West Loop’s Latest Opens Tonight With Kimchi and Cheddar Waffle Fries

There’s no doubt that the ownership behind Bandit is going for a playful vibe along venerable Randolph Restaurant Row with bathrooms dedicated to Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. But DineAmic Hospitality (Bar Siena, Barrio, Prime & Provisions) wants customers to know its menu can compete with any of the other West Loop restaurants in the area. Bandit opens today inside celebrity chef Graham Elliot’s former space.

They’ve redesigned the bar area and added TVs. No bartender will grunt at sports fans if they want to catch a few innings. When the Bulls and Blackhawks resume play later this year, Bandit will try to attract fans before or after games at the nearby United Center. But it’s not a dedicated sports bar. The restaurant will be good for dates, and the back patio is welcoming to groups. Like most DineAmic venues, the volume will get pumped up later in the night, but if guests want a dry-aged steak, they can find it here. Customers can also find tater tots topped with black caviar, a health assortment of salads, and waffle fries drowned with bulgolgi, cheddar, and kimchi. There’s also the giant “Diplomat” a Slagel Farms beef burger that detaches into smaller sliders.

DineAmic is known for BomboBar, a spot known for Instagram-friendly desserts like lavishly topped milkshakes. Bandit’s pastry chef has brownies and other sweets ready to go. But DineAmic’s Lucas Stoioff and David Rekhson wanted to incorporate the nostalgic Good Humor ice cream truck. Servers will bring over a cooler full of Good Humor ice cream bars and customers will get that childhood feeling again.

Bandit also wants to bring customers back to college. There’s the “Bandit Punch” served in a red cup that looks like a Solo disposable cup. Then there’s a section of nostalgic shots like “Buttery Nipple,” “Jager Bomb,” and “Pickleback.” That section is called “the Danger Zone,” a reference to Kenny Loggin’s song from Tom Cruise’s 1986 film, Top Gun. Though many not around in the ‘80s may just know it from FX’s animated show Archer.

Check out the menu, food, and drink below. Bandit opens tonight.

Bandit, 841 W. Randolph Street, (312) 666-6061, open daily at 5 p.m., reservations via OpenTable or on website.

BANDIT_Food_Drink_Menu.pdf

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago