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Restaurant Experts Sum Up the 2015 Chicago Scene in One Word

As 2015 fades into 2016, Eater surveyed a group of critics, writers and all-around experts for their take on the past year. We asked them eight questions: from Top Standbys to Top Newcomers, from Best Meals to Restaurants Broken Up With. All answers will be revealed—cut, pasted, unedited and unadulterated—by the time we pop the cork on 2016.

by Daniel Gerzina
Swift & Sons was one of the many new steakhouses that inspired many of the one-word answers.
Swift & Sons was one of the many new steakhouses that inspired many of the one-word answers.
Marc Much

Describe the 2015 Chicago restaurant scene in one word.

Penny Pollack, Chicago Magazine: Dismal.

Sean Cooley, Thrillist: Steak.

Sarah Freeman, Zagat: Approachable (this is also my new least-favorite word).

Chandra Ram, Plate: Ramen-Meaty. It's a new word, invented by Chicago food writers ping-ponging between all the new steakhouses and ramen shacks.

Chris LaMorte, UrbanDaddy: Frenetic.

Phil Vettel, Chicago Tribune: Beefy.

Amy Cavanaugh, Time Out Chicago: Beefy.

Anthony Todd, Chicagoist: Carnivorous.

Michael Gebert, Fooditor: Dry-aged.

Jeff Ruby, Chicago Magazine: Chill.

Peter Frost, Crain's: Bubble.

Michael Nagrant, RedEye: Steak.

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