The Publican Reviews
Submitted by Jiahui Yu on 12/29/2021
Jiahui Yu 5 stars rating.
Brunch options were truly amazing. I’d come back to try more. Service was bad but I think it might just be that particular server... Anyway, food alone worth 5 stars!
Daniel Zaglama 4 stars rating.
Brunch review: As a disclaimer, I have eaten at The Publican a few times over the years (mostly brunch) and remember loving it. This time was good but a notch lower than what I recall. The burger was decent - but given my expectations, it was a slight let down. The beef was a little dry (I went with the server-recommended temp) and the abundance of sauce likely served to compensate, which kinda worked but also made it really messy. The sausage dish was better, with tender meat and unique flavor overall. Crispy potatoes were delicious but some were big and not so crispy in the middle. They also make a great bloody mary. I know this reads like a 3-star review but I'm honestly just over critical bc of my expectations - the food really is good.
Submitted by Daniel Zaglama on 08/18/2022
Carolyn Rider 5 stars rating.
A group of 5 of us came here on a weekend trip to Chicago and it was great. I got the poached eggs and everyone enjoyed the baked potatoes. Would highly recommend!
Submitted by Carolyn Rider on 06/27/2022
Savannah Forster 5 stars rating.
The happy hour $1 oysters are a cheaper oyster that is not reflected on the menu, but they weren’t bad! They were very hit or miss with flavor. Our first dozen were just okay- fresh tasting but not nearly like the best oysters we’ve ever had. The second dozen were better? Like I said, hit or miss.
Oysterman wine was a nice happy hour hour choice, very reasonably priced compared to market value of the bottle, and a nice pairing with oysters.
Half charcuterie was plenty for the three of us- full would’ve been way too much. I also tried both the o’scanny oyster and the hama hama. Now, the hama hama says it tastes like melon and cucumber, which is an interesting combo for an oyster, but really fresh and nice. I’d give it an 8/10. Worth the $4, but prob just to try, and not like for a dozen unless you’re just really into melon and cucumber oysters. The o’scanny was amazing- sweet and salty. 9/10, only bc I’ve had fresh Baltic oysters that were 10/10. If I hadn’t had those this would be the best oyster I’ve ever had. Totally worth it. Is this place worth the hype? Definitely for happy hour. Can’t answer for other because we got a LOT of happy hour specials. Go for happy hour. You prob won’t be sorry!
Next time I’m in Chicago I gotta come back and try the mussels ◡̈
Submitted by Savannah Forster on 04/15/2022
Makiko DeBus 5 stars rating.
Good food ! The toasts were a little burnt but other than that, both my son and I enjoyed our brunch (Publican scramble and Ricotta tartine).
Submitted by Makiko Debus on 04/11/2022
Josh Banfield 5 stars rating.
Been walking by here for years and glad we came. Large open restaurant with communal tables and really good food focused a lot on meats.
Food: 5/5
Beer: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Cocktails: 0/5
Grab yourself a mug of some of their German beers and order the prosciutto, butter the bread and put it on top, amazing way to start your meal! (Pic attached)
Also get the carrots and try some oysters, with the main being the pork belly or mussels and you'll find yourself leaving super full and satisfied.
Only thing I'd avoid is any cocktails, I had one of the worst old fashioned I've ever had, so stick to beer here.
Submitted by Josh Banfield on 04/02/2022
Aaron Gruenthal 1 stars rating.
My wife got extremely sick from the oysters, I found a worm/bug in my oyster (to be fair, it's a raw bivalve from the ocean, yeah there's going to be some funky stuff in there, but still...), and the host (manger?) spilled half of my beer on the table and did not offer to replace it.
I used to love this place; great beer selection, amazing food, cool atmosphere. Honestly, those haven't changed, but the staff is just not what it used to be, and, unfortunately, we got unlucky with the oysters this time.
I let our waiter know that my wife was extremely sick from the oysters (she was literally in the restroom; I won't go into detail), and that he should check the kitchen to make sure that everything was kosher back there. Their response was to tell us that their oysters and beef had just come in that morning so it couldn't have been them. Then they "generously" comped us a $10 burger...
Again, not trying to be a Karen; I know that we're not their only customers and that they have a lot on their plate, but we really left feeling like an afterthought for the waitstaff. There are a lot of great restaurants in Chicago. I never need to go back to this place again.
Submitted by Aaron Gruenthal on 03/04/2022
Angela Peng 5 stars rating.
We came here for Happy hour $2 oysters and gotta say I love this place! We also got some drinks and the sour dough with duck/pork spread. The sour dough is a must try and the oysters r really worth it. Would definitely recommend this place!
Submitted by Angela Peng on 10/08/2021
Emily Chen 3 stars rating.
The food was flavorful, but too salty. We got the burrata, salmon toast, steak and eggs, and sausage. Everything except for the burrata was too salty, taking away from the actual flavors of the food.
Service was very fast, attentive, and friendly though. Note that the inside is literally a beer hall so if you want a table to yourself make sure to request outdoor seating.
Submitted by Emily Chen on 08/15/2021
