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  5. Little Italy / University Village
Chez Joel, Chicago, IL
Award-winning

Chez Joel

4.7
4.7
2646 Reviews
$30 and under
French

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 6 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
In the midst of Little Italy, Chez Joel creates the tastes and aromas of France for. Featuring traditional favorites, Chef Joel Kazouini offers his straightforward, expertly prepared Southern French cuisine. Chez Joel’s atmosphere is reminiscent of a true French bistro; its walls adorned with French posters and tables covered with butcher paper. The cozy environment makes Chez Joel the perfect spot for any romantic meal, and when weather permits, garden tables offer an open-air experience where you’ll find one of the most divine al fresco dining settings in the city.
Chez Joel Since 1999

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (312) 226-6479
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Joel Kazouini
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighbourhood
    Little Italy / University Village
  • Cross Street
    May Street
  • Parking details
    Valet at Dinner: $7
  • Public transit
    Racine Blue line..Taylor bus, Number 8 Halsted bus.
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,646 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Chicago / Illinois

    French

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Chez Joel is a charming French bistro nestled in Chicago's Little Italy, celebrated for its "beautiful outdoor patio," "delicious food," and "attentive service." Guests rave about its cozy and romantic ambiance, perfect for any occasion. With an inviting atmosphere and a menu featuring classics like steak au poivre and crème brûlée, it's a "neighborhood gem" that promises an unforgettable dining experience.

2,646 Reviews
  1. Anthony

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The place is immaculate. The mussels are second to none. They serve the finest mussels in Chicago! We had two seafood meals that were truly delicious! You should try this place, u will not be disappointed! I sat by the door, its was a little chilly next to the door.

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  2. g

    Chicago

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It was too noisy. Please reduce noise by covering surfaces.

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  3. Ginger

    Chicago

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything they haave iis fantastic. It is hard to decide but you can't go wrong

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  4. brenda

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great intimate place for a date night! Nice ambiance.

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  5. Mary Pat

    Chicago

    186 reviews

    5.0

    186 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice experience on Wednesday night. Excellent food and service.

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  6. Paul

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    I have always given Chez Joel a 5 star rating, but not this time. Service was ok until we sent our pomme frites back because they came cold. Waiter said he would have them "warmed up" and returned a while later with almost burned fries. Rather than delay our meal fur there we accepted our fate---bad frites---in a French restaurant no less. Potatoes were the cheapest food item on the table and they chose to go chintzy--not a good sign.

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  7. Wendelyn

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great time celebrating my Dad and my son’s combined birthdays. Great food, great ambiance, and great service!

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  8. Dorothy

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great ❤️ definitely worth going to dive at Chez Joel

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  9. maryk

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    a lovely evening with excellent food presented beautifully in a nice environment with attentive staff. Thank you.

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  10. Amanda

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    The food is good, the servers are lovely. The problem with this restaurant is management's disregard for patron's comfort: 1) There is a street lamp that pierces the view of patrons sitting at several back tables. They have curtains. They refuse to close them. I encountered this 1yr ago and was told the curtains "are impossible to move" but when insistent, they magically moved. When I encountered this same problem recently, I got the same excuse and no effort to move them; I gave up. 2) There is an uncomfortable draft under the back tables. The reason? A door is left wide open in the next room with bathrooms, allowing 40 degree temperatures to seep in at your feet and legs. If you have bare legs, short pants, open shoes, your feet will be blue by the end of your meal. Several women were wearing their coats. I considered asking them to close the door, but given the dismissive pushback I got for the curtains, I decided not to bother. For a place that charges several hundred dollars for a meal, this treatment of guests is baffling and infuriating. Is it that hard to put up window treatment and update your HVAC system? If you go, I recommend bringing sunglasses and heavy boots with wool socks.

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FAQs

Chez Joel offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 226-6479.

Chez Joel is rated 4.7 stars by 2646 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Chez Joel

1119 West Taylor, Chicago, IL 60607

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross Street
    May Street
  • Neighbourhood
    Little Italy / University Village
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet at Dinner: $7
  • Public transit
    Racine Blue line..Taylor bus, Number 8 Halsted bus.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Joel Kazouini
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, High Tea, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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