Heaven on Seven Wabash

What a unique place! Funky interior. Super-​friendly staff. Made us feel welcomed immediately. Could tell some patrons were regulars, always a good sign.
Had the gumbo, jalapeño cornbread, fried shrimp, and Louisiana crab cakes. Tons of food for the price, plenty to share. Love the assortment of hot sauces.
Took home a piece of the chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Too stuffed to try it now. Guessing that it will taste like ‘happy’.
(sorry for the Arrested Development line)

Been here twice for lunch and absolutely love every bit of it.
Best Cajun/​Creole/​Southern I’ve had in Chicago.
Food we had:
Gumbo (possibly best in the world!)
Corn Bread
Oyster Po-​boy
Shrimp Po-​boy
Shrimp & Grits
Bit of everything from the Bayou (Red beans/​black beans/​collard greens/​étouffée)
Ice box lime (for dessert)
Everything, absolutely everything was spot on delicious. My Southern friend commented that the gumbo and ice box lime tasted like how her Grandmother would make it. My personal favorite was the collard greens. I had the best greens at «Loveless» café near Nashville but this one beats it hands down & is now my number 1. The male wait staff was such a lovely delight.
He explained everything on the menu impeccably and even recommended for us to try the shrimp with the house special angel dust.
Not to mention, this is «Hot Sauce» haven. Hot sauce of a gazillion kinds everywhere, on the tables on the walls. If you’re a hot sauce lover, you just have to come see for yourself.
The décor sets you way down south in New Orleans, like it’s mardi gras every day!
It’s a pity they don’t open for dinner Mon to Wed and I will be returning over and over again.
A must try for Southern food lovers! Even if you’re not, you would be a convert.

One of the only Cajun places I’ve encountered since I’ve moved to Chicago so I had to check it out. Went with some work friends for lunch and it was quite the experience. The space is very cozy and decorated for Mardi Gras. We actually went the week prior to Mardi Gras, but I assume the décor is like that year round. Two of the walls are adorned with different hot sauces from all over, literally HUNDREDS of small bottles. Very charming and definitely brought the NOLA atmosphere to Chicago.
We all started off with the gumbo and it received universal praise in our party. I got the Oyster Po Boy and it was very good. A bit too much breading on the fried oysters, but they were still tender and not rubbery at all. Others in my party enjoyed the Voodoo Chicken which seemed to be a hit. Our waiter was very friendly and made sure we were taken care of.
Overall, decent food — not nearly as good as the Cajun places I’ve been to in Houston and New Orleans. Price seemed a bit steep. For the Po Boy, gumbo, and just tap water, it came out to about $ 20. Also this place does NOT take credit cards, but they do have an ATM inside, so come prepared! Not sure I’d be back unless I had a serious craving for Cajun.

I’m astounded that there are negative reviews for Heaven on Seven; just recently my friends and I paid our first visit and not only did we leave fully sated, but just plain happy all around. Had a great experience here.
The décor and ambiance alone were hits for me, as was our server — wish I could remember her name — but she had a fantastic personally, was fun to be around, and took awesome care of us. We’re kind of a rough and tumble bunch, and after the gatekeeper in the lobby sized us up and granted us entry, we were treated like royalty. It was as if we were the only diners there for dinner that night.
Beverage-​wise, my iced tea was phenomenal. «Well Sol, you can get an iced tea anywhere, right?» Not so. Not like this. Mine came with a lemon wedge that may as well have been the size of my fist. As a confirmed citrusophile, this scored some major points with me. We all noshed on some fried jalapeño cheddar cornbread for our starter, and that pepper gave me a kick in the seat. (That’s a plus here)
Ignore the haters spewing venom over the Jambalaya, as it was amazing. Fresh ingredients, flavor galore, touch down! Gumbo was also outta this world, they didn’t skimp on the Andouille. I also sampled my bud’s red beans and rice, which were very pleasing on the ol’ palate.
Long story short, I love Heaven on Seven, and definitely will be back. Props too for the old school cash register, I was mesmerized by the thing.

one of the awesome lunch places for lunch in the loop… if it was just judging on the food quality i would consider it a 3.5 stars, but given the other lunch choices in the loop, i would definitely upgrade it to a 4 star
i loved the gumbo there, and they are quite generous with the amount of sausages in there, which i really liked… and the spicy taste is just right. the portion is great too, would definitely go back for more!

Ok so I love Cajun food and especially fried catfish. This place cannot provide either of the two. The food is just gross. My fish wasn’t seasoned, my greens were sweet because they add brown sugar to them, and my red beans and rice were bland and extremely pasty. One of the worse Cajun meals I have ever had.
The staff is very nice, they took my meal off of the bill. But they need to travel to New Orleans to taste real southern food because this IS NOT it.
Don’t even get me started on the décor or the fact that they didn’t have heat! I guess all the hot sauce is suppose to keep you warm! Never again!

Came here during lunch with some coworkers… wasn’t too crowded, cute place, and very festive. However, the dish I ordered was not good — The Mardi Gras Jambalaya. Didn’t like the sweet greens, way too much beans, and a small portion of the jambalaya. I couldn’t eat it & had to send it back. I gave them 3 stars since the waitress did take it off the bill and had a taste of my coworker’s dish, which was pretty good — Grilled shrimp and braised beef over grits.
I would give this place a try again, but definitely not the Mardi Gras Jambalaya.

Great Cajun style cuisine! The shrimp and grits were the best I’ve had since Hyman’s Seafood in Charleston, SC. The gumbo was very good too, and I believe it comes with every meal. Get it with a jalapeño cheddar cornbread muffin… it’s a great combination. Huge hot sauce collection.
Prices are fantastic too… it’s a great value, especially for downtown Chicago. Cash only though… know that going into it.

Best Cajun spot in Chicago. I used to go to the Michigan Ave location, but could never get to the Wabash spot due to my schedule. So I finally returned and was reunited with my favorite gumbo. The title, «best gumbo outside of New Orleans», does not seem like an exaggeration. I strongly suggest you try it.

Inside an office building on the 7^th floor is this much needed restaurant. While sipping a Cajun Long Island ice tea our party ordered fried pickles which turned out to be really delicious. The batter tasted like corn meal, the same stuff they fry their catfish in but wasn’t too thick and was served with a big bowl of some kind of creamy ranch-​like sauce. The Cajun long island was a one and done kind of drinks. I’m not sure if it was because I hadn’t eaten much all day, the fact that the drink came out in a mason jar the size of a fish bowl, or if the bartender was just being generous that night, but I had one and was nice and buzzed. Well worth the price.
I ordered a shrimp and oyster po boy and had mixed feelings about it. When I first saw it, I figured it was an open faced sandwich because I couldn’t find the top bun and actually started eating it with my knife and fork until I discovered that the tiny top bun was just hidden underneath the 4lbs of shredded lettuce. The bread that they chose was tiny. It was probably just mine but the bun was smaller than the average cell phone with sauce on the side. The taste of the seafood, however, was good with way more fried shrimp than oyster. I only had 3 oysters but the taste was pretty spot on and was fried perfectly.

I love coming to Heaven on Seven on Wabash, once again our waiter Guido was unbelievably masterful in describing the menu, in fact today he convinced 3 out of the 4 of us to choose a different entrée, i of course stuck with my favorite «Angry Pasta» but i think im going to change to something different on my next visit, if you decide to go to Heaven on Seven be sure to sit in Guido section, so you to can enjoy the mouth watering descriptions of the specials you will not be disappointed.

Ate lunch in Heaven the other day. Hmmmm good.
The Gumbo was to die for, will be back for more.
The Jambalaya was fantastic too. The food was very filling and provided me with enough energy to last the rest of the day.
When I die, I know I’m going to Heaven. I’m going for the GUMBO !!!

I don’t understand why people love this place. The only thing that I enjoy here is the jalapeño cheddar corn bread and jumbo. Everything else is not impressing my taste buds or feminism get me of the awesome cuisine I had in New Orleans.
Reminds me of a fast food version of creole cooking. Not authentic at all.
When are they ever going to take the time to remodel?
When the last time they cleaned the wall of hot sauces or replaced the old decorations?

This is a happy little place in the Loop for lunch. Hidden on the seventh floor of 220 Wabash, this feels like it transports you to New Orleans, so it is a great little escape from the work day. The food is great, but the ambiance is the selling point. The walls are lined with hot sauce bottles and Louisiana posters. They always have Mardi Gras streamers hanging from the roof, regardless of the time of year.
CASH ONLY. There is an ATM in the restaurant, but it is not bank affiliated and charges a $ 3 fee.
The food is tasty and the portions generous. I got an oyster po-​boy ($ 12.99), which comes with an option of a side salad, soup, or red beans and rice. I chose the soup option, which had the flavor profile of red beans and rice. You could taste the seafood stock, which had a great flavor. It was thickened with some flour, so the soup had the consistency of gravy. Thick, but tasty.
The oyster po-​boy came on the traditional hoagie with a tomato and iceberg lettuce. The oysters were well prepared– crisp cornmeal crust, but not overcooked to lose that delicate oyster flavor. It comes with a side of slaw and a side of the honey jalapeño dressing. I wished that they had made a strong remoulade available instead of the side of dressing.
My escape from work!

I have been to Heaven on Seven before, but up until last week I hadn’t been to this particular location. I’ve been missing out– I prefer this one to the Rush location. It’s a nostalgic place for us, since we had our first date there some four years ago.
It’s located on the seventh floor (see what they did there?) of the Garland Building, so it’s easy to miss. It’s much quieter than it’s Rush counterpart, which I really found relieving. The décor is cute, with Mardi Gras themed chandeliers and wall hangings, as well as a wall of different hot sauce bottles.
My girlfriend and I came here for the tail end of lunch, and it was nice because we were one of maybe three or four tables. The service was really quick and our waiter was really nice and helpful. My girlfriend ordered Southern Fried Catfish, which came with a bowl of their famous gumbo. It also came with red beans and rice and Cajun coleslaw. I think it hovered somewhere around $ 14. The fish was well seasoned, and was cooked perfectly. The spice didn’t overpower the fish, which was great. The red beans and rice had just the right amount of kick. I ordered the Louisiana Soft Shell Crab Po’ Boy Sandwich which came with Cajun coleslaw and gumbo as well ($ 13.95). This sandwich was amazing. The outside of the crab was perfectly crisp, while still being soft enough to eat without problems (a reoccurring issue I have when getting soft shells). The meat inside was tender and delicious. It was also the first time my girlfriend had ever tried it, and it was kind of funny watching her try and eat a claw, shell and all.
Chef Bannos was there when we ate, and he was super friendly. He came out and made sure that our food was good, and made conversation with us to make sure we were taken care of. If that isn’t good hospitality, I don’t know what is.
The staffs’ shirts all say the same thing: «People who come back from Heaven all say the same thing… try the gumbo!» And they say that with damn good reason. This place is on point, and makes me miss when I got to stay in Louisiana. The gumbo is a must!

I started coming here longer ago than I can remember, but I hadn’t for several years. This summer, however, I’ve already been here four or five times, primarily because it is one of my go-​to places for out-​of-​town visitors (after we get the Chicago staples out of the way – no one in my care is going to leave without eating a Chicago dog, complete with neon relish, a dipped beef or a slice or two of Lou’s).
For my most-​recent visit, I ran a block down Michigan, then Washington and finally the couple doors to the Garland Building; with a Chilean friend trailing me thinking I was crazy; so we could get in the door before 4 pm, when they close until they open for dinner at 5:30.It was between 3:50 pm and 3:55 pm and the security guard on the first floor told us that they were already closed. I asked if we could at least go up & see if we could at least offer us a bowl of gumbo. That’s all I wanted anyway, and what I thought would be best for my guest, who had never had Cajun or Creole food before. A guy getting off the elevator overheard and said that would be fine. I asked if he worked there, and it turned out to be George Banos, the co-​owner.
I decided to just stick to a couple bowls of gumbo; I didn’t want to cut into the chefs’ & servers’ break time. Besides one other table in the restaurant that left soon after, we were the only ones there. And it turned out that the famed Jimmy was there too. He and George were interested in Chile, and we ended up chatting with them a while. I hadn’t realized that Jimmy’s son was in charge of the Purple Pig.
While I’ve had many things on the menu, from various etouffees, po’ boys and hoppin’s to the jambalaya and red beans. But lately, I’ve just wanted the large bowl of gumbo and a jalapeño corn muffin. I love the gumbo enough that I use the white rolls that come with it to wipe the bowl as well as an overly-​engineered windshield wiper on a luxury car. The gumbo was just spicy enough to give my chilena a kick; while I experimented with the different hot sauces on the table and other tables. She’s a bit prim and proper; so I made sure to show her the «Hot Buns on the Beach» and «Hot Bitch on the Beach» varieties. On one other recent visit, I couldn’t find Melinda’s original, one of my favorites, and our waiter actually checked every table until he determined that they were out. Bless his heart!
Besides the food, I love the history of the place. The Banos family was in the restaurant business, and everyone helped out. Then Jimmy went to cooking school. When he came out, they opened a basic «coffee shop» in an unlikely place, on the seventh floor of an office building. Later, he immersed himself in Cajun and Creole cuisines, and history was made. Yet this unassuming original location still stands, looking like someone took their modest dining room and pimped it up for mardi gras.
An always memorable meal for me, but even more so because my amiga chilena raved about the flavors. I didn’t want to start an international incident; so I refrained from telling her that I’d take this over Chilean sea bass any day.
I can attest to their slogan, «People who come back from Heaven all say the same thing… try the gumbo!»

I ate breakfast here for years while working in liop. Hands down, bare none my absolute favorite breakfast spot in entire UNIVERSE!
Jimmy Banos, a legendary chef and his brother George run this long time family establishment and it is outstanding. The trendy Purple pig is owned and operated Jimmy’s son and tou can certainly see where he was influenced.
Get yourself a texas chili cheese omelette, a jalapeño corn muffin and a cup of their super star gumbo. Its a lot of food but its going blow tour taste bud’s mind. I am telling you, you will not be disappointed here my friends.
If i ever given q choice of a last meal on earth — i am gettin my Heaven on 7 ON!!!

I was so bummed when the location on Rush closed recently, and I was sad 7-​ish years ago when the location at Clark/​Cornelia closed (yes, there was one there, and it was delightfully close to home!). But then someone saved the day & told me this was in the Garland Building right by my office?! How did I never know this?
A great lunch option in the Loop… even though it is a «sit-​down» type of place, they get you in and out in no time. There is time for this people, I promise.
Get the shrimp & cheese grits. Thank me later.
Cash only.

My wife and I met family here for lunch. It is a unique atmosphere. It felt good to be there. Fun! They had breakfast — eggs and bacon. We had lunch — gumbo and corn bread. The gumbo was amazing! Corn bread — awesome! (I may have eaten too much though…)
We sat by the window and conversation was easy. Good table space and not too loud.
It is cash only though :(

Heaven on Seven is a must try if you have any connections or liking for New Orleans.
This quaint restaurant is located on the seventh floor of the Garland office building. Just north of Washington on the east side of Wabash. You will enter the lobby area and someone will direct you to the elevator.
Like other reviewers have noted. This is cash only and only open for breakfast and lunch/​late lunch.
The menu is straight from New Orleans with gumbo, jambalaya, po boys, you name it they have it. I had the gumbo as my soup for my seafood jambalaya meal. The serving size is ample and you may be able to skip dinner after having this lunch.
You will be surrounded by everything New Orleans, mardi gras beads, French quarter photos, jazz music, it is awesome. Hot sauce bottles line many of the walls here. They actually have a warning on them telling you not to touch them. Apparently they are so hot and old that they may explode. Don’t worry, they offer 15 – 20 other hot sauce options on each table. These don’t look much safer but you do get the regular Tobasco and Lousiana’s Hot Sauce.
When you are finished with your meal you are presented your check and you can leave your tip at the table and pay for your meal at the front register.
They have a bar seating area for quick single diners and there were also a few people that came in and ordered items to go.
Heaven on Seven is so great that we took a day off just to come try it out. I am glad we did. The next time I am here I am going to have to get a hurricane to see if this place is truly New Orleans. I will just have to remember that I can’t walk out with it down State street like I would on Bourbon.