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Name: Bahama Breeze
Address: 406 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL, 60173
Telephone: (847) 884-7060
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.60

Bahama Breeze

406 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL, 60173

(847) 884-7060
Store is closed

Bahama Breeze Menu

Appetizers

Coconut Shrimp

Crispy Onion Rings

Chicken Quesadilla

Lobster And Shrimp Quesadilla

Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp

Beef Empanadas

Warm Goat Cheese And Flatbread Crisps

Sliders

Blue Crab Claws

Tostones With Chicken

Warm Spinach Dip And Chips

Jumbo Lump Crab Stack

Roasted Cuban Bread

Flatbreads

Firecracker Shrimp

Habanero Chicken Wings

Jamaican Chicken Wings

Conch Fritters
Snacks & Small Plates

White Bean Hummus

Steamed Edamame

Chips n Vine-Ripened Tomato Salsa

Crisp Yuca Fries

Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini

Sweet Peruvian Corn Cakes

Ham n Cheese Croquettes

Chicken Empanadas

Citrus Shrimp Cocktail

Mojo-Marinated Pulled Pork
Soups & Side Salads

Bahamian Seafood Chowder

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Cuban Black Bean Soup

House Salad

Caesar Salad
Entree Salads

Grilled Chicken And Tropical Fruit On Mixed Greens

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Grilled Tenderloin Salad

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

Grilled Salmon And Mixed Greens On A Tostada
Sandwiches

Sun-Drenched Portobello And Vegetable Sandwich

Cuban Sandwich

Oak-Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Key West Fish Tacos
Burgers

Housemade Wood-Grilled Burger

Housemade Wood-Grilled Cheddar Burger

Applewood Bacon And Cheddar Burger

Portobello And Manchego Cheeseburger

Avocado And Goat Cheese Burger

Hawaiian Burger

Create Your Own Burger
Seafood

Calypso Shrimp Linguine

Seafood Paella

Coconut Shrimp

Curry Shrimp Rice Bowl

Fresh Pan-Seared Salmon Pasta

Lobster And Shrimp Linguine
Chicken

Jerk Chicken Pasta

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast

Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Curry Chicken Rice Bowl

Wood-Grilled Chicken Breast

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Grilled Chicken With Cilantro-Crema
Beef & Pork

Baby Back Ribs

Center-Cut Filet Mignon

Wood-Grilled Top Sirloin Steak
Wood-Grilled

Jerk Painted

Simply Grilled
Fresh Sauteed

Pan-Seared

Shrimp Saute

Almond Crusted
Desserts

Chocolate Island

Warm Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Dulce De Leche Cheesecake

Banana Nut Bread Supreme

Rebeccas Key Lime Pie
Rumtoberfest is here!

Come out for our special #RumThursty Thursday night parties every week in October!

A month-long celebration of rum & fun at Bahama Breeze

The fun doesn't stop there

Learn more here:

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bahama Breeze

Appetizers

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

Crispy Onion Rings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

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

Warm Goat Cheese And Flatbread Crisps [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Blue Crab Claws [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostones With Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Spinach Dip And Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Lump Crab Stack [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Habanero Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamaican Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Conch Fritters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Snacks & Small Plates

White Bean Hummus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Chips n Vine-Ripened Tomato Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crisp Yuca Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Ham n Cheese Croquettes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Mojo-Marinated Pulled Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups & Side Salads

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

Chicken Tortilla Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuban Black Bean Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Grilled Chicken And Tropical Fruit On Mixed Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Grilled Salmon And Mixed Greens On A Tostada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Sun-Drenched Portobello And Vegetable Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Oak-Grilled Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Key West Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Burgers

Housemade Wood-Grilled Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Housemade Wood-Grilled Cheddar Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Applewood Bacon And Cheddar Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portobello And Manchego Cheeseburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado And Goat Cheese Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Create Your Own Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

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

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

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

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

Fresh Pan-Seared Salmon Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster And Shrimp Linguine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

Jerk Chicken Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Kabobs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Chicken Rice Bowl [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood-Grilled Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken With Cilantro-Crema [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beef & Pork

Baby Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Center-Cut Filet Mignon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood-Grilled Top Sirloin Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Wood-Grilled

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

Simply Grilled [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fresh Sauteed

Pan-Seared [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Almond Crusted [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

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

Warm Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dulce De Leche Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Rebeccas Key Lime Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Rumtoberfest is here!

Come out for our special #RumThursty Thursday night parties every week in October! [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

A month-long celebration of rum & fun at Bahama Breeze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The fun doesn't stop there [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Learn more here: [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Schaumburg for healthy meals suggestion.

Cinnabon ( D203 Woodfield Mall )

Auntie Anne’s ( G103 Woodfield Mall )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 1422 N Meacham Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Schaumburg for healthy meals suggestion.

Cinnabon ( D203 Woodfield Mall )

Auntie Anne’s ( G103 Woodfield Mall )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 1422 N Meacham Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Zip M.

We had Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pasta and Key West Fish Tacos with an Aruba Red Lager. Tasty, reasonably priced, spicy and we'll certainly make a return visit. Recommended.
(4)
Char A.

This place has great drinks. Too bad I can't say the same about the food. The onion rings are served with an odd sauce, the empanadas are more Indian than Mexican, and the beef had liquid smoke vs real smoke. When we were seated the manager came to the table and explained the server would be right over and he took our drink order. I wish he would have been our server. The waitress was barely present. All in all I will go to Fuddrucker's instead.
(3)
Bina P.

Bahama breeze was just what I needed in the midst of winter. The ambiance is so relaxing, especially on Friday night after a long week. The drinks, the music, the decor...everything about this place put me in a tropical paradise in just minutes! If you want an instant getaway, this fits the bill!
(4)
Nicole C.

Loved it! I avoided going here for so many years for no good reason. It's very good! They offer light portions or full portions, which is great, especially if you're not one to finish or take home leftovers. Or if you're not sure of a meal and want to just try a smaller size. I've never been disappointed here!
(5)
Nicki P.

Food is good not great, but the atmosphere is very tropical and makes you feel like your on vacation. Just wish it was let so expensive, the drink menu of signature cocktails is extensive and fruity, which I love and the food menu is large but it just seems to be missing that wow factor.
(3)
Ashley J.

Its always a hit or miss on if your going to get a nice wait staff. Most of the time they are very nice but we have had two bad experiences here. Their buttermilk chicken is very good and a lot of food for the price. Its a nice place to go, it just depends on the time and day. I can say the worst experience we have had was quickly rectified by a very kind manager which helped us to want to go back. Overall I'd recommend it to my friends and suggest they give it a few tries before passing judgement.
(4)
Greg C.

My girlfriend and I came here on a Saturday night around 10pm. We were staying down the road a few minutes away and were on our way back from downtown Chicago. We decided to stop by and get dinner since the other night we came here the wait was to long for us. This time we walked right in and sat down. Overall we had great food and customer service. We got several different dishes and all tasted great. The yuca fries and jerk chicken pasta were my favorite. Also the lighter portion of jerk chicken pasta was more then enough and it saved a few dollars. The chocolate pineapple upside down cake was a phenomenal way to end the meal. We both would go again in a heart beat. Our waiter was friendly and served us very quickly.
(5)
Robert A.

I drove past this place several times on my way to TGIF in the past and the curiosity finally got me. It was Father's Day and i figured why not. I wanted to try out a new place with my Family. It was 2 hours before closing time and it was a slow night. When you arrive, the place is stunning. It is very well decorated and you forget where you are. I felt like i was in Miami. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was great. We were tended to almost right away. My daughter ordered the jerk chicken and a lemonade, i ordered the grilled chicken and a margarita. My wife ordered the salad. We were excited cause we loved the place and atmosphere. And thats were the excitement stopped. The lemonade and Margarita took 20 minutes after we ordered. My margarita was not good. It tasted very sour and the tequila tasted like it was a cheap brand. I requested to have my margarita to be made again. When i received it the second time it tasted like they recycled my drink and added more mix. My waitress asked me how was my replacement drink and i told her it was ok. Not happy with it, but ok. I ended up not drinking it. The waitress brought drinks and food to our table on two occasions that was not for us. By this point, 45 minutes had passed. My family and I waited another 30 minutes and no food in sight. I noticed 3 tables sit down 20 minutes after i arrived being served their food and leaving. After 1 hour and 15 minutes of waiting, we had enough. We were so disappointed because we loved the atmosphere and it was fathers day. We decided to get up and leave. I asked the waitress for our bill to pay for the drinks. She apologized and said not to worry about it. Based on other peoples reviews, we will try it again in the future, but we were very disappointed this time. I hope they get it together, its such a nice place.
(1)
Nick M.

Sandwiches are a great price, ribs are fall off the bone tender with a great smokey bbq sauce and service has always been top notch. I highly recommend the pineapple upside down cake, mosit and served with a rasberry sauce! We will go back for the live caribbean musician
(4)
Kurt L.

My family got to eat in the "fire pit" room. Britannie was our server and she was great. My wife had the creole chicken and chorizo pasta special with a "curly tail" drink. She really liked both. I had the Calypso shrimp pasta and a "dark and stormy." Both of mine were awesome. I'm definitely getting both of them when we are able to go back.
(5)
Somchai S.

Stopped in on a chilly Friday since my fiancÃ© and I needed to escape the crazy weather we've been having. Instantly we were greeted by the manager and seated by the host. Our waiter Ricky was extremely friendly, upbeat, and personable; basically he had all the qualities of a great waiter. He suggested the Rum runner for a drink and the jerk chicken pasta for my fiancÃ©. I had the seafood paella. Everything was tasty and came out so fast. Ricky was very on top of things. However, the real star of the show is the chocolate pineapple upside down cake. We never usually make it to dessert, but I am so glad we did. It was moist and not to chocolatey. Just a perfect combination of sweet. The atmosphere was great. Friendly staff, lively guest, nice tropical decor, just a good place to escape the Midwest.
(5)
Rocky B.

It's ok. The coconut shrimp is probably my favorite here. Tostones chicken is pretty good but I'm not too excited about. Paella is really good. But I've never had a paella I didn't like. Key lime pie is always good everywhere. Shrimp creole is pretty good too but I'm not too crazy about it. I would still come here.. I haven't tried anything else better than the coconut shrimp yet
(3)
Katala S.

Great place to gather for happy hour during the work week. Been here several times and I always enjoy. The cocktails are the best and they have really good appetizers. Try the jerk chicken pasta.
(4)
Courtney M.

I have driven past this restaurant for years, admiring its tropical exterior but it always looked so busy...so I didn't want to make the attempt. When the opportunity came to actually eat there and it looked as though a few parking spots were available, I was thrilled. Folks, I am here to tell you that I was not let down. The interior is just as relaxing and tropical-like as the exterior, conjuring up memories of days gone by laying out on the beach and sipping a cold one. After transporting myself to this time, I snapped back to reality and we were seated. The waitress arrived immediately to take our drink orders and these arrived only moments later. I had the Ultimate Pina Colada which was absolutely delightful, but wasn't that big which made my heart a little sad. Regardless, I chugged that sucker down within the first fifteen minutes because of its extraordinary ability to quench my thirst while filling my soul with joy. When it came time for food, I was ready. I ordered the Shrimp and Grits because this is my favorite comfort food no matter where I am. Although this meal wasn't quite at the top of my shrimp and grits favorites list, it was spectacular. The grits were of the perfect texture with various additional items added in for taste and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. I could have consumed much larger quantities of this dish, but don't let that fool you- the amount provided was truly enough to satisfy even the hungriest of diners. Overall I loved the experience and the belly fillers and will continue to feast at this restaurant for years to come.
(5)
Karen B.

Alexis R is the worst server we have ever seen or even dealt with. First off the servers were discussing who would take our table in ear shot of us. That was tacky. Then once they decided, our server Alexis R didn't even greet us and seemed very unhappy and rude. Our food was cold. One of our guests didnt even receive her food because Alexis R forgot to enter it in. Then as were leaving Alexis R is at the bar with her co worker pointing at the doorway where we were as were leaving because she has now realized she received a poor tip. Never ever will be eating at this place, and Alexis R needs training!
(1)
AJ B.

I'll start by saying the food here is very good. Mahi tacos were fantastic as was the coconut shrimp. The decor and atmosphere are also fantastic. Three star rating is entirely due to the service my group received last night. Our waitress was nowhere to be found for 20 mins just to take our drink orders...another 20 mins to take our order for the meal. Nowhere to be found whenever we needed anything but worst of all when she did show up she was a extremely chatty in an uncomfortable and awkward way. I almost never complain about service but she singlehandedly made dinner last night a bad experience. I would have given this place 2 stars based on last night but it deserves better...
(3)
Faith R.

They took away my fav app the baked goat cheese in the pepper but thankfully the pulled pork sliders are just as good. And I still get the jerk chicken pasta dish in the large portion. Help is pretty and nice.
(3)
Vince V.

This is gonna sound awful but I'm often flapping in the wind when it comes to Bahama Breeze. Having been here many times over the years I've had experiences that have ranged from just okay to pretty darned yummy. This review covers my most recent visit from a couple of weeks ago. I sat with friends where live music was being played. The performer (Kenny Kipp) was very good, covering songs from Train to Stephen Bishop, switching up from keyboards, guitar and his trusty uke. Good stuff. I ordered the shrimp creole. The chorizo sausage gave a nice zesty accent to this dish and there was a decent amount of shrimp. There were plenty of textural elements and it was definitely not boring nor gimmicky. The house beer was a refreshing compliment. Service was prompt and friendly on a Sunday evening.
(4)
Steven H.

Service was awesome, food was great, long islands could use a little work though. Overall experience was great!
(4)
Rachael Z.

Must have the coconut shrimp with the hot sauce. Jamaican jerk chicken is good but not really spicy. I recommend the key west fish tacos, the curly tail drink( very smooth piÃ±a colada like) and the ultimate pina colada served in a coconut. I also the bahamarita but for some it might be a bit strong on the alcohol. the rice was wonderful and definitely get something like the empanadas to share. Would not recommend the pain killer drink, as it had a weird hazelnut flavor that made no sense with the rest of the drink. The waitstaff was very informed of the menu, friendly and attentive., even on a busy Saturday night.
(4)
Scott B.

No reservations! Call ahead and give your name. This place is so much fun, with live music during the summer and awesome appetizers and drinks and entrees. We tried the new Island Hopper Appetizer and it was a very good sampling of the island flavors having, Jamaican chicken wings, crispy coconut shrimp, onion rings, and conch fritters, and served with citrus-mustard, jerk barbeque sauce and roasted pineapple chutney. Their new Pina Colada served out of a pineapple was extremely good, as were many of their drinks. There were so many good appetizers, we never got to the main courses, however the selection of fish was very good, offering fresh Salmon, Tilapia, Corvina & Ahi Tuna, either Wood-grilled or Sauteed, in Classic style or, Mango Glazed, Almond Crusted, Chimchurri (Lime, Olive Oil and Herbs), or Creole style. The soups were very good also, including the Cuban Black Bean soup drizzled with cilantro-crema. All in all this place is a very good Darden Restaurant, fun for couples or a family.
(4)
Rachel D.

Love that they go out of their way to accommodate folks with Gluten Intolerance, Dairy & Shrimp Allergies Like Me. I typically skip going to any fish or seafood restaurants at all, as in Red Lobster, Joes Crab Schack, Dover Straits, etc... I have found that if I go to a regular restaurant that offers some fish and ask them to use a clean pan, clean utensils, new gloves that I do not have a problem eating at a restaurant that also serves shrimp which I am super allergic too. I ordered the salmon, wood grilled with lemon, garlic & butter sauce, I can survive with a tiny amount of butter and I took my antihistamine before I left my house to make sure I would be OK. The salmon came with a choice of vegetable and potatoes, I asked for asparagus instead of the potato, no up charge which was great, and it came with green beans, love that and also some rice which was big surprise, in a good way, so I had extra to take home. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the taste was amazing, the green beans were also cooked perfectly as well as the rice. Nothing was overly salty or over seasoned which was a pleasure. To top it off I had a coupon for $10 off a $20 purchase with 2 beverages. The tea was good as well.
(5)
Maria M.

Went to diner tonight and had an amazing experience. Had the firecracker shrimp and edamame for appetizers , beef empanadas and chicken sandwich for diner , all delicious. I have to mention our waiter Steve!! What incredible service , super attentive , he certainly is part of the reason for this 5 star review!!!
(5)
Mark B.

5 star fish tacos ! Made with grilled mahi mahi ! Too shelf ! Service good & friendly and great selections for side ! A must try if you have never been there .
(5)
Emily H.

The "Bahama" kitsch is laughable, but their desserts are serious business. The Key lime pie was authentically flavored and textured. Also, the rum drinks should be illegal they are so good. The Painkiller made me completely forget what I ate. It was probably fried and therefore delicious, but really, who cares. Rum and pie, bitches.
(4)
Bob R.

My daughter came home from college for the weekend and we decided to go out rather than cook at home. Since Bahama Breeze recently sent us a $10 off coupon, we decided to go. It was a Saturday late afternoon, a warm and breezy fall day in Schaumburg. We were seated right away and had a wonderful server. She was quite friendly and attentive. I love Cuban sandwiches. When I saw they had one on their new menu, I was sold. We started out with the white bean hummus with fresh vegetables. My son had the Seafood Paella, my wife and daughter had salads. First off, the hummus was pretty disappointing. If you ever had a night in college when you drank beer and had Lays Bean Dip with chips, that was what the hummus tasted like. Definitely and dish not to order in the future. The Cuban Sandwich was okay - certainly not the best I've ever had, but certainly not the worst either. The beans and rice I ordered with it were excellent however, They serve black beans and a yellow rice. Very fresh and tasty and just a little spicy. Everyone else raved about their meals. There was a grilled chicken and a grille salmon salad, both were excellent. The paella was also quite good. So, overall it was okay. Bahama Breeze is great for two things - warm days when they open the windows and a you get a nice warm breeze through the restaurant, and those cold days when the windows are shut but you are lucky enough to get a seat on the patio where they have a warm fireplace and live music. So, stay away from the hummus and you'll enjoy your experience.
(3)
Jessica B.

We loved this atmosphere. We visited in late September. We were seated within 10 minutes in the Caribbean style breezeway and nearly forgot we were in Chicago by the time our appetizer arrived. We had the conch fritters which came quick, hot and moist. Delicious! We both ordered drinks from the bar while we waited to seated. They were fruity and tasted like they were from the islands! We love this spot and wish we'd found it sooner! We recommend it to any one!
(5)
Tony M.

My favorite tropical paradise of a restaurant ever since I came here in 1998. Every time I am here, the food is consistent with great taste and quality! The service is always amazing with the staff paying attention to the details like my flavored tea refills! Also, we get the most amazing service with 20 or more people at the table. I'm amazed at how great the service is with 20 people at the table. We all ordered individually and kept receiving great service with refills on our drinks without asking for them. The staff asked if we needed anything most of the time when it was a busy Friday night! I have called so many places that kept pushing for a pre ordered meal and private area when it comes to 20 or more people at one sitting. This place is the best for big groups that just want to order individually and relax without a private room. It is one of the rare restaurants that can accommodate many people and not push you to pre pay over $1000 when you have more than 15 people. Even when I had 6 people at a table we get the same great service and food every time no matter the size. I have no complaints here! I love the variety of tropical drinks and entrees they offer! Amazing desserts too! Their food is full of flavor and not dry. The prices are reasonable surprisingly that is not too pricey like other restaurants in Chicago. This is why I have been coming here since 1998 and why it is always packed here, so better reserve early for your seat. They have great patio outdoor seating by the fire pit if you like feeling in tropical paradise with the Caribbean music!!!
(5)
Sarah S.

I've been to Bahama Breeze a couple times and had the same experience both times. Decent food, I wouldn't say amazing...Decent service, I wouldn't say amazing. Personally, I love a themed anything so I love that Bahamas Breeze really commits to their themeing! It looks great and is a fun place to be in. The strange thing is the energy level of the service staff doesn't match what it should be in such a fun place! I would hope you could get lost in the fun, island feel but you just can't. The staff seems like they would rather chat with each other and are just counting down the minutes until their shift ends. Meh. On my most recent visit last week, I got the Chicken Sliders. They were actually much better then what I had last time I went to Bahama Breeze, totally can't remember what though. The chicken was moist and tasty however there is nothing else at all on the sandwich. There is a sauce that comes on the side which I put on my sandwich and really enjoyed. I also liked it with my fries...tasty fries. It was quite a bit of food for a good price. Service was accommodating but I just wish they seemed a bit more enthused about being there.
(3)
Elizabeth W.

Bahama Breeze was very inconsistent on my recent visit. This includes many aspects of the experience, from food to service. The staff at the host stand was just not with it, at all. I saw a large group standing nearby, so I wasn't sure if there was a wait or if they were waiting to complete their party before being seated. None of the four people at the host stand acknowledged me or made eye contact, so I just stood there for a bit, waiting. Then I said, "Excuse me," but nobody looked up at me. I finally raised my voice and said, "Excuse me, but is there a wait?" Three of the people just looked at each other, then the fourth (who was on the phone) told the other three that they should help me. Finally, one of them told me there was not a wait. I noticed that two of them were working on a crossword puzzle and was a little annoyed. When my husband arrived, we waited a bit at our table before a server arrived. It looked like the servers were having a pre-shift meeting, and none of the people at the host stand had interrupted to say that they were seating that section of the dining room, because other tables nearby also had to wait for servers. The server we finally did get was excellent, however--very knowledgeable about the menu, quick with refills, and accurate about taking our order. She also recommended an item to us, which we did like very much. She was also very friendly. I think our server needs to school the host stand staff on how things work, because she was a model of service, whereas they were a bunch of chump clowns. The food was also a mixed bag. We really liked our appetizer, but the salad I ordered was pretty mediocre. The dressing tasted like they squeezed a lemon into some corn syrup, then dumped a bunch of vinegar into the mix. Ick. The yucca fries, on the other hand, were amazing. I could eat them every day. My husband found his chicken dish "just ok" and wondered if they made the caipirinhas from a mix. The restaurant does look very spiffy. There is a fire pit, live music in one section, a lot of bamboo and other exotic decor, etc. It isn't until I sat down that I noticed the fruit flies buzzing around, which was not so spiffy. I think this is a good summary of Bahama Breeze--everything looks great, without everything else inside to back up that appearance. Why wow your customers with style and then fail to deliver on the substance?
(3)
Julie R.

After a generous offer to give Bahama Breeze another chance from a higher up my husband and I decided to have one last date night to see if anything was different. To our excitement, it was! Whether it was coincidence or not, many of the workers seemed new and were more respectful and helpful from the greeters to the servers. I tried the fish tacos and my husband got the newer grilled chicken. Both were fantastic as was our firecracker shrimp appetizer. I'm still sad that they did away with minor things like the shrimp in the Bahamian Seafood Chowder, but these are not deal breakers for us. I was thrilled to have a Bahama experience like I remember it from a couple years ago. We will consider Bahama back in the ring for an option on our date nights as long as they keep their high standards for both quality of food and service.
(4)
Sunny K.

In May, I went to Hawaii with a few girlfriends. We decided to get together for dinner, and I suggested Bahama Breeze. Everything about the restaurant reminded us all about Hawaii, and we loved it. Our server, Steve, was great, too. He was friendly and easy going. To drink, I ordered a Frozen Bahamarita. It wasn't very strong, but I wasn't complaining. For dinner, I finally made up my mind and ordered the Grilled Salmon and Mixed Greens on a Tostada. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The salad was bold in flavor, which I liked. However, it was a tad saucy and made parts of the tostada soggy. Overall, the meal was tasty and I would order it again.
(4)
Grace C.

This place was soooo good! I went there last night and it was awsome there drinks are delicious ecspecially the bahamerita and the ultimate piÃ±a collata!! Coconut shrimp=the best if you go here you must try them! Chicken dishes are amazing you've gotta try this place you won't be disappointed :)
(5)
Joseph P.

A stormy Friday noon may not be the best time to come here for a review, as the somewhat open "porch" area may be the most distinctive part of this restaurants layout. It is very popular with the "Ladies who Lunch" crowd during the day, and was not particularly busy. Our server was a friendly, efficient, guy who treated 3 "old guys" well, despite the fact that we didn't order anything that comes with a slice of orange or paper umbrella stuck in it. I had the 3 Fish Taco plate, my buddies had a burger and a salad. All these are about $10 - 12 at lunch. The tacos are first rate, the others said theirs were average. A previous visit yielded similar results, but the chairs on the porch were not as comfortable as the booths inside.
(3)
Venkata S.

Went 4th june 2013. Had been a very good experience. liked the ambience very much. Ordered some sea food.
(4)
Betty H.

Ordered their jerk chicken wings for an app, and was a meal in itself. Went for lunch and totally appreciated the ambience. Will definitely be back
(4)
Thera D.

The food was delicious! Especially the Seafood Paella. I thought they'd have more carribean style authentic entrees (other than jerk chicken) but everything I got was tasty. The ambience was beautiful.They have cool happy hour and late night (after 9pm) half off appetizers that I would meet friends for a drink and apps for. I will take my out of town guests there for sure.
(4)
Alan S.

Very good food, nice setting, good and friendly service (from seating to leaving), and reasonable cost.
(5)
Javid D.

Always a delight to eat at Bahama Breeze. The one in Schaumburg IL is one of their best for service, decor and ambiance. On a Friday night around 7:30pm we were lucky to get seated right away because those waiting wanted bigger tables. The place and the parking lot were packed. The large menu interesting. Very clean and modern bathrooms. We had the seafood chowder and chicken tortilla soup to start, and the new shrimp curry rice and the Bahamian chicken breast, all very good. The shrimp curry wasn't hot enough for my wife, so she added extra hot sauce, and my meal seemed a bit too sweet, but otherwise nice. I gave our very pleasant server a bigger than average tip, and I'd definitely recommend this restaurant. My only question: why do they put SO much salt and sugar on their dishes?
(4)
Alyson L.

Love going here and sitting in the patio room. The staff is great and we have never had a miss with any of the food! Good Caribbean flavor. Very fresh!
(5)
Sampad D.

Ambiance: The ambiance is beach resort theme and was bit crowded ( had to wait 30 mins to get a table).Live music was also there. Food: This was my first encounter with island food. We odered the Firecrack shrimp. It was kind of breaded shrimp with spices. The sause along with the shrimps was also good. The cocktails were also nice . We ordered the Carraben Chicken curry and Chicken pasta. Both the dishes were nice. The portions were also huge. Reccomendation : Try the chicken pasta , its really nice.
(4)
Carla G.

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Illinois anymore..." Coming to Bahama Breeze was a great mini getaway from the rough Chicago weather. The decor is beach resort theme. They go all out with the patio furniture and even in the restrooms. I love it! A group of us had just finished bridesmaid shopping and decided to go out for food & drinks to celebrate. The drink menu is bananas! So many options that it was difficult to decide, but the bartender was friendly and helped us pick some great drinks. Once we sat down we got right down to business with ordering. I had the Cuban Black Bean Soup & the Fish Tacos. Everything was tasty! Our server was nice enough to split the check for all of us without any problems. Very impressed by this chain, I'll be back!
(4)
Cynthia M.

I've been to Bahama Breeze 3x & each visit was mediocre. The good is good, but not amazing, the service lacked each time & it was always so uncomfortably cold inside. Wouldn't go out of my way to give it another shot.
(3)
Jennifer T.

Calypso Shrimp Linguine - "Tender shrimp in every bite...sautÃ©ed with garlic, scallions, tomatoes, Creole spice and a touch of cream." Oh those words ring so true. Have you ever had a dish that tasted so good that you thought if heaven was like this, then I can eat forever. Well, this is it! And what was amazing was that, at a day later (because I doggie bagged it), my dish still tasted just as good as when I first had it . That almost NEVER happens! And the only thing I did was popped it into the microwave. Let's see, the shrimp was still tender, the sauce was still creamy (and not too rich nor too light nor to salty, it was just right!), and I could taste the freshness of the bitty pieces of tomatoes and green onion leaves that was mixed in it. So if you didn't get my drift by now, you must try the Calypso Shrimp Linguine. It will not fail! Oh, and the bread they gave that went with the pasta... oh that bread! oh yes... This dish has me so excited I think I will go through a phrase for the next couple of months where this will be my ideal pasta. BB, I can't wait to come back and try your other seafood dishes as well. You made me love you. Other things I've tried was the Coconut Shrimp appetizer and a Pina Colada drink. The shrimp was OK, a bit too crusty for my taste but it was good with the sauce. The Pina Colada was really good. Perfecto. Now onto the real overview... I went here for my birthday (which I got a free desert) with a group of 12. I had called ahead to put my name down for seating reservations and the wait wasn't too long. On top of that, the staff was very accommodating with our table arrangements. They allowed separate checks for each and every person and gave us no hassle (big key for my friends and I when we go out). They also allowed me to change my entrÃ©e choice after 15-20 min of placing my order (at first it was the Pan-Seared Salmon) with no problem too. Everyone was friendly and nice and when you take home the leftovers, the staff will even draw on your boxes. Mine had 2 beach chairs facing the sunset... Sweet BB. I will bb (be back)... =)
(4)
Danielle S.

I've been here numerous times since my first review. It's a love-hate relationship. It's best on a weeknight after work or a weekend (when you don't need to care about time). On those days I would give them 4 stars. Their food is good (most times - there was one time it wasn't but I'll say more about that later), the atmosphere is very chill and fun, the drinks are good, and some of the servers are good. Sometimes they have live music outside and a fire pit - very cool! The one time we had a bad experience, the manager took care of it (took stuff off the bill, got free dessert and a round of drinks, and coupons for next time). That regained my faith in this business, but then today happened (see below). Weekdays at lunch time are SLOWWWWW. My friend and I love the atmosphere here, but today we were sitting there for 8 minutes and no one had some to serve us yet. We ended up moving ourselves to the bar, which was still slow!! We ended up having to take our food to go because we were going to be late to work. Too bad, this place would be great if their service didn't suck. I can think of one good server I have had here, and I've been here a lot!! They aren't even busy during lunch, and for some reason it's just ridiculous. On these days I would give it one star.
(2)
Shailesh J.

We went on sunday for a early dinner .. Ordered jerk pasta and westindies curry chicken... well curry chicken was absolutely bland ...they should have spiced it up a bit ... the jerk chicken pasta was okay...May be would like to try the apetizers during happy hours...
(2)
Marc F.

First visit in nearly 6 years or so and a much more enjoyable one as it was far less crowded than what I remembered. Sat in the bar area and it happened to be happy hour. Half priced apps was a nice surprise especially considering my daughter just wanted the quesadillas. Grilled fish was very fresh tasting and the jerk chicken was great although not the jerk chicken we are used to. Juicy and tasty not spicy at all. Drinks were good and server more than competent but I don't think a $9 "Cabo Wabo margarita" is created by just sweeping the bottle over a rail tequila cocktail. Had three and while tasty, could have used twice as much spirit. Maybe beer next time.
(3)
Yo P.

I've been to this restaurant before and liked it very much. Today, however, was a huge disappointment. I ordered the Carnitas rice bowl that also comes with chorizo sausage and sweet plaintains. The bowl was missing plaintains and chorizo. What I got instead of chorizo was summer sausage. Clearly not the same in taste or texture. I pointed this out and a manager came by to tell me, not directly saying I was wrong, that the sausage was indeed chorizo. Sorry, but 3 people in my group are hispanic...IT WAS NOT CHORIZO! I was asked if I wanted another dish but I refused. Since the idiot manager insisted that I didn't know what chorizo was, I wanted nothing more to do with the place. If you're going to specialize on caribbean food, hire staff that knows caribbean food.
(1)
Anya C.

I got a $25 gift card to one of four restaurants in this chain so I decided to try Bahama Breeze. I was in the mood for some fish, but having had been to the Red Lobster recently, I wasn't quite ready to go back there yet. Besides, that's my shrimp place. I wanted fish. At first I was on a quest for fish tacos and after studying the menu online I walked in with my mind set. Then I saw the specials. No pun intended, I was hooked! The pan-seared mahi-mahi with mango butter sauce, garlic mashed potatos and green beans stole my heart. This was the taste I had been searching for but never quite knew how to describe. Heaven in my mouth! Total foodgasm! My friend had the mahi as well, only wood-grilled with Jamaican jerk sauce. He let me have a bite. Again, to die for. His meal came with fried plantains which he, again, let me try. So delicious. Looks like we have found ourselves another favorite here! The staff is very friendly and inviting. Our server was attentive and helped us with our drink orders. Be careful when ordering non-alcoholic drinks though. They will upsell you a fruity concoction with no refills when you couldda had a Coke. Those fruity concoctions were worth it though, but this is just in case you need to down 3 soft drinks during dinner like I do. The ambiance was indeed Carribean-chic, not kitchy at all (compared to another restaurant which I will be reviewing as well). The tables were nicely set even for lunch and overall the restaurant was very clean and inviting. I will definitely be coming back here the next time I'm in the mood for some mahi.
(5)
Dennis L.

Oh the memories! I used to love Bahama Breeze during college. In fact, it was my go-to chain restaurant while living in Orlando and visiting family in Southeastern Michigan. Those visits were almost a decade ago, so I thought I would bring my wife in on the memory. As with many things in life, it was no where near as good as I had remembered. First I will address the food, then the service... Food: I ordered the Black Bean Soup to start. It was pretty good, but not great. I could tell it had been sitting in the expo window, but I was forgiving. For my meal, I went with the Key West Fish Tacos. Flavorless and boring. The only flavor was in the ramekin of aioli. Uggghh. I also had the opportunity to try the my wife's dish, the Cuban Sandwich. Who puts salami on a Cuban? Seriously?! Oh, I know...Everything else had zero flavor, so the salami added the necessary spice... Not cool BB...not cool. Service: Our server was friendly and almost overly so. With that said, he was never around when we needed him. Refills...those took forever. Check on our food...forever. Bring our check after we said we were ready to go...forever. Overall Experience: Memory shattered. Another Darden restaurant I will not return to.
(2)
Minjee Y.

This place was a let down. Looks beautiful on the inside and outside and I was just there for a friend's birthday. She picked the place because she said whatever she had last time she went was good. Bahama Breeze is supposed to be a seafood type of place or so I've heard but seriously their menu is just sad to me. Not a big selection. Not that many choices in each category. You've got your chicken dishes (6 of them I think), your sandwiches/burgers, your "seafood" (like 4 or 5 dishes), your soups/salads, etc. I ordered their chef's special. It was quite special alright. It's the Key West Shrimp and Grits. First off it sounds WEIRD. But I like weird usually. I was eating it and I thought to myself that this better be worth $14.99 Sure enough it wasn't. It was tasty at first like the veggies and the grits w/bacon. Once I bit into the shrimp. OH LORD! They were chewy. And I hate chewing... (weird, I know). I really do hate making the effort to eat my food and the shrimp was plentiful don't get me wrong. There was a lot of shrimp and mushroom to go around. The shrimp was just so so so overcooked. Presentation was nice. My grits had what I believe were banana chips stuck in them flowering out. It was pretty. Service: I don't know if it was us that scared our server or what. He was nice to us. Not that talkative, but I mean I guess it's kind of hard with a big group? The place wasn't that busy when we got there and he gave us a lot of time. I MEAN A LOT OF TIME. To the point where I was like we are ready, we're ready, we're ready... (Sorry guys I WAS HUNGRY!) They gave many of us the wrong plates of food (which is whatever because we're big people and we know who got what so we just traded). The hosts though were especially nice. Overall, I would not go back. I don't think this place has me craving for it. For the price of the food I thought it'd be fantastic. I'd rather spend that much at beautiful places like CARNIVALE (IN CHICAGO) or something... Don't waste your money here that's all I gotta say...
(2)
Irene Z.

Back when my husband and I were still dating, we would frequent Bahama Breeze often. We are island folk at heart, and Bahama Breeze (in all its chain-restaurant-commerciality) somehow always made us feel like on vacation when dining here. We loved the food then, the live music, and the ambiance (giant fire pit!). We're now married with two kids, and hadn't been to Bahama Breeze in over 6+ years, but stopped in for dinner (with the kids) two Saturdays ago. Pleased to say, it's still as great as I remember. When we entered, my daughter exclaimed, "are we back in Jamaica?" having just returned from a short holiday trip there earlier this summer. The island vibe here immerses you almost immediately. We were early enough, just before 6pm, that we didn't have to wait for a table. We opted to sit inside since it was quieter there (nice day and the outdoor patio seemed a little more crowded). The outdoor patio has comfortable wicker seating and the inside is a little fancier though still casual. We did walk the kids by the outdoor patio, and will have to take them back to eat in there. Kids ordered off the children's menu. Spaghetti for her, bowtie mac n cheese for him - they were happy. The regular menu offers a great choice of island cuisine that is pretty well executed. Lots of seafood and fresh fish, and local flavor including jerk seasoning, and incorporation of tropical fruit (Mango, Guava, Papaya). Plenty of options for the more traditional diner as well. I wanted the paella, but opted for the Cuban sandwich and my husband had the fish tacos. I could only finish half of my sandwich and it was very good, even comparable to a Cuban sandwich I had recently in Miami. My husband devoured his tacos and said the mahi-mahi was cooked just right. What always impressed me here, though, is the drink/cocktail menu. I remember back in the day, reading a review (in the Daily Herald) on Bahama Breeze saying that their drink menu was too 'busy' and overpowered/shadowed their food menu. But that's what I always liked about Bahama Breeze, the vast choice in cocktails and beverages...it's a good place to have lunch/dinner, but even more so, a nice place to go at night to enjoy some live music and drinks. In any case, I don't drink often anymore, but was in the 'vacation-mood' to have a cocktail (or two). I was happy to see they still have a good drink menu. I stuck with my old staple here, a chocolate martini - not very island-like, but just as good as I remember. And our server, Orlando, brought over a complimentary Painkiller because they'd made an extra one on accident. It was also very good, fruity and strong enough, but not too strong. I have to give a special shout-out to our server Orlando. Hands-down some of the best customer service I've experienced lately. He was attentive, super-friendly, good with the kids, funny, and just plain terrific. Not only that, when we left, my son forgot his toy on the table. Orlando came racing after us into the parking lot to make sure we took it home with us. Will always appreciate that! So happy to see that Bahama Breeze is still going strong...will definitely be back again soon.
(4)
Melissa S.

Sat by the fire and had the most comfortable amazing meal! Great service too! The food was heaven I ate wood grilled chicken with mashed sweet potato and cinnamon must try because it was heaven on a plate! Definitely going there again! I suggest sitting by the fire!
(5)
Amanda C.

Decent for a fast food chain but disappointed in the atmosphere. It was super cold in the restaurant and the food took forever. Thought this would a little nicer than Chili's but it had the same sanitary conditions. The coconut shrimp was one of the few items on the menu that was good. The only saving grace was our nice waitress.
(3)
Aimee M.

Poor service. I don't care how good your food is or how good your drinks are, if you can't make eye contact with your patrons or come back and see if they'd like more drinks, and when someone in our party has to go find our servier, you are not worthy of my business. Sat at the cabana bar and was basically ignored for 10 minutes. Moved to the main dining area bar and was ignored for another 5 minutes. Once my friends arrived, we ordered our drinks while we waited for our cabana seating. We finished our drinks at the bar but the bartender never came back and it was impossible to get his attention. Hello???? 6 gals out for an evening--you'd think we were a prime targe for tips. Guess not in his book. Too bad, we wanted more martinis and margaritas. Once seating was ready, the Hostess put us at a table that was clearly too small for 6 people--it was more of a 4 topper. We wanted to stay in the cabana area because of the live music and we saw that a larger table opened up. We asked if we could move but then were told that another party had snagged it. Then we were told by our server that in the cabana section it's first-come, first served. That as soon as someone from your party arrived we could have saved a table. W.T.F. (And I never say WTF--you have to anger me quite a bit for me to say that) why did the hostess put our name on the list for dining inside then? She never told us we could just claim seats in the Cabana area as they open, even though she knew we wanted Cabana seating. Service was basically non-existent. As mentioned earlier someone from my party had to go and find our server. Oh Bahama Breeze, get your act together, you just gave me another reason to hate Schaumburg.
(1)
Ashley A.

Best place in the area to get that feeling that you're on vacation! The first time I went to a Bahama Breeze was in Florida when I was on vacation years ago. I recently went to this location a couple times and felt like I was on vacation again. The atmosphere is tropical and fun. The food is sooo good. The jumbo shrimp is really good and the sauce that comes with it is even better. The onion rings are super huge, but a bit too crunchy for me. I wanted to try their drinks because they look really yummy, but didn't feel like paying more than $7 for a drink. I ordered the Portobello and Manchego cheeseburger and it was probably the best burger I've ever had. I love manchego cheese and I've never seen a restaurant serve it; I've only bought it at Whole Foods. The burger was piled high with a big portobello mushroom and carmelized onions, two of my favorite veggies. It was pretty filling and I couldn't even finish it. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful, although the waitress we had the first time we went to this location got a couple of orders wrong (we were part of a group of at least 15 people and she was our only server; they should have assigned at least two servers to our party). The waitress from our first visit also took a very long time to process our credit cards and bring us each our correct tabs. All in all, I like this place and would return, but probably only for special occasions.
(5)
Wendy C.

I love this place! I went with a group of friends on July 9th after the Abilities Expo. The food was very flavorful and eating out in the patio was the next best thing to being on a tropical vacation. I ordered a couple of appetizers and a drink: Tostones with Chicken - This is a must. Similar to Chicken Nachos, but much better. I did however miss the garlic that normally goes along with tostones. Jamaican Grilled Chicken Wings - Very flavorful jerk seasoning and tastes like it was smoked. Note: these are full-sized wings, not like bww. Bahama Mama - I only ordered one drink since I had to drive later. So I went with a "safe" drink to make sure it was one I would definitely like. And I did! Very good Bahama Mama...they did not disappoint. My friend ordered the Chicken with Cilantro Crema and the Roasted Cuban Bread. These also looked very good and, perhaps, I may order this on my next visit.
(4)
Stephanie W.

Bahamas Breeze is the perfect kitschy tourist restaurant. A grown up Rainforest Cafe without the annoying animal noises. While on vacation to Chicago my adult children and I stopped by for a late dinner. I usually hate to be that guy who dirties up the kitchen before close, but the staff was really cool. I was disappointed the crab claws with passion fruit sauce was not on the menu. However, the fish tacos and beans and saffron rice were delightful. My daughter had the shrimp and pasta, whi h was not flavorful at all. The shrimp was rubbery, not good for a seafood oriented place. The star of the show was a side of mango sorbet with fresh fruit. I could have just had that for dinner and been happy. The decor is a very toned down Joes Crab Shack and it hits the spot for a tropical escape.
(4)
Andrea L.

Always great! Here for my moms birthday and ordered 7 appetizers! Great service too!!!
(5)
Erika M.

Ok, I love Bahama Breeze if for no other reason that their drinks are FABU. Try the Bahamarita or the Ultimate Pina Colada. The menu selection is not extensive, but the quality and portion size are good. I love their coconut shrimp. The island music that plays while you eat adds to the enjoyment of the adult beverages, and the outdoor seating is where it's at. I had the buttermilk chicken and garlic mashed (mmmmmm) The buttermilk flavor was amazing and the chicken was moist and delicious. Rick was our server, and he was the cream of the crop for sure. Final say: Go for some apps and cocktails any night of the week and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Justine S.

Great food. Great ambiance inside. Outside does not look that great. Service needs big space for improvement. You come in and expect to have a great time, but overall my experience was bad. No greeting when you get in, was barely checked by our waitress and when I had asked her if they can cut my burger in half. She said "We can't do it because it's lunch time and we are busy.." (Not that I couldn't cut it myself, but sometimes when the kitchen cuts it its nicer and more manageable) and i just really wish she could've come up with a better response like "We are unable to cut it due to sanitary reasons" or something.... never coming back.
(2)
Carmella M.

Island feel, live music great food and 1/2 price appetizers the day we went . The wing are HUGE and delicious ! Service was great and friendly, monthly calendars online for live music night and its just great when they open all the windows and music playing you get the whole feel of being away on vacation.
(5)
Bgs B.

I went here today and was pleasantly surprised. The food is not amazing, but it is really good, and they have a lot of choices. I had a goat cheese avocado burger - it was not a paradise pup burger, but it was very good for a chain restaurant. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere - it definitely has a Caribbean feel to it (I lived in DR, so I know). They also had live Caribbean music playing. In addition, the service was amazing. My wife ordered empanadas, and they didn't have them. However, the manager came to our table and offered another choice from the menu, for free. So we ordered tostones (fried plantains), which were OK (they put too much stuff on top of them). My wife also ordered mojo marinated pulled pork and I definitely recommend it; however, the sweet plantains (part of the order) could have been more ripe. Finally, we also ordered crisp yucca fries, you should definitely get them. If you don't know what yucca is, too bad, you should try it some time. I will be coming back to this place!
(4)
Frank A.

Really enjoyed this place! Very casual atmosphere. Decor does seem very tropical which is kinda cool. OK, let's get down to the nitty gritty... LOL First off, the service was real good. Our waitress was really attentive and did a solid job making sure we had ample napkins, drinks etc. My wife ended up ordering a strawberry pina colada, which she really enjoyed. We had the Jumbo Habanero wings. Those wings were a bit pricey until they came out. There was generous portions and they were not smallish wings either. The habanero sauce was amazing. It had the right amount of kick. For dinner, I had the Calypso Shrimp Linguine and that was also fantastic. It was a bit on the buttery side, but that's what made it really good! There were generous portions of shrimp (hate when restaurants are stingy with their ingredients). My wife ordered the seafood Paella. That was also really good. It had a mixture of rice, oysters, fish, sausage, chicken and scallops. I found myself picking on her plate. LOL. Overall, I had a solid dining experience. One thing to note is that, our dishes came out pipping hot. Almost to the point of me blowing down my food. I actually didn't mind that at all. I'd rather it come out sooner rather than later... I'd definitely go back.
(5)
Jonathan C.

Meh...... I don't know why this place is rated so high. Its like Red Lobster somehow just became cheesier (and then stopped serving teh cheddar bay biscuits because that would be too much cheese). There is plenty of fried foods (typical of chain restaurants). But they did have conch fritters which is always nice to have a reminder of my vacations in the Keys.
(2)
Bryan N.

Easily the worst Bahamas breeze I've eaten at. Horrible staff, extremely slow taking orders, delivering food, refilling drinks, and completing ticket. The good news is there isn't a wait because no one is there.
(1)
Sandra Y.

I went here for my birthday on a Saturday night back in February. I called in and made reservations in advance but they don't take reservations. They have some first call list to put your name on which kinda sounds like the same thing as reservations so I did that. I decided to give this place a second chance (finally) since I hated it the first time I came here years ago. It was just me, a date, my friend, & her bf. We had 8pm reservations but we still ended up waiting about 30 min which was expected. I just didn't like that we were sitting at the bar for that whole time with no service. So much for getting a drink before dinner :p I am glad I went though. I got the Paella... It was sooo good & a large portion! Enough for everyone at the table to pretty much eat with me. My date got the Filet Mignon. That was also very good. Well seasoned & cooked perfectly. Drinks were also good. I mostly picked this place because I wanted to pretend I was on vacation since my birthday is in winter & I was very pleased :) Anyway, the only reason I knocked off a star is because we were never served water or offered any (just because we ordered alcoholic beverages?), the food got to us before utensils, and our server took away our food when HE thought we were done, when we really weren't. Well, I wasn't & neither was my date. It was like he was watching us & the second we put down our fork to talk or something, he took our plates away before we could even say anything. I found that rude..
(4)
Ashley S.

This review is for their bar only. The bartenders were awesome! To the two young guys working at noon that Saturday... you're great. They gave my fiance and I free shots because we had just got engaged and were there getting buzzed before trying on dresses at David's Bridal across the parking lot. They even found him is soccer ("football") game to watch at the bar. They were genuinely interested in our engagement and his football team. (Chelsea!!) We are for sure going back for food and to see if they have a happy hour. The politeness and kindness of the bartenders is worth a trip back across town.
(5)
Peter R.

Me no gwan bad mout...errr wait a minute why am I speaking in Jamaican??? Sorry about that...we are talking about Bahama Breeze after all. We have been going to this restaurant for a couple of years now. Jerk Chicken Pasta is my go to dish around these parts. I honestly always get that dish whenever we decide to eat here. I don't remember getting bad service all the times we have been here so that is always a good reason to keep coming back. The tropical mixed drinks are pretty good from what I hear...I stick to beer myself. This is a nice little getaway spot to get some Carribean cuisine in the burbs.
(4)
Jean D.

The food is really good here. I usually go during the week between 4 & 6 where appetizers are 1/2 price and I end up ordering a few different ones for my meal. You can get really full for not a lot of money.
(4)
Sharon S.

Went with a bunch of friends. Got the chorizo sliders as an appetizer-those were fantastic!! Then for a meal we got the calypso shrimp linguine and the jerk chicken pasta. The linguine was awesome but the jerk chicken was eh (I'm not a huge fan of bow tie pasta, but the chicken in it was excellent!). Bahama Mama was good too ;)
(4)
Barbara O.

Not impressed. They said there was a 30 minute wait (despite plenty of empty tables) so we sat at the main bar. Terrible service. 3 bartenders, the bar was not full, and the bartender just completely ignored us. Had to call out to him 3 times to get a drink, to take our order and then to get drinks for girls sitting next to us who were waiting forever. The food was good but there are way too many places to choose from in this area rather than go somewhere with poor service. Doubt we'll be back here.
(2)
Kamila T.

The last few times I've been here I wasn't impressed - the food was good but the service was two thumbs DOWN! I mean horribly slow, cant get anything right with an attitude horrible. I will start by saying the only reason I came back was because I had a $10 coupon and thankfully we were seated in Ricky P.'s section.. Ah, attentive service with a smile, great personality, right on top of his game. What is there not to love about great service? As for the food, we had the chicken fried sliders, the veggie and chicken quesedillas, avocado shrimp crab meat stack, chowder, bow tie pasta (for the kiddo), chicken with oregano lime dipping and mashed potatoes and all the fruity drinks you could imagine. All amazing! I think I'm back on the Bahama wagon. Or is it off the wagon? Anyways, ask for Ricky P and you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Ashish S.

After being in Schaumburg for a long time, somehow we missed going to this place till we'd lunch here on Friday. The relaxed ambience, good food and the service is worthy of five stars. The only reason to take a star off is coz the drinks, while good, were not the best. Wife's spicy mojito was a little lighter and the draft beer for me was good but not awesome. But what missed on the drinks, made well on the food. The coconut shrimp was simply the best! It followed by the tilapia lunch special which was very good. Dessert was the chocolate island which was worthy of each bite. Deserves next visit soon, oh sure it does!
(4)
Samra M.

service was very slow. but the food was great! try the coconut shrimp
(3)
Dennis B.

This place was Great. I had the Butter Milk Chicken and WOW its was prepared with care and tasted very Yummy ! It was worth the 25 min wait time to receive but the Margareta was top class as well along with the flat bread with tomato's. My daughter had the lobster shrimp pasta and that also was very good. Over all a very good Dinner. We shared a chocolate mouse for desert and tho it was very good some one next to us was dining on fish and the smell of the fish was strong so it kind of took away the wow factor of enjoying this item. The waiter was very polite and you feel very welcome here as well. Very Clean and the rest rooms were just as clean and I like the idea of the mouth wash by the sink. It was a feel that I was at a very classy place in the Bahama's. Way to go Bahama Breeze !
(5)
David D.

This place has the potential to get a five star rating... That is, if they either shape up or ship out some of their underachieving servers. I went here once a couple of years ago and loved the place. I got around to visiting them again this past weekend, and though for the most part it was still an enjoyable experience, I felt that the first of our two servers was anything but a server. He took our order on a coaster. I had to repeat myself on multiple points of my order since he didn't bother to write them down the first time, and sadly, part of my order still came out wrong. Aside from that, I still love the place. The setup is geat. They have fun music playing in the background. The food is well prepared and delicious. They have lovely semi-outdoor seating for nicer weather. There is a decent selection of food and theme-ish mixed drinks. Oh, and apparently our first server ended his shift or something, which led to our much better and friendlier second server, who more than made up for the first's lackluster service. Overall, I would recommend the place to people.
(4)
Missie L.

Food and drinks are pretty good but our server Dan P. Was absolutely fantastic. Very helpful and funny. Will be returning just because of him.
(5)
Jason G.

When we arrived, the hostess said that there was a 15 minute wait. I quickly noticed that the bar area was mostly empty so we decided to sit there (There were other tables open in the dining room). The server/bartender was friendly. Food was good and was served quickly. The place has been open for years and the menu has recenlty changed. Recommend the coconut shrimp for an appetizer. This place makes you feel like you're on vacation!
(4)
Ashley C.

The Stuation: We needed a place near this location, with outdoor seating, a decent bar where the girls could catch-up, and some appetizers for those who hadn't ate yet. The Solution: A friend recommended this place. The decor is a bit much and yes a bit cheesy. I'm sure glad I don't work there and have to wear their hawaiian shirt uniform and it seems "toursity." When I saw this, I admit I was a little worried, but was pleasantly surprised. Yet, their "outdoor" area (a screened in porch type) is the best of both worlds - you get the air breeze without the bugs (a plus for half of our group including me). It is first-come, first-serve so avoid this during the rush. We got there at around 8:30 so it wasn't too crowded. It did make me feel a little bit like I was on vacation - relaxed atmosphere and there was a guitarist there playing tropical type music (still could chat). I definitely wouldn't go here if i was in a time crunch because service is on the slower side. So we went for vacation-type drinks. I had a strawberry-banana daquiri which was very tasty and not too sugary but still packed a nice punch. The Pina Colada and the Mai Tai went over well too. [Sidenote: I was also pleasantly surprised with the bill that these drinks were not overpriced.] We also ordered some appetizers to share - their Cuban bread (aka Bruschetta) and some flatbread. The Bruschetta was just ok, but the flatbread was pretty tasty. Again, reasonable bill too. I would come back, but wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
Rod D.

I got a Darden gift card for Christmas and decided to use for dinner with my girlfriend. It was either Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Long Horn or Bahama Breeze. We decided on Bahama Breeze for the mere fact that it sounded tropical and it was a place to get our minds away from the bitter winter cold. After parking, we approach the restaurant and to our delight, we noticed a nice fireplace heating the seating area by the bar. We also start to hear the same type of music we heard while arriving at the airport in the Bahamas. A great start to what would end up being a fantastic dinner. The hostess tells us that it'll be a 15 minute wait so we take the buzzer and sit down. Within 5 minutes, the buzzer goes off and we whisked away to our seats. Rarely are you ever told a time by the hostess at a restaurant and they actually beat it LOL. It was also funny that the person who brought us to our table was so excited about the jacket that my girlfriend has on. He commented on how cool the jacket was because it has speakers built into the collar. You know he was really trying to comment on how awesome my girlfriend looked Hahhaha. Anyway, we get to our table and our waitress greets us. My girlfriend asks her where the restroom was located at. One of the nicest servers you can ever meet, she walked my girlfriend to the restroom. Our server was also very nice, polite and knowledgeable about the menu. She explained all the specials, checked up on us on at all the appropriate times (not hounding us all the time like some servers do) and was just great. On to the food...simply put "YUM!". I got the Smothered Pork Tenderloin and my girlfriend got the Jamaican Jerk grilled chicken breasts. Both seemed to be normal entrees but with a Carribean zing to it. For desert, we got the Chocolate Island. OMG, this was SO yummy! Chocolate mousse and brownie with chocolate syrup. Mouth watering good. The only thing that stopped me from giving 5 stars is that you have to drive about 30 or so minutes to get to this place from Chicago. If they had one closer, I would give this place 5 stars
(4)
Joanna K.

Definitely your typical chain restaurant. But I love their food here. Their portions are extremely generous. Not to mention, their waitstaff is AWESOME. They always check on you, making sure everything is good. What I love most about this place is their pretty delicious tropical drinks! I always get one or two! Their meals here are so big that you will always go home work some leftovers. One thing that stands out the most about this place is their semi-outdoor seating. They usually have an entertainer playing some relaxing music. It almost seems as if you're on vacation. Don't we ALL need a vacation?!!! This is the place to go to pretend you are. My favorite things to get here are: - Crab Claws St. Thomas - Warm Spinach Dip & Island Chips - Cuban Sandwich - Fresh Pan-Seared Salmon Pasta (My favorite) - Frozen Bahamarita (Favorite Drink! Yum)
(4)
Terri R.

Chef special of scallops over corn cakes with jicama slaw was very good. My husband also enjoyed his meal of black grouper sauteed almond encrusted with lemon butter sauce, yellow rice and green beans. The waiter forgot the appetizer of jerk shrimp with Cuban bread, but we received for free by the manager. I wish they would have kept it because it was not that great. I had expected a little more atmosphere but the place was pretty empty when we there and no one was getting into the live music. I liked the food well enough to go back when in the area.
(4)
Dennis M.

I walked in around 7:30 on a friday night, it was packed as I expected. My friend and I waited about 20mins and we were given a table. There is a deck out there with a bar that allow people to either wait for a table or enjoy beverages while having a pub singer singing for everybody. Atmosphere is definitely a plus in Bahama Breeze. It got a bit loud, but it was all good. Start from the waiter, we had a nice greeting from the waiter. From the beginning till the end of our night, he walked by for about 4 times. For a Friday night with this rate, I have to say the service was pretty good! Food: My friend ordered the Wood- Grilled Top Sirlin Steak and she wanted a medium rare, and it came out looking like a rare to both of us. She squeezed a bit of that piece of meat, and blood was pushing out. She didn't bother to tell the waiter to remake the steak. I ordered the fresh pan-seared salmon pasta, it tasted fine, just fine. It wasn't too spectacular, guess I cannot complain about food coming from a chain restaurant. Overall, it wasn't a bad dinner for the price that I paid for.
(3)
Candice-Marie B.

Absolutely disgusting. Take a look around next time you go there and you will see it is not clean. We went on a saturday afternoon and sat at the bar. I sat down, took a look around and did not want to even order a beer but we did. We definately did not order food. Dirty plates from customers that had already left littered the bar and were never cleaned up the entire time we sat there and forced down our beers. There were dirty containers within the bar that were filled with who knows what, it was not recognizable. The floor behind the bar was FILTHY and there were discarded sugar canes on the floor. Yes, the big sugar cane sticks just thrown on the floor after she finished processing them for their juices. All I have to say is that if the place was so obviously filthy on the outside where customers can't miss it, then I do not believe anything is clean, including the spouts where the drinks come from. The counters within the bar were also dirty. The bartender was not busy either because we were the only ones in there. I decided to look over by where they cook the food and things were looking in disarray and dirty as well. I spoke with the manager and my conclusion is that the place is mismanaged while she is there. She didn't seem too concerned and she didn't seem too smart. Totally disgusting and we will NEVER go back.
(1)
Matt C.

Been to Bahama Breeze two times. I was conflicted on how many stars to give this place because I wanted to like it, and would have liked it, but ultimately was overpriced for what it delivered. To start, it was a meal for two in which we ordered two entrees ((2) Jerk chicken pasta's, (1) soup, and (2) ice tea.) The total was $49.00. The food was on par with Chili's...... Menu: 2/5 stars. The Menu is so so. I bet a lot of their dishes are pretty good, but I looked at the menu for a long....long time. Its the kind of menu where you end up settling for something and hope its not a complete disappointment. Drink Menu: Fantastic but overpriced 3/5 The place: The outdoor seating is the way to go. Has a fake fire pit and has a nice feel to it. Indoors is nice but nothing special. Service. 4/5 Drinks were kept full and the food came fast. We are not needy. Staff was very friendly. Food: 3/5 the first time I got a burger and it was very good. The jerk chicken was really good as well. Nothing amazing though. Like I said. Its not bad, but its not worth the $13-18 per plate. The place is not a good value and the bitter taste of getting gouged overshadowed the soso food.
(2)
Elizabeth W.

Today was my very first time at the Bahama Breeze, and I will have to come back! I met my husband on his lunch break, and as he only gets an hour, we were conscious of the time. Not only was the staff very friendly, but our order was taken and our food delivered with enough time to get the hubby back on time! My husband ordered the chicken kabob which was large and came on a huge bed of rice. I got a chicken sandwich which may sound plain, but it was of the best chicken sandwiches I have had in a long time! The mayonnaise on the sandwich had a flavorful sweet taste to it when combined with the saltiness of the bacon and cheese gave it that awesome mix of sweet and savory. I have to admit that the best part of the meal was, by far, my 6 month old son's side of cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes! These potatoes were so tasty (and came with large plantain chips that I ate of course) that I would come back to BB just for them. I also am interested in coming back to BB for their drink menu! They had so many tempting looking drinks that meeting my hubby AFTER work may be a better idea next time. The cons: even though the food was good, the average price on the lunch menu was about $9-10. Also, for people that do not like coconut, the menu is much smaller. If the food isn't coconut encrusted, it is in a coconut sauce, or the drink is mixed with coconut rum. Lucky for me, I happen to like coconut ;)
(4)
Jen S.

A friend invited a group of us out to Bahama Breeze. Perhaps I'm a bit biased, because I knew right off the bat that I don't like tacky theme restaurants, but I figured I could diverge from my usual beer snobbery for a night and have some mojitos. We sat down at two tables in front of the small stage where a guy played "island-y" covers. The first thing I noticed (while wishing for silence) was the light above the ceiling fan. The rotation of the fan blades effectively turned it into a bit of a strobe light, causing me to wonder if I might suddenly develop epilepsy. I ordered a mojito cubano, and it was apparently a good choice. I say this because a friend at the table made the unfortunate decision of ordering a strawberry mojito, a drink that should be made with muddled strawberries, not strawberry pucker. It tasted exactly like Pez candy. Another friend ordered a habanero lime chelada, which is supposed to be spicy and was not in the least bit spicy. Same for the spicy mango mojito - it was certainly sickly sweet, but no discernable heat. To eat, I ordered the Jamaican grilled chicken breast, as it was one of the cheaper items on the menu. It was juicy and flavorful, but jerk seasoning is supposed to be spicy. Once again, mild enough for a child to eat. I'm sure you're thinking at this point that I'm some of hot food fiend, but I actually prefer the milder side of the spice scale. Perhaps the drinks were sugared up and the food was "mild-ed" down to appeal to the middle-aged suburban clientele that seems to frequent this place. The painful evening was prolonged when we asked for our checks, as several of them were wrong and it took a while to get them corrected. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
(2)
Amanda M.

The drinks were great! Would have loved to have had a 2nd, but our waiter never came by others til we were ready to go (after a LONG 2 hours). There were 3 of us and we ordered appetizers - conch fritters and beef empanadas. The fritters were not good, but the empanadas were. Two people ordered mediocre fish dishes. I had the shrimp curry which i only took a few bites of. The waiter didn't even put in our entree order until we'd been sitting for awhile after finishing the appetizers. As we were leaving, the manager dropped in and asked how our meal was. I honestly told him the food was mediocre and not worth spending 2 hours of our time for lousy service. His response: "nobody told me!" and he acted defensive. My thought is that I'm telling you now. His solution was to ask us to WAIT so he could get us some vouchers for a return visit. Uh, no thanks. We were not going to wait even longer for vouchers to eat the crummy food.
(1)
ann s.

More like just okay, barely. Two stars and small change. I'm rounding up. I don't usually review chains, and we were taken here and treated for a meal, so I don't want to be ungrateful or ungenerous in my review, but... First off, having just spent a week in the real tropics, not the Isle of Schaumburg, I still had a taste for a chelada or michelada--so I ordered a "spicy mango chelada." When it came, it was sort of pale green and tasted vaguely of mint, and came with the remains of a tiny 7 oz. Corona bottle. Sort of like a baby beer mojito. Now, I know what a mango tastes like, and I didn't detect any of that flavor in my drink at all. Nor was it in any way spicy. Me (to waitress): Are you sure you brought me a spicy mango chelada? I don't see or taste any mango. It tastes like mint. Waitress: Yes, I brought you the right drink. You may not know this, but mango is a tropical fruit . It can seem strange and exotic, and sometimes renders itself invisible to those who would eat jerk near the mall (paraphrasing here--she said something that sounded like she was suggesting that I might be some sort of shut-in who had never tasted anything more exotic than white bread). Me: Really? Because it tastes like mint. Waitress (reluctantly): Well, I guess I could take it back for you...(she didn't). Other than that, I ordered grilled fish "painted with jerk sauce." Fish was properly cooked, jerk sauce was sticky-sweet, more like barbecue sauce. They were kind enough to substitute a vegetable for the starchy sides on offer, but the broccoli was cooked to death. In all, it was a pretty bland dish. It did come with a few slices of fried plantain, which was nice. The jerk chicken pasta dish was the attraction for our generous hosts. I didn't try it, but I trust that it might be very tasty. Also, just a personal note...didn't we used to go to chain restaurants because, while the food wasn't that great, meals were sort of cheap? Now it seems like most of the entrees in these places run about $14-$18. Not cheap enough for food that rarely rises above inoffensive.
(3)
Arlene G.

havent been here in a long time so went here last night with a group of friends. food was wonderful as usual and out waitress, stephanie, was sooooo nice! strawberry mojito & seafood paella was FANTASTIC! we sat in the patio are bythe pit and it felt like i was on vacation with the caribbean music playing in the background & the wind blowing in. what a great place in schaumburg! will keep coming back here!
(5)
Rebecca M.

If only Bahama Breeze hired friendlier, more attentive staff... then I would definitely give them four stars. But there's no way I'll ever let the servers prevent me from coming here. Their island decor is fab, their food is delicious, the island decor is fab, the prices are right on, their drinks are tropical and did I mention the island decor is fab? Nice job making me feel like I'm in paradise when actually only a wall stands between me in my tropical getaway and the sub-zero temps. The jumbo wings on the appetizer menu are really good - spicy, but good. They would absolutely suffice as a meal too. I've had the Cuban sandwich which is tasty and they have a decent burger as well.
(3)
Pari S.

Friday night and I'm hungry!!! But I need to get away... first place I think of is Bahama Breeze. Why? cus it makes me feel like I am really away from "real life" and on a island for a few hours. The atmosphere, the decor really helps bring out the place... On top of that, the food is YUM here. Lots of variety... from chicken, to pasta, to seafood, soups and salad. Went here with my hunnie... it appeared busy, but the wait was not long at all. We were seated pretty quick.. and our waiter was very attentive. We ordered some habanero chicken wings... as our appetizer. Good size... 8 large wings for about $10. It was yummy.. it came with a really good sour cream that u can dip with, to help cool off the hotness from the habanero. I have to admit there were lots i wanted to try... but I tried the seafood paella. I just have to say... YUMMO!!! I can go here all the time and jus order this. My hunnie ordered the Calypso shrimp linguine... which i had a taste. Very fresh... and just melts in your mouth. Of course we will be returning here... cus there are lots more we want to try... so yes, I would definitely go again!!!
(5)
K. M.

This place made me feel like I was back on an island. We went for lunch to enjoy the weather and we were so happy. If you go I highly recommend sitting outside. The whole feel of the outside seating will help you forget everything. I had the burger and it was amazing! I tried the burger with no ketchup or cheese and was surprise with all the flavor. Their was so much flavor on the burger you do not need any condiments. I highly recommend keeping the pickles on it and taking off the onions. Amazing!! The service was great. Our glasses were always full and our waiter was happy to answer all our questions. This place is great for a work meeting, adult birthday party or a girlfriend get together.
(5)
Sid B.

Sit outside near the fire. live music and small plates with wine.
(5)
Prince V.

Had the special. Salmon and tiger shrimp. Very good. Very filling. $17. Service great. Pina colada was good too. Firecracker shrimps as appetizers were very tasty. Lot of food options. More drinks.
(4)
Deepak N.

Has potential. Nice waitress. Bad ambiance - kinda gloomy inside. Food was ok. Nothing memorable enough to go back.
(2)
Jennifer Q.

Food was excellent! I had the coconut shrimp and many of my friends had the paella! The chocolate tower was a dessert fave! The service could have been a little better, but in fairness to our server, I think he was the only one in our room serving several large parties. I just seemed that he would come by and then we wouldn't see him for quite a while. All in all, the food is really, really good. This is a really nice place with a cool, unique menu and I really liked the live performer to add to the "island" vibe!
(4)
Dameon G.

This place is one of the best I have been too / am glad that there is only one in Illinois
(5)
Nicole G.

We hosted a baby shower here in the back area for about 40-50 people. The space was perfect for our party, with one space to dine and another space to open gifts and serve cake. The lunch we had from a choice of three dishes was very delicious (with a salad to start). The staff were very helpful throughout our meal and at the end when we carried gifts and decorations to our cars. They really went out of their way to be accommodating to our party, and we really appreciated their good service. If you are interested in hosting a larger party as we did, I would highly recommend Bahama Breeze for the great food, space, and service.
(5)
Food Nazi A.

A bartender from another restaurant recommended this place along with their buttermilk fried chicken breast dish. I finally got a chance to stop in and check it out with my GF and it didn't disappoint one bit! The ambience was all island decor and the music made you feel like you were in the islands and was really relaxing! Got to sit in the enclosed patio area near the outdoor fireplace (which wasn't on) since it was nice out so the windows were opened and fans blowing to make patrons comfortable. The drink menu, food menu and desserts all looked inviting and based on island cuisine and spirits. Our appetizer was the firecracker shrimp and it was delicious! plenty of shrimp for two served with the firecracker dipping sauce was an excellent start!! I went with the dish that was recommended to me and it too was awesome!! Not overly spicy and cooked just right! Definitely a must go and will be coming back again to try more dishes!!!
(5)
James M.

I have driven past Bahama Breeze many times but never stopped. I was given a gift card and thought I would give their food a try. I thought it was great. I'll be back even without a gift card. I thought the prices were fare, the quality of food was good, everything was fresh and our waitress was very efficient.
(4)
Ellen A.

Pretty good for a chain place. Cute theme. Finally tried the place as it is a bit out of the way for me. Firstly, wonderful server - Nancy. Very attentive, not overbearing. Thanks. The drinks, very good and good price point. Had the rum punch and iced tea. Conch fritters were ok. Fish tacos very good with the best yellow rice and outstanding black beans. Chef's special of grilled salmon, grilled tiger shrimp, corncakes and veggie medley was soooo tasty. Only thing that disappointed was the lack of chimichurri on the shrimp. The very small amount was very good, wish there had been a bit more. We will certainly try it again, but only when in the area.
(4)
gard c.

I took my mother inlaw here on her lastnight in the US. It was kinda late on a Monday night so there was no wait(on weekends theres always a wait). I ordered for her as she is not familiar with the food or the drinks. She really loved her Bahamarita! I cannot say enough good things about this drink. Its frozen with Mango, Kiwi and Strawberry layers and to top it off you get a side car of tequila. I tried the Pink Chelada (which is ex-rated- what ever that means) and it was so light and refreshing. I would def want to have it again. It was supper time so we just had appetizers. You cannot go wrong with the Coconut Onion Rings which are huge and you get a ton of them. They come with a honey mustard dip and a spicey tomato cream dip. I loved the Fire Roasted Shrimp w Cuban Bread; I want it right now. Anyone want to join me tonight?
(4)
Grace M.

Went here once and got food poisoning. I would never go here again. The food wasn't spectacular and we were both sick all night. Definitely not worth a second try.
(1)
Minu B.

I am one of those people that love to sit at the bar and have appetizers and drinks. First of all, I have to comment on the staff, they are absolutely amazing! Erasmo, Casey, Samantha and James have all been my bartenders and make fabulous drinks. They will take the time to customize drinks to your taste buds, especially since they juice all the fruit/citrus fresh with every drink. As for the food, I usually only order the appetizers (1/2 price during happy hour M-F between 4-6pm) as I like to eat a bit of a couple of dishes instead of one big one. Absolute favorite: skillet simmered jerk shrimp, YUM! Some of my other favorites-coconut shrimp, jumbo lump crab stack, beef empanadas and lobster and shrimp quesadillas. Last time I was in(yesterday), they were out of the dessert I ordered and Eric the manager came by to apologize and then proceeded to give us a $10 gift card. Definitely not necessary but so much appreciated. This is a great place in the suburbs to go and hang out with a group of friends. Will go back soon.
(4)
Stella B.

it's a treat to go here, really great establishment for casual dining & gatherings. personally i think they're a little over-priced but they do give you good portions. their drinks are pretty amazing & food is great! beautiful decor & the fire pit is nice! employees are super nice & very accommodating with children.
(4)
Tim Y.

Food was mediocre, but left a lasting impression. Three of four at our table came down with a bad case of toilet envy. I don't think much more detail needs to go into that particular experience. It was seafood.... I just can't muster enough courage to go back. Every time I drive by, certain muscle groups clench tight and I get that woozy feeling...
(1)
Jim L.

Cheesy! Cheesy! And did I mention the plastic palm trees and the terrible colored walls? And the men's bathroom was SoooooBad!! Fortunately my date didn't check out the ladies' room. Drinks were pricey; food passable to ok; service nowhere to be found either to place our order, or even after asking for the check when we finished. First time I thought about becoming a walkout........they didn't care about us, OR our money.
(1)
T A.

My experience with this restaurant was so horrible, it moved me to make an account on yelp and share. First off, I love the food here and if you like fun, frozen drinks at a reasonable price, Bahama Breeze is for you. Aside from those things, I would have given this place about 4 stars but my "beef' with this particular location is the fact that the servers are incapable of following direction. I recently went to this restaurant with my boyfriend to have dinner, celebrate Christmas, and exchange gifts. The meal was pretty good and our server was decent. When it came time to pay the $60 bill, I had given our server $40.00 in cash and requested that the remaining part of the bill be charged to the debit card. Our server proceeded to pocket the $40.00 cash and charge me the whole amount. Being preoccupied with Christmas presents, I had overlooked the $40.00 cash was not deducted from the bill before we left and I didn't realize what happened until the next day when I found that I had overdraft fees! Not only did I find out my server had stolen my money, but she also charged me twice! I realize I am at fault for not looking over my bill before signing, but the problem is that this has happened more than once with a different server at this location, I was just lucky enough to catch it the first time. I had requested our bill be split with half cash, half on a credit card. The server pocketed my cash and charged the full amount on my credit card. The worst part was having to sit there for 20 minutes, waiting for him to return to the table to dispute the charge. Since he took so long, I had to walk around the restaurant to find him and then tell him to correct the bill. I regarded this as human error and continued to dine here. Bottom line is I realize I should have paid more attention to the bill and I'm never going to see my $40.00 again. However, for this to occur more than once with two different servers, something is very wrong here. When I found out about being overcharged and the missing money, I called the restaurant and spoke to Jennifer, the manager on staff at the time. This is where I have my second problem with this location. The customer service was terrible and there was no attempt made to better the situation. I asked if there was a way for her to get in contact with my server and she explained to me that she was the manager and had no way of contacting her employee. She stated that I had a large party and that's why this problem occurred (it was my boyfriend and I, we came in around 5 pm, there was one other group of people sitting at a table in the dinning room). I also explained that it does not make any sense to leave such a large tip on a $60 bill, she told me I was only accusing her servers and dismissed me. Needless to say, I used to enjoy coming to this restaurant and the food was great. Because the service is so terrible and the management has no conflict resolution skills, I am left with a bitter taste in my mouth and will no longer be returning to any other their locations. I did email corporate, I received an email saying they have sent me a letter in the mail to the address provided. They haven't made an attempt to do anything about the situation either, but I guess that's expecting too much.
(1)
Brian G.

Great place! Went there on 6/12/10 around 6 pm. No wait for us - though the place was just about at that point where they would have a wait. Not that it was a problem, but if you want to eat there without a wait, 6:00 pm. Yes, I know, that's senior citizen time, go ahead and make fun of me. Our server was Lisa - Ask for her, she is AWESOME! Talk about great service from her. Checked in on us at the right times, timed our orders perfectly, refilled our drinks as needed, and just an all around awesome person. We ordered the Chicken Santiago and Jerk Chicken Pasta - an appetizer of Coconut Shrimp as well. We live out in Aurora, but will drive out to Schaumburg because of their coconut shrimp. The best we have had in Illinois - 2nd to that only of some that we had in Key West, FL. The Jerk Chicken pasta was great - my wife had it without asparagus and mushrooms. Apparently she hates veggies. My Chicken Santiago was great as well. The chicken was a bit over cooked around one edge, but other than that it was good. The overall environment at this place is just fantastic. Their drink menu is pretty big - and creative. It's ok to not be so manly here and have a scotch or something bitter - you can have a fruity chick drink in peace; no one will make fun of you here. The reason for the 4 stars versus 5. 1. Over the years, the menu has shrunk considerably. Maybe new a new chef? Maybe they saw a chef Ramsey episode and realized a big menu can be a bad thing... sometimes Ramsey is wrong, you know. 2. The fruit on your drink is a little tiny. I know Pineapple is expensive - especially the really good stuff direct from the Dole Plantation in Hawaii. I am willing to pay a premium for a larger and awesome quality piece of fruit on my drink. I making this sound worse than it is, but it's fair to say that others probably agree (maybe not many, but some.) 3. Crab legs!!! Your seafood menu is a bit lacking - also, no crab legs. :-(
(4)
Dan B.

My wife and I ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Cilantro Chicken. All I can say is not good. The chicken reminded me of the kind of chicken you used to get on airplanes...microwaved, and almost gummy. My wife actually got sick at the restaurant and I got mildly sick at home later. I will say this, good Mojitos and good service, just plain lousy food.
(1)
Bezzka B.

I absolutely love that place!!! Great food, inexpensive, good atmosphere, good stuff. Their salads are very tasty, pick up any and you gonna love it! I absolutely love seafood paella. They bring it on a huge hot metallic plate...mmmmmmm... So yammi! My hubby likes their meat. Definitely good place to go!
(5)
Eliza W.

Bahama Breeze has a fun atmosphere and great food. A friend and I went for lunch, and we started out with the spinach dip and island chips. The dip was excellent, and the chips even had plantains mixed in. : ) For our main dish we both had tilapia, mine was pan seared with mango and her's was cooked with shrimp. Both very tasty, with choice of sides. The fresh veggies and mashed potatoes both complimented the fish nicely. Would definitely return.
(5)
Murisa D.

Today was my fifth visit to Bahama Breeze and their food and service have yet to let me down. We started with the Jamaican Jerk Chicken wings as our appetizer. And let me tell you, I was full after those. The wings are HUGE. They are not your dinky little Buffalo Wild Wings. I think they killed and grilled four chickens for that plate of appetizers. They were crunchy on the outside and delicate on the inside. Perfect. Next were our entrÃ©es. My boyfriend had the Pan Seared Salmon Pasta. This was a bow tie pasta dish in a creamy passion fruit sauce with spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, basil and, of course, salmon. It was a flavorful and somewhat sweet dish. Very delicious. Even the garlic bread was perfectly grilled-somewhat crunchy crust and soft middle. I had the Grilled Fresh Salmon Tostada salad. This is the second or third time that I have enjoyed this dish at Bahama Breeze. On the bottom of the plate are two crunchy tostadas with melted cheese. They are topped with lettuce, corn, avocado and salmon with other toppings that I can't think of right now. This salad feels heavenly in my mouth. My taste buds go crazy with this delicious mix of vegetable and fish. I would highly recommend this dish. For desert we ordered the pineapple upside down cake. HEAVEN on a plate. It's a chocolate cake with fudge filling and a sweet raspberry sauce on the plate to dip the cake into. I recommend trying this as well. It was absolutely delectable. My usual go-to drink at this restaurant is their house special called Aruba Red. It's a red amber beer. It's a rich yet smooth tasting beer. Try if if you're a beer person. I have never had any of their mixed drinks. But each of my visits are accompanied by Aruba Red. The service was pretty good too. We were immediately seated upon entering and our server appeared only a minute after we sat down. We placed our appetizer and drink order right away since we had been here before and know what we prefer. The appetizer appeared about ten minutes after that. Overall I have always had a positive and uplifting experience at Bahama Breeze. It tends to get my mind off the daily grind with the relaxing atmosphere.
(5)
Jeff K.

Great food and service. My jambalaya was cook perfectly, and the staff was very friendly to us despite the larger number of guests. I was afraid that this place is going to be just another fancy Applebee's, but this place offers the charms of small restaurants with a dash of class.
(4)
Jessica D.

Significant other and I were rambling about looking for a good and new spot to have lunch at on a Sunday. This turned out to be almost a mini vacation to somewhere tropical and beautifully appointed. Think the Tommy Bahama restaurants. The staff was friendly and attentive, the decor just left me with tons to look at and examine. The cute little store was fun on the way out. Oh and the food was a little key wester-ish (Naperville) but in a pre-fab way. All around we had a good time, especially with the tropical drink offerings! A should try for something fun, different, and whenever a vacation's not in the cards for a while.
(3)
Michael S.

Love It. Salmon Tostad salad is great. They have the best chicken tortilla soup I have ever come across. Great drinks as well. Good Key Lime Pie. I guess I like the overall vibe of this place. Close your eyes and drink a few of there beverages and you will almost feel like you are on vacation for a minitue. Btw try there Aruba Beer.....very good
(4)
Jane T.

I had high expectations for this place since my boyfriend seemed to love it, so we stopped by for dinner after a bit of shopping in the area. We asked to be seated in the "outdoor" patio, which was really just an indoor patio with lots of huge windows and fans. It's nice not have to fight off bugs. The area was first-come-first-serve so we grabbed a seat, then proceeded to wait while servers brought menus and took drink orders for everyone else who grabbed a table AFTER we did. I was getting agitated at this point - we almost walked out. I mean really, can we even get menus?! It was 8:30 and we were hungry! Finally, after watching the wait staff play around with each other and service everyone else .. menus!!! Our drinks arrived and mine was TERRIBLE. How can you mess up a mojito? It was just awful. My boyfriend had their pina colada special with the strawberry stuff in it and that was good. Our Coconut Shrimp appetizer was blah, neither one of us liked it. The sauce they served with it was bitter. Our entrees came and mine was a huge disappointment. I ordered a pasta dish which would've tasted OK if the pasta wasn't mushy. The texture was like pasta that had been boiled in old pasta water ... yuck! My boyfriend had the ribs which were decent. If I do go back, I'll definitely order something else. What a huge disappointment everything was. The only salvation was our waiter, he was extremely pleasant and accommodating. He's also the reason why I'm not giving this place 1 star.
(2)
Kameron J.

So last night, I had the best dining experience and thought I'd share with my fellow Yelpers. I have been going to Bahama Breeze in Schaumburg for the past 6 or 7 years, because the food is great! Especially my favorite, the Jerk Chicken Pasta (hold the asparagus please). But last night was a little different than the norm. I had always had 'good service' there before, but last night a waitress by the name of 'Marina' blew those good experiences out of the water. Marina made me feel like I was dining a four star restaurant. She was super alert, and was always a step ahead of the things I needed (which should be customary for most good servers that are still out there, but let's be honest - service isn't what it use to be). Marina was very personable and made me and my guests feel like we were the most important people in the restaurant - even though he section was totally full. Bravo - Bahama Breeze, for having such a gem like Marina there to represent your restaurant. Good service goes a very long way for us Midwest people that work hard for our money and want to feel appreciated that we are spending those hard-earned dollars in your establishment. Karen, the manager, even came over and asked how we enjoyed our food. And that was the icing on the cake. My hat goes off to the entire staff at BB and I look forward to my next trip there... Only if I get to sit in the Marina section though!
(5)
Varsha L.

I have only eaten here once, I had the pizza, it was ok , the mousse dessert is really good. They do have a lot of different drinks, they are good, kinda watered down though! Its a cute place for the burbs but not really a fan of their food!
(3)
Damian C.

I have attempted for 2 years to go to Bahama Breeze with my Ohio friends. Back in Cleveland (Beachwood), the restaurant is constantly packed at all hours that it is next to impossible to actually get in without waiting close to forever. I even had a gift card to the restaurant that had never been used. When I found out there was one in Schaumburg, I jumped on the opportunity to go. And I really, really wanted to love this place. And I did last night...but had a few reservations about it this morning. The setup itself was great. Nice decor, great views, lots of space in between tables. I can appreciate a restaurant that doesn't give me a side of every other table's conversations with my meal. The booth itself was slightly disappointing, though. The seats were way too low, and the table way too high. I actually felt like a small child peering over the kitchen counter while my mom baked cookies. In a freakish coincidence, the waitstaff appeared to have a height restriction of 5'10" or over, so it was slightly intimidating. The food itself was great, too. Since I spent most of my work day salivating over the menu choices, I pretty much had my entire meal (and drink) planned out (when I actually got there, I made a few changes). We started out with the spinach artichoke dip (delicious) and a mojito (weak, but tasty). I ordered the Jamaican Jerk Chicken with black bean sauce for my meal (amazing) with cinnamon mashed potatoes on the side (HEAVEN!). Everything tasted great and I could not complain about the food. I mean, you can never go wrong with chicken as a safety meal. Or can you? Though the restaurant and meal experience was great, I share a similar feeling of one previous reviewer. Whether it was the mojito, the dip, the meal, or the grande caramel apple cider I got from Starbucks later that night, something did not sit right. In other words, I am glad I have great coworkers who are supportive of me no matter what the circumstances. Bottom line: definitely take a look into this place, but maybe on a weekend when you aren't in cubicle-land (or when you know you have a big stock of Pepto!)
(4)
Aio R.

If you love wings, this is the place to go. We asked for 2 orders of wings cause we were ssoooo hungry and when it came out I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike most places with the appetizer-sized wings, these are normal-sized chicken pieces. Loved it! Also, if you have enough room for dessert, you have to try their pineapple chocolate molten cake. The combo of chocolate cake, pineapple, brandy cream sauce... *sigh* it makes me happy.
(4)
Paul S.

Went here for my birthday with a group of 12 people. We had great appetizers, good food and I swear some of the best drinks i have ever had. Their version of the bahamarita & the ultimate pina colada are so good you forget there is alchohol in them. our bill was way under what we expected & we all left feeling much better than we expected.
(5)
Phil S.

This place has very good food and a fun atmosphere. It helps a lot when living in the midwest to dine out at a place that has a tropical theme. Service is usually always good, servers included. I've never had any complaints about the food or drinks either. From time to time it feels as if the wait times on food become long at times which I wouldn't consider them to be busy or days that overall foot traffic is slow but the food never disappoints so it becomes worth it
(4)
Never M.

First I love the atmosphere in this place. It really does feel like the Bahamas inside. The service was outstanding. The music was REAL island music they even played No, No, No by Dawn Penn lol. The food? This place is an abomination to the Bahamian culture. I don't know who owns these chains but they MUST be American, they have no idea what they're doing. I ordered "spicy jerked wings". This was mildest and sweetest jerk I had ever tasted, then the wings were these huge roided' up monstrosities. Some of the wings were also VERY undercooked which I found out after I got home. I gave them to my brother who finished cooking them. He murdered them. I had some flatbread pizza that was ok. I won't even give the "drinks" my attention. Dont get me wrong, I ain't sayin that everything on the menu has to be authentic, it's cool to put an American spin on somethings, but jerk chicken should never be sweet or mild. And where's the johnny cakes? How do you call yourself "Bahama" Breeze with no johnny cakes on the menu? I so wanted to love this place. It's really an attractive place when you live in a cold climate. I'll give them another try when I'm in Florida they're on every corner there. Maybe they have a better grasp on things. Wish me luck......
(1)
George B.

Overall, pretty good for one of the Darden chain restaurants. If you haven't been to Bahama Breeze before, it is very similar to Red Lobster (no surprise... Darden owns them too), but with a more "relaxed" Caribbean themed menu. Servicewise, I had a great waitress who did her best to serve my table. My glass of iced tea never ran out. Foodwise, I enjoyed my paella, Bahama Breeze has very generous portions, and some of their dishes could easily be split and serve 2 people. One tip: if you want to try Bahama Breeze, but are afraid of it being overly full of tourists, try going during the middle of the week in winter. Overall, I had a good time and would recommend this place.
(4)
Maren B.

This is your typical chain restaurant, olive garden clone with a bahamian twist... This particular location I really like mainly because of the convenience - close to my house, great prices, and there's almost always a free spot at the bar if you're not looking for a full-on meal. I like to stop here just to grab a drink and relax - like if I'm not looking for a crazy party night. I happen to love tropical drinks and they have a huge variety to choose from (try the bushwhacker). The best part is the prices though - I didn't realize until the second or third time of going here that I was getting a major deal. Most of the drinks are about 6-9 dollars and you don't get gypped either. The food is pretty good also, I'm not crazy about seafood although I'm sure they would do a good job with it. I always get the jerk chicken pasta which is satisfying and delicious. They also have the option of a "lighter portion" if you don't want to be a total piggie - and I usually have leftovers even from that. All in all, I would highly recommend this place. It's not that it's so amazing or wonderful but you would have to be incredible picky to find a reason to truly dislike it (kind of like Olive Garden haha)
(4)
Michael D.

Went with my wife and some of her family members. It wasn't my choice so I planned on not wearing my analytical hat for the night. I don't know.. What is the difference between this place and Red Lobster and Olive Garden? Answer: a beach theme. The food is pretty good. I had the Mahi Mahi grilled, the portion was a little bigger than a deck of cards... I should have gotten the Tuna. We had Chorizo sliders for an app which were flavorful. But ultimately, I found myself wondering why we waited 45min for a table at a mediocre restaurant? I guess I'm just not crazy about chain restaurant. There doesn't appear to be any love in the food. I'll probably go back for drinks, but if I had a choice I would stay away.
(2)
Brandy B.

We go here for the Chicken Tortilla Soup and that's it. They deliver every time! Five stars for that. Delish. We can pass on everything else here. The "specials" are always the same. Staff has always been friendly.No complaints there.
(5)
Jacob J.

I've had drinks a few times on occasion. Nice place to bring a party of friends. As big as the place is, its kept at a moderate temperature consistently. Men's room is so very clean, I am always surprised at a place that has finely decorated bathrooms. They've got lotion, nicer brand soap and breath refresher all offered free without an attendant to tip. The fruity drinks remind me VERY much of Hala Kahiki, many of the same name drinks are served. I usually won't drink very many fruity (Alc)drinks, (dependent on the bartender) at times they can taste too concentrated leaving an acidic feeling. The mixed reviews here are shared by myself and friends, while I think the place is ok for a once in awhile. I have friends that find the food plain and the mixed alcoholic drinks lacking.
(3)
Matt M.

The food isn't anything to write home about either way at this place. The service, however, is absolutely laughable. It doesnt seem like there is anyone in this place that has any clue what is going on. They are all perpetually lost, slow, and slightly confused. Its actually funny for the first 15 minutes. After which, it gets old and you have a sense of being violated by bad service and airline food. This place is crap.
(2)
Heather U.

The first time I went there was when my husband took me there on our anniversary. I walked in and right off the bat I was like hello bahama's lol. I mean yes the service was slow because they were jammed packed but our waiter was always appolgiizing and we understood jammed and short staffed but we were never treated badly. And the food there was excellent and even though it was busy as could be I'm not one to blame the people who are there trying to serve you when there short handed. So yes I know I'd be back for the excellent food and I would totally give them a chance.
(3)
N D.

After living in the area for over 10 years and driving past this place often, we decided to give it a try and am glad we did. We went a bit early (6pm) on a Sunday. We were seated right away, our server (Alex) was attentive and friendly. Appetizers were great-LOVE the caribbean bread and the corn cakes. Fish tacos were great, very fresh and not fried as they usually are at most places. Large variety of tropical drinks to choose from and my husband really enjoyed the house ale. Will def go back!
(4)
Jeff C.

Not much island spirit flowing on the afternoon of May 10th, 2008. We had the patio/deck reserved for a group of approximately 70 people, for a timeslot of 1-4pm. 1-4pm - not exactly "high tide" for BB on a Saturday afternoon. Our manager (wet blanket) was Jennifer. Our party was a baby shower for one of our friends - and we had planned a special program that included music. Jennifer crashed down on us like a wave by saying we couldn't amplify our music (guitars) despite it being a room that was totally closed off from the main dining room. She said something about them NEEDING to play their own music over their music system. The manager on duty, Jennifer, asked our party to leave 30 minutes earlier than 4pm, as she cited that we weren't "ordering enough" food, and that they needed the patio/deck space for customers. As I looked around the room, I saw most tables of 4 ordering 3-4 entrees per table, along with drinks. I walked over to the main dining room and saw it less than half filled. Come on Jennifer, are you serious? Our particular type of party weren't ones that were really going to order it up in terms of alcohol, or complete meals of appetizers/entree/dessert - but BB should've appreciated that we took a usually dead timeslot of 1-4pm. I have a feeling that seeing this, Jennifer thought she was doing the right thing by the restaurant to limit the amount of time we could have in our room. However, the only real thing she achieved that day was unleashing a frigid cold wave on 60+ people who were anticipating island breezing. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)
Paige W.

As much as I hate to admit that I've found love in suburban Hell, stepping into the coastal oasis that is Bahama Breeze truly felt like a tropical vacation. A trio of ladies on my staff, including myself, are currently experiencing love on the rocks, so we took a long lunch to decompress. Next to the plantation-style architecture of this place, even the nearby Red Lobster (ugh) was dwarfed in comparison. Glorious interior decor, with slow-spinning fans and lofted ceilings. I really did feel like I was at a resort. Our cabana boy of a server explained the jist of the restaurant -- as if it weren't obvious -- and left us to decide on drinks and our lunches. One of the girls had a shrimp appetizer that looked and smelled like a scampi. It came with a full loaf of warm bread to soak up all the butter sauce, which you'd better believe she used all of. Another had the fresh tilapia, grilled and served with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. And I ordered a cheeseburger, which changed my life. It was the same cheeseburger you can get at any restaurant, I'm sure, but from the toasted and buttered bun down to the crispy bacon and melted American cheese, it was beefy perfection the likes of which I haven't experience in quite some time. I also had a side of fruit in lieu of french fries. Beautiful fresh-cut pineapple with deep purple grapes, strawberries and a little scoop of orange sherbet. It was a nice, refreshing addition to the plate. Overall, a really classy haven I didn't expect to find in the middle of a strip of used-car dealerships and other chain restaurants. I would go back in a heartbeat -- the next time I have an hour and a half for lunch!
(4)
Patricia K.

Bahama Breeze - where have you been all my life? First thing's first - the drinks. OMG, they are delicious and STRONG! I had the Pineapple-Coconut Martini, leaving no drop behind. I may or may not have debated licking the glass. And judging from the reactions of everyone else at our table, their drinks were equally as strong as mine. For an appetizer, we ordered the coconut shrimp and veggie quesadillas. Both were tasty and left our mouths watering for the entrees. For the main event, I ordered the chicken kabobs. The chicken and veggies were perfectly cooked and laid over delicious yellow rice. While there was nothing revolutionary about the entree, I really did enjoy its simplicity. I also had a bite of the buttermilk fried chicken. Wow, it was amazing. The chicken absorbed a lot of the flavorings from the bed of potatoes, yummy sauce and veggies below. I stole more than a few forkfulls :) And finally, the dessert... I ordered the banana supreme which was a combo of banana bread, vanilla ice cream, sliced up bananas and caramel sauce. Hello heaven! The only thing keeping me from throwing down a five-star review is a big one --- the service SUCKED. Our waitress was hands down negligent of our table. To give you specifics - upon being seated, it took her over 15 minutes to come over and ask us for a drink order. At that time, she should have taken our appetizer order and even started to but then walked away, leaving us for another 15 minutes. We finally put in our app order and someone else brought it out shortly thereafter but our waitress was again missing and our entrees orders were not taken for nearly 30 minutes after our appetizers came out. Finally we had to flag down another employee to get our waitress to come back. She then came back, no apologies, acting as if nothing was wrong. We placed our orders and requested refills and glasses of water only to wait again. It wasn't long after that when they brought out the entrees, which were delicious but that may have been the last time we saw our waitress until the end of the meal. We had to again flag someone down to place a dessert order. It was just awful. Everyone else was really pleasant and once a nearby waitress realized we were struggling getting our orders, she did take the time to check in on us and pick up where her coworker fell short.
(4)
Jeff R.

I really like this place. Don't exactly know the reason, but the fresh fruit mojitos sure help! Good food and service combined with a great bar & bartenders make me want to return often. We sat at the bar and had a couple drinks when our buzzer rang. The bartender heard me comment to my wife that I wish it would have been a little longer wait because I was enjoying the drinks at the bar. He went to the hostess and delayed our seating for about 30 minutes! He even asked us to stop back for an after dinner drink when we were done. Cool place that you have to try with friends.
(4)
Lauren R.

Gets a bit too crowded and they host single nights which is a bit weird but otherwise great food and service.
(4)
Michael M.

A couple years ago, my girl received a gift card that could be used at Olive Garden or Bahama Breeze. I am so happy we decided to try something new and go to Bahama Breeze. Going there is like a mini vacation. Just like a vacation though, you need to make reservations. You will be waiting if you don't. The food is excellent ,and it's something different than the normal fare here in the Midwest. I love the chips and spinach dip appetizer that comes with regular tortilla chips, red tortilla chips, and fried plantains. My favorite entree is definitely the seafood paella which is piled on with clams, shrimp, scallops etc. Lastly, they now have caipirinhas, a drink from Brazil (made from sugar cane juice, cane rum and lime) that I had only heard about until now. The servers are extremely nice and attentive. If I had to find a negative, it would be that when the place is packed, the service does suffer a little, it's mostly just with the people working front-of-house being frazzled, not the servers.
(5)
A K.

Worst food ever. None of us could even finish half of it.
(1)
Mina H.

Bahama Breeze has GREAT seafood. Service is pretty nice as well. Can do with less South Florida decor.
(4)
Richard O.

Looks really cool from the outside but not very impressive on the inside. They don't put a lot of alcohol in their drinks and the patio could be nicer. The fire place was really nice and the live music is always a plus. Very spacious dining room with a small bar area and an aged enclosed patio with fire place. I stopped in for drinks next time I may try the food. Overall looks very average.
(2)
Rene T.

I went back, had better customer service. Our server Mike was great.
(4)
Jerry B.

As usual, the Darden restaurants are well run, with good food, hot plates, good service and nice atmosphere for all ages. The salmon pasta was excellent as was the cheesecake dessert. Cuban bread was pretty good too. Really liked the Aruba Red beer. Bill was $50 for 2. Would go back, but maybe try the Longhorn steakhouse with our next Darden gift card. Pretty good for a restaurant without a "one word" name.
(4)
Dan B.

Holy fake carribean atmosphere, this place is tacky. From the giant carved wooden sign right at the front door proclaiming "applications accepted from 2-4 PM only" (is their turnover that high?) to the blasting generic island beats Bahama Breeze has spared nothing to bring the island atmosphere to Schaumburg...and I am thinking now they should have left it where it was. The service was decent if uninspired, and the food was actually pretty good, I had the fish tacos. I just cannot get over the tacky decor with little touches like the table numbers being painted on the side of the table and "lush" fake foliage.
(3)
Rick S.

This place is awesome! Have been there a couple times and the ambiance is good, great service, and even better food. The onion rings are the best I've ever had, the jerk chicken is addicting and a must have. Enjoy!
(5)
R F.

I came here last night (Saturday) with a small group of friends for dinner and drinks. We had to wait quite a long time for our table since they do not accept reservations, only call-ahead, however we were able to sample quite a few of their DELICIOUS..and affordable! cocktails while we were waiting. Once we were seated we were waited on immediately and did not have to wait long at all for our food. Everyone at our table was incredibly impressed with everything they ordered! I had the simply grilled salmon with cinnamon sweet potatoes and green beans...and I'm pretty sure I dreamt about it!! SOOOOOO GOOOD!!!...Everyone was raving about how good their food was! I live in Naperville and it takes about an hour to get there but distance is no matter for food like that! We will all definitely go back and I will spread the word at how pleased I was with the service and food...and prices!! Thank you for a wonderful experience! =) ...(you should consider taking reservations though ;) )
(4)
irfan m.

For date : Yes!! For Work Friends: Depends on your relationship For Cousin: Try it For Friends: Of course For hungry people: You have to spend little more For Zabiha Halal Eater: Only sea food. I had their salmon and Jalapeno sauce .....A-
(4)
Apara W.

Went on a Sunday for lunch, didn't have to wait, which was good. I have been to other Bahama Breeze locations in Florida. Compared to that, I thought the service was MUCH quicker, attentive server. HOWEVER, 1 star off- there was plastic in my sandwich. The manger Tim was kind enough to get me a new one, and apologized. It was not such a big deal. Another star off, for not giving me a new side. To me, if there is an issue with a platter- the entire platter should be fixed. Not sure, if I'll be going back.
(3)
Nicole L.

I really like this place. My second visit was today for lunch and we had the best waiter - he was friendly and attentive, something I have come to expect from Darden Restaurants (who also owns Red Lobster and The Olive Garden). They must not tolerate unfriendly waitstaff because I've yet to have a poor experience at any Red Lobster or Bahama Breeze. The waitstaff is always on top of drink refills too. I ordered the Breeze Wood-Grilled Chicken Breast which was delicious in a citrus butter sauce. It comes with cinnamon sweet potatos that are so good I actually eat them (not a fan of the sweet potato normally). For dessert we shared the Bananas Supreme which is to die for. Wow, my mouth is watering after writing this review, so it's time to enjoy the leftovers!
(4)
Alex N.

I've been here about 4 times and every one was pleasant. Atmosphere is that of a Jamaican hut with a carefree atmosphere. Large open air room with tropical vibe was quite easy to relax in. Servers were always quite personable and have even sat and chatted with me a my girlfriend (guy told us about a date he had with a girl in Wisconsin the night before!). Food always tasted great be it seafood or steak or vegatables or drinks from the bar. Wait can be 45 mins to an hour on the weekends so might want to be prepared (we've always just waited at the cool outside bar). Banana's Foster you definitely have to save room for!!!
(5)
Paul C.

Been meeting the family for various birthday lunches out here for years due to its location halfway between Chicago and the haunted suburb I grew up in. My Puerto Rican momma loves it because of the whole Caribbean vibe. Frankly I think the place has gone down hill over the years. I like it less and less every time I visit. The pros: friendly service, tropical drinks, never a problem getting a table. Otherwise, it's sort of a meh experience. I've never had any food here that's wowed me. Today I had their chips and salsa. The salsa was actually pretty good, but it comes with store bought tortilla chips and store bought plantain chips. Disappointing and an opportunity lost. The chips are pretty emblematic of everything else here. They'll be a good idea, maybe a good ingredient, but then someone cuts some corners and it just sort of ends up an overall disappointment. I'd say come for drinks, but eat somewhere else.
(2)
Leocris L.

i love it here. the kabobs are a good size portion. i think i'm going to try the paella next time. looks awesome..
(4)
Neil R.

I have never had a bad experience at this restuarant. They have great food and drinks. The atmosphere in the place is great. I love the island/beach feel of it. Ive had the West Indie Ribs before and they are soo damn tasty! They are very tender and tangy/sweetened to perfection. This time I had Mahi Mahi with mango sauce. Wow it was delicious!! The fish not dry at all, actually VERY moist and was fully cooked. Friend had the short ribs which were totally awesome, i had to grab a rib. His gf had salmon with shrimp sauce which was a bit dry but still good. My date had only dessert. I never asked her about her dessert. I had the Bahamamarita which is like a margarita but with their own touch to it. It came with a shot of cactus alcohol? The pina colada drink was good as well. Anyways I like the place alot. Everything was great. I would definitely go again. My 4th time there and still liked it a lot.
(5)
L W.

We really enjoyed this place! The decor is really nice (very open & island-y) and the place was very clean! Our server really rolled out the red carpet for us and we felt like we got VIP treatment while we were there. :) The cuban mojito was perfect and there was lots of it! Very generous with the drink sizes! The food was fresh and hot and it came out really fast as well! We all ordered seafood dishes and they were all great! They don't skimp on the seafood or portion sizes! We couldn't even finish our entrees and got to take some home and that almost never happens with us! ;) We will def be back here again!
(4)
Sarah K.

The SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE. There seemed to be no communication between any of the servers and managers. The servers continued to serve our party flat pop, even after we had told them at least 4 times. When we asked for the manager, she came to us with a chip on her shoulder, and being extremely rude to us, then basically tried kicking us out before we were ready to go. I've never been treated so horribly at a restaurant! And this was for a large party too! All that being said, the food wasn't bad, and the fruity cocktails were pretty decent.
(1)
Jonathan E.

I went with 2 other adults and a child for an early dinner, about 5:30PM. We definitely beat the Tuesday dinner rush and were seated immediately in the open air "patio". Seriously, the place was packed to almost 90% capacity by 7:30PM. The staff was very friendly and attentive. we were not rushed at all, however we did need time to look at all the menus. There was a menu for the daily special, drinks, food and beverages, and another binder for more drinks. Really? I felt like Moses, I needed only 2 menus...drop the others! HAHA! To start we had their signature brew, Aruba Red. It wasn't too unique. It was mild and had little aftertaste. I'm no expert, so give it a try for yourself. For the appetizer, we had the Tostones. It is a fried plantain slices covered with cheese, chicken, onions, mushrooms, peppers, and salsa. It was a nice flavor explosion, but the plantains were chewy, not crisp. This is the first time I have ever had this dish, so I am not sure what the proper expectations should be. For the entree, I ordered the Almond Crusted Salmon with Garlic Mash and Green Beans. Altogether a nice dish, but as an afterthought, I realized it was not as advertised, almond crusted. It was more like almonds sprinkled around the salmon. Not a big issue. It was still delicious, but I did feel like I missed out on the crunch factor. For dessert, I had the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Words cannot describe sweet richness that assaulted my mouth. Yes, it was that good. Doesn't end there. My friend gave me a taste of their Key Lime Pie. A nice balance of citrus, tart, and sweetness. A nice dinner all around. However our service is well worth mentioning. Matt was spectacular. Attentive when needed and avoided us when he could tell we were doing well and just enjoying the meal and conversation. It gets better. My friends brought their 7 year old daughter. As much as we integrated her into our conversation, she was a bit bored. Matt performed several card tricks and made her a paper rose. I think he just made a friend for life. I don't think all the servers are required to have special talents, but this was a special surprise. Pros: Outdoor-like Patio / Desserts / Service (especially from Matt) Cons: The food seemed a little off the mark, but I could be wrong. I am not familiar with Caribbean food. That said, I still return would return to explore the menu.
(4)
choong l.

If consistency in their dishes can match the decor and service, then it would defintely challenge the cream of the crop of chain eateries (uh... whatever that might be in your world). The decor is actually pretty nice -- I like their caribbean-themed decor with trick ceiling fans, shack-by-the-beach bars and open kitchen... it's kinda like a more kitsch Trader Vic's, more open to the suburban masses and family friendly. Servers in their tropic-adventurer type uniform come across almost as hospitable as you'd imagine hospitality staff would be at the tourist destinations Bahama Breeze wants to evoke as you dine here. Now, here's the sticky point: be careful what you 'dine on' here -- that's where the whole love affair can burn and crash. Problem starts with the menu -- their appetizers are advertised as "generous portions to share," and some truly are, but some are surprisingly not. An avocado/crab/shrimp chip/dip thing came out with the aforementioned morsels shaped by what must have been a Jell-O Pudding Snack cup (read: tiny) with two large plantain chips in the middle of a ridiculously oversized plate. The plate seems to have been sized appropriately for a dish that one would truly try sharing at a table, but the portion of the food was only sharable to an extent you'd want to share an appetizer at a French restaurant -- it wasn't. This was one out of three appetizers we ordered (selection based on maximum share-age), and the other two were just fine. Then there's the quality. A fish taco (advertised on a chalkboard by the host stand as the new special) came out with a trip of tortillas each with their own morsel of fish (a filet for each taco) with some lettuce with a side of really bland spicy-mayo thing. Instantly, this triggered an image of a sloppily put-together breakfast burrito at McD's... and I'd have taken that over this one. On top of it, this "some lettuce" was the problem since one of the tacos had an uncut chunk of lettuce heart the size of half a hockey puck. Even the table's favorite -- a Calypso-something linguine -- was pretty tasty (we've ordered this before), but the pasta was swimming in oil, and it was definitely a lot more greasy than it had to be. One of our friends' straight-forward salmon was overcooked, with the filet brittle under her fork, and salmon isn't a flakey fish. 5 dishes out of 12 (there were multiple orders of the linguine) -- not the best betting average. The frustrating thing is that the other 7 were actually very good. Our server did tell me "oh man, when I saw that piece of lettuce on your taco when the food came out of the kitchen, I thought of giving the cooks a smack in the back of the head" with the my-hand-smacking-someone's-head gesture and a good natured wink when I pointed out my taco problem. As my hero, Gordon Ramsey, would have bellowed: "Then why didn't you stop it right there, YOU DON-KEY!" Their $3.75 20oz Aruba Red is a good deal, and the food that didn't bomb were actually pretty fine, but I'm feeling VERY suspicous of the type of establishment where the kitchen is obviously ran by second-rate cooks and the staff themselves don't seem to take the issues with food seriously. I'll probably give them another try and stay well clear of the fish tacos.
(2)
Shin M.

My bridal shower was held here. The place is really nice, especially the little room with the fire pit that we rented out. One of our servers was extremely nice and was full of compliments. The bathrooms were pretty nice too. However... the food on the other hand... that's what this 1 star is for. I got the coconut shrimp and my fiance got one of the burgers. The coconut shrimp did not taste good at all and the brocolli and rice that came with it had absolutely no flavor in it at all. I saw the girls sitting at my table pick at their food. Most of them ate most of the shrimp because of hunger and did not touch anything else. I had a bite of the burger that was supposed to be cooked medium well but there was pink in it and it was pretty tasteless. Would not come back here for the food...
(1)
Gary S.

I went there with my wife on a Saturday night around 9:00 we got a table right away loved the food and great service!!!
(5)
Abhinav S.

Good place, nice ambience and fun place. We went there after 9 pm and got half off on lot of appetizers.
(4)
Brad S.

I have been here multiple times. At least 3-4. Honestly have had the worst experience of my life, service is slow, food is not brought out to perfection. Last time they ran out of onion rings?!? They are known for them how does that happen. This time here for a special occasion and they run out of steak.. now you tell me how that happens. As a manager half way through the day wouldn't you notice your product going low? And order more or call or make s run? No you just let it go. Literally not coming back here ever again, i gave you one more chance. And you messed up once again.
(1)
Erick A.

I came in with a couple of friends celebrating two birthdays and it was a great time! I called the night before to reserve a table of 13, and the lady host made it very easy and fast to do so. We came in 10 minutes late to the reservation and they happily welcomed us to the table. Diane, our server was extremely nice and made our experience very enjoyable. Thanks a lot Diane :) I got the fried chicken breast and it was super delicious, tender and perfectly crusted! The mashed potatoes are to die for, great job by the kitchen. It was my first time coming and it sure won't be the last. Once again, thanks Diane :D
(5)
Peggy P.

Super service for our family party; no rushing. Painkillers were a treat; hadn't had one since vacationing in the BVI. All 8 of us enjoyed our evening and the food.
(4)
Donna R.

Still the same rating, but just wanted to mention that they updated their Menus.... have a good amount of new dinner options. Came here for an impromptu dinner with my family--had to meet the sister's new bf and celebrate my dad buying a new car. Everyone ordered drinks and she comes out with their famous drink...nobody actually ordered it, we told her, and just said to have it on the house :) I also just can't get enough of their cinnamon sweet mashed potatoes..
(4)
Nichole C.

Bahama Breeze is an oldie but goodie. My husband used to work here and opened the place forever ago, so maybe I just have a lot of memories here, or I know how terrible and crowded it used to be and far prefer it circa 2013, but I like this place. The wait usually isn't too bad (especially if you call ahead!), service is okay (it's really hit or miss here), food is good (I REALLY like the chowder, seafood ANYTHING, the jerk chicken pasta, the ribs, and the wings [not your typical wings, but really good anyway]!), and drinks are decent (the beer list sucks, but the cocktails are good). I also like sitting on the patio with the live music...it makes me feel like I'm on vacation. Overall, you can't really go wrong here. Give 'em a try. And tip that poor guy playing music for you all night, will 'ya?
(4)
Eric G.

I've eaten here a few times here and there over the years. Some of their booths need some major TLC (big gapping holes in the cushions we sat at) and maybe a little less ice on the alcoholic drinks (my lemon ginger mojito was chock full of it) but otherwise it has a good ambience and my last meal there with a friend left us both satisfied. We both loved the Firecracker Shrimp appetizer and seemed to be just enough for the both of us. I liked the overall flavor of the West Indies Chicken Curry once I mixed it with the bland rice. My friend couldn't finish his Pan Seared Salmon Pasta but enjoyed it very much. We both enjoyed the Warm Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Our server was pretty attentive as well. Would definitely continue to return.
(4)
Dan L.

joined some friends here for lunch. Had a Mai Tai, Ceasar salad and their spinach dip. All were good and the server was nice and attentive. All in all good, though I thought they were priced a bit high for the experience.
(3)
Sharon W.

Great service. Sat on the deck, live music! Love my jerk chicken pasta. I ordered a side Caesar salad which was a bit limp but large for an extra $2.50. I like the light portion option especially when you are staying at a hotel. One of my favorite Darden restaurants.
(4)
Marie C.

[BY THE WAY: in reading over my own review below before posting it, I realize I sound unnaturally excited about this place (like maybe I'm Mrs. Breeze or second cousin to the chain owner or head of PR or something). But we'd really only been there 1x before deciding to have a party here, and it really was as good as I've described. So read on in confidence that I'm not a ringer - just a really lucky customer who stumbled across the restaurant.] In late October, 2014, we had a party here, and the service, food, and entertainment was outstanding. Absolutely everyone was surprised and delighted with Bahama Breeze and their attention. If you're looking for a place to host a party, whether it's just appetizers or full-on multi-course meals with full open bar, this is the place. We'd looked everywhere to host a private party for about 60 friends and family. The other venues were too stuffy, way too expensive, complicated to price, and for many we'd still have to arrange our own catering and bar service. We simply stopped by Bahama Breeze for lunch one day after visiting other restaurants and reception venues, and we noticed they had a separate section called The Deck. Elana, a manager, joined us, and provided the best informational package we'd seen for a party venue - prices were very clear, all prices included tax and gratuity (something no other venue did), and there was a wide choice of food and drink options and pricing. The contract was very clear, very easy to complete, and gave us loads of time to tweak absolutely any aspect of our plan. We managed to host a brilliant party, the Bahama Breeze staff took care of everything and everyone, and all of this (including full open bar and entertainment) for a fraction of the cost of the other places that supposedly specialize in hosting private parties. At the party, the package we selected had bar snacks, a salad starter, dinner and dessert and a full open bar. During the party, guests were able to order off a menu of three different dinner options (we chose steak, chicken pasta, and fish catch of the day). The service was very fast, and the food got high praise from even our fussiest friends. Here are a few of the compliments: + Everyone who ordered steak said their steaks were just as ordered, which is extremely unusual for such a large party. Those who liked "well done" were particularly pleased since even high end "steak" restaurants rarely do "well done" right. + A few people put in special orders for their fish, and every order was done properly. They were delighted. + Quite a few of our friends and family are OCD freaks about cleanliness. Several commented that food plating was impeccable (the wide plate edges were 100% clean with no slops), and the servers kept the tables beautifully clean. Nothing was streaked or sticky and any guest messes were gone in a moment. + All of the food was wonderfully flavorful, served piping hot, and portions were very generous. As one of the party hosts, I was always moving around the room, and every time I forgot my drink somewhere, an attentive server would find it, find me, and reunite us. I've never had that kind of service before. They gave us access to the space an hour before the party to set up our own table decorations, and they arranged for live entertainment with a performer named Ron Devon. If you are ever looking for a singer, Ron Devon was brilliant. He has a beautiful voice, plays guitar extraordinarily well, and has a sound system that provides backing percussion and music making for a very rich sound. Everyone loved him, from the 16 year olds up to the 90+ year olds - quite a feat. And the volume was perfect - loud enough to sit back and listen, while still being able to hold a comfortable conversation. He played the entire evening and everyone loved his work. I'd particularly like to thank Elana, the manager, and David, on the management team. They were both more patient and helpful than anyone else we encountered at other venues. The serving staff for our party were extraordinary down to the last person. They managed to remain in the background (they were nearly invisible gliding around the room delivering food and drink) while still appropriately fun and lighthearted. Even though the gratuity was included in our bill, we were so pleased by the outstanding service we added additional gratuity to the check. Like I said, at the end of the evening when we got the bill - the full bill including all of the food and full open-bar drink for 5 hours in a boozy crowd - Bahama Breeze charged only a fraction of what the other venues quoted. If you want to host a very successful party with the least amount of stress, I wholeheartedly recommend Bahama Breeze in Schaumburg. We're currently looking for an excuse to do it again we had so much fun at our own party. Thank you Bahama Breeze - we'll be back at every opportunity. Marie C
(5)
Katy P.

Came here over the summer with my boyfriend (took me a minute to write a review, lol) because we had a gift card, and we really enjoyed our meal! The firecracker shrimp street tacos were magnificent, and my Calypso shrimp pasta dish was pretty good. I liked the Aruba ale, and boyfriend's mojito was made well. I would come back here during happy hour for drinks and 1/2 priced appetizers again sometime.
(4)
Briana P.

I recently tried this place for the first time and I was very impressed. I really liked the ambiance. Both the food and drinks were really good. The service was alright. Maybe our waitress had an off day, but she was by no means rude at all. Overall I was very please for my first visit and I would definitely like to go back again.
(4)
John G.

When this place first opened, it looked like an overly trendy, overly stylized gimmick that fit the bill of the "here today, gone tomorrow" set of restaurants in the area. It turned out to be a surprisingly bright offering with good food and a fun atmosphere that provided a unique niche in the local food market. The food is good, and reasonably priced. The menu is a variety of Caribbean-inspired dishes from Cuban black-bean soup to Jamaican Jerk Salmon. Quality wise, while not exceptional, it's probably among the top restaurants in the area. The decor for some may still be over the top, but for icy December in Schaumburg, they actually do a nice job recreating a tropical atmosphere with an open floor plan and live music. Complaints: Service was decent, but a little slow and not quite as attentive as it could have been. For some bizarre reason, the last few times I've been there, they decided to use a cleaner that makes parts of the restaurant smell like you just walked into a bathroom (definitely request something in the outer pavilion by the firepit)
(4)
Tish B.

My first time here. The waitstaff were very friendly. I ordered the Bahamarita (I had 2) which was pretty sweet & tasty. My entree I had the jerk chicken pasta. Chicken was bland. I expected the chicken to be more flavorful. Since I have had jerk chicken in the past. Overall I will go again.
(4)
Stacey S.

We have been here several times and each time we come we ask ourselves why? The food is mediocre at best. Tonight I had the fish tacos which was a single strip of dry fish on a bed of iceberg lettuce. My husband had the chicken sliders which were better but still plain and uninspired. The service was good but really with all of the options in this area I am certain this will be Oort last trip to Bahama Breeze.
(2)
Tiff T.

Only had the Jamaican wings, need to try more. Love the beach feeling when sitting in the outdoor area/patio. Convenient locale.
(5)
Scott M.

Drinking Painkillers and the Bahamarita. Extra nutmeg on the painkillers. Its better that way. We ordered the Chicken Quesadilla for the appetizer which was very flavorful but messy. They didnt hold together well. I ordered the Lobster shrimp linguine and my wife ordered the Buttermilk fried chicken breast. I must say that I always love a good lobster and shrimp dish and always wondered how you can top that. Don't get me wrong it was a good dish but you have to try the Buttermilk fried chicken breast. I was jealous. The staff was helpful and consistent. This was our third time there and it won't be our last
(5)
Maricel L.

Fun and loud atmosphere. Our waitress recommended the raspberry mojito but I thought it tasted horrible, like medicine. The food is decent with large portions.
(3)
Peter R.

This is my wife's favorite restaurant. We love the food, the atmosphere, and always get fast service as well. Try the beef empanadas, jerk chicken pasta, or fresh fish. It's a great place for date night!
(5)
Tiffany W.

Home made FRESH mashed potatoes. ...omg! They were amazing and if I ever go back I just want a big bowl of them! Beyond that, it was mediocre. The decor is pretty and does feel tropical. I loved how open it was- not claustrophobic. No wait for seating and fairly attentive waitress. No complaints there. The drink I had tasted good, but was extremely weak (alcohol-wise) and tasted a tad too sweet, but that's not a big deal to me. The food was where it was hit or miss. The menu looks good but the choices are obviously not all carribean inspired. We ordered a sampler appetizer and although I don't eat wings, everyone else in my party raved about the jerked chicken wings. I was excited about the hush puppies but they had a something weird in them that was chewy and sort of hard. I was majorly disappointed in those (what on earth was that??). The onion rings were super good though and the sauce for them was tastey. The actual entrees however were more difficult for me. I'm a moderately picky eater- I will not eat mushrooms- which created a huge hassle for me as most of the items that interested me had them. I ordered a pasta and asked to have it without mushrooms to which I was told it was pre-made and therefore unable to be made without them. I opted for another dish and asked the same and received the same response. So they serve pre-packaged food, eww. Not surprising, but still ew. I ended up getting the Cilantro Chicken (just about the only thing I liked on the menu that didn't come with mushrooms) but even that was so-so. The chicken was frozen so enough said. The mash potatoes were incredible. The grilled corn was great. But the cilantro sauce they serve with it was bland and actually the chicken was coated in a sort of sweet sauce that was really good and I felt the bland cilantro cream sauce made the chicken less appetizing so I didn't use it. My husband ordered a tilapia dish and was disappointed to find that too was pre frozen. I like the place, but I don't feel the food or drinks are worth the price. I'd go back for half price appetizers and happy hour drink specials. Not so much for a dinner.
(3)
Amanda V.

The food is great, but the service is awful. On more than one occasion, we've had servers/bartenders who acted like cocky jerks just for fun. It seems like a prerequisite to be a slimy, cocky, rude and pompous tool in order to work here. Most recently, my fiance and I seated at the bar area to drink, eat and listen to the live entertainment, which is enjoyable, but loud. So, while discussing with each other where we wanted to sit, we had to speak louder than normal to hear each other. The bartender, Rick, yelled hello to us and asked what we wanted to drink. We still had our coats on and hadn't even sat down yet. Once we decided to sit at the bar, rather than a bar top, I was removing my coat while Rick asked me AGAIN what I wanted to drink. I hadn't seen a menu yet and hadn't even settled into my seat. My fiance asked for a menu in hopes to stave his pushiness off a bit. When Rick came back, he leaned into us a bit and said, "You ready, yet -- you done yelling at each other and know what you want?" I couldn't believe I heard what I heard. We drank and ate, but won't be returning. There are too many good restaurants in that area to put up with such invasive, insulting nonsense.
(2)
Agnes L.

As a national chain, Bahama Breeze has a location in my hometown within the Detroit suburbs so it's not exactly special to me. But this was the best dinner option on Friday night when meeting up with a friend and her mother in the area because we were all observing Lent, and they liked the seafood here. Based on past experiences, I know it can be more exciting with the live entertainment and fire pit, along with Happy Hour tropical drink specials but this particular time it was so-so. With this most recent dining experience, we ended up there during a busy period between 6-8 p.m. We didn't wait long for a table and the service overall went smoothly. Unfortunately, all the tables near the fire were occupied during this cold night so we were in the main dining room, which was extremely dimly lit but with roomy booths. It was a major plus to see Skinny drink options and fresh seafood specials for the health-conscious. I went with a low-cal margarita and the Ahi tuna salad. In the end, I would have been happier with a stronger drink and much more veggies considering the prices. But the tuna was sliced and just seared so it was still rare and tender in the middle, which I can appreciate because I have had it prepared incorrectly at other restaurants. For dessert, we split a slice of the key lime pie, which was not zesty enough for me and fresh whipped cream would have been a better complement to it than the hardened meringue on top. In fact, the friend that accompanied me for dinner that night honestly bakes a better key lime pie. The crust was the best part of it because of the brown sugar.
(3)
Jose P.

Live music on certain days. It's worth waiting to sit outside, or at the outside bar. Families will enjoy the weekend music also. Some might question prices, but we were pleased with the fish portions for the price paid. Nice varied menu. Some of the appetizers are AOK at regular price, but half price at happy hour is fantastic. It's worth going just to have Heather be your bartender.
(5)
Nic Z.

Bahama Breeze is one of those restaurants that is always OK -- pretty good, but not "OH MY GOD, KEEP IT COMIN'!!!!" They have decent calamari, and my personal favorite is the light version of the Breeze Wood-Grilled Chicken Breast. Mashed sweet potatoes and jerk chicken are a great match! It's not the healthiest thing in the world, but it's a decently-tasty meal. The service is hit-or-miss, but we had a really great server on our last visit; he was one of the best waiters I've ever had, period. They used to have a big additional room open with live music and more seating, but I haven't seen it in use in well over a year. Ah, the economy..
(3)
K R.

Absolutely love this place. I have been to this restaurant in different locations in different states and it never disappointes.
(5)
Toni B.

The hubby and I have come here on several ocassions for drinks, music and appetizers. We enjoy the one man band who I think has been there for 20 years, but he is entertaining and fun to sing along with!!! This past week we came here for a work holiday party. There were about 50 of us and only a few servers, so service was slow..the staff looked a bit overwehelmed. :/ The hubby ordered the coconut shrimp...OMGEE! You know those moments where your like, Darn, I wish I ordered that instead!?! I had one of those moments and was very sad while I was eating his delicious coconut shrimp! ;) I ordered the jerk chicken with bowtie pasta and asparagus. The jerk chicken was delish, but the rest of the dish was a bit bland. The house salad, YUMMO! I dont know what kind of "secret" dressing it is, but it was good!!!! We had a coice of dessert...the cheesecake...one word...AMAZING..I snuck another piece to take home :) The key lime pie...meh, not a fan, but if you like key lime pie Im sure it was great! The mousse with the brownie was delicious as well! Fun place to go to...had a good time there at the holiday party. They have a nice fire pit on the "deck" area. Also plenty of parking!
(4)
Katie D.

Not the best food. Drinks were very average. it's over rated!!
(2)
Navya R.

It was my first visit to the place with my husband the ambience is really awesome,it makes you feel as in florida ....the wall decors are great and the coconut shrimp we ordered was amazing..the worst experience we had is with the service...all the positives the restaurant had was blown off by the worst service ....she served us the food in an unpleasant way...we hated her service...at last she just pulled a plate of desert without desert spoons and was simply staring at us....Am totally disappointed by that waitress.
(1)
Nicole M.

I was here the other night for a Wine and Canvas event. I have only been here one other time and most likely will not go back again. The place itself is cute but when I entered the area in which the event was taking place I was hit by a wall of heat and humidity. It was a 90 degree day and the one window and couple fans that they had blowing into the room. After a 10 hour work day sitting in a hot room for the next 3 hours was really undesirable. We arrived early and the staff was very nice. The only reason this place is getting 3 starts instead of 2 is because our waiter was AWESOME!. It was a group of 37 people and he was surprisingly attentive and very willing to do whatever he could. (For the life of me I can not remember his name :( But he was so sweet suggested good appetizers and drinks for us. I do have to give Bahama Breeze a big thumbs down for tacking gratuity onto my check because of the event when my "party" was only 2. Especially that they did so without even notifying us prior. I have ZERO issue with tipping for good service and even tipped the waiter over the 18% that was already on the check. Also their "free" WiFi is awful!
(3)
Susan S.

Food is typically good here. But I've had a horrible experience trying to book a group here. They never call back and when you finally get a manager they say they are booked. Of course it took you 4 weeks to call back. You've lost my business for good! Glad to check another Darden venue off my list.
(1)
Chris M.

Feels like your somewhere tropical. Friday night sit in the open area where there is live music (he takes requests and is pretty good) during happy hour(half price appetizers) the drink menu is awesome!! So much selection. To eat we had fried chicken sliders, mahi tacos, and some popular pasta with asparagus....delicious. Oh and try the draft wheat ale and the service is good too.
(5)
Secil A.

Yummy food, great patio area with "fire" place and that island vibe. LOVED the lemonade and the shrimp appetizer. But.... We had to get the waiter's attention couple of times. I understand that it got busy later on but I don't like to try to get my waiter's attention, waving like a crazy girl which might have looked like I was trying to kill a fly.Just a simple eye contact with us once in a while to check if we were ok would have done it. So they lost a star.But maybe it was a bad day for him so I will come back.
(4)
Rachel T.

Appetizer: 1) Start off with an order of Firecracker shrimp (good size to split between 2-3 people). It goes great with the zesty red pepper sauce on the side. Dinner: 2) For the main course, go for the Jerk Chicken Pasta (have them toss it with crushed red peppers--It's a lot more flavorful than it would be on its own). --You can get a lighter portion or an original portion. The lighter portion is perfect to split between two people I'd say (it all depends on how hungry you are though)-- it also comes with 2 breadsticks! Dessert: 3) The Warm Chocolate Pineapple Upside-Down Cake makes life worth living! There's a caramelized fresh pineapple on top of the chocolate cake with rich molten chocolate filling in the middle. There's also a raspberry sauce drizzled along the sides. Bottoms Up: ----Pineapple Coconut Martini: Too sugary. ----Mojito Cubano: Yes, please! They top it off with a fresh stem of sugar cane Have fun :)
(4)
Eric W.

Food was good. Nothing all that special IMO. Lots of fruity cocktails on the menu. Dinner is reasonable ranging from 11-20 dollars a plate. Large place with lots of seating. Keeps with the Caribbean vibe.
(3)
Tracey B.

**UPDATE** I was contacted by the owner and was offered an apology and a gift card to come back. I declined for many reasons, but was impressed by the apology and the professional manner in which it was handled. For this reason, I upped my rating to two stars. Original review as follows: Awful. Cheesy atmosphere, bad food. Only saving grace was that we had a great server. She was very polite & accommodating. Kept our drinks full without bothering us all the time. Food was dry & tasted like processed, frozen food. Not worth the money. We will not be back.
(2)
Lauren Z.

Food was very good but the overall experience was very disappointing. Made a reservation several weeks in advance for 18 people, company event. Called day of event to confirm...they said "oh yes we have you confirmed for 5:30 for 8 people". I reserved for 18 people for 5:00. I reconfirmed that we would have 15 people at 5:00. When I arrived I again reconfirmed the number....they had 17 people not 15!! The hostess asked if all of the party had arrived and I explained that several would be trailing in a little late as they had further to come than we did. She said alright we will "set up your tables".....set up our tables!!!!!.....what was the point of making a reservation in advance if the tables weren't set up in advance! We waited 15 minutes while they set up our tables. Also when I originally called the person answering the phone said we might have to wait longer than 5 o'clock because they might be very busy and tables might not be available!!! The service was spotty. At one point we had to gather dirty dishes that had not been removed and put them on an empty table ourselves. We asked for water and it took a long time to get it. Some of the meals were slow arriving at the table and one guest received her meal when most of the other guests were done eating. Everyone apologized including the manager to the point of being obnoxious....the apologies were nice but stop already, we actually had to ask them to stop apologizing. The guest did receive her meal at no charge. We asked for separate checks at the beginning of the meal which the waiter very graciously said would be no problem. When the checks arrived there were some mistakes which were rectified but one guest had to wait to get hers change after most of the guests left and another guest spent quite a bit of time trying to get her check sorted out and I'm not sure that she was satisfied with the result. No matter how good the food is if the rest of the evening is "spotty" it does not make for a very enjoyable evening. Will not hold another company event at this restaurant. I do not feel they are set up to handle a large event.
(2)
Joe P.

The drinks were watered down, the fish tacos were pretty tasty, and the service was mediocre.
(3)
Pondo S.

Been here 2 X . The food is pretty blah. I mean- there is nothing distinctive about the food. Some items are cuban, some are Indian? I dunno.. nothing stood out. They had 2 pages of Burgers. I didn't come here to eat burgers. I tried the Bowtie Jerk Chicken Pasta- pretty bland and overall gross. Nothing I could not have made at home. This is a place for women in their 30's-60's to come and eat appetizers.. Maybe the umbrella drinks are good- but I doubt it.
(2)
Bob K.

Love it! The Schaumburg location, Sunrise and Tampa are all on our frequent stop-in list. Great drinks, firecracker shrimp and every entree we've had has been really good. And reasonable prices!
(5)
Spencer H.

This place has been awesome for a very long time. Long before it was Bahama Breeze it was a restaurant called Carlos Murphy's which had some of the best buffalo wings imaginable. I was disappointed when they closed but Bahama Breeze has been a very suitable replacement. The decor here is different than any other place I have been to & it does a good job of giving the feel that you are at a resort in a warmer climate. The restaurant itself is very big. The tables have a lot of room & you don't feel cramped at all. For appetizers I ordered the firecracker shrimp. They are buttermilk battered and crispy fried with a spicy red pepper sauce & they do have a good kick to them. It was a good dish & worth ordering. For my entree I ordered the Calypso shrimp linguine. The pasta is sauteed with garlic, scallions, tomatoes, spice and cream. I was very surprised at how good this pasta was. I wasn't expecting this from this restaurant but they definitely came through on a quality dish. The restaurant was clean & the service was fast & friendly. Overall the restaurant was run well & it was clean. The service here was good & most importantly the food was delicious. I would definitely eat here again if I was in the area.
(4)
Emily B.

I came here for dinner on a Saturday night with my son and sister. I wanted a place to feel like we were on vacation. I got the Frozen Bahamarita to drink. It was really good. The service was also really good. There are a ton of people working here! Other than that, I left sort of... Meh. Just ok. The food was good but not amazing. There was live music which was nice. All that was missing was sand and waves :)
(3)
Hannah K.

I love the setting of the restaurant!! The food was okay.. I had the pasta with chicken breast. I was here for my sisters bacholorette party dinner! The waitress was pretty cool!
(4)
Melissa K.

Although I do not live in the Chicago area anymore, anytime I am back visiting my family I enjoy going to Bahama Breeze with them. My parents also go very frequently on their own. The atmosphere is awesome! It really makes you feel like you are on vacation. The food is also normally very good! However, this place has unfortunately gone down hill. Tonight I visited with my parents. My dad and I both ordered mojitos. Mine (coconut) was very good, but my dad's (regular mojito) was odd tasting. It seemed like there wasn't sugar added, and almost tasted like Sprite or something very citrusy/acidic was added instead. My dad dealt with it and said it was fine, but it wasn't very pleasant tasting. We started with the firecracker shrimp. Tasty. Decent size. I was disappointed to see the menu had changed and that the salmon pasta was no longer on the menu. I ordered the jerk chicken pasta instead, as I had had it a couple of times before and loved it. When I got the pasta it had plentiful chicken, but the taste of everything in the dish was just bland and not very good. The pasta was a bit dry and the sauce was more watery than usual. However, my biggest gripe was that the dish was supposed to have mushroom and asparagus in it and it literally had like 6 chunks of each. By chunks I mean tiny bits less than an inch big! That's absolutely ridiculous! When I first started eating it I hadn't realized there wasn't really anything in it until I came across a piece of tiny asparagus and I thought it was maybe a mistake. Then I realized it was *supposed* to have both mushrooms and asparagus. What a rip off! Not to mention the taste overall was not up to their normal standards. I mentioned this to our server who was very apologetic and said she would tell the manager. It took forever for the manager to come over, and when she did she didn't even seem very concerned or apologetic. I feel like she tried to place the blame on me, like I had faked it or something, because she said, "If you had told us sooner we would have fixed it for you." How about you tell your chefs to make the meals correctly instead? I was offered another meal or a dessert, but I declined and just had it compted. Based on the fact it looked like the pasta had been slapped together and the chef probably doesn't care, I felt like it'd be the type of place where your food would get spat into if you got replacement food. Our server was so sympathetic and apologetic, but the service was so slow! The place wasn't even crowded. My parents also said their food was disappointing compared to usual (and like I said, my family frequents this place!). It was just a bad experience overall. I'm really sad, because this place was always a great dinner choice. I'm so upset that the new management apparently doesn't care about good service or food. Giving no reason to customers for an obvious mistake in meal prep and having a lackadaisical attitude is a sure way to lose customers.
(2)
S K.

Always have a good time! Great food, excellent drinks & relaxing atmosphere. Their alcohol drinks are hand poured and they are delicious! I have been frequenting Bahama breeze since they first opened up.
(5)
Shawn S.

I am a long time fan of Bahama Breeze. I use to frequent the one in Phoenix, but last time I was there it was closed. I have also been to the one in Vegas. I decided to try it while in the Chicago area. I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast and Tostones instead of mashed potatoes. It was good but for some reason it didn't taste quite as good as when I had it at the Vegas location. In really wish we had one on California.
(3)
Jon P.

We took a detour on the way to Wildfire and ended up at Bahama Breeze. Sooooo, maybe my experience was somewhat effected by that initial expectation.... I don't know. However, I was less that blown away by Bahama Breeze. The service was very choppy. Staff seemed confused and kind of all over the place. We had a relatively large group of 8 and the place was only about half full. The ambiance is nice, it really has been well put together and feels like you should walk out the door into a 80 degree night. The restaurant is large and spaced out which I like. I ordered a Mango Jalapeno Mohito and it was the highlight of my experience. A+ i would definitely return for another one (5) of those!!! We ordered edemame (I know, Japanese food at Caribbean restaurant... kinda weird). They were fine, but we had to ask three different people for soy sauce and the first two adamantly denied that they even carried it... I ordered the Mahi with Shimp in Lemongrass sauce (D). It sounded frigging amaze-balls and I was pumped to try it.... Then I did. It was bland and tasted primarily of vegetable. The fish was cooked fine, but the entree just didn't jive well. Overall it was just kind of a "Meh" experience. And it didn't help that two smoke birds were puffing away immediately outside the front door and the smoke was permeating the front of the restaurant. Puke.
(3)
Edgard R.

We love to come here for their Mojitos and delicious food. The service is pretty good and the prices, while high, aren't outrageous for this area. Great for families and couples plus they have a pretty decent bar. Plenty of parking but make sure to make reservations on the weekends.
(5)
Claire Y.

Came here for dinner and definitely pleased by the service. We caught the last 6 mins to order happy hour appetizers for HALF off! We got rocket shrimp and half order of Jamaican wings. They were good!! We got seafood chowder and salmon salad and sautÃ©ed tilapia. They brought the salad out after I got my salad and after I notified the server, she felt sorry and took it off our check. We were happy about what we got. I also got the Bahama margarita and it was colorful. Not strong on rum but it's fruity tasty.
(4)
Fiyah C.

Took my husband here for a surprise dinner. I was so amped from the sunfest advertisements I saw on the website... However the service was below average. Our waiter to say the least sucked! Rian (Ryan) screwed up our checks, ignored our request and did a half ass job. He ruined the surprise cake I had for my husband...I was so over him... His attitude sucked from the time we were seated until the time we left... I felt like I was at red lobster instead of on an "island"... We missed all the festivities due to where we were seated... Not sure if I'd come back.
(3)
Azhar S.

Not really my style of food but it wasn't too bad. The fish tacos were excellent and the dessert was amazing. It's a big, beautiful place with plenty of energy. There are bands that play there that heightens the atmosphere of the place. However, I wasn't crazy about the wait staff. It took too long to get someone to come to the table and take our order and even get water. Other than the place, the place overall is ok.
(3)
Melissa A.

Bahama Breeze has become one of my favorite restaurants in Schaumburg and a welcome surprise! I've driven past it so many times and used to mock their sign since it looked so out of place in the burbs..but look who's laughing now! The dÃ©cor and ambiance of Bahama Breeze makes you feel like you're on an island far far away from suburbia. I've been here a handful of times and have never been disappointed. My favorite dishes are the rice bowls (Carnitas and chipotle beef) and every time I come, I tell myself I'm going to try something new but I somehow am swayed back to the rice bowls. I wish they weren't so gosh darn good! I've also tried their jumbo lump crab stack and the chicken tostones, both of which are equally tasty. I love the crab stack since it's basically a pile of crab, avocado and tomatoes and the chicken tostones are the bomb. I mean, how can they go wrong with chicken, plantains, and cheese?? As for their drinks, I've only tried their mojitos and pina colada but all of their drinks sound delicious. They also have a great happy hour Mon-Fri 4-6pm as well as Sun-Thurs 9pm-close and during these times appetizers are half off!
(4)
Kent M.

The food was great, the drinks were tasty, they seated our group (6 adults, 2 children, & 1 highchair) quickly, and our waitress rocked! It got a little pricy, but that's only because we got an appetizer, two drinks apiece, and dessert. I highly recommend.
(4)
D. B.

We went here on a whim because we had accumulated many gift cards over the holidays, all for Darden Restaurants. Although the Olive Garden is the closest of their brands to us, we decided to try this place and take a little road trip to the suburbs. Upon arriving, the place looked packed. We had called ahead of time to see if they took reservations-which we learned, they don't. However, on the phone, the host said he could put our name on a list and reduce our wait. So when we checked in, the host said it'd be a half-hour wait, and he gave us that little pager thing. Then we headed to the bar for some of those really delicious-looking fancy cocktails. Had some of those, they were fine. But then we waited, and waited, and waited for our table. About an hour and a half later--success! We could finally sit down. Our meals were good, nothing to write home about. My meal came out a little lukewarm, so that was interesting. But the most interesting part? I almost swallowed a chunk of broken off spatula that had somehow made its way into my food. The waiter profusely apologized, as it was clearly an accident. These things sometimes happen. I wasn't too upset, and it was OK. But, eh, this experience is what you'd get at a typical chain restaurant.
(3)
Lauren ..

The food was very, very good. Our service however, was not. Our waiter reeked of strong alcohol and never once checked on us...or even served our food. I was drinking a coke and asked for water...instead of getting a new glass he just poured water into the glass with pop in it. It then took 20 minutes to get the check after asking for it. I do not know what was going on with him. It was bad.
(2)
Kawal J.

five star for my server Dalia H. She was very pleasent and full of energy. She was serving all of her tables very well. Love her. Very few servers are like her. You can tell that she like her job. She knows how to get more tips! (P.s. if I was rich I would buy her a car) I will be coming back on the same days/same time here. And yeah, was good. I ordered Frozen Bahamarita, Coconut Shrimp and Calypso Shrimp Pasta. Other than that they have a really nice sugarcane lemonade which i've had there before. And the one which my friend ordered one time, Steamed Edamame, which were also very good. Thank you again Dalia. (I had a really bad service last night at my favorite china town restaurant . You just made my weekend!) #godblessyou
(5)
Praveen M.

Nice place, all the Caribbean feel. Great appetizers, coconut shrimp and must try their in house beer. Loud ambience but they got live music right now so its a great experience. staff is prompt too.
(4)
Okasana M.

This place was great! The atmosphere really felt like I was away on vacation! The drink menu was pretty impressive and the mojito was pretty good. I ordered the seafood paella and it was pretty but lacked a lot of flavor. The waiter who was also the bartender paid lots of attention to us and did a great job. I can see this place becoming a good date place for me and my man.
(4)
Larissa D.

I have to update my review to reflect our most recent experience . We love this place, however they have changed the way they cook their Jamaican Jerk Chicken. It seems like it's fried instead of grilled and not as tender or well seasoned as before.. The waiter said they changed the chicken they use, seems like more than that changed. Crisp Yucca Fries are still the best appetizers! It's a light way to start your meal. They fry them to perfection and the dip goes great !
(4)
Christine Y.

I went here last Sunday. We choose to sit on the outside deck which gives you the experience of actually being in the Bahamas. I had the Ultimate Pineapple (virgin), it's basically piÃ±a colada in a pineapple but it's delish...... We ordered the coconut onion rings as a starter, they're yummy. I had the lobster and shrimp linguine as my entree (make sure to ask for extra sauce otherwise the dish is a little dry) there used to be a time when they put chunks of lobster in this dish but because they were giving away the cow when they were only selling milk they now only put in pieces of the claw and I mean "pieces" so that's something to be aware of. Overall I still like this place. I went to the one in GA last week and my daughter had the steak Oscar and LOVED it. I recommended it to my aunt for this location and she ordered and loved it as well.
(3)
Candi P.

Surprisingly the kids Mac n' cheese is so good, I had a bit of my niece's and I was pleasantly surprised Their chicken wings are great, they come with the wing tips. I can't stand the jerk sauce (not just at Bahama breeze, anywhere really) because they taste like Christmas but they have a non-jerk option that I love. The fish tacos are excellent, I've ordered a few times and it's consistent. There is a grilled salmon salad with a great dressing but this dish has not been consistent. The most recent time I ordered it, the salad was not spring mix, just regular romaine. It was just not a great march. It comes with some kind of bread crisp that's pretty good. Bahama mama drink is always worth it. The best time to come is when they have live music, great for a date night. We've come a few times with a guy on his guitar singing beach boys and it's just perfect. There's also a gazebo with a fire going sometimes, great ambiance.
(4)
Meggan P.

Absolutely love this place definitely will be returning the prices are great the food portions are just enough. Recommend reservations especially on weekends. My mother absolutely loved the rum cake! And the empanadas were good.
(5)
Nick S.

For the second year in a row, I brought my girlfriend to this restaurant for Valentines Day. I live the atmosphere and the vibe. The food is great. I had the clam chowder which was amazing. My girlfriend had some sort of pasta seafood. She had it for two years in a row. She loves it as well. The seating can be so so. Last year we sat next to the for pit. That was really cool being in the patio by the fire pit in mid winter. This year they sat us next to the kitchen. So if u are making reservations, please ask to be seated next to the fire pit. It's a whole lot better and romantic. Service is amazing as well. I only gave it four stars instead of five because it is a bit overpriced. I bought an 8 dollar drink that was not worth it. However they do have a huge selection of alcohol. It's a good place to go too on dates.
(4)
Larry E.

Wanted to try someplace different, and ended up here. Was a 30 minute ride, but turned out well worth the drive. Service was very good, food was excellent ((wood grilled tilapia and shrimp & grits), and the best Mojica outside of Miami. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Heather H.

I have only been here once, not because I didn't enjoy it, but because of the cost. It's just a little too expensive for my regular taste, but great for a special date. Which is what my husband and I did one weeknight. Weeknight is the key word, because it wasn't packed, and apparently it usually is on the weekends. Anyway, I had some tasty chicken and my husband got swordfish, which I even tried and liked, and I don't like fish. We were also very impressed with the mashed sweet potatoes and plantains. Our waiter was nice, but could have been more available. Great food, pretty good service, just kinda pricey.
(4)
Vikki Y.

Is their ice harvested from the polar vortex? The chunks are huge! -my BFF! Those words were spoken by my BFF who actually introduced me to Bahama Breeze a few years ago. Bahama Breeze is like a tropical vacation in the suburbs of Schaumburg (where literally every restaurant known to man exists). When you walk in you feel like you are in the balmy tropics- there are palm trees, a huge fire pit, and even live music playing Bob Marley. The only thing missing are tropical birds, a waterfall, and hot shirtless Island men haha The food is all "tropic" themed and range from coconut shrimp to truffle yuca fries to meats that are garnished in mangoes, pineapples and other tropical fruits. I had the West Indies curry dish and it was sweeter than most curries but tasty nonetheless. My friend had the Jamaican Jerk Chicken pasta and loved it! Dessert was amazing- we had the Banana Supreme which is banana-nut bread with brandy sauce a la mode- perfection! Our sever was fantastic! I think his name was Steven... He actually drew island scenes on our to-go containers (complete with bird/sharks) and we got to take home our own unique works of art! The water was constantly filled and I even ordered a mango milk shake which is a unique twist on a classic malt! The bathrooms are pretty big and the stalls remind you of being in the tropics- however the hooks are kind of high up ("who do they think we are, giants?"- My BFF who is 5'3"). There are several areas to dine in (near the fire pit), (inside under this wooden tent), and (in the center of the restaurant). Minus one star because it was kind of dark, we didn't get to sit at a booth, and there was a long wait where the host didn't really smile-maybe he dropped his pina colada!
(4)
Kerri L.

Both times we went here for lunch the food was really good. I love their burgers, the tuna appetizer is really good, and the grilled salmon was nice and fresh, I'm not a fan of their signature beer, I thought it smelled and tested gross, but I'm a beer snob. My husband enjoyed it though, he compared it to Killian's. Great spot for lunch.
(4)
Joanne D.

I have been going to this spot for years - this is my favorite place to go to when I want to pretend that I am not in the nasty cold. This is a perfect date night location. If it's nice outside usually there is a wait so be patient it's worth it. Love the tropical drinks. The staff has always been nice, OH YES and I am not a big seafood fan but my husband is and there is enough on the menu for everyone! GREAT DATE PLACE !
(5)
Kim A.

Food was delicious! It really felt like I was on vacation in the Bahamas ;) there was a live band playing, and the place was so full! You can definitely tell people loved this place. I wish the waiters and waitresses wore some floral and khaki shorts though lol
(4)
Jennifer P.

A high school friend of mine came back home to visit for Christmas and we made a lunch date. I suggested a local African place (since I've had one bookmarked for a while and, well, he swears he's a black woman), but he laughed at me and suggested Bahama Breeze. I checked out their menu and was pleasantly surprised to see several vegetarian and fish options, so was all-in! There are a few different spacious seating areas in the front which is good if you're waiting for your party. It was pretty slow, as there were 3 greeters/hosts behind the desk when we arrived. The decor is a bit obnoxious and very open. It somewhat reminds me of Joe's Crab Shack but larger and obviously more tropical. It's...interesting. They were playing this bizarre Christmas mix that included some some songs in Spanish. I wonder if their regular tunes are Jimmy Buffet-esque. Our server was none other than Rick James (I HAD to ask if that was his real name). He was kind of funny, referring to me as "The Boss" several times. Clearly that was his sctick, as he did that to the adjoining table. He was very attentive, though - filling up our water glasses several times over and checking on us. We both got the lunch specials ($8): High School Buddy got the Pulled Pork sandwiches with the Seafood Chowder and a side of fries (+$2). After asking Rick James for his recommendation between the Fish Tacos (which another reviewer stated were bland) and the Lobster Quesadillas, I settled on the Tacos with the Black Bean soup. The soup was surprisingly delicious - not salty nor bland like other places. I could have eaten a whole bowl of it! The fish tacos were, indeed, pretty bland. The fish was generously sized and cooked well, but could have used some seasoning (salt!) as it was cooked. It tasted like it was steamed with only water. The guacamole also left much to be desired, as the avocados were not ripe. Still, our tab (before tip) was $20. Not too shabby! We walked out feeling satisfied. I've got my eye on the Portobello Mushroom Burger, so I'll definitely need to make a return trip!
(4)
Mark D.

If you like seafood with a Caribbean flair, Bahamas Breeze is a good choice for you. I've been there many times and have never been unhappy with any entree I chose. My absolute favorite is their Seafood Paella. And we start our dinner off with a tropical drink and an order of Conch Fritters for an appetizer. They have a covered patio with a fireplace which enhances your dining experience, weather permitting.
(4)
Skip A.

Food was good. Prices OK. Service was terrible! Got seated fast. Server took order. Then almost an hour before the salad came. Server said kitchen was backed up. I asked twice. We were there an hour total. Tables next to us turned over 2 or 3 times! Server was John.
(2)
Marshneil D.

Came here for dinner and was not pleased with the food. I ordered the jerk chicken and a beer but the chicken was not good. It has a very nice atmosphere and has a very beachy, bahamas feel to it ...and they had live music which was really nice. Service was fast but the server had an attitude. The drinks here are really good. I think this place is just a one time experience for me and it was an okay experience but I would not go back. However, if you have never been here, might want to try it once (but go when they have live music).
(3)
Nichole C.

You really feel like you've gone on a vacation someplace tropical when you eat here. Their tropical adult beverage menu is extensive and has a lot of creative island drinks. We requested to sit by the fire when we ate here and it was very pleasant. I would not say the food was spectacular, just average. Their Conch Fritters appetizer was so-so, I wouldn't order it again. I tried their Seafood Paella which did tasted good and had a lot of seafood in it (it did not compare to the paella I had in Spain, but was good nonetheless). My family had the Calypso Shrimp Linguine (which was delicious and had enough shrimp for every bite), Carnitas Rice Bowl (had a little spice/heat to it), and the Grilled Chicken with tropical fruit on Mix Greens salad. Lastly we ordered the PiÃ±a Colada Bread Pudding to share for dessert. My family is from Ireland and I have had a lot of amazing bread pudding but I wouldn't describe Bahama Breeze bread pudding as even good, it was very bland and dry and the sauce on the side of the plate was lacking flavor too. I would not recommend anyone order this, it's nothing like real bread pudding. They had a one man island band playing during dinner who was very good. It was nice entertainment for a chain restaurant!
(3)
Neil J.

The service was great. It has been some time since my last visit so I can not remember my servers name, but she was fantastic. I did not care much for the food.
(3)
Teresa R.

The food was amazing, we ordered the beef empanadas appetizer, and the churrasco and the chicken cilantro crema for our entrees. The price was about $70 with 4 mojitos added onto the bill. Absolutely amazing dishes though and well worth the price. And I can't stress enough how amazing the coconut mojito is! Only reason I rate 4 stars is because we felt a bit rushed by the server.
(4)
Adrianna W.

You definitely get bang for your buck! The food is INCREDIBLE. The service is amazing, and I feel like I finally didn't get ripped off. The food was fresh, great quality, seafood was cooked perfectly. Forget red lobster, Olive Garden, TGIs, and Outback. This place is worth the drive. Will be returning!!
(5)
Elizabeth R.

What a fun experience! The atmosphere at this restaurant makes me feel like I'm on vacation! With all the yummy fruity cocktails and Caribbean style cuisine. The restaurant is beautiful inside and out. This was our third time here this time we got to sit out by the fireplace in the gazebo that was open to the outside. There was also live entertainment but i'm assuming thats only there on weekend nights. The food was good enough to match its price. Not the best of ever had but definitely worth the price. We had the coconut shrimp for an appetizer and it was awesome! My daughter's mac & cheese was even impressive for a kids meal huge portions (I'll attach pictures). The food was nicely displayed and the flavors matched the theme of the restaurant. Can't wait to return to this restaurant again next time I think I will try the paella!
(5)
A K.

I have been able to go to the Bahamas and try the food of the locals there. This place doesn't come close. If you want frozen, bland, expensive fake Caribbean food then this is the place for you! I won't be back soon.
(1)
Mel G.

If there was less than a star i would have put it. I have never been so DISRESPECTED in my life. First time I've ever been there and it was a party of 16 at first. I guess I can imagine that that is such a large party, however they were just serving a WEDDING. Anyways, we were ordering something to drink and I did not know what I wanted to drink after my first option was declined because they couldn't make it virgin(totally understandable).. well then the waiter totally forgets about me and goes to place everyone's order. I was a little offended at this point... but I brushed it off and decided to order one when he gets back Well... he never came back. However, we had 2 more people join our party and the waiter comes running back with everyone's drink and takes THEIR order and saying "oh I noticed you just came in, what can I get you?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? At this point I'm completely ticked off and ready to start screaming because I'm not getting noticed at all.. My boyfriend started to say something and the guy finally took my order for a drink. It gets way way worse. We start to order our food and some of us in the party just wanted appetizers because it was half off at 9pm for happy hour. Well we wanted to order at 8:57pm and our waiter says "oh no it has to be 9 in order to take those." Walks away...Are you telling me you can't take at least 7 people's orders and wait for it to be 9? So it takes about 20 minutes for us all to get our food and when they call the chicken tortilla soup my boyfriend put his hand up and called to them it was at this end of the table. And no surprise they ignore him. At this point I was balling my eyes out from the frustration I had. And they still had the nerve to come up to me and ask me if I wanted desert... WELL NOT IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO IGNORE THE CRAP OUT OF ME AND PROBABLY DROP IT OFF TO THE WRONG TABLE. No one was able to get a receipt back either. That took about an extra hour... and they messed up the receipts by putting the wrong orders on everyone's receipt and changing everyone more. Every employee there was trying so hard to defend our server and say it's hard to be a server of 18 people... well why work in an industry like that if you can't handle the pressure? Or why not check up on everyone to make sure you didn't mess anything up or just check on everyone to see if they're ok? Nothing of that happened this night. So I did what everyone else would do and called a manager and told him how awful my experience was while crying my eyes out. He gave me a gift card for like $25, but i will never go back there. I haven't been in this world long enough to try every single restaurant in the world but damn I have never in my life had horrible service as this.
(1)
Akash R.

Food was delicious, father had a burger- it was cooked perfect. I had grilled chicken, cooked to perfection as well. Waiter was nice, only came around to our table once. Nice and friendly environment.
(4)
Avinash K.

Awesome awesome the second time too. Had the coconut shrimp again which was brilliant as usual. Had the clam chowdar soup which was correct quantity. Then topped it off the chocolate island, which was BRILLIANT. Really amazing, a must-try here.
(4)
Abby C.

so i always passed by this place on my way to my boyfriend blake's work (woodfield nissan *nudge* *nudge* lol).. and one day i was with my friend and we just spontaneously decided to go there.. i must say, i absolutely LOVED the decor.. it was very cool.. if you think the outside looks interesting, wait until you see the inside! so i've been there a couple times and the food has been great every single time! they have this salmon salad tostada... AMAZING! it's perfect if you're looking for something light and healthy! it's a little drive from where i live in chicago, but it's definitely worth it! my boyfriend now says that it's the new red lobster --but if you ask me, bahama breeze is on another level all by itself! the waitstaff is so friendly and knowledgable.. parking is almost always available and free.. great food and great drinks.. ok.. i don't understand why 16 people voted that they don't have a full bar.. but they obviously do! it's right next to the bathrooms!! it pretty much takes up the whole wall, i don't know how some people can miss it hahaa.. try the mojitos.. and OH the BAHAMARITA! yes yes yes!!
(5)
Evelyn Z.

Great drinks, by that I mean the fu fu girly kind, but hey I'ma girl thats all I care about anyway. Hands down the BEST coconut shrimp EVER! I want bathe in the dipping sauce, ok ok maybe its not that serious but its pretty darn good. The decor is quite cheesy, I must say, but what do you expect from a place called "Bahama Breeze," in a Chicago suburb for goodness sake! They have a fire pit which is quite nice. I will gush about the bathrooms forever, just because I think its cute, that at a seafood restaurant, they have mouthwash dispensers in the restrooms. Its all about the little things....speaking of, the waiters usually draw islandish pictures on your doggy bag containers for you, another cheesy, but quite detail.
(4)
Vick C.

I went there just for drink last week, we were sitting at the patio where next to the fire place, it's pretty nice to do it during winter to keep yourself warm. Drinks were fine, they didnt' put a lot of alcohol to their drinks. Dining room looks 10 times better than the patio! Since it was my birthday so I got a chocolate cake with carmel, very moist and tasty! Service was OK, just the place wasn't too impress me at all..maybe next time I will go to try their food too!
(2)
Linda W.

A friend found this restaurant online....I thought hmmm different, island dishes, let's go for it! We started off with the Jamaican grilled chicken wings, I didn't want them to disappear, a burst of different flavors that went oh so well together. Next, we had the chicken with cilantro crema sauce, wood grilled chicken breast mashed potatoes and roasted corn topped with 3 melted cheeses....blew me away. The desert was a chocolate pineapple upside-down cake with caramel brandy sauce...let me say this-it should be a crime for something to be so good!
(5)
Kirill O.

Very good quality food, excellent staff, friendly waiters. Comfortable dinning room, some of the best restrooms in a restaurant. Ive been here a few times, the food is well made and garnished. Large servings, lots of choices. Full Bar! Very good alcohol selection and house beer. One of the best restaurants in the area
(5)
Erik N.

I have to say that the first time I went to Bahama Breeze, it wasn't all too memorable. I had some pretty high expectations for the place after seeing the cool patio they had and how busy they seemed to be. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't disappointed. I just didn't really remember the meal (and NO it's not because I had a few drinks at dinner). Flash forward to lastnight, and my rating on Bahama Breeze jumped from what would've been 2 stars to a strong 3 star rating. I had a group of 5, and the place looked slammed. I looked around and saw the all the staff wearing cheesey Carribean shirts and thought to myself "Oh great..." Like I said, the place was packed but we were actually seated right away! The food was a lot better than I remembered, and were good portions for the price. I noticed a number of things on the menu tagged "NEW!" I'm guessing with the recession, they figured they better up their game to keep folks coming in. I had the smothered pork tenderloin, which was cooked perfectly and tasted really good. My only gripe is that the place seemed to be a little understaffed, with the waiters/waitresses running around trying to balance 8 tables at once. Had to cut the pork tenderloin with a bread knife, but didn't really bother to ask the waitress for a good cutting knife because she seemed like she was going to go out of her mind. Other than that, good food and everyone seemed to be having a great time. 3 STRONG stars.
(3)
VANE M.

The food was good, the drink was really good...just wished the service was a little better. They made it up w/a free drink though=] Yummm. I'd go again, but wasn't crazy over it.
(3)
Justin W.

Despite the other mediocre reviews, I like most of the food here. I've actually heard a lot of first-hand stories, from friends, of extremely bad service, but fortunately, I've never had that problem. In-fact, I have always had great service and the manager always stops by to ask how everything is. The area with the fire pit feels great on a nice spring or fall evening.
(5)
Sherry D.

Love the atmosphere, but we ALWAYS have weird service. The front desk gives us a hard time everytime we go....we always have a big party (6-8) because it's a good central location for our family to meet and they seemed ticked off by it.The menu used have these amazing giant shrimp in passion fruit butter, but don't anymore. One of my favorites, and now it's gone. Just not alot of choices.
(2)
Kloud A.

i love this place....the drinks get me completely bombed and i fee like im in the caribbean....LOVE IT!
(5)
Yvette C.

The decor is a delightful beach feel with wicker furniture & island music playing in the background. There is a main dining area & a patio with a nice fire place. I have only been here once during dinner time, it was nice, we sat in the patio section & there was a one man show playing his guitar singing island music. Ya know your average Buffet songs, I enjoyed it. They have a wonderful fruity drink selection to really make you feel like you are on an island getaway. I have yet to have a bad drink here. When it comes to food I only get one thing & that is the Jerk Chicken Pasta (hold the chicken please!). It's delicious! Bow-tie pasta with asparagus and mushrooms tossed in a parmesan-herb cream sauce, mmm num num. Service is always friendly, I have only experienced sluggish service once & it was when our waiter was in training, they were kind enough to comp our appetizer for the delay. I always have leftovers to bring home with me & I have to admit I do look forward to receiving my styrofoam box every time! The servers always draw a cutesy island picture with the date on the top & sometimes a little message. All in all I love Bahama Breeze, I wish I could visit more often.
(5)
Jesse P.

I like this place, it takes me back to a time when I lived in California. The Pina Colada was delicious, the only drawback was I wished they added more rum. The Aruba Red is a very good amber ale. Their seafood chowder is the BOMB. They put all sorts of seafood in it, but the fried shrimp in the soup kills me. It creates a great contrast of textures and flavor in your mouth. Steak and pork chops were good. They sometimes have coupons and I saved 10 bucks off my meal.
(4)
Sam B.

Average, I would have givin it 5 stars if I had only been there once, but they have changed a lot since they opened. The portions have reduced (-1) and the prices have been a little high(-1). The servers are great, and usually draw smiley faces on the packaging(+1) but the last time I was there the food was overcooked(-1) which is a no-no for pallea. Would I go there again? Maybe, if I were in a group.
(3)
Michael B.

Decent food. Large menu selection. Service is brutal. The forgot my entree while the entire table was served. The waitress apologized and said it would be right up. 45 minutes later still no food. Ruined my evening. I would not recommend due to poor service.
(2)
Steve S.

I really like it here. The island theme is out of the ordinary, and really inviting. The service is always good here. You must try the seafood paella here, my favorite. The coconut dusted onion rings are amazing as well. We ordered these and they come served as a heaping tower with two tropical dips. The dessert menu is pretty good as well. If you order drinks, you will love their selections. Great place to take the kids as well...its a fun place. Be aware that there are long waits on the weekend nights.
(4)
Renato P.

Been here twice , service was reeeealy slooooow both times. So slow in fact that I was offered free dessert both times. The atmosphere is alot more fun than in your usual chain restaurants , like a Bahamas exhibit at Epcot center. The menu here is full of unusual flavors, from conch soup , to jerk chicken , to Cuban sandwiches. This place definitely gets points for being different. I ordered the conch chowder , reminded me of clam chowder , I liked it . My son ordered the burger , he thought it was fine , but my wife kept obsessing that it had a funny taste to it. The jerk chicken wings were really good , and the seafood paella was really good as well.The shrimp linguine was pretty good , I've had better. My wife ordered the Margarita chicken pasta (she thought it was ok) and the steak kabobs (good) the 2 times we were there. Word of warning , I went here 2 other times and had to find somewhere else to go because they were crazy crowded (over a 2 hour wait). The 2 times I did eat there were off days , and the place was still pretty crowded.
(3)
a w.

A great place to go in the evening to hang out at the bar and relax and chill with your friends. However, I would not reccommend this place for a quiet dinner. The restraunt is pretty loud and cramed up. The food is just OK.
(3)
Muhammad A.

Good restaurant to go to on a Friday night. It can really lift up your mood with the loud music and huge crowd. I really like their fresh fish here. The service is great too. Just make sure to have an empty stomach before going here because the portions are huge!
(4)
James G.

Good food, fun atmosphere, friendly wait staff. The bar can be pretty packed in the evenings, mixers are in the $5 and up range, they specialize in umbrella drinks. Jerk chicken was very good.
(4)
Nick M.

Sandwiches are a great price, ribs are fall off the bone tender with a great smokey bbq sauce and service has always been top notch. I highly recommend the pineapple upside down cake, mosit and served with a rasberry sauce! We will go back for the live caribbean musician
(4)
Kurt L.

My family got to eat in the "fire pit" room. Britannie was our server and she was great. My wife had the creole chicken and chorizo pasta special with a "curly tail" drink. She really liked both. I had the Calypso shrimp pasta and a "dark and stormy." Both of mine were awesome. I'm definitely getting both of them when we are able to go back.
(5)
Somchai S.

Stopped in on a chilly Friday since my fiancÃ© and I needed to escape the crazy weather we've been having. Instantly we were greeted by the manager and seated by the host. Our waiter Ricky was extremely friendly, upbeat, and personable; basically he had all the qualities of a great waiter. He suggested the Rum runner for a drink and the jerk chicken pasta for my fiancÃ©. I had the seafood paella. Everything was tasty and came out so fast. Ricky was very on top of things. However, the real star of the show is the chocolate pineapple upside down cake. We never usually make it to dessert, but I am so glad we did. It was moist and not to chocolatey. Just a perfect combination of sweet. The atmosphere was great. Friendly staff, lively guest, nice tropical decor, just a good place to escape the Midwest.
(5)
Rocky B.

It's ok. The coconut shrimp is probably my favorite here. Tostones chicken is pretty good but I'm not too excited about. Paella is really good. But I've never had a paella I didn't like. Key lime pie is always good everywhere. Shrimp creole is pretty good too but I'm not too crazy about it. I would still come here.. I haven't tried anything else better than the coconut shrimp yet
(3)
Katala S.

Great place to gather for happy hour during the work week. Been here several times and I always enjoy. The cocktails are the best and they have really good appetizers. Try the jerk chicken pasta.
(4)
Courtney M.

I have driven past this restaurant for years, admiring its tropical exterior but it always looked so busy...so I didn't want to make the attempt. When the opportunity came to actually eat there and it looked as though a few parking spots were available, I was thrilled. Folks, I am here to tell you that I was not let down. The interior is just as relaxing and tropical-like as the exterior, conjuring up memories of days gone by laying out on the beach and sipping a cold one. After transporting myself to this time, I snapped back to reality and we were seated. The waitress arrived immediately to take our drink orders and these arrived only moments later. I had the Ultimate Pina Colada which was absolutely delightful, but wasn't that big which made my heart a little sad. Regardless, I chugged that sucker down within the first fifteen minutes because of its extraordinary ability to quench my thirst while filling my soul with joy. When it came time for food, I was ready. I ordered the Shrimp and Grits because this is my favorite comfort food no matter where I am. Although this meal wasn't quite at the top of my shrimp and grits favorites list, it was spectacular. The grits were of the perfect texture with various additional items added in for taste and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. I could have consumed much larger quantities of this dish, but don't let that fool you- the amount provided was truly enough to satisfy even the hungriest of diners. Overall I loved the experience and the belly fillers and will continue to feast at this restaurant for years to come.
(5)
Karen B.

Alexis R is the worst server we have ever seen or even dealt with. First off the servers were discussing who would take our table in ear shot of us. That was tacky. Then once they decided, our server Alexis R didn't even greet us and seemed very unhappy and rude. Our food was cold. One of our guests didnt even receive her food because Alexis R forgot to enter it in. Then as were leaving Alexis R is at the bar with her co worker pointing at the doorway where we were as were leaving because she has now realized she received a poor tip. Never ever will be eating at this place, and Alexis R needs training!
(1)
AJ B.

I'll start by saying the food here is very good. Mahi tacos were fantastic as was the coconut shrimp. The decor and atmosphere are also fantastic. Three star rating is entirely due to the service my group received last night. Our waitress was nowhere to be found for 20 mins just to take our drink orders...another 20 mins to take our order for the meal. Nowhere to be found whenever we needed anything but worst of all when she did show up she was a extremely chatty in an uncomfortable and awkward way. I almost never complain about service but she singlehandedly made dinner last night a bad experience. I would have given this place 2 stars based on last night but it deserves better...
(3)
Faith R.

They took away my fav app the baked goat cheese in the pepper but thankfully the pulled pork sliders are just as good. And I still get the jerk chicken pasta dish in the large portion. Help is pretty and nice.
(3)
Vince V.

This is gonna sound awful but I'm often flapping in the wind when it comes to Bahama Breeze. Having been here many times over the years I've had experiences that have ranged from just okay to pretty darned yummy. This review covers my most recent visit from a couple of weeks ago. I sat with friends where live music was being played. The performer (Kenny Kipp) was very good, covering songs from Train to Stephen Bishop, switching up from keyboards, guitar and his trusty uke. Good stuff. I ordered the shrimp creole. The chorizo sausage gave a nice zesty accent to this dish and there was a decent amount of shrimp. There were plenty of textural elements and it was definitely not boring nor gimmicky. The house beer was a refreshing compliment. Service was prompt and friendly on a Sunday evening.
(4)
Steven H.

Service was awesome, food was great, long islands could use a little work though. Overall experience was great!
(4)
Rachael Z.

Must have the coconut shrimp with the hot sauce. Jamaican jerk chicken is good but not really spicy. I recommend the key west fish tacos, the curly tail drink( very smooth piÃ±a colada like) and the ultimate pina colada served in a coconut. I also the bahamarita but for some it might be a bit strong on the alcohol. the rice was wonderful and definitely get something like the empanadas to share. Would not recommend the pain killer drink, as it had a weird hazelnut flavor that made no sense with the rest of the drink. The waitstaff was very informed of the menu, friendly and attentive., even on a busy Saturday night.
(4)
Scott B.

No reservations! Call ahead and give your name. This place is so much fun, with live music during the summer and awesome appetizers and drinks and entrees. We tried the new Island Hopper Appetizer and it was a very good sampling of the island flavors having, Jamaican chicken wings, crispy coconut shrimp, onion rings, and conch fritters, and served with citrus-mustard, jerk barbeque sauce and roasted pineapple chutney. Their new Pina Colada served out of a pineapple was extremely good, as were many of their drinks. There were so many good appetizers, we never got to the main courses, however the selection of fish was very good, offering fresh Salmon, Tilapia, Corvina & Ahi Tuna, either Wood-grilled or Sauteed, in Classic style or, Mango Glazed, Almond Crusted, Chimchurri (Lime, Olive Oil and Herbs), or Creole style. The soups were very good also, including the Cuban Black Bean soup drizzled with cilantro-crema. All in all this place is a very good Darden Restaurant, fun for couples or a family.
(4)
Rachel D.

Love that they go out of their way to accommodate folks with Gluten Intolerance, Dairy & Shrimp Allergies Like Me. I typically skip going to any fish or seafood restaurants at all, as in Red Lobster, Joes Crab Schack, Dover Straits, etc... I have found that if I go to a regular restaurant that offers some fish and ask them to use a clean pan, clean utensils, new gloves that I do not have a problem eating at a restaurant that also serves shrimp which I am super allergic too. I ordered the salmon, wood grilled with lemon, garlic & butter sauce, I can survive with a tiny amount of butter and I took my antihistamine before I left my house to make sure I would be OK. The salmon came with a choice of vegetable and potatoes, I asked for asparagus instead of the potato, no up charge which was great, and it came with green beans, love that and also some rice which was big surprise, in a good way, so I had extra to take home. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the taste was amazing, the green beans were also cooked perfectly as well as the rice. Nothing was overly salty or over seasoned which was a pleasure. To top it off I had a coupon for $10 off a $20 purchase with 2 beverages. The tea was good as well.
(5)
Donna R.

Still the same rating, but just wanted to mention that they updated their Menus.... have a good amount of new dinner options. Came here for an impromptu dinner with my family--had to meet the sister's new bf and celebrate my dad buying a new car. Everyone ordered drinks and she comes out with their famous drink...nobody actually ordered it, we told her, and just said to have it on the house :) I also just can't get enough of their cinnamon sweet mashed potatoes..
(4)
Maria M.

Went to diner tonight and had an amazing experience. Had the firecracker shrimp and edamame for appetizers , beef empanadas and chicken sandwich for diner , all delicious. I have to mention our waiter Steve!! What incredible service , super attentive , he certainly is part of the reason for this 5 star review!!!
(5)
Mark B.

5 star fish tacos ! Made with grilled mahi mahi ! Too shelf ! Service good & friendly and great selections for side ! A must try if you have never been there .
(5)
Bob R.

My daughter came home from college for the weekend and we decided to go out rather than cook at home. Since Bahama Breeze recently sent us a $10 off coupon, we decided to go. It was a Saturday late afternoon, a warm and breezy fall day in Schaumburg. We were seated right away and had a wonderful server. She was quite friendly and attentive. I love Cuban sandwiches. When I saw they had one on their new menu, I was sold. We started out with the white bean hummus with fresh vegetables. My son had the Seafood Paella, my wife and daughter had salads. First off, the hummus was pretty disappointing. If you ever had a night in college when you drank beer and had Lays Bean Dip with chips, that was what the hummus tasted like. Definitely and dish not to order in the future. The Cuban Sandwich was okay - certainly not the best I've ever had, but certainly not the worst either. The beans and rice I ordered with it were excellent however, They serve black beans and a yellow rice. Very fresh and tasty and just a little spicy. Everyone else raved about their meals. There was a grilled chicken and a grille salmon salad, both were excellent. The paella was also quite good. So, overall it was okay. Bahama Breeze is great for two things - warm days when they open the windows and a you get a nice warm breeze through the restaurant, and those cold days when the windows are shut but you are lucky enough to get a seat on the patio where they have a warm fireplace and live music. So, stay away from the hummus and you'll enjoy your experience.
(3)
Jessica B.

We loved this atmosphere. We visited in late September. We were seated within 10 minutes in the Caribbean style breezeway and nearly forgot we were in Chicago by the time our appetizer arrived. We had the conch fritters which came quick, hot and moist. Delicious! We both ordered drinks from the bar while we waited to seated. They were fruity and tasted like they were from the islands! We love this spot and wish we'd found it sooner! We recommend it to any one!
(5)
Tony M.

My favorite tropical paradise of a restaurant ever since I came here in 1998. Every time I am here, the food is consistent with great taste and quality! The service is always amazing with the staff paying attention to the details like my flavored tea refills! Also, we get the most amazing service with 20 or more people at the table. I'm amazed at how great the service is with 20 people at the table. We all ordered individually and kept receiving great service with refills on our drinks without asking for them. The staff asked if we needed anything most of the time when it was a busy Friday night! I have called so many places that kept pushing for a pre ordered meal and private area when it comes to 20 or more people at one sitting. This place is the best for big groups that just want to order individually and relax without a private room. It is one of the rare restaurants that can accommodate many people and not push you to pre pay over $1000 when you have more than 15 people. Even when I had 6 people at a table we get the same great service and food every time no matter the size. I have no complaints here! I love the variety of tropical drinks and entrees they offer! Amazing desserts too! Their food is full of flavor and not dry. The prices are reasonable surprisingly that is not too pricey like other restaurants in Chicago. This is why I have been coming here since 1998 and why it is always packed here, so better reserve early for your seat. They have great patio outdoor seating by the fire pit if you like feeling in tropical paradise with the Caribbean music!!!
(5)
Shin M.

My bridal shower was held here. The place is really nice, especially the little room with the fire pit that we rented out. One of our servers was extremely nice and was full of compliments. The bathrooms were pretty nice too. However... the food on the other hand... that's what this 1 star is for. I got the coconut shrimp and my fiance got one of the burgers. The coconut shrimp did not taste good at all and the brocolli and rice that came with it had absolutely no flavor in it at all. I saw the girls sitting at my table pick at their food. Most of them ate most of the shrimp because of hunger and did not touch anything else. I had a bite of the burger that was supposed to be cooked medium well but there was pink in it and it was pretty tasteless. Would not come back here for the food...
(1)
Gary S.

I went there with my wife on a Saturday night around 9:00 we got a table right away loved the food and great service!!!
(5)
Abhinav S.

Good place, nice ambience and fun place. We went there after 9 pm and got half off on lot of appetizers.
(4)
Brad S.

I have been here multiple times. At least 3-4. Honestly have had the worst experience of my life, service is slow, food is not brought out to perfection. Last time they ran out of onion rings?!? They are known for them how does that happen. This time here for a special occasion and they run out of steak.. now you tell me how that happens. As a manager half way through the day wouldn't you notice your product going low? And order more or call or make s run? No you just let it go. Literally not coming back here ever again, i gave you one more chance. And you messed up once again.
(1)
Erick A.

I came in with a couple of friends celebrating two birthdays and it was a great time! I called the night before to reserve a table of 13, and the lady host made it very easy and fast to do so. We came in 10 minutes late to the reservation and they happily welcomed us to the table. Diane, our server was extremely nice and made our experience very enjoyable. Thanks a lot Diane :) I got the fried chicken breast and it was super delicious, tender and perfectly crusted! The mashed potatoes are to die for, great job by the kitchen. It was my first time coming and it sure won't be the last. Once again, thanks Diane :D
(5)
Peggy P.

Super service for our family party; no rushing. Painkillers were a treat; hadn't had one since vacationing in the BVI. All 8 of us enjoyed our evening and the food.
(4)
Emily H.

The "Bahama" kitsch is laughable, but their desserts are serious business. The Key lime pie was authentically flavored and textured. Also, the rum drinks should be illegal they are so good. The Painkiller made me completely forget what I ate. It was probably fried and therefore delicious, but really, who cares. Rum and pie, bitches.
(4)
Nichole C.

Bahama Breeze is an oldie but goodie. My husband used to work here and opened the place forever ago, so maybe I just have a lot of memories here, or I know how terrible and crowded it used to be and far prefer it circa 2013, but I like this place. The wait usually isn't too bad (especially if you call ahead!), service is okay (it's really hit or miss here), food is good (I REALLY like the chowder, seafood ANYTHING, the jerk chicken pasta, the ribs, and the wings [not your typical wings, but really good anyway]!), and drinks are decent (the beer list sucks, but the cocktails are good). I also like sitting on the patio with the live music...it makes me feel like I'm on vacation. Overall, you can't really go wrong here. Give 'em a try. And tip that poor guy playing music for you all night, will 'ya?
(4)
Eric G.

I've eaten here a few times here and there over the years. Some of their booths need some major TLC (big gapping holes in the cushions we sat at) and maybe a little less ice on the alcoholic drinks (my lemon ginger mojito was chock full of it) but otherwise it has a good ambience and my last meal there with a friend left us both satisfied. We both loved the Firecracker Shrimp appetizer and seemed to be just enough for the both of us. I liked the overall flavor of the West Indies Chicken Curry once I mixed it with the bland rice. My friend couldn't finish his Pan Seared Salmon Pasta but enjoyed it very much. We both enjoyed the Warm Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Our server was pretty attentive as well. Would definitely continue to return.
(4)
Dan L.

joined some friends here for lunch. Had a Mai Tai, Ceasar salad and their spinach dip. All were good and the server was nice and attentive. All in all good, though I thought they were priced a bit high for the experience.
(3)
Sharon W.

Great service. Sat on the deck, live music! Love my jerk chicken pasta. I ordered a side Caesar salad which was a bit limp but large for an extra $2.50. I like the light portion option especially when you are staying at a hotel. One of my favorite Darden restaurants.
(4)
Marie C.

[BY THE WAY: in reading over my own review below before posting it, I realize I sound unnaturally excited about this place (like maybe I'm Mrs. Breeze or second cousin to the chain owner or head of PR or something). But we'd really only been there 1x before deciding to have a party here, and it really was as good as I've described. So read on in confidence that I'm not a ringer - just a really lucky customer who stumbled across the restaurant.] In late October, 2014, we had a party here, and the service, food, and entertainment was outstanding. Absolutely everyone was surprised and delighted with Bahama Breeze and their attention. If you're looking for a place to host a party, whether it's just appetizers or full-on multi-course meals with full open bar, this is the place. We'd looked everywhere to host a private party for about 60 friends and family. The other venues were too stuffy, way too expensive, complicated to price, and for many we'd still have to arrange our own catering and bar service. We simply stopped by Bahama Breeze for lunch one day after visiting other restaurants and reception venues, and we noticed they had a separate section called The Deck. Elana, a manager, joined us, and provided the best informational package we'd seen for a party venue - prices were very clear, all prices included tax and gratuity (something no other venue did), and there was a wide choice of food and drink options and pricing. The contract was very clear, very easy to complete, and gave us loads of time to tweak absolutely any aspect of our plan. We managed to host a brilliant party, the Bahama Breeze staff took care of everything and everyone, and all of this (including full open bar and entertainment) for a fraction of the cost of the other places that supposedly specialize in hosting private parties. At the party, the package we selected had bar snacks, a salad starter, dinner and dessert and a full open bar. During the party, guests were able to order off a menu of three different dinner options (we chose steak, chicken pasta, and fish catch of the day). The service was very fast, and the food got high praise from even our fussiest friends. Here are a few of the compliments: + Everyone who ordered steak said their steaks were just as ordered, which is extremely unusual for such a large party. Those who liked "well done" were particularly pleased since even high end "steak" restaurants rarely do "well done" right. + A few people put in special orders for their fish, and every order was done properly. They were delighted. + Quite a few of our friends and family are OCD freaks about cleanliness. Several commented that food plating was impeccable (the wide plate edges were 100% clean with no slops), and the servers kept the tables beautifully clean. Nothing was streaked or sticky and any guest messes were gone in a moment. + All of the food was wonderfully flavorful, served piping hot, and portions were very generous. As one of the party hosts, I was always moving around the room, and every time I forgot my drink somewhere, an attentive server would find it, find me, and reunite us. I've never had that kind of service before. They gave us access to the space an hour before the party to set up our own table decorations, and they arranged for live entertainment with a performer named Ron Devon. If you are ever looking for a singer, Ron Devon was brilliant. He has a beautiful voice, plays guitar extraordinarily well, and has a sound system that provides backing percussion and music making for a very rich sound. Everyone loved him, from the 16 year olds up to the 90+ year olds - quite a feat. And the volume was perfect - loud enough to sit back and listen, while still being able to hold a comfortable conversation. He played the entire evening and everyone loved his work. I'd particularly like to thank Elana, the manager, and David, on the management team. They were both more patient and helpful than anyone else we encountered at other venues. The serving staff for our party were extraordinary down to the last person. They managed to remain in the background (they were nearly invisible gliding around the room delivering food and drink) while still appropriately fun and lighthearted. Even though the gratuity was included in our bill, we were so pleased by the outstanding service we added additional gratuity to the check. Like I said, at the end of the evening when we got the bill - the full bill including all of the food and full open-bar drink for 5 hours in a boozy crowd - Bahama Breeze charged only a fraction of what the other venues quoted. If you want to host a very successful party with the least amount of stress, I wholeheartedly recommend Bahama Breeze in Schaumburg. We're currently looking for an excuse to do it again we had so much fun at our own party. Thank you Bahama Breeze - we'll be back at every opportunity. Marie C
(5)
Katy P.

Came here over the summer with my boyfriend (took me a minute to write a review, lol) because we had a gift card, and we really enjoyed our meal! The firecracker shrimp street tacos were magnificent, and my Calypso shrimp pasta dish was pretty good. I liked the Aruba ale, and boyfriend's mojito was made well. I would come back here during happy hour for drinks and 1/2 priced appetizers again sometime.
(4)
Briana P.

I recently tried this place for the first time and I was very impressed. I really liked the ambiance. Both the food and drinks were really good. The service was alright. Maybe our waitress had an off day, but she was by no means rude at all. Overall I was very please for my first visit and I would definitely like to go back again.
(4)
John G.

When this place first opened, it looked like an overly trendy, overly stylized gimmick that fit the bill of the "here today, gone tomorrow" set of restaurants in the area. It turned out to be a surprisingly bright offering with good food and a fun atmosphere that provided a unique niche in the local food market. The food is good, and reasonably priced. The menu is a variety of Caribbean-inspired dishes from Cuban black-bean soup to Jamaican Jerk Salmon. Quality wise, while not exceptional, it's probably among the top restaurants in the area. The decor for some may still be over the top, but for icy December in Schaumburg, they actually do a nice job recreating a tropical atmosphere with an open floor plan and live music. Complaints: Service was decent, but a little slow and not quite as attentive as it could have been. For some bizarre reason, the last few times I've been there, they decided to use a cleaner that makes parts of the restaurant smell like you just walked into a bathroom (definitely request something in the outer pavilion by the firepit)
(4)
Tish B.

My first time here. The waitstaff were very friendly. I ordered the Bahamarita (I had 2) which was pretty sweet & tasty. My entree I had the jerk chicken pasta. Chicken was bland. I expected the chicken to be more flavorful. Since I have had jerk chicken in the past. Overall I will go again.
(4)
Stacey S.

We have been here several times and each time we come we ask ourselves why? The food is mediocre at best. Tonight I had the fish tacos which was a single strip of dry fish on a bed of iceberg lettuce. My husband had the chicken sliders which were better but still plain and uninspired. The service was good but really with all of the options in this area I am certain this will be Oort last trip to Bahama Breeze.
(2)
Tiff T.

Only had the Jamaican wings, need to try more. Love the beach feeling when sitting in the outdoor area/patio. Convenient locale.
(5)
Scott M.

Drinking Painkillers and the Bahamarita. Extra nutmeg on the painkillers. Its better that way. We ordered the Chicken Quesadilla for the appetizer which was very flavorful but messy. They didnt hold together well. I ordered the Lobster shrimp linguine and my wife ordered the Buttermilk fried chicken breast. I must say that I always love a good lobster and shrimp dish and always wondered how you can top that. Don't get me wrong it was a good dish but you have to try the Buttermilk fried chicken breast. I was jealous. The staff was helpful and consistent. This was our third time there and it won't be our last
(5)
Maricel L.

Fun and loud atmosphere. Our waitress recommended the raspberry mojito but I thought it tasted horrible, like medicine. The food is decent with large portions.
(3)
Peter R.

This is my wife's favorite restaurant. We love the food, the atmosphere, and always get fast service as well. Try the beef empanadas, jerk chicken pasta, or fresh fish. It's a great place for date night!
(5)
Tiffany W.

Home made FRESH mashed potatoes. ...omg! They were amazing and if I ever go back I just want a big bowl of them! Beyond that, it was mediocre. The decor is pretty and does feel tropical. I loved how open it was- not claustrophobic. No wait for seating and fairly attentive waitress. No complaints there. The drink I had tasted good, but was extremely weak (alcohol-wise) and tasted a tad too sweet, but that's not a big deal to me. The food was where it was hit or miss. The menu looks good but the choices are obviously not all carribean inspired. We ordered a sampler appetizer and although I don't eat wings, everyone else in my party raved about the jerked chicken wings. I was excited about the hush puppies but they had a something weird in them that was chewy and sort of hard. I was majorly disappointed in those (what on earth was that??). The onion rings were super good though and the sauce for them was tastey. The actual entrees however were more difficult for me. I'm a moderately picky eater- I will not eat mushrooms- which created a huge hassle for me as most of the items that interested me had them. I ordered a pasta and asked to have it without mushrooms to which I was told it was pre-made and therefore unable to be made without them. I opted for another dish and asked the same and received the same response. So they serve pre-packaged food, eww. Not surprising, but still ew. I ended up getting the Cilantro Chicken (just about the only thing I liked on the menu that didn't come with mushrooms) but even that was so-so. The chicken was frozen so enough said. The mash potatoes were incredible. The grilled corn was great. But the cilantro sauce they serve with it was bland and actually the chicken was coated in a sort of sweet sauce that was really good and I felt the bland cilantro cream sauce made the chicken less appetizing so I didn't use it. My husband ordered a tilapia dish and was disappointed to find that too was pre frozen. I like the place, but I don't feel the food or drinks are worth the price. I'd go back for half price appetizers and happy hour drink specials. Not so much for a dinner.
(3)
Amanda V.

The food is great, but the service is awful. On more than one occasion, we've had servers/bartenders who acted like cocky jerks just for fun. It seems like a prerequisite to be a slimy, cocky, rude and pompous tool in order to work here. Most recently, my fiance and I seated at the bar area to drink, eat and listen to the live entertainment, which is enjoyable, but loud. So, while discussing with each other where we wanted to sit, we had to speak louder than normal to hear each other. The bartender, Rick, yelled hello to us and asked what we wanted to drink. We still had our coats on and hadn't even sat down yet. Once we decided to sit at the bar, rather than a bar top, I was removing my coat while Rick asked me AGAIN what I wanted to drink. I hadn't seen a menu yet and hadn't even settled into my seat. My fiance asked for a menu in hopes to stave his pushiness off a bit. When Rick came back, he leaned into us a bit and said, "You ready, yet -- you done yelling at each other and know what you want?" I couldn't believe I heard what I heard. We drank and ate, but won't be returning. There are too many good restaurants in that area to put up with such invasive, insulting nonsense.
(2)
Agnes L.

As a national chain, Bahama Breeze has a location in my hometown within the Detroit suburbs so it's not exactly special to me. But this was the best dinner option on Friday night when meeting up with a friend and her mother in the area because we were all observing Lent, and they liked the seafood here. Based on past experiences, I know it can be more exciting with the live entertainment and fire pit, along with Happy Hour tropical drink specials but this particular time it was so-so. With this most recent dining experience, we ended up there during a busy period between 6-8 p.m. We didn't wait long for a table and the service overall went smoothly. Unfortunately, all the tables near the fire were occupied during this cold night so we were in the main dining room, which was extremely dimly lit but with roomy booths. It was a major plus to see Skinny drink options and fresh seafood specials for the health-conscious. I went with a low-cal margarita and the Ahi tuna salad. In the end, I would have been happier with a stronger drink and much more veggies considering the prices. But the tuna was sliced and just seared so it was still rare and tender in the middle, which I can appreciate because I have had it prepared incorrectly at other restaurants. For dessert, we split a slice of the key lime pie, which was not zesty enough for me and fresh whipped cream would have been a better complement to it than the hardened meringue on top. In fact, the friend that accompanied me for dinner that night honestly bakes a better key lime pie. The crust was the best part of it because of the brown sugar.
(3)
Jose P.

Live music on certain days. It's worth waiting to sit outside, or at the outside bar. Families will enjoy the weekend music also. Some might question prices, but we were pleased with the fish portions for the price paid. Nice varied menu. Some of the appetizers are AOK at regular price, but half price at happy hour is fantastic. It's worth going just to have Heather be your bartender.
(5)
Nic Z.

Bahama Breeze is one of those restaurants that is always OK -- pretty good, but not "OH MY GOD, KEEP IT COMIN'!!!!" They have decent calamari, and my personal favorite is the light version of the Breeze Wood-Grilled Chicken Breast. Mashed sweet potatoes and jerk chicken are a great match! It's not the healthiest thing in the world, but it's a decently-tasty meal. The service is hit-or-miss, but we had a really great server on our last visit; he was one of the best waiters I've ever had, period. They used to have a big additional room open with live music and more seating, but I haven't seen it in use in well over a year. Ah, the economy..
(3)
K R.

Absolutely love this place. I have been to this restaurant in different locations in different states and it never disappointes.
(5)
Toni B.

The hubby and I have come here on several ocassions for drinks, music and appetizers. We enjoy the one man band who I think has been there for 20 years, but he is entertaining and fun to sing along with!!! This past week we came here for a work holiday party. There were about 50 of us and only a few servers, so service was slow..the staff looked a bit overwehelmed. :/ The hubby ordered the coconut shrimp...OMGEE! You know those moments where your like, Darn, I wish I ordered that instead!?! I had one of those moments and was very sad while I was eating his delicious coconut shrimp! ;) I ordered the jerk chicken with bowtie pasta and asparagus. The jerk chicken was delish, but the rest of the dish was a bit bland. The house salad, YUMMO! I dont know what kind of "secret" dressing it is, but it was good!!!! We had a coice of dessert...the cheesecake...one word...AMAZING..I snuck another piece to take home :) The key lime pie...meh, not a fan, but if you like key lime pie Im sure it was great! The mousse with the brownie was delicious as well! Fun place to go to...had a good time there at the holiday party. They have a nice fire pit on the "deck" area. Also plenty of parking!
(4)
Katie D.

Not the best food. Drinks were very average. it's over rated!!
(2)
Navya R.

It was my first visit to the place with my husband the ambience is really awesome,it makes you feel as in florida ....the wall decors are great and the coconut shrimp we ordered was amazing..the worst experience we had is with the service...all the positives the restaurant had was blown off by the worst service ....she served us the food in an unpleasant way...we hated her service...at last she just pulled a plate of desert without desert spoons and was simply staring at us....Am totally disappointed by that waitress.
(1)
Nicole M.

I was here the other night for a Wine and Canvas event. I have only been here one other time and most likely will not go back again. The place itself is cute but when I entered the area in which the event was taking place I was hit by a wall of heat and humidity. It was a 90 degree day and the one window and couple fans that they had blowing into the room. After a 10 hour work day sitting in a hot room for the next 3 hours was really undesirable. We arrived early and the staff was very nice. The only reason this place is getting 3 starts instead of 2 is because our waiter was AWESOME!. It was a group of 37 people and he was surprisingly attentive and very willing to do whatever he could. (For the life of me I can not remember his name :( But he was so sweet suggested good appetizers and drinks for us. I do have to give Bahama Breeze a big thumbs down for tacking gratuity onto my check because of the event when my "party" was only 2. Especially that they did so without even notifying us prior. I have ZERO issue with tipping for good service and even tipped the waiter over the 18% that was already on the check. Also their "free" WiFi is awful!
(3)
Susan S.

Food is typically good here. But I've had a horrible experience trying to book a group here. They never call back and when you finally get a manager they say they are booked. Of course it took you 4 weeks to call back. You've lost my business for good! Glad to check another Darden venue off my list.
(1)
Chris M.

Feels like your somewhere tropical. Friday night sit in the open area where there is live music (he takes requests and is pretty good) during happy hour(half price appetizers) the drink menu is awesome!! So much selection. To eat we had fried chicken sliders, mahi tacos, and some popular pasta with asparagus....delicious. Oh and try the draft wheat ale and the service is good too.
(5)
Secil A.

Yummy food, great patio area with "fire" place and that island vibe. LOVED the lemonade and the shrimp appetizer. But.... We had to get the waiter's attention couple of times. I understand that it got busy later on but I don't like to try to get my waiter's attention, waving like a crazy girl which might have looked like I was trying to kill a fly.Just a simple eye contact with us once in a while to check if we were ok would have done it. So they lost a star.But maybe it was a bad day for him so I will come back.
(4)
Rachel T.

Appetizer: 1) Start off with an order of Firecracker shrimp (good size to split between 2-3 people). It goes great with the zesty red pepper sauce on the side. Dinner: 2) For the main course, go for the Jerk Chicken Pasta (have them toss it with crushed red peppers--It's a lot more flavorful than it would be on its own). --You can get a lighter portion or an original portion. The lighter portion is perfect to split between two people I'd say (it all depends on how hungry you are though)-- it also comes with 2 breadsticks! Dessert: 3) The Warm Chocolate Pineapple Upside-Down Cake makes life worth living! There's a caramelized fresh pineapple on top of the chocolate cake with rich molten chocolate filling in the middle. There's also a raspberry sauce drizzled along the sides. Bottoms Up: ----Pineapple Coconut Martini: Too sugary. ----Mojito Cubano: Yes, please! They top it off with a fresh stem of sugar cane Have fun :)
(4)
Eric W.

Food was good. Nothing all that special IMO. Lots of fruity cocktails on the menu. Dinner is reasonable ranging from 11-20 dollars a plate. Large place with lots of seating. Keeps with the Caribbean vibe.
(3)
Tracey B.

**UPDATE** I was contacted by the owner and was offered an apology and a gift card to come back. I declined for many reasons, but was impressed by the apology and the professional manner in which it was handled. For this reason, I upped my rating to two stars. Original review as follows: Awful. Cheesy atmosphere, bad food. Only saving grace was that we had a great server. She was very polite & accommodating. Kept our drinks full without bothering us all the time. Food was dry & tasted like processed, frozen food. Not worth the money. We will not be back.
(2)
Lauren Z.

Food was very good but the overall experience was very disappointing. Made a reservation several weeks in advance for 18 people, company event. Called day of event to confirm...they said "oh yes we have you confirmed for 5:30 for 8 people". I reserved for 18 people for 5:00. I reconfirmed that we would have 15 people at 5:00. When I arrived I again reconfirmed the number....they had 17 people not 15!! The hostess asked if all of the party had arrived and I explained that several would be trailing in a little late as they had further to come than we did. She said alright we will "set up your tables".....set up our tables!!!!!.....what was the point of making a reservation in advance if the tables weren't set up in advance! We waited 15 minutes while they set up our tables. Also when I originally called the person answering the phone said we might have to wait longer than 5 o'clock because they might be very busy and tables might not be available!!! The service was spotty. At one point we had to gather dirty dishes that had not been removed and put them on an empty table ourselves. We asked for water and it took a long time to get it. Some of the meals were slow arriving at the table and one guest received her meal when most of the other guests were done eating. Everyone apologized including the manager to the point of being obnoxious....the apologies were nice but stop already, we actually had to ask them to stop apologizing. The guest did receive her meal at no charge. We asked for separate checks at the beginning of the meal which the waiter very graciously said would be no problem. When the checks arrived there were some mistakes which were rectified but one guest had to wait to get hers change after most of the guests left and another guest spent quite a bit of time trying to get her check sorted out and I'm not sure that she was satisfied with the result. No matter how good the food is if the rest of the evening is "spotty" it does not make for a very enjoyable evening. Will not hold another company event at this restaurant. I do not feel they are set up to handle a large event.
(2)
Joe P.

The drinks were watered down, the fish tacos were pretty tasty, and the service was mediocre.
(3)
Pondo S.

Been here 2 X . The food is pretty blah. I mean- there is nothing distinctive about the food. Some items are cuban, some are Indian? I dunno.. nothing stood out. They had 2 pages of Burgers. I didn't come here to eat burgers. I tried the Bowtie Jerk Chicken Pasta- pretty bland and overall gross. Nothing I could not have made at home. This is a place for women in their 30's-60's to come and eat appetizers.. Maybe the umbrella drinks are good- but I doubt it.
(2)
Bob K.

Love it! The Schaumburg location, Sunrise and Tampa are all on our frequent stop-in list. Great drinks, firecracker shrimp and every entree we've had has been really good. And reasonable prices!
(5)
Sarah S.

I've been to Bahama Breeze a couple times and had the same experience both times. Decent food, I wouldn't say amazing...Decent service, I wouldn't say amazing. Personally, I love a themed anything so I love that Bahamas Breeze really commits to their themeing! It looks great and is a fun place to be in. The strange thing is the energy level of the service staff doesn't match what it should be in such a fun place! I would hope you could get lost in the fun, island feel but you just can't. The staff seems like they would rather chat with each other and are just counting down the minutes until their shift ends. Meh. On my most recent visit last week, I got the Chicken Sliders. They were actually much better then what I had last time I went to Bahama Breeze, totally can't remember what though. The chicken was moist and tasty however there is nothing else at all on the sandwich. There is a sauce that comes on the side which I put on my sandwich and really enjoyed. I also liked it with my fries...tasty fries. It was quite a bit of food for a good price. Service was accommodating but I just wish they seemed a bit more enthused about being there.
(3)
Elizabeth W.

Bahama Breeze was very inconsistent on my recent visit. This includes many aspects of the experience, from food to service. The staff at the host stand was just not with it, at all. I saw a large group standing nearby, so I wasn't sure if there was a wait or if they were waiting to complete their party before being seated. None of the four people at the host stand acknowledged me or made eye contact, so I just stood there for a bit, waiting. Then I said, "Excuse me," but nobody looked up at me. I finally raised my voice and said, "Excuse me, but is there a wait?" Three of the people just looked at each other, then the fourth (who was on the phone) told the other three that they should help me. Finally, one of them told me there was not a wait. I noticed that two of them were working on a crossword puzzle and was a little annoyed. When my husband arrived, we waited a bit at our table before a server arrived. It looked like the servers were having a pre-shift meeting, and none of the people at the host stand had interrupted to say that they were seating that section of the dining room, because other tables nearby also had to wait for servers. The server we finally did get was excellent, however--very knowledgeable about the menu, quick with refills, and accurate about taking our order. She also recommended an item to us, which we did like very much. She was also very friendly. I think our server needs to school the host stand staff on how things work, because she was a model of service, whereas they were a bunch of chump clowns. The food was also a mixed bag. We really liked our appetizer, but the salad I ordered was pretty mediocre. The dressing tasted like they squeezed a lemon into some corn syrup, then dumped a bunch of vinegar into the mix. Ick. The yucca fries, on the other hand, were amazing. I could eat them every day. My husband found his chicken dish "just ok" and wondered if they made the caipirinhas from a mix. The restaurant does look very spiffy. There is a fire pit, live music in one section, a lot of bamboo and other exotic decor, etc. It isn't until I sat down that I noticed the fruit flies buzzing around, which was not so spiffy. I think this is a good summary of Bahama Breeze--everything looks great, without everything else inside to back up that appearance. Why wow your customers with style and then fail to deliver on the substance?
(3)
Julie R.

After a generous offer to give Bahama Breeze another chance from a higher up my husband and I decided to have one last date night to see if anything was different. To our excitement, it was! Whether it was coincidence or not, many of the workers seemed new and were more respectful and helpful from the greeters to the servers. I tried the fish tacos and my husband got the newer grilled chicken. Both were fantastic as was our firecracker shrimp appetizer. I'm still sad that they did away with minor things like the shrimp in the Bahamian Seafood Chowder, but these are not deal breakers for us. I was thrilled to have a Bahama experience like I remember it from a couple years ago. We will consider Bahama back in the ring for an option on our date nights as long as they keep their high standards for both quality of food and service.
(4)
Sunny K.

In May, I went to Hawaii with a few girlfriends. We decided to get together for dinner, and I suggested Bahama Breeze. Everything about the restaurant reminded us all about Hawaii, and we loved it. Our server, Steve, was great, too. He was friendly and easy going. To drink, I ordered a Frozen Bahamarita. It wasn't very strong, but I wasn't complaining. For dinner, I finally made up my mind and ordered the Grilled Salmon and Mixed Greens on a Tostada. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The salad was bold in flavor, which I liked. However, it was a tad saucy and made parts of the tostada soggy. Overall, the meal was tasty and I would order it again.
(4)
Grace C.

This place was soooo good! I went there last night and it was awsome there drinks are delicious ecspecially the bahamerita and the ultimate piÃ±a collata!! Coconut shrimp=the best if you go here you must try them! Chicken dishes are amazing you've gotta try this place you won't be disappointed :)
(5)
Joseph P.

A stormy Friday noon may not be the best time to come here for a review, as the somewhat open "porch" area may be the most distinctive part of this restaurants layout. It is very popular with the "Ladies who Lunch" crowd during the day, and was not particularly busy. Our server was a friendly, efficient, guy who treated 3 "old guys" well, despite the fact that we didn't order anything that comes with a slice of orange or paper umbrella stuck in it. I had the 3 Fish Taco plate, my buddies had a burger and a salad. All these are about $10 - 12 at lunch. The tacos are first rate, the others said theirs were average. A previous visit yielded similar results, but the chairs on the porch were not as comfortable as the booths inside.
(3)
Venkata S.

Went 4th june 2013. Had been a very good experience. liked the ambience very much. Ordered some sea food.
(4)
Betty H.

Ordered their jerk chicken wings for an app, and was a meal in itself. Went for lunch and totally appreciated the ambience. Will definitely be back
(4)
Thera D.

The food was delicious! Especially the Seafood Paella. I thought they'd have more carribean style authentic entrees (other than jerk chicken) but everything I got was tasty. The ambience was beautiful.They have cool happy hour and late night (after 9pm) half off appetizers that I would meet friends for a drink and apps for. I will take my out of town guests there for sure.
(4)
Alan S.

Very good food, nice setting, good and friendly service (from seating to leaving), and reasonable cost.
(5)
Javid D.

Always a delight to eat at Bahama Breeze. The one in Schaumburg IL is one of their best for service, decor and ambiance. On a Friday night around 7:30pm we were lucky to get seated right away because those waiting wanted bigger tables. The place and the parking lot were packed. The large menu interesting. Very clean and modern bathrooms. We had the seafood chowder and chicken tortilla soup to start, and the new shrimp curry rice and the Bahamian chicken breast, all very good. The shrimp curry wasn't hot enough for my wife, so she added extra hot sauce, and my meal seemed a bit too sweet, but otherwise nice. I gave our very pleasant server a bigger than average tip, and I'd definitely recommend this restaurant. My only question: why do they put SO much salt and sugar on their dishes?
(4)
Alyson L.

Love going here and sitting in the patio room. The staff is great and we have never had a miss with any of the food! Good Caribbean flavor. Very fresh!
(5)
Sampad D.

Ambiance: The ambiance is beach resort theme and was bit crowded ( had to wait 30 mins to get a table).Live music was also there. Food: This was my first encounter with island food. We odered the Firecrack shrimp. It was kind of breaded shrimp with spices. The sause along with the shrimps was also good. The cocktails were also nice . We ordered the Carraben Chicken curry and Chicken pasta. Both the dishes were nice. The portions were also huge. Reccomendation : Try the chicken pasta , its really nice.
(4)
Carla G.

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Illinois anymore..." Coming to Bahama Breeze was a great mini getaway from the rough Chicago weather. The decor is beach resort theme. They go all out with the patio furniture and even in the restrooms. I love it! A group of us had just finished bridesmaid shopping and decided to go out for food & drinks to celebrate. The drink menu is bananas! So many options that it was difficult to decide, but the bartender was friendly and helped us pick some great drinks. Once we sat down we got right down to business with ordering. I had the Cuban Black Bean Soup & the Fish Tacos. Everything was tasty! Our server was nice enough to split the check for all of us without any problems. Very impressed by this chain, I'll be back!
(4)
Cynthia M.

I've been to Bahama Breeze 3x & each visit was mediocre. The good is good, but not amazing, the service lacked each time & it was always so uncomfortably cold inside. Wouldn't go out of my way to give it another shot.
(3)
Jennifer T.

Calypso Shrimp Linguine - "Tender shrimp in every bite...sautÃ©ed with garlic, scallions, tomatoes, Creole spice and a touch of cream." Oh those words ring so true. Have you ever had a dish that tasted so good that you thought if heaven was like this, then I can eat forever. Well, this is it! And what was amazing was that, at a day later (because I doggie bagged it), my dish still tasted just as good as when I first had it . That almost NEVER happens! And the only thing I did was popped it into the microwave. Let's see, the shrimp was still tender, the sauce was still creamy (and not too rich nor too light nor to salty, it was just right!), and I could taste the freshness of the bitty pieces of tomatoes and green onion leaves that was mixed in it. So if you didn't get my drift by now, you must try the Calypso Shrimp Linguine. It will not fail! Oh, and the bread they gave that went with the pasta... oh that bread! oh yes... This dish has me so excited I think I will go through a phrase for the next couple of months where this will be my ideal pasta. BB, I can't wait to come back and try your other seafood dishes as well. You made me love you. Other things I've tried was the Coconut Shrimp appetizer and a Pina Colada drink. The shrimp was OK, a bit too crusty for my taste but it was good with the sauce. The Pina Colada was really good. Perfecto. Now onto the real overview... I went here for my birthday (which I got a free desert) with a group of 12. I had called ahead to put my name down for seating reservations and the wait wasn't too long. On top of that, the staff was very accommodating with our table arrangements. They allowed separate checks for each and every person and gave us no hassle (big key for my friends and I when we go out). They also allowed me to change my entrÃ©e choice after 15-20 min of placing my order (at first it was the Pan-Seared Salmon) with no problem too. Everyone was friendly and nice and when you take home the leftovers, the staff will even draw on your boxes. Mine had 2 beach chairs facing the sunset... Sweet BB. I will bb (be back)... =)
(4)
Danielle S.

I've been here numerous times since my first review. It's a love-hate relationship. It's best on a weeknight after work or a weekend (when you don't need to care about time). On those days I would give them 4 stars. Their food is good (most times - there was one time it wasn't but I'll say more about that later), the atmosphere is very chill and fun, the drinks are good, and some of the servers are good. Sometimes they have live music outside and a fire pit - very cool! The one time we had a bad experience, the manager took care of it (took stuff off the bill, got free dessert and a round of drinks, and coupons for next time). That regained my faith in this business, but then today happened (see below). Weekdays at lunch time are SLOWWWWW. My friend and I love the atmosphere here, but today we were sitting there for 8 minutes and no one had some to serve us yet. We ended up moving ourselves to the bar, which was still slow!! We ended up having to take our food to go because we were going to be late to work. Too bad, this place would be great if their service didn't suck. I can think of one good server I have had here, and I've been here a lot!! They aren't even busy during lunch, and for some reason it's just ridiculous. On these days I would give it one star.
(2)
Shailesh J.

We went on sunday for a early dinner .. Ordered jerk pasta and westindies curry chicken... well curry chicken was absolutely bland ...they should have spiced it up a bit ... the jerk chicken pasta was okay...May be would like to try the apetizers during happy hours...
(2)
Marc F.

First visit in nearly 6 years or so and a much more enjoyable one as it was far less crowded than what I remembered. Sat in the bar area and it happened to be happy hour. Half priced apps was a nice surprise especially considering my daughter just wanted the quesadillas. Grilled fish was very fresh tasting and the jerk chicken was great although not the jerk chicken we are used to. Juicy and tasty not spicy at all. Drinks were good and server more than competent but I don't think a $9 "Cabo Wabo margarita" is created by just sweeping the bottle over a rail tequila cocktail. Had three and while tasty, could have used twice as much spirit. Maybe beer next time.
(3)
Yo P.

I've been to this restaurant before and liked it very much. Today, however, was a huge disappointment. I ordered the Carnitas rice bowl that also comes with chorizo sausage and sweet plaintains. The bowl was missing plaintains and chorizo. What I got instead of chorizo was summer sausage. Clearly not the same in taste or texture. I pointed this out and a manager came by to tell me, not directly saying I was wrong, that the sausage was indeed chorizo. Sorry, but 3 people in my group are hispanic...IT WAS NOT CHORIZO! I was asked if I wanted another dish but I refused. Since the idiot manager insisted that I didn't know what chorizo was, I wanted nothing more to do with the place. If you're going to specialize on caribbean food, hire staff that knows caribbean food.
(1)
Anya C.

I got a $25 gift card to one of four restaurants in this chain so I decided to try Bahama Breeze. I was in the mood for some fish, but having had been to the Red Lobster recently, I wasn't quite ready to go back there yet. Besides, that's my shrimp place. I wanted fish. At first I was on a quest for fish tacos and after studying the menu online I walked in with my mind set. Then I saw the specials. No pun intended, I was hooked! The pan-seared mahi-mahi with mango butter sauce, garlic mashed potatos and green beans stole my heart. This was the taste I had been searching for but never quite knew how to describe. Heaven in my mouth! Total foodgasm! My friend had the mahi as well, only wood-grilled with Jamaican jerk sauce. He let me have a bite. Again, to die for. His meal came with fried plantains which he, again, let me try. So delicious. Looks like we have found ourselves another favorite here! The staff is very friendly and inviting. Our server was attentive and helped us with our drink orders. Be careful when ordering non-alcoholic drinks though. They will upsell you a fruity concoction with no refills when you couldda had a Coke. Those fruity concoctions were worth it though, but this is just in case you need to down 3 soft drinks during dinner like I do. The ambiance was indeed Carribean-chic, not kitchy at all (compared to another restaurant which I will be reviewing as well). The tables were nicely set even for lunch and overall the restaurant was very clean and inviting. I will definitely be coming back here the next time I'm in the mood for some mahi.
(5)
Dennis L.

Oh the memories! I used to love Bahama Breeze during college. In fact, it was my go-to chain restaurant while living in Orlando and visiting family in Southeastern Michigan. Those visits were almost a decade ago, so I thought I would bring my wife in on the memory. As with many things in life, it was no where near as good as I had remembered. First I will address the food, then the service... Food: I ordered the Black Bean Soup to start. It was pretty good, but not great. I could tell it had been sitting in the expo window, but I was forgiving. For my meal, I went with the Key West Fish Tacos. Flavorless and boring. The only flavor was in the ramekin of aioli. Uggghh. I also had the opportunity to try the my wife's dish, the Cuban Sandwich. Who puts salami on a Cuban? Seriously?! Oh, I know...Everything else had zero flavor, so the salami added the necessary spice... Not cool BB...not cool. Service: Our server was friendly and almost overly so. With that said, he was never around when we needed him. Refills...those took forever. Check on our food...forever. Bring our check after we said we were ready to go...forever. Overall Experience: Memory shattered. Another Darden restaurant I will not return to.
(2)
Minjee Y.

This place was a let down. Looks beautiful on the inside and outside and I was just there for a friend's birthday. She picked the place because she said whatever she had last time she went was good. Bahama Breeze is supposed to be a seafood type of place or so I've heard but seriously their menu is just sad to me. Not a big selection. Not that many choices in each category. You've got your chicken dishes (6 of them I think), your sandwiches/burgers, your "seafood" (like 4 or 5 dishes), your soups/salads, etc. I ordered their chef's special. It was quite special alright. It's the Key West Shrimp and Grits. First off it sounds WEIRD. But I like weird usually. I was eating it and I thought to myself that this better be worth $14.99 Sure enough it wasn't. It was tasty at first like the veggies and the grits w/bacon. Once I bit into the shrimp. OH LORD! They were chewy. And I hate chewing... (weird, I know). I really do hate making the effort to eat my food and the shrimp was plentiful don't get me wrong. There was a lot of shrimp and mushroom to go around. The shrimp was just so so so overcooked. Presentation was nice. My grits had what I believe were banana chips stuck in them flowering out. It was pretty. Service: I don't know if it was us that scared our server or what. He was nice to us. Not that talkative, but I mean I guess it's kind of hard with a big group? The place wasn't that busy when we got there and he gave us a lot of time. I MEAN A LOT OF TIME. To the point where I was like we are ready, we're ready, we're ready... (Sorry guys I WAS HUNGRY!) They gave many of us the wrong plates of food (which is whatever because we're big people and we know who got what so we just traded). The hosts though were especially nice. Overall, I would not go back. I don't think this place has me craving for it. For the price of the food I thought it'd be fantastic. I'd rather spend that much at beautiful places like CARNIVALE (IN CHICAGO) or something... Don't waste your money here that's all I gotta say...
(2)
Irene Z.

Back when my husband and I were still dating, we would frequent Bahama Breeze often. We are island folk at heart, and Bahama Breeze (in all its chain-restaurant-commerciality) somehow always made us feel like on vacation when dining here. We loved the food then, the live music, and the ambiance (giant fire pit!). We're now married with two kids, and hadn't been to Bahama Breeze in over 6+ years, but stopped in for dinner (with the kids) two Saturdays ago. Pleased to say, it's still as great as I remember. When we entered, my daughter exclaimed, "are we back in Jamaica?" having just returned from a short holiday trip there earlier this summer. The island vibe here immerses you almost immediately. We were early enough, just before 6pm, that we didn't have to wait for a table. We opted to sit inside since it was quieter there (nice day and the outdoor patio seemed a little more crowded). The outdoor patio has comfortable wicker seating and the inside is a little fancier though still casual. We did walk the kids by the outdoor patio, and will have to take them back to eat in there. Kids ordered off the children's menu. Spaghetti for her, bowtie mac n cheese for him - they were happy. The regular menu offers a great choice of island cuisine that is pretty well executed. Lots of seafood and fresh fish, and local flavor including jerk seasoning, and incorporation of tropical fruit (Mango, Guava, Papaya). Plenty of options for the more traditional diner as well. I wanted the paella, but opted for the Cuban sandwich and my husband had the fish tacos. I could only finish half of my sandwich and it was very good, even comparable to a Cuban sandwich I had recently in Miami. My husband devoured his tacos and said the mahi-mahi was cooked just right. What always impressed me here, though, is the drink/cocktail menu. I remember back in the day, reading a review (in the Daily Herald) on Bahama Breeze saying that their drink menu was too 'busy' and overpowered/shadowed their food menu. But that's what I always liked about Bahama Breeze, the vast choice in cocktails and beverages...it's a good place to have lunch/dinner, but even more so, a nice place to go at night to enjoy some live music and drinks. In any case, I don't drink often anymore, but was in the 'vacation-mood' to have a cocktail (or two). I was happy to see they still have a good drink menu. I stuck with my old staple here, a chocolate martini - not very island-like, but just as good as I remember. And our server, Orlando, brought over a complimentary Painkiller because they'd made an extra one on accident. It was also very good, fruity and strong enough, but not too strong. I have to give a special shout-out to our server Orlando. Hands-down some of the best customer service I've experienced lately. He was attentive, super-friendly, good with the kids, funny, and just plain terrific. Not only that, when we left, my son forgot his toy on the table. Orlando came racing after us into the parking lot to make sure we took it home with us. Will always appreciate that! So happy to see that Bahama Breeze is still going strong...will definitely be back again soon.
(4)
Melissa S.

Sat by the fire and had the most comfortable amazing meal! Great service too! The food was heaven I ate wood grilled chicken with mashed sweet potato and cinnamon must try because it was heaven on a plate! Definitely going there again! I suggest sitting by the fire!
(5)
Amanda C.

Decent for a fast food chain but disappointed in the atmosphere. It was super cold in the restaurant and the food took forever. Thought this would a little nicer than Chili's but it had the same sanitary conditions. The coconut shrimp was one of the few items on the menu that was good. The only saving grace was our nice waitress.
(3)
Aimee M.

Poor service. I don't care how good your food is or how good your drinks are, if you can't make eye contact with your patrons or come back and see if they'd like more drinks, and when someone in our party has to go find our servier, you are not worthy of my business. Sat at the cabana bar and was basically ignored for 10 minutes. Moved to the main dining area bar and was ignored for another 5 minutes. Once my friends arrived, we ordered our drinks while we waited for our cabana seating. We finished our drinks at the bar but the bartender never came back and it was impossible to get his attention. Hello???? 6 gals out for an evening--you'd think we were a prime targe for tips. Guess not in his book. Too bad, we wanted more martinis and margaritas. Once seating was ready, the Hostess put us at a table that was clearly too small for 6 people--it was more of a 4 topper. We wanted to stay in the cabana area because of the live music and we saw that a larger table opened up. We asked if we could move but then were told that another party had snagged it. Then we were told by our server that in the cabana section it's first-come, first served. That as soon as someone from your party arrived we could have saved a table. W.T.F. (And I never say WTF--you have to anger me quite a bit for me to say that) why did the hostess put our name on the list for dining inside then? She never told us we could just claim seats in the Cabana area as they open, even though she knew we wanted Cabana seating. Service was basically non-existent. As mentioned earlier someone from my party had to go and find our server. Oh Bahama Breeze, get your act together, you just gave me another reason to hate Schaumburg.
(1)
Ashley A.

Best place in the area to get that feeling that you're on vacation! The first time I went to a Bahama Breeze was in Florida when I was on vacation years ago. I recently went to this location a couple times and felt like I was on vacation again. The atmosphere is tropical and fun. The food is sooo good. The jumbo shrimp is really good and the sauce that comes with it is even better. The onion rings are super huge, but a bit too crunchy for me. I wanted to try their drinks because they look really yummy, but didn't feel like paying more than $7 for a drink. I ordered the Portobello and Manchego cheeseburger and it was probably the best burger I've ever had. I love manchego cheese and I've never seen a restaurant serve it; I've only bought it at Whole Foods. The burger was piled high with a big portobello mushroom and carmelized onions, two of my favorite veggies. It was pretty filling and I couldn't even finish it. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful, although the waitress we had the first time we went to this location got a couple of orders wrong (we were part of a group of at least 15 people and she was our only server; they should have assigned at least two servers to our party). The waitress from our first visit also took a very long time to process our credit cards and bring us each our correct tabs. All in all, I like this place and would return, but probably only for special occasions.
(5)
Wendy C.

I love this place! I went with a group of friends on July 9th after the Abilities Expo. The food was very flavorful and eating out in the patio was the next best thing to being on a tropical vacation. I ordered a couple of appetizers and a drink: Tostones with Chicken - This is a must. Similar to Chicken Nachos, but much better. I did however miss the garlic that normally goes along with tostones. Jamaican Grilled Chicken Wings - Very flavorful jerk seasoning and tastes like it was smoked. Note: these are full-sized wings, not like bww. Bahama Mama - I only ordered one drink since I had to drive later. So I went with a "safe" drink to make sure it was one I would definitely like. And I did! Very good Bahama Mama...they did not disappoint. My friend ordered the Chicken with Cilantro Crema and the Roasted Cuban Bread. These also looked very good and, perhaps, I may order this on my next visit.
(4)
Stephanie W.

Bahamas Breeze is the perfect kitschy tourist restaurant. A grown up Rainforest Cafe without the annoying animal noises. While on vacation to Chicago my adult children and I stopped by for a late dinner. I usually hate to be that guy who dirties up the kitchen before close, but the staff was really cool. I was disappointed the crab claws with passion fruit sauce was not on the menu. However, the fish tacos and beans and saffron rice were delightful. My daughter had the shrimp and pasta, whi h was not flavorful at all. The shrimp was rubbery, not good for a seafood oriented place. The star of the show was a side of mango sorbet with fresh fruit. I could have just had that for dinner and been happy. The decor is a very toned down Joes Crab Shack and it hits the spot for a tropical escape.
(4)
Andrea L.

Always great! Here for my moms birthday and ordered 7 appetizers! Great service too!!!
(5)
Erika M.

Ok, I love Bahama Breeze if for no other reason that their drinks are FABU. Try the Bahamarita or the Ultimate Pina Colada. The menu selection is not extensive, but the quality and portion size are good. I love their coconut shrimp. The island music that plays while you eat adds to the enjoyment of the adult beverages, and the outdoor seating is where it's at. I had the buttermilk chicken and garlic mashed (mmmmmm) The buttermilk flavor was amazing and the chicken was moist and delicious. Rick was our server, and he was the cream of the crop for sure. Final say: Go for some apps and cocktails any night of the week and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Justine S.

Great food. Great ambiance inside. Outside does not look that great. Service needs big space for improvement. You come in and expect to have a great time, but overall my experience was bad. No greeting when you get in, was barely checked by our waitress and when I had asked her if they can cut my burger in half. She said "We can't do it because it's lunch time and we are busy.." (Not that I couldn't cut it myself, but sometimes when the kitchen cuts it its nicer and more manageable) and i just really wish she could've come up with a better response like "We are unable to cut it due to sanitary reasons" or something.... never coming back.
(2)
Carmella M.

Island feel, live music great food and 1/2 price appetizers the day we went . The wing are HUGE and delicious ! Service was great and friendly, monthly calendars online for live music night and its just great when they open all the windows and music playing you get the whole feel of being away on vacation.
(5)
Bgs B.

I went here today and was pleasantly surprised. The food is not amazing, but it is really good, and they have a lot of choices. I had a goat cheese avocado burger - it was not a paradise pup burger, but it was very good for a chain restaurant. The best thing about this place is the atmosphere - it definitely has a Caribbean feel to it (I lived in DR, so I know). They also had live Caribbean music playing. In addition, the service was amazing. My wife ordered empanadas, and they didn't have them. However, the manager came to our table and offered another choice from the menu, for free. So we ordered tostones (fried plantains), which were OK (they put too much stuff on top of them). My wife also ordered mojo marinated pulled pork and I definitely recommend it; however, the sweet plantains (part of the order) could have been more ripe. Finally, we also ordered crisp yucca fries, you should definitely get them. If you don't know what yucca is, too bad, you should try it some time. I will be coming back to this place!
(4)
Frank A.

Really enjoyed this place! Very casual atmosphere. Decor does seem very tropical which is kinda cool. OK, let's get down to the nitty gritty... LOL First off, the service was real good. Our waitress was really attentive and did a solid job making sure we had ample napkins, drinks etc. My wife ended up ordering a strawberry pina colada, which she really enjoyed. We had the Jumbo Habanero wings. Those wings were a bit pricey until they came out. There was generous portions and they were not smallish wings either. The habanero sauce was amazing. It had the right amount of kick. For dinner, I had the Calypso Shrimp Linguine and that was also fantastic. It was a bit on the buttery side, but that's what made it really good! There were generous portions of shrimp (hate when restaurants are stingy with their ingredients). My wife ordered the seafood Paella. That was also really good. It had a mixture of rice, oysters, fish, sausage, chicken and scallops. I found myself picking on her plate. LOL. Overall, I had a solid dining experience. One thing to note is that, our dishes came out pipping hot. Almost to the point of me blowing down my food. I actually didn't mind that at all. I'd rather it come out sooner rather than later... I'd definitely go back.
(5)
Jonathan C.

Meh...... I don't know why this place is rated so high. Its like Red Lobster somehow just became cheesier (and then stopped serving teh cheddar bay biscuits because that would be too much cheese). There is plenty of fried foods (typical of chain restaurants). But they did have conch fritters which is always nice to have a reminder of my vacations in the Keys.
(2)
Bryan N.

Easily the worst Bahamas breeze I've eaten at. Horrible staff, extremely slow taking orders, delivering food, refilling drinks, and completing ticket. The good news is there isn't a wait because no one is there.
(1)
Sandra Y.

I went here for my birthday on a Saturday night back in February. I called in and made reservations in advance but they don't take reservations. They have some first call list to put your name on which kinda sounds like the same thing as reservations so I did that. I decided to give this place a second chance (finally) since I hated it the first time I came here years ago. It was just me, a date, my friend, & her bf. We had 8pm reservations but we still ended up waiting about 30 min which was expected. I just didn't like that we were sitting at the bar for that whole time with no service. So much for getting a drink before dinner :p I am glad I went though. I got the Paella... It was sooo good & a large portion! Enough for everyone at the table to pretty much eat with me. My date got the Filet Mignon. That was also very good. Well seasoned & cooked perfectly. Drinks were also good. I mostly picked this place because I wanted to pretend I was on vacation since my birthday is in winter & I was very pleased :) Anyway, the only reason I knocked off a star is because we were never served water or offered any (just because we ordered alcoholic beverages?), the food got to us before utensils, and our server took away our food when HE thought we were done, when we really weren't. Well, I wasn't & neither was my date. It was like he was watching us & the second we put down our fork to talk or something, he took our plates away before we could even say anything. I found that rude..
(4)
Ashley S.

This review is for their bar only. The bartenders were awesome! To the two young guys working at noon that Saturday... you're great. They gave my fiance and I free shots because we had just got engaged and were there getting buzzed before trying on dresses at David's Bridal across the parking lot. They even found him is soccer ("football") game to watch at the bar. They were genuinely interested in our engagement and his football team. (Chelsea!!) We are for sure going back for food and to see if they have a happy hour. The politeness and kindness of the bartenders is worth a trip back across town.
(5)
Peter R.

Me no gwan bad mout...errr wait a minute why am I speaking in Jamaican??? Sorry about that...we are talking about Bahama Breeze after all. We have been going to this restaurant for a couple of years now. Jerk Chicken Pasta is my go to dish around these parts. I honestly always get that dish whenever we decide to eat here. I don't remember getting bad service all the times we have been here so that is always a good reason to keep coming back. The tropical mixed drinks are pretty good from what I hear...I stick to beer myself. This is a nice little getaway spot to get some Carribean cuisine in the burbs.
(4)
Jean D.

The food is really good here. I usually go during the week between 4 & 6 where appetizers are 1/2 price and I end up ordering a few different ones for my meal. You can get really full for not a lot of money.
(4)
Sharon S.

Went with a bunch of friends. Got the chorizo sliders as an appetizer-those were fantastic!! Then for a meal we got the calypso shrimp linguine and the jerk chicken pasta. The linguine was awesome but the jerk chicken was eh (I'm not a huge fan of bow tie pasta, but the chicken in it was excellent!). Bahama Mama was good too ;)
(4)
Barbara O.

Not impressed. They said there was a 30 minute wait (despite plenty of empty tables) so we sat at the main bar. Terrible service. 3 bartenders, the bar was not full, and the bartender just completely ignored us. Had to call out to him 3 times to get a drink, to take our order and then to get drinks for girls sitting next to us who were waiting forever. The food was good but there are way too many places to choose from in this area rather than go somewhere with poor service. Doubt we'll be back here.
(2)
Kamila T.

The last few times I've been here I wasn't impressed - the food was good but the service was two thumbs DOWN! I mean horribly slow, cant get anything right with an attitude horrible. I will start by saying the only reason I came back was because I had a $10 coupon and thankfully we were seated in Ricky P.'s section.. Ah, attentive service with a smile, great personality, right on top of his game. What is there not to love about great service? As for the food, we had the chicken fried sliders, the veggie and chicken quesedillas, avocado shrimp crab meat stack, chowder, bow tie pasta (for the kiddo), chicken with oregano lime dipping and mashed potatoes and all the fruity drinks you could imagine. All amazing! I think I'm back on the Bahama wagon. Or is it off the wagon? Anyways, ask for Ricky P and you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Ashish S.

After being in Schaumburg for a long time, somehow we missed going to this place till we'd lunch here on Friday. The relaxed ambience, good food and the service is worthy of five stars. The only reason to take a star off is coz the drinks, while good, were not the best. Wife's spicy mojito was a little lighter and the draft beer for me was good but not awesome. But what missed on the drinks, made well on the food. The coconut shrimp was simply the best! It followed by the tilapia lunch special which was very good. Dessert was the chocolate island which was worthy of each bite. Deserves next visit soon, oh sure it does!
(4)
Samra M.

service was very slow. but the food was great! try the coconut shrimp
(3)
Dennis B.

This place was Great. I had the Butter Milk Chicken and WOW its was prepared with care and tasted very Yummy ! It was worth the 25 min wait time to receive but the Margareta was top class as well along with the flat bread with tomato's. My daughter had the lobster shrimp pasta and that also was very good. Over all a very good Dinner. We shared a chocolate mouse for desert and tho it was very good some one next to us was dining on fish and the smell of the fish was strong so it kind of took away the wow factor of enjoying this item. The waiter was very polite and you feel very welcome here as well. Very Clean and the rest rooms were just as clean and I like the idea of the mouth wash by the sink. It was a feel that I was at a very classy place in the Bahama's. Way to go Bahama Breeze !
(5)
David D.

This place has the potential to get a five star rating... That is, if they either shape up or ship out some of their underachieving servers. I went here once a couple of years ago and loved the place. I got around to visiting them again this past weekend, and though for the most part it was still an enjoyable experience, I felt that the first of our two servers was anything but a server. He took our order on a coaster. I had to repeat myself on multiple points of my order since he didn't bother to write them down the first time, and sadly, part of my order still came out wrong. Aside from that, I still love the place. The setup is geat. They have fun music playing in the background. The food is well prepared and delicious. They have lovely semi-outdoor seating for nicer weather. There is a decent selection of food and theme-ish mixed drinks. Oh, and apparently our first server ended his shift or something, which led to our much better and friendlier second server, who more than made up for the first's lackluster service. Overall, I would recommend the place to people.
(4)
Missie L.

Food and drinks are pretty good but our server Dan P. Was absolutely fantastic. Very helpful and funny. Will be returning just because of him.
(5)
Jason G.

When we arrived, the hostess said that there was a 15 minute wait. I quickly noticed that the bar area was mostly empty so we decided to sit there (There were other tables open in the dining room). The server/bartender was friendly. Food was good and was served quickly. The place has been open for years and the menu has recenlty changed. Recommend the coconut shrimp for an appetizer. This place makes you feel like you're on vacation!
(4)
Ashley C.

The Stuation: We needed a place near this location, with outdoor seating, a decent bar where the girls could catch-up, and some appetizers for those who hadn't ate yet. The Solution: A friend recommended this place. The decor is a bit much and yes a bit cheesy. I'm sure glad I don't work there and have to wear their hawaiian shirt uniform and it seems "toursity." When I saw this, I admit I was a little worried, but was pleasantly surprised. Yet, their "outdoor" area (a screened in porch type) is the best of both worlds - you get the air breeze without the bugs (a plus for half of our group including me). It is first-come, first-serve so avoid this during the rush. We got there at around 8:30 so it wasn't too crowded. It did make me feel a little bit like I was on vacation - relaxed atmosphere and there was a guitarist there playing tropical type music (still could chat). I definitely wouldn't go here if i was in a time crunch because service is on the slower side. So we went for vacation-type drinks. I had a strawberry-banana daquiri which was very tasty and not too sugary but still packed a nice punch. The Pina Colada and the Mai Tai went over well too. [Sidenote: I was also pleasantly surprised with the bill that these drinks were not overpriced.] We also ordered some appetizers to share - their Cuban bread (aka Bruschetta) and some flatbread. The Bruschetta was just ok, but the flatbread was pretty tasty. Again, reasonable bill too. I would come back, but wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
Rod D.

I got a Darden gift card for Christmas and decided to use for dinner with my girlfriend. It was either Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Long Horn or Bahama Breeze. We decided on Bahama Breeze for the mere fact that it sounded tropical and it was a place to get our minds away from the bitter winter cold. After parking, we approach the restaurant and to our delight, we noticed a nice fireplace heating the seating area by the bar. We also start to hear the same type of music we heard while arriving at the airport in the Bahamas. A great start to what would end up being a fantastic dinner. The hostess tells us that it'll be a 15 minute wait so we take the buzzer and sit down. Within 5 minutes, the buzzer goes off and we whisked away to our seats. Rarely are you ever told a time by the hostess at a restaurant and they actually beat it LOL. It was also funny that the person who brought us to our table was so excited about the jacket that my girlfriend has on. He commented on how cool the jacket was because it has speakers built into the collar. You know he was really trying to comment on how awesome my girlfriend looked Hahhaha. Anyway, we get to our table and our waitress greets us. My girlfriend asks her where the restroom was located at. One of the nicest servers you can ever meet, she walked my girlfriend to the restroom. Our server was also very nice, polite and knowledgeable about the menu. She explained all the specials, checked up on us on at all the appropriate times (not hounding us all the time like some servers do) and was just great. On to the food...simply put "YUM!". I got the Smothered Pork Tenderloin and my girlfriend got the Jamaican Jerk grilled chicken breasts. Both seemed to be normal entrees but with a Carribean zing to it. For desert, we got the Chocolate Island. OMG, this was SO yummy! Chocolate mousse and brownie with chocolate syrup. Mouth watering good. The only thing that stopped me from giving 5 stars is that you have to drive about 30 or so minutes to get to this place from Chicago. If they had one closer, I would give this place 5 stars
(4)
Joanna K.

Definitely your typical chain restaurant. But I love their food here. Their portions are extremely generous. Not to mention, their waitstaff is AWESOME. They always check on you, making sure everything is good. What I love most about this place is their pretty delicious tropical drinks! I always get one or two! Their meals here are so big that you will always go home work some leftovers. One thing that stands out the most about this place is their semi-outdoor seating. They usually have an entertainer playing some relaxing music. It almost seems as if you're on vacation. Don't we ALL need a vacation?!!! This is the place to go to pretend you are. My favorite things to get here are: - Crab Claws St. Thomas - Warm Spinach Dip & Island Chips - Cuban Sandwich - Fresh Pan-Seared Salmon Pasta (My favorite) - Frozen Bahamarita (Favorite Drink! Yum)
(4)
Terri R.

Chef special of scallops over corn cakes with jicama slaw was very good. My husband also enjoyed his meal of black grouper sauteed almond encrusted with lemon butter sauce, yellow rice and green beans. The waiter forgot the appetizer of jerk shrimp with Cuban bread, but we received for free by the manager. I wish they would have kept it because it was not that great. I had expected a little more atmosphere but the place was pretty empty when we there and no one was getting into the live music. I liked the food well enough to go back when in the area.
(4)
Dennis M.

I walked in around 7:30 on a friday night, it was packed as I expected. My friend and I waited about 20mins and we were given a table. There is a deck out there with a bar that allow people to either wait for a table or enjoy beverages while having a pub singer singing for everybody. Atmosphere is definitely a plus in Bahama Breeze. It got a bit loud, but it was all good. Start from the waiter, we had a nice greeting from the waiter. From the beginning till the end of our night, he walked by for about 4 times. For a Friday night with this rate, I have to say the service was pretty good! Food: My friend ordered the Wood- Grilled Top Sirlin Steak and she wanted a medium rare, and it came out looking like a rare to both of us. She squeezed a bit of that piece of meat, and blood was pushing out. She didn't bother to tell the waiter to remake the steak. I ordered the fresh pan-seared salmon pasta, it tasted fine, just fine. It wasn't too spectacular, guess I cannot complain about food coming from a chain restaurant. Overall, it wasn't a bad dinner for the price that I paid for.
(3)
Candice-Marie B.

Absolutely disgusting. Take a look around next time you go there and you will see it is not clean. We went on a saturday afternoon and sat at the bar. I sat down, took a look around and did not want to even order a beer but we did. We definately did not order food. Dirty plates from customers that had already left littered the bar and were never cleaned up the entire time we sat there and forced down our beers. There were dirty containers within the bar that were filled with who knows what, it was not recognizable. The floor behind the bar was FILTHY and there were discarded sugar canes on the floor. Yes, the big sugar cane sticks just thrown on the floor after she finished processing them for their juices. All I have to say is that if the place was so obviously filthy on the outside where customers can't miss it, then I do not believe anything is clean, including the spouts where the drinks come from. The counters within the bar were also dirty. The bartender was not busy either because we were the only ones in there. I decided to look over by where they cook the food and things were looking in disarray and dirty as well. I spoke with the manager and my conclusion is that the place is mismanaged while she is there. She didn't seem too concerned and she didn't seem too smart. Totally disgusting and we will NEVER go back.
(1)
Matt C.

Been to Bahama Breeze two times. I was conflicted on how many stars to give this place because I wanted to like it, and would have liked it, but ultimately was overpriced for what it delivered. To start, it was a meal for two in which we ordered two entrees ((2) Jerk chicken pasta's, (1) soup, and (2) ice tea.) The total was $49.00. The food was on par with Chili's...... Menu: 2/5 stars. The Menu is so so. I bet a lot of their dishes are pretty good, but I looked at the menu for a long....long time. Its the kind of menu where you end up settling for something and hope its not a complete disappointment. Drink Menu: Fantastic but overpriced 3/5 The place: The outdoor seating is the way to go. Has a fake fire pit and has a nice feel to it. Indoors is nice but nothing special. Service. 4/5 Drinks were kept full and the food came fast. We are not needy. Staff was very friendly. Food: 3/5 the first time I got a burger and it was very good. The jerk chicken was really good as well. Nothing amazing though. Like I said. Its not bad, but its not worth the $13-18 per plate. The place is not a good value and the bitter taste of getting gouged overshadowed the soso food.
(2)
Elizabeth W.

Today was my very first time at the Bahama Breeze, and I will have to come back! I met my husband on his lunch break, and as he only gets an hour, we were conscious of the time. Not only was the staff very friendly, but our order was taken and our food delivered with enough time to get the hubby back on time! My husband ordered the chicken kabob which was large and came on a huge bed of rice. I got a chicken sandwich which may sound plain, but it was of the best chicken sandwiches I have had in a long time! The mayonnaise on the sandwich had a flavorful sweet taste to it when combined with the saltiness of the bacon and cheese gave it that awesome mix of sweet and savory. I have to admit that the best part of the meal was, by far, my 6 month old son's side of cinnamon mashed sweet potatoes! These potatoes were so tasty (and came with large plantain chips that I ate of course) that I would come back to BB just for them. I also am interested in coming back to BB for their drink menu! They had so many tempting looking drinks that meeting my hubby AFTER work may be a better idea next time. The cons: even though the food was good, the average price on the lunch menu was about $9-10. Also, for people that do not like coconut, the menu is much smaller. If the food isn't coconut encrusted, it is in a coconut sauce, or the drink is mixed with coconut rum. Lucky for me, I happen to like coconut ;)
(4)
Jen S.

A friend invited a group of us out to Bahama Breeze. Perhaps I'm a bit biased, because I knew right off the bat that I don't like tacky theme restaurants, but I figured I could diverge from my usual beer snobbery for a night and have some mojitos. We sat down at two tables in front of the small stage where a guy played "island-y" covers. The first thing I noticed (while wishing for silence) was the light above the ceiling fan. The rotation of the fan blades effectively turned it into a bit of a strobe light, causing me to wonder if I might suddenly develop epilepsy. I ordered a mojito cubano, and it was apparently a good choice. I say this because a friend at the table made the unfortunate decision of ordering a strawberry mojito, a drink that should be made with muddled strawberries, not strawberry pucker. It tasted exactly like Pez candy. Another friend ordered a habanero lime chelada, which is supposed to be spicy and was not in the least bit spicy. Same for the spicy mango mojito - it was certainly sickly sweet, but no discernable heat. To eat, I ordered the Jamaican grilled chicken breast, as it was one of the cheaper items on the menu. It was juicy and flavorful, but jerk seasoning is supposed to be spicy. Once again, mild enough for a child to eat. I'm sure you're thinking at this point that I'm some of hot food fiend, but I actually prefer the milder side of the spice scale. Perhaps the drinks were sugared up and the food was "mild-ed" down to appeal to the middle-aged suburban clientele that seems to frequent this place. The painful evening was prolonged when we asked for our checks, as several of them were wrong and it took a while to get them corrected. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
(2)
Amanda M.

The drinks were great! Would have loved to have had a 2nd, but our waiter never came by others til we were ready to go (after a LONG 2 hours). There were 3 of us and we ordered appetizers - conch fritters and beef empanadas. The fritters were not good, but the empanadas were. Two people ordered mediocre fish dishes. I had the shrimp curry which i only took a few bites of. The waiter didn't even put in our entree order until we'd been sitting for awhile after finishing the appetizers. As we were leaving, the manager dropped in and asked how our meal was. I honestly told him the food was mediocre and not worth spending 2 hours of our time for lousy service. His response: "nobody told me!" and he acted defensive. My thought is that I'm telling you now. His solution was to ask us to WAIT so he could get us some vouchers for a return visit. Uh, no thanks. We were not going to wait even longer for vouchers to eat the crummy food.
(1)
ann s.

More like just okay, barely. Two stars and small change. I'm rounding up. I don't usually review chains, and we were taken here and treated for a meal, so I don't want to be ungrateful or ungenerous in my review, but... First off, having just spent a week in the real tropics, not the Isle of Schaumburg, I still had a taste for a chelada or michelada--so I ordered a "spicy mango chelada." When it came, it was sort of pale green and tasted vaguely of mint, and came with the remains of a tiny 7 oz. Corona bottle. Sort of like a baby beer mojito. Now, I know what a mango tastes like, and I didn't detect any of that flavor in my drink at all. Nor was it in any way spicy. Me (to waitress): Are you sure you brought me a spicy mango chelada? I don't see or taste any mango. It tastes like mint. Waitress: Yes, I brought you the right drink. You may not know this, but mango is a tropical fruit . It can seem strange and exotic, and sometimes renders itself invisible to those who would eat jerk near the mall (paraphrasing here--she said something that sounded like she was suggesting that I might be some sort of shut-in who had never tasted anything more exotic than white bread). Me: Really? Because it tastes like mint. Waitress (reluctantly): Well, I guess I could take it back for you...(she didn't). Other than that, I ordered grilled fish "painted with jerk sauce." Fish was properly cooked, jerk sauce was sticky-sweet, more like barbecue sauce. They were kind enough to substitute a vegetable for the starchy sides on offer, but the broccoli was cooked to death. In all, it was a pretty bland dish. It did come with a few slices of fried plantain, which was nice. The jerk chicken pasta dish was the attraction for our generous hosts. I didn't try it, but I trust that it might be very tasty. Also, just a personal note...didn't we used to go to chain restaurants because, while the food wasn't that great, meals were sort of cheap? Now it seems like most of the entrees in these places run about $14-$18. Not cheap enough for food that rarely rises above inoffensive.
(3)
Arlene G.

havent been here in a long time so went here last night with a group of friends. food was wonderful as usual and out waitress, stephanie, was sooooo nice! strawberry mojito & seafood paella was FANTASTIC! we sat in the patio are bythe pit and it felt like i was on vacation with the caribbean music playing in the background & the wind blowing in. what a great place in schaumburg! will keep coming back here!
(5)
Rebecca M.

If only Bahama Breeze hired friendlier, more attentive staff... then I would definitely give them four stars. But there's no way I'll ever let the servers prevent me from coming here. Their island decor is fab, their food is delicious, the island decor is fab, the prices are right on, their drinks are tropical and did I mention the island decor is fab? Nice job making me feel like I'm in paradise when actually only a wall stands between me in my tropical getaway and the sub-zero temps. The jumbo wings on the appetizer menu are really good - spicy, but good. They would absolutely suffice as a meal too. I've had the Cuban sandwich which is tasty and they have a decent burger as well.
(3)
Pari S.

Friday night and I'm hungry!!! But I need to get away... first place I think of is Bahama Breeze. Why? cus it makes me feel like I am really away from "real life" and on a island for a few hours. The atmosphere, the decor really helps bring out the place... On top of that, the food is YUM here. Lots of variety... from chicken, to pasta, to seafood, soups and salad. Went here with my hunnie... it appeared busy, but the wait was not long at all. We were seated pretty quick.. and our waiter was very attentive. We ordered some habanero chicken wings... as our appetizer. Good size... 8 large wings for about $10. It was yummy.. it came with a really good sour cream that u can dip with, to help cool off the hotness from the habanero. I have to admit there were lots i wanted to try... but I tried the seafood paella. I just have to say... YUMMO!!! I can go here all the time and jus order this. My hunnie ordered the Calypso shrimp linguine... which i had a taste. Very fresh... and just melts in your mouth. Of course we will be returning here... cus there are lots more we want to try... so yes, I would definitely go again!!!
(5)
K. M.

This place made me feel like I was back on an island. We went for lunch to enjoy the weather and we were so happy. If you go I highly recommend sitting outside. The whole feel of the outside seating will help you forget everything. I had the burger and it was amazing! I tried the burger with no ketchup or cheese and was surprise with all the flavor. Their was so much flavor on the burger you do not need any condiments. I highly recommend keeping the pickles on it and taking off the onions. Amazing!! The service was great. Our glasses were always full and our waiter was happy to answer all our questions. This place is great for a work meeting, adult birthday party or a girlfriend get together.
(5)
Sid B.

Sit outside near the fire. live music and small plates with wine.
(5)
Prince V.

Had the special. Salmon and tiger shrimp. Very good. Very filling. $17. Service great. Pina colada was good too. Firecracker shrimps as appetizers were very tasty. Lot of food options. More drinks.
(4)
Deepak N.

Has potential. Nice waitress. Bad ambiance - kinda gloomy inside. Food was ok. Nothing memorable enough to go back.
(2)
Jennifer Q.

Food was excellent! I had the coconut shrimp and many of my friends had the paella! The chocolate tower was a dessert fave! The service could have been a little better, but in fairness to our server, I think he was the only one in our room serving several large parties. I just seemed that he would come by and then we wouldn't see him for quite a while. All in all, the food is really, really good. This is a really nice place with a cool, unique menu and I really liked the live performer to add to the "island" vibe!
(4)
Dameon G.

This place is one of the best I have been too / am glad that there is only one in Illinois
(5)
Nicole G.

We hosted a baby shower here in the back area for about 40-50 people. The space was perfect for our party, with one space to dine and another space to open gifts and serve cake. The lunch we had from a choice of three dishes was very delicious (with a salad to start). The staff were very helpful throughout our meal and at the end when we carried gifts and decorations to our cars. They really went out of their way to be accommodating to our party, and we really appreciated their good service. If you are interested in hosting a larger party as we did, I would highly recommend Bahama Breeze for the great food, space, and service.
(5)
Food Nazi A.

A bartender from another restaurant recommended this place along with their buttermilk fried chicken breast dish. I finally got a chance to stop in and check it out with my GF and it didn't disappoint one bit! The ambience was all island decor and the music made you feel like you were in the islands and was really relaxing! Got to sit in the enclosed patio area near the outdoor fireplace (which wasn't on) since it was nice out so the windows were opened and fans blowing to make patrons comfortable. The drink menu, food menu and desserts all looked inviting and based on island cuisine and spirits. Our appetizer was the firecracker shrimp and it was delicious! plenty of shrimp for two served with the firecracker dipping sauce was an excellent start!! I went with the dish that was recommended to me and it too was awesome!! Not overly spicy and cooked just right! Definitely a must go and will be coming back again to try more dishes!!!
(5)
James M.

I have driven past Bahama Breeze many times but never stopped. I was given a gift card and thought I would give their food a try. I thought it was great. I'll be back even without a gift card. I thought the prices were fare, the quality of food was good, everything was fresh and our waitress was very efficient.
(4)
Jeff R.

I really like this place. Don't exactly know the reason, but the fresh fruit mojitos sure help! Good food and service combined with a great bar & bartenders make me want to return often. We sat at the bar and had a couple drinks when our buzzer rang. The bartender heard me comment to my wife that I wish it would have been a little longer wait because I was enjoying the drinks at the bar. He went to the hostess and delayed our seating for about 30 minutes! He even asked us to stop back for an after dinner drink when we were done. Cool place that you have to try with friends.
(4)
gard c.

I took my mother inlaw here on her lastnight in the US. It was kinda late on a Monday night so there was no wait(on weekends theres always a wait). I ordered for her as she is not familiar with the food or the drinks. She really loved her Bahamarita! I cannot say enough good things about this drink. Its frozen with Mango, Kiwi and Strawberry layers and to top it off you get a side car of tequila. I tried the Pink Chelada (which is ex-rated- what ever that means) and it was so light and refreshing. I would def want to have it again. It was supper time so we just had appetizers. You cannot go wrong with the Coconut Onion Rings which are huge and you get a ton of them. They come with a honey mustard dip and a spicey tomato cream dip. I loved the Fire Roasted Shrimp w Cuban Bread; I want it right now. Anyone want to join me tonight?
(4)
Ellen A.

Pretty good for a chain place. Cute theme. Finally tried the place as it is a bit out of the way for me. Firstly, wonderful server - Nancy. Very attentive, not overbearing. Thanks. The drinks, very good and good price point. Had the rum punch and iced tea. Conch fritters were ok. Fish tacos very good with the best yellow rice and outstanding black beans. Chef's special of grilled salmon, grilled tiger shrimp, corncakes and veggie medley was soooo tasty. Only thing that disappointed was the lack of chimichurri on the shrimp. The very small amount was very good, wish there had been a bit more. We will certainly try it again, but only when in the area.
(4)
Grace M.

Went here once and got food poisoning. I would never go here again. The food wasn't spectacular and we were both sick all night. Definitely not worth a second try.
(1)
Minu B.

I am one of those people that love to sit at the bar and have appetizers and drinks. First of all, I have to comment on the staff, they are absolutely amazing! Erasmo, Casey, Samantha and James have all been my bartenders and make fabulous drinks. They will take the time to customize drinks to your taste buds, especially since they juice all the fruit/citrus fresh with every drink. As for the food, I usually only order the appetizers (1/2 price during happy hour M-F between 4-6pm) as I like to eat a bit of a couple of dishes instead of one big one. Absolute favorite: skillet simmered jerk shrimp, YUM! Some of my other favorites-coconut shrimp, jumbo lump crab stack, beef empanadas and lobster and shrimp quesadillas. Last time I was in(yesterday), they were out of the dessert I ordered and Eric the manager came by to apologize and then proceeded to give us a $10 gift card. Definitely not necessary but so much appreciated. This is a great place in the suburbs to go and hang out with a group of friends. Will go back soon.
(4)
Stella B.

it's a treat to go here, really great establishment for casual dining & gatherings. personally i think they're a little over-priced but they do give you good portions. their drinks are pretty amazing & food is great! beautiful decor & the fire pit is nice! employees are super nice & very accommodating with children.
(4)
T A.

My experience with this restaurant was so horrible, it moved me to make an account on yelp and share. First off, I love the food here and if you like fun, frozen drinks at a reasonable price, Bahama Breeze is for you. Aside from those things, I would have given this place about 4 stars but my "beef' with this particular location is the fact that the servers are incapable of following direction. I recently went to this restaurant with my boyfriend to have dinner, celebrate Christmas, and exchange gifts. The meal was pretty good and our server was decent. When it came time to pay the $60 bill, I had given our server $40.00 in cash and requested that the remaining part of the bill be charged to the debit card. Our server proceeded to pocket the $40.00 cash and charge me the whole amount. Being preoccupied with Christmas presents, I had overlooked the $40.00 cash was not deducted from the bill before we left and I didn't realize what happened until the next day when I found that I had overdraft fees! Not only did I find out my server had stolen my money, but she also charged me twice! I realize I am at fault for not looking over my bill before signing, but the problem is that this has happened more than once with a different server at this location, I was just lucky enough to catch it the first time. I had requested our bill be split with half cash, half on a credit card. The server pocketed my cash and charged the full amount on my credit card. The worst part was having to sit there for 20 minutes, waiting for him to return to the table to dispute the charge. Since he took so long, I had to walk around the restaurant to find him and then tell him to correct the bill. I regarded this as human error and continued to dine here. Bottom line is I realize I should have paid more attention to the bill and I'm never going to see my $40.00 again. However, for this to occur more than once with two different servers, something is very wrong here. When I found out about being overcharged and the missing money, I called the restaurant and spoke to Jennifer, the manager on staff at the time. This is where I have my second problem with this location. The customer service was terrible and there was no attempt made to better the situation. I asked if there was a way for her to get in contact with my server and she explained to me that she was the manager and had no way of contacting her employee. She stated that I had a large party and that's why this problem occurred (it was my boyfriend and I, we came in around 5 pm, there was one other group of people sitting at a table in the dinning room). I also explained that it does not make any sense to leave such a large tip on a $60 bill, she told me I was only accusing her servers and dismissed me. Needless to say, I used to enjoy coming to this restaurant and the food was great. Because the service is so terrible and the management has no conflict resolution skills, I am left with a bitter taste in my mouth and will no longer be returning to any other their locations. I did email corporate, I received an email saying they have sent me a letter in the mail to the address provided. They haven't made an attempt to do anything about the situation either, but I guess that's expecting too much.
(1)
Brian G.

Great place! Went there on 6/12/10 around 6 pm. No wait for us - though the place was just about at that point where they would have a wait. Not that it was a problem, but if you want to eat there without a wait, 6:00 pm. Yes, I know, that's senior citizen time, go ahead and make fun of me. Our server was Lisa - Ask for her, she is AWESOME! Talk about great service from her. Checked in on us at the right times, timed our orders perfectly, refilled our drinks as needed, and just an all around awesome person. We ordered the Chicken Santiago and Jerk Chicken Pasta - an appetizer of Coconut Shrimp as well. We live out in Aurora, but will drive out to Schaumburg because of their coconut shrimp. The best we have had in Illinois - 2nd to that only of some that we had in Key West, FL. The Jerk Chicken pasta was great - my wife had it without asparagus and mushrooms. Apparently she hates veggies. My Chicken Santiago was great as well. The chicken was a bit over cooked around one edge, but other than that it was good. The overall environment at this place is just fantastic. Their drink menu is pretty big - and creative. It's ok to not be so manly here and have a scotch or something bitter - you can have a fruity chick drink in peace; no one will make fun of you here. The reason for the 4 stars versus 5. 1. Over the years, the menu has shrunk considerably. Maybe new a new chef? Maybe they saw a chef Ramsey episode and realized a big menu can be a bad thing... sometimes Ramsey is wrong, you know. 2. The fruit on your drink is a little tiny. I know Pineapple is expensive - especially the really good stuff direct from the Dole Plantation in Hawaii. I am willing to pay a premium for a larger and awesome quality piece of fruit on my drink. I making this sound worse than it is, but it's fair to say that others probably agree (maybe not many, but some.) 3. Crab legs!!! Your seafood menu is a bit lacking - also, no crab legs. :-(
(4)
Dan B.

My wife and I ordered the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Cilantro Chicken. All I can say is not good. The chicken reminded me of the kind of chicken you used to get on airplanes...microwaved, and almost gummy. My wife actually got sick at the restaurant and I got mildly sick at home later. I will say this, good Mojitos and good service, just plain lousy food.
(1)
Bezzka B.

I absolutely love that place!!! Great food, inexpensive, good atmosphere, good stuff. Their salads are very tasty, pick up any and you gonna love it! I absolutely love seafood paella. They bring it on a huge hot metallic plate...mmmmmmm... So yammi! My hubby likes their meat. Definitely good place to go!
(5)
Varsha L.

I have only eaten here once, I had the pizza, it was ok , the mousse dessert is really good. They do have a lot of different drinks, they are good, kinda watered down though! Its a cute place for the burbs but not really a fan of their food!
(3)
Eliza W.

Bahama Breeze has a fun atmosphere and great food. A friend and I went for lunch, and we started out with the spinach dip and island chips. The dip was excellent, and the chips even had plantains mixed in. : ) For our main dish we both had tilapia, mine was pan seared with mango and her's was cooked with shrimp. Both very tasty, with choice of sides. The fresh veggies and mashed potatoes both complimented the fish nicely. Would definitely return.
(5)
Murisa D.

Today was my fifth visit to Bahama Breeze and their food and service have yet to let me down. We started with the Jamaican Jerk Chicken wings as our appetizer. And let me tell you, I was full after those. The wings are HUGE. They are not your dinky little Buffalo Wild Wings. I think they killed and grilled four chickens for that plate of appetizers. They were crunchy on the outside and delicate on the inside. Perfect. Next were our entrÃ©es. My boyfriend had the Pan Seared Salmon Pasta. This was a bow tie pasta dish in a creamy passion fruit sauce with spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, basil and, of course, salmon. It was a flavorful and somewhat sweet dish. Very delicious. Even the garlic bread was perfectly grilled-somewhat crunchy crust and soft middle. I had the Grilled Fresh Salmon Tostada salad. This is the second or third time that I have enjoyed this dish at Bahama Breeze. On the bottom of the plate are two crunchy tostadas with melted cheese. They are topped with lettuce, corn, avocado and salmon with other toppings that I can't think of right now. This salad feels heavenly in my mouth. My taste buds go crazy with this delicious mix of vegetable and fish. I would highly recommend this dish. For desert we ordered the pineapple upside down cake. HEAVEN on a plate. It's a chocolate cake with fudge filling and a sweet raspberry sauce on the plate to dip the cake into. I recommend trying this as well. It was absolutely delectable. My usual go-to drink at this restaurant is their house special called Aruba Red. It's a red amber beer. It's a rich yet smooth tasting beer. Try if if you're a beer person. I have never had any of their mixed drinks. But each of my visits are accompanied by Aruba Red. The service was pretty good too. We were immediately seated upon entering and our server appeared only a minute after we sat down. We placed our appetizer and drink order right away since we had been here before and know what we prefer. The appetizer appeared about ten minutes after that. Overall I have always had a positive and uplifting experience at Bahama Breeze. It tends to get my mind off the daily grind with the relaxing atmosphere.
(5)
Jeff K.

Great food and service. My jambalaya was cook perfectly, and the staff was very friendly to us despite the larger number of guests. I was afraid that this place is going to be just another fancy Applebee's, but this place offers the charms of small restaurants with a dash of class.
(4)
Jessica D.

Significant other and I were rambling about looking for a good and new spot to have lunch at on a Sunday. This turned out to be almost a mini vacation to somewhere tropical and beautifully appointed. Think the Tommy Bahama restaurants. The staff was friendly and attentive, the decor just left me with tons to look at and examine. The cute little store was fun on the way out. Oh and the food was a little key wester-ish (Naperville) but in a pre-fab way. All around we had a good time, especially with the tropical drink offerings! A should try for something fun, different, and whenever a vacation's not in the cards for a while.
(3)
Michael S.

Love It. Salmon Tostad salad is great. They have the best chicken tortilla soup I have ever come across. Great drinks as well. Good Key Lime Pie. I guess I like the overall vibe of this place. Close your eyes and drink a few of there beverages and you will almost feel like you are on vacation for a minitue. Btw try there Aruba Beer.....very good
(4)
Jane T.

I had high expectations for this place since my boyfriend seemed to love it, so we stopped by for dinner after a bit of shopping in the area. We asked to be seated in the "outdoor" patio, which was really just an indoor patio with lots of huge windows and fans. It's nice not have to fight off bugs. The area was first-come-first-serve so we grabbed a seat, then proceeded to wait while servers brought menus and took drink orders for everyone else who grabbed a table AFTER we did. I was getting agitated at this point - we almost walked out. I mean really, can we even get menus?! It was 8:30 and we were hungry! Finally, after watching the wait staff play around with each other and service everyone else .. menus!!! Our drinks arrived and mine was TERRIBLE. How can you mess up a mojito? It was just awful. My boyfriend had their pina colada special with the strawberry stuff in it and that was good. Our Coconut Shrimp appetizer was blah, neither one of us liked it. The sauce they served with it was bitter. Our entrees came and mine was a huge disappointment. I ordered a pasta dish which would've tasted OK if the pasta wasn't mushy. The texture was like pasta that had been boiled in old pasta water ... yuck! My boyfriend had the ribs which were decent. If I do go back, I'll definitely order something else. What a huge disappointment everything was. The only salvation was our waiter, he was extremely pleasant and accommodating. He's also the reason why I'm not giving this place 1 star.
(2)
Kameron J.

So last night, I had the best dining experience and thought I'd share with my fellow Yelpers. I have been going to Bahama Breeze in Schaumburg for the past 6 or 7 years, because the food is great! Especially my favorite, the Jerk Chicken Pasta (hold the asparagus please). But last night was a little different than the norm. I had always had 'good service' there before, but last night a waitress by the name of 'Marina' blew those good experiences out of the water. Marina made me feel like I was dining a four star restaurant. She was super alert, and was always a step ahead of the things I needed (which should be customary for most good servers that are still out there, but let's be honest - service isn't what it use to be). Marina was very personable and made me and my guests feel like we were the most important people in the restaurant - even though he section was totally full. Bravo - Bahama Breeze, for having such a gem like Marina there to represent your restaurant. Good service goes a very long way for us Midwest people that work hard for our money and want to feel appreciated that we are spending those hard-earned dollars in your establishment. Karen, the manager, even came over and asked how we enjoyed our food. And that was the icing on the cake. My hat goes off to the entire staff at BB and I look forward to my next trip there... Only if I get to sit in the Marina section though!
(5)
Lauren R.

Gets a bit too crowded and they host single nights which is a bit weird but otherwise great food and service.
(4)
Damian C.

I have attempted for 2 years to go to Bahama Breeze with my Ohio friends. Back in Cleveland (Beachwood), the restaurant is constantly packed at all hours that it is next to impossible to actually get in without waiting close to forever. I even had a gift card to the restaurant that had never been used. When I found out there was one in Schaumburg, I jumped on the opportunity to go. And I really, really wanted to love this place. And I did last night...but had a few reservations about it this morning. The setup itself was great. Nice decor, great views, lots of space in between tables. I can appreciate a restaurant that doesn't give me a side of every other table's conversations with my meal. The booth itself was slightly disappointing, though. The seats were way too low, and the table way too high. I actually felt like a small child peering over the kitchen counter while my mom baked cookies. In a freakish coincidence, the waitstaff appeared to have a height restriction of 5'10" or over, so it was slightly intimidating. The food itself was great, too. Since I spent most of my work day salivating over the menu choices, I pretty much had my entire meal (and drink) planned out (when I actually got there, I made a few changes). We started out with the spinach artichoke dip (delicious) and a mojito (weak, but tasty). I ordered the Jamaican Jerk Chicken with black bean sauce for my meal (amazing) with cinnamon mashed potatoes on the side (HEAVEN!). Everything tasted great and I could not complain about the food. I mean, you can never go wrong with chicken as a safety meal. Or can you? Though the restaurant and meal experience was great, I share a similar feeling of one previous reviewer. Whether it was the mojito, the dip, the meal, or the grande caramel apple cider I got from Starbucks later that night, something did not sit right. In other words, I am glad I have great coworkers who are supportive of me no matter what the circumstances. Bottom line: definitely take a look into this place, but maybe on a weekend when you aren't in cubicle-land (or when you know you have a big stock of Pepto!)
(4)
Aio R.

If you love wings, this is the place to go. We asked for 2 orders of wings cause we were ssoooo hungry and when it came out I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike most places with the appetizer-sized wings, these are normal-sized chicken pieces. Loved it! Also, if you have enough room for dessert, you have to try their pineapple chocolate molten cake. The combo of chocolate cake, pineapple, brandy cream sauce... *sigh* it makes me happy.
(4)
Paul S.

Went here for my birthday with a group of 12 people. We had great appetizers, good food and I swear some of the best drinks i have ever had. Their version of the bahamarita & the ultimate pina colada are so good you forget there is alchohol in them. our bill was way under what we expected & we all left feeling much better than we expected.
(5)
Phil S.

This place has very good food and a fun atmosphere. It helps a lot when living in the midwest to dine out at a place that has a tropical theme. Service is usually always good, servers included. I've never had any complaints about the food or drinks either. From time to time it feels as if the wait times on food become long at times which I wouldn't consider them to be busy or days that overall foot traffic is slow but the food never disappoints so it becomes worth it
(4)
Never M.

First I love the atmosphere in this place. It really does feel like the Bahamas inside. The service was outstanding. The music was REAL island music they even played No, No, No by Dawn Penn lol. The food? This place is an abomination to the Bahamian culture. I don't know who owns these chains but they MUST be American, they have no idea what they're doing. I ordered "spicy jerked wings". This was mildest and sweetest jerk I had ever tasted, then the wings were these huge roided' up monstrosities. Some of the wings were also VERY undercooked which I found out after I got home. I gave them to my brother who finished cooking them. He murdered them. I had some flatbread pizza that was ok. I won't even give the "drinks" my attention. Dont get me wrong, I ain't sayin that everything on the menu has to be authentic, it's cool to put an American spin on somethings, but jerk chicken should never be sweet or mild. And where's the johnny cakes? How do you call yourself "Bahama" Breeze with no johnny cakes on the menu? I so wanted to love this place. It's really an attractive place when you live in a cold climate. I'll give them another try when I'm in Florida they're on every corner there. Maybe they have a better grasp on things. Wish me luck......
(1)
George B.

Overall, pretty good for one of the Darden chain restaurants. If you haven't been to Bahama Breeze before, it is very similar to Red Lobster (no surprise... Darden owns them too), but with a more "relaxed" Caribbean themed menu. Servicewise, I had a great waitress who did her best to serve my table. My glass of iced tea never ran out. Foodwise, I enjoyed my paella, Bahama Breeze has very generous portions, and some of their dishes could easily be split and serve 2 people. One tip: if you want to try Bahama Breeze, but are afraid of it being overly full of tourists, try going during the middle of the week in winter. Overall, I had a good time and would recommend this place.
(4)
Maren B.

This is your typical chain restaurant, olive garden clone with a bahamian twist... This particular location I really like mainly because of the convenience - close to my house, great prices, and there's almost always a free spot at the bar if you're not looking for a full-on meal. I like to stop here just to grab a drink and relax - like if I'm not looking for a crazy party night. I happen to love tropical drinks and they have a huge variety to choose from (try the bushwhacker). The best part is the prices though - I didn't realize until the second or third time of going here that I was getting a major deal. Most of the drinks are about 6-9 dollars and you don't get gypped either. The food is pretty good also, I'm not crazy about seafood although I'm sure they would do a good job with it. I always get the jerk chicken pasta which is satisfying and delicious. They also have the option of a "lighter portion" if you don't want to be a total piggie - and I usually have leftovers even from that. All in all, I would highly recommend this place. It's not that it's so amazing or wonderful but you would have to be incredible picky to find a reason to truly dislike it (kind of like Olive Garden haha)
(4)
Michael D.

Went with my wife and some of her family members. It wasn't my choice so I planned on not wearing my analytical hat for the night. I don't know.. What is the difference between this place and Red Lobster and Olive Garden? Answer: a beach theme. The food is pretty good. I had the Mahi Mahi grilled, the portion was a little bigger than a deck of cards... I should have gotten the Tuna. We had Chorizo sliders for an app which were flavorful. But ultimately, I found myself wondering why we waited 45min for a table at a mediocre restaurant? I guess I'm just not crazy about chain restaurant. There doesn't appear to be any love in the food. I'll probably go back for drinks, but if I had a choice I would stay away.
(2)
Brandy B.

We go here for the Chicken Tortilla Soup and that's it. They deliver every time! Five stars for that. Delish. We can pass on everything else here. The "specials" are always the same. Staff has always been friendly.No complaints there.
(5)
Jacob J.

I've had drinks a few times on occasion. Nice place to bring a party of friends. As big as the place is, its kept at a moderate temperature consistently. Men's room is so very clean, I am always surprised at a place that has finely decorated bathrooms. They've got lotion, nicer brand soap and breath refresher all offered free without an attendant to tip. The fruity drinks remind me VERY much of Hala Kahiki, many of the same name drinks are served. I usually won't drink very many fruity (Alc)drinks, (dependent on the bartender) at times they can taste too concentrated leaving an acidic feeling. The mixed reviews here are shared by myself and friends, while I think the place is ok for a once in awhile. I have friends that find the food plain and the mixed alcoholic drinks lacking.
(3)
Matt M.

The food isn't anything to write home about either way at this place. The service, however, is absolutely laughable. It doesnt seem like there is anyone in this place that has any clue what is going on. They are all perpetually lost, slow, and slightly confused. Its actually funny for the first 15 minutes. After which, it gets old and you have a sense of being violated by bad service and airline food. This place is crap.
(2)
Heather U.

The first time I went there was when my husband took me there on our anniversary. I walked in and right off the bat I was like hello bahama's lol. I mean yes the service was slow because they were jammed packed but our waiter was always appolgiizing and we understood jammed and short staffed but we were never treated badly. And the food there was excellent and even though it was busy as could be I'm not one to blame the people who are there trying to serve you when there short handed. So yes I know I'd be back for the excellent food and I would totally give them a chance.
(3)
N D.

After living in the area for over 10 years and driving past this place often, we decided to give it a try and am glad we did. We went a bit early (6pm) on a Sunday. We were seated right away, our server (Alex) was attentive and friendly. Appetizers were great-LOVE the caribbean bread and the corn cakes. Fish tacos were great, very fresh and not fried as they usually are at most places. Large variety of tropical drinks to choose from and my husband really enjoyed the house ale. Will def go back!
(4)
Jeff C.

Not much island spirit flowing on the afternoon of May 10th, 2008. We had the patio/deck reserved for a group of approximately 70 people, for a timeslot of 1-4pm. 1-4pm - not exactly "high tide" for BB on a Saturday afternoon. Our manager (wet blanket) was Jennifer. Our party was a baby shower for one of our friends - and we had planned a special program that included music. Jennifer crashed down on us like a wave by saying we couldn't amplify our music (guitars) despite it being a room that was totally closed off from the main dining room. She said something about them NEEDING to play their own music over their music system. The manager on duty, Jennifer, asked our party to leave 30 minutes earlier than 4pm, as she cited that we weren't "ordering enough" food, and that they needed the patio/deck space for customers. As I looked around the room, I saw most tables of 4 ordering 3-4 entrees per table, along with drinks. I walked over to the main dining room and saw it less than half filled. Come on Jennifer, are you serious? Our particular type of party weren't ones that were really going to order it up in terms of alcohol, or complete meals of appetizers/entree/dessert - but BB should've appreciated that we took a usually dead timeslot of 1-4pm. I have a feeling that seeing this, Jennifer thought she was doing the right thing by the restaurant to limit the amount of time we could have in our room. However, the only real thing she achieved that day was unleashing a frigid cold wave on 60+ people who were anticipating island breezing. Needless to say, we won't be back.
(1)
Paige W.

As much as I hate to admit that I've found love in suburban Hell, stepping into the coastal oasis that is Bahama Breeze truly felt like a tropical vacation. A trio of ladies on my staff, including myself, are currently experiencing love on the rocks, so we took a long lunch to decompress. Next to the plantation-style architecture of this place, even the nearby Red Lobster (ugh) was dwarfed in comparison. Glorious interior decor, with slow-spinning fans and lofted ceilings. I really did feel like I was at a resort. Our cabana boy of a server explained the jist of the restaurant -- as if it weren't obvious -- and left us to decide on drinks and our lunches. One of the girls had a shrimp appetizer that looked and smelled like a scampi. It came with a full loaf of warm bread to soak up all the butter sauce, which you'd better believe she used all of. Another had the fresh tilapia, grilled and served with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. And I ordered a cheeseburger, which changed my life. It was the same cheeseburger you can get at any restaurant, I'm sure, but from the toasted and buttered bun down to the crispy bacon and melted American cheese, it was beefy perfection the likes of which I haven't experience in quite some time. I also had a side of fruit in lieu of french fries. Beautiful fresh-cut pineapple with deep purple grapes, strawberries and a little scoop of orange sherbet. It was a nice, refreshing addition to the plate. Overall, a really classy haven I didn't expect to find in the middle of a strip of used-car dealerships and other chain restaurants. I would go back in a heartbeat -- the next time I have an hour and a half for lunch!
(4)
Patricia K.

Bahama Breeze - where have you been all my life? First thing's first - the drinks. OMG, they are delicious and STRONG! I had the Pineapple-Coconut Martini, leaving no drop behind. I may or may not have debated licking the glass. And judging from the reactions of everyone else at our table, their drinks were equally as strong as mine. For an appetizer, we ordered the coconut shrimp and veggie quesadillas. Both were tasty and left our mouths watering for the entrees. For the main event, I ordered the chicken kabobs. The chicken and veggies were perfectly cooked and laid over delicious yellow rice. While there was nothing revolutionary about the entree, I really did enjoy its simplicity. I also had a bite of the buttermilk fried chicken. Wow, it was amazing. The chicken absorbed a lot of the flavorings from the bed of potatoes, yummy sauce and veggies below. I stole more than a few forkfulls :) And finally, the dessert... I ordered the banana supreme which was a combo of banana bread, vanilla ice cream, sliced up bananas and caramel sauce. Hello heaven! The only thing keeping me from throwing down a five-star review is a big one --- the service SUCKED. Our waitress was hands down negligent of our table. To give you specifics - upon being seated, it took her over 15 minutes to come over and ask us for a drink order. At that time, she should have taken our appetizer order and even started to but then walked away, leaving us for another 15 minutes. We finally put in our app order and someone else brought it out shortly thereafter but our waitress was again missing and our entrees orders were not taken for nearly 30 minutes after our appetizers came out. Finally we had to flag down another employee to get our waitress to come back. She then came back, no apologies, acting as if nothing was wrong. We placed our orders and requested refills and glasses of water only to wait again. It wasn't long after that when they brought out the entrees, which were delicious but that may have been the last time we saw our waitress until the end of the meal. We had to again flag someone down to place a dessert order. It was just awful. Everyone else was really pleasant and once a nearby waitress realized we were struggling getting our orders, she did take the time to check in on us and pick up where her coworker fell short.
(4)
Tim Y.

Food was mediocre, but left a lasting impression. Three of four at our table came down with a bad case of toilet envy. I don't think much more detail needs to go into that particular experience. It was seafood.... I just can't muster enough courage to go back. Every time I drive by, certain muscle groups clench tight and I get that woozy feeling...
(1)
Jim L.

Cheesy! Cheesy! And did I mention the plastic palm trees and the terrible colored walls? And the men's bathroom was SoooooBad!! Fortunately my date didn't check out the ladies' room. Drinks were pricey; food passable to ok; service nowhere to be found either to place our order, or even after asking for the check when we finished. First time I thought about becoming a walkout........they didn't care about us, OR our money.
(1)
Michael M.

A couple years ago, my girl received a gift card that could be used at Olive Garden or Bahama Breeze. I am so happy we decided to try something new and go to Bahama Breeze. Going there is like a mini vacation. Just like a vacation though, you need to make reservations. You will be waiting if you don't. The food is excellent ,and it's something different than the normal fare here in the Midwest. I love the chips and spinach dip appetizer that comes with regular tortilla chips, red tortilla chips, and fried plantains. My favorite entree is definitely the seafood paella which is piled on with clams, shrimp, scallops etc. Lastly, they now have caipirinhas, a drink from Brazil (made from sugar cane juice, cane rum and lime) that I had only heard about until now. The servers are extremely nice and attentive. If I had to find a negative, it would be that when the place is packed, the service does suffer a little, it's mostly just with the people working front-of-house being frazzled, not the servers.
(5)
A K.

Worst food ever. None of us could even finish half of it.
(1)
Mina H.

Bahama Breeze has GREAT seafood. Service is pretty nice as well. Can do with less South Florida decor.
(4)
Richard O.

Looks really cool from the outside but not very impressive on the inside. They don't put a lot of alcohol in their drinks and the patio could be nicer. The fire place was really nice and the live music is always a plus. Very spacious dining room with a small bar area and an aged enclosed patio with fire place. I stopped in for drinks next time I may try the food. Overall looks very average.
(2)
Rene T.

I went back, had better customer service. Our server Mike was great.
(4)
Jerry B.

As usual, the Darden restaurants are well run, with good food, hot plates, good service and nice atmosphere for all ages. The salmon pasta was excellent as was the cheesecake dessert. Cuban bread was pretty good too. Really liked the Aruba Red beer. Bill was $50 for 2. Would go back, but maybe try the Longhorn steakhouse with our next Darden gift card. Pretty good for a restaurant without a "one word" name.
(4)
Dan B.

Holy fake carribean atmosphere, this place is tacky. From the giant carved wooden sign right at the front door proclaiming "applications accepted from 2-4 PM only" (is their turnover that high?) to the blasting generic island beats Bahama Breeze has spared nothing to bring the island atmosphere to Schaumburg...and I am thinking now they should have left it where it was. The service was decent if uninspired, and the food was actually pretty good, I had the fish tacos. I just cannot get over the tacky decor with little touches like the table numbers being painted on the side of the table and "lush" fake foliage.
(3)
Rick S.

This place is awesome! Have been there a couple times and the ambiance is good, great service, and even better food. The onion rings are the best I've ever had, the jerk chicken is addicting and a must have. Enjoy!
(5)
R F.

I came here last night (Saturday) with a small group of friends for dinner and drinks. We had to wait quite a long time for our table since they do not accept reservations, only call-ahead, however we were able to sample quite a few of their DELICIOUS..and affordable! cocktails while we were waiting. Once we were seated we were waited on immediately and did not have to wait long at all for our food. Everyone at our table was incredibly impressed with everything they ordered! I had the simply grilled salmon with cinnamon sweet potatoes and green beans...and I'm pretty sure I dreamt about it!! SOOOOOO GOOOD!!!...Everyone was raving about how good their food was! I live in Naperville and it takes about an hour to get there but distance is no matter for food like that! We will all definitely go back and I will spread the word at how pleased I was with the service and food...and prices!! Thank you for a wonderful experience! =) ...(you should consider taking reservations though ;) )
(4)
irfan m.

For date : Yes!! For Work Friends: Depends on your relationship For Cousin: Try it For Friends: Of course For hungry people: You have to spend little more For Zabiha Halal Eater: Only sea food. I had their salmon and Jalapeno sauce .....A-
(4)
Apara W.

Went on a Sunday for lunch, didn't have to wait, which was good. I have been to other Bahama Breeze locations in Florida. Compared to that, I thought the service was MUCH quicker, attentive server. HOWEVER, 1 star off- there was plastic in my sandwich. The manger Tim was kind enough to get me a new one, and apologized. It was not such a big deal. Another star off, for not giving me a new side. To me, if there is an issue with a platter- the entire platter should be fixed. Not sure, if I'll be going back.
(3)
Nicole L.

I really like this place. My second visit was today for lunch and we had the best waiter - he was friendly and attentive, something I have come to expect from Darden Restaurants (who also owns Red Lobster and The Olive Garden). They must not tolerate unfriendly waitstaff because I've yet to have a poor experience at any Red Lobster or Bahama Breeze. The waitstaff is always on top of drink refills too. I ordered the Breeze Wood-Grilled Chicken Breast which was delicious in a citrus butter sauce. It comes with cinnamon sweet potatos that are so good I actually eat them (not a fan of the sweet potato normally). For dessert we shared the Bananas Supreme which is to die for. Wow, my mouth is watering after writing this review, so it's time to enjoy the leftovers!
(4)
Alex N.

I've been here about 4 times and every one was pleasant. Atmosphere is that of a Jamaican hut with a carefree atmosphere. Large open air room with tropical vibe was quite easy to relax in. Servers were always quite personable and have even sat and chatted with me a my girlfriend (guy told us about a date he had with a girl in Wisconsin the night before!). Food always tasted great be it seafood or steak or vegatables or drinks from the bar. Wait can be 45 mins to an hour on the weekends so might want to be prepared (we've always just waited at the cool outside bar). Banana's Foster you definitely have to save room for!!!
(5)
Paul C.

Been meeting the family for various birthday lunches out here for years due to its location halfway between Chicago and the haunted suburb I grew up in. My Puerto Rican momma loves it because of the whole Caribbean vibe. Frankly I think the place has gone down hill over the years. I like it less and less every time I visit. The pros: friendly service, tropical drinks, never a problem getting a table. Otherwise, it's sort of a meh experience. I've never had any food here that's wowed me. Today I had their chips and salsa. The salsa was actually pretty good, but it comes with store bought tortilla chips and store bought plantain chips. Disappointing and an opportunity lost. The chips are pretty emblematic of everything else here. They'll be a good idea, maybe a good ingredient, but then someone cuts some corners and it just sort of ends up an overall disappointment. I'd say come for drinks, but eat somewhere else.
(2)
Leocris L.

i love it here. the kabobs are a good size portion. i think i'm going to try the paella next time. looks awesome..
(4)
Neil R.

I have never had a bad experience at this restuarant. They have great food and drinks. The atmosphere in the place is great. I love the island/beach feel of it. Ive had the West Indie Ribs before and they are soo damn tasty! They are very tender and tangy/sweetened to perfection. This time I had Mahi Mahi with mango sauce. Wow it was delicious!! The fish not dry at all, actually VERY moist and was fully cooked. Friend had the short ribs which were totally awesome, i had to grab a rib. His gf had salmon with shrimp sauce which was a bit dry but still good. My date had only dessert. I never asked her about her dessert. I had the Bahamamarita which is like a margarita but with their own touch to it. It came with a shot of cactus alcohol? The pina colada drink was good as well. Anyways I like the place alot. Everything was great. I would definitely go again. My 4th time there and still liked it a lot.
(5)
L W.

We really enjoyed this place! The decor is really nice (very open & island-y) and the place was very clean! Our server really rolled out the red carpet for us and we felt like we got VIP treatment while we were there. :) The cuban mojito was perfect and there was lots of it! Very generous with the drink sizes! The food was fresh and hot and it came out really fast as well! We all ordered seafood dishes and they were all great! They don't skimp on the seafood or portion sizes! We couldn't even finish our entrees and got to take some home and that almost never happens with us! ;) We will def be back here again!
(4)
Sarah K.

The SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE. There seemed to be no communication between any of the servers and managers. The servers continued to serve our party flat pop, even after we had told them at least 4 times. When we asked for the manager, she came to us with a chip on her shoulder, and being extremely rude to us, then basically tried kicking us out before we were ready to go. I've never been treated so horribly at a restaurant! And this was for a large party too! All that being said, the food wasn't bad, and the fruity cocktails were pretty decent.
(1)
Jonathan E.

I went with 2 other adults and a child for an early dinner, about 5:30PM. We definitely beat the Tuesday dinner rush and were seated immediately in the open air "patio". Seriously, the place was packed to almost 90% capacity by 7:30PM. The staff was very friendly and attentive. we were not rushed at all, however we did need time to look at all the menus. There was a menu for the daily special, drinks, food and beverages, and another binder for more drinks. Really? I felt like Moses, I needed only 2 menus...drop the others! HAHA! To start we had their signature brew, Aruba Red. It wasn't too unique. It was mild and had little aftertaste. I'm no expert, so give it a try for yourself. For the appetizer, we had the Tostones. It is a fried plantain slices covered with cheese, chicken, onions, mushrooms, peppers, and salsa. It was a nice flavor explosion, but the plantains were chewy, not crisp. This is the first time I have ever had this dish, so I am not sure what the proper expectations should be. For the entree, I ordered the Almond Crusted Salmon with Garlic Mash and Green Beans. Altogether a nice dish, but as an afterthought, I realized it was not as advertised, almond crusted. It was more like almonds sprinkled around the salmon. Not a big issue. It was still delicious, but I did feel like I missed out on the crunch factor. For dessert, I had the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Words cannot describe sweet richness that assaulted my mouth. Yes, it was that good. Doesn't end there. My friend gave me a taste of their Key Lime Pie. A nice balance of citrus, tart, and sweetness. A nice dinner all around. However our service is well worth mentioning. Matt was spectacular. Attentive when needed and avoided us when he could tell we were doing well and just enjoying the meal and conversation. It gets better. My friends brought their 7 year old daughter. As much as we integrated her into our conversation, she was a bit bored. Matt performed several card tricks and made her a paper rose. I think he just made a friend for life. I don't think all the servers are required to have special talents, but this was a special surprise. Pros: Outdoor-like Patio / Desserts / Service (especially from Matt) Cons: The food seemed a little off the mark, but I could be wrong. I am not familiar with Caribbean food. That said, I still return would return to explore the menu.
(4)
Hannah K.

I love the setting of the restaurant!! The food was okay.. I had the pasta with chicken breast. I was here for my sisters bacholorette party dinner! The waitress was pretty cool!
(4)
choong l.

If consistency in their dishes can match the decor and service, then it would defintely challenge the cream of the crop of chain eateries (uh... whatever that might be in your world). The decor is actually pretty nice -- I like their caribbean-themed decor with trick ceiling fans, shack-by-the-beach bars and open kitchen... it's kinda like a more kitsch Trader Vic's, more open to the suburban masses and family friendly. Servers in their tropic-adventurer type uniform come across almost as hospitable as you'd imagine hospitality staff would be at the tourist destinations Bahama Breeze wants to evoke as you dine here. Now, here's the sticky point: be careful what you 'dine on' here -- that's where the whole love affair can burn and crash. Problem starts with the menu -- their appetizers are advertised as "generous portions to share," and some truly are, but some are surprisingly not. An avocado/crab/shrimp chip/dip thing came out with the aforementioned morsels shaped by what must have been a Jell-O Pudding Snack cup (read: tiny) with two large plantain chips in the middle of a ridiculously oversized plate. The plate seems to have been sized appropriately for a dish that one would truly try sharing at a table, but the portion of the food was only sharable to an extent you'd want to share an appetizer at a French restaurant -- it wasn't. This was one out of three appetizers we ordered (selection based on maximum share-age), and the other two were just fine. Then there's the quality. A fish taco (advertised on a chalkboard by the host stand as the new special) came out with a trip of tortillas each with their own morsel of fish (a filet for each taco) with some lettuce with a side of really bland spicy-mayo thing. Instantly, this triggered an image of a sloppily put-together breakfast burrito at McD's... and I'd have taken that over this one. On top of it, this "some lettuce" was the problem since one of the tacos had an uncut chunk of lettuce heart the size of half a hockey puck. Even the table's favorite -- a Calypso-something linguine -- was pretty tasty (we've ordered this before), but the pasta was swimming in oil, and it was definitely a lot more greasy than it had to be. One of our friends' straight-forward salmon was overcooked, with the filet brittle under her fork, and salmon isn't a flakey fish. 5 dishes out of 12 (there were multiple orders of the linguine) -- not the best betting average. The frustrating thing is that the other 7 were actually very good. Our server did tell me "oh man, when I saw that piece of lettuce on your taco when the food came out of the kitchen, I thought of giving the cooks a smack in the back of the head" with the my-hand-smacking-someone's-head gesture and a good natured wink when I pointed out my taco problem. As my hero, Gordon Ramsey, would have bellowed: "Then why didn't you stop it right there, YOU DON-KEY!" Their $3.75 20oz Aruba Red is a good deal, and the food that didn't bomb were actually pretty fine, but I'm feeling VERY suspicous of the type of establishment where the kitchen is obviously ran by second-rate cooks and the staff themselves don't seem to take the issues with food seriously. I'll probably give them another try and stay well clear of the fish tacos.
(2)
Abby C.

so i always passed by this place on my way to my boyfriend blake's work (woodfield nissan *nudge* *nudge* lol).. and one day i was with my friend and we just spontaneously decided to go there.. i must say, i absolutely LOVED the decor.. it was very cool.. if you think the outside looks interesting, wait until you see the inside! so i've been there a couple times and the food has been great every single time! they have this salmon salad tostada... AMAZING! it's perfect if you're looking for something light and healthy! it's a little drive from where i live in chicago, but it's definitely worth it! my boyfriend now says that it's the new red lobster --but if you ask me, bahama breeze is on another level all by itself! the waitstaff is so friendly and knowledgable.. parking is almost always available and free.. great food and great drinks.. ok.. i don't understand why 16 people voted that they don't have a full bar.. but they obviously do! it's right next to the bathrooms!! it pretty much takes up the whole wall, i don't know how some people can miss it hahaa.. try the mojitos.. and OH the BAHAMARITA! yes yes yes!!
(5)
Evelyn Z.

Great drinks, by that I mean the fu fu girly kind, but hey I'ma girl thats all I care about anyway. Hands down the BEST coconut shrimp EVER! I want bathe in the dipping sauce, ok ok maybe its not that serious but its pretty darn good. The decor is quite cheesy, I must say, but what do you expect from a place called "Bahama Breeze," in a Chicago suburb for goodness sake! They have a fire pit which is quite nice. I will gush about the bathrooms forever, just because I think its cute, that at a seafood restaurant, they have mouthwash dispensers in the restrooms. Its all about the little things....speaking of, the waiters usually draw islandish pictures on your doggy bag containers for you, another cheesy, but quite detail.
(4)
Vick C.

I went there just for drink last week, we were sitting at the patio where next to the fire place, it's pretty nice to do it during winter to keep yourself warm. Drinks were fine, they didnt' put a lot of alcohol to their drinks. Dining room looks 10 times better than the patio! Since it was my birthday so I got a chocolate cake with carmel, very moist and tasty! Service was OK, just the place wasn't too impress me at all..maybe next time I will go to try their food too!
(2)
Linda W.

A friend found this restaurant online....I thought hmmm different, island dishes, let's go for it! We started off with the Jamaican grilled chicken wings, I didn't want them to disappear, a burst of different flavors that went oh so well together. Next, we had the chicken with cilantro crema sauce, wood grilled chicken breast mashed potatoes and roasted corn topped with 3 melted cheeses....blew me away. The desert was a chocolate pineapple upside-down cake with caramel brandy sauce...let me say this-it should be a crime for something to be so good!
(5)
Kirill O.

Very good quality food, excellent staff, friendly waiters. Comfortable dinning room, some of the best restrooms in a restaurant. Ive been here a few times, the food is well made and garnished. Large servings, lots of choices. Full Bar! Very good alcohol selection and house beer. One of the best restaurants in the area
(5)
Erik N.

I have to say that the first time I went to Bahama Breeze, it wasn't all too memorable. I had some pretty high expectations for the place after seeing the cool patio they had and how busy they seemed to be. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't disappointed. I just didn't really remember the meal (and NO it's not because I had a few drinks at dinner). Flash forward to lastnight, and my rating on Bahama Breeze jumped from what would've been 2 stars to a strong 3 star rating. I had a group of 5, and the place looked slammed. I looked around and saw the all the staff wearing cheesey Carribean shirts and thought to myself "Oh great..." Like I said, the place was packed but we were actually seated right away! The food was a lot better than I remembered, and were good portions for the price. I noticed a number of things on the menu tagged "NEW!" I'm guessing with the recession, they figured they better up their game to keep folks coming in. I had the smothered pork tenderloin, which was cooked perfectly and tasted really good. My only gripe is that the place seemed to be a little understaffed, with the waiters/waitresses running around trying to balance 8 tables at once. Had to cut the pork tenderloin with a bread knife, but didn't really bother to ask the waitress for a good cutting knife because she seemed like she was going to go out of her mind. Other than that, good food and everyone seemed to be having a great time. 3 STRONG stars.
(3)
VANE M.

The food was good, the drink was really good...just wished the service was a little better. They made it up w/a free drink though=] Yummm. I'd go again, but wasn't crazy over it.
(3)
Justin W.

Despite the other mediocre reviews, I like most of the food here. I've actually heard a lot of first-hand stories, from friends, of extremely bad service, but fortunately, I've never had that problem. In-fact, I have always had great service and the manager always stops by to ask how everything is. The area with the fire pit feels great on a nice spring or fall evening.
(5)
Sherry D.

Love the atmosphere, but we ALWAYS have weird service. The front desk gives us a hard time everytime we go....we always have a big party (6-8) because it's a good central location for our family to meet and they seemed ticked off by it.The menu used have these amazing giant shrimp in passion fruit butter, but don't anymore. One of my favorites, and now it's gone. Just not alot of choices.
(2)
Kloud A.

i love this place....the drinks get me completely bombed and i fee like im in the caribbean....LOVE IT!
(5)
Heather H.

I have only been here once, not because I didn't enjoy it, but because of the cost. It's just a little too expensive for my regular taste, but great for a special date. Which is what my husband and I did one weeknight. Weeknight is the key word, because it wasn't packed, and apparently it usually is on the weekends. Anyway, I had some tasty chicken and my husband got swordfish, which I even tried and liked, and I don't like fish. We were also very impressed with the mashed sweet potatoes and plantains. Our waiter was nice, but could have been more available. Great food, pretty good service, just kinda pricey.
(4)
Yvette C.

The decor is a delightful beach feel with wicker furniture & island music playing in the background. There is a main dining area & a patio with a nice fire place. I have only been here once during dinner time, it was nice, we sat in the patio section & there was a one man show playing his guitar singing island music. Ya know your average Buffet songs, I enjoyed it. They have a wonderful fruity drink selection to really make you feel like you are on an island getaway. I have yet to have a bad drink here. When it comes to food I only get one thing & that is the Jerk Chicken Pasta (hold the chicken please!). It's delicious! Bow-tie pasta with asparagus and mushrooms tossed in a parmesan-herb cream sauce, mmm num num. Service is always friendly, I have only experienced sluggish service once & it was when our waiter was in training, they were kind enough to comp our appetizer for the delay. I always have leftovers to bring home with me & I have to admit I do look forward to receiving my styrofoam box every time! The servers always draw a cutesy island picture with the date on the top & sometimes a little message. All in all I love Bahama Breeze, I wish I could visit more often.
(5)
Jesse P.

I like this place, it takes me back to a time when I lived in California. The Pina Colada was delicious, the only drawback was I wished they added more rum. The Aruba Red is a very good amber ale. Their seafood chowder is the BOMB. They put all sorts of seafood in it, but the fried shrimp in the soup kills me. It creates a great contrast of textures and flavor in your mouth. Steak and pork chops were good. They sometimes have coupons and I saved 10 bucks off my meal.
(4)
Sam B.

Average, I would have givin it 5 stars if I had only been there once, but they have changed a lot since they opened. The portions have reduced (-1) and the prices have been a little high(-1). The servers are great, and usually draw smiley faces on the packaging(+1) but the last time I was there the food was overcooked(-1) which is a no-no for pallea. Would I go there again? Maybe, if I were in a group.
(3)
Michael B.

Decent food. Large menu selection. Service is brutal. The forgot my entree while the entire table was served. The waitress apologized and said it would be right up. 45 minutes later still no food. Ruined my evening. I would not recommend due to poor service.
(2)
Steve S.

I really like it here. The island theme is out of the ordinary, and really inviting. The service is always good here. You must try the seafood paella here, my favorite. The coconut dusted onion rings are amazing as well. We ordered these and they come served as a heaping tower with two tropical dips. The dessert menu is pretty good as well. If you order drinks, you will love their selections. Great place to take the kids as well...its a fun place. Be aware that there are long waits on the weekend nights.
(4)
Renato P.

Been here twice , service was reeeealy slooooow both times. So slow in fact that I was offered free dessert both times. The atmosphere is alot more fun than in your usual chain restaurants , like a Bahamas exhibit at Epcot center. The menu here is full of unusual flavors, from conch soup , to jerk chicken , to Cuban sandwiches. This place definitely gets points for being different. I ordered the conch chowder , reminded me of clam chowder , I liked it . My son ordered the burger , he thought it was fine , but my wife kept obsessing that it had a funny taste to it. The jerk chicken wings were really good , and the seafood paella was really good as well.The shrimp linguine was pretty good , I've had better. My wife ordered the Margarita chicken pasta (she thought it was ok) and the steak kabobs (good) the 2 times we were there. Word of warning , I went here 2 other times and had to find somewhere else to go because they were crazy crowded (over a 2 hour wait). The 2 times I did eat there were off days , and the place was still pretty crowded.
(3)
a w.

A great place to go in the evening to hang out at the bar and relax and chill with your friends. However, I would not reccommend this place for a quiet dinner. The restraunt is pretty loud and cramed up. The food is just OK.
(3)
Muhammad A.

Good restaurant to go to on a Friday night. It can really lift up your mood with the loud music and huge crowd. I really like their fresh fish here. The service is great too. Just make sure to have an empty stomach before going here because the portions are huge!
(4)
James G.

Good food, fun atmosphere, friendly wait staff. The bar can be pretty packed in the evenings, mixers are in the $5 and up range, they specialize in umbrella drinks. Jerk chicken was very good.
(4)
D. B.

We went here on a whim because we had accumulated many gift cards over the holidays, all for Darden Restaurants. Although the Olive Garden is the closest of their brands to us, we decided to try this place and take a little road trip to the suburbs. Upon arriving, the place looked packed. We had called ahead of time to see if they took reservations-which we learned, they don't. However, on the phone, the host said he could put our name on a list and reduce our wait. So when we checked in, the host said it'd be a half-hour wait, and he gave us that little pager thing. Then we headed to the bar for some of those really delicious-looking fancy cocktails. Had some of those, they were fine. But then we waited, and waited, and waited for our table. About an hour and a half later--success! We could finally sit down. Our meals were good, nothing to write home about. My meal came out a little lukewarm, so that was interesting. But the most interesting part? I almost swallowed a chunk of broken off spatula that had somehow made its way into my food. The waiter profusely apologized, as it was clearly an accident. These things sometimes happen. I wasn't too upset, and it was OK. But, eh, this experience is what you'd get at a typical chain restaurant.
(3)
Lauren ..

The food was very, very good. Our service however, was not. Our waiter reeked of strong alcohol and never once checked on us...or even served our food. I was drinking a coke and asked for water...instead of getting a new glass he just poured water into the glass with pop in it. It then took 20 minutes to get the check after asking for it. I do not know what was going on with him. It was bad.
(2)
Kawal J.

five star for my server Dalia H. She was very pleasent and full of energy. She was serving all of her tables very well. Love her. Very few servers are like her. You can tell that she like her job. She knows how to get more tips! (P.s. if I was rich I would buy her a car) I will be coming back on the same days/same time here. And yeah, was good. I ordered Frozen Bahamarita, Coconut Shrimp and Calypso Shrimp Pasta. Other than that they have a really nice sugarcane lemonade which i've had there before. And the one which my friend ordered one time, Steamed Edamame, which were also very good. Thank you again Dalia. (I had a really bad service last night at my favorite china town restaurant . You just made my weekend!) #godblessyou
(5)
Praveen M.

Nice place, all the Caribbean feel. Great appetizers, coconut shrimp and must try their in house beer. Loud ambience but they got live music right now so its a great experience. staff is prompt too.
(4)
Okasana M.

This place was great! The atmosphere really felt like I was away on vacation! The drink menu was pretty impressive and the mojito was pretty good. I ordered the seafood paella and it was pretty but lacked a lot of flavor. The waiter who was also the bartender paid lots of attention to us and did a great job. I can see this place becoming a good date place for me and my man.
(4)
Christine Y.

I went here last Sunday. We choose to sit on the outside deck which gives you the experience of actually being in the Bahamas. I had the Ultimate Pineapple (virgin), it's basically piÃ±a colada in a pineapple but it's delish...... We ordered the coconut onion rings as a starter, they're yummy. I had the lobster and shrimp linguine as my entree (make sure to ask for extra sauce otherwise the dish is a little dry) there used to be a time when they put chunks of lobster in this dish but because they were giving away the cow when they were only selling milk they now only put in pieces of the claw and I mean "pieces" so that's something to be aware of. Overall I still like this place. I went to the one in GA last week and my daughter had the steak Oscar and LOVED it. I recommended it to my aunt for this location and she ordered and loved it as well.
(3)
Candi P.

Surprisingly the kids Mac n' cheese is so good, I had a bit of my niece's and I was pleasantly surprised Their chicken wings are great, they come with the wing tips. I can't stand the jerk sauce (not just at Bahama breeze, anywhere really) because they taste like Christmas but they have a non-jerk option that I love. The fish tacos are excellent, I've ordered a few times and it's consistent. There is a grilled salmon salad with a great dressing but this dish has not been consistent. The most recent time I ordered it, the salad was not spring mix, just regular romaine. It was just not a great march. It comes with some kind of bread crisp that's pretty good. Bahama mama drink is always worth it. The best time to come is when they have live music, great for a date night. We've come a few times with a guy on his guitar singing beach boys and it's just perfect. There's also a gazebo with a fire going sometimes, great ambiance.
(4)
Meggan P.

Absolutely love this place definitely will be returning the prices are great the food portions are just enough. Recommend reservations especially on weekends. My mother absolutely loved the rum cake! And the empanadas were good.
(5)
Nick S.

For the second year in a row, I brought my girlfriend to this restaurant for Valentines Day. I live the atmosphere and the vibe. The food is great. I had the clam chowder which was amazing. My girlfriend had some sort of pasta seafood. She had it for two years in a row. She loves it as well. The seating can be so so. Last year we sat next to the for pit. That was really cool being in the patio by the fire pit in mid winter. This year they sat us next to the kitchen. So if u are making reservations, please ask to be seated next to the fire pit. It's a whole lot better and romantic. Service is amazing as well. I only gave it four stars instead of five because it is a bit overpriced. I bought an 8 dollar drink that was not worth it. However they do have a huge selection of alcohol. It's a good place to go too on dates.
(4)
Larry E.

Wanted to try someplace different, and ended up here. Was a 30 minute ride, but turned out well worth the drive. Service was very good, food was excellent ((wood grilled tilapia and shrimp & grits), and the best Mojica outside of Miami. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Vikki Y.

Is their ice harvested from the polar vortex? The chunks are huge! -my BFF! Those words were spoken by my BFF who actually introduced me to Bahama Breeze a few years ago. Bahama Breeze is like a tropical vacation in the suburbs of Schaumburg (where literally every restaurant known to man exists). When you walk in you feel like you are in the balmy tropics- there are palm trees, a huge fire pit, and even live music playing Bob Marley. The only thing missing are tropical birds, a waterfall, and hot shirtless Island men haha The food is all "tropic" themed and range from coconut shrimp to truffle yuca fries to meats that are garnished in mangoes, pineapples and other tropical fruits. I had the West Indies curry dish and it was sweeter than most curries but tasty nonetheless. My friend had the Jamaican Jerk Chicken pasta and loved it! Dessert was amazing- we had the Banana Supreme which is banana-nut bread with brandy sauce a la mode- perfection! Our sever was fantastic! I think his name was Steven... He actually drew island scenes on our to-go containers (complete with bird/sharks) and we got to take home our own unique works of art! The water was constantly filled and I even ordered a mango milk shake which is a unique twist on a classic malt! The bathrooms are pretty big and the stalls remind you of being in the tropics- however the hooks are kind of high up ("who do they think we are, giants?"- My BFF who is 5'3"). There are several areas to dine in (near the fire pit), (inside under this wooden tent), and (in the center of the restaurant). Minus one star because it was kind of dark, we didn't get to sit at a booth, and there was a long wait where the host didn't really smile-maybe he dropped his pina colada!
(4)
Kerri L.

Both times we went here for lunch the food was really good. I love their burgers, the tuna appetizer is really good, and the grilled salmon was nice and fresh, I'm not a fan of their signature beer, I thought it smelled and tested gross, but I'm a beer snob. My husband enjoyed it though, he compared it to Killian's. Great spot for lunch.
(4)
Joanne D.

I have been going to this spot for years - this is my favorite place to go to when I want to pretend that I am not in the nasty cold. This is a perfect date night location. If it's nice outside usually there is a wait so be patient it's worth it. Love the tropical drinks. The staff has always been nice, OH YES and I am not a big seafood fan but my husband is and there is enough on the menu for everyone! GREAT DATE PLACE !
(5)
Kim A.

Food was delicious! It really felt like I was on vacation in the Bahamas ;) there was a live band playing, and the place was so full! You can definitely tell people loved this place. I wish the waiters and waitresses wore some floral and khaki shorts though lol
(4)
Jennifer P.

A high school friend of mine came back home to visit for Christmas and we made a lunch date. I suggested a local African place (since I've had one bookmarked for a while and, well, he swears he's a black woman), but he laughed at me and suggested Bahama Breeze. I checked out their menu and was pleasantly surprised to see several vegetarian and fish options, so was all-in! There are a few different spacious seating areas in the front which is good if you're waiting for your party. It was pretty slow, as there were 3 greeters/hosts behind the desk when we arrived. The decor is a bit obnoxious and very open. It somewhat reminds me of Joe's Crab Shack but larger and obviously more tropical. It's...interesting. They were playing this bizarre Christmas mix that included some some songs in Spanish. I wonder if their regular tunes are Jimmy Buffet-esque. Our server was none other than Rick James (I HAD to ask if that was his real name). He was kind of funny, referring to me as "The Boss" several times. Clearly that was his sctick, as he did that to the adjoining table. He was very attentive, though - filling up our water glasses several times over and checking on us. We both got the lunch specials ($8): High School Buddy got the Pulled Pork sandwiches with the Seafood Chowder and a side of fries (+$2). After asking Rick James for his recommendation between the Fish Tacos (which another reviewer stated were bland) and the Lobster Quesadillas, I settled on the Tacos with the Black Bean soup. The soup was surprisingly delicious - not salty nor bland like other places. I could have eaten a whole bowl of it! The fish tacos were, indeed, pretty bland. The fish was generously sized and cooked well, but could have used some seasoning (salt!) as it was cooked. It tasted like it was steamed with only water. The guacamole also left much to be desired, as the avocados were not ripe. Still, our tab (before tip) was $20. Not too shabby! We walked out feeling satisfied. I've got my eye on the Portobello Mushroom Burger, so I'll definitely need to make a return trip!
(4)
Mark D.

If you like seafood with a Caribbean flair, Bahamas Breeze is a good choice for you. I've been there many times and have never been unhappy with any entree I chose. My absolute favorite is their Seafood Paella. And we start our dinner off with a tropical drink and an order of Conch Fritters for an appetizer. They have a covered patio with a fireplace which enhances your dining experience, weather permitting.
(4)
Skip A.

Food was good. Prices OK. Service was terrible! Got seated fast. Server took order. Then almost an hour before the salad came. Server said kitchen was backed up. I asked twice. We were there an hour total. Tables next to us turned over 2 or 3 times! Server was John.
(2)
Marshneil D.

Came here for dinner and was not pleased with the food. I ordered the jerk chicken and a beer but the chicken was not good. It has a very nice atmosphere and has a very beachy, bahamas feel to it ...and they had live music which was really nice. Service was fast but the server had an attitude. The drinks here are really good. I think this place is just a one time experience for me and it was an okay experience but I would not go back. However, if you have never been here, might want to try it once (but go when they have live music).
(3)
Nichole C.

You really feel like you've gone on a vacation someplace tropical when you eat here. Their tropical adult beverage menu is extensive and has a lot of creative island drinks. We requested to sit by the fire when we ate here and it was very pleasant. I would not say the food was spectacular, just average. Their Conch Fritters appetizer was so-so, I wouldn't order it again. I tried their Seafood Paella which did tasted good and had a lot of seafood in it (it did not compare to the paella I had in Spain, but was good nonetheless). My family had the Calypso Shrimp Linguine (which was delicious and had enough shrimp for every bite), Carnitas Rice Bowl (had a little spice/heat to it), and the Grilled Chicken with tropical fruit on Mix Greens salad. Lastly we ordered the PiÃ±a Colada Bread Pudding to share for dessert. My family is from Ireland and I have had a lot of amazing bread pudding but I wouldn't describe Bahama Breeze bread pudding as even good, it was very bland and dry and the sauce on the side of the plate was lacking flavor too. I would not recommend anyone order this, it's nothing like real bread pudding. They had a one man island band playing during dinner who was very good. It was nice entertainment for a chain restaurant!
(3)
Neil J.

The service was great. It has been some time since my last visit so I can not remember my servers name, but she was fantastic. I did not care much for the food.
(3)
Teresa R.

The food was amazing, we ordered the beef empanadas appetizer, and the churrasco and the chicken cilantro crema for our entrees. The price was about $70 with 4 mojitos added onto the bill. Absolutely amazing dishes though and well worth the price. And I can't stress enough how amazing the coconut mojito is! Only reason I rate 4 stars is because we felt a bit rushed by the server.
(4)
Adrianna W.

You definitely get bang for your buck! The food is INCREDIBLE. The service is amazing, and I feel like I finally didn't get ripped off. The food was fresh, great quality, seafood was cooked perfectly. Forget red lobster, Olive Garden, TGIs, and Outback. This place is worth the drive. Will be returning!!
(5)
Elizabeth R.

What a fun experience! The atmosphere at this restaurant makes me feel like I'm on vacation! With all the yummy fruity cocktails and Caribbean style cuisine. The restaurant is beautiful inside and out. This was our third time here this time we got to sit out by the fireplace in the gazebo that was open to the outside. There was also live entertainment but i'm assuming thats only there on weekend nights. The food was good enough to match its price. Not the best of ever had but definitely worth the price. We had the coconut shrimp for an appetizer and it was awesome! My daughter's mac & cheese was even impressive for a kids meal huge portions (I'll attach pictures). The food was nicely displayed and the flavors matched the theme of the restaurant. Can't wait to return to this restaurant again next time I think I will try the paella!
(5)
A K.

I have been able to go to the Bahamas and try the food of the locals there. This place doesn't come close. If you want frozen, bland, expensive fake Caribbean food then this is the place for you! I won't be back soon.
(1)
Mel G.

If there was less than a star i would have put it. I have never been so DISRESPECTED in my life. First time I've ever been there and it was a party of 16 at first. I guess I can imagine that that is such a large party, however they were just serving a WEDDING. Anyways, we were ordering something to drink and I did not know what I wanted to drink after my first option was declined because they couldn't make it virgin(totally understandable).. well then the waiter totally forgets about me and goes to place everyone's order. I was a little offended at this point... but I brushed it off and decided to order one when he gets back Well... he never came back. However, we had 2 more people join our party and the waiter comes running back with everyone's drink and takes THEIR order and saying "oh I noticed you just came in, what can I get you?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? At this point I'm completely ticked off and ready to start screaming because I'm not getting noticed at all.. My boyfriend started to say something and the guy finally took my order for a drink. It gets way way worse. We start to order our food and some of us in the party just wanted appetizers because it was half off at 9pm for happy hour. Well we wanted to order at 8:57pm and our waiter says "oh no it has to be 9 in order to take those." Walks away...Are you telling me you can't take at least 7 people's orders and wait for it to be 9? So it takes about 20 minutes for us all to get our food and when they call the chicken tortilla soup my boyfriend put his hand up and called to them it was at this end of the table. And no surprise they ignore him. At this point I was balling my eyes out from the frustration I had. And they still had the nerve to come up to me and ask me if I wanted desert... WELL NOT IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO IGNORE THE CRAP OUT OF ME AND PROBABLY DROP IT OFF TO THE WRONG TABLE. No one was able to get a receipt back either. That took about an extra hour... and they messed up the receipts by putting the wrong orders on everyone's receipt and changing everyone more. Every employee there was trying so hard to defend our server and say it's hard to be a server of 18 people... well why work in an industry like that if you can't handle the pressure? Or why not check up on everyone to make sure you didn't mess anything up or just check on everyone to see if they're ok? Nothing of that happened this night. So I did what everyone else would do and called a manager and told him how awful my experience was while crying my eyes out. He gave me a gift card for like $25, but i will never go back there. I haven't been in this world long enough to try every single restaurant in the world but damn I have never in my life had horrible service as this.
(1)
Akash R.

Food was delicious, father had a burger- it was cooked perfect. I had grilled chicken, cooked to perfection as well. Waiter was nice, only came around to our table once. Nice and friendly environment.
(4)
Avinash K.

Awesome awesome the second time too. Had the coconut shrimp again which was brilliant as usual. Had the clam chowdar soup which was correct quantity. Then topped it off the chocolate island, which was BRILLIANT. Really amazing, a must-try here.
(4)
Ashley J.

Its always a hit or miss on if your going to get a nice wait staff. Most of the time they are very nice but we have had two bad experiences here. Their buttermilk chicken is very good and a lot of food for the price. Its a nice place to go, it just depends on the time and day. I can say the worst experience we have had was quickly rectified by a very kind manager which helped us to want to go back. Overall I'd recommend it to my friends and suggest they give it a few tries before passing judgement.
(4)
Greg C.

My girlfriend and I came here on a Saturday night around 10pm. We were staying down the road a few minutes away and were on our way back from downtown Chicago. We decided to stop by and get dinner since the other night we came here the wait was to long for us. This time we walked right in and sat down. Overall we had great food and customer service. We got several different dishes and all tasted great. The yuca fries and jerk chicken pasta were my favorite. Also the lighter portion of jerk chicken pasta was more then enough and it saved a few dollars. The chocolate pineapple upside down cake was a phenomenal way to end the meal. We both would go again in a heart beat. Our waiter was friendly and served us very quickly.
(5)
Robert A.

I drove past this place several times on my way to TGIF in the past and the curiosity finally got me. It was Father's Day and i figured why not. I wanted to try out a new place with my Family. It was 2 hours before closing time and it was a slow night. When you arrive, the place is stunning. It is very well decorated and you forget where you are. I felt like i was in Miami. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was great. We were tended to almost right away. My daughter ordered the jerk chicken and a lemonade, i ordered the grilled chicken and a margarita. My wife ordered the salad. We were excited cause we loved the place and atmosphere. And thats were the excitement stopped. The lemonade and Margarita took 20 minutes after we ordered. My margarita was not good. It tasted very sour and the tequila tasted like it was a cheap brand. I requested to have my margarita to be made again. When i received it the second time it tasted like they recycled my drink and added more mix. My waitress asked me how was my replacement drink and i told her it was ok. Not happy with it, but ok. I ended up not drinking it. The waitress brought drinks and food to our table on two occasions that was not for us. By this point, 45 minutes had passed. My family and I waited another 30 minutes and no food in sight. I noticed 3 tables sit down 20 minutes after i arrived being served their food and leaving. After 1 hour and 15 minutes of waiting, we had enough. We were so disappointed because we loved the atmosphere and it was fathers day. We decided to get up and leave. I asked the waitress for our bill to pay for the drinks. She apologized and said not to worry about it. Based on other peoples reviews, we will try it again in the future, but we were very disappointed this time. I hope they get it together, its such a nice place.
(1)
Zip M.

We had Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pasta and Key West Fish Tacos with an Aruba Red Lager. Tasty, reasonably priced, spicy and we'll certainly make a return visit. Recommended.
(4)
Char A.

This place has great drinks. Too bad I can't say the same about the food. The onion rings are served with an odd sauce, the empanadas are more Indian than Mexican, and the beef had liquid smoke vs real smoke. When we were seated the manager came to the table and explained the server would be right over and he took our drink order. I wish he would have been our server. The waitress was barely present. All in all I will go to Fuddrucker's instead.
(3)
Bina P.

Bahama breeze was just what I needed in the midst of winter. The ambiance is so relaxing, especially on Friday night after a long week. The drinks, the music, the decor...everything about this place put me in a tropical paradise in just minutes! If you want an instant getaway, this fits the bill!
(4)
Nicole C.

Loved it! I avoided going here for so many years for no good reason. It's very good! They offer light portions or full portions, which is great, especially if you're not one to finish or take home leftovers. Or if you're not sure of a meal and want to just try a smaller size. I've never been disappointed here!
(5)
Nicki P.

Food is good not great, but the atmosphere is very tropical and makes you feel like your on vacation. Just wish it was let so expensive, the drink menu of signature cocktails is extensive and fruity, which I love and the food menu is large but it just seems to be missing that wow factor.
(3)
Claire Y.

Came here for dinner and definitely pleased by the service. We caught the last 6 mins to order happy hour appetizers for HALF off! We got rocket shrimp and half order of Jamaican wings. They were good!! We got seafood chowder and salmon salad and sautÃ©ed tilapia. They brought the salad out after I got my salad and after I notified the server, she felt sorry and took it off our check. We were happy about what we got. I also got the Bahama margarita and it was colorful. Not strong on rum but it's fruity tasty.
(4)
Spencer H.

This place has been awesome for a very long time. Long before it was Bahama Breeze it was a restaurant called Carlos Murphy's which had some of the best buffalo wings imaginable. I was disappointed when they closed but Bahama Breeze has been a very suitable replacement. The decor here is different than any other place I have been to & it does a good job of giving the feel that you are at a resort in a warmer climate. The restaurant itself is very big. The tables have a lot of room & you don't feel cramped at all. For appetizers I ordered the firecracker shrimp. They are buttermilk battered and crispy fried with a spicy red pepper sauce & they do have a good kick to them. It was a good dish & worth ordering. For my entree I ordered the Calypso shrimp linguine. The pasta is sauteed with garlic, scallions, tomatoes, spice and cream. I was very surprised at how good this pasta was. I wasn't expecting this from this restaurant but they definitely came through on a quality dish. The restaurant was clean & the service was fast & friendly. Overall the restaurant was run well & it was clean. The service here was good & most importantly the food was delicious. I would definitely eat here again if I was in the area.
(4)
Emily B.

I came here for dinner on a Saturday night with my son and sister. I wanted a place to feel like we were on vacation. I got the Frozen Bahamarita to drink. It was really good. The service was also really good. There are a ton of people working here! Other than that, I left sort of... Meh. Just ok. The food was good but not amazing. There was live music which was nice. All that was missing was sand and waves :)
(3)
Jon P.

We took a detour on the way to Wildfire and ended up at Bahama Breeze. Sooooo, maybe my experience was somewhat effected by that initial expectation.... I don't know. However, I was less that blown away by Bahama Breeze. The service was very choppy. Staff seemed confused and kind of all over the place. We had a relatively large group of 8 and the place was only about half full. The ambiance is nice, it really has been well put together and feels like you should walk out the door into a 80 degree night. The restaurant is large and spaced out which I like. I ordered a Mango Jalapeno Mohito and it was the highlight of my experience. A+ i would definitely return for another one (5) of those!!! We ordered edemame (I know, Japanese food at Caribbean restaurant... kinda weird). They were fine, but we had to ask three different people for soy sauce and the first two adamantly denied that they even carried it... I ordered the Mahi with Shimp in Lemongrass sauce (D). It sounded frigging amaze-balls and I was pumped to try it.... Then I did. It was bland and tasted primarily of vegetable. The fish was cooked fine, but the entree just didn't jive well. Overall it was just kind of a "Meh" experience. And it didn't help that two smoke birds were puffing away immediately outside the front door and the smoke was permeating the front of the restaurant. Puke.
(3)
Edgard R.

We love to come here for their Mojitos and delicious food. The service is pretty good and the prices, while high, aren't outrageous for this area. Great for families and couples plus they have a pretty decent bar. Plenty of parking but make sure to make reservations on the weekends.
(5)
Melissa K.

Although I do not live in the Chicago area anymore, anytime I am back visiting my family I enjoy going to Bahama Breeze with them. My parents also go very frequently on their own. The atmosphere is awesome! It really makes you feel like you are on vacation. The food is also normally very good! However, this place has unfortunately gone down hill. Tonight I visited with my parents. My dad and I both ordered mojitos. Mine (coconut) was very good, but my dad's (regular mojito) was odd tasting. It seemed like there wasn't sugar added, and almost tasted like Sprite or something very citrusy/acidic was added instead. My dad dealt with it and said it was fine, but it wasn't very pleasant tasting. We started with the firecracker shrimp. Tasty. Decent size. I was disappointed to see the menu had changed and that the salmon pasta was no longer on the menu. I ordered the jerk chicken pasta instead, as I had had it a couple of times before and loved it. When I got the pasta it had plentiful chicken, but the taste of everything in the dish was just bland and not very good. The pasta was a bit dry and the sauce was more watery than usual. However, my biggest gripe was that the dish was supposed to have mushroom and asparagus in it and it literally had like 6 chunks of each. By chunks I mean tiny bits less than an inch big! That's absolutely ridiculous! When I first started eating it I hadn't realized there wasn't really anything in it until I came across a piece of tiny asparagus and I thought it was maybe a mistake. Then I realized it was *supposed* to have both mushrooms and asparagus. What a rip off! Not to mention the taste overall was not up to their normal standards. I mentioned this to our server who was very apologetic and said she would tell the manager. It took forever for the manager to come over, and when she did she didn't even seem very concerned or apologetic. I feel like she tried to place the blame on me, like I had faked it or something, because she said, "If you had told us sooner we would have fixed it for you." How about you tell your chefs to make the meals correctly instead? I was offered another meal or a dessert, but I declined and just had it compted. Based on the fact it looked like the pasta had been slapped together and the chef probably doesn't care, I felt like it'd be the type of place where your food would get spat into if you got replacement food. Our server was so sympathetic and apologetic, but the service was so slow! The place wasn't even crowded. My parents also said their food was disappointing compared to usual (and like I said, my family frequents this place!). It was just a bad experience overall. I'm really sad, because this place was always a great dinner choice. I'm so upset that the new management apparently doesn't care about good service or food. Giving no reason to customers for an obvious mistake in meal prep and having a lackadaisical attitude is a sure way to lose customers.
(2)
S K.

Always have a good time! Great food, excellent drinks & relaxing atmosphere. Their alcohol drinks are hand poured and they are delicious! I have been frequenting Bahama breeze since they first opened up.
(5)
Shawn S.

I am a long time fan of Bahama Breeze. I use to frequent the one in Phoenix, but last time I was there it was closed. I have also been to the one in Vegas. I decided to try it while in the Chicago area. I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast and Tostones instead of mashed potatoes. It was good but for some reason it didn't taste quite as good as when I had it at the Vegas location. In really wish we had one on California.
(3)
Fiyah C.

Took my husband here for a surprise dinner. I was so amped from the sunfest advertisements I saw on the website... However the service was below average. Our waiter to say the least sucked! Rian (Ryan) screwed up our checks, ignored our request and did a half ass job. He ruined the surprise cake I had for my husband...I was so over him... His attitude sucked from the time we were seated until the time we left... I felt like I was at red lobster instead of on an "island"... We missed all the festivities due to where we were seated... Not sure if I'd come back.
(3)
Azhar S.

Not really my style of food but it wasn't too bad. The fish tacos were excellent and the dessert was amazing. It's a big, beautiful place with plenty of energy. There are bands that play there that heightens the atmosphere of the place. However, I wasn't crazy about the wait staff. It took too long to get someone to come to the table and take our order and even get water. Other than the place, the place overall is ok.
(3)
Melissa A.

Bahama Breeze has become one of my favorite restaurants in Schaumburg and a welcome surprise! I've driven past it so many times and used to mock their sign since it looked so out of place in the burbs..but look who's laughing now! The dÃ©cor and ambiance of Bahama Breeze makes you feel like you're on an island far far away from suburbia. I've been here a handful of times and have never been disappointed. My favorite dishes are the rice bowls (Carnitas and chipotle beef) and every time I come, I tell myself I'm going to try something new but I somehow am swayed back to the rice bowls. I wish they weren't so gosh darn good! I've also tried their jumbo lump crab stack and the chicken tostones, both of which are equally tasty. I love the crab stack since it's basically a pile of crab, avocado and tomatoes and the chicken tostones are the bomb. I mean, how can they go wrong with chicken, plantains, and cheese?? As for their drinks, I've only tried their mojitos and pina colada but all of their drinks sound delicious. They also have a great happy hour Mon-Fri 4-6pm as well as Sun-Thurs 9pm-close and during these times appetizers are half off!
(4)
Kent M.

The food was great, the drinks were tasty, they seated our group (6 adults, 2 children, & 1 highchair) quickly, and our waitress rocked! It got a little pricy, but that's only because we got an appetizer, two drinks apiece, and dessert. I highly recommend.
(4)
Larissa D.

I have to update my review to reflect our most recent experience . We love this place, however they have changed the way they cook their Jamaican Jerk Chicken. It seems like it's fried instead of grilled and not as tender or well seasoned as before.. The waiter said they changed the chicken they use, seems like more than that changed. Crisp Yucca Fries are still the best appetizers! It's a light way to start your meal. They fry them to perfection and the dip goes great !
(4)

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Address : 406 E Golf Rd
Schaumburg, IL, 60173
Phone (847) 884-7060
Website https://www.bahamabreeze.com/locations/?restaurantid=3029
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Bahama Breeze

406 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL, 60173

Bahama Breeze Menu

Appetizers

Snacks & Small Plates

Soups & Side Salads

Entree Salads

Sandwiches

Burgers

Seafood

Chicken

Beef & Pork

Wood-Grilled

Fresh Sauteed

Desserts

Rumtoberfest is here!

Healthy Meal suggestions for Bahama Breeze

Appetizers

Snacks & Small Plates

Soups & Side Salads

Entree Salads

Sandwiches

Burgers

Seafood

Chicken

Beef & Pork

Wood-Grilled

Fresh Sauteed

Desserts

Rumtoberfest is here!

Zip M.

Char A.

Bina P.

Nicole C.

Nicki P.

Ashley J.

Greg C.

Robert A.

Nick M.

Kurt L.

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Katala S.

Courtney M.

Karen B.

AJ B.

Faith R.

Vince V.

Steven H.

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Scott B.

Rachel D.

Maria M.

Mark B.

Emily H.

Bob R.

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