Big Bowl Schaumburg — Restaurant in Schaumburg Township

My wife and I recently went to Big Bowl after a show on a date night. She really wanted some Pot Stickers and knew the stir fry would be fun. We made reservations shortly ahead of time on Open Table just to be sure we would be seated quickly. (And we were)

8:00 on a Saturday night and the place was full and tables were turning over rather quickly. Now please note, I have been to another Big Bowl location in the city years ago and I have been to similar concepts before but that didn’t prevent me from being thoroughly confused much to the entertainment of my wife.

Our server was either off or a bit aloof but was not awesome as we waited a bit to be served after a brief greeting and then took a drink order which I later had to remind him to grab my beer from the bar. Also, places like this I like a “Have you been here before?” since it is somewhat of a concept place and even if I say “YES” you explain it to me again.

First, we got her Pot Stickers as an appetizer, which in hindsight I am sure she would love to have not had to share and would have eaten a few plates. Sauce was good and had they had a little crisp to them.

Now the entertainment. I fully intended to make my own Big Bowl so I thought like other places, I just head up and start making it like a buffet. Much to my surprise when my wife was telling the server what protein she wanted and sauce and rice/noodles. She looked at me all surprised I wasn’t ready but I didn’t read the directions and I was used to being a sauce mixologist when making my bowl. Not a deal breaker but I was confused to say the least. We got in line and I missed the whole “you get your own tongs” and noticed after I was already holding up the line while further entertaining my wife and other patron in line who was amused that someone let me out in public. I got my bowl nice and full but I do miss the explanation on the glass of what each item was, I do know my veggies but when you have 3 different mushroom, I’d like to know what is what. Also, not really a big bowl, Big Bowl! But really, it was plenty of food.

I made it to the end in one piece but of course it didn’t end there as I had to ask a manager to explain all the noodle options to me because I had changed my mind and frankly, I not a noodle connoisseur.

My meal came quickly and as my dad says at these places, “If you don’t like it, only you are to blame!” So true. Great portion of noodles and well-cooked dish, I’m proud of myself once again. Great place for a date, places like this really can help with generating conversation!

All in all, a...

Update to my previous 5 star order, now dropping to 3 stars -

My son and I are both Celiac and both ordered the gluten free orange chicken as takeout, he from the kids menu, mine from the regular menu. The lids or labels of our entrees were swapped in assembly of our order and we didn't realize until he had eaten my dinner (I was finishing work and on a call in the other room and didn't notice in time). We could tell that this was the case because the "kids" version was in a larger container, had a larger portion, and had bell peppers, while the "regular" version was a smaller portion in a smaller container, and only chicken and rice.

One of the things we really appreciate about Big Bowl is their typical attention to detail and care taken around allergies. As two people with Celiac and additional food allergies (him shellfish, me dairy), it's important to us to be able to eat someplace and feel safe, like we won't get sick. What if my version had shellfish and was mislabeled as his as it was tonight? I'd be in the hospital with him right now, as he has an anaphylactic allergy. The only reason tonighy wasn't VERY bad was because we ordered the same thing. So, the only consequence is that I'm stil hungry since I got stuck with the kids portion. 🥴

That said, making the orders well and labeling allergens well means NOTHING if you put the wrong lid or label on the wrong container. Like, c'mon. This was a major miss for us, not because of the inconvenience of tonight's portion swap, but because it means Big Bowl is not as careful with food allergies as we previously believed.

Previous review: I love Big Bowl! As someone with quite a few dietary restrictions, I really, REALLY appreciate the care Big Bowl takes to ensure my food is prepared safely. Everything I order is always delicious and this is one of the few places I eat out without spending a lot of time worrying over whether or not my food is going to make me sick. That is worth so much to me!...

Well I have seen this restaurant here but it looks really fancy before the pandemic. I just came from doing a lot of errands and shopping and was hungry for Thai food and this is what came up on Google. with most Thai restaurants closed in the city of Chicago and it's all carryout I wanted to eat in. Unfortunately this is more Chinese than Thai but they also have Thai-inspired dishes. As I entered in with anticipation the front greeting person interesting he asked if I had travel to certain States which I have not I guess in regards to the high percentage of Covid cases their places. I do find that strange cause despite that I told the truth some people could lie so how could you prove if they went there or not? They did do a temperature check which is also proof I didn't think it was necessary to ask which states you've traveled with the high pieces of because despite that I told the truth that I didn't travel and dine-in any restaurants there anybody could lie. Other than that I was hoping they were going to have Thai iced tea. Unfortunately they did not. nevertheless I went further ginger ale which was decently good but nothing that I was craving for. As for their menu it's very limited. Mostly cater to Chinese cuisine and I had enough tiny's cuisine. Their potstickers that I ordered which was a chicken potsticker was delicious but then again I wasn't craving for it right now I was really hungry and ate a late lunch. I ended up getting the shrimp yellow curry with vegetables and white rice. It was a decent "meh ok" as Millennials say. Nothing tasty or spectacular I would get excited about. For a Thai curry dish I was expecting a lot more seasoned flavors that most traditional Thai Curry's have. Actually tasted more like Indian curry. nevertheless this was my first time trying this restaurant and to me I felt like I was eating at a high-end noodles & company now. I would only come back if this is the only thing open but I'm sure I'll find some traditional Thai...