Award-winning

Chez Joel

4.7

2646 Reviews

$30 and under

French

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 24, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

Great for outdoor dining
Charming
Good for special occasions

In the midst of Little Italy, Chez Joel creates the tastes and aromas of France for. Featuring traditional favorites, Chef Joel Kazouini offers his straightforward, expertly prepared Southern French cuisine. Chez Joel’s atmosphere is reminiscent of a true French bistro; its walls adorned with French posters and tables covered with butcher paper. The cozy environment makes Chez Joel the perfect spot for any romantic meal, and when weather permits, garden tables offer an open-air experience where you’ll find one of the most divine al fresco dining settings in the city.
Chez Joel Since 1999

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
French
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 226-6479
Website
http://www.chezjoelbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Joel Kazouini

Location
1119 West Taylor, Chicago, IL 60607
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Little Italy / University Village
Cross street
May Street
Parking details
Valet at Dinner: $7
Public transit
Racine Blue line..Taylor bus, Number 8 Halsted bus.
Additional
Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Fromage de Brie Chaud$12.00
Warm Brie Cheese with Honey, Caramelized Granny Smith Apples, Apricot, Garlic, Pistachio & Toast
Calamar Grillé au Pistou Et Jus de Citron$13.00
Grilled Calamari with Pesto, Arugula and Roasted Peppers
Escargots a la Bourguignon$12.00
French Snails with Garlic Butter, Pernod & Herbed Breadcrumbs
Moules Marinières$13.00
Steamed PEI Mussels in Herbs, Shallots, and White Wine Sauce, with a Touch of Cream
Poulpe d'Espagne Grillé$15.00
Spanish Octopus Grilled, Japanese Eggplant, Roasted Pearl Onions, Tomato Confit, Sundried Tomato and basil lemon vinaigrette

Les Salades

Salade Maison$7.50
Organic Mixed Greens with House Vinaigrette, Granny Smith Apple and, Roasted Walnuts
Salade d'Endive$10.00
Endive Salad, Mustard Vinaigrette with Granny Smith, Roquefort Cheese and Pecans
Salade de Tomate au Roquefort$8.50
Sliced Vine Ripened Tomato, Red Onions, Basil, Roquefort Cheese, Balsamic Glaze and Balsamic Dressing
Salade Mediterranéenne$9.50
Arugula, Grape Tomatoes, Kalamata Black Olives, Baby Mozzarella, Oregano, Balsamic Glaze and Creamy Balsamic Dressing
Beet Salad$8.00
Red Beet, Organic Mixed Greens, Sherry Vinaigrette and Goat Cheese

Les Viandes

Filet Mignon de Bœuf Grillé au Jus de Cuisson$29.95
Beef Tenderloin Grilled in a Thyme Au Jus, Garlic Moussline, Roasted Shallots, Four Mushrooms, Fricassé of Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes
Entrecôtes Grillé au Beurre Maître d'Hôtel$38.95
12oz Ribeye Steak with Garlic Butter, Roasted Vegetables & Pommes Frites
Steak Grillé au Poivre$28.95
Center Cut Grilled NY Strip Steak with Crushed Black Pepper Corn, Cognac Sauce and Pommes Frites
Souris d'agneau au Jus de Romarin$27.95
Braised Lamb Shank, Wild Mushrooms, Vegetables Fricassés, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Rosemary au Jus

Les Vollailes

Coq au Vin à la Mode Rustique à Ma Façon$25.00
Half Chicken Roasted with Lardons, White Wine, Pearl Onions, Mushrooms Served au Jus & Pommes Frites or Mashed Potatoes
Poulet aux Romarin$24.00
Pan Seared and Roasted Half Chicken with Rosemary, white Burgundy Wine, Garlic, Pearl Onions and Roasted Country Potatoes
Magret Et Confit de Canard, Sauce à l'Orange$27.95
Seared Duck Breast & Leg Confit, Wild Mushrooms, Red Cabbage, Beets, Poached Pear, Sweet Potatoes, Butternut Squash Croquettes and Cranberry Orange Sauce

Les Poissons

Bouillabaisse Marseillaise$29.95
Assortment of Seafood Over Julienne of Vegetables and Bouillabaisse bouillon
Noix de Saint Jacques$27.95
Sea Scallops Pan Seared, Oyster Mushrooms, Potato Galette, Asparagus, Leeks Ginger Shellfish Sauce and Garnished with Tobikko
Filet de Saumon Grillé$25.95
Salmon Filet Grilled, Julienne of Vegetables, Asparagus, Potato Tournée and Mustard Sauce
Poissons, Plats du Jour
Fresh Fish Daily – Ask Your Server

Les Pâtes

Linguine aux Fruits de Mer$25.95
Linguine with Shell Fish, Garlic, Basil, Sherry Tomatoes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ravioli au Courge$23.00
Butternut Squash Ravioli Served with Garlic Cream, Grilled butter nut squash, Pecan and Truffle Oil
Risotto aux Asperges Et Champignons$23.00
Arborio Rice with Fresh Asparagus, Grilled Portobello Mushroom and Truffle Oil

Les Garnitures

Pommes Frites$5.00
French Fries
Pommes Purée$5.00
Mashed Potatoes
Galette de Pommes de Terre$5.00
Ratatouille$6.00
My Own Version of Provincial Vegetable Stew
Épinard à l'Ail$5.00
Garlic Spinach
Haricots Verts$5.00
French Green Beans
Champignons$5.00
Sautéed Mushrooms

What 2,646 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Chicago / Illinois
French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Chez Joel is a charming French bistro nestled in Chicago's Little Italy, celebrated for its "beautiful outdoor patio," "delicious food," and "attentive service." Guests rave about its cozy and romantic ambiance, perfect for any occasion. With an inviting atmosphere and a menu featuring classics like steak au poivre and crème brûlée, it's a "neighborhood gem" that promises an unforgettable dining experience.

2,646 Reviews

A
Anthony
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The place is immaculate. The mussels are second to none. They serve the finest mussels in Chicago! We had two seafood meals that were truly delicious! You should try this place, u will not be disappointed! I sat by the door, its was a little chilly next to the door.
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g
g
Chicago
37 reviews
vip
5.0
37 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
It was too noisy. Please reduce noise by covering surfaces.
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G
Ginger
Chicago
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything they haave iis fantastic. It is hard to decide but you can't go wrong
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b
brenda
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great intimate place for a date night! Nice ambiance.
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M
Mary Pat
Chicago
186 reviews
5.0
186 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Nice experience on Wednesday night. Excellent food and service.
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P
Paul
Chicago
18 reviews
vip
3.0
18 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
I have always given Chez Joel a 5 star rating, but not this time. Service was ok until we sent our pomme frites back because they came cold. Waiter said he would have them "warmed up" and returned a while later with almost burned fries. Rather than delay our meal fur there we accepted our fate---bad frites---in a French restaurant no less. Potatoes were the cheapest food item on the table and they chose to go chintzy--not a good sign.
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W
Wendelyn
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great time celebrating my Dad and my son’s combined birthdays. Great food, great ambiance, and great service!
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D
Dorothy
Chicago
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always great ❤️ definitely worth going to dive at Chez Joel
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m
maryk
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
a lovely evening with excellent food presented beautifully in a nice environment with attentive staff. Thank you.
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A
Amanda
Chicago
9 reviews
2.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 26, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 1
The food is good, the servers are lovely. The problem with this restaurant is management's disregard for patron's comfort: 1) There is a street lamp that pierces the view of patrons sitting at several back tables. They have curtains. They refuse to close them. I encountered this 1yr ago and was told the curtains "are impossible to move" but when insistent, they magically moved. When I encountered this same problem recently, I got the same excuse and no effort to move them; I gave up. 2) There is an uncomfortable draft under the back tables. The reason? A door is left wide open in the next room with bathrooms, allowing 40 degree temperatures to seep in at your feet and legs. If you have bare legs, short pants, open shoes, your feet will be blue by the end of your meal. Several women were wearing their coats. I considered asking them to close the door, but given the dismissive pushback I got for the curtains, I decided not to bother. For a place that charges several hundred dollars for a meal, this treatment of guests is baffling and infuriating. Is it that hard to put up window treatment and update your HVAC system? If you go, I recommend bringing sunglasses and heavy boots with wool socks.
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FAQs

Chez Joel offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 226-6479.

Chez Joel is rated 4.7 stars by 2646 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 24, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 16 times today

Order delivery or takeout

1119 West Taylor, Chicago, IL 60607

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Cross street
May Street
Neighborhood
Little Italy / University Village
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
French
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Valet at Dinner: $7
Public transit
Racine Blue line..Taylor bus, Number 8 Halsted bus.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Joel Kazouini
Additional
Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.chezjoelbistro.com/
Phone number
(312) 226-6479

Chez Joel

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Salmon Fumé

Beet Salad

Bouillabaisse Marseillaise

Portage du Marché

Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée$9.00

Soupe du Jour$9.00

Hors d'Oeuvres Froids

Salmon Fumé$12.00

Pâté de Deux Sortes$14.00

Assiette de Fromages$15.00

Hors d'Oeuvres Chaud

Fromage de Brie Chaud$12.00

Calamar Grillé au Pistou Et Jus de Citron$13.00

Escargots a la Bourguignon$12.00

Moules Marinières$13.00

Poulpe d'Espagne Grillé$15.00

Les Salades

Salade Maison$7.50

Salade d'Endive$10.00

Salade de Tomate au Roquefort$8.50

Salade Mediterranéenne$9.50

Beet Salad$8.00

Les Viandes

Filet Mignon de Bœuf Grillé au Jus de Cuisson$29.95

Entrecôtes Grillé au Beurre Maître d'Hôtel$38.95

Steak Grillé au Poivre$28.95

Souris d'agneau au Jus de Romarin$27.95

Les Vollailes

Coq au Vin à la Mode Rustique à Ma Façon$25.00

Poulet aux Romarin$24.00

Magret Et Confit de Canard, Sauce à l'Orange$27.95

Les Poissons

Bouillabaisse Marseillaise$29.95

Noix de Saint Jacques$27.95

Filet de Saumon Grillé$25.95

Poissons, Plats du Jour

Les Pâtes

Linguine aux Fruits de Mer$25.95

Ravioli au Courge$23.00

Risotto aux Asperges Et Champignons$23.00

Les Garnitures

Pommes Frites$5.00

Pommes Purée$5.00

Galette de Pommes de Terre$5.00

Ratatouille$6.00

Épinard à l'Ail$5.00

Haricots Verts$5.00

Champignons$5.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Chez Joel offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Chez Joel restaurant rated?

Is Chez Joel currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information