Zhanna Albertini – Staypineapple Chicago
Green Street Smoked Meats
BBQ screams ‘comfort food’ and Green Street Smoked Meats has plenty of it! This counter-serve BBQ spot offers a plethora of house-smoked briskets, beefs, porks, and more with sides that include elote, potato salad, and macaroni salad. Come hungry!
John Dillon – Langham Hotels
The Duck Inn
A gastro-tavern and dining room has a unique twist on comfort food and you’ll love it. Duck dishes like the Signature Rotisserie Duck and the Duck Inn Dog are popular orders but you can’t miss the fried cheese curds, buffalo ricotta gnocchi, or the snails and spaghetti either!
Marcus Hollis – Omni Hotels
Xoco
Bold flavors and nostalgic dishes with a new personality make up Xoco’s menu of Mexico’s most popular street foods and snacks. Try the empanadas, churros, tortas, and top it off with a Mexican hot chocolate
Ruben Caraballo – Radisson Blu Chicago
Little Bad Wolf
It doesn’t get more cozy than this! Dig in to Little Bad Wolf’s Wolf Burger, al pastor tacos, or mac and cheese for a truly epic experience. Looking for a great beer selection too? Drink up, because LBW has 100 of them.
Shannon Boland – LondonHouse Chicago
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Some might say that fried chicken is the king of comfort food and Honey Butter Fried Chicken does it right. Strips, sandwiches, salads, and sides are a staple here – you need to try the “OG” Fried Chicken Sandwich or the classic fried chicken and corn muffins.
Sheryl Novak – Accesso Services
The Dearborn
This trendy take on classic American taverns brings globally-inspired creative fare and seasonality to the table with their rotating menu. Try the Scottish salmon, the bone-in Catalpa Grove pork ‘schnitzel’, or the Japanese curry poutine!
Luis Torres – Trump Hotel
Smoque BBQ
Sandwiches and ribs and platters – oh my! Smoque BBQ offers it all with their flavorful, award winning brisket, chicken, and pork, but don’t pass up the baby back and St. Louis style ribs; accompany them with the BBQ beans and the fresh cut fries and you’ll leave happy.
Andrea Behrstock – The Drake Hotel
Lou Mitchell’s
Looking for comfort food to start the day? Head to Lou Mitchell’s, an iconic diner serving up breakfast and lunch for nearly 100 years! Waffles, pancakes, omelettes, and a bakery full of fresh-baked pastries and breads will have you drooling the moment you walk in. Bonus: you may receive Milk Duds when you enter – a decades-old tradition!
Rebecca Starodub – Ritz Carlton Chicago
“Cold weather means comfort food, and mac and cheese is my go to when the temps drop. Lady Gregory’s in Andersonville has a great mac and cheese. Mad Social in the West Loop also has killer mac and cheese that they top with crispy Brussels sprouts.”
Susan Strange – Fairmont Millennium Park
“As soon as it gets cold out I crave the cassoulet at Yoshi’s Cafe with a glass of Cote de Rhone. The restaurant is also has a cozy feel, helping to warm you up.”