Big Jones
Big Jones — dependable Andersonville soul food known for the Fried Chicken. Classic neighborhood feel, nothing here chasing trends. The cocktail list is worth exploring. Martina K: "The Okratini is a must try if you enjoy dirty martinis, creative twist…loved" [$$, patio]
What 1,842 diners keep saying
What 1,842 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“gorgeous hidden patio and delightful staff- thanks so much!! 😁 we demolished okra, fried chicken, and catfish at happy hour”
“I’ve spent years behind the pass. I thought I knew food. Then Big Jones happened. Three dishes. Zero complaints. The Fried catfish over étouffée and stone-ground grits that crust alone is a masterclass. Shrimp & Grits next. Plump shrimp, smoky bacon, mushrooms in a glossy gravy that someone clearly tasted a hundred times before it left the kitchen. Then the Fried Green Tomatoes with Shrimp Remoulade. Cornmeal coat uniform and crisp, tomatoes holding their acid, remoulade cutting through the fat exactly when you need it. Three bites of pure balance. This kitchen gets something most don’t, restraint is a skill. No tricks, no theater. Just honest ingredients cooked with conviction. I came in knowing nothing about Cajun food. I left a convert. Simple ingredients cooked to perfection.”
“Visited for the first time for Sunday brunch. Highly recommend a reservation as the entire restaurant was full right at open! Very friendly service and delicious food. They had fun specials as well. I got the Spring Omelette and Potatoes. We also ordered beignets to share which were very good. Looking forward to visiting again :)”
“Big Jones is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago so I have eaten there several times. I have always had delicious, fresh food and great service. I like the atmosphere, too, which is casual but nice. It is lively but you can still hear one another to talk, without shouting. I have never written a review before, but when I heard the chef appreciates reviews, I decided to write one to show my appreciation to the chef and staff. Today we had the rhubarb mojito, sweet potato biscuits with rhubarb jam, fried chicken, pimento burger, grits, rhubarb & black walnut galette, and the chocolate pots de crème. I think the fried chicken is the best in the country. I think the burger (pimento burger) is the best burger in the city and maybe in the country. Anything rhubarb they make (when in season) is the best and you must try it. Get there now while it is still in season! I will not eat anyone else's grits except for the grits at Big Jones (I get mine with cheese). Everything is always wonderful, and our server, Sahand, was above and beyond today. Weather permitting, they have outdoor seating in the back and the front. I do not understand how this restaurant has anything less than 5.0 stars. The prices are reasonable, too. If you have not tried Big Jones, you must go now, as you are missing out! P.S. I think they also have the best brunch in the city.”
“Amazing selection of food. You won't be disappointed. Great service. Highly recommend”
“Always super packed so the service can be pretty slow but it’s completely worth it. The best southern food I’ve found in Chicago.”
“The service struck a great balance, friendly and attentive without ever feeling too much. The menu leans into a Creole/Southern influence, and it shows in the best way. The Cuban sandwich was spot-on, the bread especially outstanding, and the grits were rich and comforting. Definitely a place worth returning to.”
“One of my favorite places to come during Chicago Restaurant Week! I love all of the GF options and the flavors are always perfect.”
“Southern cooking at it's finest ... This place really surprised me as I didn't expect it to be as delicious as it was. Although you'll get the classic Southern dishes it's prepared and delivered in a classy detail setting. This isn't like your mom's Southern cooking this literally is a fancy preparation and style. The fried green tomatoes were some of the best I have ever eaten. Lightly battered and season then fried to perfection. It was not over cooked and the tomatoes were just enough to cut with a fork yet melt in your mouth. The texture was amazingly delicious! I indulge off the appetizers with getting crab cakes. This was a treat and wish that for the cost of the cakes they were a little bigger. Don't get me wrong there was nothing wrong with the crab cakes instead they were so yummy that I felt it was more of a tease to my mouth because they were a bit small. Yet I feel recommend getting them to taste the zest that comes from every bite. Real crab and no fish after taste .. Yum! After having 2 bottles of there Chardonnay, eating a bowl is shrimp and grits I was satisfied that this was my dinner spot. The folks next to my table has ordered the cat fish ... Their plates looked so gorgeous with this beautiful crusted filet that I wanted to ask to take a picture to remind me to get that next time lol Can be pricey since plates are smaller than worth paying and I recommend goggling pictures of their dishes before going in and ordering. Because if your hungry I can guarantee you that you'll be adding side dishes to fill you stomach.”
“I will never stop coming here. I truly appreciate how amazing this place is. The staff make it a 100% great experience. The food is ALWAYS on point. I've tried the chicken, cat fish and grits, cheese puffs, biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, sweet potato puree, the greens.. the mimosas and some of their cocktails. I've got 3 bottles of their jamacian jerk hot sauce. My only compliant is there's no carry out for brunch. Outside of that, Ill always be back lol.”
“DATE OF REVIEW: 12/28/2026 TIME OF REVIEW: 07:22 PM LOCATION OF REVIEW: BIG JONES 5347 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL OVERALL REVIEW: BLOWN AWAY BY THE DECOR, SOUL, AND LAYERED FLAVOR PROFILES. BIG JONES CONTINUES TO HOLD IT DOWN AS A NORTH SIDE STAPLE FOR ELEVATED LOWCOUNTRY AND SOUTHERN-ROOTED COOKING. FROM THE ROOM TO THE PLATE, THIS WAS CONFIDENT AND CULTURAL. FOOD / TASTE = A BEVERAGES: ELECTRIC CHARDONNAY – BRIGHT, CRISP, WITH A CLEAN ACID LINE THAT CUT THROUGH THE RICHNESS OF THE MEAL. GRADE: A SPICECAKE MANHATTAN – WARMING AROMATICS, WELL-BALANCED BITTERNESS, AND A LONG FINISH. HOLIDAY ENERGY IN A COUPE. GRADE: A STARTERS & SIDES: FRIED GREEN TOMATOES – GOLDEN, CRACKLING CORNMEAL CRUST WITH A TANGY, JUICY INTERIOR. CLASSIC SOUTHERN TECHNIQUE DONE WITH RESPECT, A DASH OF SALT NEEDED. GRADE: A CORNBREAD WITH QUENELLE COMPOUND BUTTER – MOIST CRUMB, SUBTLE SWEETNESS, AND A SAVORY, AROMATIC BUTTER THAT MELTED LIKE SILK WHILE SERVED IN CAST IRON. GRADE: A MAINS: GUMBO – DARK, WELL-DEVELOPED ROUX WITH DEEP SAVORY NOTES AND A SLOW-BURN HEAT. THIS FELT LIKE A LOVE LETTER TO N.O.L SERVED IN A CORAL BLUE SHELL OPEN FACED BOW. GRADE: A CRAB CAKE (NON-TRADITIONAL) – HEAVY ON REAL CRAB, BOLDLY SEASONED, NO FILLER ENERGY. ASSERTIVE BUT BALANCED. GRADE: A DUCK BOUDIN EGG ROLLS (OFF-MENU) – FORCED MEAT MIXTURE OF DUCK AND DUCK LIVER, RICH AND UNAPOLOGETIC. CRISP EXTERIOR, LUXE INTERIOR. SPECIAL-OCCASION STATUS FOR A REASON. GRADE: A DOVER SOLE SAUTÉED IN BUTTER SAUCE – LIGHT, DELICATE FLESH WITH A CLEAN, OCEAN-FRESH AROMA. ENCRUSTED BABY POTATOES ADDED TEXTURAL DEPTH, WHILE THE CHARRED ENDIVE AND CRAB CRUMBLE GARNISH BROUGHT BITTERNESS, SWEETNESS, AND UMAMI INTO PERFECT ALIGNMENT. CLASSIC EUROPEAN TECHNIQUE MEETS SOUTHERN CONFIDENCE. GRADE: A DESSERT: CHOCOLATE POT DE CRÈME – AIRY, STIRRED CHOCOLATE CUSTARD TOPPED WITH FRESHLY CHOPPED PECANS, A LIGHT LAYER OF SALTED CARAMEL, AND CLOUDY, SLIGHTLY TART HOUSEMADE WHIPPED CREAM. SMOOTH, LUXURIOUS, AND BORDERLINE DANGEROUS. HARD NOT TO LICK THE RAMEKIN CLEAN. A SOPHISTICATED DECONSTRUCTION OF A TURTLE CLUSTER. GRADE: A ATMOSPHERE = A WARM, INTENTIONAL, AND CULTURALLY ROOTED. THE DECOR SET THE MOOD BEFORE THE FIRST SIP—INVITING, POLISHED, AND FULL OF SOUL. SERVICE = A ATTENTIVE WITHOUT HOVERING. KNOWLEDGEABLE, GRACIOUS, AND LOCKED INTO THE RHYTHM OF THE ROOM. RETURNING: ABSOLUTELY. NO QUESTION. FINAL WORDS: SHOUT OUT TO THE HOST AND M.C. JARELL, THE SERVICE TEAM, AND THE CHEF—A JOB WELL DONE FROM START TO FINISH. BIG JONES CONTINUES TO PROVE WHY IT HOLDS A RESPECTED PLACE IN CHICAGO’S CULINARY CONVERSATION. THIS WASN’T JUST DINNER—THIS WAS A STATEMENT.”
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