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Giant
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Giant
9.0
A compact Logan Square dining room where a Michelin-starred kitchen turns out intensely seasoned New American small plates and handmade pastas from an open line. It’s a destination for diners who want serious cooking, tight pacing, and a lively, unpretentious room instead of white-tablecloth formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Trout Roe Tempura with Sour Cream, Shrimp & Pork Fried Rice with Maple and Salted Black Bean, Slow Cooked Lamb Ribs with Anchovy Aioli
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: An intimate, Michelin-starred New American kitchen known for bold, deeply flavored plates.
Who should go: Small groups and couples chasing destination-level cooking.
When to visit: Prime weeknight or early weekend seatings for smoother pacing.
What to order: Trout roe tempura, lamb ribs, shrimp and pork fried rice.
Insider tip: Sit at the counter if possible—the best view of the kitchen’s choreography.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking in the surrounding residential blocks; metered spots on nearby arterials. No valet — expect competition for spaces on weekends and consider rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine, but most diners lean slightly dressy given the special-occasion feel.
Noise level: Lively and energetic with an open kitchen — conversation is doable at two-tops, but voices may need to be raised during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Walk-ins are sometimes accommodated at the counter, but waits can exceed an hour due to the small dining room; reservations are strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: No regular weekday lunch service (dinner-only most days), so lunch waits do not apply.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — typically several vegetable-forward small plates and pastas; options rotate, so confirm with your server.
Vegan options: Limited — many dishes use butter, cream, or egg; the kitchen may be able to modify a small number of plates on request.
Gluten-free options: Selective options available (some small plates and proteins). Pastas are not gluten-free and there is potential cross-contact — mention restrictions early.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate room, attentive pacing, and high-level cooking make it a strong choice for a food-centric first date, especially if you’re comfortable with a lively atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — the space is small, so most tables are booked. Your best chance is early evening or late slots, or asking about counter seats if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the focus is on long, coursed meals in a compact dining room. Older teens who enjoy adventurous food may do fine, but it’s not geared toward young children.
Best For
Better for: Destination-level, intensely flavored small plates and handmade pastas in an intimate setting with close-up kitchen energy.
Skip if: You want a quiet room, broad menu substitutions, or a casual, kid-oriented dinner — a larger, more flexible restaurant may suit you better.
Giant
8.9
Giant is a tiny Logan Square dining room where chef Jason Vincent’s menu reads like a pasta wish list, with an infinitely layered lasagna sharing space with playful Midwestern plates. Reservations are tough because locals treat it as both a date-night destination and one of the city’s most reliable spots for housemade noodles.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Lasagna, Waffle Fries with Blue Crab, Sweet-and-Sour Eggplant
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-caliber pasta restaurant where an overbuilt lasagna anchors the menu.
Who should go: Serious pasta fans planning splurgey, reservation-worthy dinners.
When to visit: Prime weekend seatings for max energy; weekdays for easier tables.
What to order: Lasagna, waffle fries with blue crab, one seasonal pasta special.
Insider tip: Book as soon as reservations drop; counter and bar seats disappear first.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Armitage and nearby residential blocks; can be tight after 6pm on weekends, no valet
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most diners lean slightly dressy for date night
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively — conversation is possible, but expect a buzzy, compact room
Weekend wait: Often fully booked; walk-ins may face 45–90 minutes or may not be seated
Weekday lunch: N/A — dinner-only service; no weekday lunch
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — several pastas and vegetable plates can be ordered meat-free
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be modified, but menu skews dairy- and egg-forward
Gluten-free options: Limited — some dishes can be adjusted, but most pastas contain gluten
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the cozy room, polished service, and shareable plates make it a strong first-date pick, especially if you’re both into pasta and don’t mind a lively atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — a small number of bar or counter seats may open early or late, but most prime times book out in advance. Arrive early and be flexible if you’re trying for walk-in seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the space is small and geared toward adults and date-night dining; older teens may be fine, but it’s not ideal for young children or strollers.
Best For
Better for: Handmade pastas, a signature lasagna that feels special-occasion, and a high-touch, intimate dining experience
Skip if: You want a quiet dining room, broad dietary flexibility, or a spot where walk-ins are easy and waits are short
Giant
8.8
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Giant is a Michelin-recognized Logan Square dining room where a short menu of cheffy American plates includes one of the neighborhood’s most refined baby back ribs. The ribs share the table with pastas, vegetables, and strong desserts, so they work best as part of a broader, paced meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Back Ribs, Jalapeño Cornbread, Onion Rings
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Chef-driven Logan Square spot where smoked baby back ribs share space with one of the city’s stronger small-plates menus.
Who should go: Din ers who want serious cooking and ribs in a polished setting.
When to visit: Prime evening reservations; later seatings feel livelier and louder.
What to order: Baby back ribs, jalapeño cornbread, and a couple of rotating seasonal plates.
Insider tip: Treat the ribs as a shareable course in the middle of the meal rather than the main event so you can sample more of the menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be competitive on residential blocks — plan a few extra minutes to circle or use rideshare on weekends
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for dinner
Noise level: Lively with active conversation; you can talk at the table, but it gets louder during peak seatings
Weekend wait: Typically 45–75 minutes for walk-ins during peak hours; reservations are strongly recommended
Weekday lunch: Not typically a lunch service — no daytime wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several strong vegetable and pasta plates rotate seasonally — workable but not a dedicated menu
Vegan options: Limited — may have 1–2 vegan-friendly plates depending on the season
Gluten-free options: Some dishes can be prepared gluten-aware on request, but there is no fully separate prep area
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — polished service, shareable plates, and a warm dining room make it a strong first-date choice, especially if you enjoy pacing a meal over several courses.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are occasionally seated at the bar or later in the evening, but peak weekend hours usually require a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited to adults and older teens — the menu and atmosphere skew date-night and celebration-oriented, with limited space for strollers or very young children.
Best For
Better for: Refined ribs as part of a broader chef-driven small-plates meal, thoughtful seasonal cooking, and a polished date-night setting
Skip if: You want a casual, rib-centric BBQ feast with big portions and sides as the main focus — this experience is designed around shared courses rather than a single entrée
Giant
8.6
Giant is a cramped, high-energy Logan Square dining room where intensely flavored pastas and vegetable dishes land on small tables built for sharing. It is more buzzy than hushed, but the back patio and tightly edited menu make it a strong option for food-obsessed date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle, Bucatini with Bacon and Jalapeño, Uni Shooter
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Ambitious, constantly praised small plates in a lively, tightly packed room.
Who should go: Food-focused couples okay with close tables and buzz.
When to visit: Earlier evening patio slots for a more relaxed pace.
What to order: Tagliatelle, jalapeño bacon bucatini, Uni Shooter.
Insider tip: If possible, request the back patio; it softens both noise and crowding.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be competitive on Milwaukee Ave after 6pm — allow extra time or use rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual; most guests lean stylish but jeans and sneakers are common.
Noise level: Lively and on the louder side — conversation is possible but expect close tables and ambient buzz.
Weekend wait: 45–90 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — dinner-only service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several vegetable-forward dishes and pastas rotate seasonally.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes may be adaptable; best to ask your server.
Gluten-free options: Some accommodate-able plates; pastas are generally not gluten-free, but staff can guide substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if your priority is standout food and energetic vibes — tables are close together, so it suits confident conversationalists more than quiet, intimate first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — a few bar and patio seats open up early or late, but prime hours usually require a reservation. Arrive early if you’re trying to walk in.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the room is tight, loud, and geared toward adult dining; older teens comfortable with adventurous menus may do fine.
Best For
Better for: Adventurous sharable plates, bold flavors, and a buzzy, food-centric date night environment.
Skip if: You want a quiet, spacious dining room, traditional large entrées, or guaranteed gluten-free and vegan breadth.
Giant
9.0
Giant is a tightly packed Logan Square dining room where chefs Jason Vincent and Ben Lustbader channel a fine-dining résumé into small plates that feel playful but precise. The menu changes often, but pastas, vegetable dishes, and crisply seared proteins show off serious technique without losing approachability.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle "99" with chili and crab, Japanese eggplant with XO and herbs, Giant shrimp with chili-garlic butter
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: A Michelin-noted small-plates room where fine-dining technique stays fun.
Who should go: Seasoned diners chasing inventive, shareable New American plates.
When to visit: Prime weekend dinners; book ahead for peak buzz.
What to order: Tagliatelle 99, a vegetable plate, and one rich entrée.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar to watch the tiny kitchen work full tilt.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually limited after 6pm — allow extra time or plan for rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans are fine, but most diners lean slightly dressy.
Noise level: Lively and close-quarters; you can hold a conversation at two-tops, but the room runs energetic.
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended; without one, expect 45–90 minutes or waitlist only.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — typically dinner-only service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetable-focused dishes; menu rotates, but staff can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — 1–2 items may be adaptable; confirm with the kitchen due to frequent menu changes.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-free plates; small kitchen means cross-contact is possible — ask your server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for food-savvy dates who enjoy a lively, intimate room and shareable plates; less ideal if you want a quiet, spacious setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Occasionally — arrive right at opening or later in the evening; bar seats are the most realistic walk-in option.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — tight seating and longer pacing suit adults; older teens may be fine early evening, but it’s not geared toward young children.
Best For
Better for: Adventurous small plates, precise cooking, and an intimate, chef-driven experience compared with larger or more casual neighborhood spots.
Skip if: You prefer quiet dining rooms, roomy tables, large entrées, or guaranteed walk-in seating.
Giant
8.8
Giant is an intimate, reservation-snapped dining room where Jason Vincent’s team sends out high-impact Midwestern plates and pastas with serious technique and playful flavors. A Michelin Bib Gourmand favorite, it packs a lot of creativity into a compact, always-lively space.
Must-Try Dishes:
Saffron tagliatelle with Dungeness crab, Sweet and sour eggplant, Onion rings with chili salt and parmesan
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A compact, Michelin-recognized room doing big-flavor, shareable plates.
Who should go: Small groups chasing creative pastas and rich mains.
When to visit: Prime weekend dinners; book early or aim late-night.
What to order: Crab saffron tagliatelle, sweet-sour eggplant, onion rings.
Insider tip: Order fewer dishes at first—portions run larger than expected.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Milwaukee and nearby side streets; can be competitive during peak dinner hours, no valet service.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most diners lean polished and date-night dressy.
Noise level: Lively and energetic — conversation is possible at smaller tables but can feel loud at peak hours.
Weekend wait: 45–90 minutes without a reservation during prime hours; bar seats sometimes open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — generally dinner-only service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several small plates and pastas can be vegetarian or adapted on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items may be modifiable, but options are not a core focus.
Gluten-free options: Some accommodations available; certain dishes and proteins can be prepared gluten-free, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the intimate dining room, attentive pacing, and shareable plates make it a strong choice for a food-forward first date, though the room can be loud at peak times.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins may find bar or late-night seating, but prime weekend times typically book out well in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — the small, tightly spaced dining room and richer menu skew adult-oriented; suitable for older teens rather than young children.
Best For
Better for: Adventurous diners seeking creative pastas, bold flavors, and an intimate, high-energy dining room.
Skip if: You prefer quiet conversation, broad vegan or allergy-focused menus, or flexible same-day seating without reservations.