The Whale 2427 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

"I had been looking forward to dining at the Whale for months as a treat for myself, but I was incredibly disappointed with my brunch here. The service was extremely slow, the drinks were watered down (even after I asked for the first one to be replaced for this reason), and the food was flavorless. I ordered crab cakes that were nearly $40 and they were tiny and bland. Also, we were sat all the way in the back next to the kitchen where there was practically no natural lighting or any of the ambience I was excited to experience. It also appeared that the patrons in this area were BIPOC like myself, and that felt intentional and made me uncomfortable. When they packaged my leftovers (pictured here), they threw out my salad and tartar sauce. You can find far better service and food for a fraction of the price elsewhere."

"Happy hour was amazing! Super good deals and all the food and drinks were awesome. The cauliflower app was great and the north of Havana drink was to die for. Great service and good vibes!!"

"We went here for happy hour so we would try out different dishes and see what’s worth the money. It’s was a group of 3 of us plus a baby in a stroller and made a reservation ahead of time. The inside seating doesn’t really have the space for a stroller but we made it work. All 3 of us enjoyed our cocktails and I must say that the old fashioned was one of the best ones I’ve had in the city. One thing to note however is that the old fashioned was a little more on the sweet side. We shared the chilled lobster tacos and they were amazing. The tortilla shell is nice and. Risky and the lobster was delicious. We also ordered some oysters but we’ve had better. The burgers were juicy, flavorful, and were generously sized. Everyone enjoyed their meal and all the dishes we would get again. This is definitely a go to spot to have a good meal and enjoy some nice drinks."

"Amazing cocktails, delicious food, and great atmosphere. The pimento max and cheese with spicy breadcrumbs was my favorite part of the meal, and the wide variety of cocktails was so fun and delicious. They have something for everyone, and it’s all so scrumptious!"

"Oysters are my absolute favorite, and I also enjoy a good cocktail with some small plates. Typically, indulging in all of these would be quite expensive, but "The Whale" is a game-changer. Their happy hours are fantastic, but even outside of those times, you'll find excellent value for your money because the experience at The Whale is unparalleled. I love the Great Gatsby-era architecture and style, and that's precisely the ambiance the interior provides. The Whale is upscale and elegant without being intimidating or pretentious. The servers contribute significantly to this atmosphere—they are very friendly and make you feel at ease with their warm smiles and insightful recommendations. There are less posh places that don’t come close to what The Whale offers: $1.50 oysters, $8 cocktails, and $8 small plates. Their cocktails are a real treat, beautifully presented alongside delectable small plates that are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Don't hesitate—order the chilled lobster tacos. They are a must-try, with rich and unique flavors. We also enjoyed the Buffalo fried cauliflower, which was delicious, especially for someone who loves blue cheese and cauliflower like I do. For drinks, I started with the cherry mule, which was refreshing and had an exotic flavor. Their espresso martini is also a great choice, but the standout for me was "The Whale G&T cocktail." Its presentation alone is satisfying, and the taste is equally exotic. I wish this place was a well-kept secret, but that's just a fantasy. It fills up quickly, so I recommend making reservations on busy days. A special shoutout to the manager, Alexa, for being so friendly and welcoming."