An awesome place to see a show. Also great food for dining separately.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Jason Haff
Security is on a trip, the flash light antics during a show is atrocious power trip behavior, distracting, and is disrespectful to the artists. Let's not even mention the dice app being completely unusable to the point where we lost a ticket, therefore a friend couldn't come.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Alex
As someone that's been going to concerts for the last 15+ years, I've dealt with thousands of events staff and security guards. I genuinely can't think of a venue or event that has a more unpleasant staff (aside from the bartenders, they were fine) than the chop shop. Rudest security I've ever been around, especially the overweight guy in the thicker glasses. 0/10 would not recommend. Will never be back.
Service: 1
Parker Harris
Venue is open and cool.Staff....Not so much. They stunkGot talked down to the entire time. If you want to have fun and dance. Don't come here.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Kal Cal
My boyfriend and I are very passive people, I’ve never left a bad review, we’re the type of people who wouldn’t send back the wrong dish.I have never had such an awful experience. First, I received zero clarification regarding how concert entry works when you make a reservation. I made a reservation anyways because it was going to be cold and rainy. We get there, and a girl who I assumed to be the bar tender took our order. We got drinks and an appetizer. A waitress then came upstairs, we were told shed be our waitress when we were being seated, and for the near hour and a half we were there, she did not come to our table a single time, but went to literally every other table multiple times. We wanted more drinks and an entree, but not a single person acknowledged us. Finally we gave up on ordering as another girl happened to come to refill our water but we told her we just wanted our check. So the waitress finally comes to our table, she gave us our check without acknowledging us. I had kind of heard her happily describe earlier to other patrons what to do after dinner/before the concert. I tried asking her, and she brushed me off, and without even looking in our direction, told us just to go downstairs and there’d be a bunch of people to tell us what to do. And then she immediately went back to being super friendly to the other tables around us. We go downstairs, ask what to do, and they say since we “gave up” our table, we had to go to the back of the line outside. It was so upsetting because everyone was so misleading and not only had we been there for an hour and a half, we were the first ones there. We would’ve stayed at our table if 1. our waitress even took our actual order, and 2. if we weren’t literally told just to go downstairs? The whole experience was so upsetting, and to top it off, the drinks were literally only half full.*I’m editing this to respond to the company’s reply to my review*Please refrain from adding your no effort - copy and paste apologies to your multiple negative reviews. It only adds insult to injury. You clearly have no desire to make up for your awful treatment towards us, or do anything to prevent it in the future. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Nicole Ellis
Music barley stops and they're pushing people out the door. I've been to hundreds of shows and never once have felt as uncomfortable as I have at this show. Small fry guyneeds to chill. Ppl pay a lot of money and travel long distances maybe don't be so unwelcoming
Jocelyn Aguilar
great dj choice but the bartenders should work on their attitudes. got accused of buying drinks for minors when whole time, the drink tasted like juice. of course i drank it fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Johnny
I’ll keep it concise and real. Went there for a show. Staff there was real snooty and seemed annoyed by the crowd. The quality of sounds sucked. The security there are wanna be cops that also take things unnecessarily too far.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 2
Nathan W.
Was back in Chicago for work a few months ago and wanted something new that was nearby my hotel. I had a really hard time trying to figure out what the hell this place was, but their menu I read online seemed legit. I sat at the upstairs bar and ordered a beer that seemed stale. For dinner I had a spicy chicken sandwich that was just doused in bad hot sauce and overcooked. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing, maybe came on an off night, but I was not impressed.
I went for dinner before a show, and it wash first time! It was gorgeous inside and the staff were all very nice. The food was *chefs kiss* amazing! I had the charcuterie board and the chicken sandwich and everything was fresh and good flavors. Looking forward to another show here!
Chop Shop in Bucktown/Wicker Park earns a 4 out of 5. The restaurant offers a cozy ambiance blending a salumeria, butcher shop, and bar. Highlights include the Butcher's Burger, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Oxtail Italian Beef, Toro Especial, and Butcher's Cut Steak Frites. The staff is attentive, and the rooftop patio is a must-visit. Despite minor issues, the evolving menu and drink selection make for a delightful experience. Make a reservation, especially during busy times.
Dave Brink
Great venue for concerts. Great sound. Smaller capacity so shorter bathroom lines as well. Love the in/out privileges before the headliner starts - that is a unicorn in the concert world.Can't comment on food as we didn't eat while there.$8 for a 12oz can of non-alcoholic beer or Liquid Death canned water is a joke, but I was very appreciative of the free water available.Street parking only but we grabbed a Spot Hero less than half a mile away.Will definitely be back for more shows.
Atmosphere: 5
Bree
Our server was amazing!!! I forgot his name but he was so energetic! We waited in line not long, got inside & got wander. Then asked if they were serving food upstairs & they told us no walk ins. Well, we went to our phone and made a reservation...but for nothing because when we went upstairs it was almost empty and our server was so welcoming & nice! I felt like downstairs just didn't wanna deal with us. But otherwise I love the place & had a great night! :)
Elliot Stack
Whoever was in charge of the fog at the mindchatter concert needs more training or something, it was unbearable!! I never leave concerts early but had to dip halfway through because I was literally being suffocated, It was as if it was emanating through the floor and would just float at head level without rising up and dissipating. Show had lasers so I get there has to be some fog for that, but it was going off every few minutes and just filling the whole place even when they weren’t doing any lighting effects. People around me were all complaining too, and at times felt our eyes burning. I’m tall, 6’3” normally have a great view of the stage/artist and was super excited for mindchatter because his background visuals are amazing! Unfortunately the fog was so thick you could barely see the screen and even him, and I was about halfway up! Major disappointment, and honestly pretty bummed I wasted money and missed out on a great show. Curious if that was the venue or the artists doing? either way, I’ll be wary about returning to an electronic show thereAdditionally, pretty sure they oversold the venue, place was packed and not everyone could even fit in the “concert hall” portion, as I was leaving there was probably 50 people looking pissed trying to see the show from the bar area, which if you’ve been to chop shop doesn’t even feel like you’re in the venue due to the bright lightsBartenders were good, security was fine, a bit aggressive as other reviews mention
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 4
Jessica LaSpisa
I’ve been going to bass shows at Chop Shop for years, and it has always been a great environment with lots of room to dance, friendly vibes, and great production. Until recently. There seem to be a few new security changes, and some new staff that I haven’t seen before. I always have had a good relationship with security previously, as I am a respectful veteran in the scene. I have never been kicked out of an event prior to Feb 9th at Kursa, Resonant Language, and Chez, when I went to the bathroom with my friend on our way to try to leave the venue towards the end of the show. We went to share the same stall, as all of the other stalls were full, and this was a regular occurrence throughout the evening in the ladies room. I was screamed at and grabbed by someone in plain clothes standing in line that told me I couldn’t go into the stall with my friend, with no explanation. She did not identify herself as security, or ask me to wait for the next stall before laying hands on me and attempting to force me out of the bathroom. She dug her nails into me and bruised my arms, and I pushed her off of me and closed the stall only to have her return with a large male security guard to escort me out of the venue. I was genuinely confused the entire time about what I had done to provoke this person, but she was clearly on some sort of power trip and in berserk mode. Everyone who witnessed the incident was appalled at the use of unnecessary force, and also agreed that I didn’t do anything wrong. She continued to drag me through the whole venue when I just asked her to let me go, and agreed that I would just leave peacefully. A few friends with me proceeded to go in and ask other security why she was allowed to handle me like that, if she was even security, and what her name was. They said her name was Sarah, and they agreed that I did nothing wrong, and to apologize for the way I was treated, but there was nothing they could do because she was their boss? I called Chop Shop to try to speak to security management, they took my information, and said they would return my call when their security manager came back into town. I never got a call back. Very disappointed at the way this was handled, and unfortunately it is safe to say I will not be coming back.
An awesome place to see a show. Also great food for dining separately.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Security is on a trip, the flash light antics during a show is atrocious power trip behavior, distracting, and is disrespectful to the artists. Let's not even mention the dice app being completely unusable to the point where we lost a ticket, therefore a friend couldn't come.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
As someone that's been going to concerts for the last 15+ years, I've dealt with thousands of events staff and security guards. I genuinely can't think of a venue or event that has a more unpleasant staff (aside from the bartenders, they were fine) than the chop shop. Rudest security I've ever been around, especially the overweight guy in the thicker glasses. 0/10 would not recommend. Will never be back.
Service: 1
Venue is open and cool.Staff....Not so much. They stunkGot talked down to the entire time. If you want to have fun and dance. Don't come here.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
My boyfriend and I are very passive people, I’ve never left a bad review, we’re the type of people who wouldn’t send back the wrong dish.I have never had such an awful experience. First, I received zero clarification regarding how concert entry works when you make a reservation. I made a reservation anyways because it was going to be cold and rainy. We get there, and a girl who I assumed to be the bar tender took our order. We got drinks and an appetizer. A waitress then came upstairs, we were told shed be our waitress when we were being seated, and for the near hour and a half we were there, she did not come to our table a single time, but went to literally every other table multiple times. We wanted more drinks and an entree, but not a single person acknowledged us. Finally we gave up on ordering as another girl happened to come to refill our water but we told her we just wanted our check. So the waitress finally comes to our table, she gave us our check without acknowledging us. I had kind of heard her happily describe earlier to other patrons what to do after dinner/before the concert. I tried asking her, and she brushed me off, and without even looking in our direction, told us just to go downstairs and there’d be a bunch of people to tell us what to do. And then she immediately went back to being super friendly to the other tables around us. We go downstairs, ask what to do, and they say since we “gave up” our table, we had to go to the back of the line outside. It was so upsetting because everyone was so misleading and not only had we been there for an hour and a half, we were the first ones there. We would’ve stayed at our table if 1. our waitress even took our actual order, and 2. if we weren’t literally told just to go downstairs? The whole experience was so upsetting, and to top it off, the drinks were literally only half full.*I’m editing this to respond to the company’s reply to my review*Please refrain from adding your no effort - copy and paste apologies to your multiple negative reviews. It only adds insult to injury. You clearly have no desire to make up for your awful treatment towards us, or do anything to prevent it in the future. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Music barley stops and they're pushing people out the door. I've been to hundreds of shows and never once have felt as uncomfortable as I have at this show. Small fry guyneeds to chill. Ppl pay a lot of money and travel long distances maybe don't be so unwelcoming
great dj choice but the bartenders should work on their attitudes. got accused of buying drinks for minors when whole time, the drink tasted like juice. of course i drank it fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
I’ll keep it concise and real. Went there for a show. Staff there was real snooty and seemed annoyed by the crowd. The quality of sounds sucked. The security there are wanna be cops that also take things unnecessarily too far.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 2
Was back in Chicago for work a few months ago and wanted something new that was nearby my hotel. I had a really hard time trying to figure out what the hell this place was, but their menu I read online seemed legit. I sat at the upstairs bar and ordered a beer that seemed stale. For dinner I had a spicy chicken sandwich that was just doused in bad hot sauce and overcooked. Perhaps I ordered the wrong thing, maybe came on an off night, but I was not impressed.
I went for dinner before a show, and it wash first time! It was gorgeous inside and the staff were all very nice. The food was *chefs kiss* amazing! I had the charcuterie board and the chicken sandwich and everything was fresh and good flavors. Looking forward to another show here!
Restaurantji Recommends
Chop Shop in Bucktown/Wicker Park earns a 4 out of 5. The restaurant offers a cozy ambiance blending a salumeria, butcher shop, and bar. Highlights include the Butcher's Burger, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Oxtail Italian Beef, Toro Especial, and Butcher's Cut Steak Frites. The staff is attentive, and the rooftop patio is a must-visit. Despite minor issues, the evolving menu and drink selection make for a delightful experience. Make a reservation, especially during busy times.
Great venue for concerts. Great sound. Smaller capacity so shorter bathroom lines as well. Love the in/out privileges before the headliner starts - that is a unicorn in the concert world.Can't comment on food as we didn't eat while there.$8 for a 12oz can of non-alcoholic beer or Liquid Death canned water is a joke, but I was very appreciative of the free water available.Street parking only but we grabbed a Spot Hero less than half a mile away.Will definitely be back for more shows.
Atmosphere: 5
Our server was amazing!!! I forgot his name but he was so energetic! We waited in line not long, got inside & got wander. Then asked if they were serving food upstairs & they told us no walk ins. Well, we went to our phone and made a reservation...but for nothing because when we went upstairs it was almost empty and our server was so welcoming & nice! I felt like downstairs just didn't wanna deal with us. But otherwise I love the place & had a great night! :)
Whoever was in charge of the fog at the mindchatter concert needs more training or something, it was unbearable!! I never leave concerts early but had to dip halfway through because I was literally being suffocated, It was as if it was emanating through the floor and would just float at head level without rising up and dissipating. Show had lasers so I get there has to be some fog for that, but it was going off every few minutes and just filling the whole place even when they weren’t doing any lighting effects. People around me were all complaining too, and at times felt our eyes burning. I’m tall, 6’3” normally have a great view of the stage/artist and was super excited for mindchatter because his background visuals are amazing! Unfortunately the fog was so thick you could barely see the screen and even him, and I was about halfway up! Major disappointment, and honestly pretty bummed I wasted money and missed out on a great show. Curious if that was the venue or the artists doing? either way, I’ll be wary about returning to an electronic show thereAdditionally, pretty sure they oversold the venue, place was packed and not everyone could even fit in the “concert hall” portion, as I was leaving there was probably 50 people looking pissed trying to see the show from the bar area, which if you’ve been to chop shop doesn’t even feel like you’re in the venue due to the bright lightsBartenders were good, security was fine, a bit aggressive as other reviews mention
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 4
I’ve been going to bass shows at Chop Shop for years, and it has always been a great environment with lots of room to dance, friendly vibes, and great production. Until recently. There seem to be a few new security changes, and some new staff that I haven’t seen before. I always have had a good relationship with security previously, as I am a respectful veteran in the scene. I have never been kicked out of an event prior to Feb 9th at Kursa, Resonant Language, and Chez, when I went to the bathroom with my friend on our way to try to leave the venue towards the end of the show. We went to share the same stall, as all of the other stalls were full, and this was a regular occurrence throughout the evening in the ladies room. I was screamed at and grabbed by someone in plain clothes standing in line that told me I couldn’t go into the stall with my friend, with no explanation. She did not identify herself as security, or ask me to wait for the next stall before laying hands on me and attempting to force me out of the bathroom. She dug her nails into me and bruised my arms, and I pushed her off of me and closed the stall only to have her return with a large male security guard to escort me out of the venue. I was genuinely confused the entire time about what I had done to provoke this person, but she was clearly on some sort of power trip and in berserk mode. Everyone who witnessed the incident was appalled at the use of unnecessary force, and also agreed that I didn’t do anything wrong. She continued to drag me through the whole venue when I just asked her to let me go, and agreed that I would just leave peacefully. A few friends with me proceeded to go in and ask other security why she was allowed to handle me like that, if she was even security, and what her name was. They said her name was Sarah, and they agreed that I did nothing wrong, and to apologize for the way I was treated, but there was nothing they could do because she was their boss? I called Chop Shop to try to speak to security management, they took my information, and said they would return my call when their security manager came back into town. I never got a call back. Very disappointed at the way this was handled, and unfortunately it is safe to say I will not be coming back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1