Le Poulet

Called 1÷27÷2012 and no one answered. Website said it’s temporarily closed.

Winner winner chicken dinner! I recently discovered this small neighborhood French bistro thanks to Groupon and would definitely go back. There’s only a few tables and a bar, so the atmosphere is very cozy without being crowded. The service is very friendly and there were a bunch of regulars there the owner was joking around with.
There menu is very simple and everything is reasonably priced. Plus they’re BYOB! The main thing here is their Rotisserie Chicken, but they do have specials written on a chalkboard. I highly recommend getting the Duck Confit if they still have it, since it’s popular and they do run out. The owner actually wiped it off the specials board right after I ordered it. It was fall of the bone tender, as it should be, and the red wine reduction sauce was perfect for dipping each bite into.
I of course tried the Rotisserie Chicken, which is the house specialty and is a bargain at $ 5.95. It’s served with a crisp refreshing slaw and a side of your choice. The chicken was super moist and I loved the well seasoned crisp skin.
If I’m in the area and looking for some tasty grub, to Le Poulet I shall go!

I had a LivingSocial deal for Le Poulet. The fine print said to call and make a reservation and don’t forget to mention the LS deal. So I did just that as the hubby and I jumped in the car to head over. The guy that answered had a French accent, I liked that. It set the tone that this would be some good French inspired cuisine. He told me no need for a reservation. It wasn’t until we arrived that I realized why. We were the only one’s there.
It was a super cute little restaurant. The menu was written on the chalkboard wall. Pretty simple menu and most everything was about $ 7 – 9, there were a few specialty dishes that were more. The hubby went with the ½ rotisserie chicken with lemon & dill slaw and a side of red skinned mashed potatoes. I went with the chicken panini, it came with fresh French fries. While we waited for our order a few people came in for carryout orders… but still we were the only one’s there. It was 5:30 on a Saturday night, either the neighborhood is dead or there is some steep competition nearby. Either way, we didn’t mind.
The food arrived hot. My fries were literally right out of the deep fry because they looked overly saturated in grease and were unsalted. They needed table salt ASAP, without it they were just greasy and flavorless carbs. I let them sit a bit so the salt and grease could soak in or run off them. Maybe I haven’t had fries in a while, but the oil seemed to taste different than any fries I’ve ever had. My panini was okay… while the crust was crisp it was also pretty greasy too. I traded most of my fries for some of the hubby’s slaw and red skin mashed potatoes. His taste buds don’t care about anything but the fact that they were fries. The slaw was interesting because of the dill, I wasn’t a super big fan. The potatoes were awesome tho… and I snagged some rotisserie too which was very moist and flavorful.
For dessert we split a crème brûlée and a chocolate mousse. The crème brûlée was A-​mazing. Smooth and creamy vanilla bean custard with a crunchy caramelized sugar crust. The mousse was rich and fluffy with small pieces of dark chocolate throughout, a really nice surprise that rocked my taste buds. I still cannot decide which I liked better and would order both again in a heartbeat… they were only $ 3.50 each. Beat that.
Overall it was a really nice and super affordable dinner… especially with the BYOB factor.

I would love if I had a place like Le Poulet in my neighborhood. It’s a cute little place. One downfall of it being so small is if you get seated by the door on a cold night, you’re going to get that draft over and over.
Service was super friendly and attentive. The italian sodas are amazing! I couldn’t get enough of the strawberry pop! I wish we knew it was BYOB before going though! I totally would have brought a bottle of wine along.
I had the Duck Confit special for $ 14.95. It was very moist and tender, so delicious. It was served with asparagus which was very fresh and cooked just right. It was also served with mashed potatoes with red skins right in there — some of the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had! I could have eaten just a bowl of those!
I tried my friend’s Rotisserie Chicken which is a special of theirs and just $ 5.95! Such a good deal! Again the meat was cooked well, very moist and delicious.
This place was very homey and the food made me think of Thanksgiving! It was a fantastic meal and I would absolutely go back again.

Came to this place for dinner as suggested by Unilocal.Didn’t know quite what to expect, the menu is very small, and they seem to specialize in rotisserie chicken take out. Was this going to be a good place for dinner? Is there table service? Are there other entrees besides sandwiches?
I was pleasantly surprised! The owner/​server was extremely friendly and talkative, we learned a bit about his story and the story of the restaurant (I guess he’s a lawyer in the daytime). I ordered their special, Duck Confit, served with sauteed asparagus, mashed potatoes, and a port wine sauce. The duck was tender, the sauce seemed a bit thin and watery, but it tasted good when it soaked into the potatoes. Also tried some crepes, and Beef Bourguignon, which was descent, looked delicious, tasted good but a bit dry.
We tried three desserts: Chocolate Mousse, Crème Brulee, and a plum pastry. All were very delicious; simple, but nearly perfectly made. Overall, a very enjoyable experience, intimate seating, BYOB, and got to chat with the owner. Place is very new, modern, yet the food is a comfort french and American. I’ve certainly had better food in other parts of Chicago, but I could not have felt any more welcome than I did here.

Charming little place where you dont expect
we had dinner there recently using groupon and found the food very good (we tried the rotisserie chicken and duck and ended with crème brûlée)
the owner was very personable and you feel like you are part of the family even if its your first time there
BYO makes it a great deal too!

I agree with other users who say the restaurant is a great addition to the neighborhood. Overall, a great experience with a friendly wait staff who are quite knowledgeable about the menu, very courteous and attentive, and very friendly.
I have dined there twice, trying both the rotisserie chicken and the duck confit. Both dishes were very tender, falling off the bone when you touched it, and incredibly flavorful.
The atmosphere is that of a small bistro. Very comfortable to sit and enjoy. The restaurant is very clean and the owners definitely take great pride in the place.
If you have not tried it yet, definitely give it a shot. It’s a welcome change to get premium meals at a very reasonable price.
Parking is readily available within steps of the restaurant.

Wow, this is a great addition to the neighborhood. I picked up a Groupon for Le Poulet a while back and finally got around to using it. I’m sorry I waited so long.
The chicken sandwich is delicious and the fries are quite tasty. The ½ chicken was flavorful and the mashed potatoes were awesome. The crème brûlée was also quite good. I had an iced tea to drink but my wife ordered an Italian soda. I will be ordering one of those every time from now on.
The menu isn’t huge but the food is very straightforward and made with care. I am looking forward to returning to Le Poulet and trying the rest of their selections.

I just moved to the neighborhood and was delighted to find this place only two blocks from my house. I took a break from cleaning out the — uhhh — vintage basement, complete with orange shag carpet — to walk over for a bite to eat for myself and the guy painting the house. This is really a pretty little café. The décor is warm and inviting, and I was greeted by Joanna upon entering. I ordered a chicken panini for myself and a beef sandwich for the painter. Because a beef sandwich sounds like something a guy would appreciate. :)
While waiting for our food, Joanna and I struck up a conversation. I mentioned we had just moved into the neighborhood and she said they had too. I told her the menu looked fab and I was excited to try it all. She gave me a coupon for $ 5 off my next order — also available on their website –, and told me they’d love to see us back.
Our food was ready in no time and as she handed me the bag, she said, «I put a piece of cake in, too. Welcome to the neighborhood.»
Okay, so OBVIOUSLY this is a pretty, charming little place with pretty, charming proprietors.
But how was the food?
Oh.
My.
Goodness.
The chicken panini was piled with delicious, juicy, white meat chicken. Throw in some red peppers and a sauce I can’t identify but would kill for and some melted Swiss cheese on a toasted sourdough and you’ve got one of the best sandwiches in Chicago. The sandwich was big — too big to eat in one sitting even after moving orange shag carpet all morning. The side of hand cut, actual potato-​tasting French fries completed a reallyreallyreallyreally enjoyable lunch.
I didn’t ask the painter if I could taste his sandwich — though I considered it — but he stuck his head out the window (I was sitting outside on the patio eating) and said, «MAN, THIS IS A REALLY GOOD SANDWICH!»
I can only assume he speaks the truth.
The cake was good also — a moist vanilla cake with cherries.
I know that Dunning is a working class neighborhood with old school Chicagoans, and that’s what makes it a great place to live.
I hope the old timers are not put off by the fancy French name and the word «bistro» because this is really just a down to earth, cozy, AFFORDABLE little sandwich place. Here’s the deal: you can either go to the same old same old fast food joints and get two greasy sandwiches and wilted fries or you can get two warm, delicious, fresh sandwiches and hand-​cut to order fries from here — for about the same price.
Please, please, for the love of Julia Child, support this place!
We can walk here, fellow Dunningites! (If you want to drive, parking is ample. Another reason to love this ‘hood.) And it’s BYOB with no corkage fees!
Try it once. You’ll be hooked.
Pretty sure I am.

My neighbor recommended this place to me and she said it was fabulous. And after trying a number of her recommendations I had no reason to think otherwise about this place. I should also note that I don’t often complain about food. However, I’m not sure if we came on a particularly bad day or what but the food was awful. The mashed potatoes were too salty to eat (one bite each was all we can handle) and I love mashed potatoes. Damn shame. Same deal with the chicken. It was dry and salty. And TINY! We all laughed because it looked like a pigeon. The fries were definitely old. Ew. Not edible. I’m hoping we just got this place on the day the chef was stoned but I’m hesitant to try it unless of course I’m stoned too. Sorry, I hate saying anything mean about anyone or any place but it really was that awful.

People, you have a real gem here and you should get out there and support it.
My wife and I went on a Groupon and ordered a Ceasar Salad and whole rotisserie chicken, which came with Cole Slaw and two side dishes.
EVERYTHING was better than expected!
There was soft French music playing in the background. It was quiet, well appointed and pleasant. As to the food, the salad was well crafted with home made croutons and the proper hint of anchovie. The chicken was meaty and actually well seasoned and the skin was on the crispy side. The french fries were FRENCH FRIES – hand cut-​cooked to order in peanut oil and very tasty. Cole slaw was finished with dill and a good clear dressing. AMAZING to find a restaurant in the inexpensive category that actually can prepare great, fresh cooked food.
These stars aren’t Everest Room or Charlie Trotter stars, but you can’t get a superb meal for two (and enough to take home for the next day) for $ 23.00 at Trotters, now, can you?
If you scan the other reviews, everyone who has been there has liked it and the only criticism was mild. That’s unheard of.
We were alone in the restaurant at 7:00 p.m. on a Thursday night, which is unconscionable, but it was 95 degrees out and the City was somewhat of a ghost town. AGAIN, SUPPORT THIS PLACE. I want it to be there the next time I go and it needs people to discover it and be rewarded with a really good, inexpensive meal served by a friendly proprietor who knows what he’s doing and needs our help to continue to do it.

From the outside, this place doesn’t look like much, but wow! Cozy, yet modern interior, and friendly staff. We started with the French onion soup, delicious! The rotisserie chicken was tender and juicy, and tasty! The beef bourguignon left a bit to be desired though. It was bland. Crème brûlée was good! Get the homemade italian soda as well. Refreshing on a hot day.

A really great restaurant in a really blah neighborhood (I should know, I live here). Decided to check it out one day and was really pleased. It was a Saturday evening, around 6, only one other (large) party in the place. A man who (I’m pretty sure) is the owner told us to sit anyway, generally was pretty conversational. He sat down with us for a few minutes to take our order and then sat down with us again when we were done to talk about the business. I had the crepes, which were pretty good. Mom had the chicken sandwich (the BLT I think) and I tried a bit — it was REALLY really good. The veggie side was really good (I think I was just hungry when I ate it). I had the Chocolate Mousse for dessert — it was PHENOMENAL. There were actual bits of chocolate in it, it was absolutely wonderful. Not sure if it’s a special or now a regular item, either way, I still have dreams about it.
If you have time, I’d recommend eating inside, as the staff/​owner/​waiter (unless they added more!) is really nice. He really makes you feel like you’re with a friend, instead of just at some impersonal restaurant. It’s a bit small inside, though, so a lot of people carry out. Either way, get yourself some of this chicken. The food here is really good, is what i’m saying.

I ate at this restaurant tonight and had the BEST rotisserie chicken EVER! It was very juicy and tender and hate excellent flavor; parfait! I also had the slaw and it was good for being coleslaw.
Ok, now the crème brûlée: decadent. it had a great creamy texture and the crust on the top was perfectly crunchy and not too thick.
The ambiance is quite French and very quaint; I felt like I was eating in someone’s house rather than a restaurant.
The service was also good; the owner (I assume) was very helpful and friendly.
The only down side is the location; I am a selfish Lakeview dweller, so I wish it were closer to me.
Great place; definitely check it out!

What a great addition to this boring neighborhood. I walked in and felt like I was transported to a different world. It’s so cozy inside and the staff is super cool. The guy who I think is the owner sat down with us for a minute and chatted about the Bulls and of course the menu.
I had the quarter rotisserie chicken with slaw and a side and a bowl of french onion soup. The size of the quarter chicken wasn’t enough for me but I was really hungry. It’s a good kids portion and so juicy and flavorful. They also make a chicken sandwich with their rotisserie chicken that is fabulous. The slaw was excellent. It’s lemon, dill, and shredded cabbage; not the typical boring mayo stuff like at every other restaurant. The veggie side was OK. Nothing to write home about.
Here’s the one small turn off: the soup comes out first in these big french country ceramic bowls with a hand painted roosters on them and then the entrees come out in red baskets and the sides in Styrofoam cups. It kind of changed the tone of the meal. Am I over thinking this? Of course this would in no way prevent me from coming back! It was just a little unfitting.

This quaint little restaurant just opened up in our neighborhood. Finally a new place to eat close to our home that isn’t a diner or a pizza place. It has about 10 tables and the owners/​cooks are super friendly. Very cozy inside with a nice café feel, and BYOB if you want to go with friends and watch games on the large tv. Three of us ordered homemade italian sodas and three meals (one of us had a half of a rotisserie chicken and two sides) and it was only 27 bucks. The chicken is seasoned and tender… and this is coming from someone who doesn’t usually prefer meat… I didn’t add chicken in my crêpe and I will definitely order a dish with chicken the next time! I tried my father’s slaw and mashed potatoes and prayed he wouldn’t finish them because they were unique and delicious. My husband and I already planned our next meals for our next visit… I’ll get the empanadas and macaroni and cheese (and maybe one of each side to taste!) We’re excited to take friends and family here when they visit from out of town.