In one of the colder and dare I say more boring months (sorry January) Chicago’s Restaurants offer a feast of things to do. Chicago Restaurant Week has once again graced our calendars, January 19 to February 4, 2024. With lots of participating restaurants throughout Chicago and a few in the suburbs too. The menus available for Chicago Restaurant Week include a $25 brunch and lunch, and a dinner for $42 or $59. These fixed menus generally offer a multiple-course meal that will allow you to try several items.
When it comes to the great debate of sweet vs salty, I am a sweets girl through and through. On my list, you can expect to find brunch spots offering pancakes and French Toast. I also look for spots rocking a dessert as one of the entries! As a Chicagoan on a budget, this list only features the $25 lunch and brunch menus.
Although I know this might make some of you cringe, especially if you are a chef or a fan of fine dining, I am not a fan of seafood. This means you can also expect that the restaurants below will have alternative items or no seafood at all.
1. Hide + Seek
The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Champagne French Toast caught my eye on their Chicago Restaurant Week Brunch Menu. This special menu includes a plate a side and a drink for $25. Hide + Seek located in West Loop also seems to have cute interior vibes with light wooden elements and elegant chandeliers. They also offer a $59 dinner menu featuring a 4-course meal.
2. Drew’s on Halstead
I have been wanting to go to this Lakeview joint for literally ever! I am so excited to see that they have a $25 3-course lunch menu. What caught my eye here is the Bourbon Street Burger with Truffle Fries and Drew’s Bread Pudding for dessert. They also offer two dinner menus, one at $42 and the other at $59.
3. Recess
Recess desserts on the brunch menu have me salivating. How is one to choose between Nutella French Toast or Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bread Pudding?! Beyond the dessert, the BLT& E caught my attention along with their Chicken and Waffle Fries. This brunch 3-course at $25 in River North sounds right up my alley. They also have a $42 dinner menu.
4. Mima’s Taste of Cuba
The Yuka Fita, Keylime Pie, and Cubano Sandwich all caught my attention at this Irving Park restaurant. Their $25 lunch menu includes an appetizer, sandwich, side, dessert, and drink. they also offer a $59 dinner menu.
5. Cindy’s
I have heard so many wonderful things about Cindy’s including how amazing their rooftop is! This Loop restaurant is offering a $25 3-course lunch. The “Not So Secret” Secret Burger and the Roasted Corn Panna Cotta stood out to me on this special menu. Perhaps this is the chance to check out the rooftop for myself!
Do you know what the E is in the BLT & E at the Recess place?
It is a Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Egg sandwich.