Chicago is obviously far away from the Big Easy in many ways besides geography. Traveling is potentially dangerous proposition due to the pandemic, but Chicagoans can celebrate New Orleans’ famous food with some tasty Cajun and Creole fare locally all year round. Satisfy those gumbo, po' boy, shrimp and grits, and even Hurricane cravings with a hearty southern feast and drinks.
Some of the area’s strongest Cajun and Creole contenders, Buddy Guy’s Legends and Maple Tree Inn, have gone into hibernation, entries include virtual restaurants, food trucks, and robust takeout operations. Laissez les bons temps rouler.
The pandemic continues to alter the dining landscape, stalwarts like Maple Tree Inn remain in hibernation. As of February 16, Chicago restaurants are permitted to serve customers indoors with a 40 percent maximum capacity per room, or 50 people — whichever is fewer. At the same time, despite winter weather, a number of Chicago restaurants continue to offer outdoor seating. Regardless, the state requires reservations for indoor and outdoor dining. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as an endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.
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