BYOB Chicago recs?

[hz80408]

We're doing a girl's night out next week and trying to decide on a spot. My go-to byob is Tango Sur; but we just ate there recently. Any other recs in the city? (Preferably Lakeview, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lincoln Park areas)

[woowoo]

We just went to Kai Zan for the first time in West Town and it's my new favorite Sushi restaurant, only recently replacing Coast which is in Bucktown. I like going to Coast though since it's so close to the bars/restaurants in Bucktown.

Lucia's is a fun little Italian Restaurant in Bucktown, also close to post-dinner nightlife.

Briciola is a fantastic Italian place, also in West Town, but not that close to bars/restaurants. Almost best saved for summer as they have a beautiful little patio on the side of the building.

Coalfire Pizza (sorry, also in West Town, it's my "hood") is DELICIOUS pizza, fun atmosphere and also BYOB.

Have fun!

[ChiKate]

Other than Tango, our BYOBs tend to be sushi--Ukai, Butterfly, there's two we go to in Old Town but I don't know their names, one on Ashland/Belmont.... other BYOBs I've been to are Zig Zag on Lincoln. It's not bad. I've been to Lucia's and it was alright but Zig Zag is closer to my house if I want Italian BYOB.

I'm interested to see what else is recommended, I'd love to break out of the steak or sushi BYOB. I've been meaning to try Pizza Rustica but haven't gotten around to it.

[hz80408]

Yea, that is what I'm finding (re most being sushi) and only 1 of the 3 going to dinner eat sushi so it's somewhat challenging.

Another BYOB we like is Penny's Noodles; which is still asian cuisine and only some locations are BYOB.

Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming please!

I don't think Pizza Rustica is byob from looking at their website; is it?

[scout8]

Oct 30, 2012 15:15:36 GMT -5 hz80408 said:

Yea, that is what I'm finding (re most being sushi) and only 1 of the 3 going to dinner eat sushi so it's somewhat challenging.

Another BYOB we like is Penny's Noodles; which is still asian cuisine and only some locations are BYOB.

Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming please!

I don't think Pizza Rustica is byob from looking at their website; is it?

For Asian BYOB, my favorite is Yes Thai at Foster & Damen. Best chicken basil in the city. Yum!

Oh, I just looked at your neighborhood preferences and that doesn't fit. I will go ahead and post though, as it is delicious!

[scout8]

I thought of another one. Irazu Costa Rican on Milwaukee.

[SJ]

Oct 30, 2012 15:50:49 GMT -5 scout8 said:

I thought of another one. Irazu Costa Rican on Milwaukee.

Love Irazu and it's nice and cheap too!

This is a fairly comprehensive list
www.drvino.com/chicagobyob.php

[hz80408]

Oct 31, 2012 6:42:51 GMT -5 SJ said:

Oct 30, 2012 15:50:49 GMT -5 scout8 said:

I thought of another one. Irazu Costa Rican on Milwaukee.

Love Irazu and it's nice and cheap too!

This is a fairly comprehensive list
www.drvino.com/chicagobyob.php

Thank yoU!

[katieh]

I Love HB. I've never had a bad meal there. Andalous Moroccan and Casbah are also great.

Pizza Rustica used to be byob but it's not anymore.

[hz80408]

Nov 1, 2012 10:36:29 GMT -5 katieh said:

I Love HB. I've never had a bad meal there. Andalous Moroccan and Casbah are also great.

Pizza Rustica used to be byob but it's not anymore.

HB is boystown area, right? That was on my list last year but I'd forgot about it!

[vegas]

OK, this is random, but why are there so many BYOB places? Are the liquor laws weird in Chicago? Is it expensive to get a liquor license? Coming from the land of booze filled restaurants, it's hard for me to understand.

[moreace01]

Nov 1, 2012 13:28:50 GMT -5 vegas said:

OK, this is random, but why are there so many BYOB places? Are the liquor laws weird in Chicago? Is it expensive to get a liquor license? Coming from the land of booze filled restaurants, it's hard for me to understand.

There is apparently a lot of red tape and expense. Its sort of a running joke about who you have to pay off to get a liquor license here. So there are many, many byobs.

[hz80408]

Which is beneficial!!

I also added another to my list to try: Bistro Dre (formerly Flour and Water; on Lincoln Ave): chicago.eater.com/tags/bistro-dre

[ChiKate]

That list is great, thanks sarajoy! i forgot about Art of Pizza--we've gotten take out from there many times but haven't eaten there yet.

As for the liquor license thing, it's quicker and easier to open as a BYOB. You still need insurance to be a BYOB but it's much cheaper. Some places that have a liquor license and full bars are still BYOB but they are able to charge a corkage fee. If they don't have a license, they aren't allowed to charge the fee. New places often have a liquor license pending so they open as BYOBs but then switch once everything's in place.

[hz80408]

Nov 2, 2012 21:06:22 GMT -5 ChiKate said:

That list is great, thanks sarajoy! i forgot about Art of Pizza--we've gotten take out from there many times but haven't eaten there yet.

Ditto; we go there at least once every 2 weeks but always get slices to go. I think in the 3+ yrs we've been going, we've only brought alcohol in once