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Kitchen 888
Master Critic Review
Kitchen 888
7.6
Inside Bally’s temporary casino at Medinah Temple, Kitchen 888 runs as a pan-Asian noodle bar where steaming bowls of pho share space with wonton soup, jjamppong, fried rice, and bar snacks. The beef-forward Pho Combo and lighter Pho Ga give downtown diners a rare late-night pho option within 60611, trading polish for convenience and hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Combo (Phở Đặc Biệt), Pho Ga (Phở Gà), Wok-Fried Wings
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 6.5
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 6.4
What makes it special: A casino-adjacent noodle bar where late-night beef and chicken pho anchor a broad pan-Asian menu.
Who should go: Casino diners and night owls craving quick bowls of pho.
When to visit: Late evenings after gaming rush; avoid peak pre-show surges.
What to order: Pho Combo with all the beef cuts, Pho Ga, Wok-Fried Wings.
Insider tip: If you’re playing in the casino, check for food-credit offers before you order to soften the higher casino-area pricing on your pho and noodles.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking inside/adjacent to Bally’s Medinah Temple with casino access; availability and validation promos can vary by event hours. Street parking in River North is sparse late night and during show nights.
Dress code: Casual casino attire — jeans, sneakers, and hoodies are common; no formal dress code, but avoid beachwear or overly casual gym gear.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud — you can hold a brief conversation, but casino music and floor noise carry into the dining area.
Weekend wait: Usually short to moderate waits (10–25 min), but spikes after shows or gaming rushes.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; seating is generally immediate when the casino is quiet.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few appetizers, fried rice, and noodle dishes can be made without meat depending on prep.
Vegan options: Very limited — broths and sauces often contain animal products; confirm item-by-item.
Gluten-free options: Some rice-noodle and pho items are naturally gluten-leaning, but soy sauces and cross-contact are likely — ask before ordering if strict.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or activity-focused outing than a romantic first date — the casino setting and noise make it more practical than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it operates on a walk-in basis; you’ll usually find seats except during post-show or late-night rushes when a short queue can form.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally not ideal for young kids due to the casino environment and late-night crowd; better suited to adults or older teens accompanied by an adult if casino rules allow.
Best For
Better for: Late-night pho and quick noodle bowls inside the casino — convenient for players and nearby hotel guests when other River North pho spots are closed.
Skip if: You want polished service, quieter ambiance, or a destination-level pho experience — choose a dedicated Vietnamese restaurant instead.