etc. — Restaurant in Chicago

Sorry, would have kept this between myself & Etc. but there is no email address provided on their website. Sorry, it's a bit long. Visited last Friday on my way home just to grab a couple drinks & an app before going out later that evening. I was greeted & Zach the bartender asked if I had any allergies. I said I am Gluten Free. Ordered the Vesper & a couple deviled eggs. Both were very good & I really enjoyed the eggs. Spoke with Zach quite a bit about food, the neighborhood, etc. Wanted to try the steak tartare as I have eaten numerous versions in my life & just love it! He said it was great so I ordered that & a margarita. Didn't want to eat a ton as I had dinner plans later that evening. Drink came out & was tasty. Then the steak tartare came out. Once I started eating it, I could tell something was off. I couldn't taste any of the "BBQ" sauce used instead of egg. It honestly tasted just like a bunch of plain diced meat. The toppings on top helped a bit but when Zach asked how it was, I said not very good. I said honestly it just tastes like plain meat! He went to the kitchen & came back & sure enough, the chefs left out the BBQ sauce as it's not GF. Really? They honestly thought that I wouldn't notice??? Nothing to bind the dish together? What higher end restaurant does that?... I didn't make a big deal about it though. Said not a problem. So Zach suggested the Smoked Trout dip & I said that sounds super. He then comes out from back & says, sorry, but the dip has gluten in it as well. There wasn't anything else on the menu for me to eat app wise as I didn't want fries. Zach was kind of enough to make me a complementary gin drink in place of the dip which I thought was really nice of him to do. I continue to talk to w/ him & mention that I work in the industry as well, at an Irish bar. Didn't tell him what I did, just that I work in the industry too. ( I actually do the social media/marketing to help out a dear friend of mine who opened an Irish sports bar recently to help him cut costs. This is a second, fun job for me.) I also have had a normal day job in sales for the past 25 years, 15 years of that in luxury sales. Upon my mentioning the industry thing to Zach, for some reason he disappeared in the back, for almost 10 minutes. I just sat at the bar, drank about half my drink & when he came back, I asked for my tab. Zach turns around, prints my tab quickly and hands it to me barely looking at me. The tartare was discounted as I didn't eat any of it & the gin drink was not added..... but then I see there was an added AUTO GRATUITY of 20% to my tab!!!

Really? Zach, the restaurant, chef, thought they needed to make sure to add a tip? That I was gonna leave something paltry? I can only surmise that Zach was gone so long to discuss how to charge me for my visit and that gosh, since I am part of Irish bar, (not a high end establishment), we better add the gratuity because she is going to be cheap! I was beyond SHOCKED. Taken aback! Insulted!! I just smiled & signed the tab & tipped an additional $10. I am always generous with my tips, especially if the service is great.

I have lived in the Printers Row neighborhood for the last 20 years & visited all the various places that have come & gone throughout that time. I lived in San Francisco for 7 years & have had the pleasure of dining at some of the most amazing, innovative places, some Michelin rated restaurants! I consider myself a foodie and love to try all sorts of different cuisine. Never, EVER, in my entire dining history have I received auto gratuity on my check!

Can someone from Etc. please explain to me why this happened? WHY?

I would think twice before...

**This review is for you if you love the details and the full run down of the menu *

Okay brunch besties, let me spill the mimosa on this adorbs little gem of a spot that served up a whole vibe and a whole lotta deliciousness!

First things first—can we talk about the vibe?! The staff was so sweet, and I was lowkey obsessed with their aprons. Like, where can I buy one?! They really set the tone—cute, cozy, and casually classy. Service was as warm as the cinnamon roll (more on that in a sec 👀).

Sippity sip! 🍍🥂 The pineapple mimosa was an absolute brunch MVP. The balance? Chef’s kiss. Not too juicy, not too bubbly—it let that champagne shine through like the star she is.

Now for the food (get ready to drool): The cinnamon roll came out warm and cozy like a morning hug. The frosting was dreamy, though I wished it gave a little more love to the whole roll (spread the sweetness, ya know?).

Shrimp & grits? YES PLEASE. The shrimp were plump little flavor bombs, and the grits? Creamy heaven with the kind of texture that says “I know what I’m doing.” And they were purple have you had purple grits before? I haven't lol

Chicken & waffles brought the crunch and the comfort. That waffle? Light, flaky, and had a hint of vanilla that made me swoon. The chicken was piping hot (like, fresh out the fryer hot🔥), and the skin was a flavor party! The white meat was juicy and I am not a white meat girly but was totally delish.

Avocado toast had me feeling like a wellness queen 👑🥑. The avo was fresh and luscious, and those chili flakes on top? A spicy little wink.

And last but ABSOLUTELY not least... The STAR TO ME- THE PANCAKES. OMG. Fluffy. Buttery. Blueberry-studded bliss. The texture was dreamy, and the whipped butter was just the right kind of sweet—like a cozy cloud. 10/10 would order again and again. Total brunch icon status! I thought about theses pancakes all day!

This place is officially on my brunch with the girls list! Cute vibes, great service, and a menu that hits allll the right notes. Grab your brunch...

I especially enjoyed the aesthetics and ambiance of the space...most other factors were unfortunately underwhelming. For starters we ordered the collard greens and corn bread. I specifically asked for them to be brought out together...the waiter mentioned the "cornbread" was made to order and it would take 15min...no biggie we'll wait. The greens arrived 5min later without "cornbread"...the waiter noted the "cornbread" was only minutes behind. 5min later another waitress approached our table and asked if we were the ones waiting on "cornbread"...YES...half the bowl of greens gone at this point. They were very good...no issue there...they were slightly firm and well seasoned...the smoked turkey was tender and on point. Then the "cornbread" arrives...it is flat and unpuffed...super dense as if it hasn't quite been baked...no meal to the corn...just density and honestly not much flavor to it at all aside from the swim of butter over and seeping into it. We ordered cocktails that were good. Then the main attractions arrived...they'd run out of the oxtail and grits, and whole snapper...so we ordered the southern curry w shrimp and steak (medium)... The southern curry left much to be desired as for taste and the shrimp was tough. The steak was medium well (no pink at all) and underwhelmingly seasoned ...I asked for steak sauce and was only offered an au jus...Boooooo!!! Even great steak houses in Chicago know that you should always keep some steak sauce in your kitchen no matter how much your chef scoffs at it...it is what it is. Period. The paired mashed potatoes with the steak didnt arrive warm...so we finished up the bites we had, packed up the leftovers that we'd modify and headed back home. I make it a point to patronize black owned businesses and am only posting this review so this business gets better quickly...its a beautiful space in a low key area right near eway access...do better so we can make your business a staple, a...