S2 Grill - Stony — Restaurant in Hyde Park Township

Star made me do it 🤷🏾‍♂️.

However, I’m happy to do it. I was prepared to not like S2, first time here - and frankly black/minority biz worst critics happen to be from our own people. Everything I was ready to be upset about, they knocked out the park (service delivery, food delivery, food quality, clean restrooms, etc). I was thrilled about my experience and consequently will return. I can’t speak for the other locations, however, this location while I was there was excellent. It’s in the old BJ’s Soulfood location.

Service: server was Star, she accommodated a party of 20+ for myself and frat brothers and bereaving family. Her personality, presence and attentiveness was great. Unfortunately, the restaurant community in certain areas are faced with those who run out on the bill, so hearing that we had to pay for our meal first at a sit down restaurant such as S2 was disheartening, however, I UNDERSTAND. That said, the way Star provided the disclaimer/policy in a way that was positive and respectful and understanding down to how checks would be split! Absolutely perfect and she could train others! I couldn’t even be mad and I wasn’t upset one bit about paying ahead, frankly, it’s easier. Can tip at the end. Everyone wins from the business owner and patrons of groups, some of whom may have to leave early or etc. Having the “toast” handhelds for on the spot payments or last minute orders assuredly are helpful.

Waitstaff and hosts: black uniforms and personal appearance was great! No one looked disheveled or unhappy being there, no one dazed in their cell phones being inattentive. It was great seeing professional appearance of staff on today.

Food wait time: again, with the handhelds and kitchen staff being on point, the food came out easily within 15-20 min of ordering. Very quick and no ones meals required any modifications. Again, Star was adamant about ensuring food was perfect because she wasn’t sending anything back lol

Food quality: can’t speak for everyone, everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I had lamb chops and yams and Mac with 2 drinks (Hennything and a Henny Margarita). Food was good! Good value for what I received and market priced compared to most other comparable “neighborhood” restaurants and take out spots for the same food.

Frozen Daiquiri’s - good but will def need a shooter of alcohol if you’re trying to taste more alcohol, definitely not the strength of more popular places in NOLA or Savannah GA. Nevertheless, just pay the extra money for the extra shot if you need to. I did and was cool, personally I rather pay more for the daiquiri in knowing it’s strong out the gate. But like anything, spirits costs money and when you put certain spirits in the daiquiri for long period of time it dilutes anyway!

Henny Margarita - very good. So if you want to “feel good”, just forgo the frozen drinks. Get regular cocktail. Can’t go wrong with either.

Cleanliness - flatware and tables were clean! Restrooms were VERY CLEAN, at least men’s restroom. Bright LED lights and everything in order. Very important.

Give Star whatever prize or accolade she supposed to get. I was going to write something anyway, and I never write reviews for black or minority businesses, especially when I’m unhappy! However, I felt compelled to and she twisted everyone arm humorously before we all left.

Keep up...

I recently had a family gathering at this restaurant, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. I chose this location because I knew the food was delicious, and I wanted to share it with my out-of-town relatives. As soon as we walked in, Oscar greeted us with a warm and welcoming smile, making us feel right at home as he led us to our table.

Our waitress, Lauren, was absolutely phenomenal. She was incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure that every member of my family felt special. The way she engaged with us, especially with my mom, was heartwarming. Lauren took the time to play nostalgic music that brought back cherished memories for my mom and cousins, creating a beautiful and sentimental atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the evening was when I asked Lauren to sing happy birthday to my mom. Not only did she oblige, but she also gathered the staff to join in, creating a touching moment that made my mom incredibly happy. It’s these little personal touches that made the evening so memorable.

The food was beyond delicious—it was finger-licking good. Every dish was perfectly prepared and flavorful, and we didn’t leave a single bite on our plates. The menu had something for everyone, and each dish was served hot and fresh. The flavors were rich and satisfying, truly a culinary delight.

Lauren’s attention to detail and her genuine care for our enjoyment made the evening even more special. She ensured that we had everything we needed and that we were comfortable and happy throughout our meal. Her service was top-notch, combining professionalism with a personal touch that is rare to find.

In summary, this restaurant provided us with an outstanding dining experience. From the welcoming hospitality of Oscar to the exceptional service and warmth of Lauren, and the absolutely delicious food, every aspect of our visit was perfect. I can’t thank the staff enough for making our family gathering so special. We will definitely be back for more wonderful meals and memories. Five stars...

The atmosphere of S2 has been upgraded and the upgrades are beautiful. At first, I was excited that I chose this restaurant for my birthday celebration. I planned to be at the restaurant from 1:30pm-4:30pm. However, once I informed the host of my arrival with my party, she did not have any knowledge or record of my reservation. This experience was extremely disappointing, unprofessional and completely disorganized. My birthday was Feb 18th and I made reservations in January with a manager for 18 people. They did not have any tables ready nor did they acknowledge my birthday.

Designer the manager as he is leaving he hears about the situation and attempts to rectify this huge mistake. Once the tables were cleaned my party and I waited for at least 10 mins to be seated. We then had to request to be seated and put our table arrangements back on the table.

Now we are seated, the server named Star was rude and off putting from the moment she arrived to my table. Unwelcoming attitude, extremely distant and inattentive. I requested for a drink and she decided that my choice wasn't good and did not give me what I requested. I did appreciate the free shot.

The food was tasty. I ordered the lamb with mac & cheese/ candied yams. It took over 45 mins from the time I ordered to get my food. My food was barely warm by the time it came to my table. I had to ask Christian for my food, which was not my server. We had a spill at my table and it took at least 20 mins for someone to clean it and we had to ask someone to clean the spill.

This is not the service I expected from this establishment. I frequently visited the Harvey location and never experienced such poor service. The drinks are great! I want to come back but this experience left such a nasty lasting impression, it will be years before I support this...