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Porter Kitchen & Deck
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Porter Kitchen & Deck
8.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Porter Kitchen & Deck pairs New American classics and a deep whiskey list with some of the Loop’s best river views from both dining room and deck. It’s a go-to for client lunches, post-work cocktails, and group dinners that feel like an occasion without leaving the office corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Filet Sliders, Lobster Roll, Fried Chicken Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Riverfront New American cooking with a whiskey-forward bar and a true deck overlooking the skyline.
Who should go: Teams hosting clients or colleagues who want river views.
When to visit: Sunny weekdays for deck lunches or golden-hour drinks.
What to order: Filet Sliders, Lobster Roll, Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Insider tip: Book the deck or window tables for sunset; inside, the bar rail often has last-minute space when reservations are gone.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet most days; guests typically use nearby paid garages along Wacker and Canal. Street parking is limited and competitive during office hours, easier later evenings and weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — office attire and polished jeans are common; business-casual leans dressy at lunch and happy hour.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is possible at tables, but bar and deck areas get energetic during peak after-work hours.
Weekend wait: Usually short waits or none; the Loop is calmer on weekends, but prime deck tables can still be claimed early.
Weekday lunch: Busy during peak corporate lunch hours; reservations recommended, though small parties may be seated with a brief wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — salads, vegetable starters, and a few mains can work with minor modifications.
Vegan options: Limited — expect 1–2 viable dishes with modifications; best to confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Several dishes and sides can be prepared gluten-free on request; staff is accustomed to accommodating allergies.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want river views and a polished, grown-up setting; the vibe leans business-social rather than intimate, so it’s strongest for relaxed, conversation-forward dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — especially on weekends or later evenings. The bar rail and parts of the deck are commonly held for walk-ins, but peak weekday lunches and golden-hour deck times book up fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Casually kid-tolerant but not geared for children. Older kids are fine during earlier seatings; evenings skew adult, business, and cocktail-focused.
Best For
Better for: Corporate lunches, client dinners, and post-work gatherings where river views, outdoor seating, and a polished-but-comfortable menu matter.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge or chef-driven cuisine, a very quiet or intimate setting, or budget-focused casual dining.
Porter Kitchen & Deck
8.0
A river-adjacent American room that’s strongest for relaxed romance: cocktails, a steady kitchen, and a dining pace that doesn’t force a big-night energy. The move is to share one starter, pick one comfort-forward main each, and let the view carry the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy shrimp appetizer, Seasonal cocktails, American mains (steak/seafood rotation)
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: A river-view dining room that fits both dates and a calm nightcap.
Who should go: Couples who want a quieter riverfront dinner
When to visit: Sunset hours for the best river mood
What to order: Crispy shrimp, cocktails, a steak-or-seafood main
Insider tip: Sit on the deck when weather cooperates—it’s the point.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in the West Loop Gate area; nearby garages are the most reliable option for dinner.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished for evening dates.
Noise level: Moderate—generally easy to hold a conversation, with more ambient noise during peak sunset hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours, shorter if seated inside.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait outside of noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward starters and a few adaptable mains.
Vegan options: Limited—some dishes can be modified, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Yes—select mains and sides are gluten-free or can be adjusted; confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it’s relaxed, attractive, and low-pressure, which makes conversation feel natural without forcing a high-energy scene.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially on weeknights or earlier in the evening; deck seating fills fastest around sunset.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-leaning overall, but kids are welcome earlier in the evening; there’s no dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Casual romance with river views, cocktails, and a comfortable pace that doesn’t feel like a special-occasion production.
Skip if: You want a high-energy nightlife vibe or a formal, chef-driven tasting experience.
Porter Kitchen & Deck
8.2
A river-edge dining room with a deck setup that turns into an easy pre-show or post-work play when the weather cooperates. Stick to a clean structure—one starter, one main, and a drink—so the meal stays smooth and not overbuilt.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal flatbread, Steak frites, Roasted salmon
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 6.8
What makes it special: A deck-forward river spot that’s calmer than the main drags.
Who should go: Work lunches and easy date diners
When to visit: Early dinner or deck hours
What to order: Flatbread, steak frites, salmon
Insider tip: Ask specifically for deck seating when booking.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking nearby; limited availability during weekday evenings. Nearby garages in the Fulton Market/Fulton River District are a safer bet after 5pm.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine; business-casual works well for lunches and early dinners.
Noise level: Moderate. Easy conversation indoors; deck seating gets livelier during peak patio hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during patio season
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of the noon rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several vegetable-forward starters, salads, and a few adaptable mains.
Vegan options: Limited – a couple of modifiable options; best to ask the server about substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Yes – some naturally gluten-free dishes and others that can be adjusted on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially in good weather. The deck creates a relaxed, low-pressure setting that feels polished without being intense.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during weekdays and early evenings, but deck seating fills fast—reservations help if the weather’s nice.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults. Kids are welcome, but the menu and vibe are geared more toward business lunches and date-night diners than families.
Best For
Better for: Calmer riverfront dining with a deck focus and less scene-driven chaos than nearby Fulton Market hotspots.
Skip if: You want a high-energy nightlife atmosphere or a destination-level food experience—there are stronger options nearby for both.
Porter Kitchen & Deck
8.1
A Chicago River looker with a broad American menu that works well for a more elevated happy hour—shared plates, cocktails, and a deck that earns its name in warm weather. Order like a regular: one seafood starter, one salad, then either sliders or fish tacos to keep things moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Roll, Filet Sliders, Fish Tacos
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: River-deck happy hour energy with a menu built for sharing and lingering.
Who should go: Teams or couples who want drinks by the river
When to visit: Weekdays 4–6pm, especially on warm-weather days
What to order: Filet sliders, fish tacos, lobster roll
Insider tip: If the deck is your goal, arrive early—prime tables go fast after 5.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the Loop; nearby public garages are the most reliable option, especially after 4pm.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy-casual—jeans are fine, but many guests lean polished after work.
Noise level: Moderate—lively during happy hour, but conversation is still easy at the table.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer if the deck is full.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—salads, sides, and a few vegetable-forward small plates work well.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly salads or modified sides; best to ask about adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly dishes available; staff can guide you, but no dedicated menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—especially for drinks. The river setting and shared-plate menu create an easy, social flow without feeling too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during weekday happy hour if you arrive early; deck seating fills quickly after 5pm, so timing matters.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-leaning. Kids are welcome earlier in the day, but the happy-hour crowd skews after-work and date-focused.
Best For
Better for: River views, outdoor deck seating, and a relaxed-but-polished happy-hour atmosphere that feels special without being formal.
Skip if: You want a quiet, food-first dining experience or are looking for a bargain-driven happy hour—this is more about setting and vibe.
Hours
Monday11am - 10pm
Tuesday11am - 10pm
Wednesday11am - 10pm
Thursday11am - 10pm
Friday11am - 11pm
Saturday4pm - 11pm
SundayClosed