We ordered in from Creperie Saint Germain. Amazing!!! I don’t know any place where you can get first rate, quality food in carry-in. I ordered the Creperie Steak, absolutely perfectly done, with beef tallow French fries. The Crêpe was melt in your mouth delicious and the steak was exactly how I ordered, medium rare. My husband ordered the Coq au vin, unbelievable, it tasted like we were eating at a five-star restaurant and we were in our home. Thank you Creperie Saint Germain!!!
Mike M.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
This was a thoroughly disappointing experience. Although we were able to get a table right away on a Sunday morning(possibly beating the brunch rush, possibly not taking as a cue to go elsewhere), we had to wait several minutes before receiving menus. After placing our order, it took upwards of 50 minutes to receive our savory crêpe and a croque madame. When the food did arrive, our server said they ran out of the bread they normally use for a croque madame and apologized. Since the whole point of a croque madame is the brioche, it would have been nice to have the option to change my order. The replacement bread had zero sweetness and a doughy texture, not to mention that both of our plates(though hot) held food that were not to temperature. We also couldn’t help but notice that the party that arrived 15 minutes after we did got their food mere moments after us. Although our server was nice enough to comp my unsatisfactory meal, I will not be returning to this place. It is an hour and a half later and I still have a glazy, unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth.
Hayley H.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Evanston, IL
Waited for more than 30min for just three classic crepery. Plain taste, not as even good as the omelet in campus dinning hall.
N S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
My favorite crêpe place in the chicago area. Some of the best crêpe options & the french onion soup is fire. Small place, and is always packed especially on weekend brunch hours; make sure you get there early!
Gigi X.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
First time food sent back. One waitress working on a Saturday afternoon. Sent food back twice. One cook, one busser, one waitress. Then came a birthday party gaggle of more than a dozen. The quality and service were poor prior to their arrival, then got worse. I want to keep recommending this place. I want it to maintain it’s quality and charm.
Hangda Z.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Evanston, IL
Myrtile crêpe is sooooo good. I love mascarpone cheese! It is sweet but not too much. Tastes kinda like concentrated milk, but less sweet and of course much more concrete! The berries are so good. Delivery by grubhub is like 20 min. I feel it is even faster than going to restaurant.
Chris P.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Evanston, IL
We visited on a rather wet & windy Wednesday evening. Only one other table was occupied on our arrival – presumably accounting for the quick welcome and service we received. The waiter/manager was very charming and helpful, and we could see that he was equally attentive to the other guests – including another party who arrived after us. Ambience is quite nice – muted lighting, high ceilings and tasteful/quaint French décor/objects, including a huge Paris Metro map on the wall. I think a simple table candle or bud vase/flower might have added a bit more charm to the table arrangement, which otherwise seemed a little bare and unspecial. The cream of tomato & basil soup was really delicious(and quite decadent, I think) – the only improvement I could suggest would be for it to be a little hotter(perhaps it would have stayed hotter had the bowl been preheated), and for it to be accompanied with a nice hunk of fresh crusty bread. We also had a cheese plate – the cheese was lovely, but I’d say the little sliced rounds of dried bread were a little skimpy, and I’d have preferred instead a portion of bread that was a little more wholesome and fresh. The entrée crêpe with salmon & spinach was very nice – moist, tasty, rich and a good-sized portion. The crêpe with coq au vin was a little less special – the flavors, consistency and texture just didn’t quite work for the crêpe format(kind of ‘stringy’ and mushy), and instead I think it would have been better if instead served as a more traditional casserole cooked in a rich wine sauce with crepes on the side. The glass of ‘house’ Cabernet was pretty good. We both had and enjoyed pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, which arrived in pretty good-sized portions, beautifully presented with chocolate/Nutella decoration. If we’d paid regular prices(this was the ‘Wednesday evening special rate’), I’d have rated this as poor value for money, but as a special, I’d say it was fair, though not great value. Overall, I’d say we were quite happy, with our experience and recommend it for a quiet and relaxing change to the bigger and noisier eating places around town.
Anthony C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Morton Grove, IL
Our first visit on a recent Sunday for dinner. The place is very quaint and charming, complete with some background bistro music playing at a perfect level. Our waiter was attentive and friendly. However, the place was not crowded and it took quite a while to get our food. The food was quite good. We started with a cup of onion soup and the beet & spinach salad. For the savory crepes we had the Puriste(french ham and gruyère cheese in a mornay sauce) and the Forestiere(chicken, onions, spinach and mushrooms in a mornay sauce). The buckwheat crêpe was cooked perfectly and the ingredients were fresh and delicious. The desert crepes were good but we enjoyed the savory crepes better. For drinks they had an 8oz euro bottle of Diet Coke for my wife and I enjoyed a couple of Riessdorf Kolsch beers. They also have a nice selection of ciders. All in all a very pleasant dining experience and we plan on returning soon to sample more of the menu.
Joanna W.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Evanston, IL
For the food, I would totally get this place a 4.5 rating(also because the deliciousness: price ratio is on point at the place) However, the server totally ruined my experience. He was a snobby individual who would repeat everyone’s order in a French accent right after our failed pronunciation. Too much showing off? Also at the end he was really mean when we requested to split the bills. Not okay. Back to the food. I ordered Croque aux Champignons with fries and both items were on point. Combined with mushroom, the whole thing is just sooooooo good. Fries on the other hand and thin and crispy. It comes with garlic aioli, my favorite fries dipping. The whole experience would be pleasant, even though the food took a little long to come out but that’s okay, if not for the server who ruined it. I can’t wait to come back and try their crepes soon!
Alice W.
Rating des Ortes: 3 San Jose, CA
My parents and I decided to come here for brunch before they left me in Evanston, and we were all excited to try the crepes! Unfortunately, our visit was ruined by the service. We stood in the doorway for a good 5 – 10 minutes before a waitress even noticed us, we waited for 20 minutes before receiving menus, we waited for another 20 minutes before giving our orders, and we waited for another 30 – 40 minutes for the food. It’s understandable if there are a lot of customers and it’s a busy time, but even so, the turnaround time should NOT be this long. The crepes would merit 5 stars, but tldr; the food doesn’t matter if the service is bad.
Global G.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Chicago, IL
PROS: 1. Five-Star Service 2. Beautiful Indoor-Outdoor Eating Environments(eclectic and romantic) 3. Affordable & Plenty For Two To Share 3. Decent Street Parking CONS: 1. Food Quality Was Not What I Hoped * Willing to give this one a second chance after I try other places first, and I’ll opt for the crepes next time.
Gspot H.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Ala Moana, Honolulu, HI
The Soup is amazing. Daily organic local. french façade is great. the mushroom chicken crêpe was delicious the Deviled Eggs as an appetizers was delightful
Michael V.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
Went to Creperie Saint Germain with a large group for a work lunch on Friday. We called ahead and asked if they had room for 8 and they kindly held a table for us for about 5 – 10 mins until we got there. There’s a huge map of the Paris metro on the wall along with a lot of artwork and pictures. Some nice outdoor seating as well to take advantage of during the summer months. I wasn’t really feeling the savory crepes so I went with the Croque Madame. Very good! A classic french ham sandwich with cheese melted over it. It came with a generous portion of skinny fries which were also good. It was a large sandwich for only like $ 9 so my wallet was quite satisfied when I left as well. I wanted to try a dessert crêpe but they were a little expensive to tack on to my meal. If you’re in the mood for dessert, or want a Parisian experience in the heart of Evanston, this is a place worth checking into!
Lauren s.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
4 stars for the food and the effort of the servers. We had Tyler, who was clearly overwhelmed(as we’re the other 2 servers) but he was pleasant and professional with each table. The crepes are delicious, but be prepared to wait. We ordered 3 crepes and 1 omlette, it took 45 minutes. Dear staffing manager, please bring more help into your kitchen and don’t overwork your servers, your customers would appreciate it. We will return, but probably not on Sunday.
Jarrett N.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Oak Park, IL
Located in downtown Evanston not terribly far from Northwestern University, this restaurant offers a satisfying repast. I’ve lunched here twice with a dear friend, both times on a cold winter day, and left feeling quite toasty and satisfied. The combination of savory crepes and red wine made it hard for me to go back out into the harsh weather. Here are my impressions: Creperie Saint Germain specializes in authentic French crepes of many varieties. The first time I lunched here I ate the steak and crêpe – definitely the right meal to satisfy a hearty winter appetite. Paired with a glass(or two) of Malbec, it will not fail to satiate a ravenous customer. Yesterday I ordered the puriste. A warm ham and Gruyère crêpe topped with a fried egg, the dish was simple yet satisfying, France on a plate. When I cut into it, the yolk from the egg ran down the crêpe and combined with the melted cheese of the crêpe to create a silky, seductive sauce. The dish was accompanied by a plain mixed green salad tossed with a light and flavorful vinaigrette. I happily finished every bit of food on that plate and complimented the chef. Our waiter, a soft-spoken young man who speaks perfect French, tended to our every need. From the brief exchange we had, I gather his grandfather is in some way connected to the restaurant(A chef? An owner? A patron?). I got the impression that the waiter is a true Francophile, which impressed me. Not only was he knowledgeable about the menu but he conveyed his knowledge of various regions of France and which items on the menu derived from those specific regions. This young man isn’t a guy grunting through his shift until a better job comes along. He is thoroughly invested in French culture, cuisine and the success and reputation of Creperie Saint Germain. His presence alone makes me want to return to the restaurant. Never shrug off, in this era of lousy piss-poor service, a waiter who actually gives a damn. To that end, I wish the décor of the restaurant matched its wonderful food and service. Perhaps I’m affected by cultural stereotypes, or I’ve been spoiled by the various cafes and brasseries I’ve dined at in France, Luxembourg and Canada, but when I patronize an establishment that specializes in French cuisine I expect a modicum of posh. The French appreciate simple elegance and I wanted to see more charm and finery in Creperie Saint Germain: violets in bud vases, Chopin or Billie Holiday on the stereo, a plain ceramic bowl filled with sugar cubes instead of a metal orb stuffed with packets of sugar and sugar substitute. I think if the owner would swap out the existing décor and make just a few choice alterations the restaurant would be all the better for it. From the raft of reviews of this restaurant, I surmise that Creperie Saint Germain has not been, shall we say, all things to all people; in fact, this restaurant seems to be something of a Rorschach test with different patrons reporting wildly different experiences. Each person’s experience is true for her or him. Speaking only for myself, I can report that I find Creperie Saint Germain a charming little French restaurant, perfect for a couple or a small group at lunch. Come here for a tasty meal with a friend as I did and wrap yourselves up in scintillating conversation. And indulge in a glass of wine. After all, it is a French restaurant.
Catherine Z.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Evanston, IL
Crêperie Saint Germain is a 3-year-old French crêperie, inspired by Brittany, France, where the French pancake became popular. The restaurant’s menu emphasizes«fresh ingredients through simple, flavorful combinations» and their crêpes are made with buckwheat and wheat flours! I’ve heard great things about this place from my friend Natalie, so my friend Kenton and I decided to visit one Saturday afternoon. Here, they offer a brunch deal until 1:30, in which $ 8 will get you a crêpe from their brunch menu as well as a serving of fries, salad, or fruit. The first thing I noted is that this place is not the best for large groups. I think its perfect for brunch dates or a small family gathering. You’d go there with a parent, friend, or loved one to have a lovely conversation amid the moderate voice level. Sadly, Crêperie Saint Germain does not accept reservations, which mildly devastates me. You see, the restaurant is small; I’d estimate that it could only hold ~20, including a teeny-tiny bar space for 3 – 4. When I went, during early afternoon on a Saturday, there were two very hardworking waiters juggling a full house. They would consistently let you know if food was running late, or if they had something big to deal with for another table. While the place is so small that you might miss it if you walked by too quickly, you’ll quickly come to appreciate all of the thought that goes into the interior design once you walk in. This place is super cute and brunchy, with a soft yellow paint job, padding on the ceiling, with a huge map of a Parisian subway on one wall and a collection of French paintings and photos on the other. I ordered coffee($ 3), which our waiter brought to me in a French press. For a light brew, he said to wait 2 minutes, and for a dark brew, 4 minutes. Of course, I waited for 4. I’ve never poured my own coffee from a French press before! My Croque Madame was delicious. For $ 9, I got ham, Gruyère, and Mornay sauce(cream sauce with cheese) on toasted brioche, topped with a fried egg, served with stoneground mustard and with fries or salad on the side. Of course, I opted for the shoestring fries over the mixed greens. They tasted as if they were rolled in salt, but were otherwise crispy and hit the spot, served with a simple aioli. And because I needed something sweet to balance out the savory, I also ordered the Marquis crêpe($ 6), a chocolate crêpe filled with dark chocolate ganache, topped with white chocolate sauce and a few strawberries, which sadly tasted less than fresh. I had crossed my fingers for a crisp crêpe, and alas! Crêperie Saint Germain delivered. The crêpe was not soggy. It was a tad bit too sweet, however, and could have used more fruit to offset the richness of the chocolate. Read the full review on my food blog!
Tony T.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
If i could give 0 stars, i really would. Came here for a saturday brunch. Waiter had selective manners, attending to customers who sat down after us. Food took a long time, we were the last to get served. Waiter also made it clear that we werent welcome. He was chatting with all the other customers and did not come by again after taking our order. Very snobbish and off putting. Food is overpriced. We ordered the steak and crêpe, and the normande crêpe. The steak was actually well prepared but the crepes were a complete miss. Temperature was not right, the goat cheese filling was over salted. For the normande, we ordered a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That ice cream tasted like generic Centura grocery ice cream. I wouldnt come here for free. Disgusting service with disgusting food.
Hae Sang P.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
This was the worst lunch ever. Usually I don’t leave a bad review on Unilocal,but this restaurant was absolutely horrible. I went to the restaurant with my friend and both of us pissed off because of the service and food. First of all, the server was pretty rude and slow. He came to the table after we called him several times to take the order. Also the way he talks was not very friendly at all. Second we don’t like their food at all. The steak and crêpe with goat cheese was way too salty. The dessert crêpe with ice cream(we added extra ice cream) came with cheap quality of ice cream. On top of that the dessert crêpe that is supposed to be warm wasn’t warm at all. I wish i can give a zero or minus star for this restaurant. I will never go back.
Leo B.
Rating des Ortes: 3 New York, NY
Food = amazing Service = European or not manners exist. The staff mess up orders on the regular and have as much attitude as tim gunn on project runway. The owner personally chased us for not giving a significant tip(because he refused to let us pay with multiple credit cards) — once again, college town. Whatever happened to the customer is always right? Whatever I probably will never go back but I will miss those Nutella strawberry crepes and omlettes.
Matt R.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Evanston, IL
Having no idea what to expect here(and expecting it to be basically crappy based on other reviews), I stepped into Creperie Saint Germain. Walking in you see the equivalent of a tiny quaint coffeeshop with some french pastries or roughly equivalent. What you don’t see is a little bit of the mystery inside. Obviously there is a french theme going here(Thus the name), and the food/drink/espresso matches accordingly. The style is very much crepes(obviously). That doesn’t just mean dessert/sweet crepes, but also savory and/or meat crepes. I had a ratatouille style crêpe consisting of all vegetables, which on first glance looked extremely small. Maybe it’s just the style of how crepes end up. However, it mostly filled me up — even though it was such a tiny looking crêpe. I also ended up having a dessert crêpe with grand marnier, which turned out quite good. So overall, this place seems to be like this: The food is pretty decent It’s overpriced The inside looks a bit dated and/or bland, aside from the french theme on the walls. I don’t think anyone would hate this location but I don’t think someone would be unbelievably amazed with it either. If you’re looking for crepes this is a good location but I don’t think this place would be anywhere near a priority to go back to. It’s just«Eh, ok.» Also there’s not that many vegetarian options.