Harry Caray's Tavern, Navy Pier — Restaurant in Chicago

Lets start by acknowledging the fact that this restaurant is in Navy Pier, and is extremely busy. We were promptly sat, but when asked if we wanted indoors or outdoor seating, I requested indoor since it was so hot outside. Our host took us to the closest table to the open doors leading out to the outdoor patio!?! Again, it was busy, there werent that many other open tables for 4, so we laughed and enjoyed the warm breeze from outside. 1 of our waitresses came over and introduced herself, and told us she would be training, and that the other waitress would be over to get our drink orders. Waitress 2 arrives shortly after, and apologizes for the wait, and explains that she is new and that she would be trying her best to take care of us. Our drinks and food order were handled promptly, and the food even came out fast for the amount of people in the restaurant. Our food was out so fast, that it was surprisingly cold, and dry. We had the BBQ chicken sandwich, and the chicken was bone dry, almost hard to swallow. Had it not been for the bbq sauce, it would have been inedible. The french fries were hot, but the chicken sandwich left a lot to be desired. We were clearly done with our meal, and ready to go, but the 2 waitresses stood just outside the chatting while we sat and waited for the bill. I was finally able to grab the trainees attention, and they both walked over to the table. The trainee took our payment while the other waitress nervously explained how busy they were, and how she hoped the trainee did a good job. Again, it was busy, but they were just standing outside talking. I would not want to visit this place on a weekend, or evening, if this is how well service is handled on a weekday...

The hostess and manager saw our group of 18 walk in and was immediately rude. We were on a school trip and with teens and chaperones. When told that the bill would have to all be paid by one person or at the very least split in half, we asked if there was another possibility. Most of the teens did not have cash or cash app to pay back the person who would have been stuck with the bill. We were willing to break into smaller parties and were denied that opportunity. We were even willing to leave and come back staggered in smaller groups and the manager denied that request saying that if any of us ate there that night, she would charge gratuity. She also claimed that she couldn’t handle us coming in smaller groups because they already had a large party coming in. So does that mean she was going to deny service to the next 5 parties of 4 that came in too?!? It made absolutely no sense. Some of us were willing to stick it out but others left (and took their $250 along with them). The manager was down right abrasive and rude. We were simply trying to ask questions as we had not previously encountered a restaurant not willing to split checks or saying that they were going to charge gratuity even if we truly became 5 separate parties. I won’t even go into them trying to charge us for food that the serve gave us “on the house” and getting an attitude about it or not acknowledging the appetizer that was brought out after the rest of the food or the appetizer that was clearly ordered as part of a meal and confirmed by the server coming out before the meals. The next night when other members of our school trip were asking for recommendations on where to eat on the pier, we told them to avoid...

Absolute disgrace to Harry Careys name. Y'all should be ashamed. Came as family of 5, hostess rolled eyes and said 45 min wait, which was fine, 7 min later they contact us for seating, but then we awkwardly have to stand in the way half way to the table because it actually wasn't ready, and now there's bickering between waitresses because one was supposed to get us but they sat her a 2 top at a 5 top, finally get sat, wait 25 min, a different server notices we haven't been greeted at all said she'll get someone, manager takes drink order, then comes back and takes food order, no contact by any server until a food runner brought food, all the fries looked like they'd sat quite awhile and were room temp , outta 5 ppl, 1, me didn't get my food, 3 were wrong, 1 was chicken bites which were room temp, our waiter finally made his appearance when 4 outta 5 were half way done with what little they could stomach simply because they were so hungry, I still hadn't received my food (Cobb salad) told him I never got salad but just forget it we're ready to leave, he brings it anyway, and says don't worry we'll comp this, the chicken was room temp, the corn was crispy like popcorn, it looked disgusting, I didn't touch it. I understand being understaffed at but don't seat a table you can't service, I'd rather wait or be turned around then to have such a horrendous experience. Asked for manager, got tired of waiting, Paid $80 for 3 kids meals and 1 adult. Then went somewhere else and ate. Don't waste your time or money. I own restaurants and I've never tipped under 50% in my life, first time I ever not tipped. I'll be recommending to not...