Gourmet cuisine shouldn’t be out of the reach for anyone, and these Chicago restaurants and cafes prove it
Tallboy Taco {325 West Huron Street; 312.488.4917}:
The easygoing sibling to the Latin steakhouse/nightclub, Nacional 27, Tallboy Taco’s carefree lounge is a prime hangout for a casual daytime lunch with co-workers or a relaxing dinner with family. Named after chef/partner Tim Hockett—who clocks in at 6 feet, 3 inches—Tallboy Taco is all about the tacos (duh!).
Served on handmade corn tortillas, tantalizing tacos span the likes of pull-apart, 12-hour Smoked Brisket, shredded Chicken Tinga, and Slow-Braised Pork sourced from Gunthorp Farms. Veggie-forward? Vegetarian and vegan taco lovers can get down on the Lagunitas beer-battered Crispy Avocado. Order them individually or make it a combo served with rice and beans. Complement any taco feast with an order of Corn Fundido or freshly made Guacamole, mild or spicy, served with a basket of handmade chips.
Piggybacking off the name, the drink menu also features a variety of tallboy beers to wash it all down, plus cocktails, sangrías, and wines. Zero-proof libations can be had thanks to freshly made agua frescas with Watermelon and Chia Limón flavors. As for a cool down, snag a seasonal Paleta (popsicle) with fresh chunks of raspberry, mango, and blood orange, or stay on the taco train by finishing the meal with the Ice Cream Taco.
The Café at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago {160 East Pearson Street; 312.573.5160}:
Redefining hotel dining, guests and locals alike should make the journey to the 12th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, which features a handful of dining gems. For a needed break away from the hustle and bustle of the Magnificent Mile, a visit to The Café is a must.
Designed by The San Francisco-based design firm, BAMO, elements at The Café reflect Chicago’s heritage of innovative architecture and design. Flooded by natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and an overarching sunroof, this atrium cafe offers a much needed recharge for city dwellers. Morning routines can begin with freshly roasted coffee from La Colombe. For an added jump-start, guests can also order house-made Quinoa Granola or choose from a handful of fresh breakfast sandwiches.
From 5:30am to 12:30pm, guests can also choose from a selection of decadent desserts and pastries made exclusively by executive pastry chef Jamie Sue Caudy. We say, settle into the plush furniture, breathe in the views, and find your zen.
Brown Bag Seafood Co. {multiple locations}:
Brown Bag Seafood Co. is a local restaurant concept with a focus on casual, sustainable seafood in a counter-service format. With multiple locations—one next to Maggie Daley Park, others in Revival Food Hall, Roscoe Village, River North, and the newest spot in Riverside Plaza—Brown Bag serves sustainable seafood year-round.
Owner Donna Lee has made it her personal goal to create a place where quality seafood is fast, friendly, and affordable. Here, it’s all about quality, served in an unpretentious atmosphere. Order at the counter and choose from Crispy Fish Tacos, a Salmon Salad, Lobster Rolls, and Truffle Tater Tots. Enjoy a craft beer on the gorgeous pet-friendly patios or in the cozy dining rooms.
On the go? Brown Bag makes for a superb sack lunch at the office or in the nearby parks or riverwalk. While waiting, guests can chill out among interior accents of “Brown Bag blue”—a cheerful shade of turquoise—and the reclaimed wood from a barn downstate while relishing in the action of the open kitchen. Plus, with batched cocktails, crisp wines, and cold drafts on offer, you may want to sit and unwind, regardless. Craving something from the sea without all the fuss? This contemporary, quick-casual seafood spot does the trick.
Hannah’s Bretzel {multiple locations}:
Hannah’s Bretzel is a fine-casual restaurant focused on premium sandwiches with a healthy serving of transparency and authenticity. It all starts with their organic, traditional German bretzel, plus other organic whole grain breads made in-house at their West Loop bakery.
Hannah’s handcrafted sandwiches feature an organic and nutritionally-rich blend of locally-sourced foods and global ingredients, like Bresaola, Serrano, and Parma hams. Hannah’s Bretzel also caters to the vegan and gluten-free community with veggie-packed sandwiches and gluten-free bretzel bread made by Chicago-based DeFloured Bakery.
For a bit of indulgence, Hannah’s offers an enticing selection of over 27 chocolate brands from around the world (check it out during the daily “Chocolate Hour”). For dinner, look for the oven-baked Hot Melty Sandwiches. If you find yourself at the LaSalle/Hubbard location, pair your meal with a local craft beer, German beer, or house wine.
The premium food experience, nutritional balance, and a deep commitment to the environment is what sets Hannah’s Bretzel apart from others. Striving to make the smallest footprint possible, all seven locations of Hannah’s Bretzel are 100-percent powered by wind and solar energy, use biodegradable packaging—from sandwich bags to eating utensils—and compost all food waste through Healthy Soil Compost. With this philosophy, the food at Hannah’s is not only good for the guest but good for the community. Hannah’s Bretzel also offers online ordering for delivery, pick-up, and catering.
Next of Kin Cafe {625 Davis Street, Evanston; 847.563.8242}:
Helmed by Chef Marco Bahena, Next of Kin is a chef-driven casual restaurant that offers a little something for everyone, and we truly mean everyone. This one-stop-shop neighborhood hub has quick-serve breakfasts, made-to-order sammies, all-day sweets and treats, and more. Brewing up inventive caffeine concotions, start the day with a Mayan Mocha or the indulgent Nutella Latte.
Beyond the glass partition, pick and choose from the lot of scones and muffins at the pastry counter. Once the afternoon hunger hits, tour around the salad bar for fresh greens and grains, sourced locally when possible. Warm sandwiches, warm soups, poke bowls, and even burgers are available for choosing straight from the hot counter. As for liquid refreshments, hydrate with Tempo Sparkling Tea, Marin Kombucha, or the Charcoal Lemonade made in-house.
Though primed for an on-the-go experience, Next of Kin’s interior, with its powder blue tufted booths, bright metallic murals, and marble tables, invites a quiet sit-down from the bustle of it all. Whether you sit a spell or not, don’t forget to snag an éclair on the way out. You can’t go wrong with the Classic, but the Birthday Cake with confetti filling topped with rainbow sprinkles is as festive as it gets.
Chiya Chai {2770 North Milwaukee Avenue; 773.360.7541}:
Need a tea fix? Chiya Chai is your answer. The urban family-owned eatery in Logan Square houses a wide selection of teas, milk options, and ground spices that are mixed in-house, offering a staggering 150 combinations of chai. If the selection overwhelms, indecisive minds can pick from a pre-selected menu of tea combinations, including classics like Masala and Black Cardamom to inventive creations like the Salty Pink Himalayan with Almond Butter. Even iced refreshers are on order, with flavors like Blueberry Lavender and Strawberry Mint. But for a cozy sipper, the fully-stocked bar shakes and stirs up a number of tea-infused cocktails, like the Bourbon Ginger Masala and the Golden Chai Russian with turmeric and chai spices.
After selecting your ideal combination, boozy or otherwise, nosh on organic Nepalese and Indian bites, like flaky pies brimming with Masala chicken or curried kale and potato, dumplings plumped with bison or lamb, or fries smothered in curry or on the side.
Stix n Brix Wood Fired Pizza {220 West 33rd Street; 312.265.0219}:
Stix n Brix is proud to offer south Chicago an unparalleled pizza experience, plus an array of sandwiches, salads, beer, wine, and more.
Bringing Chi-Town diners fresh Italian classics, at Stix n Brix you can enjoy the likes of creamy burrata, seriously stacked “stubby” sandwiches, pastas, and, of course, pizza pies galore. New to the menu and not-to-miss, order the Pasta Rosa—penne pasta, roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and Parm in a rich tomato sauce.
In line with their commitment to fresh, scratch-made ingredients, much of the Stix n Brix menu is made in-house. Patrons also enjoy an open view of the wood-fired oven, toasting pizza after pizza to crispy perfection. Sharing its space with sister concept, The Red Line Cafe, visitors can also enjoy the likes of coffee, smoothies, and decadent desserts—the perfect way to round out your meal. We suggest something crafted with Armour Roast by Sparrow Coffee (sold exclusively at Red Line).
As for sweet treats, find a range of baked goods, from chocolate chip cookies to tiramisù.
Chicago Burger Company {301 East North Water Street; 312.329.7272}:
Located along the scenic Chicago Riverwalk inside the Sheraton Grand, Chicago Burger Company is River North’s answer to an affordable, delicious, back-to-the-basics burger. Pleasing palates for more than a decade, CBC’s longevity speaks for itself.
We recommend a menu classic: the CBC Burger, loaded with lettuce, tomato, applewood bacon, American cheese, caramelized onions, fried pickles, and a garlic-herb aïoli. Proud to offer turkey burgers for a leaner option, Chicago Burger Company will soon also serve the fully-vegan Beyond Burger 2.0, coming soon.
For sides? How about a fat serving of nutritional awareness alongside a heaping helping of environmental consciousness. Catching attention on behalf of CBC, is the total elimination of plastic straws and the full transition over to paper straws.
Perched right on the edge of the dazzling Chicago River, the outside patio offers front row views of the water. This longtime local favorite brings the mighty burger back to its roots, so come hungry and make it a double.
By DiningOut Staff
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