Carmichaels Steakhouse

09/25/08

Dontgo

by Bigcityeater at Citysearch

A group of us went there before a show and was appalled by the poor service, arrogant management and overall poor quality of food. In a city filled with great restaurants this isone you should pass on.

• Pros: Sat down on time
• Cons: Service so slow, poor food.

04/25/07

Terrible Steak

by layalisss at Citysearch

we were seated promptly but only because the place was fairly empty for an early Friday night, which should have been a warning, but we sat down anyway. Service was average, and the food was definitely below average. The steak had no flavor and was chewy, and the side dishes were rather plain. Found this place to be extremely overpriced for the quality.

• Pros: Prompt seating, nice ambience
• Cons: Overpriced for terrible food

01/28/07

Great for game night too!

by cjules13 at Citysearch

We went on a Saturday night Bulls night, were promptly seated, had great service, and excellent food. Really not much to improve upon. The steak was very tender and cooked perfectly, and the free valet + shuttle to the United Center made the game a snap. In and out, door to door service. Awesome.

• Pros: Valet and shuttle to United Center

12/13/06

Great food, not pretentious

by tlily at Citysearch

This gem in the west loop is the place to go if you want a great meal and wait staff who is *genuinely* nice....not just always "on". Go on a weeknight when there is not a game at united center (and get a booth) for the full experience.

• Pros: free parking is always a good thing in the city
• Cons: hard to get a reservation on game nights

11/06/05

Great food and service

by cdodson553 at Citysearch

We were seated promptly for our 6pm reservation. The atmosphere is nothing to write home about, but it was pleasant and the service was great. The filet mignon was delicious and cooked perfectly. My friend and I each ordered the asparagus, tomato basil salad and the waiter recommended that we split this and he was right. It was delicious. We appreciated the advice. the Augratin potatoes were also delicious. My husband had Snapper, it was good, but the steak is the way to go. The shuttle to the United Center was perfect. We valet parked for free at Carmichaels and the shuttle was convenient and easy. We had no problem locating it after the concert. We will be back and I might say we are quite picky when it comes to restaurants.

• Pros: food, service, shuttle
• Cons: atmosphere

12/30/03

A big, bustling West Loop restaurant that serves up fine steaks with a side of Chicago nostalgia.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
A roomy joint in the West Loop loft district, this comfortable steakhouse pays homage to old Chicago, with big, blown-up photos of the stockyards on exposed brick walls, and handsome, Prairie-style oak accents. The place is packed with broad-shouldered, biz-casual types at lunch, rubbing elbows at high tables in the front bar and keeping the suspendered servers on their toes. Evenings are less hectic, but service still tends to lag.

The Food
Carmichael's pricey steakhouse menu is scattered with hits and misses: Redolent of garlic and bread-crumbs, bubbling-hot rock shrimp de Jonghe scores as a starter, though other plates (wimpy crab cakes, overdressed salads, soggy creamed spinach) fail to impress. These guys do know how to cook a steak, though. All cuts are prime, from the tender, flavorful garlic and herb filet to the Chicago cut, a 20-ounce, bone-in rib-eye with big, smoky flavor and an impressive marbling of fat.

10/05/03

Terrible

by miketicich at Citysearch

Don't waste your time on this place. I went there with a friend on a Friday night. The service was very slow (the place was packed). It took at least 15 minutes to get drinks! Then, our appetizers (clalmari) were given to another table, and they then conveniently ran out. Our steaks were cold and extremely un-flavorful. I could have done better in a frying pan at home. The table directly next to us experienced the same problem with the steaks. Service was very apologetic, but not very helpful. After complaining to two different managers, our bill was erased. Not very much comfort, as we couldn't even eat. A complete waste of two hours. AND we were still hungry.

02/22/03

DONT WASTE YOUR $

by ANTHONYSTEVENS at Citysearch

This place is sooo overpriced. Service is horrible, steaks are second rate (not even prime), potatoes are instant. And... it smells funny. I will never go back to this place. I was there before a hawks game on Thursday nite and the order was completely screwed up and I was late for the game. When I asked to see the manager he couldn't resolve the problem, so we paid our check and vowed never to come back. This place used to be pretty good, but all of the good staff is gone.

I guess they can't take care of them either.

• Pros: none
• Cons: bad food, bad service, smells funny

01/31/03

THE WORST!!!!

by dnvmartin at Citysearch

Save your money and your time! Don't bother going to Carmichael's before a United Center event becuase they make you wait 25 minutes after your reservation to sit, you'll leave without eating your meal, and when you return to claim the "free dinner" the manager gave you (in writing) they'll respond by saying "sorry, that manager is no longer here, we cannot honor this". There are plenty of better, more deserving steak houses in Chicago !

• Cons: Poor Time Management, Rude Wait Staff, Dishonest Management

10/23/02

Top Notch

by jmejia at Citysearch

The steaks are the best, and you don't need to spend a small fortune here. The atmosphere is casual and romantic if wanted. Great for group gatherings from the office or going to the stadium. The choices and service geared towards children is as great as it was for the adults.

I would highly recommend this restaurant.

• Pros: Reasonably priced, great atmosphere, friendly service