We've got the dish on the best off-menu items in Chicago. From bites by a Michelin-starred chef to delectable comfort food, here's seven of our favorite secret selects.
Pigtail's Ibérico Smashburger
Ibérico Smashburger From Pigtail
Chef Jose Andre's speakeasy Pigtail serves a house-made Ibérico Smashburger ($60) off its secret menu. This mouthwatering burger is accented by caramelized onion and piparra mayo on a fresh brioche bun and is served with a glass of Cava sparkling wine.
Blackout Oysters And Pasta Back From Maple and Ash
Blackout Oysters from Maple and Ash
Two Michelin-starred chef Danny Grant has some tricks up his sleeve. First, the Blackout Oysters ($36 per piece): Beau soleil oysters topped with Kaluga caviar atop a chilled vodka shot. Next up, and most popular among those in the know, is the Pasta Back. In order to savor the remaining flavors of the fire-roasted seafood towers, your server, upon request, will bring out a pot of hand-rolled conchigliette pasta and toss it in the remaining spicy butter mixture pooled at the bottom of the tower.
Lux Roll And Sisig From Sunda New Asian
Sunda's Lux Roll
Next time you're at Sunda, impress the table by asking for these secret selects: The lux roll (made with negi toro topped with wagyu beef, truffle vinaigrette, shaved truffles, white wasabi cream and tobiko) and the Sisig (braised pork belly, crispy honeycomb tripe, onions, shishito peppers, soy vinaigrette, egg and roti prata).
Fresh Apple Cocktail From The Whistler
Head out to Logan Square's The Whistler's backyard patio to order this low-key sip created by head bartender Alex Barbatsis. Choose either bourbon or mezcal to be mixed with juiced-to-order Granny Smith apples for this cocktail served over ice in a pint glass. The spot's juicer on the patio bar leads straight into the glass, so this is indeed the freshest apple cocktail in the city.
Patty Melt From Epic Burger
Epic Burger Patty Melt
Craving comfort food? Try Epic Burger's secret menu item: a hand-smashed black angus beef patty sandwiched between cheddar and pepper jack cheeses and topped with grilled onion, pickle and epic sauce—all served on a brioche bun.
Photography by: Photos courtesy of restaurants
