See what everyone's saying about Pearl's Place:
“If you want the best sweet potato pie in Chicago, go to Pearl’s Place in Bronzeville... much better than LaBelle’s... - Chicago Crusader Magazine”
““One of 5 Midwest Soul Food Restaurants You Need to Try” - Midwest Living Magazine”
Ina Pinkney Loves Our Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Appetizer! Chicago Tribune's Breakfast with Ina (8/21/14) :
Ask me to pick one restaurant that reminds me of Ina's for its warmth, welcoming attitude, delicious food and mission to always do its best, and I'd say Pearl's Place. If I was delighted at the biscuits and soft butter that were brought to our white-tablecloth-covered table, our server, Deirdre, was even more delighted to announce that it was "what we give you when you arrive!" Now there were three happy people at the table! Though the kitchen was under renovation, our order was taken and the food arrived in less than 10 minutes. Oh, and the food! When they say "down home Southern-style comfort food," that is an accurate description — but an understatement. My New Orleans breakfast with a salmon patty (croquette), one piece of thick, slightly sweet French toast and eggs over easy lived up to my hopes and dreams. The cheesy shrimp and grits dish was much more complex than the name implies, and every forkful demanded another bite. When I really love a dish like this, I force myself to leave some, so that I can take it home and relive the experience at my own table in the morning. Rarely does a dish hold up to the boxing, travel, refrigeration and reheating, but this one did, and I was in heaven again. Stivers Coffee is served, and I love that it comes from Greg Stivers, who has been roasting coffee since 1985 on South Union Street. Did you notice I didn't mention the music? It was perfect background music of old classics. What's missing? Absolutely nothing! Of note: Street and complimentary parking available at the adjoining motel parking lot Find it: 3901 S. Michigan Ave., 773-285-1700, www. pearlsplacerestaurant.com Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
Recent 5 Star Reviews:
so good. sooooooo good. I went, enjoyed, came back a few days later, and enjoyed again. I'm obsessed. I told all my friends. the smothered chicken, the mac, the yams, the jerk turkey, the dressing, and surprisingly the coffee, I am in love. also love the space and the people. at the buffet, you are walked thru all items which is very helpful the first time around. and you can get breakfast and lunch up there. everyone is so ridiculously nice. will be in regular attendance as long as I live in Chicago
Kudos to J. R., who catered my Thanksgiving dinner on short notice. My guests were elated and couldn't stop eating! J. R. is outstandingly professional, courteous and kind. I've already put in my Christmas order. Thanks, J. R., for making my dinner one to be remembered.Awesome!!
If you love good soul food served with a smile. Pearl's place is where it's at!!
They say that good food is supposed to trigger a memory!! That is exactly what happened when my taste buds were blessed with the food from Pearl's Place. I was transformed to 1995 in my Grandmother's dinner table in Ohio. The food at Pearl's Place is authentic Southern Soul Food. Everything here is hand made!! Many Soul Food Restaurants have "sold" out, by using can ingredients, and rushing their food (we can tell), but Pearl's Place did neither of the two. This food is amazing!!!!! The service was amazing!!! We had an amazing time!! Thank you Pearl's Place for an amazing dinning experience!
"Everything on the buffet is awesome, really sticks to u! You will feel full when u leave here. Must try the biscuits they are amazing!"
"I had to update from 4 to 5 stars.... we went back Monday after work and the food, THE FOOD is just GOOD.... IT FEELS LIKE "HOME". forget the decor, screw the fact that they need a face lift (though they are fixing up the place at the moment). This place hits the spot.
Jumbo Chicken, Sweet Potatoes. Mac and Cheese, Banana Pudding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I had been suffering since I moved to the north-side of Chicago for some good ole southern cooking. For the past few weeks that hunger grew until today I decided to get off my lazy butt and go south for some grub.
Wait, do not get it twisted I love some of the great places I eat from here up north but there is nothing like some good southern cooking to make your stomach ignite.
Could not decide what I wanted but knew where I wanted to go. Called a close friend to see if they wanted to go. Well I was told to go to Pearl's Place instead of where I was suggesting... duh... I remember Pearl's, been there several times before and loved their food. Hopped in the car and started my journey.
First let me say I do know some of the folks there and was reminded that I had not been there in over a year... yep it was true. Anyway! The young-lady at the counter was Cynthia. Cynthia was personable and attentive as she is always. I guess they are accustomed to people being less than patient and I may have given off the impression that I was in a rush... everyone was making sure those of us that were waiting for carryout was okay, I was fine. Now if they had brought me some food from the kitchen within 5 or 10 minutes I would have been skeptical... lol. The wait was not bad at all and someone was celebrating a birthday so there was plenty of entertainment for me. Back to business. Pearl's place serves good food with a short wait and the buffet is great was well. Prepared to be full of satisfaction both with the service and the food. The staff is always great when I go and the management team is wonderful. Thanks again Cynthia for the smiles as you work!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a Review on Tripadvisor.com
Heaven that is for authentic southern food, off the menu or buffet style. Wonderfully welcoming, it really seems like everyone enjoys working there. I can't recommend Pearl's highly enough... I had to wait a year before returning to Chicago and this is the first place I headed to. Thank goodness there are still places like this in America. The real deal.
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“Pearl’s Place did not disappointed. We are now lifelong fans.”
“AWESOME food! Outstanding service, very friendly. Good down home Southern food / hospitality. Manager came around too, just to check on everything.
We will definitely be back.”
“The staff serves you from the buffet—you don’t go through and scoop up yourself. I will be going back.”
Great review from Chicagoist.com's Chuck Sudo:
"This Bronzeville mainstay has been serving up soul food staples and hearty breakfast dishes for over 30 years with dishes like fried green tomatoes, farm-raised catfish and chicken prepared either baked, fried, smothered or jerk-style. (My recommendation: order the jerk chicken.) The comfort food belies a fine-dining atmosphere where management recommends guests show up in their Sunday best. If you do plan a trip, don't show up in your lazy Sunday football watching brotastic best. Brush the hair, shave and remember to wear a tie."