Pearl's Place Restaurant image

Pearl's Place Restaurant

Restaurant Breakfast restaurant Catering service Buffet restaurant Southern us restaurant Soul food restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Southern us restaurants in Chicago


Address

3901 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60653, United States

Website

www.pearlsplacerestaurant.com

Contact

+1 773-285-1700

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.10 (3.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 8 am to 7 pm
  • Monday: (Washington's Birthday), 8 am to 7 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 8 am to 7 pm
  • Wednesday: 8 am to 7 pm
  • Thursday: 8 am to 7 pm
  • Friday: 8 am to 7 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am to 7 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: buffet (16) great (15) service (13) Chicago (11) good (11) breakfast (10) restaurant (10) time (9) menu (9) server (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Carole T. 2 years ago on Google
    We drove in from South Bend, IN. Upon entering, we washed our hands as asked (on the signage inside the front door - the bathrooms are right there) we checked in and were told it be about a 20 minute wait that we could wait outside in our vehicle for the text that they were ready to seat us. Once seated, our server/waitress bought us hot cornbread (w/butter on the side). After consulting with her, we decided to go with the buffet. The buffet is covered by glass (because of Covid-19) and a server prepares your plate as you tell them what you want on it (so many choices). The tables are covered with white tablecloths. The food was delicious! But I think the server that prepared the buffet plates made eating there much more enjoyable. I did not get his name, but he is full of character! He really made the trip worthwhile.
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jonathan F. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic food and fantastic service! I decided to give it a try after seeing it on a list of best places for breakfast in Chicago. It belongs at the top of the list! I sampled the buffet (which was not a typical self-serve buffet; the chef prepared and plated your meal for you). There was a great variety of traditional options as well as new things to try. The stewed apples were my favorite (Cracker Barrel has been put to shame). The service was also very friendly and they were genuinely happy to see me. The location is within an easy walk from a green line stop, which was what got my attention at first. I would walk triple the distance to get there again if needed. I was disappointed that there were not more people there because it really is a great place to dine. I look forward to returning on my next trip to the city.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Karima O. 1 year ago on Google
    The day I went (Saturday before mother's day) they had an all you can eat buffet for $20! 🤯 And BOY.. Everything was delicious!!! The macaroni and cheese was AMAZING and the BREAD PUDDING with RUM SAUCE was literally the best thing I have ever put in my mouth! Not kidding! 🤯🤤😅 I wanted to go back again the next day. Lol My only complaint would be that the decor is a little dated but this place has been here forever and a lot of older people dine here so it makes sense. I cant wait to visit Chicago again so I can go back to Pearl's Place.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Hope For America I. 2 years ago on Google
    First time going to Pearls I noticed things that made me question sanitation. As we stood in line to be handed our plates of food after 2pm. There was a full omelette station with cheese, bell pepper, onions, diced ham,etc sitting out from breakfast it all looked aged and Im concerned that those items were used the next day for breakfast. I attended a repass and the food was not worthy of a return visit however the hostess told me take out was way better than the food served on the line. Well because its black owned I will try it 1 more time but take out this time. I will give a take out review.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bobby N. 5 months ago on Google • 52 reviews
    Soul food buffet food was really good. $100 for 4 folks. Extra parking at abandoned Hotel next door. Really difficult to pull into street.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M “CKlass” H. 2 years ago on Google
    I most recently visited this restaurant for dine in while I had family visiting in town March 2021 during weekday Brunch. If you want an authentically excellent Soul Food experience, this is place to come! The food is always impeccably prepared, the service is wonderful, and the experience across all the visits I have made are consistent(i.e. weekend brunch and evening buffet). You can choose to order from the menu however the buffet is the best choice really - the portions given are hearty and variety of options is plentiful so be strategic !ha there is an option to carry out leftovers based on quantity &management determination case-by-case. The atmosphere welcomes families, date nights, girls day, etc and is always calm relaxed. Lastly, there is free parking available in the lot next to the restaurant that shares space with a motel ...Definitely a good convenience vs hassling to find street parking in Chicago !
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ashlyn L. 5 months ago on Google • 66 reviews
    Wow just wow this place is a 10/10. We had Paris for a server and she was amazing. The buffet was excellent. I love all the options. I will definitely come back.

  • 4/5 thelma E. 6 months ago on Google • 9 reviews
    I must start off with the amazing service we received. Jermaine was such an amazing server. Service 5 stars. Food 4 stars. The chicken was perfect. The dressing and greens were not to my liking. I’d recommend coming here. Everyone was very nice. I love how they sing MLK Happy Birthday version. I wish this place continued success. Oh yes we met the legendary gospel singer Dorothy Norwood
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lawrence H. 2 months ago on Google • 54 reviews New
    Great place for a gathering or small meal. We had our monthly brotherhood breakfast at PP. The fellowship was great and the food was excellent. The manager doubled as the egg chef and made everyone a made to order egg dish. The toast, waffles and side dishes were excellent, save the hash browns, which were a little undercooked and over seasoned. The price was reasonable at $25/person tip included. Will eat there again soon.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Miles A. 2 months ago on Google • 36 reviews New
    What an absolute gem. You will not leave hungry. All the meat dishes are melt in your mouth, the jerk has some kick, but don’t sleep on the cabbage! Yes, I’m writing a review about the cabbage. I’m going back for a whole plate of veggies. Fried chicken is killer. The soup was so thick you could leave a spoon standing up in it. This will put meat of your bones and keep you warm in winter. Such a lovely team of welcoming humans! You will not leave hungry. Cancel the rest of your plans, you’re not going anywhere except to the couch after a trip to pearls.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Dawnielle B. 4 months ago on Google • 5 reviews
    The food was unseasoned & bland. I ordered meatloaf but it was dry. We were seated & forgotten about, I had to go to front & ask if someone was going to come take our order. When our food arrived, the plates were just dropped off & he began talking to table next to us. Did not see if we needed any condiments.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tonya S. 2 years ago on Google
    My first time there. I enjoyed it. Seems to me its more beneficial to chose the buffet. Therefore you can try everything for a decent price. Only a few dollars more to take what you have left home. The Strawberry Lemonade was tasty. $16.99 Buffett $2.99 Lemonade $5 Carry-Out
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 LaFayette H. 2 years ago on Google
    Wow, the service was impeccable! Our waiter was one of the best I've had in any fine dining restaurant! Although I can't recall his name, I can remember he was the only waiter with green stitching in his chef coat. If your looking for a nice family feel restaurant this is the place. The food was nice portion, affordable and good. I had rattle snake tall & the turkey dinner. My wife had shrimp & grits.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Felicia Moore O. 8 months ago on Google
    I come here once a month for breakfast. Food is wonderful, plenty variety, and service is great. They even remembered me from coming when I was pregnant. Always kind-hearted people here. Feels like I'm back on the south at this place. All should go check it out.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alisha B. 1 year ago on Google
    Came to visit from Detroit, Michigan. I told the chef I felt like my momma was back there in the kitchen!!! Their food is so good and they give you so much. Its not even expensive. I'll be back next time I'm in Chicago.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Terrek G. 1 month ago on Google • 30 reviews New
    Went here last year and back today! It was amazing still! Fabulous and great customer service! I highly recommend this place for soul comfort food! I went here in behalf of the Lake County Health Department.

  • 5/5 Sweetteeness 2 years ago on Google
    Great southern cuisine at a decent price. I'm not a fan of chitterlings but they do serve them. My mother said they are good. Fried catfish was fresh and served hot...Macaroni and cheese was on point. I will return when I'm in the need for comfort food.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Touré D. 10 months ago on Google
    Pearl's Place is a soul food restaurant located in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. The restaurant has been serving up delicious Southern cuisine for over 20 years. The menu features all of your favorite soul food dishes, including fried chicken, catfish, collard greens, and red beans and rice. I recently had the opportunity to visit Pearl's Place again. I ordered the collard greens, beets, and red beans and rice. The collard greens were cooked perfectly and had a nice smoky flavor. The beets were a bit too sweet for my taste, but they were still enjoyable. The red beans and rice were the star of the show. They were flavorful and filling. The service at Pearl's Place was excellent. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. She made sure that our drinks were always full and that we had everything we needed. Overall, I had a great experience at Pearl's Place. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal in Chicago. Here are some additional details about my experience: * The restaurant is located in a convenient location in the Bronzeville neighborhood. * The atmosphere is casual and comfortable. * The prices are reasonable. * The food is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. * The service is friendly and attentive. I would definitely recommend Pearl's Place to anyone looking for a delicious and affordable meal in Chicago.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tanelle G. 5 months ago on Google
    Wow!! Amazing! 10/10. Paris our server was amazing! The food was top tier! Could not get enough 😋
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Richard D. 1 year ago on Google
    What Lunch!! Looked forward to eating here from the reviews. I was pleased beyond ny expectations. The food was great!! Down home southern cooking!! But what makes it great is the staff. From my greeter, to the server, to the chef at the buffet. Plenty of southern selections. Also you can order from the menu. Also white table linen, and a homie feel in the dining room. A must visit. Do not let the outside area or oarking put you off. Must visit. Thank Pearl for a wonderful lunch!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joy Wilson R. 9 months ago on Google
    It’s hard to find good southern shrimp and grits up here in Chicago. I’m crazy for southern food and have tried to order shrimp and grits or even just grits whenever I can find them. I decided to try the shrimp and grits from Pearl’s via delivery, but assumed because of delivery times, they might not be great. Wow! I was pleasantly surprised! The food was thoughtfully packaged with foil around the container and HOT when it arrived. I was immediately hopeful. When I opened the food, I was blown away by how good it smelled and looked. One taste and I was hooked! These shrimp and grits are South Carolina level amazing! I haven’t found anything approaching the quality and taste in the Midwest. Thanks Pearls! You made my day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Erik B. 2 years ago on Google
    This was the first time I went there and the food was great the collar greens the macaroni and cheese and fried chicken I took a picture but I ate my food I couldn’t wait
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lamoi S. 1 year ago on Google
    My family of 5 went in on a Sunday afternoon for the all you can eat buffet. The wait was about 25 minutes to be seated. The server was pleasant, food was good and plentiful, no major complaints. We did order shrimp and grits off the menu and it wasn’t the greatest. I’d return for the buffet, they had greens, smothered chicken, meatloaf, candied yams, all day breakfast (omelettes) etc,

  • 4/5 Cocoa B. 1 year ago on Google
    The service was friendly and the food was really good. Almost every menu item was on the buffet. Pancakes, waffles, grits, eggs, build your own omelettes, potatoes, ham, bacon, turkey sausage, salmon croquettes, fried chicken, Mac n cheese, catfish nuggets and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. And that was just breakfast!

  • 5/5 Patrick A. 6 months ago on Google
    I was born in Alabama, raised in Georgia, and lived in New Orleans for 16 years, so I've been looking for a place serving this menu since I moved to Chicago. It was my first visit, so I started with a traditional selection of chicken (baked was great, jerk had that delicious type of flavorful heat), mac & cheese, collard greens, and peach cobbler. Service was attentive & super friendly. They made sure we were having a good time. I left happy and full and I can't wait to go back and try more of this menu.

  • 4/5 TheBigBandWolf 1 year ago on Google
    I stopped in hoping for a late breakfast and discovered a new favorite restaurant on the near south side. I tried their breakfast buffet and was treated to a homemade omelette, potatoes, bacon, sausage and fresh biscuits. Everything was delicious, hot and fresh. I’ll definitely be back to try out the lunch and dinner menu.

  • 5/5 Valerie G. 4 months ago on Google
    Amazing food, warm, family atmosphere. While waiting for our table, we met Emmett Bryant (1969 Boston Celtics championship basketball player with teammate Bill Russell) - Em's birthday celebration! Em showed us his championship ring! It was my first time at Pearl's Place - we were a group of six - everyone had a great time! Entire staff was awesome, friendly, and came by the table several times to check on us. They helped with every special request!! Five stars for food and service.

  • 5/5 Fatima R. 11 months ago on Google
    I'm so happy we decided to stop in on our way back home to Indiana. Let me tell "this place is a hidden gem." The history displayed throughout the walls is a history lesson in itself. The atmosphere was one of a down south Southern vibe. My waitress Diedre was the absolute best. She was very knowledgeable about the different food items on the menu. My fiancée is not a breakfast person, but he cleaned his place! Lol that speaks volumes about how good the food was.

  • 5/5 Raye B. 2 years ago on Google
    I absolutely loved my entire experience at "Pearl's Place"! The food was unbelievable, I couldn't get enough of the bacon rolls, banana pudding and the catfish po'boy was two meals! The food was prepared when ordered and the beautiful ladies at reception couldn't be more polite and helpful, one of the ladies ran after a customer who forgot a item. The decor is serene and offers historical art and prints. Though I had a take out order I can't wait to dine in, there is ample parking and the restaurant is next to a great hotel. Thank you J.R and excellent support staff

  • 5/5 Jasmine P. 3 months ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    The food was great and the service was exceptional if you're ever visiting Chicago and need some home cooking please give pearls place a try I will stop by alsoif I'm ever in Chicago again


Call +1 773-285-1700 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Salad bar
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ All you can eat
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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