Chicago Prime Italian Steakhouse Guide and Review
Chicago Prime Italian Steakhouse, located in Chicago, Illinois, is primarily reviewed as a high-end restaurant, despite being categorized as a casino establishment. Customer feedback presents a largely positive dining experience, emphasizing culinary excellence and superior service, though some significant drawbacks regarding ambiance, pricing, and service consistency have been noted.
The Positives ✨
Food Quality & Selection 🍽️
Reviewers consistently laud the exceptional quality of the food. Steaks, such as the Cowboy ribeye and New York Steak, are praised for being "cooked perfectly" and having a "good crust." Italian dishes, including the lasagna with meat sauce and Penne Arrabbiata, are described as delicious, with the pasta sauce noted for its "spicy sauce with depth." Appetizers like the "light and tender" calamari and Goat Cheese Balls also receive high marks. The food is frequently described as "fresh, flavorful, and served hot."
Exceptional Service 🥂
For many, the service at Chicago Prime Italian Steakhouse is "extraordinary" and "superior." Guests report being "warmly greeted" upon arrival. The staff, including manager AJ (who was noted for remembering a reservation update) and server Nevanna, are highlighted for being "very attentive," making "good recommendations," and ensuring guests feel "so welcomed." Small details like water glasses "never empty" and staff packing leftovers themselves contribute to the positive service experience.
Welcoming Atmosphere for Celebrations 🎉
The restaurant is frequently chosen for special occasions like birthdays and First Communion celebrations, with many finding the atmosphere "welcoming."
Areas for Improvement ⚠️
Service Inconsistencies & Capacity Issues ⏳
While many praise the service, one review highlighted significant inconsistencies, reporting that their server was "clearly over sat," leading to "untimely service" and extended waits for ordering, entrees, and even a second round of drinks.
Pricing & Value 💸
A notable concern raised by one guest was that the food was "WAY overpriced for the quality," especially after spending over $500.
Ambiance, Decor & Seating Concerns 🎰
The decor was described by some as "a little dated." A significant point of contention for a high-end establishment is the presence of a "slots machine area," which some reviewers found "tacky." More critically, one review raised serious concerns about seating practices, stating that if you are a minority, "they will seat you in the back room with the other minorities and the DOG," suggesting potential discrimination.
Dining Environment 👨👩👧👦
One guest found a room full of families with children to be "annoying for a date night," indicating that the dining environment might not always align with expectations for an intimate, high-end experience.
Overall Verdict and Recommendation ✅
Chicago Prime Italian Steakhouse offers a dining experience that can be truly "top tier," particularly for its high-quality food and often outstanding service. It appears to be a popular choice for celebrations and is capable of delivering memorable meals. However, prospective diners should be aware of potential service inconsistencies and a pricing structure that some find disproportionate to the value received. The restaurant's ambiance might not appeal to everyone due to dated decor and the presence of gaming machines. Most importantly, the serious allegation regarding discriminatory seating practices warrants careful consideration for any potential diner. While many reviewers express a strong desire to return, the overall experience seems to vary significantly.
This restaurant is top tier!! Not just because the food was excellent, it's because the service was extraordinary as well!!! From the moment we walked in we were warmly greeted!! The manager AJ introduced himself to me and remembered that I had called in earlier because we were running a little late for our reservation. My fiancée and I ordered the Cowboy ribeye and the lasagna with meat sauce. We also had the calamari and the wedge salad. Our food was cooked perfectly and our drinks and dessert were great too! Nevanna our server was very attentive to our needs and came to check on us often to make sure we were good!! She made good recommendations and made us feel so welcomed!! We were celebrating my fiancée's birthday and she loved the whole experience!! We'll definitely be back!!! Awesome job Chicago Prime Italian!! 5 stars!!!
Spent over $500 here after tip in attempt to take my family somewhere nice to celebrate. If you are a minority, they will seat you in the back room with the other minorities and the DOG. Our server was clearly over sat and didn’t have the capacity to offer timely service. We waited forever to order, forever for our entrees, and when we tried to order our second drink, it only arrived after we had finished our entrees. Food was WAY overpriced for the quality. I couldn’t believe how lacking they were after waiting so long. My family wished we had gone somewhere else. Absolutely do not recommend.
First time here, my partner and I really loved the restaurant. We ordered a Moscow mule, Prime Old Fashioned, Goat Cheese Balls, New York Steak, and Penne Arrabbiata.The food and drinks were great. The steak had a good crust to it and the pasta had a spicy sauce with depth.The service was excellent. Our water glass was never empty! And they packed our leftovers themselves which is always a plus.The only negative is that I think the decor was a little dated, we were sitting with a room full of families with children (which can be annoying for a date night), and they had a slots machine area which I find to be tacky. Especially for a place that’s supposed to be high end.But overall, my partner and I really loved the food and service! Would definitely come back.
We love this restaurant. Great food and great service. Looking forward to being back!
We attended a First Communion Celebration at this restaurant. No words can do justice for the superior service and welcoming atmosphere. The food was exceptional!! Fresh, flavorful, and served hot! From the light and tender calamari, to the home made pasta sauce, this restaurant is certainly the "prime" of Italian restaurants. This is a must dining experience to savor! Excellent!!!