The food here is amazing !! I also have allergies and the waiter was very attentive to my nut allergy. Such good food and vibes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kim Wroble
Chilam Balam is a small/quaint restaurant with delicious food however, many rules. You cannot drink your own byob or order anything until everyone in your party arrives. There were 6 of us that were seated at a 4 person table and the restaurant was not crowded at all and only accepts cash as payment (our bill was over $325 with a $60 deposit that the waiter kept saying will be the tip). You are told a 2 plate minimum per person so we basically ordered one of each item on the menu. Everything was fresh and very tasty except for the ribs which were tasteless and dry. I was happy to see family I haven’t seen in awhile although don’t think I need to go back again to this restaurant. Lastly, the overall maintenance (lights out on walls) and cleanliness of the restaurant desperately needed attention.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Lani Berrie
The food was good, and the service during the meal was kind. I was not planning to write a review but decided to share this only after the response I received from the owner following a food allergy concern.
Before ordering the chef’s selection menu, I clearly told our server I have a peanut allergy. He reassured me it would not be an issue. After eating one of the dishes, I began having an allergic reaction. There were no visible peanuts in the dish, and nothing on the menu indicated peanuts were present. I called the restaurant the next day to let them know, purely so they were aware and could investigate.
Although the owner said they “take allergies seriously,” the conversation became defensive. She stated the fault was “on both parties,” asked whether I questioned the dish when it arrived, and told me that “you can’t trust what anyone says,” implying it was my responsibility to challenge each dish despite having disclosed an allergy and being reassured it was safe. She said she was giving me this “advice” as she also has an allergy, but it just came across as dismissive.
She also insisted peanuts are clearly indicated on the menu, but none of the dishes we received listed peanuts — I even read the ingredients directly from the menu during the call and still did not feel heard.
When a guest discloses an allergy and is reassured it’s safe to proceed, responsibility should not later be shifted back onto the guest. Mistakes can happen, but dismissing and deflecting accountability in a food safety situation is unacceptable.
I’m sharing this so others with food allergies can make an informed decision, and in the hope that the restaurant reevaluates how food safety concerns are handled.
Bram Lowenstein
10/10 - this team puts love and delicious flavor into their food. The kind of place you can easily remember because there isn’t much like it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aubrey Rhodes
We came to this restaurant and were so excited to try because it was BYOB…. only to be told you have to order 2 PLATES per person to partake in this. We came a party of 6 and the plates were quite pricey. Being told we had to order 2 minimum per person was not it….as we politely left, the hostess seemed unimpressed. This policy should be on the website. Food looked delicious, but service from hostess felt unwelcoming and strict.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Hitesh Mantena
Amazing food and friendly owner! The coconut braise pork shoulder was incredible, so was the skirt steak and the ceviche. Best meal my wife and I have had in a long time and definitely a hidden gem in Chicago. Absolutely coming back here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TADJ X
Beware the BYOB policy. Flavors were bland and the combination of flavors didn't feel intentional. Maybe some salt would fix some of these issues. Cool vibe and atmosphere though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Diana Wegner
Fun experience. Excellent service. Excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chad Girnun
Amazing restaurant. The food was all incredible and exceeds expectations and the atmosphere was fun and lively. Everyone here was beyond friendly and it has a great family feel to it. Definitely recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Frankie Campo
Wonderful food, great for a group of 5-6 to do the chef’s selection where they select dishes for the table. They were able to accommodate vegetarian dishes and the service was great. I’ve walked past this restaurant so many times and I wish I had gone sooner!
Delicious! Amazing! No notes. Had the best Friday. BYOB and definitely make a reservation in advance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Rand
Thank you all at Chilam Balam - what a fabulous meal we had last night (Oct 17) and thank you for the wonderful veggie options (greatly appreciated) We eat here usually once a summer and always looking forward to it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claudia Ctortecka
Great food & nice staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert
I love this authentic Mexican food
Grace Gagnon
This is my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago. The staff is so friendly and inviting, the food is AMAZING and the atmosphere is so cozy! I love it.
The food here is amazing !! I also have allergies and the waiter was very attentive to my nut allergy. Such good food and vibes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chilam Balam is a small/quaint restaurant with delicious food however, many rules. You cannot drink your own byob or order anything until everyone in your party arrives. There were 6 of us that were seated at a 4 person table and the restaurant was not crowded at all and only accepts cash as payment (our bill was over $325 with a $60 deposit that the waiter kept saying will be the tip). You are told a 2 plate minimum per person so we basically ordered one of each item on the menu. Everything was fresh and very tasty except for the ribs which were tasteless and dry. I was happy to see family I haven’t seen in awhile although don’t think I need to go back again to this restaurant. Lastly, the overall maintenance (lights out on walls) and cleanliness of the restaurant desperately needed attention.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The food was good, and the service during the meal was kind. I was not planning to write a review but decided to share this only after the response I received from the owner following a food allergy concern.
Before ordering the chef’s selection menu, I clearly told our server I have a peanut allergy. He reassured me it would not be an issue. After eating one of the dishes, I began having an allergic reaction. There were no visible peanuts in the dish, and nothing on the menu indicated peanuts were present. I called the restaurant the next day to let them know, purely so they were aware and could investigate.
Although the owner said they “take allergies seriously,” the conversation became defensive. She stated the fault was “on both parties,” asked whether I questioned the dish when it arrived, and told me that “you can’t trust what anyone says,” implying it was my responsibility to challenge each dish despite having disclosed an allergy and being reassured it was safe. She said she was giving me this “advice” as she also has an allergy, but it just came across as dismissive.
She also insisted peanuts are clearly indicated on the menu, but none of the dishes we received listed peanuts — I even read the ingredients directly from the menu during the call and still did not feel heard.
When a guest discloses an allergy and is reassured it’s safe to proceed, responsibility should not later be shifted back onto the guest. Mistakes can happen, but dismissing and deflecting accountability in a food safety situation is unacceptable.
I’m sharing this so others with food allergies can make an informed decision, and in the hope that the restaurant reevaluates how food safety concerns are handled.
10/10 - this team puts love and delicious flavor into their food. The kind of place you can easily remember because there isn’t much like it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came to this restaurant and were so excited to try because it was BYOB…. only to be told you have to order 2 PLATES per person to partake in this. We came a party of 6 and the plates were quite pricey. Being told we had to order 2 minimum per person was not it….as we politely left, the hostess seemed unimpressed. This policy should be on the website. Food looked delicious, but service from hostess felt unwelcoming and strict.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Amazing food and friendly owner! The coconut braise pork shoulder was incredible, so was the skirt steak and the ceviche. Best meal my wife and I have had in a long time and definitely a hidden gem in Chicago. Absolutely coming back here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beware the BYOB policy. Flavors were bland and the combination of flavors didn't feel intentional. Maybe some salt would fix some of these issues. Cool vibe and atmosphere though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Fun experience. Excellent service. Excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing restaurant. The food was all incredible and exceeds expectations and the atmosphere was fun and lively. Everyone here was beyond friendly and it has a great family feel to it. Definitely recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful food, great for a group of 5-6 to do the chef’s selection where they select dishes for the table. They were able to accommodate vegetarian dishes and the service was great. I’ve walked past this restaurant so many times and I wish I had gone sooner!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious! Amazing! No notes. Had the best Friday. BYOB and definitely make a reservation in advance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thank you all at Chilam Balam - what a fabulous meal we had last night (Oct 17) and thank you for the wonderful veggie options (greatly appreciated) We eat here usually once a summer and always looking forward to it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food & nice staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this authentic Mexican food
This is my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago. The staff is so friendly and inviting, the food is AMAZING and the atmosphere is so cozy! I love it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...