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
  • 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
Breaking News

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

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
1740
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

  • We Ask, They Answer

    We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with Steve Dolinsky, ABC 7 News food reporter and co-host/producer of The Feed podcast, about ...

    May 31, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: New happy hour specials at Ironside, cigars & scotch at The Redhead, “Baby Wants Candy” shifts ...

    January 17, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Learning curve: Get out and explore some of Chicago’s lesser-known museums

    February 18, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Amusing and educational, The Windy City Music Theatre’s “Seussical the Musical” will have your little ones singing ...

    October 14, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Whiskey and punk music at Delilah’s, the funky Lilly’s, and the Purrfect Roast Catfe

    October 27, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Chicago bar scene awaits governor’s decision on lifting happy hour ban

    June 19, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

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

  • Around TownMy Chicago

    My Chicago: If you can only eat out once this spring, where are you going and what are you ordering?

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    New on the scene: Several enticing bars have opened downtown recently

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.

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login