Empress Banquets

I was just at Empress Banquets for a wedding this past Saturday. The remodel is gorgeous & elegant! The filet mignon with shrimp is best I have ever had, moist, flavorful filet mignon just made to perfection. The chicken was juicy and delicious. The biggest sweet table ever with a wide variety to choose from! The wait staff was very attentive and interactive. I would use Empress Banquets in the future.

Huh, looks like they don’t want my business. I called twice today and left a voice message, to check this place out and no one return my call. Don’t know how they would handle my wedding reception if they don’t even answer their phones. Crossed this place off my list. Darn Unilocal,you deceive me again…

I was the florist for a 200+ guest wedding on June 26^th. After having worked with many other vendors, country clubs and banquet facilities I was extremely impressed with the staff here! They worked as a team, gladly and efficiently, and made sure ever single detail was tended to! They worked like a well oiled machine and the wedding was absolutely stunning!
I would love to work with them again and would highly recommend to any future bride and grooms, or anyone looking to hold an event to contact them right away!
Lastly, the renovations (not shown on the pictures here) are STUNNING! Sure to impress you and your guests!
Jamie Best — Best Events & Floral Design — Geneva

As a guest at a wedding, I was blown away with how beautiful this venue is. The remodel is just stunning, the food was amazing, and they don’t kick you out when the clock strikes midnight. I would highly recommend this venue based on my experience as a satisfied attendee.

I highly, highly recommend this banquet hall. The entire venue is clean, beautifully decorated, and prices are reasonable for the quality you are receiving. My husband and I would like to thank Gus and the entire Staff at The Empress Banquets for treating us like royalty on our wedding day, 10-​4-​2014. From the food tasting amazing to the look of the entire hall, we could not ask for a better venue. The entire staff works with you to fulfill your needs. I have received compliments from all our family and friends on how much they enjoyed our wedding at The Empress. Thank you!

So here I find myself at Empress Banquets. I’m a last-​minute decision to be the date for a man who has known about this event, I’m sure, for quite some time. I assumed he had no one else to ask. I knew 2 other people at this wedding, and it was not the bride and groom.
When you first walk in, you’re impressed. Everything outside and surrounding the parking lot is an eyesore. The foyer and what I would call the front room of the building is beautiful from floor to ceiling. Perhaps it was done this way for people to take wedding photos. Even the bathrooms are clean and with all the latest design and technology. I believe there were staff members going in there to make sure paper towels were stocked and perhaps to keep the counters around the sinks dry.
In contrast, the banquet room seemed, like all other reception events, way too dark to even see the food sitting in front of you. I have never been sat in the «vip» areas of a reception hall so therefore I always end up shoved into the corner, where I can barely see anything going on, and therefore left feeling uninvolved and uninterested in what’s going on. The centerpieces were beautiful, but they did not cast enough light across the table. They definitely blocked your ability to see everyone sitting on the other side. Not that it mattered. I didn’t know anyone. The pieces were 3 wide glass cylinders, 3 different heights, filled with water. Inside, the event planner submerged a fresh long-​stemmed flower and topped it off by plopping a floating candle on top. Apparently this is the hottest thing to do, and sold at Pottery Barn.
The rest of the lighting in this room was provided by tacky lavender spotlights, with a failed attempt to add an enchanting flare by hiding them behind thin and wispy white curtains. It might just be me, but curtains are for windows and it just looked odd and very much something you might find in Vegas. All of this was in hideous contrast to the low-​grade ceiling tiles used to hide whatever was above them. Some of them were even bowing down from exposure to moisture. That’s right, sit me in the corner and this is what I get to contemplate! I would think that any woman getting married, should not have to use her imagination to complete the idea, whatever that is, that Empress Banquets would expect you to put together sitting in that room.
One major annoyance was that because of where we were sitting, we ended up right under an air conditioning vent and I had to sit freezing through my entire dinner. Not only that, but I had to eat my appetizers and dinner fast because it got cold so quickly. After the absolute hassle I had to go through to pull myself together in such a small amount of time, I felt completely insulted that a darn banquet hall can’t think these things through when they know where the tables are going to be. I really had to bite my lip not to say anything.
I think for the money you spend, there are many other creative ways in order to host a reception set in a realistic mood. You know, one where you don’t have to pretend. It’s your wedding, and your day. You have one epic moment to remember for the rest of your life. If you think that means gathering your friends and family under a purple haze, then be my guest.

We had our wedding here this weekend and could not be happier with our experience. Gus was easy to work with through the whole process. The whole venue is beautiful. The room looked amazing. The food was excellent. The service was excellent. We received so many compliments on the cake. I heard the cocktail hour was great and everyone loved the hors d’oeuvres. People were very complimentary to me at the wedding about the room. I had to give the credit to Gus and his staff. Some people even called my mom the next day and said it was the best wedding they had attended.

Can I write two reviews please? One for service, and one for everything else? Well — since I can’t, I’m going to attempt to do-​so here, but based on how awful I was treated, I have to bring this down to a one-​star level.
EVERYTHING ELSE:
We attended a Sunday wedding here, and the ceremony was on-​site. The room was BEAUTIFUL but there were at least 25 people that had to stand in the back. I’ll give the venue the benefit of the doubt — it’s possible that the groom/​bride didn’t request enough seats, but I find that hard to believe.
After the ceremony we entered the room, which was in-​a-​word, breathtaking. The long, white drapes that were flowing everywhere, the lighting, the chandeliers… gorgeous. The drapes ended up being in the way of the speeches (we couldn’t see who was talking or the head table), but it looked gorgeous.
Two bars is always key and the bartenders were quick with the drinks. Not personable at all — they were just there to do their jobs. Another key was the dance floor — it was huge! Longest dance floor I’ve ever seen. For this particular wedding, it was great. People had lots of room to dance. At the same time, it never felt packed.
Lastly, the food. Most impressive was the sweets table. It was gorgeous and I heard that the treats were great (I was too stuffed to indulge). The happy hour was filled with tons of food, as well. Lots of appetizers were passed around, and there was also a veggie and cheese tray available to pick at, at the bar. The food itself was pretty good. The lemon chicken rice soup was very lemony, but delicious, and wonderful with the crusty bread. The salad was very basic (all lettuce, one cherry tomato), but the dressings were fantastic (balsamic and ranch). For the main course, I had chicken vesuvio and hubby had prime rib. His cut of prime rib was overcooked, but still tender, and my chicken vesuvio was pretty good. I liked that the portions weren’t HUGE, and the veggies and mashed potatoes on the side were great.
The service is where we get sticky. So, review #2…
THE DINNER SERVICE:
Immediately upon sitting, someone at the table announced that they thought it’d be a rough dinner based on our server’s attitude. He couldn’t have been more right. Trying to be helpful, I was always quick to round up several plates and stack them, hand over hard-​to-​reach glasses, and thank the server for each clearing. However I quickly stopped, after our server literally pumped, elbowed, or hit me after each stop. I then announced that our server had it out for ME.
Half-​way into the dinner, she walked up and asked a couple at our table if they wanted anything to drink. Since the bar was closed for dinner we found this odd — even more odd that she didn’t walk around the entire table and only asked the one couple. When she returned, she walked up to my husband, who also ordered a drink. She then walked past me, and I said «excuse me, can I please order a drink as well?» She looked at me, semi-​laughed, shook her head, and said no. Simply that — NO. Minutes later, someone else at the table asked for a drink, and she happily got it for him. WTF?! You deny someone and then take other orders? Our table was shocked. It was horrible, sh*tty service, and our server’s just lucky I didn’t ask to speak to a manager. Thankfully someone else did, but wasn’t half as harsh as I would have been! For the record, our server was a very short woman with short hair and a thick accent. Also, it was my birthday. Thanks for the memorable birthday, crappy server!

I think the banquet facilities are lovely, but the service during a bridal shower I attended was lacking.
The cream of broccoli soup was very hot and tasty and everyone seemed to enjoy the entrée which was Chicken breast with a lemon sauce, but I’m not a fan of white meat so I can’t judge this.
The coffee was lukewarm and the dessert was a scoop of ice cream from the caterer… thankfully they had a full sweet table prepared by the bridesmaids.

I had my wedding here. The staff is beyond amazing. Tammy is a lifesaver she went above and beyond for me, she is super patient and sweet! Any request I made as bridezilla was met. I spoke with gus as well who was very nice and helpful.
I had a traditional muslim wedding. They allowed me to cater from outside which many venues do not allow. They even agreed to make masala chai for us instead of coffee. Like I said everything I asked for they made happen.
The venue itself is clean and gorgeous the location was central for most of my guests. Highly recommend this venue! You will not regret it.

Very beautiful banquet hall. I just attended a wedding recently. However the décor was the only thing I liked. I love the modern look, and they nailed it. I had the steak, and tasted the chicken. Both were horrible.

Earlier this year we held our wedding reception here. The remodel is gorgeous, spacious bridal suites, accommodating to all requests and very easy to work with. The food was incredible, the staff went above and beyond to make sure our special day went by without a hitch.
Highly recommend Empress!

This place bends over backwards to make your event awesome. Gus and his staff really know how to treat you right.
The remodeling looks AMAZING
If you need entertainment for your party check out
or just ask Gus about me.

Wedding was a blast! I have to say, this place is gorgeous… I will post pictures of the way the room looked when I get them. Truly a lovely venue with an amazing staff. My guests all said that the food was very good – steak was tender and the lobster bisque soup was very tasty!
This place is run professionally – everything was set up as it should have been, and the owner was right there on site in a suit making sure everything was going according to plan. Who needs a wedding planner when you’ve got Gus?
Truly a great experience, highly recommend. My guests all told me the room was beautiful and their food was great.

I was actually surprised to see the average of a 5 star review for this place! We attended a wedding here over Labor Day weekend 2012. From the outside it’s a nice looking place, for as many tables that were at this wedding, service was pretty quick. Food was just ok. Nothing spectacular. No consistency in cooking of the beef dish just across our table (ranged from bloody rare to medium well).
Bathrooms were SO dirty! They smelled like a wet dog and the corners of each of the stalls were filled with dust and looked like they hadn’t been cleaned from months. It wasn’t isolated to one stall because I felt the need to check others after I was grossed out by the first one. No soap dispensers here. I had my choice of scented dial soaps. Kind of killed the experience of an otherwise nice looking place.
Décor once you are inside is nice as well. A little dated from some of the other recent weddings I’ve attended (it’s been at least 4 a year for the last 4 years, so I am pretty well versed on locations about the Chicagoland area).
No need for coat check at our time of year, so I can’t comment on that.
If I were to get married again, would I choose here? No. But would I moan and groan about attending another wedding here? Probably not!

We attended a wedding reception here recently and were treated very well by the staff and bartenders. The avgolemono soup (Greek egg lemon soup) was fantastic, much better than the usual starchy stuff the other banquet halls give you. I enjoyed the prime rib and rosemary mashed potatoes.

Just had my wedding there March 31^st, 2012. Absolutely gorgeous!!! Their remodel puts all other banquet halls a run for their money!!! Tammy and Gus were outstanding! They helped so much and were VERY accommodating making it the wedding of my dreams!!! No complaints what so ever!!! Food is to die for!!! We had family in from Italy and they were impressed with the food and the presentation of it. Trust me you won’t find another hall with better food then them.

Been a long time since I been here… but happy to say it was a pretty grand old time.
Food was delicious; augolemono was the soup and a salad followed. For the main course, a small combo plate (i took some pics but the looks i was getting were… weird.) was served with dessert being a scoop of vanilla with a splash of chocolate syrup and w shot of whipped cream. Oh and the service was impeccable.
Lots of parking and easy access. A coat check is there if you want to put your coat up, and the places I purused were clean and bustling with activitiy as the other baquet halls were full (3 total) but I am sure the walls are collapsable to cater to bigger crowds.

Where to start, the food was fantastic and our guests were amazing at home much they each got. They helped us collect up tables decorations after the reception. We were able to do our tasting just a couple weeks out from the date. They were accommodating with making arrangements for payments. Classy and pleasant all the way.
The wait staff and bar tenders were incredibly attentive to the head table and wedding party throughout the night. The head table got our food first and got extra if asked for.

We had our wedding reception here a few weeks ago, and we could not have been happier. The owner, Gus, was an absolute pleasure to work with, accommodating our every request with a smile. The space itself is gleaming, and the staff were friendly and professional.
We checked out a lot of banquet halls around Chicagoland before deciding on The Empress, and nowhere came close to providing the value that Empress did. We started our search not wanting to have it at a banquet hall – we wanted to find a more unique space – but when we saw the prices at The Empress, and after meeting with Gus, we were sold. I would recommend this place to anyone.