El Che Steakhouse & Bar Reviews
Submitted by Jessica Lemon on 05/15/2022
Jessica Lemon 5 stars rating.
tl;dr version- Amazing. Can't give more than 5 stars, but I would if I could.
My husband and I have been wanting to try a Chef's Table experience for a long time. When we knew we were coming to Chicago (and it happened to be on my birthday), I looked up options for the experience in this area and found El Che. After reading some of the reviews, I decided to go ahead and book it- and let me tell you, from what I read off those reviews, my expectations were set pretty high (despite having never tried a chef's table experience before).
All that to say- I seriously couldn't have asked for a more wonderful birthday dinner. The food was *incredible*. Delicious, complex, flavorful, comforting while simultaneously challenging and full of depth, each bite was a journey into bliss, with an Argentinian twist. I tried food that I would have never tried on my own, and I have to say I really, really enjoyed each and every item.
From the chefs to the waiters to everyone else I met, the service was friendly, personable, knowledgeable, and professional.
Watching the chefs work to create dishes for the rest of the restaurant (as well as ours!), getting to ask questions about the food, such as how or why a particular dish or item was done the way it was, was so incredible. Alex, (and everyone else I bothered) were happy to answer any questions we had- no matter how silly they might have been. I learned a lot and have a bunch of new ideas of things to try at home!
We chose not to do a wine or beverage package, but we had plenty of amazing recommendations from the drinks menu to enjoy with our meal.
We didn't get to meet John Manion that evening, but to be honest (and no offense to John, I'm sure he's lovely) we never felt the lack.
I will definitely be back and I am so grateful I chose this experience for my Chicago birthday dinner! This is truly an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.
Please note, these photos are by me, a VERY bad photographer with absolutely NO training under my belt. Please excuse any photos where bites have already been taken- I had a hard time remembering I should photograph the food first, THEN eat!
Also, when you book this experience, they aren't joking when they say it gets warm. You're right next to the fire (which I LOVED) and all the action, but dress for it! Suit coats (or even long sleeves) would be pretty hot.
James Hawks 4 stars rating.
Visited for dinner on a Saturday evening. I recommend reservations if you want a table, there were open seats at the bar though. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The beef empanadas and Japanese sweet potatoes were delicious. The filet and steak frites were cooked perfectly and tasted great. The rum old fashioned was different and good. The only item we did not like was the sundae. The herbs and nuts flavors were a bit overwhelming.
Submitted by James Hawks on 09/04/2022
Lidia Yip Yip 5 stars rating.
We LOVED the chef's counter experience for my birthday. The entire team was incredibly attentive, friendly and informative. We had a great night with Alex and Chefs Adam, Sam, and Jimmy. (I hope I remembered everyone's names right!)
The food was absolutely delightful and we walked away without being able to pick a single favorite. We came up with a top 5 instead (in no particular order): oyster, grilled shrimp, quail, agnolotti, steak + lobster with lobster butter....so half the menu! ???? The other half was delicious too. They even made my fiance - who hates seafood - say some of the seafood items were his favorite. They were also incredibly accommodating of our requests.
We did not do the wine pairing but Alex was super helpful in helping me pick a few glasses for the meal.
We thoroughly loved it and will be back for another meal soon. My pictures don't even do it justice - and I forgot to take pictures halfway through because I could not wait to dig in.
One tip if you're doing this: dress accordingly. It does get balmy, you're sitting 10 feet from a live burning fire after all.
Submitted by Lidia Yip Yip on 08/22/2022
Ajit Kalra 5 stars rating.
Here's what you need to know: this is a review of the 'Hearth Table' experience that's only purchasable on the restaurant reservation platform "Tock". It's a family style meal experience where the the menu is pre set by the restaurant for $100/diner + T&T. Overall, the service and ambiance make for a 5 star experience. The quality of the steaks and sausages I would rate 3 stars (quite Underwhelming) but the overall rating warrants a 5. Oh, and be ready to eat because it is SO MUCH FOOD on the hearth table.
The hearth table experience is a great way to bring in a celebratory night. The restaurant allows for seating of 6-10 and all participants must participate in the experience. If you're celebrating a special occasion and want to pair that with a nice rare Wine, they so allow BYOB with corkage ($45/bottle) for up to 2 std sized bottles of your own wine.
For the food, we started off with an outrageously delicious olive bowl with assorted Spanish style olives in warm Olive oil brine. Then we moved on to an empanada and endive salad which was a perfect combination pair. Then on the stupendously well seasoned quail (poultry) plate with delicious croutons. Next was the super indulgent warm seafood platter with oysters, prawns, and lobster tails. That was chased with the grand offering of their signature meat platter filled to the brim with sweetbreads, short ribs, blood sausage, chorizo, and massive ribeyes. Surprisingly, the red meat platter was decent but the weakest of the courses when it came to seasoning and quality. Short ribs were a little too fatty and rubbery, ribeye was average quality.
We finished with a dessert platter which had amazingly delish alfajores and ice creams.
Overall, great celebrating. Bill was $135 for food with tax and tip included, and the rest was for cocktails and bottles of wine (which varies for each party )
Submitted by Ajit Kalra on 08/14/2022
Katrina Marie N 5 stars rating.
Absolutely blown away with their meats, presentation, service, and vibe. Never had meat prepped such as this. Opted for the Whipped Ricotta and Beef Picadillo Empanada to start. For our main, definitely needed to get the Parrillada with an add-in of their Bone-In Ribeye. Plenty of food for two but would be best for a group of four, in my opinion. Was not a huge fan of the Marrow Bone, and another meat item included within the Parrillada could have been cooked a bit more longer. All other items were excellent and made up for it though. For dessert, ordered the Mano de Dios and yes, "Hand to God," it was probably one of the best desserts in Chicago! Homemade Yerba Mate Gelato (maybe 6-scoops) and all other delicious toppings. Cocktails are also excellent. Servers ended up comping our after-meal cocktails. I was looking for a Hot Toddy and our bartender cocktail connoisseur whipped up a specially hand crafted Hot Toddy with Mezcal at its base. Very delicious and unique. Would love to try their grilled seafood items as well as the Chef's Counter some time.
Submitted by Katrina Marie N on 07/24/2022
Kelly Ramirez 5 stars rating.
Such a great vibe in here, food was phenomenal and presentation was beautiful! I love it here. Drinks were absolutely delicious. Chef is doing a great job.... our bartender was such a great host.
Once again, nice service. Beautiful atmosphere and just wonderful food.
Submitted by Kelly Ramirez on 07/20/2022
Lauren Sellers 5 stars rating.
Fantastic dinner for my anniversary! It wasn’t too busy when we first came in and it picked up significantly throughout the night. Our waiter Kai was fantastic and made great recommendations. Highly recommend coming in and checking it out.
Submitted by Lauren Sellers on 06/14/2022
Ilya Dankov 5 stars rating.
Me and My wife loves stake. I took her here for our anniversary and we both enjoyed it. Service is top notch! Food came our quick and everything was amazing! Thank you!
Submitted by Ilya Dankov on 06/09/2022
Andrés F 5 stars rating.
Fantastic Argentinian restaurant, great ambiance and excellent service. We had #emapandas (two types), #olives, the quail is excellent and so is the picana. We had La Mano De Dios for dessert and ???? (that was the best).
Submitted by Andrés F on 05/21/2022
shazia siddique 5 stars rating.
My son picked this place for his birthday and we were not disappointed. Liam our host was exceptional. The steaks were perfectly done. Scallops and Empanadas we're so delicious. ????????
Submitted by Shazia Siddique on 04/17/2022
John McCullough 5 stars rating.
Info
Seating: Chefs counter. Add on: S. American wine pairing. Tuesday 5pm seating. Finished around 9pm.
What an outstanding evening worth every dollar to sit front and center for the cooking show. All the staff were a blast to chat with about dinner and their chicago lives and our favorite eats in Chicago. Chef John personally walked us through his creations and chatted with us about his favorite eats in Argentina, Brazil. Sommelier Alex also personally walked us through the wines he curated for this tasting menu and surprised us with some Brazilian wine which typically get little attention in the world of wine. He even went out of his way to give us some funky Argentina wines doing different taste tests side by side. 10+ courses of food(with some surprises! Not all the food photos are here) and some extra wines and beverages along the way.
This was everything a chefs counter should be. A roaring fire, you will be very warm sitting here so come prepared, and a staff that will engage with you talking about the food and the chicago cold haha and how they make the food magic happen. Hat off to Chef John and his outstanding crew! We will be back!
Notes: The Chefs Counter is a warm spot right in front of the action. And is a Must if you want an impressive show and a chance to engage with the staff which they did oh so well! :)
Submitted by John Mccullough on 02/23/2022
Garrett McIntosh 5 stars rating.
Came to El Che for a happy hour and dinner. The entire experience was a perfect 5 stars. From the drinks, to the service, to the food. One of the best steaks I've ever had!
Submitted by Garrett Mcintosh on 01/21/2022
