Now serving the season’s best
Now serving the season’s best
In February, I dream of asparagus galettes served by Sandra Holl at Lincoln Park’s Chicago Green City Market. And in June, the heirloom tomato galettes. The galettes ($5.50) are buttery and delicate at the crust, fresh at the hub. Lately I’ve been hooked on sticky plums in brown butter, but I hear butternut squash and sage is coming. Green City Market, 1750 N. Clark St., through Oct. 31.
Recently reviewed
A roundup of restaurants recently reviewed by restaurant critic Phil Vettel.
If you’ve never visited Sox country, you need to know one thing: It ain’t like Wrigleyville. The bars land more than a pop-fly distance from the Cell; you can actually park your car outside the stadium; and the shine of the World Series trophy has just started to fade (to be replaced by another one this year?). Whatever happens, it won’t keep Sox fans from their favorite pre- and post-game watering holes. Win or lose, we’ll get you good ‘n’ sauced while cheering on the “good guys.”
Do you bleed Cubby blue? Check out these bars instead.
Schaller’s Pump
This legendary Bridgeport bar, with many Chicago mayors practically making it a second City Hall, steeps with political history. Like a century-old campaign promise (Schaller’s has been open since 1881), they’ll serve you cheap beer and chow with cheer. The building screams serious Sox territory: A huge mural decorates one side, proclaiming “Welcome White Sox Fans” to the rallying crowds of diehards that pack the place during every game. Inside, nary a mention of the local National League team is uttered, so order a plate of corned beef hash and bask in the revelry of your fellow fan.
Cork & Kerry
We couldn’t spew a discussion of Sox bars without mentioning an Irish pub. This Irish-to-the-core Beverly bar hides pure black-and-white baseball beneath its green veneer. And even though you’ll have to trek a fair distance from the park, its promise of a warm, wood-paneled interior, beautiful beer garden and TVs broadcasting the Sox makes it worth the haul. For your trouble, you’ll score $7.50 buckets of five domestic beers on Tuesday and Sunday, draft beers like Guinness, Harp, Bass and Smithwicks and access to one of the area’s largest selections of Irish whiskey. If you need another reason to go, we strongly suggest you reconsider your affiliation. Shinnick’s
Another old-school Bridgeport boozer, Shinnick’s takes fanaticism so far it posts a White Sox tribute on its website. If you want to view clips of the stadium opener or a three-minute film covering the tavern’s World Series insanity, shinnicks.com covers it. Alas, if you want a drink, you’ll have to stop by in person. Family-run for three generations, the pub’s solid offerings include barbecue eats and baggo (AKA beanbags, cornhole or whatever you want to call it). Bottles cost $2.50, and don’t expect fancy-pants specials or quality brews. With liquor setting you back no more than $4, what else could you need? Perhaps, some change for the jukebox. We’re willing to bet it stocks Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.”
Seven Ten Lounge
This Lincoln Park bowling outpost hints at being a tried-and-true Sox bar in its description of upcoming events: “During all the White Sox Games and St. Louis Cardinal games, we show all games at all times on the MLB package!” Notice the gaping hole of coverage where the Cubs should be. Rolling strikes while the struggling Sox try to find the strike zone couldn’t be more fun, plus $3 Coors Light and $1 hot dogs and chili dogs during the games will keep you sated. In the off-chance you see a Cubs game playing, track down the interloper who requested it; despite its North Side locale, Seven Ten makes it clear that Cubbie blue sits firmly in the minority here.
Shoeless Joe’s
Legendary Black Sox Joe Jackson can’t get into the Hall of Fame after all these years, but at least you can hoist a drink at his namesake bar. It’s not a Sox bar, per se, but the owner bleeds black and white, so that’s good enough for us. Sure, it sponsors trips to Wrigley and the Cell, and wines by the glass top the drink list rather than brewskies, but we must recognize that not all baseball fans are so segregationist in their sports leanings. Some fans can appreciate fine vintages and teams from both sides of town.
Ricobene’s
You can work up an appetite watching all this playoff action. Head to a secluded spot right next to the highway (you actually park under the Dan Ryan) for the famous breaded steak sandwich, a meal in itself. If it takes you awhile to finish (and to clean up the red sauce on your fingers), don’t worry; the game will be on any of several TVs scattered around the dining room.
Catcher’s Inn
Everywhere you look in this small neighborhood bar you’ll find reminders of its proximity to U.S. Cellular Field (it’s about four blocks away); from the mini pennants and posted schedules to the black and white checkered ceilings, you’re sure to feel at home here if you root for the Sox. Daily beer specials abound, and there’s the occasional open mic night in case you get the urge to belt out some Journey after a win.
Cobblestones Bar and Grill
Serving a typically older crowd of Sox fans since 1990, Cobblestones brings some New Orleans charm to the South Side via its muffaletta sandwiches, served in a classic bar outfitted in plenty of dark wood. If you’re tired of battling traffic, make the bar a part of your game-day experience; come in for a meal or drink before the game and you can park in the adjoining lot (just a short walk to the ballpark) for free.
Kroll’s South Loop
The Chicago version of this Green Bay institution (the original is located directly across the street from Lambeau Field) smartly steers away from football. And even though both baseball teams are represented with memorabilia, it’s clear from the crowd that the Sox are the main draw. During game time, you’ll be able to watch Mark Buehrle and others on the more than 20 flat screens lining the place. Any other time, you might see them in the flesh, enjoying Kroll’s burgers and beers.
Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!
March Madness Deals in Chicago
Catch all the NCAA Tournament action at these bars and restaurants.It’s called the most exciting three weeks in sports. Every year, the 65 best college basketball teams are whittled down to one national champion. It’s a smorgasbord of TV watching, and these bars have specials to make the action even better.
Just want to watch the games with fellow alums? Check out this comprehensive list of NCAA-affiliated bars.
The Central and Grand Central
Drink $3 bottles MGD 64, Coors and Miller Lite drafts, as well as $12 MGD/Coors buckets throughout the tournament. Also choose from a select $5 March hoops food menu.
McGee’s
Tournament specials include $1 bottles, $3 import drafts and $3 margaritas.
Belly’s
Get $2 gameday shots, $5 Stoli cocktails and $15 Miller/Coors buckets at this Lakeview bar, which opens at 11 a.m. every day of the tournament.
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap Full Shilling Rockit Bar & Grill Moretti’s (West Loop) O’Donovan’s Smoke Daddy Harry Caray’s Merkle’s Bar and Grill Timothy O’Toole’s Cactus Bar & Grill, Franklin Tap and Martini Bar Lucky Strike Lanes Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!
For the duration of the tournament, Jake’s will be serving the Madness Burger — a 9-oz. burger topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a fried egg served between two grilled cheese sandwiches, paired with a Miller Lite pint for $9.99. Everyone who orders the Madness Combo will also be entered to win prizes like an iPod touch. Jake’s will also be giving away $5 drink vouchers (instantly redeemable) to all people wearing gear for teams in the tourney.
The popular Wrigleyville bar will be giving away free stuff all tournament long. With more than 100 Miller Lite scratch & win tickets, this lottery-style party will give everyone a chance to win. Prizes include mp3 player speaker coolers, aluminum bottle wraps, hats, T-shirts, bottle openers and more. Pitchers of Miller Lite will be on special for $7 throughout the tournament.
March 26, 6-8 p.m.
Watch the games for a good cause at RedHot March Madness. A $40 ticket includes drinks and snacks, and the proceeds benefit Primo Center for Women and Children, a transitional homeless shelter on the west side of the city.
April 6
Watch the championship game on over 25 big screen TVs, including 4 super bright HD plasmas. Celebrate with $16 (6 beers) buckets of Miller Lite and win prizes, including an iPod Nano in a basketball case, an in-home electronic Pop-A-Shot game and a Moretti’s pizza every month for a year.
Get there early to watch all the games on this friendly North Center bar’s 20 plasma TVs throughout the bar, party room and patio while sipping on $10 Miller Lite and Coors Light pitchers. The bar will offer daily lunch and dinner specials all tournament.
Celebrate all things Purdue: Smoke Daddy owner Josh Rutherford is a former Boilermaker mascot, so you know the place will be decked out in black-and-gold. Enjoy $4 Bud Light mugs and $7 imported mugs (22 ounces)during all tournament games. And a Purdue-themed menu will be available throughout the tournament, including the Boiler Burger, Mackey’s Mac and Cheese and Purdue Pete’s Pulled Pork Sandwich.
The Wrigleyville bar will offer $15 buckets of Milller Lite and Coors Light throughout the tournament. Harry Caray’s (Lombard) will offer $2 Bud and Bud Light drafts with commemorative March Madness pint glasses on all game days.
Kroll’s South Loop
Drink $5 20-ounce Miller Lite stadium cups and $4 select shots and eat specials like the “Madness Burger” and “Sweet Sixteen Wings,” all while watching all the games on Kroll’s two-dozen TVs. You can also enter a raffle for an Apple iTouch and other prizes, as well as enter a Pop-a-Shot contest during the Sweet Sixteen games.
Enjoy $4 22-ounce drafts and $5 bombs, along with 25-cent wings during all tournament games. You can also enter to win two free tickets to the Final Four. And on March 28, enter Merkle’s Sweet 16 flip cup tournament with cash prizes for the top teams.
With 45 TV screens, if you miss any of the action at this Streeterville hangout, it’s your own fault. Enjoy award-winning wings (the hot wings won first place at the recent WingFest) while taking advantage of daily drink deals that include $2 drafts on Saturdays and $16 Miller/Coors buckets on Sundays.
Drink $3 Miller Lite 20-ounce drafts during all tournament games.
Buy a $6 Sam Adams pint glass and get $4 refills; plus you get to keep the glass. Or get $20 buckets of Sam Adams Light.