https://www.nytimes.com/article/best-restaurants-chicago.html?smid=url-share
Looks like this is out, 10 months after their previous list. I personally don't remember any actual Chicagoans being involved with last year's so it's cool to see them involve Kevin Pang this year, but also a touch disappointed that there aren't any super deep cuts here. Also interesting to see Warlord make the list this year…
by Ovy_on_the_Drager
18 Comments
Looks like this was published in April and updated in august? But think the list is solid, curious what lowkey spots you wish for the shoutout?
Also warlord will continue to make lists like noodle bird does. Unfortunately I don’t think nyt or trib or most higher food critics will be in the weeds about harassment rumors / stories.
Paywall can you write the list?
* Akahoshi Ramen
* Al Bawadi Grill
* Asador Bastian
* Avec
* Boka
* Brindille
* Ever
* Hopleaf
* Johnnie’s Beef
* Kasama
* Kim’s Uncle Pizza
* Lula Cafe
* Maxwells Trading
* Mi Tocaya Antojeria
* Monteverde
* Oriole
* Shanghai Terrace
* Superdawg
* Thattu
* The Duck Inn
* The Loyalist
* Tortas Frontera
* Uncle John’s Bar-B-Que
* Virtue
* Warlord
Thrilled Brindille is getting international love. Go Carrie go
Am I the only one that thought Asador Bastian was pretty terrible? Their appetizers and cocktails were fantastic and everything else took an extremely sharp downturn. I’ve had better steaks at maybe a dozen other places, including my house. Sides were just OK. Dessert was fine but nothing remarkable. At that price point, I’d like to be blown away but I thought it was extremely mediocre.
This list is pretty solid. There are some I disagree with (Green St. > Uncle John’s, and Warlord is a hair above mid and run by bad people) but overall I can’t complain.
One word in this article needs to be struck and that’s “Niles”
Al Bawadi in Niles is awful. Whoever runs it is trading off of their namesake in Bridgeview. The food is pre-cooked and held. It’s unpleasant to eat at and the food is simply not prepared well. I’ve given it three tries because I’m surprised that such a good restaurant could create such a bad second location.
Tired list imo
Mirra? Huge miss.
Monster ramen > akahoshi for best in the city
Same basic ass list/post from several months ago- https://www.reddit.com/r/chicagofood/s/wQfAQkQcKL
How is Hopleaf on this list?
Wheres Indienne? Feels like a miss to me.
Tortas frontera? lol come on.
Thattu, well deserved.
That place blew my socks off.
Where is Taco Bell Catina
I feel like I need to give super dawg another chance, because when I went it was so crappy, and restaurant depot labels everywhere.
I don’t know what they are rating these on, cute sculptures on roofs and nostalgia but I have never had a good dog, sausage, or fries or anything from Superdawg ever! Makes me feel bad for these poor, mislead New Yorkers. Maybe this list is intended to make them feel better about their own food