06/10/08

The food is fine, the owner is rude.

by ajkajari

I've been to Jane's for brunch and dinner on a few occasions and have had an ok experience, nothing to rave about. But it wasn't until my aunt attempted to hold my bridal shower at Jane's did we discover one of the rudest woman we've ever encountered. My aunt called far enough in advance to book a certain date that worked for everyone attending. After calling to confirm the date after not hearing from Jane's, my aunt found out that not only did they "lose" her reservation (for which, by the way, she put a deposit down), but the owner wanted to take zero responsibility for it. She said it was the fault of an employee who left, which may have been true, but as an owner/boss, you have to take responsibility for your employees. The owner offered a sarcastic, half-hearted apology and managed to add, "It's not MY fault." She then suggested some other dates that were available. This would have been absolutely fine, had it not been a month before the presumed event, and out of town guests hadn't already made travel arrangements, invitations hadn't been printed, etc. It also would have helped if the owner hadn't been so rude, perhaps just pretended to be apologetic, and taken some sort of responsibility. We promptly took our business elsewhere and told everyone we know, including people who frequently hold events at Jane's. Obviously we will not be back.

03/27/08

Jane's Recommended

by drake38

I have been going to Jane's for years with my wife and we love the place. Favorites at Jane's are the angel hair pasta with chicken and spinach and the the apple and cheese quesadilla. Nice atmosephere and good service. The tables are close together and it can get loud, but well worth it.

• Pros: angel hair pasta with chicken best dish I have had
• Cons: None

11/01/07

Cramped, Uncomfortable, and Below Average Food

by garofolo99

This place was a HUGE disappointment. The staff was rude, the tables were crammed together, and it was just an unpleasant experience.

We will certainly not return to Jane's. I'd recommend you not waste your time or money here either.

• Pros: It looks nice from the outside.
• Cons: Poor food, service, and ambience.

10/27/07

Horrible Manager and Chef

by kalexand33

The manager, Julie, is one of the rudest, most unsophisticated persons I have ever met in the restaurant business. My date has a common allergy, which she informed the chef about, but the chef nevertheless put the product to which she is allergic in her meal. She is now suffering horribly. The manager NEVER apologized to my date personally. She was rude when I confronted her about it. The chef never came and apologized either.

We had a great waiter. It was his first day on the job. Other than him, this place is horrible.

This area is booming with fantastic dining options. Why go to Jane's and support a rude manager and unsophisticated, ignorant chef with your money? Why go to a place where the chef will ignore your request, even to the point of making someone sick? Go elsewhere.

• Pros: We had a great waiter. It was his first day on the job.
• Cons: The chef does not honor special requests. The manager is rude. The food is below average.

04/14/07

AVOID JANES

by damenavenue

I have been visiting Janes since it opened. I live in Bucktown and frequent Janes due to its proximity for both business and pleasure. I have hosted several events at Janes. I wanted to host my bridal shower at Janes and was told I had to pay a $500 fee for a private room which would not be waved or lessened regardless of the business I brought to Janes. I am very disappointed with the treatment I received and will not be visting Janes again. This is not the way to do business!! Bucktown offers so many superb places and I recommend you stay clear of Janes and visit other establishments.

• Pros: none
• Cons: go somewhere else

01/08/07

Amazing brunch!

by abbie27

Jane's is such a cute, fun little place to eat. It's totally casual, and the food is really, really good. I highly recommend the breakfast burrito - it's amazing. The mimosas are great too. Lots of fun for a girls' brunch!

• Pros: Great food, very casual and relaxing

09/17/06

Horrible all around

by jormond

In a neighborhood with many dining options, this restaurant is woefully inadequate on many levels. I'd agree with other reviewers who found that the service was subpar and the limited menu (of which several items were unavailable) did not have much to offer. Skip it.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Rude service, limited menu

01/14/06

What an embarrassment of a restaurant.

by jamie3302

The only thing redeeming about Jane's is the atmosphere/decor. The waitstaff and barstaff were so unsophisticated, trashy, ill-mannered and laughably snooty and one was dressed very unprofessionally, she looked as if she should be shoveling hay on the farm. We had reservations but had to wait 45 minutes to be seated with no apology. They were out of everything on the menu except for water and lettuce. The food was mediocre at best, the bread served was hard as a rock and not even served warm. What a waste of restaurant space!

• Pros: Decor
• Cons: Bad service, Ill-prepared

11/06/05

The worst brunch in Chicago

by billa12

Unquestionably the worst dining experience we have ever had in Chicago. The service was terrible, the servers were completely out of it and the food was cold. The kitchen ran out of some of my order at noon on a Sunday. Several tables around us were complaining as well, we knew they were becasue you have to shout in Jane's because it is so loud.

08/14/03

Great for dates, this intimate Bucktown favorite serves up reliable global fare.

by Contributor

The Scene
In a cozy little house on quiet Cortland Street, Jane's has been welcoming neighborhood diners since the mid-'90s. A high wood-beam ceiling nicely complements the standard-issue exposed brick decor; lights are low enough to encourage hand-holding and quiet conversation. Mostly white collars from the 'hood during the week; an all-ages crowd holds court during weekend brunch.

The Food
Jane's menu is mostly American with influences from all over the map, from Asian and Spanish to good ol' American. Corn chowder is watery but good, with plenty of chopped carrots, celery and potato. Not afraid of a little heat? Several dishes will satisfy your craving for spice: A rare tuna egg roll with spinach, carrots and mushrooms in citrus soy sauce unleashes a potent wasabi kick, and New Orleans black grouper in a sake-ginger sauce likewise packs a formidable punch. Jane's is vegetarian-friendly, too--meatless options include a garden burger and a goat cheese, veggie and tofu burrito.

• Pros: great date spotreasonable pricesgood food