Ten Not Boring Lunch Spots In Chicago
Whether lunch is the destination or just a stop along the way, here are some surefire options you won't be bored with in Chicago.
Photo by Muzammil Soorma on Unsplash
Chicago is a foodie town. There is a cornucopia of places to imbibe, indulge, and suffer from indigestion. So it's crucial when planning your trip, to not disregard your mid-day meal. We realize that not everyone considers lunch an activity the same way we do, so pick and choose where to eat based on what else you're doing with your day. But whether lunch is the destination or just a stop along the way, here are some surefire options you won't be bored with in Chicago.
The Wiener Circle
2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 6061
This Chicago legend is better known for its after-dark goings on, but if that's not your scene, take advantage of the quieter lunch crowd and non-insulting service. If you've never been before, or even if you have, the Chardog is the move, and don't skip the heavenly golden nectar from the god's cheddar for your fries. In a city filled with Vienna Hot Dogs (the only kind of hotdog that should be allowed to call itself a hotdog), the Wiener Circle reigns supreme.
Photo Credit: Ramen Wasabi
Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Ramen is delicious any time of day, but on a Cold Chicago day, it's the most comforting, warmup-the-soul lunch you can have, and there is no better Ramen than Ramen Wasabi in Logan Square. Their rich and creamy pork bone broth takes up to 45 hours to make, and the time and care they put into it is apparent the second you slurp. The Original Tonkotsu with melt-in-your-mouth Berkshire Pork Belly is a personal favorite. Still, if Pork isn't your jam, they also have Chicken Broth-based and Vegan mushroom-based Ramen to enjoy. Ramen Wasabi also has other delicious comfort food items that you should absolutely try, like the Tokyo Spicy Wings and the Hanetsuki Pork Dumplings.
Photo Credit: Taqueria Chingón
Taqueria Chingón
2234 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
One of the things we love the most is when West Coast Taco snobs come to Chicago and realize that maybe it's not just Southern California that knows what it's doing when it comes to the ultimate street food. Here, the tacos are elevated above street food. Still, they have the classics covered with Holy Sh*t good Al Pastor and Asada tacos. If you're really in the mood for something Not Boring, go for the Duck Carnitas. It's true that at $6+ a taco, they're very pricy, but you won't regret a lunch here.
Photo Credit: Lardon Chicago
Lardon
2200 N. CALIFORNIA AVE. LOGAN SQUARE, CHICAGO, IL
Have you ever taken a bite out of a sandwich and just cried? No, well, prepare yourself because after you take a bite out of one of the most not boring Pastrami sandwiches you'll ever have, you may. Or maybe that's just us. But either way, the Pastrami Ruben at Lardon is an absolute must, must, must-try. Juicy Pastrami, midnight moon gouda, fancy sauce, house kraut, deli pickles, sandwiched between griddled marbled rye, I feel tears coming right now. It doesn't hurt that ambiance makes you feel like you're dining in the sixth arrondissement either, but we could eat this sandwich outside next to the dumpsters and still enjoy it almost as much. Vegetarians don't despair; their Boujee Grilled cheese is also delicious and not boring. Lardon serves their hot sandwiches til 3:30 and their deli sandwiches til 5PM.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks & Stone Crab
60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Joe's never disappoints, and walking into their warm, wood-filled dining room, following a true Maitre D, bow tie and all, can make you feel like you're walking into a prime power lunch spot. But the service is friendly and similar to their menu, not elitist. True, you can opt for the bone-in New York and the King Alaskan Crab legs. Go for it if that's what you're craving, but if you're not expensing your lunch and still conscious of your budget, there are plenty of salads and sandwiches to choose from. We love starting with the stuffed mushrooms and then moving on to Crab Cakes, the King Crab Roll, or the Seared Ahi Tuna salad. For non-seafood fans, they have a can't miss burger and famous fried chicken. A few things to remember, the sides are usually a la carte. Opt for the hash browns if you're craving a potato and the fried asparagus. If you really want something not boring and also have no other plans than to take a nap for the rest of the afternoon, order the Lobster Mac and Cheese, but do not skip the pie. The pie is the best part of the meal; our favorite is the Havana Dream Pie, but you go with your gut.
Photo Credit: Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks & Stone Crab
Photo Credit: Lula Cafe
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Lula Cafe serves "farm to table" fair, but we think a better description is "oh my god, you have to try this…" style food. This Logan Square gem is always packed, and while they don't take reservations for daytime diners, it's worth the wait. Whatever you feel like ordering, order, it will be good, but if you're hesitating from ordering the Classic Lula's Breakfast Burrito because it's just a breakfast burrito and it seems boring, stop and order the damn Breakfast Burrito. It is not boring! It is the furthest thing from boring a breakfast item can be. Filled with the fluffiest, softest, creamiest scrambled eggs you've ever had and served with an insanely flavorful green chile soffrito, this is one burrito you'll find yourself thinking about weeks later. It's enormous, so while absolutely, you do you, devour the whole thing on your own, know that you can split it and still be satisfied.
Photo Credit: Sushi-San
Sushi-San
63 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
Who doesn't love a Sushi Lunch? This isn't your quiet, traditional Japanese sushi establishment. Sushi San's ambiance is brash and a bit garish, but the Sushi is fresh and skillfully crafted, which is why you're here. They have a large selection of uber-fresh Nigiri, Sashimi, and maki rolls, and some other can't miss items like the eggplant tempura.
They offer a $26 Oh-My-Kaze express Sushi/Sashimi lunch that comes with salmon, hamachi, and tuna. 3pcs sashimi, 3pcs nigiri, 6pcs maki served with miso soup, seaweed salad. So you can have both a not boring and excellent deal of a lunch.
*Not open for lunch, but…If you're looking for the true, not boring sushi experience, come back at dinner, we should say book a reservation well in advance for the Omakase room. A 10-person Omaske Counter is hidden inside Sushi-San and is led by Master Sushi Chef Kaze Chan.
Photo Credit: Au Cheval
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Au Cheval doesn't accept reservations. It's first come, first served, so yes, there will be a queue, but you're not coming here every day, so tough it out. If you've never been, you're here for the burger. It's not boring, it's not overrated, it's the things dreams are made of. But don't discount the many other non-boring items that fill the Au Cheval Menu. The Cripsy Potato hash with duck heart gravy, definitely not boring, and neither is the fried Bologna sandwich, and honestly when was the last time you had one of those? They also make stellar cocktails, which are not boring any time of day.
Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski Rd. Ste 2. Chicago, IL 60641
You smell Smoque before you see it. The second you turn on Pulaski from the highway, a sweet, smoldering, smoky symphony envelopes your senses, and your mouth starts to water ever so slightly. The folks at Smoque are the best pit masters in Chicago, and their meticulous attention to detail, from the carefully selected cuts of meat to the perfectly balanced rubs and spices, shows itself in every dish. The star of the show here is the brisket. We agree with Texas Monthly BBQ editor Daniel Vaughn "After having the best of what Texas has to offer, I normally cringe at the thought of brisket in any other state…This brisket changed my mind." We also love their hot link; with every bite, you get a good snap and a ridiculous burst of savory and spicy flavor.
You're eating a neighborhood BBQ joint, not The Ritz, so the ambiance is, as you'd expect, casual, unpretentious, and inviting, making the experience all the more enjoyable.
Photo Credit: Smoque BBQ
Del Seoul
2568 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
If you fantasize about crispy Korean Chicken wings, this is your lunch spot. This family-owned restaurant, inspired by Korean Street food, cranks out delicious tacos, bento boxes, and the aforementioned K-Town Chicken Wings. Don't skip out on the shared plates, too; we love the Seoul-Style Street Dumplings. Del Seoul is small, and always bustling, so you may have to "fight" for a table, but you'll thank us later. Truly the perfect lunch Spot, Del Seoul's staff is as welcoming as the food is good.
Photo Credit: Del Seoul
Bonus Entry
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613
This entry is less about the food and more about the Federal Landmark. Every list on this site related to Chicago will likely find a spot for Wrigley Field, as you should, undoubtedly, on any trip you make to Chicago. Of course, we know they only play baseball from April til October (god willing), so depending on when you visit will determine your ability to pilgrimage to the greatest ballpark in the world. During the holiday, Wrigley Field is transformed for Winterfest, giving you additional time to visit outside regular baseball hours. It's true you can get a better prepared Vienna Hotdog. You can likely find cheaper and better beer. But there is nothing, and we mean this with every ounce of our soul, there is nothing better, nothing less boring than a hotdog, a cold beer, and watching the Cubs play on Friday at 1:20 PM. Well, maybe if they play two.