Split-Rail

Sad this place is closing! We had the fried chicken and risotto, and I cannot believe the party that happened in my mouth. We had three different interactions with three different employees/servers and they were all genuine, kind, and I wanted to be friends with them. We also stopped by prints prints prints gallery next door! I love how easy it was to enter from the restaurant. Split-Rail, you’ll be missed!

I visited Split Rail on a Saturday, October 28th, 2023, around 11 am for brunch, and it was an experience worth sharing. Despite frequently passing by this place, I had never stopped in until now, primarily drawn in by the allure of their renowned fried chicken. The first impression wasn't ideal as the restaurant was relatively quiet, and the host's instructions to order at the host stand before being seated felt slightly inconvenient. Notably, I was disappointed to find out that to receive full service, I had to sit at the bar due to my recent decision to quit drinking. However, the food quickly turned my mood around. We ordered the chicken wrap, latkes, and two over-hard eggs. The chicken wrap was a standout, surprisingly excellent despite its simplicity. The latkes, although initially appearing overcooked, surprised me with their perfect taste and texture – a crispy delight that exceeded my expectations. Two pieces of the fried chicken were a definite highlight, with a crunchy breading and juicy chicken. I must give a shout-out to the staff, particularly the person who brought our food. They exuded positive vibes and seemed genuinely happy with their job, making the dining experience more enjoyable. Even when I commented on the latkes' appearance, a server who wasn't assigned to our table proactively offered to make it right, a heartwarming gesture. Although I couldn't catch her name, she had a short haircut, dark hair, and was mixing drinks for other customers. The team at Split Rail clearly consists of individuals who care about their customers' experience, and this is what sets this place apart. Unfortunately, my only gripe was the absence of our assigned server. I had to request drinks several times, and their attentiveness was lacking. This detracted from an otherwise fantastic experience. In summary, Split Rail is a hidden gem with exceptional food and a staff that genuinely cares about your dining experience. I can't wait to return for dinner. To the owners, please ensure that the two exceptional employees who went above and beyond get the recognition they deserve. It's a testament to how you run a successful establishment. While I would love to give it five stars, the absent server prevents me from doing so.

I can’t say enough good things about this spot. It is always consistent, perfectly seasoned and cooked food, amazing service, and creative (without being annoying) cocktail program. I’ve tried a ton of things on the menu, but make sure you always get the fried chicken dinner. The chicken is perfection and the biscuits are just as good. I recently tried their spring pasta and it’s maybe the best thing I’ve eaten all year. Their spicy Caesar is also a classic and favorite dish of mine, it’s not very spicy so don’t be scared if you don’t typically like heat.

We will miss you, Split-Rail 💘 The vegetarian latkes and Brussels sprouts were incredible!!! I never get tired of eating the food at Split Rail. The vegetarian chicken is sooo good. I love love love the hot sauce! The seasonal menu is always changing and always delicious. The spicy Caesar salad is amazing. Last time I was there I ordered dessert, and the basque cheesecake was dreamy and perfect. Yum. 😋😋😋

The fried chicken was pretty good - very crispy exterior, you could taste the buttermilk brine. The white meat was great, and paired well with the gravy. I liked the biscuit with maple butter too. The pineapple habanero reminded me of a hot sauce bottle I’ve had. I didn’t think it paired that well with the chicken. My biggest issue was the size of the chicken was pretty small. One dish didn’t fill me up. Wish they served 3 portions and made the price a bit more expensive to accommodate that.

My friend saw Chef Zoe Schor compete on Alex vs. America. He wanted to try her famous fried chicken. The food was delicious. The crisp of yhe chicken and it was seasoned well. My favorite were the tender fluffy biscuits with the maple butter. The mac and cheese was delicious too. Well worth the trip from the Southside. Chef Zoe was gracious enough to take time to not only come and meet us, but she brought our food to the table. Chef Zoe you made his day!