S2 Express Grill Downtown
sincere sincere · 85 Google reviewsS2 Express Grill Downtown — high-caliber food in Loop. Not your typical menu, in a good way. Staff that genuinely cares how your meal goes. Well-priced, open late. Thaw Thaw Zin Tun: "The lamb chops were tender and juicy"
What 2,412 diners keep saying
What 2,412 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“This place is counter serve but swanky and upscale. Delicious food, full bar, and topnotch service! Love this find on the South/central side of the loop!”
“This place is a hidden gem with a nice, cozy, and comfortable atmosphere. The ambiance is very inviting, with great music playing that adds to the overall experience and makes it feel warm and welcoming. The food was really good and honestly better than expected, especially considering the South Loop location. The prices were also pleasantly surprising and not as high as I would have thought. Overall, it was a great experience with good food, a welcoming vibe, and a relaxed setting. Definitely a place I would come back to again.”
“Had to get a passport and stumbled across this place. Wow no wonder why it has 4.9 rating with over 2k ppl. The steak tacos were phenomenal so tender and the flavor was on point. Buffalo chicken egg roll a must try also! My wife got the jumbo shrimp and fries and that was great also.”
“Hidden Gem, Nice cozy, comfortable atmosphere. This food was great, the ambiance was very nice, atmosphere was welcoming & music playing. Actually I was a little shocked the food wasn't really high either to be in south loop will be back.”
“Food was soo good!! And Katie was amazing serving us and helping us choose! We will be back tomorrow for seconds lol”
“Came in for a bite before seeing a show at the Auditorium nearby. Food was superb and huge portion! The jerk sauce on the Italian Beef was perfect to warm up on a cold day! I liked all the Valentine's Day decorations inside too!”
“Deceptive Menu Descriptions and "Hidden Fee" Shakedown: I usually do not leave bad reviews unless something really bothers me—specifically when I feel a business is being intentionally misleading. I was on a quick trip to the Loop (less than 48 hours). I arrived late in the evening and was looking for something fast, budget-friendly, and tasty. I didn’t think that was too much to ask. I found S2 Grill, a short 5-minute walk from my hotel, and decided to give it a try. I arrived before 11 PM. The place was decorated for Valentine’s Day and felt more like a nightclub than a restaurant, with very loud music and dark lighting. I originally intended to order two tacos, but I made the mistake of switching to a beef burrito. Despite the place being nearly empty (only 2 or 3 other people at high tables), it took about 20 minutes or so for a single burrito to arrive. During this time, I watched the staff roaming around the bar area doing essentially nothing while I waited. The "Beef" Misconception What really bothers me is the menu description. It lists a "Beef Burrito with vegetables." To any normal customer, "beef" implies steak or shredded meat. Apparently, at S2 Grill, "beef" means ground beef. I have never had a ground beef burrito in my life and never would have ordered one if the menu had been honest. The registrar asked if everything was okay right as the food hit the table, but before I had a chance to realize it was ground meat. For the next 10 minutes, as I struggled to eat half of it, that same employee was busy flirting with a man at the next table, making it impossible to vent my frustration about the bait-and-switch. And I left. The "Scam" Level Pricing Then came the check, which was a total disaster. They automatically added: 3% Service Charge 10% "Dine-in" Fee 3% Credit Card Surcharge None of these fees were explained or disclosed before I ordered. According to Chicago’s Municipal Code and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, a service fee is part of a legal contract and must be "clearly and prominently" disclosed at the beginning of the ordering process. To make it worse, after stacking all these hidden charges, the staff presents the credit card machine with a "tip offer." If you don't ask for a printed itemized bill, you would have no idea you've already been charged 16% in extra fees before you even add a tip. Unless you are a regular who knows their "system," you are essentially being hustled. This is misconduct on a nearly fraudulent level. Save your money and go somewhere that values transparency”
“Really fantastic food taste very good seasoning and it was very quick to come out. I’m from out of town and I can say this is delicious and everybody from out of town should try it”
“This place was a fantastic find! The portions were generous, and every dish was packed with incredible flavor. The Italian Beef with jerk sauce was a standout—the sauce added the perfect kick and made the meal unforgettable. I also tried the catfish with sides and a refreshing raspberry lemonade, and everything was delicious. The staff was friendly and attentive, making the whole visit easy and enjoyable. I’d definitely come back for another great meal.”
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