Feature

Chicago: Slurp-worthy dishes for those March chills

Chicago restaurants know how important it can be to warm their customers to the marrow.

Chicago restaurants know how important it can be to warm their customers to the marrow, said Jennifer Tanaka in Chicago. Until the spring sun is ready to do its part, the city seems to specialize in hot “slurpy” dishes. Below are four bowls of warm comfort that are well worth finding.

Belly Shack Order hot-and-sour soup here and enjoy a unique translation of a Mexican tortilla soup. Starting with a “gently piquant” Japanese broth, chef Bill Kim adds crunchy bean sprouts, “tender hominy,” and “ribbons of scrambled egg.” 1912 N. Western Ave., (773) 252-1414

Big Jones It doesn’t take much to jump a black roux to a burned one, and Big Jones “dances right up to the edge” of that line with its “dark and stormy” chicken and andouille gumbo, which is served on buttered Arkansas rice. 5347 N. Clark St., (773) 275-5725

GT Fish & Oyster Served in individual Mason jars, chef Giuseppe Tentori’s outstanding clam chowder is “smoky and complex—not at all the stuff of your average New England fry shack.” Purists may quibble, especially about whether the potatoes belong. We say, “More for us.” 531 N. Wells St., (312) 929-3501

Laschet’s Inn We’re told that this low-key German tavern makes a popular sauerbraten and a nice spaetzle. But we keep coming back for the goulash, with its spicy, tender chunks of beef. 2119 W. Irving Park Rd., (773) 478-7915

Recommended

Global happiness has been 'remarkably resilient' over the past three years
cathedral in Finland.
it wasn't all bad

Global happiness has been 'remarkably resilient' over the past three years

Is France 'on the edge of civil unrest'?
Protests against Macron's pension overhaul
Today's big question

Is France 'on the edge of civil unrest'?

The extreme weather events of 2023
An illustration of a tornado and wind-swept palm trees
In depth

The extreme weather events of 2023

Russia's spring Ukraine offensive may be winding down amid heavy losses
Ukrainian tank fires near Bakhmut
Attrition

Russia's spring Ukraine offensive may be winding down amid heavy losses

Most Popular

The truth about alcohol
Alcohol being poured into a rocks glass.
Briefing

The truth about alcohol

North Korea claims 800,000 people volunteered to fight against the U.S.
North Korean soldiers march in a parade in 2018.
A Frightening Figure

North Korea claims 800,000 people volunteered to fight against the U.S.

Russia's spring Ukraine offensive may be winding down amid heavy losses
Ukrainian tank fires near Bakhmut
Attrition

Russia's spring Ukraine offensive may be winding down amid heavy losses