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Crosby's Kitchen
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Crosby's Kitchen
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Brunch Bliss Spots
Crosby’s Kitchen is a Southport Corridor standby from 4 Star Restaurant Group, built around rotisserie chicken, hearty Midwestern comfort food, and a kid-friendly dining room where families celebrate birthdays and big group occasions. With a broad menu, brunch, and a busy sidewalk patio, it functions as Lakeview’s default choice when you need a crowd-pleasing spot that still feels a bit special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster deviled eggs, Rotisserie chicken, Monkey bread
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A high-volume Southport Corridor rotisserie-and-brunch hub where families and friend groups mark birthdays over shareable comfort food and a famous cookie skillet.
Who should go: Families and mixed-age groups planning casual celebrations.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early evening for easier waits with groups.
What to order: Lobster deviled eggs, rotisserie chicken, monkey bread dessert.
Insider tip: For birthday brunches, aim for an earlier reservation and request a corner or patio table; order appetizers to hit the table quickly for hungry kids and guests.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Southport and nearby residential side streets; metered spots near the corridor and availability tight during peak dining and weekend brunch hours. No regular valet service reported.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans, sweaters, and neat casual wear are common; guests often lean slightly dressy for celebrations and birthdays.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible at smaller tables, but peak brunch and large-group evenings can feel loud.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during prime family and group dining windows.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, except on school-break or holiday weeks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, sides, and a handful of mains can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a few salads and sides may be adaptable, but this is not a vegan-focused menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes — staff can guide modifications for several dishes; menu includes gluten-free-friendly items but does not guarantee a dedicated prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, social meals than intimate dates — the room skews busy, family-centric, and celebration-oriented, which can feel less private than a quieter date-night restaurant.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are common, but expect waits during weekend brunch and early-evening peak hours. Arriving early or joining the wait list ahead of time improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high chairs, children’s menu options, patient service, and a family-heavy dining crowd make it well-suited for kids, especially ages 3+ who can handle a lively room.
Best For
Better for: Large family gatherings, birthday meals, and mixed-age groups that want approachable comfort food, reliable service, and an atmosphere that still feels celebratory without being formal.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic dinner, chef-driven tasting menu, or strictly vegan/gluten-free dining — a more specialized or upscale restaurant will be a better fit.
Crosby's Kitchen
8.6
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Crosby's Kitchen is a Southport Corridor standby where rotisserie chicken, big salads, and shareable comfort plates make daytime meetings feel easy but still polished. Lunch-friendly hours, reservations, and a steady local following make it a safe choice for client catch-ups or team check-ins.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rotisserie Chicken, Wrightwood Salad, Monkey Bread
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: High-volume Southport staple where rotisserie comfort food meets reliable, reservation-friendly service.
Who should go: Teams or clients who want upscale-casual, crowd-pleasing plates.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early afternoon to avoid peak crowds.
What to order: Wrightwood Salad, rotisserie chicken plate, Monkey Bread to share.
Insider tip: Ask for a corner booth and pair the Wrightwood Salad with a half rotisserie chicken to keep lunch substantial but not sluggish.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Southport and nearby side streets; metered and can be tight during peak meal hours — budget extra time.
Dress code: Smart casual — office attire and clean jeans are both common for lunch meetings.
Noise level: Moderate — conversations are workable at booths, but the room can get lively during peak periods.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal or no wait, especially with a reservation.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including salads, sides, and a few customizable plates.
Vegan options: Limited — some salads and sides can be modified, but dedicated vegan entrées are minimal.
Gluten-free options: Multiple menu items are naturally gluten-free or can be prepared that way on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual, low-pressure dates — the space feels polished but not formal; it’s better for conversation and comfort food than intimate, romantic ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes at weekday lunch and off-peak times; during weekends and prime dining hours, a reservation is strongly recommended to avoid a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — booster seats, a family-friendly crowd, and approachable menu items make it comfortable for kids, especially earlier in the day.
Best For
Better for: Reliable service, consistent rotisserie favorites, and a comfortable setting for business lunches and groups where everyone can find something familiar.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet, private setting or cutting-edge, chef-driven dishes — alternatives with more experimental menus or hushed atmospheres may suit better.
Crosby's Kitchen
8.7
Crosby’s Kitchen is a Southport staple built around rotisserie chicken, big salads, and Midwestern comfort plates in a room designed for families. Kids menus, roomy booths, and a steady hum at brunch and dinner make it one of the neighborhood’s default choices when everyone’s invited.
Must-Try Dishes:
Iron Skillet Cornbread, Wrightwood Salad with rotisserie chicken, Rotisserie chicken dinner
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A high-volume neighborhood grill where rotisserie chicken and cornbread anchor kid-friendly meals.
Who should go: Families who want crowd-pleasing American comfort food.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners or early weekend brunch before peak rush.
What to order: Iron Skillet Cornbread, Wrightwood Salad, rotisserie chicken plate.
Insider tip: Kids eat free during early-evening hours, which can significantly ease the bill for larger families.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Southport is metered and can be tight during peak dining and Cubs game days; look for residential side streets a block or two off the corridor — no valet service.
Dress code: Casual and family-friendly — jeans, tees, and casual layers are common; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud during brunch and dinner rush, especially near the bar and booths; conversation is easier at off-peak times or smaller corner tables.
Weekend wait: Typically 45–75 minutes without a reservation during prime hours (6–8pm).
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, with short holds during school breaks and rainy-day crowds.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several salads, sides, and a few mains can be ordered vegetarian with small modifications — staff is used to requests.
Vegan options: Limited — most dishes include dairy or chicken; expect 1–2 workable options with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility — many salads and proteins can be prepared gluten-free on request, but there is no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited to casual, low-pressure meetups than romantic first dates — the room is lively and family-centric rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait during peak brunch and dinner; join the waitlist early, and ask for booths if you’re arriving with kids or a group.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high chairs, booster seats, a kids menu, roomy booths, and early-evening service that caters to families with toddlers through pre-teens.
Best For
Better for: Reliable, crowd-pleasing comfort food, friendly service, and one of the most family-oriented dining rooms in the Southport Corridor.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet date spot, adventurous or chef-driven cooking, or a vegan-forward menu.
Crosby's Kitchen
8.2
Crosby’s Kitchen is a Southport Corridor staple where rotisserie comfort food, prime rib, and steak frites meet a warm, wood-accented room. It leans family-friendly at brunch, but later dinners can work as a low-key steak-and-wine date night for couples who favor relaxed over formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Frites, Prime Rib, Lobster Deviled Eggs
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A high-volume neighborhood grill where you can share lobster deviled eggs, split a steak plate, and still feel like you’re on casual date night.
Who should go: Couples who want dependable steak and sides in a busy neighborhood spot.
When to visit: Later weeknights or post-brunch evenings when the families thin out.
What to order: Lobster deviled eggs, steak frites or prime rib, skillet cornbread.
Insider tip: Time dinner for after the peak family rush and request a booth toward the back for a quieter, more date-appropriate table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Southport and nearby side streets; availability tight during dinner and weekend rush, plan extra time.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sweaters are common, but nicer tops or jackets fit better for date night.
Noise level: Moderate — conversational at most tables, but bar and peak brunch periods can get lively.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; walk-ins commonly seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several approachable options (salads, sides, a few mains), but not a vegetarian-focused menu.
Vegan options: Limited — menu leans comfort-food and rotisserie; modifications may be possible but options are few.
Gluten-free options: Some items can be prepared gluten-free on request; confirm dish-by-dish with the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it works best for a casual, low-pressure first date where you want good food and an unfussy vibe rather than a formal steakhouse setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weeknights — expect a wait during weekend dinner or peak brunch; the bar or patio (seasonally) can be good backup options.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — particularly at brunch and earlier evenings; high chairs and family-friendly menus are common, though later dinners feel more adult-leaning.
Best For
Better for: Relaxed steak-and-rotisserie comfort food, consistent service, and an easygoing neighborhood date night without downtown formality.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth steakhouse, a highly specialized wine program, or extensive vegan/plant-based options.
Hours
Monday11am - 9pm
Tuesday11am - 9pm
Wednesday11am - 9pm
Thursday11am - 9pm
Friday11am - 10pm
Saturday8:30am - 10pm
Sunday8:30am - 9pm