New Late Night Dining Options
From tacos to quick service burgers, new late-night dining options are popping up all over Chicago. And just in time too, since locals will surely be barhopping all winter long to cope with the cold, and they’ll be in need of late-night sustenance. Here are 5 new late-night dining options to hit up around town.
Bar Lupo: Brand new to the downtown dining scene, conveniently surrounded by bars, taverns and music venues aplenty, Bar Lupo is a casual Italian pub with the perfect mix of saucy comfort food served late into the night. Conceptualized by Brian O’Connor, formerly of Maple & Ash, Bar Lupo features traditional Italian dishes alongside more Chicago-Italian originals. Snacks include garlic knots and “mozzarella sticks,” while heartier plates like chicken parmesan, meatball subs and cheesy sausage pinwheels are also on hand. Hours run until 2 AM Wednesday-Saturday and until midnight the remaining nights.
The Tankard: If there’s a neighborhood in need of more late-night dining options, it’s Wicker Park. Recently opened The Tankard is here to answer those cravings, with its menu of booze-friendly nourishment. Expect a variety of crafty tater tots, like cheeseburger tots, bacon-wrapped tots and “totchos,” which are tater tot nachos strewn with cheese, tomato, jalapeño, sour cream and chicken or beef. There’s plenty more to eat and drink here too, from craft beer and daiquiris, to chicken kabobs and mussels. The Tankard is open until 2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with the kitchen cooking until midnight.
Epic Burger: Not only has Epic Burger implemented late-night hours, but the fast-casual burger spot with locations throughout the city is going the extra mile with “hangover kits” to take home. Available at the River North and South Loop locations, the kits come with late-night burger purchases, which include a packet of antacid, two kinds of pain-relief tablets and a moist towelette. Hours are from 12-4 AM.
Ironside Bar & Galley: River North can never have too many late-night sports bars. It’s especially welcome when said bar goes above and beyond with a menu of inventive food to help sop up all that nighttime imbibing. As the name and nautical theme implies, the focus here is on seafood, offered up in irreverent options like lobster tater tots, lobster corn dogs, crab quesadillas and popcorn shrimp with spicy remoulade. The bi-level bar and restaurant is open until 2 AM every day except Saturday, which operates until 3 AM.
Seoul Taco: Tacos may very well be the ultimate late-night comfort. River North’s recently opened Seoul Taco is getting in on the weekend action with extended hours until 4 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The Mexican-Korean fusion spot slings affordable tacos, burritos and other street food-inspired items that perfectly fit the bill for late-night snacking. Options include bulgogi beef tacos, spicy pork nachos and burritos filled with kimchi fried rice. Seoul Taco is also BYOB, in case you want to keep the party going.
- Matt Kirouac