READ ALL IMPORTANT REVIEW- Me and my 4 favorite girls (all African American) went bar hoping downtown for my birthday. Instantly El Hefe bar music was lit and the vibe seemed amazing. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by security who was very nice. We went to the bar while we waited for a while to be served we just danced and laughed. Eventually a female bartender came to take our order, first round of patron shots. She was extremely rude so I did not tip. After the shots I needed water she completed ignored me. So I waited thinking she was just busy as she serviced the other none African American men and women around us. We all tried to get her attention and she would make eye contact and tell us to wait as more people came in that were Not African American. She yelled at us and told us that we had to wait because she did not work for free. We were so confused due to the fact we were trying to order more rounds of drinks and we tip well. We are educated black women that experienced racism by a Caucasian bartender while trying to celebrate my birthday. The vibe here was amazing but the bartender they have is racist and it really upset the night for us. I also made the bar manager aware of the his name is Jeff and he stated he was aware who it was, he was not shocked.

Been coming here for awhile. Food is always fantastic. I've had most of the menu but never remember to take pictures for my reviews because I inhale it. This time I remembered. Every time I'm downtown my wife and I hit up El Hefe. Always fire. 5/5

Place is nice but that is it. Terrible service! Waited forever for the waitress to take our order, get water or a refill and get our bill. The place did not have alot of tables so I couldn't understand why the waitressing was so bad. You will get charged a fee to eat there, did not know that...? Note the ~18-20% mandatory tip was mandatory for 6 of us and was NOT earned as the waitress provided little to no service. Food is meh, avoid the fries the season is overwhelming. Had a house Margarita and it was nothing special.

Terrible night life experience! I don’t usually post negative reviews but this place should be avoided if you are looking for a fun, good quality spot to go out with friends/family. The drinks were nasty. Lines were long. Ordered bottle service to have a fun time with family while on vacation, instead had to deal with incoherent and rude individuals. One bouncer in particular does not know how to properly de-escalate, was extremely insulting and unprofessional. We ultimately decided to leave because of him. Our night, which was otherwise a blast from all of the other spots we went to nearby, was ruined after this place! Advice to management: Re-consider your bouncer staff. Hire decent humans. Use better ingredients for your mixed drinks, and put some thought into proportions/ what’s mixed.

Came with three others for the St. Patty's bar crawl. This spot had the best music compared to the other bar crawl spots! It was bumpin all day too! We started here and had to come back and finish strong. No coat check. Food is really good too! Carne asada fries are the best.

I was the sober driver and asked for water after my wife paid $85 in drinks. Bartender said she can charge $7 for Fiji water. I said tap is fine. She kicked me out for wanting free water. This bar is terrible. Don’t waste your time or money, and BE WARNED due to this - they do NOT encourage responsible drinking. Also, FYI: they charge an extra 4% on all transactions.

It's a decent place. Food was pretty good. It gets very crowded over the weekends as the tables from bar area are cleared later at night for dance floor. Mahi mahi taco and their load d fries with steak were pretty good.

AVOID. TOURIST TRAP. DO NOT GO! The food is far from authentic and very bland. There is no organization with tables, it's seat yourself style. And the service is awful. The waitress took forever to get us water, another waitress did it for us. Then our food came out wrong and my fiancée had to wait another 15min to get the correct food. By the time she got it, we were done eating. Then her drink was also wrong! And nobody came up to check on us while we were having these issues. In fact, our waitress was flirting with the manager the whole time. We then later found out it was his girlfriend! So Jeff, the manager, cares more about his girlfriend and flirting during his shift than actually taking care of guests. Also! This place charges an $8 venue fee just to be seated and tacks on a 22% gratuity on any bill over $100. Not only does this place not give a darn about it's customers, they hope you spend over $100, the wait staff gets their 22%, and they never have to see you again. When confronting Jeff about the experience, he didn't care and just kept asking what we wanted taken off the bill. It was truly an awful experience. Please do yourself a favor and go to any of the other places around. There is too much competition in the area for establishments like this to still exist.

I stumbled upon this place while roaming Chicago on a Saturday night, as a foreign visitor. From the street it looked intriguing. The bar waitresses were scantily clad, which was in plain view from the street. I asked the security staff what sort of bar it was. They said it was a mexican restaurant by day and a night club by night. "Why don't you come in for a beer?". So I did. It wasn't busy yet, but the theme seemed to be a "Hooters"style bar. The first waitress was very friendly, and the music was modern, maybe techno? A second waitress appeared as the bar became busier. She was dressed the same but had a sour disposition. I managed to get her attention to order a beer, but got a bad impression. She was not happy!!! I made a bad mistake of taking some video of the unique bar. But it included this "waitress". She immediately called security, who made me delete my video. I said, why don't you put a sign saying "No Video"? It didn't matter, I was kicked out!!! What a weird place! Personally, I would get rid of the bad waitress, instead of ejecting the customers! At least tell people of the rules! I suggest everyone avoid this bar!

Surprised this place is still in business in downtown Chicago. Something shady going on as to how it remains open. The few customers that were there, all knew the staff. Service and food is horrible!!!! I wish I would have read the reviews before walking into that place. So many choices all around, which are packed and I should have known better. Avoid that POS at all cost!!! First review I felt I had to leave should say a lot!!

We made reservations but it was chaotic getting seated for pur table of 4. We ordered drinks which were good, but all of us were disappointed with the tacos, quesadilla and burrito we ordered. the Carne asada fries were good, so Id recommend it for drinks and apps, not a full dinner. we spent $80 before tip for 2 with 1 appetizer, and 2 entrees. Not horrible, but not great.

Went here with a group of friends on the 3rd of July, got a table and ordered 5 bottles that clearly stated around $150 less than what we were charged for them. Not sure even what's going on behind the scenes of the charging, but they did NOT make any of it clear. If you go here and get a table, prepare for a surprise with how much you pay. Not worth it at all.

Went here for a ladies night. Pros: They held our reservation despite being late due to unforeseen traffic jams & good music. Cons: Food & drinks were terrible, venue fee, & woman's restroom is disgusting. ALL our food tasted like someone dumped a salt shakers, none of us ate our full plates. Drinks ALL tasted watered down. Venue fee....ummm, what is that? NEVER have we been charged to eat at a restaurant. Woman's restroom terrible & was even worse when no stalls had toilet tissue. For the price & all the hype around this place, we were let down. I/we won't be back or recommend to friends. **Updated: Reached out to Kevin next day as requested. He offered a gift card for a future visit, explained we will not be back & proposed alternative compensation. Been a month, still have not heard back. Don't waste your time reaching out to Kevin or visiting this trash establishment. They don't care about their customers.**

Great Drinks and music ..has a great party atmosphere!

They have to work on the service and making sure someone man's the hostess desk. We waited for about 5 minutes until I could flag down a waitress help us find a place to sit. It was pretty loud and gave more of bar rather than an actual restaurant vibe. The food in the end was really good and flavorful!

Overall it was good. I thought the prices were high for what you were getting so that’s why I have 4 stars. The quesadilla and taco were good but nothing too special. I did really enjoy the margaritas.

If I could rate this restaurant lower I would but unfortunately one star is the lowest I could go, the general manager Jeff Buechel is entirely unqualified to do his job and mostly resembled head of security. Tonight upon arriving at the establishment after paying an entry fee I went to the bar to order drinks the bartender whose name I never got was extremely unpleasant and proceeded to not take our order after finally getting our order taken 25 minutes later when my party tried to pay he called Jeff to relay to him that we were refusing to pay our bill instead of asking us if there was an issue or asking us to pay which we were more than willing to do we were put out which felt nothing short of racist, to conclude the night was terrible i will not return.

For context, I live in Logan Square and mainly hangout in Logan Square, but my friend from out of town wanted to go out downtown. We showed up and were greeted at the door asking $20 cover charge for the men in the group. Then my girlfriend and I ordered a vodka cranberry and gin and tonic… $35 plus tip. The DJ was great. Then for last call ordered a Bud Light and a DosXX (bottles). Handed the bartender a $20 and gave me $2 back; the online menu says $5 for Bud Light and $6 for DosXX- I showed them the online menu and they responded, “the prices go up at night.” Like I said, I hangout in Logan Square where I can get a Hamms/Old Style for $3-4 a piece. I just wish they would’ve published their “nighttime prices” online. Definitely won’t be going back.

This place gets lit after 10pm this is not a night club so don't expect it to be all too class first time I went and someone was smoking weed lol but like I said it's not those dress to impress places drinks were good I had blast regardless would go again

I was very disappointed with the treatment we received. We drove an hour and half away to come here for a friends birthday celebration and we were immediately turned away because we were wearing dressy sandals. We couldn’t understand how we were turned down to enter when there were several people being let in with gym shoes. I then asked the team member what was the reason behind it and he replied with “those are $1,000 gym shoes.” We did not see a specific dress code on the website if so we would’ve not gotten in the 35 min line.

I visited a few months ago with some friends, the food and drinks were ok, however we were charged 18% gratuity each for just 3 of us, when asked if we could have one check we were told no and the waitress couldn't explain why. Will definitely not be back.

We went here while we were in town and just as the mask ban changed. Restaurant handled everything perfectly. Food was great , drinks were amazing! Will definitely come back our next time we visit.

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. It is trash. The bouncers did not allow our group to enter because people were wearing air force ones. Apparently, the club policy is no air force ones or Jordans. Now I can understand that, if they actually enforced it fairly. However, immediately after stepping out of line, the bouncers let someone in wearing Jordans. After we confronted them and asked, they used a racial slur. This is an establishment that is not only discriminatory, but also sexist as they were extremely rude to the women in our party. Do not waste your time here.

This location it’s very unprofessional. The couple times the I have gone there, they allowed their coworkers drink alcohol during work hours and after hours. Im going to report this devastated issue to corporate this is so Unacceptable. Especially the guys who I saw so many times of them drinking and not doing their job properly.

Honestly I was very excited to come here but I went in and my partner followed behind me but once they came in they told me it was $20 which wasn’t true since I had passed in 2 minutes prior. Secondly when buying a drink they auto grated your bill but regret to inform you therefore double tipping. Not cool.

I had to have the quesatacos again. I had two. I forgot how filling they are. But if you're going to be had then be good at it..

The enchiladas were really good. Great place to eat in downtown Chicago!!!

Had high hopes. I visited in 2019 and loved it but the food tastes different- bland. I was also greeted by what I can only assume were the prettiest girls in the senior class because whenever I needed anything I had to break up the cluster of them at the post station looking at the phone. The only reason I got my bill after 20 minutes of waiting for my waitress to return was because I went up to the bar to ask if they could get my bill for me and she saw me get up and ask. Total waste.

These guys are rip off artists. Ordered reposado in a margarita and they doubled the drink cost $12 to $24. They also change their prices based on how busy they are and they do not disclose this ahead of time. We will report them to the state attorney general. Avoid this place at all costs.

Food was amazing, waitress was very friendly and quick to take care of us. DJ was playing great music too!!! Tacos were to die for!!!

Service needs major improvement. Appetizers came out, yet we had no silverware, After asking for them multiple times. By the time they hit the table we had already finished picking with our fingers. Food was poor. My husband ordered extra chicken and shrimp to his plate. There was barely any meat at all. The manger did como the meal. Rice was not even cooked, hard to eat. We did enjoy the cocktails. Beware of the additional fees added to the bill. There was a “venue fee” $10 just to sit down. *Horrible service, Food is a big pass. Staff acts like they don’t care* Big No !

We stopped in a few weeks back… So now I am seeing a lot of reviews saying exactly how we felt there. Like they didn’t want to serve us. We got an uncomfortable vibe as soon as we walked in. Just standing there while the staff seen us and didn’t come over right away while talking to eachother. When a guy did finally come over immediately asked if we had a reservation. They he walked away for about 5 minutes. Ended up seating us finally. We ordered a drink each to see if the service would get better. It didn’t. Felt so rushed. We opted out of getting tacos from here and went somewhere else for dinner instead.

3 of us walked in, the door guy asked for $30 cover handed it to him then proceeded to not charge the rest of the people coming in, I then asked to talked to the manager, she offered us a round of drinks for the inconvenience then she was no where to be found after that, I proceed to the bar and one of the security guards at the door told the bartenders to not serve us any more then proceed to verbally attack one of my friends for recording the incident. This place is absolute trash. Will never visit ever again. Save you money and go elsewhere.

Went for my birthday and was literally waiting by the bar for 30 minutes while other of those a$$less bartenders took orders from others. One of them tried to kick me out but I was able to stay. This place is a joke when it comes to good customer service!!

very upset at the service of this bar. came here with friends & ordered four drinks total, 1 titos and 3 well shots, which my friends and i watched the bartender pour. she proceeded to charge me for four titos and as I tried to talk to her she told me well that sucks and ignored me as I asked for a manager multiple times. will never come back here and do not recommend to anyone. very rude.

Went for the first time today, I ordered the chilaquiles and added eggs with my order, after a long wait the chilaquiles were brought out without eggs (not a big deal) I asked the waiter, who didn't come by our table much, if she can get me the eggs I wanted she said yes and after yet another long wait she finally decides to come by my table and asks if they brought out my eggs (they didn't) by that time my chilaquiles were soggy and cold so I told her not to worry about it and to just take my plate. I was still charged for the food I didn't eat because of their mistake and on top of that they added the 20% gratuity fee. If I had the choice, 20% would not have been my tip. I'm not the type to be like that but don't give mediocre service and expect the benefits of good service... It was a terrible experience for me. I Will not be back. I've been to other restaurants and they have been ridiculously busy, yet I still got great service from them.

Lively place. Had the original bulldogarita. Unimpressive, bland and weak.

Came here for brunch with a large group of girls. The DJ played great music and the vibe was awesome! They were definitely understaffed to accommodate the size of our group although they knew we were coming in advance. We only had one waitress and she did an amazing job! It did take forever for us to get our food. I got the Crispy Birria Quesadillas and they were delicious!

Went into the bar looking to listen to good music and have a few drinks. Sat down never greeted. My other half went to the bar brought back two drinks Hennessy and cranberry.. full of ice and a watered down drink.. I went back to the bar for two shots of Hennessy to add to it.. $25 bucks each total $50.00 and a 20% gratuity charge was given without my knowledge. Literally went back to the table , had our drinks And left. Management needs to do better I never in my life walked into a bar and had to fix a drink and literally paid 100.00 for two drinks. Music was great but I am really upset.

Not safe! El Hefe’s bouncers jumped on two guys who were celebrating a birthday there last Saturday 8-13-2022. They used excessive force on these two young men. Ambulance were called to the scene. Please stay away from this establishment. Take your business somewhere else.

We went here to celebrate a birthday yesterday. The bouncers were very nice and welcoming and things were off to a great start but our server was very rude. When taking our drink order I asked for a water and she snapped at me that she already had some on the way as if I should have known that. I ordered a paloma which was given to me in a cheap plastic disposable cup that tasted terrible. For the cute atmosphere I expected a cuter aesthetic drink vs what I was given. We all did not like our drinks which irritated the server so we all sat there and forced it or didn’t touch it and still paid for them. It took an hour to get our food and still half the group didn’t receive their meals. When we did it all came out incorrect and we were met with a disrespectful server who was unorganized and couldn’t remember what we ordered. Save yourself the trip, you could spend your money at better more authentic Mexican places! It has a lot of potential but ended up being a big disappointment. Will not be coming back after the treatment we received here.