Johnnie Mae's Creole Soul Food — Restaurant in Highwood

We had a great experience yesterday. It was my wife's birthday weekend and she has liked Cajun/Creole food ever since I took the family to New Orleans for a vacation years ago. I wanted to do something away from Chicago so I did some googling and this place came up. Also some videos on tiktok came up and the young lady on the videos cooking, I believe she is the owner, was actually the person in the kitchen cooking. So it was not a gimmick. I will caution that I did think this was a bigger restaurant for dine in but it just has a few tables so this is more of a take out place so don't bring a large contingent thinking you will all get seated. Nonetheless I didn't let that deter me especially since we drove that far and after all the great reviews I saw. The drive is not that bad if you ever had to drive to Great Lakes Naval Base. It's not as far as that. When we got the last at the counter was very welcoming. I immediately saw the special of the day as Oxtails so I ordered that for my wife since she just made some for the first time a month ago and I ordered the Shrimp and Grits. My wife absolutely loved the Oxtails and the rice that came with it. She said everything was seasoned perfectly. I think of myself as an expert on making grits so I'm usually hard with my critique when somebody else makes them. My grits were perfect and the Shrimp were huge and made just right. The gentleman that was also working in the back come to our table and very politely asked us how was everything and we needed anything else let him know. Everyone was so welcoming and nice even the young lady from the tiktok videos. The customers were even polite. The place is small but it packs a big punch. We will definitely make a few trips especially this summer to try other menu items. If you're driving up north to Great Lakes or Great America make sure to make a detour to this place. With more customers they might be able to get the vacant spot next door and have a larger dining area. Ijs so...

I was excited when one of the locals told me about some new soulfood in the area. And female owned so I was definitely going to support! I was having issues with the online ordering system the 1st time which turned out to be good because the hours posted were incorrect and they were closed when I arrived. No worries though. The menu is priced for the neighborhood so I did a couple ala carts things just to try the flavors. Online ordering worked, but I waited an extra 30mins or so. Just plan accordingly and you’ll be glad you did. Being new I didn’t expect it to be perfect. It’s a HUGE menu and many things were out of stock, but they offer m something for all. The grits were a great size for the price; the chicken was seasoned well and perfectly crispy; they put their own spin on the beignets and added cheese or butter (not sure, but it was yellow/orangish) and opted for a denser cross between a muffin and scone so it was very filling. As a former 3x restauranteur in a small non-diverse town with a new cuisine, I was definitely thankful for my locals when days were long, weather was bad, and traffic was even worse; especially trying to survive through Covid. They go to the same gyms, schools, and restaurants while responding to comments by showing the power is in the dollar. I’ve also bartended in Highwood where I saw the same faces everyday and I hope you will too. I’m looking forward to easing my way down Johnnie Mae’s menu hopefully for years to come. Kudos to you Chef and...

I DO NOT RECOMEND ORDERING ONLINE AS YOU WONT GET YOUR ORDER, AND THEYLL KEEP THE MONEY. I ordered online yesterday because it said the restaurant was open, I get there, they are not. The cash register is on the counter, machines on, a line of people at the door, but no service. I've been calling since yesterday to get a refund and nothing. No answer, no body. I worked in that area on that day and that why I ordered from them. I had to go to a different restaurant and order food, after spending money here with no refund and no one is still answering the phone. Very unprofessional, very upsetting, I justbwant my money back for trying something new and yet, not a single response. If you're not going to be open, please, dont be open, keep your system closed so people dont order and be disappointed. These are two days during the week so why wouldn't you be open? And even if there was an emergency, that is ok, but close your system so people dont waste money like I did. Im reporting to the BBB and the ICC because I need a refund and not have my...