BYOB in Chicago

August 9, 2006 11:02 AM

Recommendations for good BYOB restaurants in Chicago?

Looking for a reasonably priced, but nice restaurant where we can take a bottle of wine. Preferably on the north-side - around Lincoln Park / Lakeview, etc. Hip and trendy is fine and any style food is great except for sushi... (I love it, she doesn't.) Thanks!

posted by wfrgms to food & drink (19 answers total)

Ping Pong is nice.
posted by jacobm at 11:12 AM on August 9, 2006

We were just at Andalous (Moroccan) last night (at Clark and School), and it was very good.
posted by penchant at 11:15 AM on August 9, 2006

Treat (North and Kedzie).
posted by rbs at 11:21 AM on August 9, 2006

I'll second Ping Pong and also suggest Joy's, which is half a block south of Ping Pong, across the street.
posted by adrian_h at 11:29 AM on August 9, 2006

This probably won't help for *right now*, but there is actually a guide on this available at Amazon.
posted by FlamingBore at 11:36 AM on August 9, 2006

If none of the suggestions here float your boat, you can use the Reader's Restaurant Finder and check off the little BYO button at the bottom.
posted by rogue haggis landing at 11:36 AM on August 9, 2006

Try State Restaurant on Webster. Website.
posted by JakeWalker at 12:02 PM on August 9, 2006

My husband and I recently went to Dorado on Foster and Western. Lovely atmosphere, reasonably priced, very tasty, highly recommended. They charge a corkage fee but they will actually bring you a bucket and poor your wine or put your beer in the fridge, etc.
posted by jennyb at 12:07 PM on August 9, 2006

Ooo Jin Ju, a DELICIOUS and reasonable Korean place on Clark St. in Andersonville is BYO wine. They charge a $10 corkage fee, though. (Yeouch.)
posted by jennyb at 12:10 PM on August 9, 2006

If it's not clear, the name of the place is "Jin Ju." The "Ooo" was my initial exclamation and happiness at remembering it.
posted by jennyb at 12:11 PM on August 9, 2006

Las Tablas and Tango Sur are fun in that area, especially if you're craving meat.
posted by Sloben at 12:17 PM on August 9, 2006

Ping Pong was what came to mind as well. It's owned by a friend of an ex, and they have a nice little wine seller right across the street with good selection.
posted by gramcracker at 12:44 PM on August 9, 2006

I'm glad to see someone mention Tango Sur. But I can't say enough nice things about Pizza Rustica. Delicious, authentic Italian and super reasonably priced. Close to the Sheridan red line.
posted by j-dawg at 12:57 PM on August 9, 2006

I haven't been there yet, but Schwa is the current high-end BYOB darling of Chicago.
Here's skillet doux's amazingly detailed post of his recent visit. It looks really, really good. But it may be pricier than you're asking for.

Some of my budget-conscious favorites are Sunshine Cafe - Japanese homestyle cooking (not sushi) in Andersonville, Los Nopales - Mexican in Lincoln Square, Caro Mio - Italian in Ravenswood, Rick's Cafe Casablanca - French/Italian near Wrigley Field, and I'll second Las Tablas and Tango Sur.
posted by andshewas at 1:08 PM on August 9, 2006

Just as a side note, the wine seller across the street from Ping Pong has converted into a very funky and worth-looking-into sushi place. Actually, last I looked, the sushi place was also BYOB. I can never remember what it's called, but it's on Broadway between Buckingham and Aldine, I think. There is also a great wine store called Kafka nearby on Buckingham and Halsted.
posted by walla at 1:53 PM on August 9, 2006

I can also recommend Kafka as a wine store. They're used to people coming in looking for bottles of wine to go with dinner at the local BYOB places, and on at least a couple of occasions they were able to steer me towards wines that went well with the food at the restaurant I was going to.
posted by jacobm at 1:58 PM on August 9, 2006

The 2006 Chicago Magazine Best of Chicago edition has a spread on BYOB restaurants, and compares restuarants on corkage fees, crowd, etc.
posted by MeetMegan at 2:21 PM on August 9, 2006

List of Chicago BYOBs.
posted by cushie at 2:40 PM on August 9, 2006

Thanks for all the recommendations! Cheers!
posted by wfrgms at 3:51 PM on August 10, 2006