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312 Eats
Bronzeville · Soul Food

Cleo's - Bronzeville

4.3934 reviews ·Opens at 12 Fri
I have never been a huge fan of catfish; however the catfish at Cleo's is fantastic
Natasha MadkinsNatasha Madkins · 305 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Cleo's - Bronzeville — a soul food spot in Bronzeville. Order the Mac And Cheese. It wears its years well. KayShonna Straughter- Chicagoland Realtor: "The crisp, golden batter was seasoned to perfection, while the fish inside was tender and flaky"

What 934 diners keep saying

Huge portionsCozyOld schoolFamily friendlyQuick biteInstagram worthy
Plan your visit
4248 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
Bronzeville
TodayClosed
Sun12-6PM
Mon–ThuClosed
Fri–Sat12-8PM
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What 934 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Yvette Jackson
Jun 2026

It's good to visit local restaurants where you feel welcomed and the food is delicious!

Yvette Jackson

Yvette Jackson

76 reviews on Google

Review photo by Kabrina Johnson
Jun 2026

First time visit to Chicago and this was a must stop because it was spotlighted by so many influencers. I have never waited almost 2 hours for fried catfish and sides but the wait was sooooooo worth the time. Talk about well seasoned catfish. And I'm a Southern girl so I know good seasoned food. If you aint sneezing it aint seasoned. And whoever concocted the green beans recipe with the spices, bless you because I love a good kick. They were the best green beans I have had from a resteraunt! And the Mac and cheese was gooey with cheese just like I like it. This is must stop when I return to Chicago.

Kabrina Johnson

Kabrina Johnson

80 reviews on Google

Review photo by Pearl Westerlund
Jun 2026

10/10 100% recommend. Placed an online order. The fried catfish and chicken were amazing and perfectly seasoned. The crab Mac and cheese is a great portion and also really good and not overwhelming. Everything was great wouldn’t change a thing. Will definitely be coming back.

Pearl Westerlund

Pearl Westerlund

9 reviews on Google

Review photo by Felisha Wade
May 2026

Tourist from Memphis and saw this restaurant on TikTok! Highly recommended shit so fye !! Everything was perfect and just right. I had the float and fly w/ mac and cheese and yams…all ima say is the cook need his beat! 😮‍💨 10/10

Felisha Wade

Felisha Wade

5 reviews on Google

Review photo by Niesha Rogers
Feb 2026

This place was good staff was patient and respectful even when it was busy it’s expensive lol but good

Niesha Rogers

Niesha Rogers

5 reviews on Google

Review photo by Christine C
Feb 2026

From the time we walked in, to our wait time, to receiving our food and drinks.........😋😋😋😋 CHEF'S KISS. While sitting in the car eating our food,we realized we needed more tea. I walked in and was addressed by MY NAME! Tell me you want to keep you customers 😂😂 I'll never visit Chicago again without stopping at Cleo's. I love it there 🫶🏾

Christine C

Christine C

25 reviews on Google

Review photo by Kateleen Simen
Jan 2026

Keith Lee wasn’t wrong…. This food was phenomenal. Big fan of the muffins omg. I loved everything and it was indeed worth the wait!! We waited an hour, they forgot our chicken but I went back in to let them know and they gave me chicken in like 2 mins. Amazing crunch and super juicy!!! Everything was delicious. 100000/10. The spot is small and it’s takeout only that’s why I rate atmosphere a 3.

Kateleen Simen

Kateleen Simen

11 reviews on Google

Review photo by G-Vegas Maine
Dec 2025

Very worth the wait. Can't wait to visit Chicago again !!!!

G-Vegas Maine

G-Vegas Maine

216 reviews on Google

Review photo by Mynika D.
Jan 2026

The chicken wings were seasoned & fried to perfection and the sides were all delicious (green beans, crab mac & cheese & 24k gold muffin). The hype is real, the distance we traveled to get to the restaurant was well worth it, and I can't wait to try everything else they offer on our next trip to Chicago!

Mynika D.

Mynika D.

157 reviews on Google

Review photo by Nick Ventimiglia
May 2026

I explained in my review I'm uploading, the first time I went here I waited over an hour and the food was sitting there already they didn't tell me. I decided to give it a second try and it said food will be ready in an hour so I planned accordingly. 5 minutes after ordering it said it was ready. The food was cold by the time I made it up there. The food even though cold was still decent though. $33 for the crab Mac and Kool aid.

Nick Ventimiglia

Nick Ventimiglia

182 reviews on Google

Review photo by Dazzling Who
Jan 2026

I heard good things about this restaurant but HEY you can’t believe everything you hear! Where do you start. Okay let’s start with the Fish, it’s was SALTY and the grease was dirty. Fish super DARK. Mac was like over watered down noodles. With sprinkles or remnants of cheese. The sweet potatoes yams had no butter just sugar water and cinnamon. I’m just saying this wasn’t it. No bathroom I had to go up the street to use the LUE! Choose wisely! Recap what I Experienced: CLEO’S Fish: Salty, cooked in dirty grease, very dark. Mac & Cheese: Watery, bland noodles with minimal cheese. Sweet Potatoes: Just cinnamon water, lacking butter. Facilities: No restroom available on-site.

Dazzling Who

Dazzling Who

63 reviews on Google

Review photo by Magaline Wilkins
Jan 2026

The food was not all that for the price they charging. The candy yams are straight out the can, the best thing they have is the muffin. Peach cobbler cheese cake that don’t even taste like peach cobbler, taste like they put some juice from the sweet potatoes on top of the cheese cake. I won’t be back here

Magaline Wilkins

Magaline Wilkins

9 reviews on Google

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