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Benchmark Chicago
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Benchmark Chicago
7.8
A big-room Old Town sports bar where the burger is built for high volume and watch-the-game pacing. Expect a crowd-forward vibe, fast table turnover, and a burger that plays best when you keep it classic and treat everything else as supporting cast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Benchmark Burger, Wings, Fries
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: High-capacity sports-bar energy with a dependable burger option.
Who should go: Game-day groups and casual hangs
When to visit: Weeknight games or earlier weekend starts
What to order: Benchmark Burger, fries, wings to share
Insider tip: Order food early once seated—kitchen volume spikes fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability and competitive after 6pm, especially during games. Rideshare is the easier move on weekends.
Dress code: Casual sports-bar attire—jeans, sneakers, team gear all fit the room.
Noise level: Loud during games; conversation requires raised voices once the room fills.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak games without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of major sporting events
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—salads and sides are workable, but not a destination for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Very limited—best treated as a drinks-and-sides stop.
Gluten-free options: Some flexibility with bunless burgers and salads, but cross-contact is likely in a high-volume kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's loud, crowded, and TV-focused. Better for casual hangs than getting to know someone.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but timing matters—arrive early for games or be ready to wait during peak sports windows.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and early evenings; later nights skew heavily adult and bar-focused.
Best For
Better for: Big-group energy, game-day atmosphere, and fast-paced sports-bar dining.
Skip if: You want a quieter burger experience, focused food execution, or a date-night setting.
Benchmark Chicago
7.7
A big, lively sports-bar setup where fries are best treated as the table’s utility side—salty, hot, and designed to support wings and burgers. The smartest play is to keep the order simple and shareable so everything lands at peak temperature.
Must-Try Dishes:
French fries, Burger, Wings
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Classic sports-bar fries built for group ordering.
Who should go: Game-day crews
When to visit: Earlier starts to beat crowds
What to order: Fries, wings, one burger
Insider tip: Share one fry order first, then reorder if needed.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking nearby; fills quickly during games. Several paid garages within a few blocks if street spots are gone.
Dress code: Casual sports-bar attire—jeans, sneakers, team gear all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours—conversation takes effort, especially when games are on.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during big games or peak dinner hours without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—fries and a few other bar sides work for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—plain fries are the safest option; confirm fryer and seasonings.
Gluten-free options: Limited—fries may share fryers with breaded items, so cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a quiet first date—better for casual hangs or sports-focused meetups where noise and TVs are part of the fun.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially earlier in the day or on weekdays, but expect waits during prime game times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and early evenings; it skews more adult and rowdy later at night.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, game-day energy, and shareable fries that support wings and burgers.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, a focused fries destination, or strong dietary accommodation.
Benchmark Chicago
8.2
A big, game-friendly Old Town spot with a convertible second-floor roof that turns into an open-air beer-garden rhythm when the weather cooperates. Come for happy hour or groups and order in a tight lane—one wrap or salad, one shareable platter, and a side.
Must-Try Dishes:
Southwest salad wrap, Sweet potato waffle fries, Meze platter
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A convertible beer-garden roof over most of the 2nd floor.
Who should go: Groups watching games and happy-hour crews
When to visit: Nice-weather afternoons or pre-game evenings
What to order: Southwest salad wrap, meze platter, sweet potato waffle fries
Insider tip: Ask about roof status—when it’s open, go upstairs first.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; meters and residential zones nearby can be competitive, especially during games and evenings.
Dress code: Casual and sporty—jeans, sneakers, team gear all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours and games; conversation is easiest earlier in the day or on the edges of the roof.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during nice weather or major games without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or minimal wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—salads, wraps, sides, and shareable platters can work.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly salads and a few sides with light modifications.
Gluten-free options: Some options available, but cross-contact is possible in a busy kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and energetic—this is more fun and social than intimate or quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially earlier in the day, but expect waits during games or when the roof is open.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and early hours; later evenings skew more bar- and crowd-driven.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, game-day energy, and rooftop-style happy hours with a relaxed, beer-garden feel.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, a romantic setting, or a food-first experience over atmosphere.
Benchmark Chicago
8.2
An Old Town after-work magnet that works best when you lean into drinks and a few shareables rather than treating it like a full dinner destination. Expect a lively room, fast pacing, and a menu designed for groups to keep ordering as the night builds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wings, Nachos, Burgers
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Old Town’s big-room happy hour built for groups and repeat rounds.
Who should go: Coworkers and friend groups
When to visit: Weekdays 5–7pm
What to order: Wings, nachos, one featured cocktail
Insider tip: Arrive early for easier seating and quicker service.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive after 5pm; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option for groups.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual—jeans and sneakers are fine, especially after work.
Noise level: Loud during peak happy hour—conversation is possible but expect raised voices in the main room.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak evening hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—apps and shareables like nachos and salads work best.
Vegan options: Limited—best for drinks with one modified appetizer.
Gluten-free options: Some options available, but cross-contact is possible in a busy kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure meet than an intimate first date—the energy is fun but not romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially if you arrive early in the happy hour window or are flexible with high-top seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day it can work for older kids, but evenings skew adult-focused and lively.
Best For
Better for: Group happy hours, sports-on-TV energy, and easy ordering that supports multiple rounds.
Skip if: You want a quiet conversation, a food-driven dining experience, or a polished date-night vibe.
Benchmark Chicago
8.2
A big-room Old Town happy hour built for groups where tacos work best as part of a tight shareables plan. The steak taco lane is the cleanest play—bold, filling, and reliable—especially when you pair it with a simple drink order and skip menu sprawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Tacos (3), Nachos, Margarita
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A group-friendly Old Town bar where steak tacos hold up under volume.
Who should go: Coworkers and friend groups
When to visit: Weeknights during happy hour windows
What to order: Steak tacos, nachos, one margarita lane
Insider tip: Keep it tacos plus one shareable—stop there for best pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive after 5pm; garages nearby are the most reliable option for groups.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual—jeans, sneakers, and relaxed workwear are all common.
Noise level: Loud during peak happy hour—easy for group conversation, tougher for one-on-one chats.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait; happy hour is busier than lunch.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian tacos and shareables are available.
Vegan options: Limited—some modifications possible but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Limited—corn tortillas are available, but cross-contact is possible in a high-volume kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or early dates than intimate ones—the energy is lively and loud, which works if you want fun over focus.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially early in the happy hour window, but groups should arrive together and expect a short wait after 6pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes—kids are fine for lunch or early happy hour, but the scene skews adult as the night goes on.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, energetic happy hours, and steak-forward tacos that hold up under volume.
Skip if: You want a quiet taco-focused meal or a date-night setting—smaller taquerias or sit-down Mexican spots will feel more intentional.