I've never fully understood people who choose to eat at "meh" restaurants.

You know what I'm talking about, the place where the food is just OK, the service is just "fine" but for some reason you find yourself eating at this joint one too many times.

Photo by Tamas Pap on Unsplash
Photo by Tamas Pap on Unsplash
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It happens, and I'll never be able to get over it because I too have been guilty of this extreme form of restaurant laziness.

That's why when I see lists like this from Yelp, where they highlight the Top 100 US Restaurants, I can't help but get jazzed up about eating.

Photo by Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash
Photo by Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash
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Haven't we learned that life is too short to eat at questionable restaurants? If anything we need to embrace the awesome and leave the so-so in the rearview mirror.

For me, life is all about trying the best and lucky me, and I suppose you if you've stuck around, one of the best restaurants in America according to Yelp is in Illinois.

This restaurant isn't just barely on the list either. It's considered one of the 10 best in the US.

Oriole, 661 West Walnut in Chicago, was ranked 4th best restaurant in America according to Yelp.

Featuring 2 Michelin stars, this intimate fine-dining restaurant is hidden down a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it street in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Owner and executive chef Noah Sandoval presents a multi-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons (and his own impulses). We can’t tell you what to order—but we can say you’ll love the elegant dining room, and the thoughtfully selected wine pairings curated by sommelier Aaron McManus.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 Oriole certainly seems to live up to its billing as one of the best in America. Ninh C. on Yelp said "Never had I ever had service in the USA where they walk you to the bathroom and open the door for you. Outstanding service!"

On the other hand, Charlie H. mentions "The service and environment of the restaurant were truly spectacular, and from that perspective, it was 5 stars however I found the food experience to be lacking and unbalanced."

If you're on the fence, check out what Svend. G. had to say declaring his time at Oriole as "one of the best meals and experiences ever! Every bite was outstanding. Wine pairing was outstanding. Service was outstanding. Interior was outstanding."

Sounds like an "outstanding" night. Have you tried Oriole? Is it one of the best restaurants in America?

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