The Loyalist
Chicago
Kort fortalt
Anmeldelser
Amazing amazing wedding anniversary dinner! We found this place online while looking for a great restaurant that served burgers. And little did we know. Am super cool setting (loud though) great service and food. It took a long time for our order to arrive but the food was worth the wait. The tomato salad so unique, the French burger super juicy and the profiterol for dessert which was nice (the dough was a bit dry). To top it all,David the manager came up to our table for a great chat and took the desert of our bill to celebrate our anniversary.
After an outstanding dinner at The Loyalist, it’s easy to understand why this has become one of Chicago’s favorite neighborhood restaurants. From the moment when we sat down, we decided to give our server, Allison, complete freedom to choose our meal. We simply told her to surprise us, and every recommendation she made was outstanding. Her knowledge of the menu, enthusiasm, and confidence created a wonderful dining experience. We started with the tête de cochon, a dish I probably would have overlooked on my own. Thanks to Allison’s recommendation, it became one of the highlights of the evening. It was a creative, beautifully balanced combination of flavors and textures that made for a memorable start. Next came the mussels, served with a rich brandade cream, bacon, and herb butter. The portion was incredibly generous, and the broth was so flavorful that you’ll want plenty of bread to soak up every last bite. For our entrées, Allison selected the duck special and the legendary Loyalist cheeseburger for us to share. Both were exceptional. The duck was expertly prepared with crisp skin and perfectly cooked meat, while the cheeseburger reminded us why it’s considered one of the best in Chicago—simple, rich, and absolutely delicious. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between warm, inviting, and effortlessly cool, with the comfortable feel of a neighborhood pub elevated by thoughtful design and genuine hospitality. Every member of the staff we encountered was welcoming, engaging, and seemed genuinely happy to be there, making the experience feel even more special. It’s no surprise that The Loyalist shares a home with its three-Michelin-star sister restaurant, Smyth, just upstairs. While the two restaurants offer very different experiences, they clearly share the same commitment to exceptional food and hospitality. The Loyalist delivers exactly what great dining should be: outstanding food, knowledgeable and personable service, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger. A special thank you to Allison for guiding our entire meal with such confidence and care. We left feeling like we had experienced the restaurant exactly as its chefs intended, and we can’t wait to return.
The burgers were hyped and were excited and we only had 2 nights in Chicago this time. Took a bit of a cab ride to get here. Cool vibe, sat at the bar. First, tried ordering a Crown Royal Manhattan, to which the bartender responded "I don't carry flavored whiskey"... hmmm (it's not)... so we ordered 4 Roses and it was delicious. Really good! Ordered one of each burger OG and smash... took a really long time which is fine, but when the food came, the smash burger was dried out. Dry bun, dry burger. The fries were excellent! Loved the fries. The OG burger was decent, but in no way was this "destination burger". And 2 Manhattans, 2 burgers and 2 glasses of wine cost $173 w/tip... don't mind spending money on food and drink, but for that coin it needs to live up to the hype :(
Phenomenal experience as a non drinker. Many non alcoholic drinks available to me including some really nice house made horchata that made me go back for a few more. The atmosphere was nice as well with candlelit tables and Beetlejuice playing behind the bar where you can see the drinks actively being made. The staff were really nice and welcoming, checking on the tables often and bringing food out pretty quickly. It had a nice balance of feeling nice and a bit fancy without making me feel uncomfortable in a graphic tee and jeans. There were also plenty of small things that made my overall experience better such as the comfortable booth and the restroom using a fully separated door for the men’s stall. Overall, The Loyalist is a very pleasant and welcoming space from the eyes of a non drinker.
Stopped by The Loyalist and finally tried their well‑known burger. The patties themselves were pretty damn good—great sear, juicy, and seasoned just right. You can tell they take real care with the meat. The only thing that held it back for me was the sauce. The flavor was strong enough that it pulled attention away from how good the patties actually were. Still a solid burger overall, just one that could’ve been even better with a lighter touch on the sauce. Cool vibe, good service, and definitely worth a visit if you’re curious about their take on a signature burger.
