Ramova Grill & Taproom - Chicago
The original Ramova Grill opened in 1929;
in 2012,it closed; in 2024, it was reborn as Ramova Grill & Taproom. Under the direction of Kevin Hickey (The Duck Inn), the Ramova Grill & Taproom has been completely renovated, and the menu has been updated, but, yes, you can still get a bowl of the Ramova's classic chili.
At the old Ramova Grill, the menu was all about the chili which, according to legend, was made from a recipe from Lindy's that Chef Kevin Hickey's dad allegedly swiped when he was refused a raise at that other Chicago chili house, Now, Hickey has revised the old timey menu to offer items like pizza in a cup (it's just what it sounds like), duck fat corn dogs and salisbury steak sliders. There's also an array of salads and sandwiches, which Louisa Chu runs down in her Chicago Tribune review: "The kale Caesar seems to offer a virtuous salad on the rich diner food menu, but delicate baby kale leaves tossed generously with caper Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and crunchy croutons disabuse that outdated notion with gloriously abundant abandon. The Big Chef’s salad... bountiful with chicken, egg and chopped romaine among other vegetables; ...The BLD burger, indeed breakfast, lunch and dinner with maple bacon, a runny yolk egg and hash brown on a pillowy potato bun, has a white cheddar fondue and spicy ketchup aioli; ...The Morty sandwich layered lavishly with griddled mortadella, Swiss cheese and giardiniera mayo on marble rye."
Green Plate specials are available starting at 4pm every day the restaurant is open, and such specials include pork chop suey, fish and chips, and turkey meatloaf.
The Ramova Taproom features an extensive list of cocktails, beer and other beverages.
Located in the same building as the Ramova Theater, the Ramova Grill & Taproom is an excellent place to stop before or after a show to grab a bite and a drink...with a side of Chicago history