In the face of a coronavirus epidemic, social-distancing measures have been recommended for all. Those measures have delivered a massive blow to a number of industries, and the hospitality industry is one of them. Effective March 17, all Chicago bars and restaurants have been ordered by Governor Pritzker to close dine-in service through at least March 30. Delivery, carry out and curbside pick up will still be allowed.
While some restaurants are already equipped to handle the new measures, many others are adapting on the fly to avoid shutting down entirely. Some of of the city’s best-known chefs — including Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard and Jason Hammel — have urged Governor Pritzker to offer staff unemployment benefits, eliminate payroll tax, and offer rent and loan abatement.
Of course, there’s also a lot that we as individuals can do: Chicago’s independent restaurant scene will need community support now more than ever. So we’ve rounded up a list of Chicago restaurants with innovative takeout and delivery services so you can help them support their staff. Be sure to call ahead and confirm current offerings, as hours and availability are changing as frequently as COVID-19 news updates. Check out Dining at a Distance Chicago for a constantly updated list of area restaurants offering takeout and delivery options, and share your order on social media with the hashtag #TakeOutChicago to show support for the cause.
HaiSous
Pilsen/1800 S. Carpenter St.
Owners Thai and Danielle Dang announced on Instagram they would hand out packaged meals to Pilsen residents and industry employees impacted by the restaurant shutdown. While the first event was Monday evening, HaiSous will announce additional food events in the days ahead.
Middle Brow Bungalow
Logan Square/2840 W. Armitage Ave.
Currently offering their entire menu for pickup or delivery. Pickup is available via curbside or window service, and they’re also doling out weekly subscriptions for beer, bread and pizza. Beginning Thursday, Middle Brow will be selling produce from Down at the Farm, including locally grown vegetables, flour, grits, eggs and more. Orders can be placed online.
Aya Pastry
West Town/1332 W. Grand Ave.
Grab chef Aya Fukai’s famous pastries seven days a week starting Tuesday, March 17th (9 a.m.-4 p.m.). Aya Pastry has also enabled preorders for next-day pickup — just be sure to place your order before 4 p.m. the day before. In addition to breads and pasties, they will be adding a new line of frozen products including biscuits, croissants, cookie dough and pizza dough that you can bake fresh at home. Call 312-846-6186 or order online.
Avec
West Loop/615 W. Randolph St.
While it’s usually pretty tough to secure a seat at Avec, now you can enjoy many of their classic dishes at home. A special “Avec To Go” menu is offered daily between 3:30 and 10:30 p.m. Menu items include Avec’s famous bacon-wrapped dates and a rotisserie chicken dinner with hearth-baked pita and hummus. Call 312-377-2002 to place an order. Curbside pickup is available on Randolph St.
Spinning J
Humboldt Park/1000 N. California Ave.
Pie-haven Spinning J is offering a full menu for takeout, including soup by the quart, take-and-bake biscuits and more. Order ahead by calling 872-829-2793 and check out their Instagram for daily specials.
Sun Wah BBQ
Uptown/5039 N. Broadway
Fancy a roast duck experience from the comfort of your home? Sun Wah is open during normal hours with takeout and curbside pick up upon request. While Sun Wah doesn’t typically offer delivery, it’s currently available to customers within a mile radius of the restaurant (Bryn Mawr to Wilson, Lake Shore Drive to Ashland). A $5 delivery fee, 18% gratuity and $15 minimum applies and you must prepay via phone with a Visa or Mastercard.
Lost Larson
Andersonville/5318 N. Clark St.
Neighborhood favorite Lost Larson is serving its excellent bread, baked goods and coffee through their front window from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Pick up a gift certificate to support the bakery, which also has a location in the temporarily closed Time Out Market Chicago.
Pacific Standard Time
River North/141 W. Erie St.
Acclaimed River North spot Pacific Standard Time is offering a daily family meal available Tuesday-Saturday for pick up between 3:30-7:30 p.m. The $40 meals feed four people and will rotate daily, with items like pork chops and mac and cheese, cheeseburgers and a whole roasted chicken. You have the option to add on bottles of wine and local beer, too. While meals for Tuesday (3/17) and Wednesday (3/18) are sold out, you can preorder later meals on PST’s website.
All Together Now
West Town/2119 W. Chicago Ave.
The wine and cheese mecca is offering four options to serve you during social distancing. You can A) walk or drive up to the restaurant’s front window for takeout wine, cheese, olives, tinned fish; B) Order delivery via Grubhub; C) Call the wine and cheese hotline at 773-661-1599 for personalized recommendations and they’ll prepare your order for pickup or delivery (free delivery on orders over $100); or D) Order a nightly family dinner like slow-roasted pork shoulder served with carrot and fresho puree — $36 feeds two, $65 feeds four. Place your order by noon for same-day pickup between 3 and 6 p.m. To order, call 773-661-1599 or email greetings@alltogethernow.fun.
River Roast
River North/315 N. LaSalle St.
River Roast is offering delivery and curbside pickup of family meals daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Choose from four meals, each serving 3-4 people for $35-40. Options include a pork shank or whole roasted fish dinner with choice of side, salad or veggies, and desserts like key lime pie, carrot cake or chocolate cake. As a bonus you’ll receive a $25 comp card for $50 spent, or a $50 comp card for $100 spent. Place your pickup order via DoorDash or directly at (312) 822-0100. Delivery is also available via DoorDash and Grubhub. For curbside pickup, pull your vehicle in front of River Roast with hazard lights on. Call the restaurant and a team member will meet you at your vehicle with your order.
Paramount Fresh
West Loop/1750 W. Lake St.
The Paramount Group — Paramount Events, Truffleberry Market, Eden and Paramount Fresh — are uniting to offer a broad menu of food options including family-style meals, kid-friendly snacks, freshly cut produce and pantry staples. Curbside pickup and delivery is available and orders can be placed through paramountfresh.com.
Temporis
Noble Square/933 N. Ashland Ave.
Temporis is offering its Michelin-starred hospitality in the comfort of your own home, helping to support the independent restaurant’s staff as well as neighbors and ingredient purveyors during this uncertain time. The casual “Dinner for Two” menu is offered Tuesday through Saturday and includes a baby kale salad, short ribs, cheddar grits and brownies for $70. A la carte options are also available and a bottle of wine can be added for $30. Call the restaurant to purchase. Delivery is also available to guests in the West Town and Wicker Park areas.
Chiya Chai
Logan Square/2770 N. Milwaukee
Logan Square’s popular chai cafe will offer a “Lunch Break” special of 25% off delivery orders between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for local customers that are working from home. Delivery orders can be placed on GrubHub. Chiya Chai is also offering $25 off first-time catering orders with catering available in Chicago and the suburbs. Head here to view the full catering menu and place an order and call the cafe at 773-360-7541 for more info.
Flat & Point
Logan Square/3524 W. Fullerton Ave.
BBQ smokehouse Flat & Point is serving comforting meal packages for $50 a pop. Each pack feeds 2-3 people and includes a choice of protein like porchetta with pork jus or meatballs with marinara (add a pound of brisket for an extra $20), veggie sides and the option to add on bread or cookies. Email info@flatandpoint.com to place your order. Flat & Point is also collecting funds to support its employees via GoFundMe with all funds going directly to employees.
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