Where to Eat in Chicago’s Boystown Neighborhood
Known as Chicago’s “gayborhood,” Boystown runs up Halsted and Broadway from Belmont to Addison. It’s where the annual Gay Pride and Market Days festivals are held; where you can’t walk more than a block without passing a gay bar, adult shop, or erotic window display; and where you’ll find some of the city’s nightlife. It’s also home to some excellent restaurants. If you find yourself in Boystown, check out these top spots for dining.
MiniBar
For a light snack, MiniBar is my go-to in Boystown. Lively but not loud, sophisticated but not intimidating, it’s a great place for happy hour with friends or a drink and appetizer before dinner. The wine list is well-curated and reasonably priced, and the food is creative but not fussy, with large portions for the price tag. The panninis, pizzas and salads are all good, but I put my money towards the bruschettas. For $12 you get four thick pieces of crusty bread piled with your choice of toppings. My favorites are the proscuitto with figs, brie and mint; the ricotta with dates and pistachios; and the cambazola with pear and honey. On Sundays, they offer one of the best brunch deals in Chicago – entrees with bottomless mimosas for $20 per person.
HB Home Bistro
One of the best places for a casual and inexpensive date-night (or a great place to take visiting family), HB is one the few Chicago BYOBs that allows patrons to save money by bringing their own wine without sacrificing an upscale service and ambiance. Service is always spot-on – available but not intrusive – and the faded yellow walls, antique mirrors and candlelight up the intimate feeling of the small space. Menu highlights include artichoke and Edam fritters served with a garlicky aioli, almond-stuffed dates with brown sugar, and thehouse specialty: Amsterdam-style mussels in beer broth with anise, dried basil, and garlic, served with truffle fries.
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Angelina Ristorante
On the north end of the Broadway Boystown strip, Angelina is best known for its raucous Sunday brunch (entree and bottomless mimosas for $20). But at night, it feels like an entirely different place. Quiet, dark and romantic, it’s perfect for date-night dining. The wine list is long with a heavy emphasis on affordable (under $35 per bottle) Italian options. Standout dinner entrees include the spicy Italian sausage with creamy polenta in a balsamic reduction, beef shoulder braised in Peroni with garlic whipped potatoes, and butternut squash risotto simmered with white wine, mushrooms and goat cheese.
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Chicago Diner
For the vegan and veggie crowd, Chicago Diner may be the very best option in the city. Dishing up quality vegetarian fare in Chicago for nearly 30 years, the place is always busy (expect a wait on weekends) and it’s easy to see why, even if you’re a meat-lover. With a menu that is all vegetarian and mostly vegan – with several gluten-free options – there’s an emphasis on using real, fresh ingredients rather than subbing chemical-laden products for meat.
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Some of my favorites include the pumpkin ravioli, black bean burger, and “cheeze” and mushroom quesadillas. Beer and wine are on offer, and don’t skip the heavenly (so good you can’t tell it’s vegan) peanut butter and chocolate cake.
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