What would a fan of "The Bear" enjoy in Chicago next month?

August 31, 2023 4:40 PM

I know a bit about Chicago. (I grew up here and recently returned after some years away.) I don't know anything about The Bear, other than there's food involved and it's set in Chicago. I have guests coming soon who are big fans of the show. We're doing some of the requisite Chicago tourist stuff, and we'll probably visit some nice restaurants, but I'm not sure if there's anything in particular I should put on our to-do list that they would enjoy related to the show.

I haven't seen The Bear (despite being told rather pointedly that I need to get on that) and while I'm not opposed to it, I probably won't get to it by next week. Also I'm not sure if it's the kind of show where spoilers are a concern but if so, please avoid spoilers. But if you've seen the show and there are things that make you go, omg if I were in Chicago in mid-September I would definitely want to see x or do y, that's what I'd like to hear about.

Not super concerned about cost but accessibility is a potential issue, so I guess bear that in mind if there's some pivotal scene in the show set on a freakishly long staircase or something.

(I grant this is a bit chatfiltery so I'll pre-emptively claim a #fundraiser2023 exemption if necessary but it's not so chatty that I felt like I had to lead with it, hope that's an ok compromise with everyone, mods please feel free to change as needed.)

posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape to Media & Arts (15 answers total)

I was going to make a tongue-in-cheek list of activities drawn from the show like “experience a flashback to your mom’s narcissistic holiday dinner meltdown” or “repeatedly and inexplicably fail the fire suppression test” but the honest answer is the show (I love it) takes place almost entirely in the restaurant with brief interludes of other restaurants (and Al-anon meetings, which…) so it would be a real challenge to build activities around it. You get points from this internet stranger for even thinking of it for your guests though.
posted by clownschool at 5:02 PM on August 31, 2023 [1 favorite]

Nice restaurant-wise, I would specifically take folks to Avec, a Chicago restaurant I already loved and which features, recognizably and by name and with chef cameo, in an episode or two. And I would also take them to an Italian beef place, Johnnie’s Beef, way out west in Elmwood Park but a Real Beef Experience.
posted by xueexueg at 5:14 PM on August 31, 2023 [6 favorites]

Pequod’s gets a shout-out, too. Also rides on the el when it’s cold and/or gray outside.
posted by po822000 at 5:33 PM on August 31, 2023 [7 favorites]

Sydney, one of the lead characters, spends a day eating and getting inspiration at Chicago restaurants. The montage is a love letter to the city’s food scene. The Sun-Times made a list of the places she visited, some of which are pricey:
Kasama, 1001 N. Winchester Ave.
Avec, 615 W. Randolph
Publican Quality Meats, 825 W. Fulton Market
Pizza Lobo, 3000 W. Fullerton Ave.
Giant, 3209 W. Armitage Avenue
Lao Peng You, 2020 W. Chicago Ave.
Margie’s Candies, 1960 N. Western Ave.

I couldn’t hit all of these places in a week much less a day but it sure would be fun to try.
posted by slmorri at 5:58 PM on August 31, 2023 [19 favorites]

Here’s a local article last week titled “The Bear’ Effect: Chicago Restaurants Featured In Show See Traffic Skyrocket” which might give you ideas.
posted by Bunglegirl at 6:27 PM on August 31, 2023 [5 favorites]

I still think about a meatball I ate at Avec 9 years ago. You should definitely go to Avec.
posted by emelenjr at 9:20 PM on August 31, 2023 [3 favorites]

There is a chocolate cake about which much hay is made. It's the one from Loaf Lounge. Recommended.
posted by kaelynski at 2:14 AM on September 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

Avec is (was?) a Donnie Madia/Paul Kahan joint and I think I saw Donnie make a cameo in the last episode? Agree that place is absolutely worth a visit.
posted by GamblingBlues at 4:53 AM on September 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Chicagoan and enjoyer of nice restaurants here.

I guess what you should try to figure out from your guests is if they want "The Bear", as in the places used to film the show and get some Instagram snaps, or if they want The Bear, as in sampling the city for it's people and atmosphere.

If they want the former, the lists above will do great. And they're legitimate restaurants and excellent choices, which makes me love the show more. The show is truly a love letter to Chicago and showcases it very well.

If they want to be with the locals, like sitting down next to a Fak brother somewhere (they'll know), then maybe looking inside Mr Beef is good for a pilgrimage but it will be filled with fans hauling suitcases now. I'd definitely go to Johnnie's for a combo beef or to Vito and Nick's (84th and Pulaski) for a pitcher of Old Style and a sausage pizza.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:07 AM on September 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

Kasama, definitely, if you don't mind $$$ restaurants or risking a bit of a wait. Their daytime menu is counter service only/no reservations until 2 p.m. if you want to do it cheaper. The breakfast sandwich, available before noon only, is what's depicted in the show, iirc.
posted by pullayup at 6:14 AM on September 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

If you visit Mr. Beef on Orleans you'll be right next to The Green Door Tavern, which closes in the Bearverse but is very open in our reality.
posted by bdk3clash at 6:20 AM on September 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

I just went to Kasama for lunch (yes, I waited in line, we knew what we were getting into — it was about 2 hours on a sunny sidewalk) and a LOT of people in line were there because of the show. Make sure you get pastries.
posted by jeweled accumulation at 7:46 AM on September 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Out west we have Parkys, which is featured in the opening credits, Johnnies beef, which is, in my humble opinion, the apex Chicago beef joint, and then Jean and Jude’s . These are all affordable spots to hit, and I think they cover the true range of Chicago dog/beef.

Parkies, which is literally just slapped onto the end of a house, is clearly is the low budget spot for the kids baseball team to grab a bite to eat. It’s got a great instagram vibe for pictures. And if they are into architecture then roll in a stop to the Frank Lloyd Wright studio. A bit farther out is Jean and Jude’s, and the fact that they have a website reflect their general effort to welcome and entice visitors. It’s an institution.

And Jonnies. There’s always a line out the door. Cash only. Once inside you best know what your order is when they bark out ”whachyawant?” Yea, the staff are a bit gruff, but it’s the folks waiting in line behind you that really want you move along. My advice is always skip the soda and get the Italian ice.
posted by zenon at 7:47 AM on September 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

If you don't want to stand in line for two hours for Kasama (I wouldn't!), you can preorder and skip the line (at least it says so right now, not sure if they turn that off when they get too busy).
posted by carrienation at 9:36 AM on September 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks all. Lot of food for thought for food here. I'll explore some logistics and timing and see what we can do.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 1:08 PM on September 1, 2023