. The food was fine, but nothing terribly spectacular- it was basically the same as last time I came. I still love the cornbread, and I'm sure there plenty of other good things on that menu, but it's just not my cup of tea I guess. But I have no hesitations going here if asked by someone else. PS there's a bike rack right across the street, if you're like me and always biking to get around downtown Evanston! I would try and avoid driving, because parking can be rather meager in the surrounding area without really scavenging.
(3)
E. P.

I really enjoy coming here and every time I try to get something different, but I always get the same appetizer---fried green tomatoes with a sweet tea as my drink of choice! There are very few restaurants that are consistently delicious and satisfying, but Dixie's has been a place I always go to since I first stepped foot in it in 2004. The service is friendly, the decor is great, and the food is excellent.
(4)
Nathan G.

We've been here twice now and have yet to be disappointed. This time around, I had the Gumbo. Good stuff! The portions are great for the price and the ice tea was fabulous. My wife had the Shrimp Creole and it was very tasty. I hope to go back and continue sampling the menu. The service was extremely fast. Each time I've been, the food comes out surprisingly fast. We'll be back!
(4)
Zack W.

Sounds interesting but forgettable. I have eaten there once back in Jan with a good friend who initiated the arrangement. I was not too mesmerized with the food or the restaurant then. But we had a good time keeping each other company. Looking back, I have no recollection of the particular foods until I've looked at the receipt recently. My friend had jambalaya and gumbo. He liked it and took half of it home. I tasted them and it's ordinary. I had my cat fish fillets (2 fillets to be exact). It's alright but not justifiable for the price of $17. I'm still hungry afterward. I can usual eat a heap of sashima before I can fill up. What can I expect from 2 fillets loaded with lard!!!? I was looking for blackened dishes on the menu.. and I've only spotted one chicken dish. I'm sure I could always ask them to prepare something blackened for me... but I was not in the mood to pursue further... afraid of disappointment... rightfully so, hindsight being 20/20. So diners, it's good to have a Cajun restaurant and earn a decent living to cover the expense of "fine dining" (this place ain't one even though the price implying that). This may not be for the cost conscious.
(3)
Amy D.

I'm between two and three stars. The fried okra side and the smoked salmon chipotle fettuccini were very tasty. Definitely go for the half portion of the pasta, since I couldn't even eat half of that. The Louisiana Lemonade was delightful. I stole a bite of the fried plantains from my husband's plate and they could easily be a dessert. With all these kudos, you'd think I'd give it more stars. However, the jambalaya was not so good. It was more like rice with a spicy marinara sauce. For a place like this to fail on the jambalaya, well, it's just not right.
(3)
Am D.

Rating this for me and my boyfriend...I would have given it five stars on my own. He said four stars because it was crowded and loud. I had the chicken hash and it was amazing. More food than I could eat, which is unusual. Also loved the grits.
(4)
Eric L.

Yum! Lunch special for me, breakfast special for the GF! Best of BOTH worlds! We got out of there - with a cocktail each - for just over the $20 we were going to spend at Chili's (BLERG - but suitable in a pinch), and took food home! I LOVE the Dixie Kitchen, and have never had a bad meal there from any of the entrees I have had (so you'll get no recommendation from me on a particular dish. Try 'em all, they're GRRRRRR-EAT!).
(4)
Sonia L.

Cool Nawlins decor: check. Fried fish and gumbo: check Friendly wait staff with interesting tshirts: check This is a great place to go if you are wandering around Evanston, looking for a non-chain with a cool atmosphere, on a busy downtown street. We were here on Sunday around lunch time. They were still serving brunch, so I expected it be busy, but luckily we got a table pretty much immediately. I ordered the catfish dinner. The catfish was cooked perfectly. The cornbread was dry for my taste, but acceptable. And probably same with the coleslaw....I like mine soaked with all the fatty good stuff, which it somewhat lacked. The cajun potatoes were not greasy enough either, but spicy enough. Basically, I am a fatty who likes grease in everything and I did not find that here. Regardless, the food was good, and the place was very Southern feeling. Definitely a good a find!
(4)
Scott B.

This small but quaint place was a "Diamond in the Rough". I never expected awesome New Orleans cooking to be this good up in Chicago, but I was surprised. The Catfish strips were tender and delicious for starters. Add to that the Seafood Cakes ( much like Crab Cakes) filled with Crab, Crayfish and Shrimp were incredible with or without the Creole Mustard sauce. The Southern Sampler which to me was the best "Taste of New Orleans" had Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Red Beans & Rice. The Gumbo was awesome with just the right amount of spice as was the Jambalaya and incredibly delicious. Red Beans and Rice served as I have not had them before were excellent and the rice was perfect and not sticky at all. The drinks, try the Mimosa or the KILLER spicy Bloody Mary served in a mason jar. For desert you should not pass up the Beignets If you like Cajun cookin, you must NOT pass this busy little Evanston place. It will be LOVE at first BITE!
(5)
Monica O.

Very very good, really delicious and plentiful food, good service
(5)
Cory T.

About a week ago, my pregnant wife tells me she has been having a hankering for fried chicken. Mind you this is the same woman who transform my diet from pizza and wings to chicken breasts with no skin, keinwa, with a side of blandness. Needless to say, I didn't just take this opportunity, I jumped at it. With a quick google search, and a little bit of research, Dixie Kitchen was where I was going to get my fried chicken on. One word..... fantastic. Atmosphere is great for kids. They gave each of them little toy alligators when we sat down. I have nothing bad to say about Dixie..... Best advice I can give is give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Simone T.

I was a faithful customer of the original Dixie Kitchen in Hyde Park for years. When it closed, I went to the one downtown once and was VERY disappointed. Then, about a year ago, came here to Evanston. I've been back 2 times since! The weekend brunch is FANTASTIC: great drinks, fresh ingredients (the remoulade sauce is delicious, great grits, and yummy red beans & rice). Try ANYTHING with the country ham. A bit cramped, and you WILL wait for a table (inevitable on weekends), but the food MORE than makes up for it.
(4)
Tom P.

Just finished a wonderful brunch of fried green tomatoes, catfish and eggs along with banana foster French toast...and a Abita Turbo dog...:). It was great...! The tomatoes were crispy and married with a little hot sauce. The catfish, eggs and grits were very flavorful.. The best dish was the French toast...sweet, vanilla, flavor, wonderful sautÃ©ed bananas and whipped cream....just plain delicious. And that's why we keep coming back to the Dixie House!
(5)
Joe R.

Really enjoyed the fried catfish, but the greens, black-eyed and cornbread didn't taste so authentic. Good for the north side, but not the quality of south side southern food, or of coarse the real thing
(3)
Alex R.

I really love this place and the fact that they start you off with some tiny cornmeal pancakes. I always get their fried catfish here, and it's delicious with my usual side order of plantains and beans. The fried catfish is crispy and perfectly cooked, not greasy like a lot of places. I've also tried their pastas and they are delicious! Mmm...this is a great place to come for dinner, you will not be dissapointed, and the wait staff is usually friendly and attentive. The portions are quite large as well, and this place is conveniently located by a lot of shops and the theatre (good place to bring a date, maybe?). I took off a star because I've come here for their drink specials sometimes, and they are out of drink mix :( So the bar isn't the best in that arena. One star was also taken off, because having lived in New Orleans, this place could be a bit more authentic. But, bottom line, the food is still delicious!!
(4)
Sandra W.

If you're looking for Southern Comfort food. This is the closest you'll get to it in Evanston. I'm from Texas so fried okra, bbq pulled pork, cheese grits were easy to come by. It's good but I don't think all the flavors are in sometimes. It's a bit expensive. The breakfast is really good too. Between Le Peeps breakfast and Dixie Kitchen, I'd chose Dixie Kitchen (since they're right next to each other) Plus Le Peeps ALWAYS has a line after 930am. They also serve sweet tea which is really hard to find. I come here maybe once every two months to get my south comfort fix! :)
(4)
Drew W.

Went for Breakfast on a Northwestern football weekend. Place was packed. Mushroom Omelet was quite tasty, Andouille Sausage I ordered for an extra side was unneccesary (but good, none the less). Toast (rye) was spot on, grits were yummy. Service was fast, efficent, and nice. Maybe a little over kitchy in the decorations for my taste, but comfortable. Good, solid, tasty late breakfast (they serve until 2 on weekends).
(4)
Christine R.

The decor is ridiculous, especially if you're lucky enough to sit "inside" the screen porch-type-thing. It's very kitsch-y and Disney-esque. Unlimited cornmeal pancakes (johnny cakes!), choice of two sides, awesome hurricanes, and Abita beer all make this place amazing. My favorite is the blackened salmon, which is a HUGE piece of fish that is definitely more than one meal's worth. The cornbread is sort of mediocre, but I guess all their corn-product-excellence goes into the Johnny cakes, because those are out of this world. It's a great place for groups, although you might have to wait a little. After I graduated from Northwestern, this is where I chose to have my last Evanston dinner. It's delicious, reasonably priced, and fun. And they have hurricanes. And Johnny cakes.
(5)
Tom H.

Came here on a Sunday morning with out-of-town guests for brunch. At 10 AM, parking on the street in the area was already difficult and the sidewalk was full of people from the double whammy of Dixie Kitchen plus Le Peep next door. Unfortunately, reservations aren't taken, so you have to put your name on the list and hope for the best. After about a fifteen or twenty minute wait, we were seated at a four-top along the side of the room, tucked into a somewhat private alcove, which was nice. The waiter couldn't have been more attentive or friendly. He refilled our water glasses and coffee cups four or five times throughout the meal and, even though the place is small and a lot of people want to get in, we never felt rushed. The Intelligentsia coffee was strong and good, just what we needed, shaking off the sleepiness from a late Saturday night party. Both one of my friends and I ordered the chicken hash: large chunks of chicken mixed with bite sized pieces of perfectly boiled red potatoes. Wheat toast, cheese grits and two over easy eggs completed the meal. All of it terrific. My two friends from Los Angeles seemed intrigued by the cuisine, unfamiliar as it was to them. One had never tried grits and said she really liked them. The entire meal, mixed with good conversation and old friends, was memorable.
(5)
April P.

wonderfully good, down home cooking. They have one of the best catfish fillets i've had in Illinois! Their red beans and rice, as well as their greens are done a little bit on the spicier side, but nothing an order of sweet tea or lemonade can't fix Service is always swift here, and this particular location has daily specials. Out of the days, Thursday is our favorite with 1 lb of chicken for $4.99. We always order the peach wings, with a great combo sweet and heat. Delicious. oooh, their peach cobbler. Divine.
(5)
Jeremy J.

Food was pretty decent, nothing to shout out about. Most things were served at room temperature which was a downer. The service was less than inspiring. I attended a dinner with a table for 10 and only one server was able to help and he happened to have a crappy attitude. Seems he tended to forget about us at times too. Overall I felt as though we were bothering the staff by our mere presence. GIven my interest in enjoying myself at dinner when out I would be hard pressed to visit again.
(2)
Jean K.

4 stars: Overall, solid comfort food! I mainly go here for brunch on Sunday, the Eggs Sardou and Seafood Cakes & Eggs (and cheesy grits) are pretty good. I like their pancakes and Fried Green Tomatoes as well. I know there's better Southern comfort food out there, but this place is good enough! Plus, I love the little corn cakes that come out to keep you busy while you wait for your food. The restaurant has a kitschy, fun atmosphere, which I like. It can get crowded and loud, and when it's busy, you'll have to wait for a table. I personally have no complaints about the service, but I've heard from others that Dixie has bad days.
(4)
Damian S.

As a kid, my family went camping in the South a lot. Mostly North Carolina, where people would notice our out-of-place van traveling down the back roads and invite us into their homes for a meal and to talk for awhile (Yes, it seemed weird to us even back then, too). The Dixie Kitchen took me mentally back to those trips. My friend and I went in on a busy Sunday before a football game. Put in our names, walked around the block once, and were seated right away (don't try to go in with a large party during the busiest times is the moral of that story). I ordered the catfish and eggs, which sounds like a weird combo for breakfast, but it was everything I was looking for from a southern restaurant...fried catfish, scrambled eggs, cajun potatoes, toast, and wait for it...wait for it...cheese grits! Yum! Plain grits are kind of an acquired taste, but cheese grits are something everyone should enjoy at least 12 times in their lives. The meal was tremendously filling, and made me feel like I'd just been invited off the back road by strangers to a delicious, authentic, regional meal. It just happened to be from a different region than I was eating in at the time. This was a pleasant surprise, and a great restaurant. Even with the time for the drive, I think I'll wake up early again on a warmer weekend morning and go for another taste of the Southern states.
(5)
Stephanie L.

Im giving them an extra star because the owner contacted me and thanked me for my review. Shows they are customer service oriented...!
(4)
Rose O.

I've eaten at Dixie Kitchen with regularity for as long as I've lived in Evanston (going on 8 years). They have consistently provided good quality food at an affordable price. Sunday brunch is the busiest, so I would recommend going on a different day or time. They are very consistent with the quality of food, so it doesn't really matter when you go. My favorite sides there are the sweet plantains, the sweet potato hash, and the cheese grits. My favorite entree is the catfish, but their eggs sardou is also very good, as well as the chicken hash. My one complaint is that the restaurant is on the small side! They should expand so that they can fit more people in their restaurant. I highly recommend at least trying this restaurant if you are looking for some good southern comfort food in the northern burbs!
(4)
Karen C.

I'm a fried-chicken connoisseur... if there's one thing southern girls know it's crispy, delicious fried chicken, and Dixie Kitchen has some of the best I've found in the Chicago area so far. It helps that the lunch specials are hella cheap... $6-ish for chicken, mashed sweet potatoes and a corn muffin? Yes, please!
(4)
Aaron B.

Excellent Cajun style breakfast. The Cajun bernaise was great. Reasonable prices
(5)
ann s.

Update--this has become our local favorite for breakfast, though I'm not as warm on lunch or dinner. The eggs are consistently good, as are the things that come with it. And the service has never failed to be friendly. I did, however, make a mistake a couple of visits ago by ordering a Southern benedict thing with cornbread and fried green tomatoes. The cornbread was too sweet for the eggs and hollandaise, while the green tomatoes were bland, as if they came off a foodservice truck. And even though I hated that dish, I still love the Dixie for breakfast. Old review: I like the idea of this place more than I like the actual place. The cornmeal cakes are a nice touch, and the place is cute in that trying-too-hard-to-be-Tobacco-Road kind of way. I'm not fooled into thinking I'm in the South just because they serve their (tasty) cocktails in a mason jar! Still, where else are you going to get an oyster po-boy up here? The dinner portions are quite large--less so, the po-boy lunch special, which had a rather anemic shellfish load the day I tried it. We had some fritter/hushpuppy things as an appetizer and those were excellent. We've found the service to be consistently friendly and competent--and that includes the night that we were there and someone passed out cold under a table. Update--finally had their (weekday) breakfast and liked it. I had the "N'awlins," which is two beignets and coffee, plus a side of cheesy grits. The beignets are a little heavy, but they're still pretty good. Big, too. They arrived too hot to touch (that's a good thing) and properly covered with powdered sugar. The cheese grits were quite tasty, topped with bits of green onion. Best to eat them fast before they start resembling paste. The server was kind enough to offer to go look at the iPod and satisfy our curiosity about a song. Update to my update--we've been eating a fair amount of breakfasts here. I usually order pretty plainly--eggs, toast, grits, coffee. The eggs are usually cooked perfectly, toast option includes a very tasty marble rye, coffee by Intelligentsia. Still don't love the mason-jar bloody mary all that much (I'd prefer a big ol' glass), but if you've known Evanston for a few years, just being able to buy a drink with your breakfast is a good thing.
(4)
Brigid M.

The boyfriend and I came here for dinner last night before going to a movie. It was packed, but we didn't have to wait more than five minutes for a table to open up. Service wasn't at all personable, but very efficient. The water was refilled by various bus staff every few minutes. The sweet plantains are UH-mazing, with a great sweet cream sauce. I know it's technically an appetizer, but my only complaint was that there was maybe too much sauce. The Dixie Hot Wings were just perfect and satisfied my once-in-a-blue-moon wings craving. The black eyed peas were a good sized portion and not salty at all. Wash it all down with an Abita...and lassez les bon temps rouler. I'm only withholding a star until I return again and try something new.
(4)
Leanne A.

two and a half stars.... pros: really good prices big portions nice, quick service cons: I hate being "that girl" but I read the lunch menu in one minute and immediately said "there is nothing healthy on here" OKAY, don't get annoyed with me, I love me some fattening food, but there was literally not ONE healthy thing. no salad, no un-fried food. Fried chicken was good on the inside, but the fried batter was so super super thick and dripping, literally dripping. A lot of pieces I peeled off didn't even have chicken underneath. Though kitchy, it feels kind of yucky....maybe because it gets really crowded and the customers kind of overrun the place. One teenage girl today actually was walking around barefoot, holding her shoes up in the air. Am I a huge snob? Or is that kind of yucky? Another teenage kid had on headphones and was practically on top of some woman's chair who was not even sitting at his table. Probably will not come back.
(2)
Marie D.

Great food, great with kids. The little cornmeal pancakes they start you off with could be a meal in itself for my little boys. I love everything I've had there, and I'm a fan of the campy atmosphere. Good service, convenient location.
(4)
Joe F.

Oh Dixie Kitchen. This is one of the few places where you can really taste the love in the food. Everything tastes really good, like everything is derived from old family recipes. Everything about Dixie Kitchen "fits", from the decor, to the menu, to the drink menu, and food presentation. It feels like a hole in the wall bayou restaurant with someone's grandma cooking all the food, plating it simply, cleanly, and without pretention. The food is comfortable, and comforting. My only gripes with Dixie Kitchen is the host that I consistently see. I can tell he's sincerely trying and working hard, and I appreciate that, but it is not something I should be able to see! Don't make your stress visible to the guests!!! The other complaint I have is that my hollandaise sauce has been broken on more than one occasion, which leads me to think two things: the sauce has too much butter in it OR the sauce has been sitting over heat for more than 2 hours.... Either way, FIX IT! But still, I love Dixie Kitchen. No other place in Evanston satiates my craving for Louisiana cooking or my cravings for the best bloody mary. Dixie Kitchen, joie de vivre!
(4)
Tammy H.

I've been here for brunch and I've been here for dinner. Brunch was with a group of friends from work and it was delicious. I've never seen cheese grits made with white cheese though... Or topped with green onion. A little out of the ordinary with this Southern girl, but still tasty. I also had the fried green tomato benedict and it probably remains my favorite dish from Dixie Kitchen out of my three visits. For dinner, I love the little corn muffin silver dollar pancakes we get... And they should give you more... Sadly, I remember the food being good, but not good enough to remember what I ordered. I believe I ordered the fried green tomatoes as an entree once and it was eh... But, luckily, the food was not bad, or else I'd remember it. ALSO.... Their fried okra is delicious. Again, different from what I've gotten in the south, but delicious because they're a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit spicy. AND. Not-too-sweet sweet tea that keeps on coming. I like this.
(4)
Melissa T.

Looking at the menu on a night when we were feeling indecisive, we thought it sounded good and gave Dixie's a try. Ambiance and service were nice. The sweet cakes and butter were seriously yummy. The gumbo was not earth-shattering, but good. Crawfish and corn fritters... Passable, but not enough of the crawfish. DO NOT get the country steak. There was about 1/2 lb of rosemary in the gravy (a bit of an exaggeration, but there was quite a lot) and the steak breading was dreadful. On top of that, it was rubbery and overcooked, and I couldn't stomach 3 bites. My husband had the jerk chicken and commented that it was too salty and didn't have enough citrus on it. He loves savory foods, so when he says it's salty then it's SALTY. Not sure we'll try this place again, even for the sake of the sweet cakes.
(2)
Morgan H.

This was a great find on a morning walk with no destination in mind. I love a good seafood benedict, and this place has AMAZING seafood cakes and eggs! The bloody mary was also perfectly spicy. The service was attentive, and the ambiance is a lot of fun. I definitely recommend Dixie Kitchen and will be back!
(5)
Tom K.

Hmm...whenever my expectation are lowered I take a shot to the gut. I really didn't want to like anything about this place. I've had the fake cajun/southern places in the Midwest. Some are achingly mediocre and bland. It especially gets me when they camp up the decor. So when I walked into this place and saw the boatloads of Louisiana everything covering the walls and the nearly sourpuss host, I was expecting the worst. The worst never came. I had the Blackend Catfish Po Boy with Gumbo and it was delicious. Really delicious. I'm no expert on this sort of cooking, but I've never had cajun food this good. The presentation was a little too cleaned-up for my liking when I'm eating supposed homecooking, but you can't fault a place for making food that looks as good as it tastes. There were some very reasonably priced lunch specials also. Very good spot for cleaned-up Southern cooking...
(4)
M C.

This was a fun place to try while in Evanston. Loved the decor. Loved the friendly people in line while we waited for a table ( Of course, you can't count on that!). Super nice wait staff. The restaurant just wouldn't seem right without famous southern hospitality! We ordered fried chicken, catfish, and ribs. All good. Should have stopped there, but and also went for the key lime pie. Good but I was a little full to enjoy it!
(4)
Elora H.

I started eating at Dixie Kitchen at its Hyde Park location. I loved it. I moved to the northern burbs and began visiting the Evanston location. It has been at least 4 years since I've eaten here. I was disappointed ! The collard greens were dry and tough. The black eye peas too salty. The corn muffins were dry. The only item that met my expectations was the fried catfish, I did let my server know I was disappointed with the greens. He let me choose another item. I chose the mashed sweet potatoes . They were dry also, I can't speak about the desserts( I had planned to get bread pudding) but I decided against eating dessert . I don't know if ownership or management changed but the Resturant did not have the same " feel" as I remembered , Hopefully, this was just an " off" day.
(2)
Sarah J.

This was my first experience with southern food, and boy was it good! The decorations are so great and add to the atmosphere of the restaurant. The staff was also extremely friendly and had great recommendations for what we should order. If you come here you must have the fried green tomatoes! The only complaint that I have is that the food is kind of greasy, which I don't enjoy, but I think that's just the nature of fried food.
(4)
Aklilu A.

The best and most honest service I've ever experienced. It was our first time checking this place out, heard Obama liked it, so since it had the presidential seal of approval maybe it'll get mine as well was my thought process going in. It has a southern ambiance once you step in, the waiters are sweet folks with honest opinions. Sat us down and as we were going through the menu, the waitress gave us some great feedback about the entrees. Anything we were curious about, she'd ask some follow up questions and suggested some things and then told us what things wouldn't be as good if we imagined it differently. Just straight up honesty, which is rare because most restaurants will try and sell you everything even if they know you may not like it, but not here. My friends ordered the sampler and I ordered the shrimp creole. No matter what you order you'll go home full. If you want a bit of everything like my friends did, then you won't be disappointed with the sampler, you do get a lot with it. As for the shrimp creole, it was amazing. Some say the shrimp creole is too spicy, I have a high tolerance for spicy so to me, it was right in the middle, just spicy enough for me to notice and enjoy. We also had dessert, we had the peach cobbler which was amazing. I'll definitely be coming back for more!
(5)
Leann S.

Always delicious!! I've tried the gumbo, jambalaya and pulled pork, and all three are solid choices. The fried plantains are a personal favorite for a side.
(5)
Bobblehead B.

This place is fine. Comfortable and Cozy. Great service. However, there is no New Orleans food outside of New Orleans. Yankee Shrimp Creole is always too spicy. HOT. Somehow Northern restaurants NEVER get the concept. The DINER is supposed to make the dish as spicy and hot as the DINER prefers, NOT the Chef. New Orleans food does not mean BURN THE HELL OUT OF YOUR MOUTH HOT.
(3)
Jay W.

Friendly service, but the food is mediocre at best. Had a simple brunch of bacon, eggs, and grits. My bacon was literally burned black and the grits were very overcooked and chewy. Other dishes being served around me looked ok, but if you can't cook something as simple as bacon and grits, then I'm hesitant to try anything more complicated. I doubt I'd come back next time I'm in the area.
(3)
Melissa K.

This place is delicious! I had the Shrimp Po boy with a cup of Gumbo! It was so good! Brought me right back to New Orleans! It is a rustic atmosphere with great blues music playing. If you have a craving for some good southern food this is the place right in the heart of Evanston!
(5)
Sharon G.

This is a review more so about the service than the food but from what I remember of the previous dining experiences I've had at this restaurant, they have been quite mediocre. As for the service, I called this afternoon about a request for a philanthropic organization and was treated in an extremely rude fashion. Whoever answered the phone was dismissive and reprimanding and I will never be coming back to this restaurant. I guess customer service is dead these days...
(1)
Jake L.

This place is nice. Ambience is really cosy. But only good for breakfast. They got some great french toast and egg sadu. Service needs more attention. It feels like waiters just walk around. No recommendations. Our waiter just sat in the corner. Seemed like he was already tired at 10 in the morning. All in all this is a good place to go in and out and not to expect a great meal. Just eat once a year here and u wont miss anything much. But i have to say the egg sadu or egg Benedict's what ever you call them is great here. Thats the only reason i came back for the third time in three years.
(4)
Kat D.

I had the catfish po'boy and gumbo. Both we're very good. Not a large half of sandwich tho, so if you're really hungry go for the full plate.
(4)
Sophie D.

The menu is amazing. The reviews are good. We were excited to order from here, We were missing Southern cooking, and called for delivery. We tried to order an entree with two sides, mashed potatoes and mac-n-cheese, but were told neither was available. How can you be a southern restaurant without basics like mac-n-cheese and mashed potatoes at noon??? We cancelled the order. I wish we had gotten to taste your fried green tomatoes. Or that FGT or southern tomato pie were in your side choices.
(2)
Asper K.

Meh, I've experienced better. 2 stars. 1 star deducted for being a fake "dixie" restaurant started by some local dillhole who decided dixie is a good theme. Good job with the bait shop kicker, really sells it...sheesh. 1 star deducted for weak staff who told me the difference between gumbo and jambalaya is that one has shrimp but forgets which. 1 star deducted for food sucking ass The end.
(2)
Cynthia X.

Came here for brunch, and it serves a good mix of regular brunch foods, and some southern ones as well. Tried the fried steak, and to my surprise, it was actually a fried steak, and not a country fried steak like I had originally imagined. Tasty place with good southern fare. Nothing special about how the food tastes, but glad this place is here to mix it up a bit for the Evanston food scene.
(3)
David W.

IMHO this is one of th the best breakfast places in Evanston - cannot leave without ordering the eggs sardou or fried green tomatoes
(5)
Julie H.

We came in during the brunch rush on a Saturday morning. We did have to wait but only for about 10 minutes. They were very quick to bus tables as people left. We told the server that my husband was in a hurry to catch the train, and she got our order in and out to us in no time. The Eggs Sardou were fantastic (the fried green tomato component of course being especially good). I thought the grits were really tasty, and my bloody mary was above average. My daughter's pancakes and sausage were also better than most. This is a great place for kids--they are very accommodating and even gave our daughter a toy alligator to take home (every little bit of entertainment helps with a toddler!). The ambiance (kinda cheesy bait shop decor, small dingy bathroom) left a bit to be desired, so that takes it down a star. Overall it's a solid, no-fuss place for brunch. A nice alternative to your traditional breakfast diner (with a pretty extensive drink menu to boot)!
(4)
Robyn K.

Nice southern food. Some of the staff dont have southern hospitality though! The food seems a little too lukewarm for me. I like hot food. Feels like food is stored in pans and served from there. Female toilet is something else! Why is the toilet roll so low near the ground?? Weird! I still like the food if I am craving hearty food but definitely not top of list for me. It is also easy to miss this place as it is next to a more dominant breakfast place
(3)
Erica D.

The few times I've been to Dixie Kitchen were usually very good experiences; a quality restaurant. Love the atmosphere and love their jambalaya, gumbo and wings. I normally dine-in but it was particularly cold and my mom picked some up to eat at home. I got the fried green tomatoes which are also normally good but definitely not getting them for take out again. They were buried under a bed of soggy, almost brown lettuce which pissed me off... Who buries food under lettuce? Much less something that is breaded and fried. I dug up the remnants my zombie fried tomatoes and naturally they were mushy. They were still warm so it must not have taken that long to get to that point. I picked one up with my fork to watch it fall apart... the breading/cornmeal slid right off and the tomato nearly disintegrated. I observed that also these tomatoes were barely green, more of a yellow with some spots of red which certainly contributed to the sogginess of the whole dish. I still ate them, struggling to dip in the sauce that came with it without pieces falling all my kitchen table . Will not get take out again. I took pictures.
(2)
Bob R.

I really love Cajun food, and was a little skeptical of the Dixie Kitchen.....Wrong! I had the Crayfish Etouffe which was delicious. A great roux, countless crayfish, and not too much rice! My wife had shrimp and grits that was incredible. The Johnny Cakes served as an appetizer were sweet and not that filing. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was nice and comfortable. The next time we are in Evanston, we will return!
(4)
Matt G.

This place is decent. Nothing amazing. Slower service but when you are out with friends having a few hurricanes ($5.50 on Fridays) its not a big deal. Just nothing blew me away. Had the shrimp po boy with fries. Both were good. Ample amount of scrimps filled the belly. Ill be back for the hurricanes. For sure. I liiiiike
(3)
Sabrina H.

The food here was flavorful, but I had higher expectations from this place. I ordered a fish sandwich that wasn't much more mouth watering than most. Portions were large though and everything tasted fresh. Overall not a bad place to eat.
(3)
Peter R.

Nestled in between Le Peep and Panera is this gem of a Southern restaurant. My friend recommended this place since she lives in Evanston. A small band of us decided to head over here and give this place a try. It's a quaint little restaurant, that has a nice country feel to it. My eyes zoomed immediately to the fried chicken. A part of me did want to try the country steak, luckily someone else ordered it and I was able to have a taste. We started off with the hush puppies, and it was damn delicious! I was salivating with anticipation for my fried chicken...and finally the moment of truth. This is the quintessential fried chicken. The crunch of the first bite. The flavor, and the tender white meat. This was an absolutely awesome fried chicken. This place gets 5 stars from me just from the first bite alone. I also got to sample the Country steak, and it was also worthy of praise. I love going to places like this. I am sure glad my friend recommended. I feel like I owe her some money, just for telling about this place. It was that damn good. Head on over and get you grub-a-dub on!!!
(5)
Stefanie K.

This place is pretty good. The food was good, the drinks were tasty, but the service was sooooo slow! I had the georgia peach colada (yum!) as well as the shrimp o'boy. Very generous with the shrimp and the fries were delicious. Good place to come with friends to have a drink, but expect slower service.
(3)
Kim G.

We loved the Johnny cakes they give you to start. We also tried the fried green tomatoes which were delicious and juicy on the inside but crispy outside. The service was quick and friendly.
(3)
Jackie G.

This is one of my favorite places to take myself out to eat...and sometimes I let others go with me. I love the fried green tomatoes (although sometimes some pink ones slip in) and the fried okra. I'm also a big fan of the red beans and rice with andouille sausage, the spicy chicken pasta dish, and the Northern style pulled pork sandwich. It makes my mouth water just to think of it! Every once in a while I get the peach cobbler...but have to get it to go because I'm so stuffed I can't eat it while I'm there.
(5)
Lisa G.

So sad that the UC location closed - but this place still has the amazing johnnycakes, fried green tomatoes, po' boys and a ton of other delicious food. Weekday lunch prices at $6.95 can't be beat, and the staff is great. And Obama likes it, so what else can I say? Just go.
(5)
Mark M.

cheap price for good food that has real southern tastes, southern sampler is good taste of several dishes, relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff keep me coming back
(4)
Shawn K.

I guess it's a theme for Evanston restaurants to lower standards over time when they realize they can get away with it. I went to Dixie Kitchen with my girlfriend for a quick lunch. She ordered the crab cakes with grits for her entree and I got the Southern Sampler. The portion I received was gigantic, I reckon large enough to feed three people. Unfortunately, the entree was essentially a platter of rice buried beneath a layer of old jambalaya, thickened to the extent where the texture resembled glue, and a layer of canned beans that tasted like they were cooked two or three days prior to ending up in front of me. To top it off, the shrimp in the small cup of gumbo served with my dish made me physically ill. They must've been a week old; tasted like how dusty closets smells. For me the food was at best unappetizing and at worst inedible. However the reason why I'm giving this restaurant such a low rating is because of a server there. I will note that she was not our server, but watching her do her job was painful. There was a total lack of urgency on her part, taking her sweet time slouching about at a snails pace after an elderly diner sitting at a table next to me asked for a glass of water. When delivering food, she simply dropped the plate in front of the diner and walked off without a single word. The thing that got to me though was this: my girlfriend, halfway through the meal, pulled a long disgusting white hair from her poached egg. When I tried to bring it to this female server's attention (because she was closest and our waiter wasn't in sight), I received no apology, no acknowledgement of the problem, no concern, no decency at all. Instead all she said was, "tell YOUR server." Yeah...not much else to say about that. I got pissed off and tried to give her a hard time about it later - which I probably shouldn't have done - and her last words to us before we left the restaurant was' "it's not my problem, take it up with management." I will say this though: our server was excellent. Even though it was a casual restaurant, he showed through his service that he had respect for himself, his customers, and his work. When my girlfriend told him about the hair, he very courteously apologized and asked if there was anything else he could get her. The man was very friendly and, before we left, once more apologized for the mistake and said he hoped we would come back to eat soon. I really appreciated that and I can honestly say that even though everything I ate there tasted like sadness, because he said that I left the restaurant feeling happier than when I entered. I might even go back to eat just to say hi to him.
(1)
Liz A.

This will always be one of my favorite Evanston restaurants. The food is always reliably good, there's never too long of a wait, the atmosphere is fun and relaxed and the service is very good. I love dixie kitchen because you can't get food like this at many other places; my favorite part is all the nuances that make this restaurant really stand out-- especially the cornbread pancakes every table receives to start, they are delicious! I highly recommend the blackened chicken for an entree with the cheesy grits on the side. I've never had a bad meal here, and it's definitely worth the trip to Evanston if you're in the mood for some southern cooking!
(5)
Jenn E.

It's not necessarily the same as eating in the South and the service can be very slow but it's the best South of the Mason Dixie eating I've had in the Evanston area thus far. I highly recommend the fried green tomatoes (echoing everyone's sentiments), the spicy bloody mary (indeed, very spicy AND strong yet very tasty) and anything with grits or smothered in gravy. Both brunch and dinner are good here. Sometimes there is a bit of a wait but typically have been seated within 15 minutes of arrival with parties ranging from 2 to 8 people. At dinner, the free corn pancakes (or johnny cakes) are good but you have to be into the concept of them. They remind me of Southern restaurants I've been too and are good coated in butter a little hot sauce. I always order the fried green tomatoes, which come out piping hot, usually 5 in an appetizer size serving and covered in shredded lettuce and scallions. The tomatoes are juicy and the breading is crunchy and a little bit spicy - just thinking about them makes me want to head over there for my own order. It's a size big enough for sharing but they're good enough that you might not want to! All of the portions are enormous - my brunch order of the Southern Eggs Benedict was huge, with what felt like a pound of spicy roasted potatoes, a big scoop of cheese grits (yum), and two rounds of cornbread, covered with a generous slice of ham, two poached eggs, a whole roasted roma tomato and a lot of creole hollandaise which is essentially hollandaise with a generous sprinkling of creole seasoning. It was delicious, though I definitely needed maybe 1/3 of the potatoes. The fried chicken dinner, again massive in size, is a good bargain though I wish the chicken was a little juicer. It is legitimately a half of a chicken fried. The chicken, sadly, was solid but not amazing. The collard greens are really good and vinegary and the mac and cheese was good but again not amazing. My friend's mashed sweet potatoes were really good though as were the regular mashed potatoes. My other friend's jambalaya was also really tasty. Come check it out; just be sure to be very hungry and willing to wait a bit from a service standpoint.
(4)
Dan G.

I wish this restaurant was here when we lived in Evanston. I stumbled upon the Dixie Kitchen when I was looking for a late breakfast. The atmosphere & antique decorations alone are worth a visit. And if you want a great southern meal for a very good price, this is the place. I had the "French Quarter" and left very satisfied with the delicious food and the incredibly friendly service. I wish there were more restaurants like this: good home cooking for a reasonable price.
(5)
Kevin B.

Service was very, very slow. The food was nothing special and a 12 oz can of beer was $6. We had the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. They were underseasoned. For our entrees we had the shrimp po' boy and the blazin Dixie wings (extra hot). The breading on the shrimp was not good and the wings were not even remotely spicy. I questioned if I even got the right sauce. Definitely will not be returning here. I wonder if the chef has even tasted their recipes?
(1)
Valerie H.

Wasn't happy with the food. It was much better food when it was located in Hyde Park. Very disappointed with the baby catfish, fried green tomato's, mac and cheese. Food was terrible.
(1)
Caroline J.

I popped in here with the BF before a show over at SPACE because we wanted to hit up something that wasn't a chain. When we first got there around 6:30, it was almost empty, so I was a bit nervous. However, it was pretty full by the time we left so it seems like people come a bit later. They bring out corn pancakes and butter right away. A great idea in theory, but the pancakes were nothing special. I ended up ordering the blackened tilapia po' boy while he ordered the BBQ peel and eat shrimp, with us sharing the fritter appetizer. The fritters were delicious. Similar to hush puppies, but I think they had shrimp/crawfish in them. The pepper jelly that came with them was phenomenal - I wanted to put it on everything. My po' boy was pretty dang good - they definitely gave me a heaping portion of fish and the remoulade, while nothing fancy, went perfectly with the fish. The fries were very fresh, but nothing extraordinary. While I was enjoying my sandwich, my boyfriend was destroying his shrimp. I'm pretty sure the phrase "I want to drink this sauce" was uttered more than once. I wasn't a big fan of the sauce, but he was in love. Decor is great! It felt like I walked into some bayou dive bar. Service was a bit slow, but all in all we had a great experience. And let's be honest, the Evanston prices didn't hurt. That meal downtown would have easily been $40 or $50 and we came out around $30 with tax and tip. Would definitely come back!
(4)
Matt K.

Tasty Fried Okra. I usually get a Poor Boy and Gumbo. Not a good place to be if you are in a hurry.
(4)
Harold B.

Their breakfast specials were my go to meal everyday for two years! The early crew knew me and my number by heart. It was always a good thing to have. Lunch time, on occasion, I'd stop by again and grab the red beans & rice. This was delicious, but it affected my afternoon productivity severely whenever i hadd it. Its a great spot for a long lunch or after work meal with a coworker.
(4)
brice b.

Food was marginal in a little on the overburn side service was marginal but they want to nickel and dime you on every bit of sauce they give you or anything else for that matter
(3)
Kur D.

In the heart of downtown evanston. Dixie's southern kitchen has a wide variety of southern food. Is you love southern food, you will definitely fall in love with Dixie's. It has a warm and friendly environment with fast and easy customer service.
(5)
Julia J.

Great place for lunch in Evanston! I had the lunch special with half a catfish Po'Boy and a cup of Jumbalaya. Both were fresh and delicious and I would go back in a heartbeat!
(4)
Gino W.

When I moved to Chicago in 1995, one of the first restaurants my sister took me to was Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop at the Hyde Park location. That location since closed. That meant having to drive almost to Indiana or going to Evanston. I live on the North Side, so it was Evanston for something to remind me of my university days when I used to go to New Orleans for a weekend. Johnny cakes. Fried green tomatoes. Crayfish and corn fritters. Gumbo. Etouffee. I am still a fan of the johnny cakes. Who would have thought that you could feast on those little pancakes with only a pat of butter and be content with it? The fried green tomatoes are still a big hit. Dashed with a little hot sauce, it's all good. I still laugh at the need to add shredded lettuce and chives to the top, but that's a Northern thing. The crayfish and corn fritters reminded me of beignets from the texture, so there were no complaints whatsoever. Served with a jalapeÃ±o jelly, they were a good addition to the menu. My main reason for going to Dixie Kitchen was for the gumbo and I must say that they have not failed with their gumbo. The etouffee had the flavour but not the spicy kick that you'd expect. I won't get theatrical and moan. However, I will opt for the red beans and rice instead of the etouffee next time. There will be a next time.
(4)
Anne M.

Went to this place for the first time with the family and was excited since I suggested the place. I was disappointed. ...service could've been better. I almost wanted the other waitress I saw attending the other tables. Our waiter (older African American) didn't seem upbeat and friendly enough so our experience was nothing short of disappointment. Food was nothing to write home about. I ordered the shrimp and grits which was okay but with the amt and size of the shrimps....it was not worth over $15. Ambiance was nice....but customer service and and price will be the downfall of this place. I wish they would take more time training their staff (customer experience counts) and lower the prices until the food is improved thus supporting the reason why it's priced the way it is.
(2)
Sherrie W.

Good food. But, very disappointing delivery times. Have ordered multiple times from GrubHub - and am always annoyed at how long it takes, even for good food. Over 1.5 hours for delivery is ridiculous. Then, today my order was cancelled because they changed their delivery area after waiting AGAIN.
(2)
Rowena L.

This place tries to do southern but is only OK. Standard catfish entrees, po' boys, etc., but lacking the real authenticity of southern flavor. I suppose this far up north it ain't half bad.
(3)
Suzanne B.

We came in because my bf was craving fried chicken. Nice atmosphere, kind and helpful server who needs to speak up to be heard over the lively conversations, but the food left a lot to be desired. The beans In the red beans and rice were unevely cooked, the fried okra appetizer had an inordinate amount of caps and tips in it, many over cooked. The jambalaya, gumbo and johnny cakes were good, but overall the over cooked food was all we could talk about. Nice little place, but decidedly not worth a second chance in my book
(1)
C C.

I love their fried green tomatoes and blackened catfish! Service was great.
(4)
Steve A.

Considering the owners are not originally from the South, this is a remarkably authentic dining experience. I had the lunch special of a half blackened catfish poboy and a cup of gumbo. The catfish was the perfect spiciness, still moist, and not muddy, and the bread was fresh. Gumbo was a tasty, rich mixture, served with the rice separate on one side of the cup, which was an interesting approach. My meal came with a pair of corn meal pancakes rather than muffins, which is a bit unusual, but tasty. At under $7 it was a good buy for lunch. The unsweetened peach tea was very tasty; it's hard to find good unsweetened tea in the South. The breakfast items and salads I saw also looked good. I love the funky atmosphere. The space is decked out like a bait shop, and red checkered plastic tablecloths brighten things up. There are also four tables out on the sidewalk.
(4)
Teresa K.

Great food! Really fast service (we didn't even have to wait that long to get seated on a Sunday morning). Decor is fun, and it's nice to have an alternative to the more 'traditional' brunch spots in the area. Servings are gigantic! I had the gumbo - which was good, if a little too thick for my taste. Also - the french toast here is amazing!! Beignets and plantains are great too.
(5)
Jenny H.

Dixie kitchen has a great brunch and lunch menu. On weekdays you can get brunch starting from 4.95, and lunch from 6.95. There are so many options! Sometimes I like to get the sampler, or the half catfish po' boy. You can get your catfish fried, grilled, or blackened. Plus, you get a little side of gumbo, jambalaya, or beans & rice. The gumbo is my favorite. If you're getting brunch, make sure you try the cheese grits. The beignets are pretty good too! For dinner, if you're feeling pasta, I would recommend the cajun chicken pasta. Service can be a little slow, and you'll probably have to ask for refills of water, but the food and the price make it all worth it. They even send you a birthday treat- delicious dessert with your next meal!
(4)
Siobhan S.

Omg you have to try the fried green tomatoes. It was packed cause it was a Saturday during brunch but it is so worth it. It's like New Orleans in Evanston. I've been a fan for years. I haven't been here in a while, it was nice to know the food hasn't changed.
(4)
John M.

Went last night with friends and we had a very nice meal. Had drinks to start and people say the Hurricane is too strong, I was under the impression that was why it was called a a Hurricane? I really may be wrong. I really can not speak for the authenticity of the food. I really like their Gumbo! I bet it is better in New Orleans! But I am in Chicago and this is pretty good stuff! My friends had Pulled Pork sandwich, I snagged a taste and it was pretty darn tasty. And another had the catfish fillet and said it was great. She was also really impressed with their Macaroni and Cheese. We had the peach cobbler for dessert, probably the weakest part of the menu. It was not bad, it was just okay. Nothing to rave about.
(5)
Tamara O.

I've been here two times, back in November 2014 for my birthday and last week (4/6/15). I ordered the seafood pasta both times and was pleased. The other dishes I tasted from during both trips were just okay (Of course I tasted everyone elses food). During the November visit my dining companions were my mom and son she had the red beans and rice, greens and some other side any my son had the kids fettuccine alfredo. My mom liked the red beans but said it didn't taste like a "home" styled red beans. She did not like the greens at all and felt they were salty/vinegar. My son also did not like his pasta which I tried and I have to say it was an extremely thick Alfredo sauce so it felt more like you were eating sauce with a sour cream consistency opposed to a pasta with sauce dish. We also ordered the crawfish and corn fritters and they were again just ok but the dipping sauce was delish we also had blended alcohol drinks that were very tasty but unfortunately lacked alcohol... Overall that night was pleasant because it was a festive occasion, my BIRTHDAY!!! but my son and mom wasn't left with a I have to go back experience. Now let's move on to the meal from last week on 4/6/15. I got the same thing (seafood pasta) so again no complaints on my dish but of course everyone dibbled and dabbled around the table. We originally wanted Chicken and Waffles on Dempster but they were closed so someone mentioned Dixies. I gave my warning of "the seafood pasta is really good". Two diners ordered the fried chicken entree and the other person ordered a catfish entree. I felt so sorry for the guy that ordered the catfish. It was so oily that he attempted to blot it with a napkin, no one liked their greens but did enjoy the cheesy grits. The service on this particular day was HORRIBLE! The waitress was nice enough but slow as molasses even though we were one of two tables in the restaurant. She kept forgetting things, and simply did not come back to check on us. This was on a Monday afternoon so there isn't any reason not to have a minimum level of service. Overall I'm giving two stars because while the seafood pasta is good I've tasted enough of the other dishes to say that it wasn't worth it. It has so called southern dishes on the menu but doesn't have southern flavor. I would not dine in again or try anything besides the seafood pasta.
(2)
Victoria W.

Disappointed. Overpriced. Ordered the Crayfish & Corn fritter. I thought it was both crayfish and corn but really it's a few pieces of crayfish with breading. That was $8, not worth it. Had the beans and rice, it was just legit beans and rice with some scallion on it. This is not the bean and rice that it is known for, it should have been mixed up with good creole seasoning. Came here on a Friday night and it was not very crowded. Service was OK, a bit disorganized.
(3)
Treneice T.

The food wasn't really good. I had Gumbo with a side of Collard greens. The Gumbo was really salty and the greens were mediocre. I've grown up on REAL southern food that's so good you would want to slap your mother. So admittedly I tend to judge southern food joints rather harshly. *Shrugs*... Also I tried my boyfriends fried green tomatoes. They were soggy, yet satisfying.
(2)
George B.

The Dixie Kitchen has a blink-and-you'll-miss-it location in the heart of downtown Evanston, so be sure you don't blink. Otherwise you'd miss some tasty southern fare in a funky setting. The first thing they bring out are the famous "Johnny Cakes," which is basically a bread basket full of small and delicious pancakes. Slather them with butter and let your high calorific journey begin. I am a big fan of both their fried chicken and their catfish, in any of its forms. I don't do well with spicy foods, but my friends who do tell me that this place has incredible southern dishes like crawfish etouffe and grits. But let me tell you about the real miracle of the Dixie Kitchen: their daily breakfast special. Served until about 2 p.m., you can come in and get the $6 French Quarter spsecial, which will give you two eggs, two sides and a side of french toast. The "side" of french toast is basically a second breakfast portion. I always substitute the sides for some of their awesome dinner sides (try the mac and cheese or the baked potatoes with beef gravy...my mouth is watering as I type this.) Also, their scrambled eggs are unbelievable. I know what you're thinking right now. "George, how could the scrambled eggs be unbelievable? Their just scrambled eggs. Everyone serves them." Yeah, I know. But trust me. There's something truly magical about them. You might even call it a taste sensation. Basically, whatever you order from here, I have a feeling you will be satisfied and I know you won't leave hungry.
(4)
Alan R.

Dixie kitchen was a vibrant thriving restaurant in its early years. Reknowned for Barak Obama going there on check please, dkbs has seems tll lose its luster. Although it was busy, it's didn't have the same vibe as it's early years. I liked to be wowed when I go to a restaurant. We had gumbo jumbalya and fried green tomatoes. The food was underwhelming. The menu seems the same as it was 15-20 years ago. It was good but without the wow factor. It's still a viable place to eat, but Dixie kitchen has seen its better days.
(3)
Marianne A.

Came here for a weekend lunch. Everything was amazing! We ordered the gumbo, fried oysters, collard greens, red beans and rice and blazing wings. Collards were perfect (good texture, not bitter). Wings were pretty hot but juicy and crisp. The sweet tea was on point! Both of us are from the South and so we were definitely judging everything haha. The friend grew up in New Orleans and commented that the gumbo was a bit bland and didn't have that bit of "slimey- ness" that authentic gumbo has (he says it's from the okra). Other than that everything was tasty, filling and so darn good! The decor is kit shy and cozy. We had a table right next to the front window and gosh did it feel good feeling the sun in the middle of this arctic tundra action going on. It was like the sun was shining on us and the good ol southern eats in front of us. Happy Face. Parking is around the corner at meters. Prices were very reasonable (ie $8.95 for 10 hot wings, $2-$3 for sides). Our server (blond girl with the blue eyeliner) was very nice and friendly. Overall, a solid go-to place for some comfort food while in Evanston! The complimentary johnny cakes and butter were yuuuuuum!! This place is great!
(5)
Nicole C.

You MUST have the fried catfish and eggs for brunch. This is the best brunch place around!
(5)
Adriane P.

Looks exactly like my Grandmum's kitchen (and family room). Tons of antique Americana signs, mismatched chairs and tables, gingham table cloths, repurposed lanterns and chandeliers made out of old food or coffee tins, kitschy fishing stuff hung up. My family isn't southern but loves antiques and many are in that business. Well enough with that scintillating rambling; on to the review! As mentioned in my digression, the atmosphere inside holds a quaint charm. It's cute but not contrived. It fits the character of the restaurant. For those who care they have sidewalk seating in warm seasons. I've been quite a bit and have enjoyed: The Johnny Cakes They give everyone this instead of a bread basket. Pancakes made of cornmeal with butter on side. Seafood Cakes and Eggs 2 Homemade cakes of crab, crawfish, and shrimp, served w two eggs, Cajun potatoes, cheese grits with chive sprinkles and toast. Very good and meaty. The grits were rich but delicious. Catfish and Eggs Sweet fried catfish filet w same as above. Terrific. Crispy outside flaky inside. Coffee A + It's worth mentioning the service is always excellent. The decor and wonderful service make me like it; the food being good is just icing on the cake. (They don't actually sell bait here. Would anyone buy worms from an eat-in restaurant? I'm overthinking this. I love you, bye.)
(5)
David B.

I first found this place when it was still in Hyde Park. Now it's moved to Evanston. Evanston? Well, it's survived the move. Worth the long ride on the El up from Chicago (it's half a block from the Davis station) for some tasty cajun food. I had an appetizer sampler; the crab cakes and catfish were outstanding, better than the jambalaya, which is sauce over white rice, pretty good but not my favorite way of making it.
(5)
Morgan Richelle M.

If you are from the South (and even if you are not), you will get a kick out of Dixie's. My mother brought me here after strolling the adorable town that is Evanston. The interior of the restraunt adheres to a very vintage personality. Chekered tablecloths, vintage posters and signs, old lanterns, mismatching chairs and tables- tons of fun to look around! Aside from the decor, the food is also incredibly tasty. They offer cornbread pancakes with butter for you to noms on while you scan the menu, and those in themselves are delicious! We had a very simple eggs/ham scramble with toast, but it couldn't have been prepared any more quickly. We enjoyed our quality meal at this fun restaurant and will definitely come back to this quirky, fun joint.
(5)
Stephanie K.

Love the gumbo and the fried chicken and the Abita beer selection. This is also best place for brunch in Evanston. Jambalaya omelet and beignets--yum! Lots of interesting stuff to keep the kids entertained as well.
(5)
Mike K.

I'm a fan of this place. First things first, this place makes a killer hurricane. Strong and tasty. I had the sampler platter (gumbo, jambalaya and rice and beans). They give you quite a generous portion. It tasted phenomenal. My only gripe is that the service could have been quicker, so I knocked off a star.
(4)
Lucas W.

I don't go here often actually, but I don't know why. Every time I go to Dixie Kitchen I'm always very happy with whatever I order. Then again, probably better for my waist line that I don't eat here regularly - don't go in expecting plenty of healthy options. Delicious, not healthy. I've had a fair bit of the menu; on prior visits I've had everything from catfish to burgers and it's always been good. I remember pairing the burger which had a fantastic bbq-esque sauce on it with some Southern beer I'd never heard of and it was phenomenal. This most recent time, I got some jambalaya and fried plantains. The jambalaya was excellent, could've used some additional spicing perhaps but I'm really nitpicking. And the fried plantains...well, you can't screw up fried plantains they're delicious everywhere - although the sauce was kinda strange to me. The jambalaya had plenty of sausage and chicken and such, quite a thick sauce/soup/stew whatever you want to call it. I'd definitely get it again. It's on the low end of a $$ restaurant. I find the decor a bit tacky but I don't really care in the end because it's all about 'does the food taste good.' And Dixie Kitchen tastes great. Oh, and, if you somehow save room for dessert, the bread pudding is a slice of heaven
(4)
Helen S.

I had the most amazing shrimp and grits the other day. Not from here, it was at another restaurant further downtown. This restaurant, on the other hand, is right near my Evanston home. I've heard of Dixie multiple times but have never been because southern food isn't really my thing, but I was just craving shrimp and grits, so I finally dragged a friend to accompany me for dinner. Our meal started off with the bread basket, which contained cornmeal pancakes instead of actual bread (interesting). My friend ordered the sampler, which came with jambalaya, gumbo, beans on rice, and cornbread. He liked it and pretty much finished everything on his plate, and I took a few bites of his food to try and thought that it was acceptable. I ordered the shrimp and grits (obviously). The first bite was good, but it wasn't nearly as great as that other restaurant. The shrimp also weren't nearly as big nor fresh. With each bite, it tasted progressively worse, probably because this dish is so so rich. It's just cheese and butter and fat and more cheese butter fat, and some grits. I barely ate half, clutched my tummy, and asked for a container to bring the rest of my food home with me.
(3)
Michelle K.

Every time I go to Dixie Kitchen, I want to love it so much. I want to love it so much that even though every time I go and eat the food, I think that I should never come back, I find myself coming back. Over the course of my time in Evanston, I have eaten numerous things off the menu including their beignets, omelettes, eggs benedict, gumbo, and their burger just to name a few. BUT I always leave disappointed and with a weird taste in my mouth. I have eaten creole cuisine many times in New Orleans and... I must say that this is SO far from what it should taste like. Each time I get anything with their jambalaya, I feel like I'm eating something that's a little spoiled and the last time I was there, my corn bread had mold in it! Needless to say, I went back again today and ordered the jambalaya omelette. WHY. It tasted a little off--I can't quite put my finger on it... AND the potatoes were lukewarm. I was with good company and they seemed to enjoy their dishes but I will probably not be returning... Ever.
(2)
Yvonne B.

I am amazed by their fried plantains with creamy rum sauce and their fried green tomatoes. I think I'm going to go back again and again for their sides! Oh lordy! I've got a craving!!! They really outshone my shrimp po boy sandwich (which was scrumptious delumptious when I ate it the next day). Our service was terrific. We were seated immediately at a table that had JUST been wiped down. Our server told us how we could get the most bang for our buck by getting the plantains as a side instead of an appetizer (thanks for the tip!). They gave us Johnny Cakes instead of bread while we ordered and waited for our food. The Johnny Cakes are like cornbread pancakes. They were served warm and with a dish of spreadable butter. My mom and I shared two of them while we waited for our food. The ambiance was similar to Portillo's. It was homey with all kinds of kitschy things tacked to the walls and on display in nooks and crannies. I think it was appropriate for the variety of food served.
(5)
Leslie B.

Great value for dinner in downtown Evanston! Dixie Kitchen has been around forever and is definitely worth a try if you're in the area. For dinner on a weeknight, they offer a catfish filet meal with two sides for $9.99. For the amount of food you receive, you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal in the area. To start, our table received some light and fluffy Johnny Cakes which we really enjoyed. Additionally, you receive a free order of fried green tomatoes on Monday night. These were tasty, but the breading was a little dry and I didn't feel the need to eat more than one. We shared a cup of gumbo to start, and it was phenomenal. In retrospect, I probably should have gotten this for my meal. It was so hearty and full of flavor, the andouille taste really added to this. For my meal, I got the blackened catfish. It was cooked really well and spicy, but seemed incredibly oily. It came with two sides that were fine, nothing spectacular. My boyfriend got the seafood cakes which were really tasty and came in a large portion, he let me have a bite of his mac 'n cheese which was great. I loved their unsweetened peach iced tea and our server was very attentive. As I mentioned earlier, you're definitely getting your bang for your buck. Overall, worth a stop to this downtown Evanston staple, I'd really like to come back to try their brunch!
(3)
Jenna C.

When I worked down the street I ate here quite often...this was about 7 years ago. I'm not sure what has changed. My wife and I spent the last week talking about how much we wanted to come here...well, we were quite disappointed. For starters our server was dry and really came off like she couldn't be bothered. I saw the busser more than I saw our server. The food came out quickly, which was great. We ordered the southern sampler and the veggie sampler. The fried green tomatoes were oily and soggy, and in SERIOUS need of some sort of sauce. The gumbo and jambalaya were just ok...for a restaurant that advertises southern food they really missed the mark. I've had better at other restaurants. The cole slaw was the soggiest, most flavorless I've ever had anywhere, and the corn muffins were dry. The Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes were both really good. We had to track down our server, as she didn't bother checking on us at all, and ask for the manager. Manager was a pretty nice guy, comped us on the parts of the meal we didn't eat (which was most of it). It was a really disappointing experience, I wouldn't waste time or money going there.
(2)
Jeremy W.

Not as good as the location that once was on the south side of Chicago, in Harper Court. The Johnny Cakes are a staple at Dixie Kitchen, but whenever I get them they are always cold and lack flavor. Went yesterday and had the Po' Boy Catfish Sandwich, it was ok except the roll that it was on was a little hard. The Collard Greens were bad, some of the worse I've ever indulged. The Corn Muffin fell apart when I went to break it open. My son had the Jambalaya and gave it thumbs down -- and my wife had the Street Tacos, of which she labeled as "terrible". I'm giving this place 2 stars because of all the times I've dined here, I have had a few average tasting meals. Oh, the fried green tomatoes are tasty.
(2)
U.M. S.

I love their cheese grits, complimentary johnny cakes, and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice! The place truly has a down south feel and the decor is unique but in a good way. The service here is pretty great and I highly recommend trying the fried green tomatoes as well is their specialty, Beignets. Can't rave enough about this place, great for Breakfast and Lunch!
(4)
Tani S.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend brunch. It was as good as I remember when I used to eat here attending college years ago. Although service was as slow as I remember albeit friendly :). We started with the fried oysters which were delicious and all the egg brunch dishes were wonderful (the shrimp and grits, chicken hash, seafood cakes with eggs). The easy going atmosphere was perfect for our soon to be two year old and his impish mood. The bread pudding was so yummy and we were surprised at the ample portion (of that and all the dishes)... If there was one dish to skip I would say the beignets which had a reheated feel to them and weren't the light, pillowy donuts I had hoped for/know they should be.
(4)
Betty H.

Service: 2, slow and had to ask for water repeatedly Cleanliness: 5 love the ambiance Food: 2, still love the comp flat cornbread pancake, ordered the wings (undercooked) and salad just ok
(3)

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Address : 825 Church St
Evanston, IL, 60201
Phone (847) 733-9030
Website https://www.dixiekitchenevanston.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :8:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop

825 Church St, Evanston, IL, 60201

Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop Menu

Starters

Southern Salads

Entrees - Meat N' Three

Sandwiches

Southern Specialties

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop

Starters

Southern Salads

Entrees - Meat N' Three

Sandwiches

Southern Specialties

Dessert

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