What to eat in Chicago? / Yardbird, the best fried chicken ever
In downtown Chicago, you’ll find this somewhat pricey restaurant specializing in Southern U.S. cuisine.
By Alejandro Pohlenz
In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire left 100,000 people homeless. All the houses were made of wood, and with a little help from a southern wind, the city went up in flames. What’s surprising is that they blamed a cow (Daisy) and the animal’s owner, Catherine O’Leary, an Irish immigrant. According to a reporter from the prestigious Chicago Tribune, the cow kicked over a kerosene lamp and—boom. Catherine was expelled from the city. Later, the reporter who published the “scoop” about Daisy admitted he had made it all up! In the end, they had to apologize to Mrs. Catherine (and to the cow).
The famous fried chicken
In downtown Chicago, you’ll find a rather refined restaurant specializing in Southern U.S. cuisine: its name, Yardbird. The place is spectacular, with two levels, and the food—especially the fried chicken—is the most delicious thing I’ve tasted in my life. We first fell in love with Yardbird in Las Vegas, where there’s a branch in the Venetian Hotel that’s almost always packed. (The franchise originated in Miami Beach.)
Other edible wonders
The Chicago location is much larger, more distinguished, and less crowded. The fried chicken (breaded) falls apart with a fork and is, I repeat, a delicacy. As for starters, it’s imperative to mention the honey-butter biscuits and the Cajun popcorn shrimp (very Southern!). My beloved wife goes crazy for the sensational mac & cheese, and I find the crispy Brussels sprouts otherworldly (sweet and wonderful). There’s chicken with waffles (reminds me of a restaurant in Edinburgh in the UK that serves duck with waffles), and the star of the place—the must-order dish—is Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken. There’s also a Wagyu burger and lobster with mac & cheese. Also impressive: the BBC chicken, the short rib, and the hot rock filet.
It’s no secret that much of the staff, especially the bussers, are Mexican. We met a fellow countryman from the state of Puebla who had been in Chicago for a year and was very happy with his job. Oh, and we ordered a fabulous dessert (a crumble), but they were out!
- What we love and you must try: the fried chicken.
- Address: 530 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60654
- Hours:
Mon–Thu: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Fri: 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Sun: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. - Ideal for: dinner.
- Payment: cash and cards.
- Accessibility: yes.
- Phone: +1 (312) 999-9760
- Reservations: recommended.
- Pet friendly: no.
- Good for kids: yes.
