Chomping through Chicago: UPTOWN’s ‘The Bear’ food tour

As season 3 of The Bear premieres on Hulu tonight, you may find yourself jonesing for some of the gastronomic offerings that also star in this popular, award-winning series.

While you can take a very organized three-hour “Yes Chef: The Bear-Inspired Food Tour” with Chicago Food & City Tours that makes brief stops at key food-centric locations throughout the city, by default, it’s a group tour. I experienced this tour towards the end of my visit to the city (I will share more in a separate story), and it is the perfect abbreviated foodie experience for The Bear audience, if your visit to the Windy City has time constraints. However, if you have time to experience a proper taste-at-your-own-pace tour that’s inspired by The Bear, here are UPTOWN's recommendations for your enjoyment. Bon appétit!

Mr. Beef

666 N. Orleans St.

Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 337-8500

As a true Chicago institution that continues to be frequented by the likes of Jay Leno, Joe Mantegna, and other major celebrities, Mr. Beef is deeply ingrained into the plot and origins of The Bear – so much in fact, 90 percent of the series pilot was shot here. Series creator Christopher Storer and Mr. Beef owner Chris Zucchero grew up together, and as Zuchhero told me, “I’m too busy keeping Mr. Beef ‘Mr. Beef,’ so I haven’t watched the show, but I hear it's good!" 

Zucchero went on to say, “Chris (Storer) said for years that he was going to write a show about Mr. Beef, so to see what has happened since then has all been mind-blowing.”

Upon entering Mr. Beef, the fragrance of the au jus sets you up for a mouthwatering experience. When I visited at 10:40 am, people were already lining up to order delicious Italian beef sandwiches! Be sure to get your sandwiches dipped and make it extra special by making it “Nacho cheese & juicy.” Whatever you do, DO NOT place your order with any hesitation by saying, “Umm,” as that will land you in hot water and you are certain to receive a direct (yet humorous) rebuke from loyal Mr. Beef staffers, Jason and Fred. That said, please be decisive when giving your order. Just an FYI, Mr. Beef serves both Pepsi and Coca-Cola products, which is very rare for popular restaurants.

Ever Restaurant

1340 West Fulton Street

Chicago, IL 60607

The episode entitled “Forks” (season 2, episode 7) is produced mainly at the Chef Curtis Duffy’s 2-star Michelin restaurant Ever. As one of Chicago’s preeminent fine dining establishments, this restaurant is known for its eclectic seasonal eight- to 10-course tasting menu, attention to detail, and service precision. All of these aspects come shining throughout the episode. If you’ve watched the episode, you will remember a scene in which Ritchie (portrayed by Ebon Moss-Bachrach) ran to his favorite pizza restaurant to get a whole pie for a group of diners at Ever before they left Chicago (as they hadn't enjoyed an authentic Chicago-style pizza during their visit). Ritchie brought the pizza to the restaurant's kitchen where it received an Ever-style makeover, of sorts, and was presented to the diners who were completely flabbergasted by the pleasant surprise. While the presentation was all Ever, the pizza was from Pequod’s. Please read on …

Pequod’s Pizza

2207 N Clybourn Ave

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 327-1512

As mentioned above, one of Pequod’s deep-dish pizzas (as well as the actual Pequod’s Restaurant) made an appearance in The Bear, and rightfully so. In my honest opinion, Pequod’s makes the best pizza in Chicago, and please keep in mind that I tried numerous pizza joints throughout my visit. (I’ll share my full ranking in the next Chicago-focused story.) What impressed me so much about Pequod’s is that they didn’t skimp. The toppings were on-point and the added flavor from their signature caramelized crust was a taste of beauty. After that meal, I was convinced that I hadn’t enjoyed a real pizza up to that point. 

Incoming tangent: Although Pizza Hut once had a line of pizzas in the late 1980s branded as “Priazzo” which left a favorable impression on me, I was a pre-teen at the time, so I’m curious to see how “Priazzo” would stand up to Pequod’s goodness of today. Although, this current Pizza Hut campaign for its Chicago Tavern Style Pizza looks suspect. And for Pizza Hut to have the audacity to tell the City of Chicago at the end of the commercial, “Sorry Chicago. No one OutPizzas The Hut,” is a laughable stretch. Please, Pizza Hut. You should have been advised to bring back “Priazzo” that’s tied with an ad campaign that strikes a contrite tone of authentic collaboration and honors the pizza culture of Chicago. Right now, your current campaign challenges the pizzerias of Chicago to lower their standards to meet you at your level, and that won’t happen because there’s a real standard of quality over quantity with Chicago pizzerias. OK, I’m done with this rant. Thanks for attending my TEDtalk.

Publican Quality Meats - Café

825 W Fulton Market,

Chicago, IL 60607

(312) 445-8977

In The Bear episode titled “Sundae” (season 2, episode 3), Sydney (portrayed by Ayo Edebiri) went on a quest throughout the city to get some culinary inspiration, and she ended up at Publican Quality Meats. While at this esteemed butcher, which includes a market and a popular café, Publican’s owner Rob Levitt gave Sydney a lesson in butchering meat. As Levitt told me during our chat, “The scene with Sydney and I was very authentic. What we do here daily is exactly what Ayo experienced.” 

Offerings from Publican Quality Meats

Publican Quality Meats Café is always abuzz during the lunch period, and its sister outlets, Publican Restaurant (serving modern American fare) and Publican Quality Bread, are both popular with locals and keep a brisk business.

Margie’s Candies

1960 North Western Avenue

Chicago, IL 60647

And since the episode above was titled “Sundae,” it makes perfect sense that Margie’s Candies was featured. Sydney visited and enjoyed one of Margie's Candies's popular sundaes. This historic sweets shop and ice cream parlor has been in business since 1921 and has welcomed celebrities, including Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, and countless others.