The L Station — Restaurant in Chicago

I went here for a Sunday brunch at 11am. They weren't crowded yet and we had no problem getting a table. I was a part of a party 5, their website says they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more, however be warned that neither of the phone numbers they have listed work. So I still don't know how one would make a reservation, and I almost didn't go because of the lack of ability to make a reservation at all.

By the time we had ordered our drinks more people had shown up. This restaurant does not appear to handle a full house well. They were visibly stressed and unorganized. The food took about an hour to get to our table, 4 out of the 5 of us ordered chicken and waffles. Other patrons noticed the long wait time and one table next to us ordered right after we ordered and they never got their food and actually ended up leaving after speaking with managers who seemed to just not be able to get it together. I should add that our tables food did not come out at the same time. My friend got his food first, my food came about 15 minutes after his, then 10 minutes later the other two people at the table got their food and my partner got their food last, aprox 30 mins after the first person at our table got his. My partner never received their mac and cheese despite mentioning it to the server when they got their plate and again when she came by to check on us.

The chicken was decent, they're all wings but they appear that they were fried in fish batter which was different, but I didn't mind. The wings and the lamb chops were also much smaller than what we had seen on social media, but it was pretty decent so like- the size didn't turn me off too much.

I should also add that there were no table napkins, the silverware was served in a wax paper sleeve and the only napkins available were small, square cocktail napkins that are typically used under a drink or glass. This deeply disturbed me as I ordered chicken and waffles and needed a proper napkin!

The drinks are great, if there were a bar in this space I would go back just for the drinks - however, they did also mess up a drink order but they corrected it so it wasn't a big deal to me.

I will say the DJ was fantastic, the music was loud enough to sing along to but not too loud that you couldn't have a conversation at your table. Our server was kind, funny, and genuinely a fantastic server named LA, however I worry that the business practice of the restaurant may not be sustainable.

Overall, the big reason I would not return is because of everything mentioned above, PLUS the fact that after I had ordered my second drink we were kindly told that they needed the table because they were getting busy so we were lowkey rushed out after it took over an hour for food to get to our table. So we had less than an hour to eat especially because the food was coming out in 15 - 30 min windows for one table! So it felt rude and abrupt to be rushed out because they needed a table when most of us weren't done eating because the food took SO long. Something to also note, there is an 18% service fee that is added to each bill regardless of the size of your party. As a brunch girlie, I don't mind, but I feel like my experience and the food was not worth the money we paid. I still tipped my server on top of that because it's unclear where the service fee goes and I wanted to make sure my good sis got hers. Overall, I hope they figure things out and improve but I won't be back...

11/19/2022 My honest, detailed review: Service Charge is included in all checks, all party sizes I think other reviewers assume 6+ people due to their experience at other places.

1- This place is doing well operationally for being open barely a week, as they opened on Nov 11 2022 (which I don't think everyone is aware of). Overall - I will be back again in a month or so when a lot of the "first opening" kinks are worked out.

2- This place is family/black- owned - from the owner (Tenyiah) to the manager/brother (Tony) and chef (husband). You can get a sense of the family atmosphere when you walk in. Try talking to one of the bartenders (Precious/Lo are amazing) you'll be able to get a feel for the pride. This whole concept is something that we need in this downtown/loop area. Very inclusive - something for "us" but makes it clear that their audience is anyone wanting to enjoy an experience.

3- I've been to the L station twice this week, once for a quick afterwork drink at the bar w/ a Mac & cheese side. Since I liked the décor, music, atmosphere, and service - I brought about 14 coworkers a second time on a Friday evening. Second time I only ordered the lamb chops APP (albeit the most expensive appetizer) and paid $30 both times after automatic tip. So be prepared to spend a little.

4- Their sides are priced fairly for what you get, the rest of the menu can be debatable depending on what you order. DJ as well on weekends which is a nice touch. The music could reach the back room a little more.

5- Taste wise: Both times I went (slow and busy), I enjoyed my food and it came out hot. Mac n Cheese was creamy and comparable to home. Lamb Chops were juicy - but again paying $33 for the 3 or 4 piece appetizer (after tip) is... debatable. I've heard good things about salmon bites, turkey tips, and baked beans.

6- Both times it was apparent that they may need to print more menus, specifically for drinks. Small fix that can break an experience if you're searching for menus. QR code menus are so popular these days and won't break the "luxe" experience. Minor, but plastic water cups may be a stretch for "luxe" (may need to order more water glasses for busy periods).

Other - I do think there is room to better communicate and/or display (maybe on the menu?) the gratuity/service charge. I only knew due to overhearing someone else's confusion my 1st time. And then on top of that: I think they need to work with their POS provider - tip breaks out on the receipt yes, but not when you are actually paying on the tablet (as of this review). Combines the tip with the total when you are paying. Not good, everyone will always get confused unless they are reviewing both when they are paying and likely to tip extra since there is a prompt to tip again. Some places use "Additional Tip" as language. Another small fix that can break an experience.

Stabilizing service industry wages (through included tip) is a topic I don't believe most reviewers/individuals have sympathy for - but yes it will bring your check up. The only issue here is communication.

Overall, a great experience and our party enjoyed their experience. Generous with the review just due to at the core - a place...

Sigh. I hate to have to write this review. My friend and I had been looking forward to trying this place. I'll start with the good---our waitress (I wish we'd gotten her name), the chicken, the mac, and the drinks.

The rest of the story is that when 1 of my friends and I arrived (reservation for 3), we were told we had to wait to be seated until the full party was there--ok, fairly standard. We mentioned the 3rd in our party (who is the friend who'd also been looking forward to trying the place) was just a few minutes away. The manager/host told us we had 15 minutes to use the reservation--again standard; fine. He told us we couldn't wait inside, though because it's a small space. Uh, ok, so can we sit at the bar? He told us we couldn't because those seats are for people who come in and don't have a reservation. So we couldn't even sit there the few minutes we were waiting for our friend or unless/until others came in and needed the seats. He even suggested we go to Starbucks down the street to wait. We were not going to go sit somewhere and not buy anything. He suggested buying a bottle of water. I mentioned we were trying to support THEIR establishment, not Starbucks! This is probably when we should have left, but I was trying to be cool and my friend and I wanted to give them another chance. Thankfully, it was a sunny, 50+ degree day in Chicago. In March, it could have been anything and after telling him we were going to eat and patronize their establishment regardless, there was 0 customer service or bend on the "rule" he mentioned he was following. This is in downtown Chicago, a block from the Riverwalk. Not the level of service we were expecting--nowhere near it. We made no unreasonable asks and were not treated as appreciated guests. We clearly should have supported another establishment in the area.

When my other friend arrived I asked to make sure my OpenTable reservation was checked in. I was told it should be, but the new person at the host table said she had to check with her manager--the rude host from before. By the time I got home, I realized it wasn't--small thing, but that's the point. We were sat at a table just one over from the bathroom, which didn't have anything sectioning its door off from the tables. Thankfully, people weren't using it, but tables between the kitchen and bathroom with no barriers are not ideal. The decor was lovely, except the booth seat/bench against the wall is too high for the table, so you have to bend down to eat. I'm 4'11" and it was still uncomfortable. Again, our waitress was lovely, which was nice, especially when 2 of us were served cold waffles. They were remade and hot. Thankfully, I got an additional set of wings with mine. It was the only thing that kept me from regretting staying at all after the rude/nice nasty welcome at the door initially. I had better hopes for this place, but cannot say that I will be returning.

I hope others have a...