Father's Day Dining Guide

For Father's Day, you're probably tempted to take your dad hunting, then to a burly barbecue featuring animals he shot and butchered himself. Break out of the stereotype by partaking in any number of Father's Day dining activities happening around Chicago this year. From DIY taco boxes to carving stations aplenty, there's something out there for every type of dad and every budget. Happy Father's Day!


Tacos are the perfect dad food for those who like to think outside the burger bun. It's food he can eat with his hands, it's spicy, it's meaty, it's perfect. Taco Joint has the ideal solution for your taco-loving kin: do-it-yourself taco boxes for Father's Day gatherings. Boxes contain fixings for either 12 or 24 tacos, with handmade tortillas, choice of meat, salsa, garnish, and chips and salsa. Taco options include barbacoa, cochinita, al pastor, tinga, and rajas. 12 tacos cost $30 and 24 tacos cost $55. Bonus: purchases of $25 or more include a $50 gift card to Taco Joint. Call either restaurant location to place your taco order and bucke up for a zesty good time.


Nothing says "happy Father's Day" quite like a peanut butter foie gras parfait, right?! That's precisely why you'd be a bad child if you don't take dad to Carnivale, where lavish specials such as this heartstopper are on deck for the holiday. Dishes are courtesy of newly anointed executive chef Rodolfo Cuadros and include the aforementioned parfait, a South American mixed grill stocked with meats, sides, and sauces, and a chocolate cigar in a custom ashtray (!). Specials are available on Father's Day from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.


Brisket at Chicago q
(Brisket at Chicago q. Photo: Blast Marketing & PR)


Dads and barbecue go together like hot dogs and mustard. That's why you should bring your pops to Chicago q for a grand Father's Day buffet. Any buffet that features a Flinstonian carving station is bound to be a hit with the patriarchal crowd, and the Gold Coast barbecue mecca rises to the occasion, augmenting the succulent centerpiece with other brunch and lunch dishes, a Bloody Mary bar, bourbon specials, and a dessert bar. The buffet costs $34 per person, and $15 for children, available from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.


For a buffet comparable to eating money, head to The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago. The ritzy restaurant promises an extravagant buffet like no other, featuring items such as housemade brisket, a Peking duck carving station, dim sum, seafood, pastries, sausages, and a Bloody Mary station. The buffet is served from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and costs $105 for adults and $40 for children under 12. Make reservations today if money is no object.


Here's a fun idea: mk The Restaurant will present all dads with a bottle of barbecue sauce from DMK Restaurant Group's forthcoming barbecue restaurant, County. Dads will also receive a $15 gift card to County, granting easy access to the new 'cue when it opens later this summer. mk will also feature meat-focused specials for Father's Day starting at 5:30 p.m.


Finally, could there be a more apropos outing for dads than something called "Pig & Swig?" Answer: no. For Father's Day, Red Door will host a pig roast on their gorgeous patio between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Along with all the hog, chef Troy Graves will round out plates with porky accompaniments, all for $15. To drink, expect a bevy of special Templeton Rye cocktails for $5 a pop.


Red Door patio
(Red Door patio. Photo: Red Door)

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