Master Critic Review
Half Sour
8.2
A South Loop New American bar-restaurant that leans into comfort-forward plates with a drinks-first energy. It hits best when you keep the order tight—one signature starter, one sandwich or entrée, and a shared side—then settle in for the bar vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
Latkes, Fried chicken sandwich, Steak frites
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A bar-led New American spot with comfort classics done with polish.
Who should go: Cocktail-first diners who still want real food.
When to visit: Happy hour into dinner for the smoothest flow.
What to order: Latkes, fried chicken sandwich, steak frites.
Insider tip: Start with one shared starter, then split two mains instead of over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and gets tight during dinner hours; plan to use nearby paid garages in the Printer’s Row/South Loop area if you’re arriving after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are totally fine, but this is a good “nice top + clean shoes” spot—especially for date night or cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate-to-lively. You can talk across the table, but the bar energy ramps up during peak happy hour and weekend dinner.
Weekend wait: 30–60 min without a reservation (longer if you arrive 7–8pm).
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait; occasional 10–20 min pop during the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — doable with starters/sides and at least a couple of vegetarian-friendly mains depending on the menu rotation. Best move: build a meal around a shareable + one veg-forward entrée.
Vegan options: Limited — expect a couple of mod-friendly options at most. Ask what can be made vegan (often sides/salads) and don’t rely on this as a vegan-first destination.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free picks and mod potential, but cross-contact is possible in a bar-kitchen setup. Let your server know so they can steer you to safer choices.
Best For
Better for: Drinks-first dinners with real food behind them — polished comfort classics, a social bar vibe, and a “split a starter + mains” format that works especially well for dates and groups of 2–4.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate room, you’re prioritizing ultra-precise culinary technique over vibe, or you need strong vegan/gluten-free coverage — in those cases, pick a calmer dining room or a more dietary-specialized kitchen.
Hours
Monday12pm - 2am
Tuesday12pm - 2am
Wednesday12pm - 2am
Thursday12pm - 2am
Friday12pm - 2am
Saturday10am - 2am
Sunday10am - 12am