Posted by mrstipre on Sep 7, 2010 1:36:07 PM

how strange that all but one of these bad reviews came from the same person

Posted by revues on Aug 26, 2010 5:37:53 AM

Just wanted to give Soe another chance, our first was awful last month. OMG what a mistake. All my friends and that’s 100s I grew up around here my Husband and myself will never return to this Swill Pit! RABBIT soup??? A two hour wait. This place used to be our favorite and have the best soups in the Tri-state area. What a stupid and horrible mistake! You use people to get up and very successful. Then change everybody so you can make more money. How are your NUMBERS now John V? I am positive that you have seen a major decline. If it's not broke don't fix it poop brain. This used to be our favorite place You ruined that with your big city blindness. I would like to give the credit former Chef of this place the Kudos’ he deserves. He have maintained the highest standards and was a real CHEF. Rich Full Flavors and presentation always a thrill and splendor. Unlike that Sous chef guy that's floundering all over. But will never bring this restaurant back to par. It so sad when the owners don’t value the actual people that made the business successful. You all have a sins!

Posted by excustomer on May 20, 2010 7:45:22 PM

This restaurant sucks!!! It has now a chef that has very little talent. His history is in pickling ! That's right canning foods making dill pickles. Has no real restaurant experience. He lied his way into his position. Then fired all the employees and replaced them. With what... all his talentless friends from Chicago that were out of work just like him. The new head server Margo has no people skills. Wait staff that is slow and not very good at all.

Posted by excustomer on May 20, 2010 7:43:51 PM

These changes are the biggest mistake Soe Cafe has ever made. A chef with little to no talent. Inferior service and novice managment with no people skills. The food is Very Bad and takes forever to get, just to be let down. Business decisions that are unfeeling and money oriented are just bad business. These changes will be this restaurants undoing. We just want the old Soe back. We live less than a mile away and will never be back again. As a Chicago person I know that most of us care little about the locals, but I do. Shameful acts like firing locals to bring in untalented Chicago people just to lower cost. May cost alot more than you think. I tell everyone I know about Soe Cafes' huge mistake and urge them not to go there.

Posted by excustomer on May 20, 2010 7:42:33 PM

Be prepared for disappointment. The old Soe cafe was really great and the new owners have "gone local" in their menu selections, which is short-hand for limited items. Our family has been here 3 times since the new owners took over and each time has been an exercise in futility. This type of menu works in Chicago if you are dining on West Randolph street and a really superior chef is in control, but that is not the situation here. The wine selection is very limited, which is unfortunate. This restaurant, which used to be one of our favorites, is now on our list of places to avoid.

Posted by excustomer on May 20, 2010 7:42:10 PM

Sorry to say, I feel this place will hit a brick wall before the end of the season. Not only do they not have a clue about this community, they lack basic knowledge of the restaurant business, especially the front of the house. It is a shame because it is a nice room.

Posted by excustomer on May 20, 2010 7:39:06 PM

It's sad but true all of it.

Posted by excustomer on May 20, 2010 7:37:30 PM

This place has really gone down hill. We used to go to Soe at least 4-5 times a week. But sadly we won't be back. Cold life less atmosphere as though the life has been drained out of Soe. The menu not at all appealing and a little wierd. Food had taken a very long time. Nobody in our party liked anything. In fact we went to another restaurant. That same eve because everyone was still hungry. It is sad to see our favorite restaurant stumbling and take such a downward spiral! Very saddened... These changes are the biggest mistake Soe Cafe has ever made. A chef with little to no talent. Inferior service and novice managment with no people skills. The food is Very Bad and takes forever to get, just to be let down. Business decisions that are unfeeling and money oriented are just bad business. These changes will be this restaurants undoing. We just want the old Soe back. We live less than a mile away and will never be back again. As a Chicago person I know that most of us care little about the locals, but I do. Shameful acts like firing locals to bring in untalented Chicago people just to lower cost. May cost alot more than you think. I tell everyone I know about Soe Cafes' huge mistake and urge them not to go there. Avoid the 'New' Soe Cafe - We have been going to Soe for years and have LOVED it - as a matter of fact, I re-proposed to my wife there for our 15 year anniversary. I am 100% on-board with the previous reviews...until last night. Apparently there are new owners and a new menu. Others may remember the great soups and salads even before you get to the phenomenal selection of entrees. Now...there are 4 items under 'Main Menu' - all very unmemorable. To say things are limited would be a huge understatement. We ordered burgers for the younger kids off the main menu (a safe bet we thought) - just plain (one with cheese). The burgers came out smothered in toppings, so we scrapped it all off...frustrating..but not a big deal. Then we cut them in half...OMG..they were RAW inside. That was when we finally gave up - the chef came out and said they were medium (I have never heard of red=medium). He also said the new menu was 'refined' and 'not ignorant'. Others were sitting at their tables looking at each other wondering what had happened to the menu as well. The chef may think he has made great changes, but ultimately, the customers decide these things. We have always loved Soe - but unfortunately, will never go back - it is NOT the restaurant you see in these other reviews. (these changes were very recent - they told us we were getting the maiden voyage for the new menu).