Restaurant Host

Position: Host
Department: Food & Beverage
Location: Chicago, IL
Employment Type: Hourly
Compensation: $20.60 per hour

Truth Be Told, the British-inspired tavern located within The Study at University of Chicago, is seeking an engaging, organized, and hospitality-driven Host to join our Food & Beverage team. As one of the first and last points of contact for our restaurant guests, the Host plays an important role in creating a warm, welcoming, and memorable dining experience.

Truth Be Told is open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our Host welcomes hotel guests, university visitors, neighborhood regulars, and members of the Hyde Park community while managing reservations, seating, guest inquiries, and the overall flow of the restaurant.

The ideal candidate genuinely enjoys meeting new people and creating connections with guests. We are looking for someone who is warm and engaging, highly organized, comfortable managing multiple priorities, and able to remain composed and attentive during busy service periods.

Our caring and attentive associates reinforce our belief that guest service is our highest priority. We seek energetic, service-oriented individuals who take pride in creating thoughtful experiences, enjoy working as part of a team, and understand that genuine hospitality begins from the moment a guest arrives.

Restaurant Snapshot

• Truth Be Told – British-inspired tavern located within The Study at University of Chicago
• Approximately 100-seat restaurant and tavern
• Open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar service
• Reservations and table management through OpenTable
• Dine-in, to-go, and hotel guest dining services
• Serving hotel guests, university visitors, Hyde Park neighbors, and the surrounding community

Responsibilities

• Warmly welcome and acknowledge guests upon arrival and create a positive first impression of Truth Be Told.
• Manage the restaurant entrance and host stand while maintaining an organized, welcoming, and professional environment.
• Seat guests according to established procedures while considering reservations, table availability, server sections, guest preferences, and overall restaurant flow.
• Manage reservations accurately through OpenTable, including online, telephone, and in-person requests.
• Confirm reservation details and accurately communicate special requests, celebrations, accessibility needs, or other relevant information to the appropriate team members.
• Maintain and communicate accurate wait times and manage the guest waiting list during high-volume periods.
• Answer incoming telephone calls professionally and assist internal and external guests with restaurant reservations, hours, menu questions, and general inquiries.
• Assist with to-go and hotel guest dining orders, including receiving orders, entering information accurately, coordinating with the restaurant team, and communicating anticipated completion or delivery times.
• Accurately process cash, credit card transactions, hotel room charges, and other approved forms of payment when required.
• Maintain working knowledge of restaurant menus, ingredients, allergy considerations, beverage offerings, hours of operation, and hotel services.
• Communicate allergy and dietary concerns to Servers, Culinary team members, and restaurant leadership according to established procedures.
• Monitor the dining room and guest experience, recognizing opportunities to assist guests or support the service team.
• Communicate guest concerns promptly and professionally and involve restaurant leadership when appropriate.
• Coordinate with Servers and restaurant leadership to maintain balanced seating and efficient table utilization throughout service.
• Assist Servers and Restaurant Support team members with appropriate service tasks when needed, including delivering items to tables and supporting the overall flow of service.
• Complete opening, closing, and ongoing side work, including organization, stocking, cleaning, and maintenance of the host stand and surrounding guest areas.
• Maintain menus and other guest-facing materials in clean, organized, and presentable condition.
• Work collaboratively with Servers, Bartenders, Restaurant Support, Culinary team members, and restaurant leadership to provide seamless service.
• Communicate effectively with Front Office and other hotel departments to assist hotel guests and coordinate restaurant-related requests.
• Follow established food safety, sanitation, safety, security, and restaurant operating procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment and promptly communicate maintenance, cleanliness, safety, or operational concerns.
• Perform additional duties as assigned based on restaurant and hotel operational needs.

Fundamentals

• Previous host, restaurant, hospitality, or comparable customer service experience preferred.
• Experience in an upscale casual, full-service restaurant, hotel, tavern, or comparable hospitality environment is a plus.
• Friendly, engaging, and professional demeanor with a genuine passion for hospitality and connecting with guests.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage reservations, seating, guest requests, and multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to remain composed, welcoming, and solutions-oriented during high-volume service periods.
• Previous experience with OpenTable or another restaurant reservation and table management system preferred.
• Previous experience with restaurant POS systems and handling guest transactions preferred.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including professional telephone etiquette.
• Ability to communicate effectively with restaurant, culinary, and hotel team members.
• Working knowledge of food, menu ingredients, allergy considerations, and restaurant service preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule based on restaurant needs, including early mornings, days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficiency in English required; a second language is a plus.
• Ability to stand, walk, and remain active for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or otherwise move items weighing up to 40 pounds.

About Us

The Study at University of Chicago is a 167-room hotel located on the Midway Plaisance in Chicago's historic Hyde Park neighborhood. Designed as a place of discovery and connection, the hotel reflects the character and energy of the University of Chicago while providing thoughtful, contemporary accommodations for university visitors, families, faculty, business travelers, and the surrounding community.

The hotel is home to Truth Be Told, a British-inspired tavern offering a welcoming gathering place for hotel guests, the University of Chicago community, Hyde Park neighbors, and visitors to the area. The property also features 4,700 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 2,500-square-foot Winter Garden designed for social events and private functions.

Eligible full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays. Team members may also participate in our 401(k) retirement savings plan and Employee Assistance Program.

Study Hotels is a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug test and background check required.

Study Hotels is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, disability, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Keywords: Host, Restaurant Host, Hostess, Restaurant Greeter, OpenTable, Guest Service, Hotel Restaurant, British Tavern, Gastropub, Truth Be Told, Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Chicago Restaurant Jobs, Hyde Park Jobs