Chicago Cafe

Dining at the Chicago Cafe is always a pleasant experience. Many times I have been disappointed by the food at various restaurants that serve Chinese food. The Chicago Cafe is entirely different. The ambience of the setting is relaxing and calming. Most importantly, the food is always delicious. You can certainly taste the quality ingredients used in each dish. Just a word of advice...always save room at the end of your meal for their homemade ice cream!

When we want to treat ourselves, our family or our friends to a wonderful meal in North Bay, we go to Chicago Cafe.We have always been delighted with the food, the presentation and the ambiance. Helen, the owner, always makes us feel welcome and often has a new dish to suggest. The latest one is a lobster and shrimp combination which is truly sensational. Another of our favorites is Quail, prepared in the Asian fashion and it is a most delecious and exotic dish. We highly recommend Chicago for truly world class cuisine and service.

Chicago Café
Reviewed by Bill A

My very first visit to the "Chicago" was in the early 1930's when my father hoisted me onto one of the stools at the long bar and bought me a slice of Boston Cream Pie, thick with whipped cream, custard and a cake-like crust. Needless to say I was hooked and for a long time after that my allowance or any pennies earned in those terrible depression years were spent on more of the same. Finally unemployment and then the war intervened and my association with Chicago came to a sudden end.

Overseas with the R.C.A.F. I had the opportunity to dine several times at Groppi's in Cairo and Firpo's in Calcutta both of which, at that time, were considered to be among some of the finest restaurants in the world. I think that Groppi's was somewhat over-rated but then maybe I was distracted by the belly dancer. Firpo's lived up to its' billing and, in addition to Indian and British food, had a small dining room where I often saw Chinese families or large groups enjoying savory bowls of oriental food. When on leave or duty in Calcutta, Firpo's was our favourite dining place. When discharged from the Air Force I returned to North Bay to visit with relatives and, friends I had served with in India and Burma. Needless to say I once more became a patron of the Chicago for a short time until an education and employment took me away for a few years.

When I returned to North Bay, married and with a family of my own, it was my son who led me back to my favourite restaurant where he and some of his high school friends had discovered the seasonal feasts. We have probably missed only one or two since then and I must say that Helen's feasts are as good as, or many times better than, anything the rest of the world has to offer. The food, service, and ambience are Five Star in every way.

Chicago Café

Reviewed by Louis M

Our extended family is widely scattered around Canada and the U.S.A. so sometimes we must travel many miles to attend gatherings for weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations. Our first experience with the "Chicago" was at a sister's wedding anniversary many years ago. We drove about 8 hours to attend the party. Others, in attendance had traveled from as far away as London (Ontario) and Atlantic City, New Jersey but we were unable to claim the prize for the longest distance traveled which went to a brother from B.C.

Since then we have had many meals at North Bay's finest restaurant and Helen and her staff have never failed to please whether the food is ordered from the menu or served at the seasonal feasts Unless fate intervenes at the end of September we will travel from our camp in the Muskokas for the "Autumn Moon Feast" and the trip will be made well worthwhile by the five-star food, the excellent service and the homey, friendly atmosphere.

I've never been disappointed by the high quality of the cuisine and service in Chicago Cafe. I'm vegetarianand fussy, and her deep-fried tofu and lotus-leaf rice have always pleased my palate.
But my eyebrows raised when owner Helen Eng promised a fish dish to rival Lake Nipissing pickerel. Last week Laura and I gave her the chance to prove her culinary point.
We oohed and aahed over Basa, a Thai fish lightly coated with rice powder, admitting afterward to the effervescent Helen that she had indeed exceeded our expectations.
Chicago is the best restaurant in North Bay -- and the most original.
Bravo Helen!

Maurice Switzer

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Our party of 8 went during a "special event" evening for Chinese New year. This was supposed to be 7 courses of food per person...sounds like a lot of food doesn't it? Think again, The servings were way too small for our table. We were served two plates of food for each course for our entire table to share. Ribs was one of the courses, we got ONE rib each. Beside us was a table of two. They were served one plate of food with the same portions, yet 8 of us had to share 2 plates? We went home hungry and ate again after our dinner. The service was VERY poor. We waited for service for drinks all night and had to ask for drink refills all evening. When one of us asked for a refill, the waitress would not even look at anyone else's drink to see if they also needed a refill. Our designated driver was drinking diet pepsi all evening. At the end of the evening we find out that refills are not free or discounted so he paid over $14 for pop. The food tasted okay, not great. Overall, not impressed and will not be back again.

My girlfriends and I wanted to go out for a nice dinner, we had heard that Cecil's had their All You Can Eat Pasta Bar on Thursdays, and went to check it out. It was amazing! All of the ingredients/toppings were laid out in front of me, and the smell was intoxicating! Overall the meal was delicious, and our server was great; friendly, and fast. I would definitely make my way down to Cecil’s again!

Luncheon buffet selection offers little selection. Everything is heavily battered and deep-fried which means everything ends up tasting the same. Very slow to replenish buffet. All in all a half-hearted effort. Why should one expect anything different from the menu?

The food is not bad, but everything has somewhat of a gingery flavor. More importantly is the old bat that works in there, she's absolutely the most unfriendly human being I've ever met! She treats people like dirt, plain and simple. If I have to deal with her to get my food, I'll be honest, I'd rather starve. She should have been fired a long time ago.

All of the reviews below are right on the mark so I don't have to repeat it all again.

The food - perfect and piping hot! So many unique dishes that I've never heard of. A culinary adventure!!

Service - Fast, friendly, and personnal.

Atmosphere - Clean, quiet, roomy, and classy.

Our server was very knowledgeable of the various menu items. He was friendly and funny.

Helen, the owner was extremely friendly and was by often to make sure everything was going well.

Not a single negative thing to say about this establishment!