CHIGuide
Where To Eat After A Bad Week
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
You meant to just text your friend—but mistakenly sent that complaint to the entire wedding party you’re in, bride and groom included. Then your car was towed after you rushed to park before an important meeting (that you ended up being late for anyway). Things went downhill from there.
You’ve had a bad week, and you need to cheer yourself up. Luckily for you, there are many places in Chicago with exactly the kind of comforting, delicious food you need right now. Here are 15 of our favorites.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Bavette's
Your roommates treated the house like Ibiza while you were out of town, and now there’s no way you’re getting the security deposit back. Unlike that destroyed apartment, you are going to leave Bavette’s in better shape (emotionally at least) than when you walked in. This is a French steakhouse with big, comfortable booths, speakeasy-style jazz music, and service that’s always attentive without being intrusive. It’s the kind of spot where you can get a $275.99 seafood tower followed by some excellent prime rib. Your roommates might not care about you, but Bavette’s does.
Remember when you were little and would go out for pizza after losing a Little League game? Well, pizza also works on adults. Go to Pequod’s in Lincoln Park for pan-style pies in a sports bar environment. Consuming large amounts of their caramelized-crust deep dish (plus beer) will make you feel like a winner, at least for the night. We can’t guarantee how you’ll feel when you wake up.
It could be the inviting, mellow lighting. Or maybe the two CBD seltzers we often find ourselves ordering. Whether it’s your first or 20th time at Boonie’s in North Center, you can always count on feeling at ease. This Filipino restaurant has an excellent menu—make sure to get the sizzling pork sisig with a side of garlic rice and some crispy lumpia. It will help put you in a better mood even if you just found out your ex is taking sole custody of Mr. Buttons.
photo credit: Au Cheval
Few things are as consistently great as the Au Cheval burger, with two griddled patties, cheese, dijonaise, and pickles, all on a buttery bun. When you add bacon and an egg, it’s practically transcendent. The only issue is that you can’t make a reservation here, so plan on using your bad week to guilt your friends into waiting with you. It shouldn’t be too hard to convince them.
photo credit: Kyoten Next Door
Your boss gave the promotion you thought was yours to Chad from Marketing. Kyoten Next Door is where to go for a reminder that you’re still a corporate force to be reckoned with. The $159 18-course omakase involves phenomenal nigiri made with high-quality fish and heavily seasoned rice, plus a bite of blowtorched wagyu that puts your favorite steakhouse to shame. The careful presentation of each piece placed in front of you will make you feel important, and you can distract yourself by getting lost in a sea of perfectly formed fish.
photo credit: Jack Li
Provaré is a blast. Everything here is designed to loosen you up, from the complimentary shots and '90s R&B playlist greeting you on arrival, to the prospect of post-dinner drinks at the speakeasy hiding behind some very convincing shelves. On top of all that, you’ll find a menu of Creole-Italian dishes that could never be described as “subtle.” The food here will make you put your hand up to silence the table so you can have a private moment with the fried lobster tails and creamy chicken parmesan. It’s the perfect spot for a meal after realizing you accidentally sent a flirty text to your cousin, who happens to have the same name as your date from last night.
Mi Tocaya Antojeria is so much fun that you’ll immediately stop worrying about that pile of unpaid parking tickets you’ve been ignoring, at least for an hour or two. You’re here for Mexican small plates, like an heirloom tetela or the elote-style spaghetti squash. (The tacos and burritos are very good, too.) Whatever you order, you’ll want to stay in the lively, welcoming space for as long as possible—which is easy to do if you have a boot on your car.
photo credit: Veda Kilaru
Mercury’s not even in retrograde and your computer has managed to die during all three of your client presentations this week. Send that laptop to the IT department and head straight to Bundoo Khan for lamb seekh kabob so tender that it renders knives (and teeth) unnecessary. This meat-centric Pakistani restaurant on Devon also serves excellent biryani, juicy chicken malai boti, and special rolls stuffed with beef or chicken wrapped in naan so soft and fluffy, you could take a nap under it and pretend your technology setbacks were just part of a nightmare.
If you’re in such a bad mood that you really just need to be alone, head here. It’s very small inside (with only about 15 seats), making it an ideal place for a solo meal. The tonkotsu broth is delicious and very spicy—consider starting with a baseline order of half spice. That is, unless burning your face off will help distract you from that $1,800 cell phone bill you racked up during your trip abroad. Apparently roaming charges do still exist. In that case, go ahead.
Two conflicting ideas can exist at the same time: you want to be left alone to wallow in self-pity, but also be surrounded by people having a better week than you. A solo meal at Alla Vita’s bar is the best way to steal some vicarious positivity from all the couples and conference-goers that are buzzing with excitement about snagging a reservation here. Get the cacio e pepe ricotta dumplings, which come covered in a sauce that’s the pasta equivalent of a silk robe. They’re already perfectly seasoned, so you won’t need to cry into the bowl.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Did your toxic, passive-aggressive boss tell you they’re “not angry, just disappointed”? Sounds like a visit to Diego is in order. This low-key drinking spot in West Town calls itself a dive bar, but is actually a great Baja-inspired mariscos restaurant in disguise. There are fantastic seafood tostadas and tacos, plus an excellent steak burrito, and just one bite of the TJ Hamburguesa will give you all the fortitude needed to start applying for a new job tonight.
photo credit: Christina Slaton
This spot is Permanently Closed.
You’re all set to meet your date for a concert at Thalia Hall in Pilsen, only to get a last-minute cancellation text. The fourth one this week. Head next door to Dusek’s and treat yourself to the seasonal four-course tasting menu for $70, with dishes like scallop carpaccio and pork belly with burnt lime. Then, stop in at Tack Room, where there’s live music on weekends, or go downstairs to Punch House, a cocktail lounge serving literal bowls of ($96) punch that you can drown your sorrows in.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
This spot is Permanently Closed.
This ‘90s-themed sandwich shop, complete with action figures and Happy Meal toys lining the walls, is a collaboration between the former Blackbird chef and a chef from New Orleans sandwich icon Turkey and the Wolf. That means the constantly changing options here are creative and tasty enough to briefly take away the anxiety of having multiple check engine lights on in your car. Add the Shiddy Burger (one of the best in Chicago), some fun drinks like a “Tang-a-rita,” and tater tots for a meal where you can relive a simpler time in your life.
photo credit: AO Hawaiian Hideout
You spent three hours digging out a parking spot in front of your apartment, only to discover your neighbor doesn’t respect the time-honored tradition of dibs. A visit to AO Hawaiian Hideout will help temper the harsh reality that is winter in Chicago. They fully embrace the tropical island theme, so expect plenty of fake fish and sunset murals. Get a few tiki drinks and a poké bowl, settle in to listen to some Elvis, and pretend you’re not on Wabash.
Soule To Soule is a restaurant that has the Feel Good Factor™. This means it’s capable of putting you in a positive mood even if you lost your wallet and keys in the same morning. But the upbeat atmosphere and excellent jerk chicken wings, fried green tomatoes, and flaky biscuits aren’t the only reason to come here. This West Town spot is about hanging out and talking without technological distractions. Each little table has a box to hide your phone in and conversation starting cards to use as ice breakers. So get a friend to treat you to dinner and be prepared to discuss your most embarrassing nicknames.
