Food halls are all about variety. They offer a little bit of everything, bringing flavors from all around the world to one place — kind of like the Chicago dining scene itself.
And lucky for us, the city is going through a serious food hall boom. These new spaces have recently opened their doors across the city, showcasing some of Chicago’s most beloved dishes, hottest chefs, and up-and-coming culinary talent. Dig into everything from Japanese sandwiches to vegan soul food to one the city’s best burgers at these four new Chicago food halls.
Politan Row
This chef-driven food hall offers 13 different restaurant options, a coffee shop, bar, and beer garden all around the corner from the West Loop’s bustling Restaurant Row. Whether you’re in the mood for Korean bibimbop, gourmet sausage and Cuban sandwiches, al pastor tacos or empanadas, Politan Row has something for everyone.
Many of options have ties to existing Chicago favorites: veggie-centric Smashed Radish is from the same team as popular food truck The Fat Shallot and baker Sandra Hall is showcasing pastries and more from her bakery Floriole. There’s also plenty of international options, like Israeli kitchen and hummus bar LaShuk Street Food, Indian street food concept Thattu, and Japanese comfort food spot Mom’s.
When it comes to happy hour, Politan Row is the place to be. Bar Politan, located inside the food hall, offers daily cocktail specials from 4 – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Perle, the outdoor beer garden, also has daily drink deals, including $5 Pilsner drafts, radlers, and glasses of rosé. 111 N. Aberdeen St.
One Eleven Food Hall
One Eleven Food Hall, located in the historic Pullman neighborhood, is just steps from the Pullman National Monument. The new food hall currently houses three different restaurant concepts. The first, Majani Soulful Vegan Cuisine, is run by husband-and-wife team Tsadakeeyah and Nasya Emmanuel. Majani, meaning ‘green’ in Swahili, offers guests everything from barbecue cauliflower to black-eyed-pea fritters, mushroom burgers, jerk tofu and more.
Exquisite Catering, helmed by Tiffany Mone’t Williams, includes options for every meal of the day. Try the chorizo breakfast wraps, sausage and cheddar biscuit sandwiches, the six-hour braised brisket with espresso barbecue sauce and caramelized onions, and more. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, don’t miss Laine’s Bake Shop’s homemade cookies, muffins, the famous red velvet brownie, and specialty coffee drinks. 756 E. 111th St.
Fulton Galley
Fulton Galley is the newest food hall to open in the vibrant West Loop neighborhood, showcasing five different restaurants inside the industrial-chic space.
The new spot runs the gamut in terms of food offerings. Swing by Taco Mucho, a casual taqueria, for craveable options like nacho fries with spicy queso and elote skewers. Fairview offers up rotisseries style meats, like crispy-skinned half chicken, with your choice of sides and sauces. Pink Salt serves Thai favorites, Italianette has the homemade pasta, and Steingold’s brings authentic Jewish deli fare (including their beloved bagels).
Don’t miss the on-site bar, which has great happy hour specials and extended evening hours. Enjoy half-priced beer, wine, and cocktails from 5 – 7 p.m. on weekdays, plus over 20 beers on draft and a lengthy wine and cocktail list. Fulton Galley also has a private dining room for events and a lounge for co-working (if you can concentrate while being surrounded by that much good food). 1115 W. Fulton Market
Coming soon: Time Out Market
The largest of all the new Chicago food halls is also one of the most highly anticipated. The upcoming Time Out Market will be a three-floor, 50,000 square-feet culinary adventure in the Fulton Market area of the West Loop. Slated to open in the second half of 2019, the Chicago food hall will be the second largest location of Time Out’s global market concepts, after the original market in Lisbon.
Time Out Market hopes to bring together the best of the city, from chefs and restaurants to bars, cultural experiences, music and more. The space will feature 18 different eateries, three bars, a demo kitchen with cooking classes, a stage for entertainment with bleacher seating, retail space, a rooftop area, and more.
The first wave of restaurants and chefs was just announced, which features everything from fast-casual to fine-dining. Chef Edward Kim is bringing his famous Mott Burger — a delectable combination of American cheese, hoisin aioli, pickled jalapeños, miso butter, sautéed onions, and frizzled sweet potato strings. Other notable additions include Split Rail’s Zoe Schor and her signature fried chicken, Pastry Chef Dana Salls Cree of Pretty Cool Ice Cream, The Purple Pig’s Jimmy Bannos Jr., Chef Thai Dang from HaiSous, and Chef Brian Fischer of Michelin-starred Entente. 916 W. Fulton Market
