Situated on the iconic Chicago River with stunning views of downtown, River Roast is a lively social house and gathering place. The menu features contemporary American tavern fare with dramatic presentations of whole roasted chicken, whole roasted fish, and slow roasted beef.
Honestly, expected more but the service is what ruined the entire experience for us last night.
We were set immediately, however it took 15 minutes for our server to acknowledge us! And when he finally did, he was not even apologetic about taking a while.
Meanwhile the short Hispanic manager walked by several times and never questioned if anyone had come to check on us.
Also several servers all looked at us and again, never acknowledged. The restaurant was not even busy!!!!
We were close to walking out but for the sake of not wanting to pick another place for dinner, we stayed.
Appetizers:
Rolls - 5/5 soft, pillowy and buttered
Mussels - 4/5, great flavor, but small shells and a handful were empty.
Main:
Chicken - 4/5, I would hope since it’s their specialty. The only thing not good was the potatoes
Burger- 3/5, x the pretzel bun, it’d Nothing special.
I ordered a filthy vodka martini and got the complete opposite.
Removed from my list of restaurants in Chicago and won’t be going back.
JK
Judge Kemp
4 days ago
4.0
Great spot. It was a bit of a walk to reach the entrance due to construction on the river side. My partner and I each order the pork shanks (oink) over sweet potato puree. Mine was well seasoned, but my partner felt his could have used more flavor (seasoning). The shank portions were generous! Despite the scaffolding, the views of the water from our bar seats was still possible. Oh, the Old Fashions (2 each) were a perfect pairing with the meal.
TC
Tim Cho
May 9, 2026
1.0
Bus boy exhaled and rolled his eyes at me when I was trying to ask him to find our waiter who barely came by.
Asked for a grapefruit mimosa 3 times before the food came out and didn’t get it until my meal was almost finished
The grease from my fried chicken sandwich melted the parchment paper it came on so I ended up eating a good chunk of that.
Lox bagel wasn’t even that good
Wouldn’t come back
DP
Daniela Ponce
Apr 29, 2026
1.0
Si van a hacer reservaciones en este lugar antes que nada asegúrense de que van a asistir porque cuando cancelan no te reembolsan tu dinero… Hace un mes hicimos reservaciones para ir a brunch y no íbamos a poder asistir así que llamamos para cancelar desde dos días antes de la reservación, la mujer que nos atendió el teléfono nunca nos dijo que nuestro dinero no se nos iba a regresar de lo contrario hubiéramos traspasado la reservación a alguien más o hubiéramos echo lo posible por asistir porque nos quitaron $300 dls … tenemos un mes llamando para que por lo menos nos den crédito en el restaurante pero no nos atienden la llamada. En fin, todo ese dinero desperdiciado. No recomiendo este lugar.
CC
Cici
Apr 20, 2026
2.0
I am writing to formally report an unacceptable experience at the restaurant and to request follow-up regarding how this will be addressed. My party and I were at table "63" I believe, as an intended party of 5, but unfortunately one of our members was unable to attend.
While the food and atmosphere were excellent, the service we received was inconsistent and, ultimately, inappropriate. Our group included international guests, to which our server knew, are not familiar with U.S. tipping customs. They were treating myself and the remaining party, paid the bill and left a tip at their discretion. Throughout the meal, our server was often inattentive.. We had to repeatedly flag him down for assistance and bus staff continually removed plates and silverware before we had finished eating, which was disruptive. Our server would also leave while trying to talk to him.
The most serious issue occurred at the end of our meal. The server pulled me away from my table and into the back of the restaurant to confront me about the tip, stating that he “did not appreciate it” and that he was expecting more. This behavior was highly unprofessional and inappropriate. No guest should ever be singled out, removed from their party, and pressured in this manner over gratuity.
Due to this interaction we felt uncomfortable and pressured into leaving additional money. Following this, the server remained near our table in a way that felt intrusive.
Our frustration was clearly visible which prompted our server to ask if we wanted 'cake on the house' in a joking manner when we had not been able to finish the 2 slices we had already. We attempted to locate a manager during and after the incidents but were unable to do so.
This situation reflects a serious lapse in professionalism and respect. I am requesting a follow-up outlining how this matter will be addressed, including steps taken to ensure this does not happen to guests in the future.
River Roast features contemporary American tavern fare with specialties like whole roasted chicken, whole roasted fish, and slow roasted beef.
What are River Roast's brunch hours?
Brunch is served only on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It is closed for brunch Monday through Friday.
Can I make a reservation at River Roast, and how?
Yes, you can make a reservation online via their website or OpenTable.
Is patio seating available at River Roast?
Yes, River Roast offers patio seating on the Chicago River, which operates on a first come, first serve basis.
Does River Roast offer takeout and delivery options?
Yes, River Roast provides both in-store pickup and delivery services, with delivery available through DoorDash.
When is River Roast's happy hour?
Happy hour runs daily from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
What payment methods does River Roast accept?
River Roast accepts American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa credit cards.
Where is River Roast located?
River Roast is located at 315 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60654, in the River North neighborhood.
What popular nearby restaurants can I visit before or after dining at River Roast?
Nearby popular restaurants include Chicago Cut Steakhouse and Bob Chinn's Crab House Chicago, great options to explore for additional dining experiences in River North.
Are there notable nearby bars or social spots near River Roast?
Yes, Bridge Bar Chicago is a nearby cocktail bar, perfect for enjoying drinks before or after your meal at River Roast.
Are there any interesting nearby places for events or gatherings near River Roast?
Nearby venues such as Encyclopaedia Britannica offer event planning services that might complement private events or weddings held at River Roast.
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