State Restaurant & Cafe
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 975-8030
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Bissell Street
- Directions:
- El: Red, Brown Line to Fullerton
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 9am-12am
Editorial Review for State Restaurant & Cafe – by Robyn Galbos
The Scene
Located near DePaul University, this roomy space features elements appealing to a diverse clientele. Dark woods, flickering candles and elevated semicircular booths on opposite walls lend an upscale supper-club feel, while 24 flat-screen TVs tuned to the game give a nod to neighborhood sports fans. Loud rock music often makes conversation a challenge, but the young, casual crowd doesn't seem to mind.
The Food
The menu leans toward classic American flavors, with some Asian and Italian influences. Appetizers include tender, lightly battered calamari and crostini topped with a creamy, gooey mixture of mushrooms, shrimp and melted Neufchatel cheese. A handful of maki also are available. The dinner menu features a variety of panini, entree-sized salads and thick sirloin burgers, grilled to order. Entrees include a tangy salmon piccata that gets zip from capers and marinated artichoke hearts in a white wine sauce. For dessert: dense and delicious cinnamon-y banana walnut bread pudding.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasA large U-shaped bar on the far wall houses several computers with Internet access. Free Wi-Fi also is available.
Know Before You GoBreakfast is served on weekends only, and features staples like omelets, pancakes, waffles and specialty egg dishes like eggs Florentine.
Save MoneyUntil the restaurant gets its liquor license, it's BYO with no corkage fee. (Wine and liquor only; no beer.)
User Reviews for State Restaurant & Cafe
03/17/2008 Posted by SP3645
Went here for Sunday breakfast. I am not a picky eater. Ordered eggs benedict - it came out 1 1/2 hours later with an overcooked egg on a half-eaten english muffin. NO LIE! I sent it back, the cook slapped a piece of canadian bacon on it and gave me the same soggy half-eaten muffin. It was disgusting - could not even eat it. Poorly managed. Poorly run and most certainly the most ridiculous excuses for why their establishment was not up to par. The waitress had heard complaints all morning and just shrugged her shoulders. I will never step foot into that place again. I will be sure to tell all of my friends about it as well.
Pros: No pros
Cons: Everything was a con - food and service is the worst in the city
03/17/2008 Posted by KJLEB
Had horrible service for brunch. It took almost 2 hours to get our food and once we did, everyone's orders were wrong. Had to send everything back at least once. At that point, we just took what we got and choked down what e could b/c everything was almost inedible. Manager offered up a weak apology and took one entree and our drinks (coffee) off of the bill. I'd been for dinner and the food was decent. Maybe this is a brunch problem. However, I'm beginning to understand why the place seems to always be empty. This place could be great but they need to overhaul the management.
Pros: Open space
Cons: Horrible service, horrible food
