Chicago Speakeasy leans on steak, prime rib and tradition

The overall read

Chicago Speakeasy carries a 4.5 Google rating from more than 2,500 reviews, a substantial body of feedback that points to a well-established Des Moines steakhouse with a loyal following. Public reviews most often celebrate the beef, particularly the prime rib and steak de burgo, while the cozy atmosphere and traditional salad bar reinforce its old-school appeal.

The sample feedback is not uniformly glowing. Some diners describe excellent meals and thoughtful service, while others report slow starts, average dishes or a lunch bill that felt high for the experience. That split suggests a restaurant with clear strengths rather than across-the-board consistency. It looks best when treated as a destination for its signature steakhouse staples, not as a guarantee that every plate will land equally well.

What appears to work best

Steak de burgo draws the most enthusiastic praise. Multiple diners describe it as exceptionally tender and full of flavor, including one reviewer who had spent years looking for a version comparable to a favorite from earlier in life. Prime rib also performs well in the feedback, with comments highlighting proper seasoning, tenderness and accurate cooking.

Ribeye received a strong report in a birthday dinner review, while another party loved both its steak and stuffed pork chop. The baked potatoes were praised for arriving piping hot, and garlic potatoes earned approval even from a diner who found them overly buttery. These details indicate that Chicago Speakeasy is at its strongest with straightforward meat-and-potatoes combinations.

The salad bar is another recurring attraction. Several reviewers consider it a defining part of the experience and argue that the restaurant handles this steakhouse tradition well. Not everyone agrees, however. One longtime-curious visitor found the much-discussed salad bar underwhelming. Expectations may matter as much as execution here.

Where experiences vary

Service can be warm and attentive, but the reports show some inconsistency. One birthday group described the staff as exceptionally kind and thoughtful. Another table waited nearly 20 minutes for water after apparently going unnoticed by its server. That kind of opening can color an otherwise solid dinner.

Non-steak choices also receive less dependable feedback. Grilled shrimp was criticized as flavorless, with its rice described negatively, and one lunch customer called the burger average. By comparison, the recurring beef dishes inspire much more specific and convincing praise.

Timing deserves consideration for anyone ordering the stuffed pork chop. One reviewer noted that it takes 40 minutes. Parking also surfaced as a drawback, with a diner saying the restaurant could use more of it.

Verdict

Chicago Speakeasy appears best suited to diners seeking a traditional steakhouse meal rather than a modern or experimental experience. The strongest public-review pattern favors steak de burgo, prime rib, ribeye and the salad bar, with baked or garlic potatoes alongside. The atmosphere is frequently described as cozy or nice, which fits celebratory dinners and familiar comfort-food occasions.

The large 4.5-star rating supports its standing as a dependable local choice, though the sampled reviews advise ordering to its strengths. Steak and prime rib look like safer bets than shrimp or burgers, and diners should allow for possible service delays, limited parking and longer preparation for the pork chop.