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The Smith
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
The Smith
8.1
The Smith’s River North outpost delivers a busy American brasserie experience with a big menu, raw bar, and strong brunch business. It’s a crowd-pleasing choice when you need something that works for burgers, mac and cheese, and steaks in one room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mac and cheese, The Smith burger, Brick pressed chicken
Scores:
Value: 6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A lively, East Coast-style brasserie with a big American comfort menu and strong brunch and dinner appeal.
Who should go: Mixed groups who need wide menu coverage and energy.
When to visit: Weekend brunch and early evening for buzzy but manageable crowds.
What to order: Mac and cheese, The Smith burger, brick pressed chicken.
Insider tip: Bar seats are often easier to snag last minute and still get full menu access.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily paid garages and nearby lots; limited metered street parking, tougher during peak brunch and dinner periods
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished and slightly dressy
Noise level: Loud during peak hours — conversation is possible but raised voices may be needed at brunch and weekend dinner
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation, longer for larger groups
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, though the dining room can fill during peak office hours
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, vegetable sides, and pasta options are reliably available
Vegan options: Limited — a few customizable vegetable dishes, but most mains skew dairy- or egg-heavy
Gluten-free options: Moderate — some menu items can be modified; inform the server for guidance and substitutions
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want energy and a lively brasserie feel — it’s better for conversational but upbeat dates than quiet, intimate ones.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — the bar and high-tops are your best bet; expect a wait during brunch and prime dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably kid-friendly during brunch and earlier dinner hours; noise and crowds can be overwhelming for very young children later at night.
Best For
Better for: Large, mixed-preference groups, brunch outings, and occasions where a big, flexible American menu keeps everyone happy
Skip if: You want a quiet, chef-driven meal, highly specialized cuisine, or a space suited to intimate conversation
The Smith
8.7
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Brunch Bliss Spots
Trendy Table Hotspots
This NYC-imported brasserie runs a big all-day menu, but the Smith Burger and Le Burger are standouts for River North diners who want something richer than a pub burger. High-volume reservations, outdoor seating, and a buzzy dining room make it an easy pick when a great burger needs to fit into a full dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Smith Burger with cheddar, shallot jam, and crispy onions, Le Burger with gruyère and caramelized onions, Skillet Mac & Cheese
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A high-capacity brasserie where the signature burgers feel as considered as the cocktails.
Who should go: Groups wanting a serious burger within a full dinner.
When to visit: Prime evening slots or weekend brunch for full energy.
What to order: The Smith Burger, Le Burger, skillet mac & cheese.
Insider tip: Book a bar seat for faster service and easier solo burger runs.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site lot; most guests use nearby paid River North garages or rideshare. Street parking is limited and inconsistent, especially evenings.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most diners lean polished (blazers, sweaters, casual dresses).
Noise level: Lively and buzzy during peak hours — conversation is possible but not quiet.
Weekend wait: 30–60 min without a reservation during peak hours (bar seating is often faster).
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, but can fill during business rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — salads, pastas, and a few mains can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a few customizable items; confirm with server as preparations may change.
Gluten-free options: Several menu items can be prepared gluten-free on request, but no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want an energetic, buzzy room with great cocktails and polished service — less ideal if you prefer a quiet, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, but expect a wait at peak hours; bar and patio seats (weather permitting) are the best walk-in options.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably kid-friendly at brunch and earlier seatings; high chairs available, but late evenings skew adult and louder.
Best For
Better for: A high-energy brasserie experience where burgers feel elevated enough to anchor a full dinner with cocktails and share plates.
Skip if: You want a quiet burger pub, quick-serve meal, or strictly budget-focused outing — the atmosphere and pricing lean upscale.
The Smith
7.9
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Girls Night Out Approved
The Smith brings its bustling brasserie energy to River North with mussels and frites, steak dishes, and burgers all built around crispy shoestring-style fries. It’s a workhorse spot for brunch, business lunches, and pre-theater dinners where the fries stay consistent across a big, all-day menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mussels and frites, The Smith Bar Steak with fries, Burger with shoestring fries
Scores:
Value: 6.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A high-energy American brasserie where mussels and frites and steak with fries are everyday staples.
Who should go: Groups needing versatile menus and reliable frites all day.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early dinners before the room peaks.
What to order: Mussels and frites, bar steak with fries, classic burger.
Insider tip: Use the bar area for walk-in seats and quicker fry turnaround.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages. Valet availability varies by time and day — confirm when booking.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for evenings and brunch.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours — conversation is possible, but you may need to speak up at brunch and weekend dinners.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; walk-ins are often seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — salads, veggie starters, and a few mains can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be modified, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Several dishes can be adapted on request; fries may share a fryer, so not guaranteed gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual or social dates — the lively brasserie energy keeps things fun, but it’s not ideal if you want a quiet, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — the bar and high-tops are best for walk-ins, especially early evening or off-peak brunch windows.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for daytime and brunch — wide menu, high chairs on request, and fries that kids like; evenings can feel loud for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, flexible all-day dining, and consistent shoestring-style fries across mussels, steak, and burger plates.
Skip if: You want a quiet, chef-driven meal or are price-sensitive — nearby bistros and pubs may offer a calmer room or lower spend.
The Smith
8.3
The Smith brings a lively New York–style brasserie to River North, with a big all-day menu and plenty of booths and bar seats. Locals use it for working lunches, team meetups, and post-office drinks in one stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Dip Sandwich, Burger Royale, Macaroni and Cheese
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Upbeat brasserie where burgers, salads, and steaks all feel considered.
Who should go: Teams needing reliable reservations and broad, crowd-pleasing menus.
When to visit: Midweek lunch for groups; late afternoon for lingered meetings.
What to order: French dip, burger royale, skillet mac and cheese.
Insider tip: Book private rooms when you need AV-equipped presentations or privacy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; most guests use nearby paid garages or limited metered street parking. Valet is sometimes offered during peak evening periods, but availability can vary by day.
Dress code: Business casual — office attire and polished jeans are common; feel free to lean slightly dressy for client meals.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak lunch and happy hour — conversational for small groups, but expect buzz across the room.
Weekend wait: Often busy — expect a wait of 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Can fill up with office groups — walk-ins may wait 10–20 minutes, but reservations are recommended for teams.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, pasta, and vegetable-forward mains are available and staff can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few dishes can be modified on request; confirm with your server.
Gluten-free options: Multiple items can be prepared gluten-free and dishes are clearly flagged, but the kitchen is not a fully separate prep environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited to social dinners or business meetups than quiet, intimate dates — the room runs lively and energetic during peak times.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for small parties outside peak hours, but larger groups and lunch rush are safest with a reservation. Bar seating is a reliable fallback.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for well-behaved kids at earlier hours; booths and flexible menus help, but peak evenings can feel loud and adult-leaning.
Best For
Better for: Broad, crowd-pleasing menus, reliable reservations for work lunches, and a lively brasserie atmosphere that works well for teams and group meals.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate setting, highly specialized cuisine, or strict dietary control requiring a fully separate prep environment.
The Smith
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Brunch Bliss Spots
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
The Smith brings a lively American brasserie to River North with a menu that runs from burgers and mac and cheese to salads and oysters. Families tend to book brunch and early dinners, where high chairs, booths, and a buzzy-but-manageable noise level make it work for kids and adults.
Must-Try Dishes:
Skillet Mac and Cheese, The Smith Bar Steak, Hot Potato Chips with Blue Cheese Fondue
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A big-tent brasserie where comfort dishes and brunch standbys keep mixed-age groups happy.
Who should go: Families wanting mac and cheese with grown-up cocktails nearby.
When to visit: Brunch or early evening before the bar scene peaks.
What to order: Skillet Mac and Cheese, Bar Steak, Hot Potato Chips.
Insider tip: Ask for a booth along the wall for more kid-friendly breathing room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet; street parking is limited in the area, most guests use nearby River North garages or rideshare, especially during peak times.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sneakers are fine, but many diners lean slightly dressy for evenings and brunch.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours — conversation is workable at booths but can be lively in the main dining area.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, shorter if you’re flexible with bar or high-top seating.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; walk-ins are often seated quickly outside of peak business lunch windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several salads, pastas, and small plates are vegetarian, with staff open to substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few salads and bowls can be modified; ask for ingredient swaps to make items fully vegan.
Gluten-free options: Multiple clearly marked options and modifications available, but prepared in a shared kitchen (not a dedicated GF environment).
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Decent for a casual or brunch date — the room is lively and upbeat rather than intimate, so it works better for relaxed conversation than a hushed, romantic night out.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially at off-peak times; during brunch and weekend dinners, expect a wait and consider arriving early or being flexible with bar seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — best for toddlers through pre-teens during brunch and early dinner; high chairs, booths, and a patient staff make it workable for families before late-evening crowds.
Best For
Better for: Large menus, brunch gatherings, and mixed-age groups that want comfort dishes and a lively but manageable setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic meal, cutting-edge cuisine, or a budget-focused casual option.