Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar
$$ • Restaurant
Most Recent Reviews
I’ve only ordered online but love it. I love being able to eat sweet and sour shrimp again, and don’t sleep on the “kids chicken” which is basically delicious popcorn fried chicken. That said, based on other reviews, those might not be safe if you can’t tolerate cross contamination? Unsure from the website, though marked as gluten free.
I had a really good experience. I ordered the orange chicken as the online menu had not noted gluten for this item and the waitress was quick to inform me this wouldn’t be a good option for me (celiac) as it does enter a shared fryer. She quickly provided options that would be safe and I ended up ordering the cashew chicken which was delicious and I didn’t end up sick. The online menu notes items that contain gluten with a (G), but the menu in the restaurant doesn’t have the allergens marked, so be prepared for this.
Photos
More Reviews
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 not gf). We also split the ube custard which was delicious! The food had a lot of flavor, we just ordered poorly with the spicy food.
Flavorful food and drinks. Knowledgeable staff. I’ve never gotten sick. Best to go when first open.
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.
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.
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
So good! Best Asian food I've had in recent memory. Run don't walk!
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!
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.
Really good! Lots of gf options, served was knowledgeable and understood the importance of no CC gf items marked in online menus
Super knowledgeable about gluten and cross-contamination, with gf recommendations. Fantastic food and service!
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
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.
