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The VIG Chicago
Master Critic Reviews (7 Lists)
The VIG Chicago
7.7
A high-energy Old Town bar-and-grill with an American menu that’s designed for steady ordering rather than a single knockout dish. It works best for sports, brunch-y daytime hangs, and group dinners when you want dependable classics and a lively room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burger, Chicken tenders, Mac and cheese
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.5
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Big, lively Old Town bar for American classics and games.
Who should go: Groups watching sports or meeting for drinks
When to visit: Weekend afternoons or early evening
What to order: Burger, tenders, mac and cheese
Insider tip: Keep it to two mains and a shared side for the smoothest pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots nearby but fill quickly, especially on weekends. Rideshare is often easier.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans, sneakers, and team gear are common and totally fine.
Noise level: Loud — high-energy bar atmosphere, especially during games or peak weekend hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer if a major game is on.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short 5–10 minute wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a handful of options like mac and cheese, salads, and veggie-friendly sides.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some items can be adjusted, but cross-contact is likely in a bar kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and energetic — it’s better for low-pressure drinks than quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially earlier in the day, but expect a wait on weekends or during big sports events.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and brunch hours; evenings skew more adult and bar-focused.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, game-day energy, and dependable American bar food with a lively crowd.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, food-driven destination dining, or strong vegetarian/vegan options.
The VIG Chicago
8.0
A polished Old Town tavern where the burger fits the room: hearty, dependable, and designed to pair with a beer and a game-day pace. It’s strongest as a straightforward sit-down burger-and-fries play rather than a menu-sprawl mission.
Must-Try Dishes:
The VIG Burger, Fries, Chicken Tenders
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A reliable neighborhood tavern burger in a high-energy Old Town setting.
Who should go: Groups who want burgers with drinks
When to visit: Happy hour or pre-game evenings
What to order: VIG Burger, fries, one shareable app
Insider tip: Go early on weekends to avoid the peak crowd crush.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking nearby but competitive; plan on a nearby public garage if arriving after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans, sneakers, and team gear all fit the room.
Noise level: Loud during peak hours — fine for group conversation, tougher for quiet one-on-one chats.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during games or events.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie burger option and several non-meat appetizers.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free bun available, but shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first date than a romantic one — the energy is fun but loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially off-peak, but expect a wait on weekends or during sports-heavy evenings.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes — burgers and fries work for kids, but it turns adult-focused at night.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down burgers with drinks, sports viewing, and group-friendly pacing.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, a chef-driven burger experience, or a quick grab-and-go bite.
The VIG Chicago
7.9
A retro-leaning Old Town sports-bar room where fries work best as a reliable side to burgers and bar plates. The win here is ordering tight—one main plus fries—so you get hot, crisp texture before the room’s pace takes over.
Must-Try Dishes:
French fries, Burger, Deviled eggs
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Sports-bar fries that stay crisp with burgers.
Who should go: Groups watching games
When to visit: Weeknights for easier seating
What to order: Fries, burger, deviled eggs
Insider tip: Order fries immediately; add mains after.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots nearby but fill quickly after 6pm. Rideshare is easier on busy nights.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual. Jeans, sneakers, and team gear are common and totally fine.
Noise level: Loud during games and late nights; conversation is easy early, tougher once the crowd peaks.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak sports hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – fries and a few veggie-friendly bar plates work, but options are limited.
Vegan options: Very limited – fries may work, but confirm preparation details.
Gluten-free options: Limited – some items can be modified, but no dedicated gluten-free program.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual hang than a first date. The energy is fun but loud, especially during games.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights or earlier in the evening. Expect a wait during prime sports hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes. Evenings skew adult and bar-focused, especially after 8pm.
Best For
Better for: Reliable sports-bar fries, group-friendly pacing, and watching games with food that holds up.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, a destination fries experience, or strong dietary-specific options.
The VIG Chicago
7.9
A high-energy Old Town brunch-and-cocktail room where breakfast hits best when you order for texture and temperature—crispy, saucy, and served fast enough to keep up with the music. Anchor with one savory plate, add one sweet-leaning share, and skip menu sprawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken and Waffles, Avocado Toast, Breakfast Burrito
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: A party-forward brunch with strong chicken-and-waffles energy.
Who should go: Groups who want brunch plus a lively scene
When to visit: Earlier brunch to beat peak crowds
What to order: Chicken and waffles, breakfast burrito, avocado toast
Insider tip: Order one savory anchor first; add a second plate after it lands.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive on weekends. Rideshare is the easiest option for brunch.
Dress code: Trendy casual leaning dressy—stylish brunch fits, jeans are fine but athleisure will feel underdressed.
Noise level: Loud and energetic—expect music-forward vibes that make conversation secondary.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak brunch-to-day-drinking hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait earlier in the day; fills up fast by late morning.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—avocado toast and egg-forward plates work well.
Vegan options: Limited—modifications possible but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some dishes can be adapted, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a high-energy first meet than a quiet get-to-know-you—great if you want fun momentum, not deep conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes if you arrive early; after peak brunch hours, waits build quickly and reservations help.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal—this is an adult, party-forward brunch with loud music and limited kid-focused options.
Best For
Better for: High-energy group brunches, birthday vibes, and chicken-and-waffles cravings paired with cocktails.
Skip if: You want a relaxed, conversation-first breakfast or a quiet neighborhood cafe feel.
The VIG Chicago
7.9
A high-energy Old Town brunch-and-cocktail room where the best meals are ordered for temperature and crunch—crispy, saucy, and served fast enough to match the room’s pace. Anchor with one savory plate, add one sweet share, and keep it tight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken and Waffles, Breakfast Burrito, Avocado Toast
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A party-forward brunch room where cocktails and energy lead.
Who should go: Groups who want lively brunch
When to visit: Earlier brunch to beat peak crowds
What to order: Chicken and waffles, breakfast burrito, avocado toast
Insider tip: Order one savory anchor first; add a second plate after it lands.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots nearby but limited during brunch peak—rideshare is the easiest option.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy; brunch leans polished—athleisure feels underdressed here.
Noise level: Loud and energetic—conversation is possible but expect raised voices during peak brunch.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak brunch hours.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait or immediate seating outside of peak times.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—avocado toast, salads, and a few brunch-friendly vegetarian plates.
Vegan options: Limited—can modify some items, but not a vegan-forward menu.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly options available, but no dedicated menu—confirm with server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a quiet first date—this is better for high-energy chemistry or double dates where noise and motion help carry the vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but arrive early—before peak brunch—or be prepared for a long wait on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is an adult-forward, cocktail-led brunch with loud music and limited kid appeal.
Best For
Better for: Lively group brunches, girls’ day out energy, and cocktails-first plans.
Skip if: You want a calm, food-focused brunch or a conversation-heavy meal—choose a quieter neighborhood spot instead.
The VIG Chicago
8.3
A big Old Town sports parlor where happy hour shines when you order like it’s a bar—oysters, a crisp cocktail, and one or two high-rotation plates. It’s built for groups, TVs, and energy, but the best experience comes from staying in the tightest lanes of the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oysters, Burger, Chicken sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A high-capacity Old Town bar with a real happy hour food hook.
Who should go: Groups who want drinks plus TVs
When to visit: Weekdays at happy hour start
What to order: Oysters, burger, one house cocktail
Insider tip: Order oysters first; add one entrée lane and stop.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in Old Town; plan on nearby paid garages or rideshare during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans, sneakers, and team gear are common, but polished casual works best for happy hour.
Noise level: Loud — TVs, crowd energy, and music make this more social than conversational.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially during games or peak evening hours.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait most weekdays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few reliable options like salads and sides, though the menu is meat-forward.
Vegan options: Limited — expect to piece together sides rather than full entrées.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly items available, but cross-contact is likely in a busy bar kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first meet than an intimate date — the energy and TVs keep things lively but not private.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes during off-peak hours or early happy hour; for evenings or game days, expect a wait and consider arriving right at open.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day it works for families, but evenings skew adult and sports-bar focused.
Best For
Better for: High-energy happy hours with groups, sports viewing, and a bar-first ordering strategy.
Skip if: You want a quiet conversation, refined dining, or a food-driven experience without TV noise.
The VIG Chicago
8.3
An Old Town happy-hour room that shines when you treat tacos as the move: order early, keep it snack-forward, and let the bar energy do the rest. The menu’s strongest taco lane delivers a clean, repeatable bite that pairs well with after-work drinks and a quick second round.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna Poke Tacos, Chicken Tacos, House Margarita
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A high-capacity Old Town happy hour with a real taco hook.
Who should go: After-work crews who want drinks and bites
When to visit: Weekdays at happy hour start
What to order: Tuna poke tacos, chicken tacos, one cocktail
Insider tip: Order tacos first, then decide on a second round.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option during peak hours.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans and clean sneakers are fine, but the room skews polished after work.
Noise level: Moderate to loud—energetic bar vibe makes conversation possible but not quiet.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 6pm.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait; happy hour start times move fastest.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian-friendly tacos and shareables are available.
Vegan options: Limited—some items can be modified, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: Partial—corn tortilla tacos are available; confirm preparation details with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, energetic first meet than an intimate date—great if you want drinks, movement, and low pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially if you arrive right at happy hour or aim for bar seating; flexibility helps.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evenings are workable for older kids, but it’s primarily an adult-focused bar scene after work hours.
Best For
Better for: Lively happy hour tacos paired with cocktails in a big, social room that keeps groups moving.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, deep taco specialization, or a relaxed sit-down Mexican meal.