Halloween Dining and Drinking Guide 2017
When it comes to Halloween eating and drinking, there’s a lot more to the spooky holiday than fun-sized candy bars and pumpkin spiced lattes. For proof, restaurants and bars throughout Chicago are rolling out the red carpet (err, orange carpet?) this year with an impressive bevy of specials and events to celebrate the foodie potential of Halloween. From an annual offal dinner to “bloody burgers,” here’s where to eat this Halloween in Chicago.
Table, Donkey & Stick: Year after year, one of the best Halloween-themed events to take place in the city is the unabashedly daring offal dinner at Table, Donkey & Stick. If ever there was a time to serve a menu hinged on organ meats, Halloween is it. For its fifth-annual dinner, taking place October 25, the Logan Square restaurant will feature a creative array of off-cuts by chef Ryan Brosseau, available between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The menu includes foie gras canapes, duck heart Reuben salad, crispy sweetbreads with okra, pot au feu with oxtail, tripe and tongue, and corn ice cream with blood red velvet cake and fried corn silk. The menu is $48 per person and reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant.
Aloha Poke: This year, the feverishly popular Aloha Poke Co. mini-chain is getting into costume for the holiday as ¡Hola Poké!, transforming from a Hawaiian-inspired eatery to one inspired by traditional Mexican taquerias. On October 31, all locations will feature festive, Mexican-accented decor and surprises, including special poke hard-shell tacos for $3 each.
Easy Bar: Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin-carving contest? Easy Bar keeps things classic and festive with its third-annual New Belgium pumpkin-carving contest on October 30 at 8:00 p.m. Free to attend, New Belgium brewery is providing pumpkins and carving tools, and all you have to do is bring your creative spirit. In addition to the gourds, the bar will feature special New Belgium beers for $6.50 like Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin draft and Voodoo Ranger 8-Hop. New Belgium’s Dayblazer Easygoing Ale cans will go for $5.
Sable Kitchen & Bar: If ever there’s a time for cocktails served in skulls, Halloween is it. Make your way to Sable for the Skullywag, a daiquiri-inspired creation made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Rhum Clement Blue, Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacao, cinnamon syrup, fresh lime juice and bitters, all served in a red-colored glass skull over ice.
M Burger: The best kind of Halloween treat is a free milkshake. On Halloween, all M Burger locations meet your sweets needs with free shakes for all those who show up in costume. Any flavor is up for grabs, just be sure and come in your festive garb.
DMK Burger Bar: In other burger news, DMK Burger Bar is celebrating all month long with a couple unique menu items. First is the “Bloody Burger,” which is actually basically a steak tartare sandwich made with Australian grass-fed sirloin, garlic aioli, salt & vinegar potato chops and a fried egg on two slices of garlic toast. After you’ve had all that umami and savory, you’re gonna need something decadent and sweet, so be sure and order the “All Treats No Tricks Shake,” a colorful dessert-in-a-glass that features vanilla ice cream blended with Snickers, Butterfingers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and plain M&Ms.
Lawry’s The Prime Rib: One of the coolest and most unique ways to celebrate the season this year is with a special trip to Lawry’s The Prime Rib in River North. The restaurant is famously located inside the historic 1890’s McCormick Mansion, which was home to the Kungsholm Puppet Theatre on the second floor. Creepy enough for you? On the evening of October 28, the restaurant is providing rare access to this hidden space, featuring tours from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. every half hour. The guided tours promise both history and humor, with looks into secret rooms, ghost stories and various bites and cocktails at 13 stops along the way. Tickets are $50 per person and reservations are required. Contact Shannon Tauschman at stauschman@lawrysonline.com or call 312-787-5000.