The 5 Best Restaurants in Downtown Chicago
Known as one of the best restaurant cities in America, Chicago’s food season continues to evolve to stay near the top of the country. Chicago is the home to over 40 James Beard Award winners and 23 Michelin-rated restaurants so on any given night you know you are going to have a great meal. We will stay away from the big restaurants because you know what you are doing there so here are some of what we think are the best restaurants in Downtown Chicago.
1. Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski Rd., Chicago, Illinois 60641
We took the easy route here and went with the Bib Gourmand Award winner Smoque BBQ right in Irving Park. Opened back in 2006, Smoque has garnered tons of media attention, and all for the right reasons – their barbeque. The brisket is sensational, their ribs are saliva-inducing, and the chicken is always perfectly seasoned and cook with a nice crispy skin on the outside and succulent, moist chicken on the inside. As for the sides the cornbread, brisket chili, and macaroni and cheese are always prepared wonderfully. As for dessert? The peach cobbler and pecan bread pudding are so good – why not just get both?
2. Sol De Mexico
3018 N Cicero Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60641
Also a Bib Gourmand Award winner, Sol De Mexico is one of the best Mexican food dining experiences you will ever have. As for what to eat? Just throw a dart onto the menu and let it pick for you. The carne asada a la Parilla is a show stopper of carne asada served with fried plantains sour cream, black beans, cheese, guacamole, and an absolutely heavenly molcajete salsa. The desserts are all decadent headlined by a churro sandwich that is served with ice cream and drizzled with caramel on top. Do yourself the favor of going there and you will end up thanking yourself (and us, for including it on our restaurants in Downtown Chicago list!)
3. Virtue
1462 E 53rd St., Chicago, Illinois 60615
There seems to be a common theme in our selections because Virtue, just like the first two, is a 2020 Bib Gourmand Award winner. Owner and chef Erick Williams has struck gold with Virtue in a daring modern take on traditional Southern dishes. A stunning beef short rib that comes with crushed potatoes and creamed spinach is an experience in itself. The half chicken, yes another chicken dish on our list, is cooked to perfection and comes with sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, raisins, and lemon pepper seasoning. Millie’s puddin’ is the perfect way to cap off your meal – one of the best banana pudding experiences you will ever have.
4. Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60646
From its humble beginnings, as a hot dog stand to help pay for college, Superdawg is a place you have to try while in Chicago. The menu is super simple – you have to get their Superdawg. It’s not a traditional Chicago-style hotdog but what it is, is a pure beef hot dog, on a poppy seed bun topped with golden mustard, their tangy piccalilli, a dill pickle, and onions with a nice hot pepper. They also have a fantastic burger known as the Whooperburger which is a half-pound burger. The double rich chocolate milkshake is the perfect company for either, or both, of those items – no judgment from us at all.
5. Lula Cafe
2537 North Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60647
Yet another one of Chicago’s seemingly endless Bib Gourmand winners, Lula Cafe offers a six-course tasting menu nightly, and a special weekly creative fixed-price dinner, just $45, that changes every single time – a truly once in a lifetime experience. The menu is quite simple, and evolves constantly, but is absolutely sensational every single time. The roasted chicken with Brussels sprouts, sunchoke, dill, with hazelnut will leave you wanting more, and then they pair it with their apple dumplings that have been stuffed with dates for extremely unique and delicious taste. The brunch menu is fantastic with the classic Lula brunch box leading the way that includes their breakfast burrito. Lula is only open for takeout right now but it is absolutely worth the stop.
Did any of your favorite hidden gem restaurants in Downtown Chicago make our list? Share your favorites over on social!
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