CHUG A LUG PUB & GRILL — Restaurant in Bloom Township

Disappointing First Visit.

I REALLY wanted to like this place. The vibe was great — casual and inviting with a nice rooftop, comfort food menu, games like pool and bowling, and even live music... although there wasn't an actual band when we visited, there was a nice assortment of music being played. Unfortunately, the service and food execution left a lot to be desired.

I came with two of my sorority sisters for what we hoped would be a fun and tasty outing. Soror #1 ordered the Mexican bowl and actually enjoyed her meal — no complaints there. I had the shrimp and crawfish pasta. Flavor-wise, it was decent, but as someone from New Orleans, it didn’t quite hit the mark. What really frustrated me, though, was that the shrimp still had the tails on. I told our waitress I don’t like having to dig into pasta with my hands just to remove tails — especially when it’s covered in sauce. I had just used hand sanitizer, so not only did I burn my fingers trying to remove the tails, I ended up with a weird chemical aftertaste in my food from my fingers. If I wanted finger food, I wouldn’t have ordered pasta. She didn't offer to exchange it, or take off the tails, she explained that all of their shrimp comes with, and is cooked with, the tails on. I wish I would've known that before ordering.

Then there was Soror #2's order. She requested scrambled eggs on the side and the chicken and waffles entree. The waitress brought all of our food except her chicken and waffles and tried to act like they were still “cooking.” We were the ONLY ones in the place at the time, so a kitchen backup didn’t add up. The chicken and waffles didn’t show up until we were getting ready to leave, so Pat had to take them to go and just canceled the eggs altogether.

Sadly, for our first time here, the experience was a letdown. With no crowd and no rush, we expected better attention to detail and service. The atmosphere has potential, but the kitchen and waitstaff need some serious tightening up before we consider coming back.

UPDATE RESPONSE TO CHUG A LUG Since you've blocked me from responding. THAT IS NOT TRUE! Your waitress did not get the order correctly. SHE didn't put the order in initially and when we mentioned it to her, SHE said, "lemme see how long it's gonna be." She left and came back and told us that it was going to be another few minutes. She then went towards the back and started talking to her co-workers. We watched her for a little while, and then I got up and went over to her and asked, how much longer would it be. Apparently, THAT'S when she put the order in. She then came back to our table to apologize for the delay in cooking. SHE NEVER TOLD US THAT SHE HAD JUST PUT THE ORDER IN! She had us in belief that it was something going on in the kitchen. She probably forgot the 1st order because my friend asked if she could get eggs whites only. She went to the kitchen to ask that and then came back and said no. My friend then proceeded to explain how she wanted the ehhs fixed... scrambled hard with American cheese. My friend DID NOT order late... your waitress did! Check your tapes. I'm sure you have cameras inside your restaurant. The reason my friend sent the eggs back is because her other food had not come for her breakfast. There was not a "late" order on OUR part... the late order was on the part of your staff who was too busy talking and playing with her co-workers in the back by the bar!

I believe that it is extremely unprofessional to argue, with condescending comments with a customer who states that she wished that she would have been told that the shells were in her food so she could have ordered something else. I don't expect people who are NOT from South Louisiana, to understand how certain dishes should actually be made. You saying that "you've never once had a complaint" from customers who haven't experienced my culture is probably the same people who are eating your po-boys with tartar sauce. At this point, it is what it is and I definitely won't be...

Sooooo extremely disappointed. We ate here quite often within their first 2 yrs of opening. Off & on over the past year. Upon arrival around 8:45pm, we were body and purse searched and asked for ID. Husband is a Cook Cnty Police Lieutenant & was told he could not bring weapon inside even though he had ID & badge. We were shocked, never happened to us before when we came, granted we usually come earlier in the day or earlier in the evening. We don’t want to be anywhere where they have to body search you & ask for ID JUST to have dinner. Upon entering inside, we discovered they’re doing Karaoke night. Music was extremely loud, asked for it to be turned down or adjusted because the mics had a high pitch. Never happened. Ordered the same thing - garlic Parmesan chicken wings & fries. Previously the chicken had a nice crunch to it, with the impression it was fried with batter & then dipped in garlic Parmesan sauce. Not exactly sure on their process BUT we definitely know something changed with the recipe. It’s not the same. Owner said same recipe but absolutely not. We’ve ate that meal so much we know how it used to taste. I also tried something new & ordered Jerk Chicken pasta. Not much flavor & it definitely wasn’t Jerk. The sauce wasn’t dark like regular jerk sauce. It was light brown like gravy. Our server was extremely pleasant, patient & understanding with us. She never got an attitude in the midst of all our inquiries & complaints which is why I give 5 star for service. None the less, we definitely won’t be back. They’ve lost a neighborhood customer. It appears the place turns into a sports bar/club atmosphere (on the main level) after a certain time. So disappointing but I guess it’s making them money & that’s the crowd they want to cater too. My husband & I was looking forward to a casual evening of dinner & conversation catching up due to our busy business schedules & never happened. We were yelling at each other the entire time so we could hear each other over the loud music to a point of minimal conversation because we got tired of yelling, smh. UPDATE TO MGMT RESPONSE: We were NOT upset because husband had to put weapon in car, lol. I think you missed the point above. IF that were the case regarding lock box, why didn't your outside Security mention that to us??? When we were told no weapons, I asked "even if he shows his ID & badge?" They said "No" and that was it. Initially we were going to leave but decided to stay to make the best of it. Nothing was even said about that once we entered restaurant. The fact that your Manager is lying on us is extremely disheartful & disappointing. But your statements are contradicting because you said that Manager said we were upset about weapon issue but then asked why we didn't ask for a Manager. In regards to you being surprised we didn't ask for one, my question would be why didn't the manager come out to speak with us given our concerns with food AND music sound level? Managers at many restaurants make their rounds to greet & temperature check customers. We were EXTREMELY pleasant with EVERYONE we came into contact with. NEVER nasty or attitude. We were coming for dinner, not to party. We were unaware of nightly festivities given we usually come earlier in the day/evening. We don't follow your nightly schedule. If you spoke with the Server, you will know that we were EXTREMELY pleasant with her, no attitudes. Due to the loud music, we were going to order & leave. Then decided to stay & eat while it was still hot & to at least TRY to enjoy our date night & make the best of it. She did have it remade, without it being in container & it was still the same. It's the same chicken we've always ordered. Also, your Server not once offered for us to move to another area that may be quieter despite our complaints about the music. So how were we to know that was an option? She stated a few others made the same complaint but "they" don't...

Part 2 con't...Second visit was last night at the urging of my partner because maybe the first visit was just a one off disaster. Welp, just as I suspected, it wasn't a one off situation, this is who they are...A BAD, UNORGANIZED, POORLY SERVICED, POORLY RUN BUSINESS, with barely decent food that has the audacity to automatically charge an 18% gratuity on the check as if they know they are hitting it out of the park on what they offer patrons. And they are absolutely not winning in this area at all. I don't know what it is with the wait staff in this place, but they don't or barely listen. Not to mention, their attitudes are so standoff-ish. Being the people persons that we are, we were determined to get our waitress to warm up and act like she was interested in serving us and not fighting us, which was her initial approach. I also am not into anyone bringing me some "mad" food. It just kills my vibe, so yes, I expect a server to smile when they bring my food because if so, it makes me think that they are happy about what is being put the table for me to eat. It took a while but she eventually warmed up and acted like she wanted to serve us. Next was the kitchen, they send out whatever they want to send out. I don't know if it is a language barrier or what, but I noticed that all the servers are African-American and all the managers, kitchen staff and bussers are Hispanic. This could be the reason why when I ordered the nachos with no chili, it seems as though I said leave everything off because when they came out they only had a little cheese and grilled veggies. No sour cream, no pico, no jalapenos. I had to ask for all of these things to be added after the fact. I actually asked if the chili could be substituted for grilled veggies and was told no, that I would be charged for something as simple as this. We asked for more cheese too as it was quite light on the nachos, but noticed later on our bill that they charged us an extra $2.00 for this and $1.00 for the veggies. The fried cauliflower was good, but very greasy. The cookie skillet we had to send back because it was raw and barely cooked. We received a second cookie and it was undone as well. We just gave up at this point and ate around the edges since that was the only part that cooked properly. You would think that the manager would come address this issue, but just like the previous visit, the managers don't care about anything but getting money from patrons. They don't care about service, quality, or attention to detail just getting money. Our bill, with the automatic gratuity, for nachos, cauliflower, cranberry juice and one alcoholic drink was $77.00. This place is absolutely not worth that and we don't mind spending money for great food and great service, which will not be experienced at Chug-A-Lug. The owners really need to take inventory of where they are grossly failing or they won't be around long at all. Statistics state most restaurants fail within the first 3-5 years and Chug-A-Lug is well on its way. And after noticing the racist response that Chug-A-Lug posted to another reviewer, they don't deserve to be around long since they feel that "not all people tip good, especially on the Southside". Since they feel this way, I presume they feel as if they can treat "southsiders" any kind of way in their establishment. With this, I personally wouldn't care if they failed, they can take their business to the Northside, Pilsen or somewhere else and see if they would even patronize this subpar business. I wish us "Southsiders" would stop patronizing places who openly disrespect us.

All in all, I will NEVER EVER patronize this business again and I will make sure that the large network of people I know won't support it either! I'll...