Cedar Hotel

Location: 1112 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610


A Quick Word:
Spending the entire morning at Oak Street Beach, my buddies and I figured it was time for lunch.  There wasn't much of an option at the beach itself so a mile walk into downtown was our next plan.  We wanted a great outdoor patio to grab some beers and a sandwich.  The Cedar Hotel in the "Viagra Triangle" area offered both.  The patio is huge with lots of tables in the sun.  We took a seat and ordered some refreshments.  The staff was friendly and attentive.  They fixed the mistakes that occurred with drinks without much trouble.  When our food came, we were all pretty satisfied except some were overly sauced and others seemed like we overpaid for what was on the plate.  I thought the food was pretty average, especially for just being a bar in Chicago.  The patio definitely elevates this rating, but I still could only give it a 3.5-mile rating.  Much better food in the area, but can't beat sitting outside in the sun!

What I Ate:

Smoked Turkey Club

After our beach football morning, I was hungry for a sandwich but still wanted to keep it light.  This influenced my decision into ordering their smoked turkey club.  This sandwich had a wheat toast base and was filled with the typical club ingredients--smoked turkey slices, lettuce, tomato, avocado, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and a tomato aioli.  It came with a side of waffle fries and a pickle.  First of all, the disappointed set in when I didn't see the traditional triple decker sandwich.  I mean, aren't most, if not all, clubs made with three slices of bread?  I guess not here.  The tomato aioli was there version of a mayo, and it did the job great.  The waffle fries were plentiful and lightly seasoned.  Fried fresh, they were added a great crispiness to the meal.  I really enjoyed the sandwich but I wish they made it a triple decker and maybe less fries to keep the cost the same.

The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- Great place for day drinking!  They have a wonderful outdoor patio and reasonably priced beers and cocktails.  TVs are also outside so you can catch a game or two.
- Parking is nearly impossible out in this area so be aware.

DON'T:
- Food is just average, so don't expect too much.  If you want better, give any of the other "Viagra Triangle" restaurants a try.  They too have great patios, but are much more expensive.

How far would I walk for this food?