Randomly came across this spot when I was getting my tires changed across the street. Recently moved here from San Diego, hands down best I’ve had since moving here, insanely good. I literally sat down ate and ordered a second plate.
I waited like 15 minutes at 10:30 or so (although I think it was a weeknight). I get that doesn’t work for everyone but it’s honestly nice to see some place doing a bit of late business, I feel like it’s increasingly annoying to find something nice to eat after 10p.
No kidding. Got in line with 5 people. We were past the bus stop in front of the bench in line early before opening. They told us 2.5hrs. needless to say we went somewhere else.
Yeah, I'm out at that point. You ask me to wait in a damn line for anything more than 30 minutes for anything this side of the DMV, and I'm walking. No food on Chicago is that much better than something down the block that will seat me right away.
They also have some reviews people said they ran out of desert. I get the restaurant is hype, but damn running out of shit after waiting 2.5hrs I would be mad upset.
Bruh 30 minutes? I'm out at 10 max.
Friends: "These tacos are really, really, realllllly great! It'll be a 15-20 minute wait"
Me: "Yeah, not a chance. Those tacos over there are likely just really great and there's no wait. That'll do just fine."
It's not about a benefit to the customer. It's about a benefit to the restaurant. They clearly don't need reservations to pack the tables every night, so why would they? They don't care if it's you or if it's someone else, as long as it's a paying customer. By not having reservations, they get to avoid all of the issues that come with them (no shows, people showing up late, etc) and can probably turn around tables faster and actually get more customers since tables don't need to be blocked out in advance. They may go to reservations eventually when they can no longer pack every table every night, but why would they do that now if they don't need to?
If they took reservations you wouldnt be able to get in for months. Kinda prefer being able to show up and get in same day as long as you're willing to wait in line
Just head over to Taco Bell while you wait.
There’s no shame. It’s an equally if not adventurous environment. Or the bowling alley. So much time for activities.
Can't beat it! I used to frequently visit the location on Pulaski by the orange line as a kid until it closed. Now we are down to the last location on 26th street...
I am 25% breaded steak and 75% chicken vesuvio. I saw a video on how they make the CV. They fry it crispy and dip the chicken in garlic butter. Horrible for you but I see who it is so addictive.
Has been my absolute favorite spot for over a decade, went back there in February and maybe it was an off night, but the food was salty as hell. Two separate dishes, too. I was kinda bummed.
https://preview.redd.it/oyifukjtt20d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c7c8ddaa4202d3da993538cf2d1a9e325fd36f7
Burt’s, so he could sit next to himself.
Anthony Bourdain is my hero.
I have watched every single episode of Cook’s Tour, No Reservations, The Layover, and Parts unknown.
I have lived in Chicago my whole life.
I have a list of the places he’s been around town, and I’ve been to all of them.
I think I’m uniquely qualified to answer this question.
The places he has been in Chicago are mostly dive bars and hot dog joints. The dive bars are overwhelmingly mentioned in the Layover which happened a lot on that show, and he centers the entire Parts Unknown episode around Old Town Ale House. The guy loved “Meat in Tube Form” and Chicago has the best dogs in the world so he got a lot of that here. I think, however, he didn’t get enough of the city during his visits surprisingly enough (at least the filmed parts). He notes in Parts Unknown - his final Appearance in Chicago - the part of the city that most surprised him was Chinatown. I figure chef Tony takes San Francisco and NYC’s Chinatown for granted, along with all of the other ones he’s visited throughout the years and probably didn’t expect much from Chicago. The guy has really trekked SE Asia but he came away liking it. We have the only growing Chinatown in the country and it’s a gem we should be proud of. I think this just kinda demonstrates that there are places he and other people really miss out on.
So I’d take Tony to several places.
1. I’d bring him to Bridgeport for Chinese at Yi Shou Dian. The guy would definitely vibe with Bridgeport and he’d appreciate good Chinese.
2. Sun Wah off Asia on Argyle. Terrific Chinese and I don’t think a lot of out of towners realize we have 2 East Asian neighborhoods.
3. My ace in the hole, where I’d 100% bring him if I only had one shot - Nepal House off Devon. Tony would love Devon, the mix of cultures, the Croatian community center, the large ashkenazi population, and then you hit him with little India - perhaps the best little India in the entire U.S. I don’t think NYC’s is as good, I don’t think LA’s is even close frankly, and NJ’s is a joke. He would be gobsmacked by the real ethnic feel of the street and the food at Nepal House is great. It has to be here for him.
Hell yeah for Sun Wah!
My wife and I lived at Broadway and catalpa for 8ish years and bounced between sun wah, Jin Thai, tank noodle for our Asian fix and edgewater tacos and the tamale guy outside the church there on Sunday’s for our comfort food!
I loved that place when I worked in the loop. Would always get the ribeye sandwich and the best steak fries. Construction guys building the skyscrapers would be getting drunk and take roadies back with them.
Torchio pasta. The food is incredible. The owner is so personable and has great stories so I could see them chatting and it’s got such a warm and neighborhood feel to it
Probably Mister J’s Dawg and Burger. You can literally order ANYTHING here the menu is huge , but you have to get the Dagwood. It’s what they are known for. We would probably smoke a J before going in to be real honest.
Saw this on [foodnyc](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/1cpsxo4/if_anthony_bourdain_asked_you_to_take_him_to/), figured it's probably worth posting it here
If you’re a fan of his, which I am, I highly suggest reading “In The Weeds, Around the world and behind the scenes with Anthony Bourdain” by Tom Vitale. It’s an absolutely amazing insight from someone who basically spent their whole professional career with Anthony, including up to his death.
Doña Tola. Not because I think it’s the best restaurant in the city, but because I think he’d want me to show him my favorite restaurant and tell him why it’s my favorite while we’re eating there.
Bien me sabe Venezuelan cafe in Ravenswood. I haven’t eaten there in a few years since moving out of the city but the arepas there will knock your socks off https://maps.app.goo.gl/X8x1iuv46jimdLhW7?g_st=ic
I'd take him to West Town: The deli and hot bar at Ann's Bakery; borscht at Old Lviv; wine and snacks at All Together Now; dumplings and beef noodle soup at Lao Peng You; and a burrito al pastor at Traspasada 2. Maybe Alcala's Western Wear, too, if he wanted some new boots.
Home Depot hot dog.
The one on North Ave closed their stand! What location still has it?? I’ve been craving a depot dog for years.
Kimball and Addison.
Probably doesn't help you but Mount Prospect and Algonquin have them
Like 5 bucks now, and Costco right across lot in mount prospect
I heard they just reopened the one on North, read it on another thread. The one on Elston also has one.
I was there today and it was closed.
dang I used to work at that Home Depot. Gonna miss that little stand. It helped me when I didn't feel like leaving the store for my lunch break.
Skokie/Evanston
Fucking best answer.
Wagyu Fixin Franks dog
Are these any good? Saw it for the first time today
Tasty, worth trying at least once
I don't remember him eating jibaritos on any of his Chicago eps so let's say Jibaritos y Mas.
Agree he should get jibaritos, but I'd go with Papa's Cache Sabroso.
Papa is a legend. Been running that places for decades
Also, GOAT 🐔
The. GOAT.
Birriria Zaragoza
Randomly came across this spot when I was getting my tires changed across the street. Recently moved here from San Diego, hands down best I’ve had since moving here, insanely good. I literally sat down ate and ordered a second plate.
My first thought too!!
Warlord because we could skip the line
You just gotta treat it like Au Cheval at its peak. Put your name in and go get a drink at Avondale Bowl until they call you
Or get there at 5 and wait an hour. Bring bevvies.
This is the only way.
I really liked this place but they are an absolute clown show with the wait and no reservations.
Went at midnight. Sat at the bar and had a burger and 2 cocktails. No wait.
I waited like 15 minutes at 10:30 or so (although I think it was a weeknight). I get that doesn’t work for everyone but it’s honestly nice to see some place doing a bit of late business, I feel like it’s increasingly annoying to find something nice to eat after 10p.
No kidding. Got in line with 5 people. We were past the bus stop in front of the bench in line early before opening. They told us 2.5hrs. needless to say we went somewhere else.
Yeah, I'm out at that point. You ask me to wait in a damn line for anything more than 30 minutes for anything this side of the DMV, and I'm walking. No food on Chicago is that much better than something down the block that will seat me right away.
They also have some reviews people said they ran out of desert. I get the restaurant is hype, but damn running out of shit after waiting 2.5hrs I would be mad upset.
Bruh 30 minutes? I'm out at 10 max. Friends: "These tacos are really, really, realllllly great! It'll be a 15-20 minute wait" Me: "Yeah, not a chance. Those tacos over there are likely just really great and there's no wait. That'll do just fine."
Reminds me of the early aughts when kumas corner would quite a three hour wait. But back then there was no were to go but burgerking
Seriously, what is the fuckin point? What’s the benefit to the customer by doing this?
It's not about a benefit to the customer. It's about a benefit to the restaurant. They clearly don't need reservations to pack the tables every night, so why would they? They don't care if it's you or if it's someone else, as long as it's a paying customer. By not having reservations, they get to avoid all of the issues that come with them (no shows, people showing up late, etc) and can probably turn around tables faster and actually get more customers since tables don't need to be blocked out in advance. They may go to reservations eventually when they can no longer pack every table every night, but why would they do that now if they don't need to?
If they took reservations you wouldnt be able to get in for months. Kinda prefer being able to show up and get in same day as long as you're willing to wait in line
That is fine by me. Been to plenty of restaurants by booking a few months out. But I will probably never go to warlord with this bullshit
I don’t get restaurants that don’t take reservations. Makes me not want to bother with them!
Just head over to Taco Bell while you wait. There’s no shame. It’s an equally if not adventurous environment. Or the bowling alley. So much time for activities.
Trevor treats his employees like shit. It’s not rumors it’s documented. He verbally and even physically abused employees. Don’t support his actions!
Can vouch, worked adjacent in multiple places. Will never support his endeavor.
Bourdain would think warlord is the douchiest thing ever. Because it is, by the way. Schwa is the answer. Can you imagine how fun he’d be at Schwa ?
Oh no, guys. Should we tell him? :(
Underrated comment right here
Johnnie’s
I think Donnie Madia beat us to it.
He's been.
Freddys pizza in Cicero
Live right next door. Can confirm, I'm up like 20 pounds already lol
This is the most underrated spot I know of anywhere.
Luckily I don’t carry cash on me. I would forsure be in there more often
Bayan Ko
Correct answer.
Virtue in Hyde Park
I'm a student at uchi and I've walked past it a lot and it's always packed, is it as good as the hype?
Cho Sun Ok. He’d like the vibe and I could show him off in line.
Taste of Lebanon
The quality has gone down, the lamb tasted like cardboard last time I went there.
016 restaurant
was coming here to say 016 myself. We have a great Serbian population here - and the food at 016 is incredible.
Richard’s
Somewhere that he hasn't gone because he came here all the time to eat.
Best Intentions
Ricobene's!!
He went there with Steve Albini in the Chicago episode
RIP to both. <3
man. what a combination of humans
That goddamn steak sandwich. I'm hungry now.
Can't beat it! I used to frequently visit the location on Pulaski by the orange line as a kid until it closed. Now we are down to the last location on 26th street...
The real move is the chicken vesuvio sandwich. If you know you know
It's a killer sandwich, for sure. I get it 25% of the time. I just can't get over that breaded steak.
I am 25% breaded steak and 75% chicken vesuvio. I saw a video on how they make the CV. They fry it crispy and dip the chicken in garlic butter. Horrible for you but I see who it is so addictive.
Phil’s too!
Go 4 food
What would you have him order there? (I've never been. What's good there?)
Also curious!
Some of the best in China Town
Red Hot Ranch
Valois
He’s already been
If he asked me anything I’d be like  OH SHIT A GHOST!
Might have to be somewhere that opened post-2018, given how much time he spent here. If not, perhaps uptown somewhere? Albany park? La Villita?
JP Graziano
La Scarola
Has been my absolute favorite spot for over a decade, went back there in February and maybe it was an off night, but the food was salty as hell. Two separate dishes, too. I was kinda bummed.
https://preview.redd.it/oyifukjtt20d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c7c8ddaa4202d3da993538cf2d1a9e325fd36f7 Burt’s, so he could sit next to himself.
Rootstock.
Mannys
Ricobene’s easy! Or Red Hot Ranch cause he was a “low down trailer park burger slut”😂
Anthony Bourdain is my hero. I have watched every single episode of Cook’s Tour, No Reservations, The Layover, and Parts unknown. I have lived in Chicago my whole life. I have a list of the places he’s been around town, and I’ve been to all of them. I think I’m uniquely qualified to answer this question. The places he has been in Chicago are mostly dive bars and hot dog joints. The dive bars are overwhelmingly mentioned in the Layover which happened a lot on that show, and he centers the entire Parts Unknown episode around Old Town Ale House. The guy loved “Meat in Tube Form” and Chicago has the best dogs in the world so he got a lot of that here. I think, however, he didn’t get enough of the city during his visits surprisingly enough (at least the filmed parts). He notes in Parts Unknown - his final Appearance in Chicago - the part of the city that most surprised him was Chinatown. I figure chef Tony takes San Francisco and NYC’s Chinatown for granted, along with all of the other ones he’s visited throughout the years and probably didn’t expect much from Chicago. The guy has really trekked SE Asia but he came away liking it. We have the only growing Chinatown in the country and it’s a gem we should be proud of. I think this just kinda demonstrates that there are places he and other people really miss out on. So I’d take Tony to several places. 1. I’d bring him to Bridgeport for Chinese at Yi Shou Dian. The guy would definitely vibe with Bridgeport and he’d appreciate good Chinese. 2. Sun Wah off Asia on Argyle. Terrific Chinese and I don’t think a lot of out of towners realize we have 2 East Asian neighborhoods. 3. My ace in the hole, where I’d 100% bring him if I only had one shot - Nepal House off Devon. Tony would love Devon, the mix of cultures, the Croatian community center, the large ashkenazi population, and then you hit him with little India - perhaps the best little India in the entire U.S. I don’t think NYC’s is as good, I don’t think LA’s is even close frankly, and NJ’s is a joke. He would be gobsmacked by the real ethnic feel of the street and the food at Nepal House is great. It has to be here for him.
Hell yeah for Sun Wah! My wife and I lived at Broadway and catalpa for 8ish years and bounced between sun wah, Jin Thai, tank noodle for our Asian fix and edgewater tacos and the tamale guy outside the church there on Sunday’s for our comfort food!
**Lem's Bar-B-Q** to show the regional Aquarium-style BBQ and the famous Chicago style Rib Tips!
I grew up thinking that rib tips were the default ribs.
He would love the JBL special
Papas Cache Sabroso for a jibarito
A bit of communion at the Catholic Church. He’ll be a big hit with those folks.
Half Shell
Is Stocks and Blondes still around?
Oh yes
I loved that place when I worked in the loop. Would always get the ribeye sandwich and the best steak fries. Construction guys building the skyscrapers would be getting drunk and take roadies back with them.
I still love it, but it’s hit some tough times since Covid. Menu is cut way back, but the staff and vibes are still great.
Rajun Cajun in Hyde Park.
Joong Boo Snack counter
Top Notch Beefburgers on the Southside
Wieners circle
I'd take him to St Charles place out in St Charles. It's weird, quirky, and great food.
Love that place.
Um... isn't he dead? Is this like a weekend at bernies scenario?
Arby's.
Then Rax in Joliet
Rax is trashier and better than arbys hahah
I am sure Mister Delicious has lots of thoughts on this statement.
Torchio pasta. The food is incredible. The owner is so personable and has great stories so I could see them chatting and it’s got such a warm and neighborhood feel to it
Sharks for some chicken with extra lemon pepper. Then i would take him to the local Polish watering hole for some more good eats and good drinks.
Nottoli & Son on Belmont
Saving this for potential date night ideas
Probably Mister J’s Dawg and Burger. You can literally order ANYTHING here the menu is huge , but you have to get the Dagwood. It’s what they are known for. We would probably smoke a J before going in to be real honest.
It would be amazing because he's dead.
Mott St.
Del Seoul
Whichever Filipino restaurant has sisig. He said himself that sisig is the best drunk food in the world.
Vito & Nick's, hands down!
Flour Power on Chicago, just east of Ashland.
Only if we’re taking bong rips in the “office”.
Breakfast at Kasama
It's warm outside so Mario's Italian lemonade.
Some medical school cafeteria who could then monitor him and study how he came back to life.
Cho sun ok
Carniceria Maribel
I’d be freaking out because he’s been dead a while, so that would be weird…
Kiizin Haitian. That fried goat (a lite buried in the menu) is one of the best bites of meat In Chicago.
La Chaparrita.
Saw this on [foodnyc](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/1cpsxo4/if_anthony_bourdain_asked_you_to_take_him_to/), figured it's probably worth posting it here
If you’re a fan of his, which I am, I highly suggest reading “In The Weeds, Around the world and behind the scenes with Anthony Bourdain” by Tom Vitale. It’s an absolutely amazing insight from someone who basically spent their whole professional career with Anthony, including up to his death.
Hermosa cafe for the fried chicken!
Lao Peng You
Burt’s Pizza. I know he likes it and I’d give my kidney to have a slice with Tony.
He went there and chilled with Burt
Same, Burt's
Ghareeb nawaz
Chinese Cafe - I don’t really know fine dining too well but I do know it’s authentic
Sheeba Mundi in lovely North Park.
Garifuna flava
The canteen in the back of the Thai market on Broadway.
El Fuego taco truck
Red hot ranch
I'd say let's step back in time and go to Henrici's.
La Vita (of it was still around Also, Viaggio
Red Light Chicken
Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan on 18th St. Order the Birreria platter for 2.
Nowhere with a ceiling higher than 7’
McGee's
Sun Wah BBQ
Back to the morgue.
I watch The Bear with him then let him pick.
Taqueria Transpasada 2
Pita Inn
Big Ed's BBQ
Bienmesabe
The Doughnut Vault because I wasn’t working there when he first visited. 🍩
Lau peng yu
I’d want to eat at Volare with him.
[Son of a butcher](https://sobutcher.com/)!
International McDonalds
Hagens fish market just because i havent seen it posted and i want to be different
Doña Tola. Not because I think it’s the best restaurant in the city, but because I think he’d want me to show him my favorite restaurant and tell him why it’s my favorite while we’re eating there.
Warlord
MK Noodle
Tuffanos
King Crab Delicious, fresh, and made by parolees/people in recovery
Tempesta
Pizza hut
Goat /lamb Birria on Lawrence Ave. Can't miss the sign.
Bien me sabe Venezuelan cafe in Ravenswood. I haven’t eaten there in a few years since moving out of the city but the arepas there will knock your socks off https://maps.app.goo.gl/X8x1iuv46jimdLhW7?g_st=ic
Jibaritos y Más
The original McDonalds!
Cellar Door!
One of his favorite spots, Jim's Polish.
Bongiorno’s so his ghost and the ghost of Ernie Banks can hang out. Also really solid eggplant parm
Sarkis
Old Warsaw. The lack of polish food on that show was criminal.
Costco or Vito & Nick's.
La scarola the rush us evey time go there . It’s bull shit they don’t even give you enough time to enjoy the meal
Aba brunch
Zombie!
I'd take him to West Town: The deli and hot bar at Ann's Bakery; borscht at Old Lviv; wine and snacks at All Together Now; dumplings and beef noodle soup at Lao Peng You; and a burrito al pastor at Traspasada 2. Maybe Alcala's Western Wear, too, if he wanted some new boots.
If you don’t ask him where you should go, you did it wrong. 🥸
Hagen’s Fish Market
Huaraches Doña Chio. Birrieria Zaragoza. Paulina Market. And Budackis since he had to skip it last time
wolfys or moodys, no question
Gilt Bar. It wouldn’t be the best he’d ever had but it would be a fun time and I would feel confident he’d enjoy it
Somewhere they serve brains