But this spring after vaccinations became widespread and relatively safe indoor dining was possible again, it appeared to be a good time to finish the job. It seemed unwise, and maybe inappropriate, to publish a restaurant map when it wasn’t clear how many of these establishments would survive the crisis, so I back-burnered the project. I’d made good progress by March 2020 when COVID-19 hit Chicago. “Like any list, I’m sure it will piss some people off.” Reader food critic Mike Sula offered some particularly helpful wisdom: No matter how carefully I tried to select the top eateries, not everyone would be happy with my choices. Jackson, Jeremy Joyce, James Porter, Anjulie Rao, Titus Ruscitti, and sommelier and food historian Richard Tan. So I had lots of opinions of my own.īut I’m not a restaurant expert by trade, so I ran a rough draft of my list by a number of distinguished food writers and other journalists, dining industry veterans, and seasoned civilian restaurant explorers, including Michael Alarcon, Ines Bellina, Monica Eng, Michael Gebert, Cheryl V. In my 30-plus years in Chicago, I’ve lived in many parts of town, from Woodlawn to Bridgeport to Humboldt Park to Rogers Park, and my jobs as a bike messenger, urban planner, and reporter have taken me to every corner of the city. For example, in communities with few independent restaurants I was willing to include newer spots, and I wanted to showcase a mix of eateries that mirrors Chicago’s ethnic and culinary diversity.Īfter posting requests on Twitter and Facebook for input on each community, I got enthusiastic recommendations from hundreds of people, ranging from anonymous foodies to aldermen. I was shooting for longtime (20-plus years), non-expensive (entrees costing $20 or less), and overall excellent eating spots, bending the rules where necessary. The idea was to pick a top eatery in each of the city’s 77 officially designated community areas, along with a few runners-up: delicious destinations that reflect the local culture. I first came up with the concept for the Iconic Chicago Restaurants Map a couple years ago as a love letter to the hospitality industry, and to highlight the fact that all parts of town are worth visiting. A legend in its own time, we invite you to experience culinary excellence and impeccable service at this applauded neighborhood restaurant.Along with Chicago’s many beaches and tons of interesting things to do-plus the fact it’s relatively cheap to live here and generally fairly easy to get around without a car-our city’s diverse, affordable, and appetizing eating scene is one of the main things that makes this a terrific place to live. The timeless house favorites, steaks, chops, and seafood, are complemented by distinctive, contemporary seasonal dishes. The Veranda Lounge adjoins one of the private dining rooms and affords a spectacular view of the South Loop skyline. In addition to the first-floor dining options, The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant offers three private dining room options accommodating parties of 12 – 150 guests. The patio’s cobblestone pavement and tree-lined border provides a secluded urban escape. Adjacent to the solarium is a quaint patio originally housing the horse stables. The floor to ceiling windowed solarium, accented by plantation shutters, is energized by radiant, natural light.
In the main dining room, the carefully appointed mural envelops guests in the ambiance of the 20th century. The Bar Room, Company 104, is a refined dining experience celebrating the history of the firehouse. The past is preserved in the present with a variety of dining room options. The structure and menu are designed to reflect uniqueness, thoughtfulness, quality, and relevance. To uphold the longstanding tradition of serving the South Loop neighborhood, this acclaimed 1905 Romanesque Revival structure opened its historic doors in 2000 as the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. Formerly Engine Company 104 of the Chicago Fire Department, the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant infuses thoughtfulness into every detail. Boasting a proud and resilient history, the landmark Chicago Firehouse Restaurant at 1401 South Michigan Avenue delivers a memorable, guest-first dining experience.
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