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South Branch Tavern & Grille
ZipPicks Awards
Best American in Loop
Best Burgers in Loop
Best French Fries in Loop
Best Restaurants With Private Dining Rooms in Loop
Best Happy Hour in Loop
Best Happy Hour Tacos in Loop
Best Date Night Steakhouse in Loop
Master Critic Review
South Branch Tavern & Grille
8.0
South Branch Tavern & Grille is a big, riverfront New American tavern built for Loop office crowds, with a sprawling patio, long beer list, and a menu that runs from burgers and tacos to big salads. It anchors after-work drinks, corporate lunches, and game-day gatherings when you want something livelier than a white-tablecloth steakhouse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bang Bang Shrimp, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Cowboy Salad
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 6.7
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A large-format riverfront tavern where New American comfort food, TVs, and a big patio all collide in one space.
Who should go: Office groups wanting beers, TVs, and crowd-pleasing plates.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour when the patio and bar are humming.
What to order: Bang Bang Shrimp, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Cowboy Salad.
Insider tip: On nice days, request patio seating along the river rail; for big games, the interior bar offers better sightlines to the screens.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily nearby paid garages and limited metered street parking; availability improves after office hours and on weekends. No consistent on-site valet.
Dress code: Business casual; office attire and neat jeans are common, especially on weekdays.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — patio and bar areas can be lively during happy hour and game times; quieter tables are usually inside away from the bar.
Weekend wait: Often minimal to moderate wait, but can fill up on nice patio-weather days or during major games.
Weekday lunch: Can be busy with corporate groups; short wait or reservation recommended during peak lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — salads, snacks, and a handful of mains can be ordered vegetarian or modified on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items may be customized, but options are more sparse than vegetarian.
Gluten-free options: Several dishes can be prepared gluten-free; confirm substitutions with your server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for casual meetups than an intimate first date — the energy skews lively, especially near the bar and TVs.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially outside of peak weekday lunch or major game times; reservations are smart for large groups or patio seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for daytime and early evenings; spacious seating and approachable menu items work well for older kids, though later hours can feel more bar-forward.
Best For
Better for: Large office groups, after-work drinks, riverside patio seating, and game-day gatherings with a broad, crowd-pleasing menu.
Skip if: You want a quiet, fine-dining experience, a romantic date setting, or a restaurant with extensive vegan or specialty-diet offerings.