P.F. Chang’s

You know, this place REALLY caters to the gluten-​free diner. They have a diverse enough menu. They bring your food out on a special plate with a border, and the servers tell you to make sure that happens. They really try here. So why is this chain not solidly in my rotation? I guess it’s just that everything I’ve ever had here is both really carbohydrate intensive and very, very salty. The décor of this particular location is much brighter than most, due to large windows on two sides of the free-​standing building. The service we had was ok. I’ve come here because it’s a sit-​down restaurant with waiter service that is on the way home from an appointment I have once a year. And the fact that it’s right next to the Crate & Barrel furniture store doesn’t hurt, either. Location, location, location. But the menu doesn’t really entice me, and every time I go, I’m reminded why I don’t come here more often. But if I’m in the mood for super-​salty noodles, here they are.

What happened to this place?! I feel like this specific location has progressively gotten worse and worse throughout the last 3 to 5 years. I can’t recall the specific reasons but I knew it had to do with the food, changing of the menu, service, and how particular meals have changed in how they are prepared. Tonight was my last time ever dining at this location. We ordered a lot of food but 2 items stick out in particular. The hot and sour soup and the Mongolian beef. The hot and sour soup tasted like a bowl full of thick liquid filled with just salt. I remember skimming over the menu and seeing that the Mongolian beef cost $ 17.50, which caught me as a surprise as I’ve been to many other Asian style restaurants where that particular meal is never that high. So I said what the heck, order it. The plate came and all is was was a plate full of green onion and a few pieces of beef. It wasn’t even enough beef for one single grown adult. The only thing this particular restaurant has going for it it’s nice ambience.

I love this place, very good food, and the service was great.

Really upsetting just ordered from them paid extra for extra chicken and my chicken fried rice there was barely any chicken so why you charge people extra if you don’t do it right never going here again worst place ever on top of all that my pick up time was 3:50 and I got there at 3:35 but no my food was cold

Okay, so I used to absolutely love this place. I mean it was my favorite americanized chinese place since forever. I went yesterday for lunch and the food quality just went down the drain. I’m sorry, I was truly disappointed and I used to never have an off experience here. First of all, the hot and sour soup was not hot like it used to be, the flavors were so bland, like what happened to the heat? Where was the spice? Also, it got cool in like 2 minutes which I also didn’t like. I feel like the pot they used to bring it in kept it much hotter.
Okay, so I decided to get the mangolian beef as my lunch portion because that was always a winner in my book. It now had an option for fried rice. Let’s start with the beef, it used to be so much better, the slices were cut up better, these ones I had were huge, chunky and overly chewy. Furthermore, that was not fried rice that I was served. That was simple white rice that had soy sauce on it and no flavor at all, where were the veggies, where was the pieces of egg, that was not fried rice and they also up charge you for fried rice. I should have stuck to my normal brown rice and called it a day. Also, those crab ragoons I used to rave about, most were missing half their filling, where is the crab? They were tiny and not filled enough with the glorious stuff they used to have.
Our server was nice and the atmosphere still remains nice so they get two stars for that, but I’m sad that one of my favorite americanized chinese places went so down the hill food quality wise since I used to tell everyone to come here. Literally, it was our go to place for weekend dates and family celebrations. Not impressed with lunch yesterday.

The service on the evening of Dec 26 2015 was just plain bad. As we came in we were sat on a booth that was next to a large table that had just been violated by small kids. I understand that kids can be messy, but clean up the mess quickly. The crap on the floor remained there from the time we got there till just about the time we left. The staff just had the don’t care attitude; I am guessing the manager had the night off.
More on the bad:
* Plates were not picked up in a timely manner. We piled them up and put them on the edge of the table, but that still was not enough of a clue.
* The timing of the waiter was bad, despite that it was a slow night.
* The dessert that we wanted was not available and we got charged for it.
I am not eating at this location ever again!

They have been very good in the past but tonight was a real disappointment. I ordered the Szechuan Beef and when it arrived, although it looked very good, I found that the first piece of beef was quite dry and chewy. OK I thought, maybe just a tough piece. It turns out that ALL the beef in the dish was the same way. The closest thing I can think of to describe the texture is hard cardboard or the cheap beef jerky you find on a gas station.
One of my dining companions said that the beef in his Beef and Broccoli was the same consistency.
When the waiter came by, I asked him if the beef was supposed to be that way and he said it was.
I told him to take it back and ordered Pepper Beef instead and that was very tasty and the beef was moist and tender.
The moral is that if you want beef jerky in your Chinese food then, by all means order their Szechuan Beef or the Beef with Broccoli.

If I could rate Pf Changs I with no stars, I would rate them. The food was at best mediocre. The shrimp potstickers were strange tasting. The Sichuan beef was like eating jerkie. But, this was not the worst. My granddaughter is highly allergic and this restaurant has been very helpful not tonight.
The waiter did not offer the allergy menu when asked. He was also told to keep my granddaughters food on a separate tray. Nothing was done. All of a sudden she started breaking out in hives
I do not want to go into the discussions with the management
Suffice it to say, their response lacked any caring or concern. Never again

I absolutely love this place! The food is phenomenal with lots of good and healthy options for adults AND kids. The drink menu is also great with their sake selection being fabulous.
The service is always exceptional and I love the fact that THEY pack the food for you right in front of you.

This is an Amazing place for Any occasion the food is always fresh and tastes amazing. The Staff are super friendly and they get to know there customers very well. I’m always greeted with a smile from start to finish. A Special Shout Out to Jessica Goodman for always making the visit more special and personal

Came here for my mothers bday, she loves this place. I personally think its ok. I will admit this is one of the better chain restaurants out there The place looks nice, and you gotta love the big statues outside. The food is standard «psuedo’ chinese, could use more flavor and spice but not bad. The food always takes a while to come out. I recommend doing the dinner for 2 for $ 42 it comes with soup, app, entrée, and dessert.

Ok, I must confess that I despise this place. They dress up the outside and make the locals feel like it is something special, then herd them in and feed them mostly fried, over seasoned, industrial quality, small portioned, Chinesesy kinda food. At this location, the wait staff is always understaffed and what seems like a month or two out of fast food. Yes, this is how I truly feel, and I honestly resent that it is a couple of blocks from our house.
If you want Chinese/​Asian Fusion American food, in an attractive, dine in restaurant, PLEASE drive right around behind Northbrook Court and go to Stir Crazy. A HUGE improvement.
Well there is a little over dramatization here … Some love PFC, I am just not one, and I have been dragged into it twice as of late.

I live near the River North location, however, this is located close to my mother’s house so we decided to try it out with the rest of the family. We came for a 6pm reservation, good thing we set it up because there was a 25 – 30 minute wait for a Sunday evening. Upon entry, the venue is pretty dark, where it was a bit difficult to make out the menu with only a single lit candle at our table and dim mood lighting from above. Note, that this is an Americanized-​Chinese style restaurant; so you won’t get the standard hot tea upon being seated. We ordered the shrimp pot stickers and egg drop soup to start, and led in with the kung pao chicken, mongolian beef, sweet and sour pork, and mapo tofu (all favorites amongst the fam… everywhere we go). Everything was delicious; food was fresh and for how busy it was, our waiter did a great job. Aside from the darker than normal lighting, we had a pleasant dining experience.
Best,
Charlie

Met an old friend at this P.F. Changs for happy hour. We sat at the bar near the TV so we could watch the Cubs game. (They won this one…)
Let’s start with the perplexing. There is not a lot of room to get by the hostess station to enter the bar. The staff seems to congregate there without noticing you when you try to pass. In fairness, they were watching the game. But, they shouldn’t block the way to the bar; they should be more observant of their patrons trying to get past them; but more than that, they should pay enough attention to what goes on around them — like someone almost having to raise their voice to get them to move enough to let you by. I’m afraid that colored the rest of my evening.
They had a number of specials for happy hour. I had a Revolution IPA. Together we ordered three appetizers off the happy hour menu, (1) lettuce wraps, (2) chicken satay and (3) spicy tuna rolls. They were all quite good. But, I can’t get by the initial experience of trying to get in.
Note to management — watch your staff. Even if we think our Cubbies might actually make the playoffs, you have customers. Your staff should be working and not obstructing customers trying to enter. Don’t you agree?

I was a regular at PF but stopped going after they started removing some of my favorite dishes from the menu. But after a craving for their sweet & sour soup, we decided to do dinner & it was great! I did not care for their sushi as it seemed very quickly prepared and was smooshed but it was tasty. The sweet & sour soup is probably one of the best things on the menu and the price & amount for the large is enough for two and to bring home. Happy to see the Hotfish back on the menu (that was one of my favorites) but the catfish that was previously used has been replaced with cod and it didn’t have that special taste as I remember. Everything prepared was the appropriate temperature and we sat at the bar to watch the Hawks game – they turned it on for us! Kinda got ignored a couple of times for utensils and soy sauce but all in all it was a good meal. The Malbec recommended was delicious.
Most of the items are heavily salted as the following morning my fingers were swollen and was dying for water. They need to improve on that.
My only complaint was the ladies restroom. It was absolutely filthy and there was no soap or towels to use. I mean, how are women so messy? Paper on the floor, water all over the counter, etc. Embarrassed that it even looked like that! Shame on you lazy woman who don’t know how to clean up after themselves. The staff at the restaurant are NOT your slaves or housekeepers. Shame on you. I’d hate to see your homes. I politely mentioned something to the front and they appreciated I shared that with them.

Haven’t been here for a good while, and there have been some changes, and bad ones at that. The menu has been dumb-​sized: fake categories such as dim sum with no true dim sum; quality items like chengdu lamb, or any lamb for that matter AND scallops — gone. Even Dan Dan noodles are off the menu; our waiter said they could be made, but when they’re no longer on the menu you usually have quality issues with the product.
The won ton soup was good; fried shrimp appetizer with a heavy mayonnaise was flavorful; the Saigon rolls with chicken were underwhelming due to the flavorless chicken outweighing everything else; the spicy chicken entrée was uninspired, and the dumplings were not as good as they used to be. All in all a pretty disappointing experience.

I really like PF Changs. The food choices are excellent and the service is very good. It is one of my favorite restaurants.
This location is the better than some other locations that I’ve eaten.

It’s not authentic Asian. It’s P.F. Chang’s!
We like their food, indoor ambience and wait staff a whole lot.
The Northbrook location is lovely inside, with a warm, open, airy, comfortable feeling of Prairie Style updated Asian tea house mountain ranch home, similar actually to Wildfire in Glenview. Their outdoor eating area views the Northbrook Court west parking lot and Lake Cook road.
Lettuce wraps. All dumplings, when pan-​fried. Spare ribs. Mongolian Beef. Beef with Broccoli. Chang’s Signature Rice. Brown rice. (Add your favourite here) All delicious!
Their full bar is extravagantly huge as are their bottles of Tsingtao.
Many good beers: local, craft, imported, on tap and in bottles and cans. Wines are fine.
The only dessert we like is their chocolate cake, the Great Wall of Chocolate, which is indeed overwhelmingly chain restaurant huge and imposing and fudgey.
Everything but their lunch specials is a bit overpriced for the portion sizes.
Some time ago they repurposed most of their bussers, which has led to dirty tables and seating upon arrival, stacks of dishes crowding table throughout one’s meal and overworked wait staff. They really need to fix this error in judgement.
Jeff is our favourite waiter and he will be yours too.
All our best, as always,
Peter O. and S.
.

SOOOOO… where do I begin with my disappointment. Yes I have been here before and realize it’s a chain but having noted it was birthday celebration I had hoped they would recognize. But NOOO…, we don’t care sit them in the little crappy table next to the pile of screaming kids. NOPE get me a table away from THAT! So they did accommodate that thankfully but then onto the service which was a guy who was the WORST! Saying things like «everything fine»…as he walked by the table without stopping. And I was like «SIRRR. NO THE ORDERS ARE WRONG AAGAAAIIN.» And then no apologies after the second time the order was incorrect or to adjust the bill until I asked. I realized once again why I don’t come here or other mall type chains. I will not be back. the quality of food and service has hit the TGIF standards yet you walk away paying inflated prices. Go somewhere that cares about their customers and the food rather than cranking out an assembly line with untrained workers.

This is pretty decent food for a chain restaurant. I really like the lettuce wraps but agree with other reviewers that the vegetarian ones are even better than the chicken variety.
Coming here for lunch is great since they have really nicely priced lunch specials. In fact if you share an appetizer of lettuce wraps and then order a lunch special you will have enough to take home for dinner too!
Always have good service here. Dustin is our favorite server!