The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Signature Dishes
Home›Signature Dishes›Chicago’s Signature Dishes: Benny’s Chophouse and Pitchfork

Chicago’s Signature Dishes: Benny’s Chophouse and Pitchfork

By TheRealChicagoOnline
June 15, 2012
1388
0
Share:

An inside look at a pair of standout meals from two popular establishments 

By Trent Modglin

Benny’s Chophouse
444 N. Wabash

www.BennysChophouse.com

The city of Chicago is flooded with steakhouses, but the list of places that do things right — I mean really do things right — is not as long as one might expect.

Benny’s is the kind of beautifully sophisticated venue the characters from “Mad Men” might particularly enjoy.

Lobster cobb salad
During the warm summer months, lighter meals are often the way to go, and Benny’s lobster cobb salad is an ideal option. Loaded with big chunks of rich lobster and hearts of palm, celery, tomatoes, avocado, bacon and corn, this wonderful blend of fresh flavors makes for a perfect summer lunch.

Benny’s burger
Now there are also days when you just need a big ‘ol burger, and Benny’s version is a juicy classic. Topping it with blue cheese, lettuce and port wine onions takes it to another level.

A bit of mayo is mixed with the lettuce to provide a nice, tangy consistency, and the basket of crispy truffle fries are seasoned to perfection.

 

Pitchfork
2922 W. Irving Park
www.PitchforkChicago.com

Pitchfork, the newest establishment from the folks behind popular bars like Waterhouse, Rebel and Bluelight, is a whiskey and barbecue establishment that does a lot of things right. But we’re focusing on barbecue because the craving hit, and we couldn’t resist.

Rack of ribs
As a bit of rib connoisseur, I have a list of favorites from across the country, and Pitchfork’s recipe may have vaulted to the top. The intoxicating sauce, concocted from a sugar, vinegar and tomato base, is made with grape jelly and some 17 spices.

The meaty ribs are cooked for four hours until they’re ready to fall off the bone. Our order arrived with fries and an ear of corn that is roasted in the husk, then peeled and grilled with a light dusting of butter, salt, pepper and garlic.

Brisket sandwich
“The brisket is the best worst thing to happen to me in Chicago because I want to eat it every day I’m at work,” says Nikki, Pitchfork’s manager.

I can attest to this issue of hers, as it easily surpassed my already lofty expectations. The tender slices of sweet and juicy beef have a nice layer of “bark,” or charred crust, a product of being smoked for 20 hours, and it’s served up on a soft pretzel roll.

Add a little of Pitchfork’s homemade sauce and a surprisingly light and creamy side of baked macaroni and cheese and you’ll be in barbecue heaven.

TagsBenny's Chop HouseChicago burgerChicago RestaurantsChicago ribsPitchfork Chicago
Previous Article

Sun and fun: Five must-do activities now ...

Next Article

A Round of Drinks at Riverview Tavern: ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • General Features

    Foodie favorites, part one: We asked resident food lovers for the best Chicago restaurants they’ve visited recently. And now ...

    May 1, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Fresh, seasonal food at the Blue Door Farm Stand and dumplings at Pierogi Heaven

    September 18, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Chicago’s signature dishes: The incredible burger creation and flank steak at Beef & Barley in Lakeview

    June 22, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Good Eats

    Good eats at Macello: This West Loop restaurant combines a unique visual appeal and stellar Italian menu

    February 2, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at Wishbone: Southern-style cooking at its finest in Chicago

    February 18, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at Pasteur: Tasty Vietnamese dishes and a stellar patio for summer

    June 24, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownHidden GemsOther Recent Articles

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Chicago’s best burgers: Everyone loves a good burger. Here are some of the city’s top options

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    An ode to good beer: The welcome influx of Chicago craft breweries

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.