Grab Some Steaks and Oysters Starting Today Across From Wrigley Field

One of Chicago’s most successful hospitality companies, Boka Restaurant Group, on Friday rechristens its space across from Wrigley Field. Dutch & Doc’s is no more as Boka swapped in a North Side version of its dark and stylish Fulton Market steakhouse. Swift & Sons Tavern debuts tonight at Clark and Addison, next to Hotel Zachary.

This won’t be a traditional steakhouse. Boka felt it was important to maintain a casual bar scene as the neighborhood’s prime draw is summertime baseball. Crews installed a new 30-foot oyster bar on the first floor. Chicago Cubs fans before and after games can now enjoy freshly shucked oysters. Besides the bar, Boka hasn’t made major changes to the two-level restaurant. Dutch & Doc’s opened in 2018, arriving after Hotel Zachary opened bringing other big-name restaurant companies like One Off Hospitality Group (Big Star), 4 Star Restaurant Group (Smoke Daddy), and Fifty/50 Restaurant Group (West Town Bakery & Tap) to Wrigleyville.

But despite solid reviews, business wasn’t booming like Boka wanted. In recent months, the 2019 James Beard Award-winning company had used Dutch & Docs as space for pop-ups, to say goodbye to Balena, and to introduce Momotaro chef Gene Kato’s Italian-Japanese menu — something Boka wants to eventually build a restaurant around. Boka made the switch to Swift & Sons, as a rep said an established brand made more sense. The original Swift & Sons opened in 2016 on Fulton Market and has been well reviewed.

Boka Restaurant Group/Ally Straussner

Swift & Sons will be Wrigleyville’s only steakhouse. Steak isn’t something that fans naturally associate with baseball, but Swift & Sons will serve four cuts of steak. The menu also includes po boys and oysters. There’s also a burger and macaroni and cheese (two of Dutch & Doc’s more popular items — it’s unclear if these are new riffs or a carryover from the old menu).

So as baseball season begins at the end of March, hope springs eternal for Boka with a fresh start. Swift & Sons Tavern opens today, read the menu below.

Swift & Sons Tavern, 3600 N. Clark Street, open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for weekend brunch.

Swift Tavern Dinner & Lunch 3.05.2020.pdf