Michelin Guide to Restaurant Week 2020

Ah, Chicago Restaurant Week… the most wonderful time of the year.

If you are not familiar with Restaurant Week, I’ll give you the TLDR. At the end of January/beginning of February every year, HUNDREDS of Chicago restaurants offer set pre fixe menus for reduced prices. Allowing you to experience restaurants you may have written off as too expensive and truly experience some of Chicago’s finest cuisine.

This year's Restaurant Week starts Friday, January 24th and goes through Sunday, February 9th. As of now 411 restaurants in the Chicago and surrounding areas. Prices start at $24 for brunch and lunch, and go to $36 or $48 for dinner (some restaurants offer both!). These prices are up from last year but… these are the times we live in.

Every year I force myself to go somewhere new, even when old favorites are offering good deals. But the list can be daunting to digest. Not EVERY deal is a good one and the general price point of a restaurant is not a good indicator on if you’re getting ripped off or not. And with prices rising every year, it's even harder to get your money's worth.

For the past few years, like the true accountant I am, I have been compiling the restaurant data in a spreadsheet to determine where to get the best deals. It's… very time consuming and I can't do it for all 411 restaurants. So this year, I decided to focus on one thing: Michelin stars.

While only 4 restaurants in this year's list currently hold a Michelin star, there are several Michelin related options for Restaurant Week 2020: there are 22 Bib Gourmand award winners on the list (Bib Gourmand is like the “runner up” to a Michelin star), 3 sister restaurants to star holders, and 3 former star holders.

So I present these 32 restaurants in 3 categories (Michelin rated, Bib Gourmand, & Michelin Adjacent) ranked by what I feel is the best deal.

I matched every Restaurant Week offering with it's corresponding regular menu price to get you this data. Keep in mind, the best deal may not always be dinner. I'll note which meal offering is the best bang for your buck. Minimum savings and maximum savings are presented, rankings are based on maximums. Additionally, it is important to note that I cannot reliably determine portion sizes. So, at the end of the day, these are all estimates.

Keep in mind, these are not restaurant reviews. More so results of a data set. I don't like to hype just to hype. But the nature of Restaurant Week is to try new things and that applies to me as well.

If you want the TLDR that summarizes all the best deals, scroll to the end.

*denotes that I was unable to find an exact menu match so I had to estimate

Michelin Starred Restaurants

#1 BOKA

Type: American

Hood: Lincoln Park

Best deal: $48 DINNER

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Grilled Beets

    Rigatoni*

    Roasted Carrots

    Any Dessert
$69
$21
  
  Shaved Foie Gras*

    Grilled Spanish Octopus  

    Grilled Salmon*

    Any Dessert
$89
$41

Priced at the highest price point, BOKA is still the best deal you're going to get on a Michelin starred place. Their Restaurant Week menu is completely unique, so the savings are more of an estimate than most - but the sheer amount of courses and regularly steep menu prices makes up for the margin of error. BOKA even provide savings for the vegetarian crowd, who sometimes get the short end of the stick during Restaurant Week. This is at the top of my list, personally.

#2 Topolobampo

Type: Mexican

Hood: River North

Best deal: $24 LUNCH

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Classic Salad OR Sopa Azteca  

    Chilaquiles Yucateros

    Any Dessert
$37
$13
  
  Classic Ceviche

    Carne Asada

    Any Dessert
$55
$31

Lunch is where you can sneakily get the best deals during Restaurant Week, because, often, the menu offerings are the same or similar for half the price. Rick Bayless's Topolobampo only offers lunch, but, you can get ceviche, steak and a dessert for $24. I would definitely book a work lunch here.

#3 Sepia

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: none

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Appple & Celery Root Soup  

    Falafel*

    Assorted Cookies
$35
$11
  
  Smoked Rabbit Country Paté  

    Pan-Seared White Fish*

    Lemon Poppyseed Cake
$42
$18

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Roasted Beets*  

    Carrot & Goat Cheese Ravioli*  

    Falafel*  

    Any Dessert  
$59
$11
  
  Smoked Rabbit Country Paté*  

    Rye Gnocchi*  

    Pork Tenderloin*  

    Any Dessert  
$78
$30

Listen, Sepia is not a bad deal for lunch or dinner. But, they offer a $24 pre fixe lunch year round. I personally would save this for another time.

#4 Blackbird Restaurant

Type: American

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: none

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Bay Harbor Mussels  

    Braised Pork*  

    Chocolate Banana Cheesecake  
$51
$27
  
  Bay Harbour Mussels  

    Crumbled Skatewing  

    Chocolate Banana Cheesecake  
$53
$29

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Bay Harbor Mussels  

    Crumbled Skatewing  

    Braised Pork*  

    Chocolate Banana Cheesecake  
$73
$25

Blackbird is a great deal for lunch or dinner. But, they offer a $28 pre fixe lunch year round. So, I would skip this one for Restaurant Week and go another time.

Bib Gourmand Winners

#1 TWO

Type: American

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: $36 DINNER

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Duck Fat Potato Croquettes  

    Nichols Farm Roasted Green Beans  

    Risotto  

    Honey Cheesecake  
$42
$6
  
  Prime Hangar Steak  

    Half-Slab Ribs*  

    Faroe Island Salmon  

    Honey Cheesecake  
$75
$39

I did Restaurant Week at TWO two years ago and it was fantastic - one of the best Restaurant Week meals I've ever had. And they offer great savings to boot.

The options are not divided into courses, so you can pick 3 proteins if you want to be super aggro and maximize savings. But, priced at $36, this is the best “low cost” dinner on the list.

#2 Frontera Grill

Type: Mexican

Hood: The Loop

Best deal: $24 LUNCH

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Fresh Corn Tamales  

    Savory Shredded Beef Enchiladas  

    Seasonal Flan
$30
$6
  
  Frontera Ceviche  

    Chicken Mole Poblano*  

    Dos Tres Cuatro Cake  
$56
$32

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Fresh Corn Tamales  

    Seasonal Vegetarian Option*  

    Seasonal Flan
$35
    -$1
  
  Frontera Ceviche  

    Chicken Mole Poblano*  

    Dos Tres Cuatro Cake  
$56
$20

Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill offers an almost identical menu for lunch and dinner, so opt for Lunch to save some cash. Also, while I love me a tamale, skip them for Restaurant Week. Their low cost regularly quickly cuts into your potential savings.

#3 Mango Pickle

Type: Indian

Hood: Edgewater

Best deal: $36 DINNER

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Bhel Puri*  

    Sweet Potato Pavé  

    Mishty Doi*
$39
$3
  
  Feni Beef Shortrib*  

    Lamb Kosha Mongsho* OR Cornish Hen*  

    Mishty Doi  
$67
$31

Mango Pickle's Restaurant Week menu is entirely unique, so the savings are approximate. If you stick to the non-vegetarian options, you are more likely than not getting a great deal.

#4 Table, Donkey and Stick

Type: Bistro

Hood: Logan Square

Best deal: $36 DINNER

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  House Charcuterie  

    Swabian Pretzel  

    Sweet Potato Cappelletti
$47
    $11
  
  House Charcuterie  

    Kartoffelkloesse Salad OR Brussels Sprouts Gratin  

    Arctic Char OR CDK Sirloin  
$57
$21

What makes Table, Donkey and Stick such a great deal is that you get these savings and it doesn't include dessert. I'm not a dessert person and so many Restaurant Week offerings boil down to getting a free dessert once you break it down.

So if you lack a sweet tooth like me, go for this one.

#5 GT Fish & Oyster

Type: Seafood

Hood: River North

Best deal: $48 DINNER

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Shrimp Bruschetta  

    Clam Chowder  

    Bass Butternut Squash  

    Either Dessert
$67
    $19
  
  Tuna Poke  

    Wedge Salad  

    Bass Buttnernut Squash  

    Either Dessert  
$74
$26

Anyone else a total seafood hound? Put GT Fish & Oyster high on your list, because, no matter what you order, it's hard not to get a good deal. It's in the $48 category, but what do you expect for good seafood?

#6 Cira

Type: Mediterranean

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: $24 LUNCH

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Lentil Soup  

    Grain Bowl  

    Cremeux
$32
$8
  
  Salad  

    Rice Bowl  

    Cremeux  
$50
$26

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Falafel  

    Swordfish  

    Cremeux
$33
    -$3
  
  Rock Shrimp*  

    Chicken*  

    Cremeux  
$52
$16

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Mezze Platter*  

    Falafel  

    Swordfish  

    Cremeux
$42
    -$6
  
  Mezze Platter*  

    Rock Shrimp*  

    Tilefish*  

    Cremeux  
$61
$13

Lunch offers the best deal at Cira by a long shot. However if you are debating between the two dinner options, the offerings are similar. Only opt for the more expensive dinner if a mezze platter speaks to you.

#7 The Duck Inn

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: Bridgeport

Best deal: $48 DINNER

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Vegetable Terrine*  

    Steak Tartar* OR Shellfish Shoyu*  

    Parsnip Tagliatelle*  

    Chocolate Panna Cotta*
$59
    $11
  
  Vegetable Terrine*  

    Steak Tartar* OR Shellfish Shoyu*  

    Winter Spiced Chicken Thigh*  

    Chocolate Panna Cotta*
$71
    $23

A wide range of offerings and savings await at The Duck Inn. As one of the few Southside Restaurant Week participants, this is a solid choice particularly if you live near Bridgeport.

#8 Daisies

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: Logan Square

Best deal: $48 dinner

$24 Brunch / $24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Fried Pierogi  

    Bruschetta  

    Fruit & Oats Bars*  
$26
    $2
  
  Fried Pierogi  

    Pappardelle  

    Fruit & Oats Bars*  
$28
    $4

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Fried Parsnips  

    Pumpkin Manti  

    Raspberry Pie  
$51
    $15

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Fried Parsnips  

    Pumpkin Manti  

    Ravioli  

    Raspberry Pie  
$69
    $21

Skip brunch and lunch at Daisies for Restaurant Week - the savings are so small, it would be a waste. Either dinner option (the $36 or the $48) is a good deal. The $36 comes with 3 courses and the $48 comes with 4. Choose based on hunger level.

#9 Pacific Standard Time

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: River North

Best deal: $48 DINNER

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Potato  

    Avocado  

    Scoop of Ice Cream  
$23
    -$1
  
  Delicata Squash*  

    Gyro OR Turkey Reuben  

    Scoop of Ice Cream  
$31
    $7

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Eggplant Pita  

    Roasted Beets  

     Lamb Taglioni  

    Citrus Pavlova  
$56
    $8
  
  Eggplant Pita  

    Prairie Orchard Apple Salad  

    Rockfish OR Half Heritage Chicken  

    Chocolate Budino  
$69
    $21

I'd skip lunch at Pacific Standard Time - if you order carefully, the savings are not much. If you don't order carefully, you're actually spending MORE money.

Dinner is safer, though don't pick the pasta dish if you want to maximize savings. Just typing those words breaks my damn heart.

#10 HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen

Type: Vietnamese

Hood: Pilsen

Best deal: $24 BRUNCH

$24 Brunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Hến Xúc Bánh Đa  

    Mimosa  

     Phở Mẹ Tôi  

    Cà Phê Sữa Đá  
$42
    $18
  
  Gỏi Bạch Tuộc  

    Mimosa  

    Bún Thịt Nướng  

    Cà Phê Sữa Đá  
$44
    $20

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Spiced Rum  

    Hến Xúc Bánh Đa OR Gỏi Tôm  

     Cà Tím Nướng Mỡ Hành & Cơm  

    Vietnamese Rice Pudding  
$41
    -$7
  
  Spiced Rum  

    Hến Xúc Bánh Đa OR Gỏi Tôm  

    Má Thịt Heo Kho  

    Trái Cây  
$55
    $7

The brunch deal at HaiSous is actually fantastic and you can order freely without concern about getting a bad shake of it.

Skip dinner though. It's not worth it with the $48 price point.

#11 Dos Urban Cantina

Type: Mexican

Hood: Logan Square

Best deal: $36 DINNER

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Chicken Wings  

    Market Vegetables and Mole  

    Coconut Horchata Tres Leches  
$36
    $0
  
  Scallop Aguachile  

    Pan-Seared Arctic Char  

    Chocolate Cake  
$51
    $15

As one of the few $36 dinner options available on this list, if you make careful choices you can save up to $15, however you can also break even. Choose wisely.

#11 Funkenhausen

Type: German

Hood: Ukrainian Village

Best deal: $36 dinner

$24 Brunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Haus Buttermilk Biscuit  

    Pretzel French Toast  
$17
    -$7
  
  Swedish Pancake*  

    Mushroom Truffle & Egg  
$27
    $3

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Haus Salad*  

    Skate Wing Schnitzel*  

    Maple Pot du Creme*  
$36
    $0
  
  Sturgeon Pastrami  

    Ricotta Dumplings  

    Maple Pot du Creme*  
$51
    $15

Similar to Dos Urban above, based on your dinner choices you can either save $15 or break even. I would still go for dinner.

But definitely skip brunch. No deal there.

#13 Cabra

Type: Latin

Hood: West LOop

Best deal: $24 LUNCH

$24 Brunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Fruit Ceviche  

    Avocado Dip  
$12
    -$13
  
  Peruvian Toast  

    Classic Ceviche  
$17
    -$8

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Avocado Dip  

    Solterito  

    Empanada  

    Sanguche  

    Dessert  
$33
    $9
  
  Salmon Dip  

    Tuna Tiradito  

    Empanada  

    Sanguche  

    Dessert  
$38
    $14

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
    Duck Ceviche

    Avocado Dip  

    Empanadas*  

    Anticucho  

    Grilled Carrots
 
    Skirt Saltadou  

    Dessert  
$49
    $1
  
    Tuna Tiradito
  
    Chorizo & Queso  

    Empanadas  

    Anticucho  

    Solterito  

    Lamb Neck Suco  

    Dessert  
$55
    $7

We're getting into what I like to call the “free dessert” range of savings. Where once you break down the menu price, the savings are $12 or less which equates to a free dessert.

Cabra has a bit of cushion before truly falling into that category, so I would stop in for lunch at least.

Dinner is barely worth it and brunch is a rip off.

#14 La Josie

Type: Mexican

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: $36 Dinner

$24 Brunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Guacamole  

    Dos Baja Tacos  
$15
    -$9
  
  Quesadillas  

    Carnitas  
$28
    $4

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Guacamoles  

    Dos Otoños  

    Flan de Naranja  
$26
    $2
  
  Ensalada  

    Pollo Torta  

    Flan de Naranja  
$34
    $10

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Guacamole  

    Trio Pancito Tacos  

    Lujuria Tropical  
$32
    -$4
  
  Queso Fundido  

    Camarones  

    Flan de Naranja  
$49
    $13

Order carefully at La Josie and you'll get a decent deal for dinner.

Skip brunch and lunch.

#15 Marisol

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: Streeterville

Best deal: $24 lunch (“FREE dessert”)

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Parsnip & Almond Bisque*  

    Marisol Dry Aged Hamburger*  

    Either Dessert  
$32
    $8
  
  Arugula & Endive Salad*  

    Risotto*  

    Either dessert  
$36
    $12

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Parsnip & Almond Bisque*  

    Risotto*  

    Either Dessert  
-$15
    $8
  
  Arugula & Endive Salad*  

    Beef Short Rib*  

    Either dessert  
$51
    $3

The only difference in the Restaurant Week menus between lunch and dinner at Marisol is that for dinner you can order short rib. And the $48 price tag eliminates most savings even if you REALLY want short rib.

Go at lunch, you'll at least make out with a “free dessert.”

#16 mfk.

Type: Seafood

Hood: Lakeview

Best deal: $48 dinner (“FREE dessert”)

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Fig Jam*  

    Roasted Cauliflower*  

     Steamed Mussels*  

    Churros*  
$49
    $1
  
  Poached Shrimp Skewer*  

    Roasted Cauliflower*  

    Braised Beef Cheek*  

    Churros*  
$59
    $11

Opt for the beef at MFK. and you can get yourself a “free dessert”. If that's your thing.

#17 lowcountry

Type: Seafood

Hood: Lakeview

Best deal: $36 dinner (“FREE dessert”)

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Pickled Veggies*  

    Main Course (Snow Crab)  

    Either Dessert  
$42
    $6
  
  Seafood Gumbo  

    Main Course (Snow Crab)  

    Either Dessert  
    $46
    $10

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Pickled Veggies*  

    Main Course (King Crab)  

    Either Dessert  
$54
    $6
  
  Seafood Gumbo  

    Main Course (King Crab)  

    Either Dessert  
    $58
    $10

I'm a sucker for a good seafood boil. So while there are technically better deals on this list, this is very high up on mine to go to because ANY savings are good enough for me to dive into this madness. Also, depending on the market price of crab when you go, you COULD be saving even more. WHO KNOWS?

#18 Lonesome Rose

Type: Mexican

Hood: Logan Square

Best deal: none

$12 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Chips & Guacamole  

    Choice of 4 Tacos  

    Any Dessert  
$15
    $3
  
, ,

$18 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Loaded Baked Potato Flautas*  

    Avocado Tostada*  

    The Burrito - Picadillo Beef or Mushroom Ragu  

    California Avenue Street Corn  

    Any Dessert  
$22
    $4
  
  Loaded Baked Potato Flautas*  

    Shrimp Coctel*  

    Truck Stop Nacos OR The Burrito - Slow Roasted Beef Brisket or Fire Chicken 2.0  

    California Avenue Street Corn  

    Any Dessert  
    $24
    $6

Listen you're not gonna spend a fortune here. The menu is priced for 2 and you may save a few bucks. But the savings aren't significant enough to make this a Restaurant Week pick, in my option. Just go another time instead.

#19 avec

Type: Mediterranean

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: none

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Chickpea Soup  

    Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates  

    Caramel Cashew Squares  
$20
    -$4
  
  Chickpea Soup  

    Grilled Chicken Shawarma OR Chickpea Hummus  

    Caramel Cashew Squares  
    $24
    $0

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  House Marinated Olives  

    Brussel Sprouts Panzanella  

    Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates  

    Wood Oven Paella*  

    Hazelnut Chocolate Cremeaux*  
$67
    $19

While dinner offers some significant savings, avec offers a $24 pre fixe menu year round.

Skip for Restaurant Week.

#20 Untitled Supper Club

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: River North

Best deal: none

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Cold Sesame Noodles*  

    Strozzapreti*  

    Any Dessert*  
$40
    -$8
  
  Fromage Blanc*  

    Pork Loin* OR Skatewing Schnitzel*  

    Any Dessert  
    $57
    $9

You're not really getting much savings at Untitled (who I'm a huge fan of, tbh), however they offer a $35 pre fixe menu on Tuesdays year round. Skip for Restaurant Week.

#21 Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods

Type: Southern

Hood: Wicker Park

Best deal: none

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Blackaened Cauliflower  

    Blackened Catfish OR Grillades & Gravy Short Ribs  

    Praline Beignets  
$32
    -$4
  
  Crawfish Étouffée  

    Blackened Catfish OR Grillades & Gravy Short Ribs  

    Praline Beignets  
    $35
    -$1

Ina Mae's Restaurant Week menu is right up my alley and it's been on my list FOREVER. However, the savings are just not there. You'll be spending more than if you just ordered on your own.

Skip for Restaurant Week

#22 Arami

Type: Japanese/Sushi

Hood: Ukrainian Village

Best deal: none

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Vegetarian Menu  
$29
    -$19
  
  Regular Menu  
    $45
    -$3

So, I've been to Arami and it's undoubtedly delicious. It is also very pricey and the portion sizes are so tiny. So it's no surprise to be that their Restaurant Week menu is such a lousy deal.

Skip this one for Restaurant Week.

Michelin Adjacent

#1 Cafe Spiaggia

Sister Restaurant to Spiaggia (1 Michelin Star)

Type: Italian

Hood: Mag Mile

Best deal: $48 dinner

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Zuppa Di Zucca (cup)  

    Orechiette*  

    Affogato  
$31
    $7
  
  Arugula Salad*  

    Mafaldine  

    Affogato  
    $39
    $15

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Zuppa Di Zucca (cup)  

    Orechiette*  

    Pesce* OR Maile*,  

    Affogato  
$59
    $11
  
  Arugula Salad*  

    Mafaldine  

    Pesce* OR Maile*,  

    Affogato  
    $73
    $25

I went to Cafe Spiaggia for a Restaurant Week lunch last year and it was out of this world amazing. I could not recommend this place highly enough and I urge you to go go go.

#2 LITTLE Goat Diner

Sister Restaurant to Girl and the Goat (Bib Gourmand)

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: $36 dinner

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Seasonal Soup (cup)  

    Shephard's Pie  

    Not Chinese Broccoli  

    Mini Dessert  
$40
    $4
  
  Chickpea Salad  

    Whole Fried Fish  

    Brussels Sprouts  

    Mini Dessert  
    $51
    $15

For some of us, Little Goat Diner is as close as we are going to get to The Girl & The Goat and that's okay. This is a solid Restaurant Week choice I wouldn't overlook.

#3 The Loyalist

Sister Restaurant to Smyth (1 Michelin Star)

Type: Contemporary American

Hood: West Loop

Best deal: $36 dinner (“free dessert”)

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Caesar Salad  

    Dirty Burg  

    Sundae  
$40
    $4
  
  Mussels  

    Omelette OR Scallops  

    Sundae  
    $45
    $9

Loyalist's burger has been on my list for awhile. You may only get a “free dessert” here, but at the $36 price point, it is still on my list.

#4 NoMI Kitchen

Former Michelin Star

Type: French

Hood: Mag Mile

Best deal: $24 lunch

$24 Lunch

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Petit Mache, Belgian Endive, Frisée Salad  

    Croque Monsieur OR Quiche Lyonnaise  
$34
    $10
  
  Crunchy Spicy Tuna Maki  

    Skuna Bay Salmon  
    $62
    $38

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  French Five Onion Soup  

    Roasted Amish Chicken Breast  
$49
    $13
  
  Shrimp Tempura Avocado Maki  

    Skuna Bay Salmon  
    $62
    $26

$48 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  French Five Onion Soup  

    Handmade Pappardelle "Tartiflette"  

    Any Dessert  
$58
    $10
  
  Shrimp Tempura Avocado Maki  

    16 oz Creekstone Farms Beef Chateaubriand*  

    Any Dessert  
    $81
    $33

Lunch is an absolute STEAL at NoMI. They offer a similar menu to the $36 dinner menu so that extra $12 is really just money in your pocket.

#5 Dusek’s Board & Beer

Former Michelin Star

Type: Gastrotavern

Hood: Pilsen

$36 Dinner

 
  If You Order: 
  Regular Menu Price   
  Savings   
  
  Either First Course  

    Roasted Cauliflower  

    Either Dessert  
    $40
    $4
  
  Either First Course  

    Poached King Salmon  

    Either Dessert  
    $39
    $15
  
, ,

If you opt for salmon over cauliflower you are getting a pretty good deal at former Michelin star holder, Dusek's.

#6 The Lobby at the Penninsula

Former Michelin Star

Type: American

Hood: Streeterville

Best deal: ???

Menu Not Online

Listen, I have no idea if this is a good deal or not. I could not find the menu online. Maybe there's a personal failing of mine. It IS a beautiful space. That's about all I can say!

Tldr: where to go

Michelin star, best deal

BOKA

$48 Dinner

Bib Gourmand, best deal

TWO

$36 Dinner

Michelin- adjacent, best deal

NoMI Kitchen

$24 Lunch

Best brunch

HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen

Best lunch

NoMI Kitchen

Best $36 dinner

TWO

BEST $48 DINNER

BOKA

Honorable mention

Table, Donkey & Stick, $36 Dinner

Specials, RecommendationsPerk & ProvisionJanuary 13, 2020West Loop, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Dinner, Ukrainian Village, Lincoln Park, Pilsen, The Loop, River North, Lakeview, EdgewaterComment