Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar

10 recent ratings
$$ • Restaurant
Reported to have a gluten-free menu
Safety Rating
9 ratings

As rated by the community

2165 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Collections
In 4 Public Collections

Most Recent Reviews


Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


They are great about cross contamination! I always get the cashew chicken or the kung pao chicken. They are both very good! You just have to ask for gluten free because they have a version that isn’t. I ordered the orange chicken once and was told they have a shared fryer and it can’t be gluten free. I have been here 4 times now and have never gotten sick/ have always felt safe.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 4 weeks ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


I came here for dinner with my husband and split the cashew chicken, Mongolian beef and spicy cucumbers. Their online menu has dishes marked with what is gluten free or can be prepared gluten free, but for some reason the physical menu they give you in person is not. I end up looking at their menu on my phone at the restaurant. Everthing we split was very tasty, but when they say it’s spicy it’s SPICY. Celiac wise I was fine, IBS wise I was not lol my husband had so the same reaction so I know it wasn’t cross contact or glutened (he’s no gf). We also split the ube custard which was delicious! Over the food had a lot of flavor, we just ordered poorly with the spicy food

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
  • Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Quality & Quantity


How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for dinner
  • Good for lunch
  • Good for takeout
  • Good with other allergies
  • Reservations recommended
Updated 2 months ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


I love this place and have never gotten sick here! The staff are knowledgeable and say verbally that a dish has been confirmed as celiac safe when they bring it to the table. The online menu is labeled with what is GF or can be made GF, not the one they give you at the restaurant. Lots of good options, and a great vibe. Highly recommend this place.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 2 months ago read full review

This establishment is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with celiac disease. Please contact the establishment directly to inquire about safety precautions.

Gluten-Free Features

  • Gluten-Free Menu

Categories

  • Allergy Friendly
  • Dinner
  • Late Night
  • Lunch
  • Online Ordering
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Restaurant
  • Takeout

Photos


Marked takeout containers
Gluten-Free at Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar
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More Reviews


Celiac

Overall Rating

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 3 months ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


I LOVE coming here. Anytime someone visits me, I default to making a reservation here. (Reservations are recommended but the bar inside is first-come first-serve so you may be able to get a seat without a reservation if you watch and wait inside by the front.) They have a patio along the side of the building that’s great in the summer and is heated for a short period of time before winter is in full swing. They have a menu online that has the symbols showing what dishes are gluten free and which ones can be modified to be gluten free. The kung pao chicken is amazing. The veggie fried rice is also great. Can’t go wrong here. 10/10

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for dinner
  • Good for lunch
  • Good for takeout
  • Offers online ordering
  • Offers outdoor seating
  • Reservations recommended
Updated 4 months ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


So good! Best Asian food I've had in recent memory. Run don't walk!

Quality & Quantity


How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 6 months ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Have had many great experiences here! They do not have a dedicated fryer, however, they are able to make most dishes gluten free. I’ve had both the cashew chicken and general Tso’s chicken, and they are both amazing. I have never gotten sick here!

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


This is now *our spot* when I come to visit my friends in Chicago. The menu is a little confusing, but basically tell your server you are celiac and they can guide you through it. Everyone I’ve interacted with has been phenomenal.

Do not skip the green bean appetizer, in fact, get your own. I love the dry chili chicken (fried, spicy chili oil, amazing) and the cashew chicken is good for balance on the table. I think I had the Kung Pao last time, but can’t really remember. I’ll update next time I go. The Chi Chi drink and old fashioneds are good.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
  • Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for dinner
  • Offers outdoor seating
  • Reservations recommended
Updated 1 year ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Really good! Lots of gf options, served was knowledgeable and understood the importance of no CC gf items marked in online menus

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Super knowledgeable about gluten and cross-contamination, with gf recommendations. Fantastic food and service!

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 1 year ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Unreal experience here. Very knowledgeable staff helped me find what I could eat. Most chicken dishes were made Gf with a potato flour and had some amazing cocktails as well. Best Chinese food I’ve been had

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Updated 2 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


I had such a great experience here! The staff is super knowledgeable about what can be made gluten free and careful about cross contamination. It’s very trendy and cute- perfect for a date night. My meal was absolutely incredible. I tried the cashew chicken! Will be back often.

Safety


How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Quality & Quantity


Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other


Other Characteristics
  • Good for takeout
  • Offers outdoor seating
Updated 2 years ago read full review

More Info