Big Downtown Bar & Restaurant

08/30/07

Good for beer, average at best for food

by blueaura at Citysearch

I've been here for drinks a couple times after work, and it's nice. Reasonable price (for the area) for large glasses of beer. The train going around the room is also cool. However, for food, I'd go somewhere else. They have a relatively small menu. The food tasted average at best. My burger was dry and my soup was bland. Service was merely mediocre. I expect somewhat better from a $10 hamburger.

• Pros: Huge glasses of beer, the cool el train in running around the bar room
• Cons: Food, service

03/19/07

1

by dsimpso at Citysearch

I would definitely NOT recommend this restaurant. Even on an expense account found the food and drinks to be too expensive for the type of restaurant. The food itself was OK... certainly not great. The service was so awful that by the end of the meal we were laughing at the waiter. He was so pompous and self impomrtant he made us feel like we should be grateful to him for stooping so low as to wait on us. If we had not been in good humor the trip into downtown Chicago would have been a total waste! I've told as many people as I possibly could already and hope this reaches you either before you go to The Big Downtown or I hope it sets the right mood if you do decide to visit.

• Pros: Food was not bad
• Cons: Service was Terrible, Prices too high, Drinks and wine very expensive

03/03/07

Not recommended.

by boymimbo at Citysearch

The Big Downtown, adjoining the Palmer House Hilton, is not good. Service was average. I had a burger, salad, and fries, and felt sick to my stomach after. The ambience is just okay, though the El going through the ceiling was very, very cool. I would recommend the place for drinks only, at the bar.

• Pros: Ambience; train on the ceiling was cool;
• Cons: Food and service lacking.

Casual, comfortable Palmer House Hilton spot draws suits and shoppers for drinks or a casual meal.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Visitors congregate at this hotel hangout for lunch, while business types head to the long bar, booths or small sidewalk patio. Kids of all ages get a kick out the main dining room, where a model train circles the room on a suspended track. The menu features barbecued ribs, individual-sized pizzas, lobster cakes and fusilli pasta with grilled chicken in three-cheese sauce.

01/04/06

Good ribs. Terrible service.

by rinella at Citysearch

Service was terrible! Waited forever for everything. I ordered a beer. When the waiter was MIA, I just got up and went to the bar andrdered a beer. I was back to the table drinking my beer before the waiter returned with the beer I ordered 15+ minutes ago.

02/20/04

Terrific Service, Food & Value!

by dshiner at Citysearch

anyone who wishes to have an enjoyable dinner and excellent service should make this a requisite stop while in the heart of downtown Chicago. I do not understand why there are negative reviews, which directly contradict the 9.3 rating. i personally give it a 10. as for those who complain about the prices, don't be such a cheapskate. the waitstaff work very hard to ensure a pleasant experience. tip them generously -- mine was $20 on a bill of about $80, INCLUDING tax. i will be making future visits while in or near the Chicago area. Considering the food and quality of service, this is a terrific value. if you're staying at the Palmer House and don't feel like messing with traffic but want an excellent meal, The Big Downtown is an excellent choice!

• Pros: reasonable prices, atmosphere, service
• Cons: , none

12/26/02

party

by dbgame at Citysearch

We had our holiday party here. We had a great time. Great food. We will do it again!

• Pros: spacious, food, staff
• Cons: parking

12/18/02

To Corporate

by DZIUBLA at Citysearch

Good if you like corporate atmosphere. The outside is appealing but everything inside needs a lot of work.

• Pros: Nice outside
• Cons: expensive, bad service

12/02/02

Let's do it!

by big_guppie at Citysearch

Great blues on Wednesday nights. Drink specials daily. Good value.Big Protions. First "hotel" bar that I have ever frequented and liked so much.

• Pros: specials, entertainment, atmosphere
• Cons: parking

11/15/02

this blew

by lizardgirlie at Citysearch

hated it sooo much, service sucked...not rude, just totally inattentive. Food cold & drinks seemed to be short pours