The West Loop’s Getting One of D.C.’s Favorite Hoagie Shops

The hoagies are coming to the West Loop, as Taylor Gourmet, a popular D.C.-based chain that debuted in Chicago in January in the Loop, is planning a second Chicago restaurant. Ownership took over a space where FireFin Poke Shop had plans before the Hawaiian seafood spot closed all its locations. Taylor Gourmet founder Casey Patten couldn’t commit to a date or month, but said they’re planning an early- to late-summer opening at 177 N. Morgan Street. This looks to be the chain’s 21st location.

Unlike the Loop location which serves downtown office workers, Patten expects customers at his upcoming restaurant to be more relaxed. He hopes that they’ll explore the 20-item menu and to linger inside the 2,000-square-foot restaurant longer. The space should be friendly to those with laptops or tablets. Taylor Gourmet features hoagies, the submarine sandwich with Philadelphia roots. In Chicago, the rolls come fresh from Highland Bakery.

Taylor Gourmet will share the building with some well-known tenants. Shake Shake, Do-Rite Donuts, and Honeygrow have already opened restaurants inside. These quick-serve spots offer customers options in a West Loop neighborhood full of fine dining from Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard, and others. Patten said he’d like to collaborate with some of that surrounding talent to offer limited-edition hoagies or salads.

“We love to around like-minded individuals, being able to be in a really cool, dense, popular, hip neighborhood with like-minded restaurateurs and bars,” he said.

The new location will also have sidewalk seating and D+K Architects will handle the space’s design. Since opening in the Loop, Patten said he and his team have studied customers’ tendencies and compared them to other markets. When compared to D.C., Patten said — surprisingly — that Chicago diners order almost exactly like customers in the capital.

Come back later this summer when Taylor Gourmet reveals an opening date.