Road Trip Chicago

[chasy]

Bavettes is probably 15+ years old and still booked to the gills each and every day. It is a printing press.

[El Hoze]

I somewhat lived in River North for a number of years about two blocks from Bavette’s. It is very good…great ambiance, but I would argue not necessarily worth killing yourself trying to get into. I would say the same thing for Au Cheval, their more casual place in Chicago, and 4 Charles their place in NYC (that makes getting into Bavette’s look easy). They are certainly killing it. For me, my favorite restaurant in River North (and probably Top 10 anywhere…though there is some personal nostalgia involved) is Frontera Grill. When I am in Chicago I will typically eat at the bar at Frontera every night. For how busy and touristy it is and how long it has been around it is consistently extremely good.

[BG318]

On 5/17/2025 at 12:11 AM, El Hoze said:

I somewhat lived in River North for a number of years about two blocks from Bavette’s. It is very good…great ambiance, but I would argue not necessarily worth killing yourself trying to get into. I would say the same thing for Au Cheval, their more casual place in Chicago, and 4 Charles their place in NYC (that makes getting into Bavette’s look easy). They are certainly killing it. For me, my favorite restaurant in River North (and probably Top 10 anywhere…though there is some personal nostalgia involved) is Frontera Grill. When I am in Chicago I will typically eat at the bar at Frontera every night. For how busy and touristy it is and how long it has been around it is consistently extremely good.

I'm in at Gibson's, and on a wait list for Bavettes. I'm very satisfied with the scenario because there's so many things to do anyway. It'll give me something to shoot for next trip. Love Rick Bayless as a chef - I went to Topolabampo the first time I was in town. I am definitely thinking about Au Cheval if my stomach can handle it.