In 2004, Katie Shimer of the Portland Mercury described Chez Machin as a "small, welcoming restaurant" with a "wide open front door, red and white checked tablecloths, and calming French bistro atmosphere".

[1] In 2011, Allison Jones of Portland Monthly wrote, "The space is tiny, cozy, and very French, with a great back patio that is a welcome respite from busy Hawthorne.

The La Bèchamel had black forest ham, Swiss cheese, mushrooms, scallions, and béchamel sauce, and the L'Allemande had bacon, potatoes, caramelized onions, and roasted red pepper coulis.

Savory varieties included the BBQ, the Grilled Cheese, and the German, which had potatoes au gratin, caramelized onion jam, bacon, scallions, and homemade crème fraîche.

The Portland Mercury's Katie Shimer wrote in 2004: Unlike a lot of restaurants, Chez Machin does an excellent job of pairing the rich sauces and cheese you crave, with the healthy, fresh foods you wish you were eating more of.