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The 10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now

The city’s most buzzed-about restaurants in December

December 1, 2020, 10:20 am
What:Jonathan Zaragoza takes over the kitchen at the Promontory for an indefinite residency with a menu influenced by his Mexican travels.
Why:You’ve had his goat tacos and birria. Now try a roasted bone-in goat shank with mole negro.
Where:5311 S. Lake Park Ave., Hyde Park Website
Photo: Courtesy of Marisa Klug-Morataya
What:Crowd-pleasing sandwiches from former Blackbird chef Ryan Pfeiffer and Mason Hereford of New Orleans’s Turkey and the Wolf
Why:If you love out-of-the-box sammies, you’re in luck: Turkey and the Wolf’s collard greens melt makes the move north.
Where:2545 N. Kedzie Ave., Logan Square Website
Photo: Wade McElroy
What:The luxe restaurant at the Viceroy changed ownership, and S.K.Y. chef Stephen Gillanders now runs the kitchen.
Why:You never need a reason to seek out Gillanders’s food, but here’s one: garganelli and lobster sausage with green chile butter, lime, and tobiko.
Where:1112 N. State St., Near North Side Website
Photo: Stephanie Zhao
What:Say this five times fast: a quick-service Mexican-Lebanese-Midwestern mash-up.
Why:Stop by for food both traditional (chicken shawarma) and not (baklava shakes).
Where:350 W. Armitage Ave., Lincoln Park Website
Photo: Max Kilibarda/Waypost Creative
What:A virtual homage to Chicagoland legend Burt Katz’s pan pizza
Why:Pies come with that beloved caramelized edge, plus toppings like brown sugar bacon.

Where:1801 N. Spaulding Ave., Logan Square Website
Photo: Jason Bennett
What:Your one-stop shop for tea, pastries, and pottery
Why:Cosette Liu’s drinks, such as chrysanthemum pu-erh soda, pair perfectly with sweets like milk tea cheesecake.
Where:1453 W. Taylor St., Little Italy Website
Photo: Living Water Tea House
What:Japanese pub fare from the Wasabi team
Why:Make a meal out of inventive grilled skewers like sour plum chicken meatball and asparagus with miso hollandaise.
Where:2115 N. Milwaukee Ave., Logan Square Website
Photo: Jee H. Kim
What:Rodolfo Cuadros goes all in on plants at this virtual South Asian–Latin spot.
Why:If his meaty menu at Amaru isn’t your speed, perhaps turmeric samosas will be.
Where:1904 W. North Ave., Bucktown Website
Photo: Lori Sapio
What:The restaurant’s Bridgeport patio becomes a drive-in this winter with floats, fries, and tacos.
Why:If the words “Chicago dog taco” make you hungry, then we’ll see you there.
Where:1000 W. 35th St. Website
Photo: Evan Sheehan
What:Miss Sabatino’s? Its former chef Joel Piedra serves the hits at his new restaurant.
Why:After two years, reuniting with the shrimp de Jonghe will be sweet.
Where:4358 N. Elston Ave., Old Irving Park Website
Photo: Lisset Rosales
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