My experience at the Purple Pig does not seem to align with everyone else's. I hope if you ignore this review and go anyway your experience is better than mine.

I made a reservation about one to two months in advance. I checked in about thirty minutes early hoping to get on, understandably, I had to wait; so, I came back at my reservation and then had to continue to wait. The first table I was given was by the kitchen doors, so I asked for a central location.

Nian, the hostess, was more than nice enough to accommodate and got me located at a high top by the bar more centrally located.

The server in that area was a little abrupt. She was possibly overworked with too many tables. We felt like a bother to her and the whole experience seemed rushed.

The restaurant was incredibly cramped and very busy, but if all you care about is food then let's get to that detail.

The food was all premade. I don't mean it was packaged, but I mean it was cooked earlier in the day and kept on a heat lamp. I ordered the shoulder and it came out so fast I thought it was the wrong order and asked them to come back as it must have been a mistake. It came on mashed potatoes, that were basically sloshed onto the plate.

I realize some items you prepare in advance as you may need to cook them over multiple days, but this was everything. There was not a single item served that was actually hot, although the plates were nice and toasty.

Now let's get into taste, I had the following items: • Foie Gras and Port Tail Tartine • Pork Liver and Bacon Pate • Smoked Pork Tongue • Milk Braised Berkshire Shoulder • Pork Jowl • Grilled Broccoli

The three snacks were delicious and flavorful, the two mains were abysmal, and the sides were not memorable.

Typically pork shoulder is a fatty cut, but this particular piece was basically grease. You can see from my picture the grease and oil covering the plate.

The Jowl was prepared like something you'd get from a Denny's. It was basically just slapped onto some bread.

Overall I do not recommend coming here. Chicago has too many good places to make this a pick. if you're visiting and only have a limited number or days.

This would be one star, but I will give it a two star as the cocktails were good, Nian was accommodating, and the appetizers were good.