Overall Verdict: Highly Limited Recommendation
This place does, in my opinion, deserve one Michelin star HOWEVER it does not merit a return visit by me. I would recommend it to tourists or acquaintances if they are fans of Latin American cuisine and want to say they went to a Rick Bayless restaurant. I would not recommend to friends, colleagues or clients.
Topolobampo
Mexican, Steakhouse
445 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
LONG VERSION:
Continuing on my Michelin star restaurant quest and admitting up front that this review is biased based on comparison to the other Michelin star restaurants at which I have dined. See all reviews of the list here
bit.ly/nGR9Vc
Most relevant comparisons: Takashi (very casual restaurant, cramped space); L2O (unexplained spotty service), Spiaggia (REALLY dry and boring personality of the staff), Naha (decor), Sepia (good but not Michelin worthy food).
FOOD: 3.5
Quick note for vegans and vegetarians – stay home or go elsewhere. You will leave starving. There was an AWFUL salad that without the cheese and creamy dressing was tortuous to eat. But, since I only play vegan temporarily, I base my evaluation on all of the food that I and my guests consumed.
Food was rather flavorful and well prepared. A la carte portions are fairly small so don’t think you’ll be better off doing that instead of the tasting menu. Do the Tasting Menu! You’ll think you are ordering more than you think you should, but if you try a la carte with appetizer and entree, be ready for after dinner meal.
My biggest problem is that I felt like it should be a high-end tapas place. The timing was odd, sharing was not really encouraged despite the casual family-style atmosphere, and the portions were small. Again, maybe the Tasting Menus would have made the experience better.
Drinks were good.
SERVICE: 3
Timing is awful. Host guy told us to order everything at once to avoid long delays between courses. Didn’t work. There was a period of about 30 minutes where there was not a morsel of food on the table; no bread, salsa, chips, nada! It was odd.
Also, the servers are just not very enthusiastic. Quite a contrast from the ambiance of the restaurant, the staff is bored and dry. They are, however, friendly and do seem interested in customer service so this is not a knock on them.
DECOR: 2
Reminds me of Brazzaz; a colorful mess. And it’s loud and cramped. I think it is interesting that this place has a sister attached but don’t really understand why. Throughout the night I was thinking maybe we should have gone to the sister place instead. The website and opentable said “business casual” and most reviewers seem to say the place is kind of dressy but on our night, we saw shorts clad tourists.
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Adam
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