“ Great place for a date night if you like dark places with lamps, food was great didnt have any complaints about anything except there is a bit of a wait time for them to get to your table, personally i didnt mind the place was packed and ive worked in the service industry so i get it when a place is busy only thing that threw the vibe off was the music cutting off every 5 min other than that had a great time ”

“ What a wonderful place! Went before seeing Les Mis downtown and it was the perfect spot. Tried escargot for the first time and couldve had 100 more. Everything was beyond delicious, fresh, hot, etc. Cant wait to go again. ”

“ If youve never been to this longstanding French restaurant in little Italy, its time to get over there and enjoy a wonderful meal. Sure, the menu has great standard French fare, but the specials will surprise you! The night I was recently there, they offered a tempting salmon dish,, but also rabbit which I couldnt pass up. The rabbit was well prepared with an excellent mustard cream sauce and sat atop roasted vegetables. There was more than enough for a second meal at home. The service was attentive without being overpowering. Chez Joel has the superb atmosphere of a great French bistro. I enjoy the opportunity to dine there when I visit Chicago! ”

“ This was the second time I came to Chez Joel. The first experience was good with both food and service. I remember thinking I would like to come back and try a few more things on the menu. Unfortunately it took me almost a year to come back, and that was a mistake! I wish I had come back sooner! This place is amazing! The service was great both times! The food options are good and they taste so good as well! They had a rack of lamb as one of the specials this time around and let me tell you, DELICIOUS. It was served with mashed potatoes, asparagus, carrots and mushrooms! The vegetables were phenomenal. I could have had 5 more servings of them. But Im glad I didnt because I left sufficiently full, if I had more I would have had a hard time getting home from being TOO full The potatoes were good too but were definitely the weakest part of the dish, not in a bad way but something has to take that spot. The flavor of the lamb was so good and cooked perfectly. I was pleasantly surprised with how much meat was there too! Ive been to some places with small lamb portions and this was not that! The bread that came out before the meal was nice since I was pretty hungry coming in. The bread came with butter and some kind of spread unsure exactly but I think olive base? that was quite delicious. I ordered two drinks, the Dentelle and the Brulant potion. Both were good, Im more of a cognac person so I liked the Dentelle more. I tried some of the ravioli my spouse got and it was pretty delicious too! We finished the meal with a dessert. Which rounded the meal out perfectly. Chez is now cemented in my top 3 personal favorite restaurants Ive been to so far in Chicago. For me I legitimately would give it a 1010. IF I HAD to knock a few points off because nothing is perfect Id still have to go 9.59.8 and say it COULD be a little bigger inside. It doesnt feel cramped or anything but the tables felt a little closer to each other than a lot of restaurants in West loop where I usually eat. Really not an issue for me but just something I noticed and thats me being very nit picky. I love this place ”

“ Delightful French bistro. A place that brings France to you! Youll savor each dish while sipping excellent French wines in a beautifully decorated atmosphere with staff who are attentive, friendly, and not overbearing. High praises from everyone at my table! ”

“ I dined at this charming French restaurant, and it was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was perfect for a romantic eveningintimate, cozy, and elegantly lit. It truly felt like a little slice of Paris. The wine selection was impeccable, with plenty of options to pair perfectly with each course. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and offering thoughtful recommendations throughout the evening. We started with the French onion soup, which was rich, flavorful, and topped with a perfectly golden layer of melted cheese. For the main course, I had the whitefish, which was cooked to perfectiondelicate, flaky, and accompanied by a light, complementary sauce. To finish, the puff pastry ice cream dessert was a delightful surprise buttery, crisp layers of pastry encasing creamy, smooth ice cream. It was a perfect end to the meal. From the food to the service to the ambiance, everything was exceptional. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to enjoy a romantic night out or simply indulge in outstanding French cuisine. Five stars! ”

“ Remarkable, Memorable, Delicious and Absolutely French. Highs Froglegs, Brie plate, Scallops, Goat Cheese Salad , Burger. All three deserts were impeccable! Industrious and friendly service. Opportunities Halibut special was good but a wee bit dry. Water service was fine but they need to hire 24 staff just for table service. We will come back! ”

“ Stopped by Chez Joel in Little Italy for dinner and had an amazing experience. Started with the escargotsgarlicky and tender, just perfect. For the main course, I went with the coq au vin the chicken was juicy and packed with flavor. Paired it with a glass of Bordeaux, which complemented the meal beautifully. The ambiance was cozy and felt like a little slice of France. All in all, spent around 70 and left completely satisfied. ”