One of Chicago’s Favorite Butchers Could Open a Sandwich Shop

The owners of Paulina Meat Market, the 68-year-old butcher shop in Lakeview that’s a destination for quality chops and fresh sausages, may open a restaurant. Ownership submitted a proposal to the city so they could build a second floor and add a sausage kitchen and smokehouse at their existing location, according to DNAinfo. As rents escalate in the area, the butcher shop’s owners say the expansion, including the kitchen, would diversify their revenue streams.

Paulina’s owners are reluctant to call the plans a full-fledged restaurant, as the DNAinfo story focuses more on the expanded retail offerings that could also include fresh fish. It’s unclear if there would be seating inside or if items would be strictly carryout. The owners mentioned serving sandwiches. Maybe they would make use of house-smoked meats. Over in the West Loop, J.P. Graziano’s sandwich business has risen from what used to be primarily a grocer.

The butcher shop has dabbled in the restaurant business before. Paulina has hosted events including a 2015 pop-up featuring encased meats from Hot Doug’s. Stay tuned.