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Food & Dining > Hot Chocolate
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- Neighborhoods:
- West Side, Wicker Park
- Categories:
- Restaurants, Dessert Shops
- Cuisine:
- New American, Traditional American
- Price:
- $
- Restaurant Special Features:
- Payment Methods:
- General Info:
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At a Glance
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75% ambiance
“The decor's nice, but can't begin to compensate for the bad food.”
80% dessert
“didn't think I chocolate could be so good.”
100% drinks
“good for 3-5 people but not for more, difficult seating during peak times, great appetizers and whipped drinks from the bar - my personal favorite is the stout and caramel milk shake, intoxicatingly good!”
68% food quality
“Pretty tasty hot chocolate.”
100% menu variety
“went to this cafe specifically for dessert -- the ambiance, server and hostess was great -- The dessert selections were unique.”
100% overall
“There was nothing good about this place.”
85% service
“went to this cafe specifically for dessert -- the ambiance, server and hostess was great -- The dessert selections were unique.”
50% value
“Their sandwiches are tasty and not too expensive too.”
0% wait time
“This place had promise when we walked in, however, we should have known we were in for a bad experience when we were waiting at our "full-service lounge" table for 15 minutes without so much as an acknowledgement from a waiter.”
Write a Tip for
Hot Chocolate
What Our Expert Scouts Are Saying
In 1528 Cortez, a Spanish explorer, brought cocoa beans from the Aztecs to King Charles V and the first hot chocolate was made. The formula was kept under wraps and reserved for nobility, until of course, someone found out about it and was all "Heck no, it is chocolate time!" Hundreds or years later and it is STILL chocolate time. The newly renovated Hot Chocolate, a long-time fixture of best-of lists in Chicago, has an option fit for kings. What's old is new again, and the Wicker Park pastry mecca again sports some serious crowds thanks to James Beard Award-winning Chef Mindy Segal's pastry program, one of the best in the city. The revamped pastry menu includes a "study" section, which takes one local, seasonal ingredient (cherries, at the moment) and riffs them into 4-5 different desserts. As enticing as that is, don’t skimp on the savory. Hot Chocolate also has one of the best burgers in town, made from Heartland beef, organic bacon and aged cheddar.
By Anthony Todd
What Our Expert Scouts Say
June 12, 2013
Formerly known as Mindy's Hot Chocolate, this fabulous bakery and bistro proceeds all from a single woman's genius: the multiple James Beard Award-nominated chef whose expert, inventive food made this place a Chicago landmark.
0
Heart
May 13, 2013
There's something about knowing I'm going to Hot Chocolate for brunch/dinner/dessert that warms my soul like nothing else. Despite the name, savory standouts include the lamb sausage, Carr Valley Creama Kasa cheese, arugula, oregano oil and grainy mustard on flatbread as well as the burger, half-roasted chicken and Tuscan kale salad. Even if you don't have room, order at least a few desserts (the peanut butter and jelly and banana baked Alaska are personal favorites) and then top it all off with a malted coffee cocoa nib milkshake in summer and black and tan hot chocolate with housemade marshmallows in winter.
0
Heart
February 08, 2013
A favorite brunch spot, Hot Chocolate's menu includes warm doughnuts with raspberry jam, quiche, biscuits and gravy, and fantastic hot chocolates.
0
Heart
December 30, 2012
The name is deceiving. Hot chocolate might make the best of their namesake, but this is also a really, truly awesome restaurant.
0
Heart
December 11, 2012
Some of the best pastries in the city come from this gorgeous little shop.
0
Heart
October 02, 2012
I like the redo - more rustic-urban, nice takeout (and gift!) options with a separate coffee/chocolate bar and packaged hot cocoa to go. Burger's still one of the best with local Heartland Beef (short rib's in the mix). Try the "affogato" with dark hot chocolate instead of espresso to drink dessert.
0
Heart
June 13, 2012
Biggest challenge here is saving room for dessert! Pastas are killer, brunch sandwiches rock, but sweets (hot choc, ice cream, tarts) a must
0
Heart
Tips for Hot Chocolate
October 12, 2011
Amazing Experience, More than just Desert.
Last Friday I took my girlfriend to Hot Chocolate for her birthday and she had an amazing time. We started with the pretzels and a couple specialty cocktails. I ordered the burger with egg, bacon, and cheddar. Definitely a top 5 burger in Chicago for me. We followed up dinner with two hot chocolates and the pumpkin desert. Both of us agreed, it was the best desert experience we have ever had. Greg was our server and he did a fantastic job of walking us through the menu and answering questions. He really took a consultative approach which we appreciated. Our only regret was not having enough room left to order the mac and cheese. That will be the first thing we order next time.
Their menu is much more than deserts, and I would recommend this place to any of my friends and family!
0
Heart
February 18, 2010
So delicious! My favorite date place. Hot Chocolate is my favorite special date place in Chicago. My boyfriend and I have been several times, and it's always fantastic! The dinner entrees, are good, but not super amazing, but you really go there for the desserts. Their sandwiches are tasty and not too expensive too. But the desserts.... Get the hot chocolate. DO IT. I ordered the black and tan (dark chocolate fudge with hot milk chocolate) and I could barely finish it, it was so rich. But it was also amazing!
0
Heart
December 19, 2007
Great ambiance -- Food Liquored up.... I went to this cafe specifically for dessert -- the ambiance, server and hostess was great -- The dessert selections were unique. I was greatly looking forward to trying dessert however my dietary restrictions kept me from being able to have any. If you have no dietary restrictions -- this cafe is great , however they are not able to modify the dishes if you do. All the desserts have alcohol , some are made with pork, and you must be lactose tolerant. Just be warned if you specific restrictions this is not the place for you and you will walk away hungry as I did, otherwise good pick.
0
Heart
July 16, 2007
5 Star desserts but the burger is a beauty. You don't need the egg and order it medium rare to truly experience an exceptional burger. One of the best not only in Chicago but the USA..
I went for the burgers. winner of a Time Out magazine contest. gave it a 93 because of the bun and a few minor items. Well it is now as close to a perfect burger as any in the USA. Don't order the egg on top unless you don't care about cholesterol. Medium Rare. So I went back for desserts...knock yourself out Then I had to try brunch on Sunday. Could barely get in. Crowded. Wife, daughter and I had 3 different items. The smoked fish plate -- at $14 it was a bargain. Smoked salmon and smoked fish. Wife had the brioche french toast. Daughter had steak and eggs. All excellent. Plus the plate of assorted pastries. Only negative comment was the $4 for coffee and another $4 for the refill. Coffee is easily 2 cups in its own container but a second $4 was just too much.
So go for burgers, brunch, and any desserts... try specials for lunch or dinner. Mindy Segal...a star on the rise. (james beard top pastry chef in USA nominated)
0
Heart
February 25, 2007
Worst brunch I've ever had. The brunch at this place was absolutely terrible. I've never been served hash browns that weren't at least edible. The potatoes at this place were disgusting! And my brunch entree had NO flavor or substance - it was basically a fried egg on ciabatta. And the coffee is a ridiculous $4!! My friend ordered the "mixed greens with seasonall vegetables," and they gave her lettuce with some tomatoes and a cucumber. It would have barely passed as a side salad, but instead was a pathetic excuse for an entree. There was nothing good about this place. I've been there in the evening for dessert and cocktails, and those were mediocre and overpriced as well. The decor's nice, but can't begin to compensate for the bad food.
0
Heart
October 26, 2006
Pastry chef extraordinaire Mindy Segal scores big with a full menu of savory and sweet delights at this buzzing Bucktown space.. You thought Segal's desserts were good. From tender morsels of mussels in a slurpable curry broth (waiter! more bread!) to sprightly spring beet salad, the kitchen at this perennial Bucktown hot spot turns out one delectable plate after another. You could easily make a meal of dessert, too: Faves include warm chocolate souffle tart with salted caramel ice cream and pretzels; warm brioche donuts with sinful chocolate dipping sauce; and light, lovely orange- and vanilla bean-infused creme brulee. The muted color scheme features fittingly chocolate walls, hardwood floors, sleek light fixtures and wall-mounted surveillance mirrors. Young hipsters dine at close tables or slip into the lounge for a late-night sugar fix.
0
Heart
February 02, 2006
WE LOVE IT!!!. I didn't read the reviews here until my wife and I had already visited the restaurant 3 times. I was surprised to see all of the negative press. We absolutely love everything about the restaurant...the food, coffees, tee, sweets, decor and service are all top notch. It's our favorite place.
0
Heart
January 28, 2006
Hot, HOt, HOT. A great place for dessert, chocolate lovers' delight in all the variations and manifestations of the cocoa bean exulted. The noise level from the blender in th kitchen and other prep areas is fairly obnoxious. The space, done in tones of beige/brown somehow magnifies these sounds too much, though the decor is sophisticated.
0
Heart
December 17, 2005
next please. well, i tried it. twice. the 1st time i sent back a lamb dish because it was like eating dried cardboard (not even an apology from any of the staff for serving something so bad). i ended up w/ pork - that was just OK. the 2nd went w/ friends of the chef, sat at the "special" table, ... and it still was bad food (had mediocre fish). maybe they should just stick to deserts.
0
Heart
December 12, 2005
User review by sheyenne. good for 3-5 people but not for more, difficult seating during peak times, great appetizers and whipped drinks from the bar - my personal favorite is the stout and caramel milk shake, intoxicatingly good!!
0
Heart
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