January 7, 2016
Chicago’s love of food sits squarely on its broad shoulders. The city has become a chow hound’s hot spot, with award-winning chefs and foodie talent elevating an already-thriving food scene to new gourmet heights. As part of our own reimagination, we’ve got a new food experience space at Navy Pier filled with well-known eateries that have enhanced the dining experience.
Next time you come to the Pier, we urge you to indulge in the following unmissable eats from our new and impressive restaurant partners.
BIG BOWL CHINESE EXPRESS
A consistent option for authentic Thai and Chinese cuisine with an emphasis on highest quality, fresh ingredients, Big Bowl shares a long counter with Let Us Entertain You (LEYE) neighbors, Big City Chicken and Frankie’s Pizza by the Slice.
Must-have: Spice lovers we present to you the Cherry Bomb Shrimp, a harmonious blend of the spicy, the subtle, and the sweet and sour. You get large chunks of golden shrimp jumbled with napa cabbage, red & green onions, and chili sauce. Equally satisfying to the eye, nose, and palate.
(Photo via Big Bowl)
BIG CITY CHICKEN
Big City Chicken is a fried chicken concept hatched by Lettuce Entertain You and M Burger’s Chef Tim Hockett. This eatery greets you with a colorful chicken head sign and gleaming white glazed tiles on the counter front and walls.
Must-have: Can’t go wrong with the Original Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which has a delicately flavored seasoning that doesn’t distract from that crunchy brown skin. Pair it with the skinny fries and sriracha mayo and you’re golden.
(Photo via Chicago Tribune/ Anjali M. Pinto)
DMK BURGER AND FISH BAR
This is a new concept from DMK Restaurants, where you can have the best from the land and sea. Or what they call the “best grass-fed burgers that ever hit your lips” and “sustainable, wild caught and responsibly farmed seafood.” Now, you can enjoy some of the most delicious items from their genius hybrid menu at Navy Pier, near the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Must-have: Craving beef? Go with the #1, and we promise you that you will not be disappointed. It involves aged cheddar, smoked Bacon, charred Balsamic red onion, Rufus Teague’s BBQ Sauce. Craving fish? The Plancha Salmon: Caper & tarragon aioli, roasted cauliflower, and caramelized pearl onion.
(Photos via Instagram @dmkrestaurants)
FRANKIE’S PIZZA BY THE SLICE
Frankie’s Pizza by the Slice is an extension of Frankie’s 5th Floor Pizzeria located on Michigan Ave. Chris “Big Frankie” Favero, created a pizza crust that takes an American spin on the traditional Neapolitan pizza.
Must-have: Generally, sausage takes a backseat to pepperoni, but that is not the case at Frankie’s. Emerging from the oven slightly charred and bubbling, the sausage pan pizza – topped with tomato sauce, oregano, mozzarella, and big chunks of fresh house-made sausage – is the one to order. Make sure you also get a taste of their thirst-quenching strawberry lemonade.
(Photo via Frankie’s)
Porkchop
If you’re in the mood for southern comfort food and BBQ, Porkchop is the place to go.
Must-have: The Mouthful – pulled pork sandwich with chipotle bourbon BBQ sauce, fried pickles, red onion, jalapeño coleslaw. Although pulled pork might sound like an ubiquitous choice, this item is far from ordinary. It’s tender, but not mushy. Fatty and flavorful, not greasy. Smoky, but only in the background, where it lingered for seconds after each bite.
GODDESS AND THE BAKER
And if you’re simply craving a good cup of coffee, Goddess and The Baker showcases a one-of-a-kind coffee program offering a rotating selection of beans plus specialty coffee drinks that will leave you energized all day. It also carries a delectable selection of salads and fresh-to-order sandwiches.
Must-have: The S’more Frappe would be your sweet ending to a happy beginning. It consist of liquid chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, marshmallow flu, blended to gooey, crumble-licious perfection.
(Photo via Instagram @goddessbaker)
FRESHII
About: You can find Freshii all around Chicago, and now you can find its energizing, health-conscious food at the new food experience at Navy Pier!
Must-have: If you want to get your health goals back on track, we suggest one of their revitalizing smoothies or juices! Perfect for your on-the-go day at Navy Pier, the Green Energy Juice and Green Smoothie are worth a try.
Ben and Jerry’s
About: Hopefully you’ve saved enough room for dessert! Your two favorite men have set up shop next to Goddess and the Baker in the new food experience.
Must-have: Your favorite flavor, of course! Chocolate, strawberry, mint – the choice is yours.
The post Chow Down in the New Food Experience appeared first on Navy Pier.