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Oliver’s
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Oliver’s
8.6
Set in the former Acadia space, Oliver's is a 1930s Los Angeles–inspired supper club where a chef-driven cheeseburger shares the menu with roast chicken, seafood, and cocktails. Recent Michelin Guide attention and national coverage highlight a burger built on excellent beef, buttered sesame bun, and nuanced sauce.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oliver's Cheeseburger, Roast Chicken with pan jus, Truffle Gnocchi
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A vintage-glam South Loop dining room where a meticulously built cheeseburger sits alongside Michelin-noticed cooking and cocktails.
Who should go: Burger lovers who also want a polished, cocktail-driven night out.
When to visit: Prime-time reservations around 7–9 p.m. or bar seats late.
What to order: Oliver's Cheeseburger, fries, roast chicken or truffle gnocchi.
Insider tip: If the dining room is booked, solo diners can often snag the burger at the bar without a long wait.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the South Loop after 6 p.m.; most guests use nearby paid garages within a 1–2 block walk. Valet is occasionally offered on busy weekends — call ahead to confirm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets, stylish tops, and dark denim are common; athletic wear will feel out of place.
Noise level: Moderate — bar area is livelier, but two-top tables still allow normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; bar seats may open faster for solo diners or pairs.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait (when lunch service is offered), but dinner reservations are still recommended.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several small plates and pastas can be made vegetarian; ask your server for modifications.
Vegan options: Limited — a few sides and salads may be adaptable, but there is no dedicated vegan entrée.
Gluten-free options: Several mains and salads can be prepared gluten-free on request, though there is no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the vintage-glam dining room, polished service, and strong cocktails create a stylish, conversation-friendly setting that works well for a first or second date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — weekends book quickly, but the bar and a few late-evening tables are often available if you’re flexible or dining solo.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — it skews adult and cocktail-focused; older teens may be fine, but it’s not geared toward young children or large family parties.
Best For
Better for: A refined, chef-driven burger in a polished supper-club setting — ideal when you want great food with a night-out atmosphere rather than a casual burger joint.
Skip if: You’re looking for loud sports-bar energy, budget-priced burgers, or a highly flexible vegan/vegetarian menu.
Oliver’s
8.5
Oliver’s is a South Loop New American restaurant where roast chicken, truffle gnocchi, and a serious cocktail program ride on a clearly seasonal, farm-supplied pantry. The room feels like a neighborhood supper club—dim, lively, and anchored by a long bar—drawing regulars from nearby high-rises as much as pre-game diners heading toward the lakefront venues. It’s one of the area’s more approachable farm-to-table dinner plays, balancing technique with comfort.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Half Chicken, Truffle Gnocchi, Daily Crudo
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Neighborhood New American spot where seasonal farm-sourced plates meet a strong cocktail list.
Who should go: Couples and friends wanting upscale farm-to-table dinner with cocktails.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for smoother service and bar seating.
What to order: Roast Half Chicken, Truffle Gnocchi, daily crudo special.
Insider tip: Start at the bar with a house cocktail and a crudo, then move to a table for mains if you want a slower, more paced meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet typically; most guests rely on metered street parking or nearby paid garages, which can fill up quickly on event and game nights.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many guests lean dressy for date night or weekend dinners.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is doable at tables, but the bar area can run louder during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer on event nights near the lakefront.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — primarily a dinner-focused restaurant; minimal daytime service if open.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several starters and at least one seasonal entrée can be made vegetarian or are naturally meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable-forward dishes can be adjusted, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many plates are naturally gluten-leaning and staff can guide substitutions, though there is no dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the dim lighting, seasonal menu, and strong cocktail program create a polished but comfortable first-date setting, especially at a two-top away from the bar.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or early seatings, but expect a wait on weekends and during convention or game nights; the bar is a reliable fallback for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — older kids and teens are fine earlier in the evening, but the vibe skews adult and cocktail-forward, with no dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Seasonal New American comfort dishes with a neighborhood-supper-club feel and a stronger cocktail program than many nearby South Loop restaurants.
Skip if: You want a very quiet dining room, fully vegan options, or fast in-and-out dining on busy event nights.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday5pm - 10pm
Wednesday5pm - 10pm
Thursday5pm - 10pm
Friday5pm - 10pm
Saturday5pm - 10pm
Sunday4pm - 9pm