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Deer/Frontier/Ruxbin/Burger Bar/Everest
Deer/Frontier/Ruxbin/Burger Bar/Everest
Photos: Tom Reichner/Shutterstock/Barry Brecheisen

Where to Eat Venison this Christmas Season

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Deer/Frontier/Ruxbin/Burger Bar/Everest
| Photos: Tom Reichner/Shutterstock/Barry Brecheisen

It's doubtful that anyone would be morbid enough to eat reindeer for Christmas. But venison? Sure, why not. Many restaurants in town are cooking interesting dishes with the reindeer's cousin, just in time for Santa's journey. Check out the map to see where to taste them.


Eater Chicago intern Aimee Gasior contributed to this story.

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Burger Bar

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This Old Town burger joint dishes up an elk burger decorated with charred pepper-onion relish, smoked gouda, and chili aioli.

Frontier

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For those looking for a hearty serving of one of Santa's friends this holiday season, head to this game-focused haven. Brian Jupiter is serving up a marinated chimichurri elk flank steak partnered with fried fingerling potatoes and green beans. If a steak isn't your fancy, try the smoked in-house knockwurst made with the reindeer's relative, venison.

Spiaggia

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Two dishes of antlered-creatures can be enjoyed at both the fine-dining Spiaggia or the relaxed Cafe Spiaggia. A loin of "antilope" and "pappardelle antelope bolognese," are certainly ranked high on Santa's "nice list" this holiday.

The Gage

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Fans of the burger should try the venison with smoked gouda, fried jalapeno, and woodland mushroom for lunch. For dinner, take a gander at the grilled rack of elk swimming in a pool of apple-celery emulsion and Demi-glace paired with a crispy kale salad.

Chicago's Dog House

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Non-stop shopping or delivering gifts this holiday season? Head over to this gourmet fast food joint for a quick bite. Besides enjoying their standard Chicago-style hot dog, this dive serves up specialty game sausages, including Ruldolph's cousin, elk.

Russian Tea Time

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What better way to end an afternoon tea service than with a wild game sausage platter? Kielbasa along with wild venison and wild buffalo sausages are broiled and served over mashed potatoes with the usual reindeer veggie favorites.

The Berghoff Restaurant

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Surrounding a mountain of spätzle and root vegetables, the boar, venison, and duck sausages are the main focuses in this game sausage platter.

For those ritzier reindeer-seekers, this Michelin-rated restaurant dishes up an eleven course tasting menu that includes a cut of cervena venison sitting on a bed of black trumpet farro and sprinkled with gooseberries.

Everest Restaurant

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"Up on the rooftop," 39 floors above the Financial District, Everest is dishing up a loin of venison drizzled with huckleberry jus and partnered with braised baby endive and spiced pear.

Ruxbin Kitchen

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Although this eclectic BYO restaurant takes no reservations, the leg of venison is definitely worth waiting for. Served with stewed berries, chestnuts, root vegetable fondant, and horseradish creme fraiche, this hoof can certainly deliver a kick of flavor.

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Burger Bar

This Old Town burger joint dishes up an elk burger decorated with charred pepper-onion relish, smoked gouda, and chili aioli.

Frontier

For those looking for a hearty serving of one of Santa's friends this holiday season, head to this game-focused haven. Brian Jupiter is serving up a marinated chimichurri elk flank steak partnered with fried fingerling potatoes and green beans. If a steak isn't your fancy, try the smoked in-house knockwurst made with the reindeer's relative, venison.

Spiaggia

Two dishes of antlered-creatures can be enjoyed at both the fine-dining Spiaggia or the relaxed Cafe Spiaggia. A loin of "antilope" and "pappardelle antelope bolognese," are certainly ranked high on Santa's "nice list" this holiday.

The Gage

Fans of the burger should try the venison with smoked gouda, fried jalapeno, and woodland mushroom for lunch. For dinner, take a gander at the grilled rack of elk swimming in a pool of apple-celery emulsion and Demi-glace paired with a crispy kale salad.

Chicago's Dog House

Non-stop shopping or delivering gifts this holiday season? Head over to this gourmet fast food joint for a quick bite. Besides enjoying their standard Chicago-style hot dog, this dive serves up specialty game sausages, including Ruldolph's cousin, elk.

Russian Tea Time

What better way to end an afternoon tea service than with a wild game sausage platter? Kielbasa along with wild venison and wild buffalo sausages are broiled and served over mashed potatoes with the usual reindeer veggie favorites.

The Berghoff Restaurant

Surrounding a mountain of spätzle and root vegetables, the boar, venison, and duck sausages are the main focuses in this game sausage platter.

TRU

For those ritzier reindeer-seekers, this Michelin-rated restaurant dishes up an eleven course tasting menu that includes a cut of cervena venison sitting on a bed of black trumpet farro and sprinkled with gooseberries.

Everest Restaurant

"Up on the rooftop," 39 floors above the Financial District, Everest is dishing up a loin of venison drizzled with huckleberry jus and partnered with braised baby endive and spiced pear.

Ruxbin Kitchen

Although this eclectic BYO restaurant takes no reservations, the leg of venison is definitely worth waiting for. Served with stewed berries, chestnuts, root vegetable fondant, and horseradish creme fraiche, this hoof can certainly deliver a kick of flavor.

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