Disappointing. Â I love the concept of revolving chefs and was excited to actually eat something other than toasted nuts and a Vienna Beef at Navy Pier. Â Plus the outside seating is really nice, like eating along the beach in South Carolina. Â Unfortunately, that was where the pleasantness ended.
I had the Coq Au Vin sliders from the guest chef (don't remember who it was and it's not on the website - hello, that's the big selling feature, advertise!) Â They were good, but not great. Â Certainly not $14 for two little sliders overwhelmed by bun. Â My friend had the margherita flatbread which was WAY under-seasoned. Â She kept turning around looking for a waiter to ask for some salt or pepper (my pet peeve is when they assume their food is so good it's an insult to add S&P) but there was no one to be found. Â We were one of maybe six tables at 5:30pm on a Thursday, so there's no excuse for spotty service.
Its proximity to the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre is what drew us, but next time I'll eat in River North and then head to the show. Â Big disappointment, City Porch.
I think the first time I was here I was having a great day, the sun was shining, birds were singing...
So I went back to grab a bite before seeing a play. Â It truly was "meh". Â Disjointed really. Â I think the specials are supposed to be a guest chef but that was not highlighted or even low lighted. Â
We were seated right away and our server came with water quickly, but then he went away. Â I made eye contact with him several times before he came over to take our order. Â I hate feeling antsy before a show! Â
So I got the flat bread pizza which wasn't bad but totally lacked seasoning. Â They don't have salt & pepper on the tables and we never saw our waiter again so I had a bland dinner. Â Its a shame b/c the ingredients were fresh.
My friend had the slider special. Â I hate it when the meat is much smaller than the bun and it looked like it was just bread and meat. Â Boring!
Then a really friendly woman came out of nowhere to get us our check. Â I wish she had been our waiter the whole time!
Too bad. Â Another great concept that's poorly executed.
I don't usually write reviews but I dined here on a Saturday afternoon and everything was great! Â Try the green beans and the lobster mac! Â Cynthia was our server and she was very pleasant. Â The only negative comment I have is about the cleanliness of the patio. Â There was food stuck in the cracks on the patio floor and the wrappers for the silverware were everywhere. Â The menus could be cleaner as well. Â Overall, next to Riva, they have some of the best food on the Pier. Â I will definitely be returning.
Review Source:The only reason this place is getting 1 star is for the truffle fries. Â The service was terrible. I mean the worst. Â The food was gross. We ordered souvlaki, chicken and berry salad, and burgers. Nothing was good except the fries. I was extremely disappointed. The first red flag should have been this place is in navy pier and it was Empty! But we tried it anyway. The chicken was all dark meat which is gross. The salad dressing on the salad was gross. We had 3 different servers and they all sucked. We were short on napkins, didn't get any condiments for our burgers, we didn't eat some of the food and we were asked was there anything wrong, told the server and there was no apology. Nothing. The server didn't even say thank you when he gave us the bill. Â I can't say it enough. Do not go here. ThIs place is terrible!!!
Review Source:We ate here after our Tall Ship Windy sail on Lake Michigan, and were very excited to try it out (since it's new). Â We liked the price point (especially in comparison with Riva), and loved the fact that we could sit OUTSIDE to catch the fireworks. Â We were impressed with the ambiance, service and menu right off the bat. Â Once we got our food (QUICKLY) we were REALLY pleased and thought it was DELICIOUS and nicely prepared. Â Everyone at our table was silent once they got their food, except for murmurings of "Mmmmms" and "Oh my Gods!" and "This is SOOOO good!" Â
Yes, we were ravenous by 9 pm at night, but we thought this place delivered GREAT food and service for the price point.
Thank you City Porch! Â We'll go back next time we're on the Pier.
Just what we needed. A relaxing cafe-sized lunch without all the pomp n circumstance or expense of big brand dining options, and less chaotic than the food court. We all REALLY enjoyed the food and portions. Tried beef sliders, fish tacos and po boy. Plates at nearby tables looked equally appetizing.
Only thing was staff communication seemed disorganized. No one seemed to know which table ordered what or made special requests for ketchup etc. Don't seem to have the typical numbering system. Wonder if they are new and still working out the kinks?
That said - food was served quickly and we were on time for our tix to Cirque Shanghai.
I would give this place 0 stars if I could. Â As a former Navy Pier employee, I know how crazy Air and Water show weekend can be. Â We were starving and found an open seat at City Porch. Â We were told to sit and wait at a table for 10 minutes for another table even though there were many open ones. Â After about 15, we asked the hostess if we could just see a menu to order when we got a table. she sent a server over, he took our drink order and promptly delivered my lemonade. Â After that, we never saw him again. after another 10 minutes we left. Â The hostess seemed unapoligetic and agitated. Â Communicated is awful there, they did not have obvious sections, the wait was awful, and it was NOT busy.
Review Source:Sat down at an open outdoor table. Server apologized for not attending to us sooner because he didn't know we were here (even though he was serving the table next to us) because we didn't check in with the hostess. The second porch entrance did not have a sign indicating that was necessary. Menus were delivered but customary water was not delivered and server never came back to take our order so we left and had a great experience at Riva.
Review Source:I was hoping for something less "Margaritaville-ish" on Navy Pier but City Porch went to the extreme. There is absolutely no decor here. Do something! At least put up a faux-wall or room divider to shield us from the tacky, dark, 70's Navy Pier corridors! Put a sticker on the wall. SOMETHING!
We eventually sat outside which was much better. We came for drinks which didn't sit well with our red-headed waitress. Not that she said anything but her body language was disapproving about it. After a couple of rounds we ordered a couple apps and her dim switch went up a bit. GET the breaded greens if you go. DON"T get the wings (if you go) as they were decent but you get 4 pieces for $8.
Wooowwww!!! I cannot believe this place. Â Yes I agree tourists (the people usually at Navy Pier) are used to being treated crappy, and eating unhealthy gross food. Â However, City Porch pushes the envelope on all that is bad tourist dining. Â I am a Chicago native, but love going to the pier to watch the fireworks, and on this particular night we had seen Batman on IMAX (do that instead of spend the money at City porch)!!
To start with there we sooo many tables open, and they made us wait 20 minutes. Â With that said you would assume it is to not overwhelm the servers... that can't be it because the servers SUCKED anyway! We also had a run in with the manager becasue the server told us they were out of Stella, so she would "take them off our bill, and bring us something different". Â Since this was over 30 minutes passing in ordering the Stellas and with the way she worded it we assumed in order to make up for their mistakes they would comp the 312s she brought us.. which did not taste like 312 at all... I'm pretty sure they were Miller Lite's PUKE! annnnyyy way the manager come over very abrasive and rude. Â The food was meh... the best thing we ordered were the fried green beans. Â I ordered the lobster mac n cheese, and there was a generous amount of lobster, but and even more generous amount of standing butter... I LOVE butter, but this was OVERKILL. Â I would say skip this and go for the damn burger and Harey Carey's. Â Much better!!
I dine out A LOT and it's very seldom I experience service as atrocious as I experienced at this place.
We were a group of 4 adults and 2 children when we walked in for lunch towards the end of the rush on a Saturday. It took us at least 15 to be seated (least of the issues).
There were waters ready on the table (which we quickly consumed by the time we ordered) and we were shortly thereafter greeted by our server Kinzie (Kenzie?). She told us about the food and difference in plate sizes, specifically exclaiming that a few of the salads (those with seafood) were indeed small in size but the remaining were quite large/hearty. Three of us ordered salads when we finally ordered.
She didn't return to our table for about 50 MINUTES and only then, it was because we had grown quite agitated and were very hungry (with two little ones) and we asked the bus boy if he could check on our food. We hadn't even gotten a water refresh during this time and it was 100 degrees that day. No word. Finally she comes over and says to us, "Yeah, I'm not your server anymore. (insert name, I do not remember) is. I'll send her over." Her tone was so dismissive and bothered, we were aghast.
We watched as she went over to our new waitress, clearly informing her for the first time of this swap. We asked the bus boy to please send a manager over. New waitress comes over to introduce herself and says, "So I guess Kinzie is no longer covering this table." We explain our dissatisfaction thus far and inquire about our food. We indicate that we asked the manager to come over and she still hadn't. She says, "I'm going to go check on your food. I apologize for everyone. I think they're going to comp some of your bill, but I don't know how much. Maybe 50%?" This all would be fine, but her tone was so insincere. Clearly this wasn't her fault, but there was no compassion or sincerity in her words.
We got our food shortly thereafter, although there were items missing. The salads were indeed NOT large, and barely had any dressing. Quite frankly they weren't great. How do you mess up a salad?
The table behind us was in the process of complaining as well, because they had waited nearly as long (maybe longer) and still had no food. Clearly Kinzie didn't like our corner or more obviously didn't like to make money.
The bill was comped about 50% but the manager (an overweight female brunette) never once came over to address us.
Last but not least, a dirty rag was left on the seat when we arrived and we placed it on the end of the table where the food would be brought, so it could be taken away, and it never was.
Clearly Kinzie needs to be fired and maybe think about another career. The manager should also be fired, and the entire staff needs a training on cleanliness, service, and professionalism. I've rarely been this appalled at a restaurant.
I dined at this restaurant with my husband, son and some friends while visitng Navy pier. Â - I've never posted a review - but thought for the good of humanity I better. Â I also hope whoever owns this place reads these reviews and starts taking the selection of staff and managment a bit more serious. Â
Horrible careless service. Â Waited over an hour at a slow time for food - with a one year old. Â Asked to speak to a manager - watched the bus boy tell the manager we wanted to see her and then watched her walk away into the kitchen to find our food. Â She never spoke to us despite asking. Â All we wanted was an apology. Â She comped some of our bill - but an apology would have been worth so much more. Â
No refresh on our drinks, no check in on how our food was when we finally got it. Â There is really nothing good to say. Â
I would have got up and left if it wasn't for my starving child. Â
Don't go here unless you want below average food and horrible service. Â
BAD CHOICE CHICAGO - this is a huge tourist location-you need to select great restaurants. Â BOOT this out!
My wife, 1 year old and I went here for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't crowded at all but we wanted to try it out since it had a nice view.
We ordered a pizza off the kids menu for our daughter and my wife ordered the ceviche to start. Even though the pizza was off the kid's menu I didn't expect them to serve us a frozen pizza that came out of the microwave. It was disgusting. Then the ceviche came and the fish smelled and tasted rancid. It wasn't even edible. We never even ordered our main course.
The waitstaff was extremely pleasant and only charged us for the two drinks we ordered as well. We liked our waiter so much we left him a hefty tip but made sure he knew the food was horrible.
I was initially apprehensive because of the polarized reviews but I had a pretty solid experience and would generally recommend it, with some caveats: 1) Don't expect luxury here, it is what it is - a casual porch-y atmosphere, hence the name - with many small plate options as well as a pretty darn good burger, 2) Sit outside - inside looks pretty boring, 3) Don't stand outside waiting for a table; you have to physically enter the building to be seated, and 4) It's not swanky, but it's better than Billy Goat. Â We took our crabby toddler at 7PM on a Saturday night (what were we thinking?!) and not only found immediate outdoor seating but also very friendly staff ready and waiting with ample water refills, not to mention serving up tasty fare. Â The waiter even got a piece of grilled buttered bread in an attempt to satisfy our little crabcake, and didn't charge us. Â Very nice.
In short, the delicious: cheeseburger (pretzel bun, your choice of many cheeses), chicken flatbread with tangy barbeque sauce, red onion (small but delish), and the grilled cheese.
The 'eh': the kids' meals are $8.50 (a little steep, no?) each for mac and cheese, hot dog, the usual, and the flatbread was about 6x10", which to me qualifies as a 'small plate,' and should probably be advertised as such... but anyway.
If you're bringing the kids, stick with Harry Carey's - they have a more family friendly menu. Â And on another cheeseburger-related note, they automatically put mayo on the burger so if that's not your style let 'em know.
Terrible service! 45+ minute wait for lunch food. Food came out cold. Over priced everything! Server brought us 6 beers and we only ordered 5 after jokingly telling her to leave it so not to have her throw it away she charged us for it!!!! To make things worse gatuity is included!!! Do not try this pop up. Better off in the food court. Good news is this terrible restaurant is only temporarily ripping people off!
Review Source:City Porch is the best new addition to Navy Pier! Great decor (love the adorandack chairs!), yummy drinks (gotta try the ginger mai tai's) and the staff was great! Â I highly recommend the crab cakes, the lamb burgers, and a definite must is the lobster mac & cheese!! If you are visiting Navy Pier this summer make sure City Porch is on your list.
Review Source:I have eaten at City Porch 3 times now and was completely "wowed". Â The lamb sliders, lobster roll, heirloom tomato salad and the avocado crab salad - all excellent! There is no other upscale restaurant located on the lake - anywhere! Â This is the best view - best location anywhere in the city. Â
Service was very good  especially the bussers - who were refilling water constantly.
My friends and I have been to City Porch twice now and plan on going back again! My first visit was on a Wednesday night, we sat inside and I had the crab cakes and beef sliders and they were yummy! After eating we moved down to the Adirondack chairs to watch the fireworks, it was such a fantastic view!
My Second visit was on a Saturday afternoon, we sat in the outside porch area. This time I had the Havarti Mac & Cheese and the Ceviche, they were delicious!!!!
For each of our visits we were seated promptly and the servers were very friendly and attentive.
After dining at City Porch twice, I am a true fan! Not only is the atmosphere fresh, inviting and overall, beautiful, the food always hits the spot! Unlike others along Navy Pier, City Porch is a unique addition to the otherwise touristy environment.
The menu is jam packed with amazing treats. From the delish flatbreads, sliders, skewers, lobster mac n' cheese -- how can you go wrong? There is something for everyone and it does not disappoint. Not to mention the refreshing sweet tea cocktail! Great place to meet with friends and people watch!
As a Chicagoan, Navy Pier is the last place to be on a Saturday night, but I would gladly fight through the crowds to the end of the pier to experience City Porch again and again.
Inside or out, City Porch is one for the books!
WOW, this place is terrible.
So I was at Navy Pier and remembered reading about this hot new spot on the Pier. Â Normally, I wouldnt waste my time, but it really sounded cool. Â Once I walked past it, I immediately knew that I would be having a beer and some food there that day.
Walk up around 330PM on a Friday. Â The space looks great. Â White and grey. Â Balls hanging, very airy and clean. Â That is where the excitement ends.
There is no hostess stand outside. Â So we proceeded to walk in. Â There was a short girl there that looked like a hostess. Â I asked her for a table for 6 for outside. Â She said she needed 5 minutes. Â We looked at the outdoor area, it was about half empty. Â OK? Â And not busy. Â The area is very cramped. Â most of the tables are 4 seaters with not much room to spare. Â Waited and waited. Â
There was a bar outside so we walked up to it and grabbed a beer. Â The girl re-appeared again and asked if I had been helped??? Â I was like, I just talked to you about 10 minutes ago for a table outside. Â These people really have NO CLUE what is going on.
Next, she tells us it'll be a five minute wait for a 6 top that some people that were leaving. Â Fine. Â Next another girl comes up to us and says its going to be a 10-15 min wait. Â We asked if it was fine if we just sat at two of the four tops next to each other. Â They said that was fine. Â
So two different servers came to our two tables. Â There were going to be two different servers. Â We asked if we could just have one because we were one group. Â They looked at us like we had three heads. Â The guy said that was fine and the girl would be taking care of us. Â Well, needless to say, that was the last we saw of either of them. Â Our drinks were empty, waters empty, no attempt to ask if we wanted food. Â Like I said, I wanted to eat, but decided that with this service, there was no way I would have the patience to deal with this. Â We decided on just drinks. Â After waiting for someone to come back around, we just got up and went to the Landshark. Â I have never seen such disorganization when its not even busy?? Â Who runs this place?????
This place is a nightmare. Â No one appears to have any idea about serving, waiting, customer service, etc. Â YIKES! Â
Dont waste your time. Â Dont make the trip to the busy Navy Pier for this place. Â Heck, even if you are in the area, dont waste your time here. Â The Landshark is a great place to grab a cocktail and enjoy the Lake without these idiots.
I read a review about this new, swanky spot opening in Navy Pier- so I ventured here for Wednesday night fireworks. There was a private party, but they were serving guests on the patio.
Generally the staff is nice but unorganized and unfamiliar with the product. Food came out and staff began to ask consecutive tables if they ordered the items. And after asking the staff for recommendations but receiving answers such as "that's good", Â I don't think that the staff knows the food.
Good things:
Very nice staff
Perfect location to watch the fireworks
Adirondack chairs available
Not crowded
Bacon wrapped cream cheese stuffed jalapeños- relatively the best thing I ate. Good.
Not so good things:
Pomme frites with garlic truffle oil- served at a cool temp with no trace of the truffle oil
Wagyu beef sliders- sorry that I ate one of them
The view is great for fireworks. Â Have a beer and hold low expectations on the food. Â I would be happy to know that I ordered all of the wrong items on the menu and the remainder of them are much better than I experienced. But hell, it's Navy Pier.
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