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

Hidden Gems
Home›featured-blogs›Hidden Gems›Chicago’s hidden gems: Smoque’s BBQ, Broken English for tacos and Nighthawk for cocktails or coffee

Chicago’s hidden gems: Smoque’s BBQ, Broken English for tacos and Nighthawk for cocktails or coffee

By TheRealChicagoOnline
August 11, 2017
1673
0
Share:

Smoque

I don’t buy into the grand-opening hype. I prefer to let restaurants work out the kinks before I try them out, to ensure I get the best they can offer. I don’t typically wait in lines for food either — especially food where I know I’ve already had some of the best. Additionally, I’ve grown up in Chicago and know that, hey, we’re good at all sorts of food, but barbecue, well, let’s leave that to just about everywhere else.

As such, I had never tried Smoque. Embarrassingly, I was informed that I’m more than a decade late on this one, by my friends and by the delicious sliced brisket, which rivaled the best I’ve ever had, served at a roadside BBQ joint in Junction, Texas (so remote, I couldn’t even check in on social media to prove I was there).

Stubbornness and forgetfulness regarding Smoque cursed me. If it applies to you, please, do yourself a favor: Remove those things from your life and replace them with the delicious brisket. You will not be disappointed at all. And the lines aren’t as bad as they say, especially if you go at the right time.

Smoque is located at 3800 N. Pulaski, as well as the new Revival Food Hall at 125 S. Clark. www.SmoqueBBQ.com

— Andy Hanacek

I recommend the taco platter at Broken English. Combine that with the street corn hushpuppies and a margarita, and you are good to go.

The new Broken English in Lincoln Park

I love Mexican restaurants. Which is why I was so excited to hear that Broken English taco pub was opening in Lincoln Park this past spring, quickly marking the third location in the city for noted restauranteurs Phil Stefani and Adolfo Garcia. Within walking distance of my apartment, this is quickly becoming my girlfriend’s and my new go-to place. The atmosphere is vibrant, festive and eclectic, but obviously the food is why we keep coming back.

Understandably, the biggest appeal here is the tacos. I have yet to try one that I haven’t liked. So when going, I would recommend getting a platter, which is a pretty good deal for what you get. Plus it’s the best way to try a little of everything. Combine that with the street corn hushpuppies and a margarita, and you are good to go.

Broken English is located at 2576 N. Lincoln Park. Other locations include 1400 N. Wells in Old Town and 75 E. Lake in the Loop. www.TacoPub.com

— Michael Dritto

Nighthawk

If coffee and beer were to meet to talk about the intricacies of life, Nighthawk would be the spot. Owners Brendan Phillips and Howard Windmiller spent two long, laborious years rehabilitating the tiny little storefront across the Kimball brown line stop, incorporating original aspects of the building and equipping new and repurposed fixtures for seating and tables. The café/bar is one of many firsts in Albany Park’s artistic and cultural revival.

While beer and coffee seem to be the staples of Nighthawk, the real bread and butter just might be the clutch cocktails. While offering the status-quo deviations of classic drinks, some of their mixology endeavors really hit the spot. One of the favorites is the very unique and highly recommended Bay of Pigs, a rum concoction that will make the tongue shimmy.

This strange mixture of cafe and bar is actually welcoming and inclusive. It’s not out of place to be doing a little writing or reading or catching up with old friends, even making new ones. One can paint to Bob Ross reruns every week, or stumble upon a singles mixer. It’s all available at Nighthawk. A livelier version of its namesake, the painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, this fun spot evokes a feeling of togetherness despite different motives of existence.​

Nighthawk is located at 4744 N. Kimball in Albany Park.

— Caitlin Meeter

TagsAdolfo GarciaBroken EnglishLincoln ParkNighthawk ChicagoPhil StefaniSmoqueThe Real Chicago
Previous Article

The Big City Blog: Sunshine, fresh food ...

Next Article

Chicago Insider: Hanna Maki-Jokela on Kaiser Tiger’s ...

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

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: “Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story on Stage” returns to Chicago May 29-June 3

    May 26, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Halloween events at Brookfield Zoo, Fall Fest, Chili Fest, wine dinners and more

    October 5, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at BBQ Joint: A blend of bold Mexican and sweet BBQ flavors finds a home in Lincoln Park

    August 26, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Seven ways to experience the holiday season in Chicago this December

    December 1, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • A Round of Drinks

    A Round of Drinks at Kingston Mines and The Green Mill: These classic Chicago music venues will keep you entertained ...

    September 5, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Local Corner

    The Local Corner: Exploring the Franklin and Chicago intersection in River North

    December 2, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Throwing strikes: Cure your craving to bowl at these fun locations

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Summer’s in season: A Chicago guide to outdoor drinking

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Tastebud Tours: A walking tour of Chicago that includes generous portions of the city’s best grub? Count us in

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.