Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse and one of the most legendary dining locations in the Windy City. This Chicago icon is known for its charming interior, lively atmosphere, and the balance of fine dining with a fun spirit.
People come for Gibson’s grassfed Australian beef, classic cocktails, and extensive wine list. The Chicago Cut ribeye, towering desserts, and expert private dining team make a meal at Gibson’s totally unforgettable.
Brief Overview of Gibson’s Locations and Group Dining Options – West Room, East Room, Rosemont, Oak Brook
Gibson’s came to fruition when partners Hugo Ralli and Steve Lombardo opened the doors in 1989 on Rush St. Today, there are locations in Rosemont and Oak Brook, too. It also has room for private events, with the West Room, East Room, and Boardroom available to rent for a celebration, a meeting with clients, or other event.
After reading all of this, I couldn’t wait to experience it.
I was recently in Chicago and made a reservation for a table at Gibson’s Steakhouse, and I want to share some information about my experience and what other Chicago visitors can expect when they eat here.
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse Reviews
When looking at online reviews on Gibson’s, one thing is very clear: this restaurant is an icon in Chicago. I looked at both Yelp and TripAdvisor before I went, and found that most people were extremely impressed with this restaurant.
On Yelp, diners consistently mentioned the exceptional service that both tourists and loyal neighborhood residents enjoy. They also speak about the generous portion sizes and the way the staff makes celebrating special occasions somehow even more special, as this is popular place for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other events. With almost 3,000 reviews on Yelp, Gibson’s is rated with a 4.1/5 star rating.
When I looked at Trip Advisor, I found similar sentiments. Diners here were raving about the quality of the steaks and their overall experience. Some of the actual dishes that people spoke of including the wedge salad, filet mignon, and crab cakes. People also spoke about the consistency they found at Gibson’s, no matter which of the three distinct locations they were dining at. Finally, people mentioned the lively and loud atmosphere that Gibson’s is known for. This sometimes surprises people who believe this is a totally quiet, fine dining experience. It’s not quiet at all. Instead, when you dine in, you get this completely unique fun and bustling vibe that other steakhouses don’t often have. On TripAdvisor, Gibson’s has almost 4,000 reviews, and it’s rated with a 4.5/5 star rating.
Most of the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, but every restaurant has some complaints, and Gibson’s is no exception. People don’t always realize that it can take several weeks to get a reservation and that the prices are often higher than people expect. My thoughts on that is that you are going to one of the most famous steakhouses in a world-class city, so the wait and prices should be expected.
My Personal Gibson’s Review
Having dined here while on a recent trip to Chicago, I was very excited to see what all the hype was about.
In fact, one of my favorite television programs, The League, was shot here. Naturally, I wanted to know more.
I can compare this venue to one I grew up going to in Minneapolis. That venue is Manny’s Steakhouse. It gives the same vibe of a localish following, Midwest hospitality, excellent steaks, and a flow of tourism looking for everything I just mentioned.
We had the W.R. Steak, which is a 22 ounce Ribeye. We had it cooked rare and paired it with a 1/2 ounce King Crab leg and it was a perfect meal. THe clam chowder and salad we had as apps were a perfect filler pre-meal and the martini was extra dirty and on point.
10 out of 10 for me. This restaurant checked every box.
W.R.’s Chicago Cut
Here’s a pic of their most famous steak – W.R.’s Chicago cut!
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse Menu – From Chicago Cut Steaks to Delectable Desserts
The menu at Gibson’s is exactly what you would expect from one of the best steakhouses in the country. You will find hearty cuts of beef, fresh seafood, delicious sides, and desserts you need to see, to believe.
The most popular item to order, of course, is the meat. Gibson’s Prime Angus Beef is the centerpiece of the menu. It is USDA Prime and aged for the best possible flavor. The kitchen offers several cuts including the famed 22-ounce Chicago Cut Ribeye, Porterhouse, and Tomahawk. I had the ribeye, and it was one of the best steaks I’ve had in my life.
The menu also features fresh fish and sea food. One of my dining companions had the Maryland-style crab cakes, which looked amazing. Other popular sea food dishes include fresh oysters and salmon. They also have shrimp cocktail, calamari, and other options for seafood lovers.
In addition to Gibson’s steaks and seafood, you can also get burgers, ribs, soups, salads, pork chops, lamb, and chicken. The sides are also spectacular, and I cannot recommend the double-baked potato enough. They also have creamed spinach, fries, sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, and the signature mac & cheese, which was to die for.
The desserts were perfection. Gibson’s is known for its towering Macadamia Turtle Pie, which can easily be shared with others seated at your table. Other desserts include carrot cake, key lime pie, creme brûlée, and warm cookies with ice cream. Whatever you get, you can expect the presentation to be excellent, and all of the desserts can feed more than one person. It’s a hard choice trying to decide, so we got the turtle pie, the carrot cake, and the cookies to share with everyone.
Also, we were told that the restaurant offers special, updated menus on occasion, too, specifically for holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashanah, and more. Also, the lunch and dinner menus are very similar.
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse Dress Code
The dress code at Gibson’s is smart casual or business casual. When I was there, most of the men had on collared shirts and nicer pants and the women were wearing dresses, skirts, and nice pants. There were a couple of people in jeans, but that was not the norm. Most people certainly looked polished and put-together.
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse Location & Hours
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
1028 N Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-8999
https://gibsonssteakhouse.com/
Hours:
11am-Midnight, Every Day, Mon – Fri, Saturday, and Sunday
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse Atmosphere
Though the drinks were perfection and the food was cooked extremely well, I was most surprised by the atmosphere at Gibson’s. It was very lively and fun, filled with dark wood, white tablecloths, and celebrity photographs on the wall. It never felt stuffy, but it is upscale.
The energy in the room was celebratory, and I quickly felt like I wanted to celebrate, too. Laughter filled the are, which just creates a comfortable place to meet, make contact with friends and family, and have a great time packed with fun, conversation, and amazing food.
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse Service
The service here was exceptional. We were immediately pushed through the line of waiting patrons to be seated at our table. Our server was very knowledgable about the menu, and was very happy to share his recommendations with us. The front of the house staff was very friendly and welcoming and greeted us all with a smile.
More Pic’s of Gibson’s In Chicago
Final Thoughts About Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse is more than just a place to eat—it’s a Chicago institution. The highlights include massive, flavorful steaks, a well-curated menu of sides and seafood, indulgent desserts, and polished and attentive service that makes every visit feel like a special occasion.
On the flip side, reservations can be hard to snag, the restaurant can get loud, and the prices are on the higher side. But these small drawbacks pale in comparison to the overall experience. For anyone who loves steak, or who wants to experience one of Chicago’s most famous dining destinations, Gibson’s remains a must-visit for fresh fish, classic cocktails, an extensive wine list, and of course, it serves Gibson’s prime angus beef.
Whether celebrating with friends, meeting after work, hosting a business dinner, or simply indulging in a night of great food, Gibson’s delivers a dining experience that is classic, memorable, and uniquely Chicago.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
