The Sandwich King Gets in on the Chicago Restaurant Game

It’s not everyday a television chef opens a restaurant in Chicago. Usually, that’s more of a Las Vegas regularity. But Chicago is about to get a Food Network restaurant all its own when The Sandwich King’s Jeff Mauro opens his first restaurant later this year in Bucktown. 
 

Dubbed, adorably, Pork & Mindy’s, the fast-casual restaurant comes on the heels of Mauros’ successful line of sauces at Mariano’s. The native Chicago area chef is now set to up the ante on his local cred with his first permanent restaurant, one that promises to fuse art across a range of senses with music and art alongside the food. The restaurant, located at 1623 N. Milwaukee Avenue, chose its Bucktown locale for its penchant for combining food, music, and art. The latter components will feature an ever-rotating roster of art pieces from local artists available for purchase, along with a music program curated by up-and-coming DJs. 
 
In partnership with co-founder Kevin Corsello, Pork & Mindy’s will feature a range of meaty, smoky sandwiches like mulberry smoked pulled chicken, pig candy BLT, “Bao to the Pork,” and pulled lamb. There will also be salads, sides, desserts, and N/A beverages. Following the launch of Pork & Mindy’s later this year, the company hopes to expand the brand across the country over the course of the next year. 

- Matt Kirouac