Gene & Georgetti's Restaurant

08/10/2008 Posted by Harries

Reviewed this site before going, but went anyway. Should've listened to posters. Three of us went on Friday at 6:30 to avoid the rush. No complaints about seating or service (probably because of the early dining time). However, that is where the positives end. I ordered a Caeser salad and the dressing was obviously from a bottle and tasted horrible. My friends and I all ordered medium steaks. The only way mine was even edible was because it was the petite cut filet. Even so it was rare and unseasoned. The other two steaks on the table had to be sent back as the regular cut filets weren't anywhere close to properly cooked. Both were cold to the touch on the inside. My advice, don't ever go here. Plenty of other great steakhouses to choose from in Chicago. Screw this place. Wasted $100/person.

Pros: didn't die from eating their food

Cons: everything else

02/29/2008 Posted by irishjackharrington

Overrated place with bad food. I was brought there by a friend who thought he'd show me an "old Chicago" spot. There was a long wait even with a reservation and the meal itself from appetizers to conclusion was almost a parody of bad service and worse food at high prices. There's nothing more to say. Avoid this place.

Pros: Alleged former gangster hangout sparks a few Chicago stories at the table.

Cons: Everything else

02/25/2008 Posted by iwannawaltz

The steak was excellent and the service was good, but the cottage fries were cold and hard. Please provide a better choice of potato .

01/28/2008 Posted by CDTurner

Its very disappointing to hear such great things about food but such negative remarks about service. We had a 7:30 reservation and by 8:30 we were still not seated and half the bar had the same complaint. Many parties were leaving due to the poor service. I would not recommend and would not be sorry if its replaced by a StarBucks or cleaners. I understand why most Chicago night life avoids this place and its my understanding that this happens all the time. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT..

12/07/2007 Posted by transorbital

Had my third (and final) visit to Gene & Georgetti's steakhouse last night. Arrived about 15 minutes before my 7:30 reservation for two, and was seated at 8:20 only when I demanded to speak with the manager on duty. (Not normally my style, but this place has totally chaotic seating.) I've been here before on the insistance of business partners and out-of-towners who had seen high ratings like those on this website. Never again. Those ratings are flat-out incorrect. The service is always sub-par, and the food average and overpriced. (Service: 1 star, Food: 3 stars - at best.) Do yourself a favor and instead visit the Kinzie Chophouse, or the Chicago Chophouse - both are located nearby, and both regularly make me wonder how the #@$% this place has stayed in business so long. If you do want to torture yourself at G & G, here's some advice: Be over 60 years of age; Be white; Don't bother making a reservation; Tip the host, which will make your wait annoying instead of intolerable; Expect to spend lots of money for an average meal.

Pros: The valet did not wreck my car

Cons: Would take up much more space than we have here - please see the review

10/21/2007 Posted by katherinedonald

I have been coming here since a kid with my Pop. It used to be a little bit too "gentlemen with cigars and mistresses" -oriented when I was young, however, that has changed and it is welcoming to everyone now and quite good for family gatherings. The roasted chicken and NY strip are the best dishes, and when my son was with me, they always would just cook him whatever he wanted (usually an alfredo dish). Don't go unless you are HUNGRY since the steaks are giant. If you don't like medium rare you really need to stress that--I like fairly rare steak but as the steaks are thick you have to request a longer cook time if you don't want it pretty pink. Staff here are much more accommodating for kids compared to other 'macho' steak joints. Many happy memories here.

Pros: steak, kind staff

Cons: pretty pricey but can't complain on the steaks

09/06/2006 Posted by cpuc

Gene & Georgetti's may claim to have great steaks and chops but they need to start serving up better sides and get up to speed on their drinks. The salad was just a "plain old, plain old" salad, not real fresh and nothing added to make it feel special. The potatoes that come with the meal were 1/2 burnt and 1/2 raw. I do not know how this restaurant got rated a 9.1~in my opinion it should be rated a -1.

Pros: Not even one.

Cons: EXPENSIVE; NASTY SIDE DISHES

01/18/2006 Posted by hotelman21

Gene & Georgetti's has a classic Italian neighborhood feel with its close seating and great dishes. The restaurant specializes as more of a steakhouse then Italian food, though its Italian dished are superb. The restaurant has a classic throwback feel to the "good 'ole day's". A Chicago landmark located right near the El.

Pros: Steak, Service

11/14/2005 Posted by hwkbuf1

After reading the mostly negative reviews, I was very apprehensive about dining in this venerable old Chicago institution. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by our entire experience. We had 6:30 reservations (on a Saturday) and were seated immediately upon arrival (we were minutes late). Our waiter was neither surly or indifferent, but very professional (and apparently, in his late 60s), and quite attentive. We started with the fried calamari and fried ravioli, both of which were delightful. All had steaks, one of which was medium rare instead of medium, but all good, juicy quality cuts of meat cooked well. Overall, a great dining experience. Perhaps coming early with reservations is the way to go, but G & G is a throwback to the old clubby steakhouses.

Pros: Great service, Excellent food, Ambiance

Cons: Ambiance, Crowded, Bar area small

10/27/2005 Posted by jellibells

We had heard good things about this restaurant years ag and were excited to finally go for a birthday dinner when we were visiting Chicago...what a disappointment. This place used to be great, I know... but our experience was poor food, poor service, bad value. This is nowhere near what people expect of a great Chicago steakhouse...