

Even the colorful and crisp vegetables served with the mezze platter look like they were freshly purchased that morning from the farmers market. Though it might be the most expensive one in town at $25, Georgie’s gyro features a ridiculously soft handmade pita, extra juicy meat, bright red tomatoes and just enough tzatziki to tie it together. The best dishes feel like they’ve been stripped to their essence, so the Mediterranean octopus is served with little more than a lemon wedge, yet the quality of the product and the wood-fired grilling set it apart. While many recent debuts have impressed, a consistent favorite is Andros Taverna, run by the husband-and-wife team of Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen. While Chicago’s Greektown neighborhood continues to shrink, the number of ambitious new Greek restaurants in Chicago has increased. Gyro is served up at Andros Taverna, 2542 N. Ariel Cheung, Food editor Andros Taverna
NEW HOT POT RESTAURANT CHICAGO FULL
Expect the full list in early 2023, and until then, happy eating. While our critics will keep whittling away at the list of best restaurants, both old and new, here are the 25 best new restaurants, with a fairly generous “new” defined as opening in 2020 or later. As we considered how best to tackle this Best Restaurants project, we realized this cohort of restaurants launched in the pandemic had quickly entered the ranks of the city’s best - so why not celebrate them on their own? In their first 1½ years as our food critics, Kindelsperger and Chu have charted the ascent of a number of new restaurants, from brick-and-mortarless virtual concepts making a splash (Funeral Potatoes) to some already boasting Michelin stars (Esme, Claudia, Kasama). New concepts are consistently bursting onto the scene, and there are vibrant options in the suburbs deserving recognition. But Chicago alone has hundreds of restaurants, and a wealth of great ones. If it makes the list, we will have visited it in the After Times. It wouldn’t be fair to judge based on pre-2020 experiences, before social distancing rules, smaller staffs and soaring food costs affected everyone, from humble hot dog stands to fine-dining institutions. While their predecessor, Phil Vettel, could build off his existing Phil’s 50 list and decades of dining, our critics recognized how extensively the pandemic has reshaped experiences at nearly every restaurant, not just in Chicago, but globally. When Chicago Tribune food critics Louisa Chu and Nick Kindelsperger began sketching out plans for a new list of the best restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs, it became clear just how many questions the process would pose. Laojiumen Hotpot Chicago has a limited capacity due to the COVID crisis, so be sure to make a reservation via their Yelp page before you visit.As any great chef will tell you, starting from scratch is no easy feat. It’s social, relaxed, and has the exceptional food that you’ve been missing for these past few months. This kind of shared eating event is the perfect choice if you’re just getting back to in-person dining. Laojiumen Hotpot Chicago also has a great sauce station, so there’s plenty of opportunities to try new flavors and customize your hot pot meal.
NEW HOT POT RESTAURANT CHICAGO PLUS
Once you’re safely seated, choose from plenty of broth options, plus lots of well-portioned meats, vegetarian options, and classic accompaniments. The restaurant feels comfortable yet upscale, and boasts plenty of social distancing and enhanced hygiene practices. Laojiumen Hotpot Chicago is now open on South Clark Street, and offers an all-you-can-eat hot pot experience in a classy, clean environment. The crispy, cool Chicago weather can only mean one thing: It’s soup season! There’s a new hot pot restaurant in Chinatown, and it’s a great place to warm up with a satisfying meal.
