Chicago’s Restaurant Experts Reveal the Biggest Dining Surprises of 2018

Chicago’s restaurant writers dish on their biggest surprises of 2018 as part of Eater’s ongoing tradition of polling the city’s experts for their year-end takes.

Chandra Ram, Plate: Naha closing, although I have hope that Carrie and Michael will recreate or bring it back in another form. I dearly loved that restaurant.

Mike Sula, Chicago Reader: [Chicago magazine writer] John Kessler puts ketchup on his hot dog.

Audarshia Townsend, managing editor for Restaurant Inc. magazine; regular contributor for WGN Morning News: Anthony Bourdain’s death. He may not have been a Chicagoan, or ever lived here, but the impact he had on our restaurant scene will live on forever. May he rest in peace.

Titus Ruscitti, ChiBBQKing: Real deal Niu Rou Mian (Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup) in a Westmont food court.

Matt Kirouac, What Should We Do: The Glad dinner at Giant was quite surprising. I actually really didn’t mind whatsoever, I thought it was funny. And those guys are amazing and talented.

Michael Gebert, Fooditor: Otto Phan (Kyōten) and everyone else who decided we needed high-end sushi at long last.

Ariel Cheung, CS Magazine: How many new omakase spots popped up simultaneously.

Michael Nagrant, michaelnagrant.com: Aba.

Morgan Olsen, Time Out Chicago: Le Sud. Oh, and the influx of omakase concepts. (Here’s hoping my bank account also sees an influx of cash so I can try them all.)