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December 28
AROUND TOWN— Earlier this month, Ty Fujimura — the owner of Michelin-starred Entente in Lakeview, Arami in West Town, and SmallBar Logan Square — launched a virtual restaurant that delivers chicken wings via Caviar. It’s called Lucky Klucker. Status: Certified open, online.
BOYSTOWN— The former Dive Bar has life. D.S. Fajita Factory has taken over the space, according to ChicagoPride.com. It’s a counter space with Mexican food. Status: Certified open, 3445 N. Halsted Street.
DEPAUL— The former Iron Lotus is now home to an Asian-Cajun seafood boil restaurant. It’s called Jumbo Crab. It’s a spin-off of a suburban Tinley Park restaurant. Status: Certified open, 1443 W. Fullerton Avenue.
HYDE PARK— The Hyde, the password-protected, speakeasy style lounge from the owner of Porkchop, is opening on New Year’s Eve. The space’s Instagram is forcing potential customers to jump through a few social media hoops to get the entrance password. It’s ironic to use that much viral marketing, considering the owner wants to restrict smartphone use. Status: Opening on January 31, 5121 S. Harper Avenue.
JEFFERSON PARK— It’s not Sally’s Waffle and Pancake House, but on the restaurant’s hallowed grounds, Cozy Corner has opened a location. Expect the diner fare the chain’s known for at its other restaurants around the city. Status: Certified open, 5434 N. Harlem Avenue.
THE LOOP— Nic’s Organic Fast Food has opened its first location in downtown Chicago. The chain debuted in Rolling Meadows and followed with a location at Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg. Status: Certified open, 180 N. LaSalle Street.
WICKER PARK— Rakki Cafe, the soft-serve ice cream shop that specializes in Asian flavors such as matcha and black sesame, is opening this weekend. The shop is from Johnny Lee, an LA chef who is looking to open more restaurants in Chicago. Cheesecakes and cheese tarts are other items available. Unlike LA, which heavily skews toward matcha, Lee said Chicagoans at his friends and family services have split between matcha and black sesame. Green teas, hojicha, matcha and black sesame hot chocolates, plus milk teas are also available. Status: Opening at 5 p.m. on Friday, 1375 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
SKOKIE— Suburban Skokie has a new spot for customers to play video games on consoles and PCs. Ignite Gaming Lounge is in its beta. It has food and drink and is open until 3 a.m. daily. Status: Certified open, 8125 Skokie Boulevard.
December 14
ALBANY PARK— Lumpia, adobo bowls, empanadas, and more are available at Subo Filipino Kitchen. Status: Certified open, 4712 N. Kimball Avenue.
BRIDGEPORT— It’s been more than year since ownership announced it was opening, but Stockyard Coffeehouse is really opening this weekend. The family-owned spot has seating for about 20. They’re serving pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and more. Status: Opening at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, 558 W. 37th Street.
We are pleased to announce that we are officially opening The Stockyard Coffeehouse on Sunday, December 16th at 7:30am....
Posted by The Stockyard Coffeehouse on Thursday, December 13, 2018
BUCKTOWN— The former AMK Kitchen Bar has been remodeled and taken oven. Gigi’s Kitchen is an American cafe with Latin influences. Find flatbreads, sandwiches, and salads at this neighborhood spot. Status: Certified open, 1954 W. Armitage Avenue.
LAKEVIEW— There’s a new spot for Chinese hot pot on the North Side. It’s called Grand Mongolian Hot Pot. The menu listed is simple. The space is a former Sushi Burrito. Status: Certified open, 2904 N. Broadway Street.
LITTLE ITALY— Leona’s is gone, and a new restaurant that proves a certain chain doesn’t have a monopoly on Portuguese-style chicken has taken its place. Porto’s Peri Peri has six suburban locations, and they just debuted its first in the city. Check out the menu. Status: Certified open, 1419 W. Taylor Street.
PILSEN— A family paletas business has grown into a full restaurant. It’s called Cafe Emmanuel, and the 15-seat cafe serves hot chocolate, pastries, and more. Block Club Chicago has more details. Status: Certified open, 1915 W. 19th Street.
RAVENSWOOD— There’s Mexican seafood served at XOchimilco Mexican Restaurant, but the habanero barbecue ribs and other meaty entrees also sound interesting. It’s BYO. Status: Certified open, 2030-32 W. Montrose Avenue.
RIVER NORTH— Parlor Pizza Bar has opened its third location. Find Neapolitan crusts, craft beer, and an almost-club atmosphere on this high-trafficked block that housed Keefer’s and C Chicago/Ocean Cut. Status: Certified open, 405 N. Dearborn Street.
RIVER WEST— A second location of Egg-O-Holic, an Indian restaurant that specializes in the egg dishes, has opened in River West. The first location opened in February in Schaumburg, and Chi BBQ King has a rundown on what to expect. They’re available on Uber Eats with a menu of egg curries, sandwiches, and bhurji. Status: Certified open, 833 W. Chicago Avenue.
ROGERS PARK— Paninis, smoothie bowls, salads, and more are available at Sebastian’s Coffee & Bakery. It seems to be a wonderland where they’ll pour chocolate or caramel sauce on brownies if customers will allow for it. Status: Certified open, 6712 N. Clark Street.
WEST ROGERS PARK— JC Villegas, the former chef/owner at Wholly Frijoles Mexican Grill in suburban Lincolnwood, has opened a new casual Mexican restaurant in the city. Cabos Baja is a traditional Mexican restaurant with all the staples. Status: Certified open, 5720 N. California Avenue.
WEST LOOP— Announced back in August, Chicago’s French Market has a new vendor selling Chinese street food, including scallion pancakes. It’s called Jianbing. Status: Certified open, Chicago’s French Market, 131 N. Clinton Street.
Visit newly opened Jian, which features China's most popular street food - Jianbing. This asian twist on a crepe is...
Posted by Chicago French Market on Wednesday, December 5, 2018
WEST TOWN— Night Fish Sushi and Asian Cuisine has opened near Eckhart Park with a familiar mix of sushi items. There’s even a “Chicago bull” roll. Status: Certified open, 1421 W. Chicago Avenue.
December 7
CHATHAM— Krispy’s Fried Chicken & Seafood, a chain from Wichita, Kansas, has opened a Chicago location, according to Block Club Chicago. It’s the chain’s fifth in the city. Block Club covered the controversy surrounding the prior tenant. Status: Certified open, 400 E. 87th Street.
LAKEVIEW— La Boulangerie has reopened its Lakeview location. Find the usual variety of breads, coffee, and more. Status: Certified open, 945 W. Belmont Avenue.
LINCOLN PARK— The former Sugar Fixe has a new sweet tenant. Le Macaron has opened at the corner of Armitage and Sheffield. Status: Certified open, 958 W. Armitage Avenue.
LINCOLN PARK— The Slice Factory is closed, replaced by The Little Meatball. The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. Status: Certified open, 2364 N. Lincoln Avenue.
ROGERS PARK— A new jazz and blues bar, Le Piano, has opened in Rogers Park. The establishment also has a full kitchen. Status: Certified open, 6970 N. Greenwood Avenue.
UKRAINIAN VILLAGE— Border Taco is BYO and serves breakfast, burritos, and fajitas. Status: Certified open, 912 N. Western Avenue.
WICKER PARK— The new izakaya that replaced Mana Food Bar is officially open. Yokocho serves meat and Japanese whiskey from the same owners. Status: Certified open, 1742 W. Division Street.
WRIGLEYVILLE— Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken is the newest addition to the area surrounding Wrigley Field. It also has beer, plus vegan and gluten-free doughnuts. Status: Certified open, 1027 W. Addison Street.
NAPERVILLE— A cheffy new restaurant has opened in downtown Naperville. The Naperville Sun has the details on Allegory. Status: Certified open, 224 S. Main Street, Naperville.
November 30
IRVING PARK— The Northwest Side has a new music-themed spot for burgers, hot dogs, shakes, and other Chicago street food. B-Side features rock decor and a jukebox in a fast-casual environment. Check out the menu and more on its website. Status: Certified open, 3734 W. Irving Park Road.
UPTOWN— Argyle Street has another intriguing Vietnamese option in Nha Trang, which cut the ribbon on November 16. It serves more than 250 “California-style” Vietnamese dishes. Status: Certified open, 1104 W. Argyle Street.
WEST LOOP— Italian beef icon Buona Beef opened its 24th restaurant — but only third in the city — on Black Friday just steps from Randolph Restaurant Row. It offers the chain’s usual menu, seats 56 people, and will have outdoor seating during warmer weather. Status: Certified open, 804 W. Washington Boulevard.
EVANSTON— From popular farmers market vendor to standalone restaurant, Gotta B Crepes opened on Thursday in Evanston. Its menu offers an array of sweet and savory crepes — from smores to pepperoni pizza — as well as brunch dishes, bowls, salads, and nonalcoholic beverages. Status: Certified open, 2901 Central Street, Evanston.
OAK BROOK— Another shack attack happened in the Chicago suburbs today. Shake Shack, Danny Meyer’s worldwide burger phenomenon, opened its sixth Illinois location in Oak Brook, giving away free beanies to the first 100 people in line. The space is nearly 5,000 square feet, has a covered outdoor patio, local beer, and three frozen custard concretes that are only available at this location. Status: Certified open, 1950 Spring Road, Oak Brook.
WHEELING— Popular suburban seafood haven Boston Fish Market is now open on the North Shore. The new Wheeling location offers a similar vast array of seafood in appetizers, sandwiches, fish fries, and full dinners as the Des Plaines location, plus some new steak options. Status: Certified open, 412 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling.
November 16
LOGAN SQUARE— A new Asian chicken wing restaurant, Landbirds, has opened, according to Block Club Chicago. Status: Certified open, 2532 N. California Avenue.
STREETERVILLE— Wow Bao has opened another location for fast-casual Asian dumplings and more. Status: Certified open, 46 E. Chicago Avenue.
WICKER PARK— Conrad’s Grill, a fast-casual favorite among Michigan State University alum and students, has opened its first restaurant outside of Michigan. Its signature item is a wrap stuffed with tater tots. Status: Certified open, 1422 W. Milwaukee Avenue.
WRIGLEYVILLE— Shake Shack has opened another Chicago restaurant. This one’s only steps away from Wrigley Field. Status: Certified open, 3519 N. Clark Street.
EVANSTON— Milwaukee’s Colectivo Coffee continues its Chicago expansion with a suburban location. The coffee shop has locations in Lincoln Park, Logan Square, and Andersonville. Status: Certified open, 716 Church Street, Evanston.
FOREST PARK— Skrine Chops, the barbecue restaurant once frequented by comedian Patton Oswalt, is no more. It’s been replaced by a Mexican restaurant called Mi Tierra Nayarit. Oak Park Eats has more details. Certified open, 7230 Madison Street, Forest Park.
VERNON HILLS— Kuma’s Corner has opened another restaurant in the suburbs. Burgers named after metal bands, a solid craft beer list, and no waffle fries are part of the experience. Status: Certified open, 925 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills.
November 9
NEAR NORTH SIDE— Dollop Coffee has opened another location. It also serves sandwiches and salads. Status: Certified open, 853 N. Larrabee Street.
Is it really snowing?! Come BEET the weather with our newest Unbeetable Latte — beets, brown sugar, cardamom, and fennel...
Posted by Dollop Coffee Company on Friday, November 9, 2018
THE LOOP— Left Coast, the juice and health food restaurant, has opened its third location. It’s a 75-seat location at the corner of Randolph and Franklin. There’s also a 50-seat covered patio. Status: Certified open, 151 N. Franklin Street.
WEST LOOP— Indian fast-casual restaurant Hakka Bakka Indian Kati Rolls has opened its second location. Indian-style bento boxes have been added to the selections. Status: Certified open, 1002 W. Lake Street.
EVANSTON— Kilwin’s, the chain of fudge and ice cream shops, has opened another suburban location. Status: Certified open, 1724 Sherman Avenue, Evanston.
SCHAUMBURG— A spinoff of Priya Restaurant, Priya Express, has opened in the suburbs. It’s an Indian restaurant specializing in South Indian food like dosa. The full-service restaurants have locations in Schaumburg and Vernon Hills. The new location is fast-casual. Status: Certified open, 645 W. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg.
November 2
IRVING PARK— Finom Coffee serves Hungarian food as well as Counter Culture coffee, Rare Tea Cellar, and pastries from suburban Oak Park bakery Spilt Milk. Block Club Chicago spoke with the owners. Status: Certified open, 4200 W. Irving Park Road.
LITTLE VILLAGE— Chicano Hamburger & Wings has opened serving burgers, hot dogs, wings, and steak sandwiches. Status: Certified open, 2857 S. St. Louis Avenue.
THE LOOP— Venerable pizza chain Rosati’s has opened another location. Expect the same classic menu. Status: Certified open, 176 N. Wells Street.
PILSEN— A new modern Mexican restaurant, La Mejikãna, has debuted in Pilsen. Expect skirt steak, seafood, and more. The Tribune tasted the tacos and spoke with the owners. Status: Certified open, 1820 S. Ashland Avenue.
HIGHWOOD— Craft beer cafe Beermiscous has opened suburban location, a follow-up to its Lincoln Park spot. It’s great spot to work during the day or gather with a few friends and pints at night. Status: Certified open, 552 Sheridan Road, Highwood.
NAPERVILLE— Kanye West has another Mexican restaurant to try in suburban Naperville. Fat Rosie’s has opened a second location to pair with the original in Frankfort. It’s part of Scott Harris’ Francesca’s Restaurant Group, and there’s a small patio and a tequila bar. Status: Certified open, 47 E. Chicago Avenue, Naperville.
October 26
ANDERSONVILLE— Frio Gelato has opened its third location. The Argentinian-style dessert shop also has locations in Lakeview and suburban Evanston. Status: Certified open, 5152 N. Clark Street.
BUCKTOWN— There’s a new restaurant at the CTA’s Western Blue Line Station. It’s called the Sala Pao Shop. It’s a Thai restaurant with ready-to-eat food and paos — Thai steamed buns — and more. It’s from the owners of Sticky Rice. Status: Certified open, 1909 N. Western Avenue.
BUENA PARK— Chicago’s patron sub shop is still opening new locations. Mr. Submarine brought more of its infamous sandwich magic to the North Side. Status: Certified open, 4070 N. Clark Street.
LOGAN SQUARE— Cafe Tola has opened its fourth location, bringing empanadas, tacos, and coffee to Logan Square. Status: Certified open, 2489 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
ROGERS PARK— Four years after opening its first restaurant near Edgebrook, the owners of King Pho have opened a second restaurant. It’s called King Pho2 and it’s a Vietnamese restaurant with a familiar menu. Status: Certified open, 5659 N. Lincoln Avenue.
VERNON HILLS— A Boston chain, B.Good, has opened its first Chicago-area restaurant. The menu is supposed to be healthy with seasonal bowls, pastas, and smoothies. Ownership also wants to open in Naperville and Schaumburg. They’ve got more than 50 locations across the U.S. Status: Certified open, 875 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills.
October 19
AVONDALE— Coffee Club is a new coffee shop from a local couple. Block Club Chicago has the details. Status: Certified open, 3185 N. Elston Avenue.
LINCOLN PARK— There’s a new pizzeria in the former Bricks space. It’s called La Roccia and it serves thin-crust pizzas. Status: Certified open, 1909 N. Lincoln Avenue.
HYDE PARK— SOPHY is a 98-room hotel that recently opened and the property’s restaurant is called Mesler Kitchen | Bar | Lounge. Bradford Shovlin is the chef and he’s worked at North Pond and Crofton on Wells, according to a news release. Status: Certified open, 1411 E. 53rd Street.
MAG MILE— The new Aloft hotel opened this week and features W XYZ, the property’s cocktail bar with live music. There’s also a space for grab and go food, according to a news release. Status: Certified open, 243 E. Ontario Street.
NORTH CENTER— Churro Factory is open near Irving Park and Lincoln. It also does funnel cakes, special orders like heart-shaped churros, sundaes, and more. Status: Certified open, 3927 N. Lincoln Avenue.
SOUTH LOOP— A new bakery and coffee shop, TeaPotBrew Bakery, has opened. There’s not much info available other than this Facebook post on the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance page. Status: Certified open, 1802 S. Wabash Avenue.
SOUTH SHORE— Another husband-and-wife team has opened up a coffee shop. This one’s called Heritage Cafe and Block Club Chicago reported that it also serves vegan wraps. Status: Certified open, 1849 E. 79th Street.
ROSEMONT— Rosebud Restaurants has been in the news this week for not so good reasons. But on Monday, the chain opened a Carmine’s near O’Hare International Airport. Status: Certified open, 9850 Berwyn Avenue, Rosemont.
October 12
HYDE PARK— There’s a new sushi spot in Hyde Park called Sushi and Desserts Bar. It also serves rolled ice cream. Status: Certified open, 1453 E. 53rd Street.
WEST LOOP— A new restaurant will open inside the Tikkawala space on Monday, just a day after the Indian restaurant’s last day of service. Darshan Desai, a Tikkawala partner, said he’ll relaunch Ella’s Corner — the diner that operated in the space before Tikkawala opened. It’ll serve breakfast and lunch on weekdays and host pop-up events, like Tikkawala dinners, on the weekends. Status: Opening on Monday, 1258 W. Jackson Boulevard.
HIGHLAND PARK— Seven months after Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan closed his tea shop, Ravinia Brewing has taken over the space. Please make all the smashing pumpkin ale jokes now. It’s been a long road for Ravinia: At one point ownership planned to open in Albany Park. Status: Certified open, 582 Roger Williams Avenue, Highland Park.
HILLSIDE— Krispy Kreme has opened a suburban location and through Sunday it’s holding a promotion where customers could winner free doughnuts for a year. Status: Certified open, 110 S. Mannheim Road, Hillside.
ROSEMONT— The second Chicago-area Truluck’s Seafood, Steak, and Crab House is open in the suburbs. The two-story, 14,000-square-foot space is part of a chain. Status: Certified open, 9860 Berwyn Ave., Rosemont.
October 5
THE LOOP— Limitless Coffee & Tea has opened inside the lobby of the Crain Communications Building at the corner of Michigan and Randolph. It’s Matt Matros’ third location and it offers the same menu as the River North and West Loop spots. Status: Certified open, 150 N. Michigan Avenue.
THE LOOP— Pub Royale has opened its pop-up inside Revival Food Hall. It’s a spin-off of the Wicker Park Anglo-Indian restaurant from Heisler Hospitality that serves a truncated menu that includes burgers. It’s open through December 28. Status: Certified open, Revival Food Hall, 125 S. Clark Street.
ROGERS PARK— Roman-style pizza continues to take Chicago. Anto Pizza has opened from Tony Barbanente, the chef behind Via Veneto. There are also salads, panini, and more. Status: Certified open, 1547 W. Jarvis Avenue.
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OAK PARK— Mora Asian Kitchen has opened its third location, following restaurants in Bolingbrook and Plainfield. The Pan Asian restaurant features Korean, Chinese, and sushi. Status: Certified open, 201 Harrison Street, Oak Park.
SCHAUMBURG— There’s a new Mediterranean restaurant in the northwest suburbs. It’s called Meze Mediterráneo and it’s new to Woodfield Shopping Center, reported The Daily Herald. Status: Certified open, 680 Mall Drive, Schaumburg.
September 28
EDGEWATER— A new Mexican restaurant has replaced That Little Mexican Cafe on the North Side. Edgewater Mexican Cafe is casual with a liquor license. Status: Certified open, 1055 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue.
LAKEVIEW— Foxtrot has opened its fifth store, offering delivery to the Southport Corridor. This one has a cafe with coffee, beer, and tea. There are also cocktails. On the food side, there’s quiche, sandwiches, and more. Check out the full menu below. Status: Certified open, 3334 N. Southport Avenue.
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LINCOLN PARK— Popular food truck Fat Shallot has opened a restaurant in Lincoln Park. Find sandwiches, french fries, and cocktails in the casual and family-friendly environment. Status: Certified open, 2468 N. Clark Street.
EVANSTON— A week after closing in Lincoln Square, The Budlong is opening at Northwestern University. Students can get Nashville hot fried chicken and more. Status: Opening on Monday, Northwestern University’s Norris University Canter, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston.
PARK RIDGE— Make Room For Truman is a new suburban restaurant focusing on slow cooking from former Four Corners executive chef James Keane. Check out his menu here. It’ll also have happy hour specials. Status: Certified open, 550 W. Touhy Avenue, Park Ridge.
SCHAUMBURG— Stan’s Donuts is adding to Woodfield Shopping Center’s food pavillion by opening its 10th location. After the 7:45 a.m. Saturday ribbon cutting, the first 100 customers will get freebies. Status: Opening on Saturday, Woodfield Shopping Center, 5 Woodfield Drive, Schaumburg
For a list of the 2018 summer openings, click here.
