The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant — Restaurant in Chicago

The worst experience our party of FIVE has ever experienced. This was a business dinner and we made a reservation for SIX. The originator of the enervation called to confirm our 6pm reservation and thought we were all set. When we arrived early we asked if we could be seated and they said it would be a few minutes. So far so good! We headed to the bar for a drink. They came to get us in the bar to take us to the table and lo and behold we were taken to the patio in the back where no tables were set and it was quite chilly. I said why aren’t we sitting inside and they said that our dinner host said it was ok if we are outside. At this point they never told us there was an issue. I spoke up and said it’s a little chilly out here and it’s only going to get colder. They said we don’t have any tables inside. I said excuse me we walked past at least 20 empty tables and maybe more. They said those are all reserved. I said we reserved a table for 6 pm. They said you changed the reservation to 4 people and we gave away your table. Now let me say, if we had done that we would have owned it but that just didn’t happen. The restaurant made a mistake which I know happens but own it and make good. They said let me get the manager. This is when Shelia I believe her name was came outside and proceeded to do nothing but blame this on us the customer. I was completely shocked! If we had changed the reservation we never would have said anything but we didn’t. It was a mistake by the restaurant. Certainly I don’t believe it was intentional but it was a mistake by the restaurant. At the end of the day Sheila was extremely rude and clearly doesn’t understand customer service. Where I come from the customer is always right. There are so many ways she could have handled this differently but chose to continue to blame this on us. I also come from the school of voting with my wallet. We proceeded to leave and went directly to Maestros which was an absolute dream. Spectacular customer service, a seafood tower to die for, steaks that were superb and Bronzino that was maybe the best I’ve ever had.

Note: Sheila bought us the round of drinks in her nasty service episode but we would have rather paid for the drinks and had dinner there.

I will never ever return, and by the way while we were waiting for our Uber to take us to Maestros, we told acquaintances about our episode and they said they just experienced a similar issue as well. They left too.

Think twice before you head to such a nasty customer...

We had a recent trip to Chicago for work and we asked friends where we should go to eat while visiting. The overwhelming response was to go to Chicago Firehouse Restaurant and ask for Christie to be our server. We if course listened! However forgot to requesr Christie. When we arrived we were already impressed! The restaurant is beautiful! Not only is it historic building but the way they kept it historic but also turned it into a warm and welcoming restaurant took our breath away. The hostess (we dont remember her name) but she was younger lady w dark hair was so welcoming and just sweetest! We were seated promtly and by our surprise we lucked out and got Christie for our server! She was just wonderful from start to finish. Her suggestions and explanation of the menu were so detailed you can tell she is very knowledgable about food in general aa well when it comes to the menu there. She even explained that they take order and then course it out for us (like how dining should be). She also explained the restaurant encourages family style dining so many entrees come all a cart however eveything even down to the sides are built for sharing. We had so much faith in Christie we ordered every single thing she suggested. Now the food, wow,wow,wow! We got Ricotta knots, Lamb lollipops (we added an additional lamb chop as she suggested so that have one), and firecracker shrimp for appetizer course. Then for the soup/salad course we did a lobster bisque, a salad that was on the special menu, and a chopped salad. For our main course ( again based on Christie's suggestion) we got the 24 ounce ribeye (which she even got sliced for us since we were sharing) with truffle butter (they even fire roast the truffle butter table side), Christie said ita a video you want to take and post! The catch of the day, and the pork chop Al Pastor. For sides we got the Augratin Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, and Creamed Spinach. For dessert we got Christie's favorite the Cherry Crustada. Coconut Cream Pie, and the Carrot Cake. Im just going to sum it all up WOW. It was the best meal we had the entire time. Christie by far was the best server weve ever had, not just in Chicago. We left with our bellies so full and hurting from laughing so hard entire time. All in all, I will be come back everytime were in town and we will always ask...

Went in there to eat today atmosphere was fantastic ! I was Greeted by a wonderful Assemble of individuals and take to my table. walking in the door. I gave the place a 10! Too bad when my food arrived that quickly diminished. The Lobster bisque Soup left something to be desired. But it was still OK I guess. I ordered 24 ounce Bone in I paired it with a 4 ounce Lobster tail. Well, all I can say is if this was MasterChef Somebody would be going home tonight! Let’s just say I walked in there at 4:30 PM and I hadn’t eaten nothing all day so I forced myself to eat the lobster tail, but I couldn’t do the same with the steak. There was just no way. I decided to call it a loss and asked for a check. The manager came out to ask what was wrong with The steak and that he heard that it was overcooked. It wasn’t just only overcooked. The thing had no flavor whatsoever. Two pieces of steak on my plate one of them was overcooked (the one that I tried to eat) and the other one I didn’t even try to bite into. so he took it to the back to the chef , I guess the chef showed him that the other piece was cooked medium well as I asked for. asked. I guess he was trying to prove a point , what point! I have no idea. I never asked him to take it off my bill. I never asked for a discount. I just came in for some good food, buddy. That’s it. If you can’t provide that for me give me my bill and let me go on my way. then he tries to explain to me, mind you I didn’t ask him to do anything ,How he can’t take The stake off my bill because I bit into it! lol I would have given this place another try but based on this individual, I think I’ll pass. Steak houses in Chicago are a dime a dozen maybe he should think about that next time instead of making excuses as to why he can’t take something off The bill. Instead of telling me what he can’t do….( maybe what he should have said). what I would have said as the owner of five business is (I am sorry that the food was not to your expectations. Can you please give me the opportunity to make things right? ) My name is Joe manager if I cannot make this right this time because I know you’re in a rush maybe next time you would give me that opportunity. if I wanted a cheap meal or a free meal, I would have not gone in...