Fulton Market’s Latest Serves a $19 Italian Beef

Cheffy versions of street food staples inspired by Chicago’s legendary Maxwell Street Market will be served at Regards to Edith, the Fulton Market restaurant that debuts today. Jared Wentworth, the former chef at Michelin-starred Longman & Eagle in Logan Square, is tackling some classic Chicago fare. It’s the companion spot to Prairie School, the neighboring cocktail bar that opened earlier in October from superstar bartender Jim Meehan. Regards to Edith resides in 1K Fulton, the home of Google’s Chicago headquarters with the restaurant’s entrance at 326 N. Morgan St.

Heisler Hospitality, the group behind West Loop’s Bad Hunter and Wicker Park’s Queen Mary, is behind Regards to Edith. The restaurant’s inspiration, Maxwell Street, dates back to the late-19th Century and brought together a collection of immigrants from different countries. Besides its contributions to food, including the Maxwell Street Polish sausage, blues performers routinely played at the market which currently resides at 800 S. Desplaines St.

Given that history, Regards to Edith has plenty to draw upon. The pizza puff is a Chicago invention from the South Side. Wentworth’s version uses burrata instead of mozzarella. There’s an Italian beef with shaved prime rib that comes with fries. That sandwich costs $19, and unlike the original Maxwell Street, there’s no haggling on that price. Other old-school Chicago dishes include shrimp de Jonghe, potato pierogies, and chicken Vesuvio. There are a few desserts on the menu, including a “churro soufflé” with Mexican hot chocolate sauce and queso fresco. Staff is asking for 25 minutes of notice for the soufflé.

Courtesy of Heisler Hospitality

Now, to be clear, Regards to Edith won’t be the first to try elevated, pricier versions of Chicago street food. Allium, the restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Gold Coast offers, a special Chicago-style hot dog that costs $16 for lunch (it’s not listed on the menu, diners will have to ask their server). Chef Kevin Hickey, now of The Duck Inn, created the item. The hot dog features premium ingredients, but it’s a polarizing item for those who believe encased meats shouldn’t be that expensive.

While Regards to Edith neighbors Prairie School, with Wentworth creating recipes for the cocktail bar, Regards to Edith is an independent entity with its own drink list. There’s eight house cocktails including two frozen drinks created by Heisler beverage director Michael McAvena. “The Southside Frappe” is described as “like a Lake Michigan Beach in January.” It’s made with gin, lime, and mint.

Check out the menu and drink list bellow. Regards to Edith officially opens today at Fulton Market and Morgan Street, just across the street from the Ace Hotel.

Regards to Edith, 326 N. Morgan St., reservations available via Reserve and through the restaurant website, open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.