4600 North Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773.751.1500
website
An American gastropub that serves the northern Chicago neighborhoods around Lincoln Square, Fork Chicago specializes in farm to table cuisine. A combination bar, kitchen and tasting room the spot offers a seasonal menu of cheeses, small plates and charcuterie and is wonderful as a place to bring a friend or a small group for a pleasant evening out. I like this spot for its small plates and for its place in town, an experimental kitchen that has a few different modern interpretations on long-time favorites.
The menu has a heavy focus on small plates, many of which have a few different translations. Some of my favorites:
- 1/2 pound prime burger: brioche bun, lettuce, tomato, onion dill pickles & house ketchup. Juicy and cooked to order beef, cooked perfectly (medium rare is recommended). This is a heavier dish, and the fries that come with it likewise. But still it’s very good.
- Fork poutine: Hand cut fries, duck confit & gravy cheddar sauce, fried rosemary. It’s interesting to see a few different poutines on the menu. The result of this one is remarkably simple.
- Brisket mac and cheese: A heavy macaroni skillet filled with cheese and big chunks of brisket with bread crumbs on top. Very meaty and cheesy dish, but it’s extremely filling and that juicy brisket really adds something good.
- French mussels: These are cooked in a white wine and served with shallots, tarragon cream and bacon. The mussels have that distinct white wine flavor and then the herbs kick in afterward. Good when served with fries.
The restaurant is really great for its very friendly concept. In spite of being a place that is offering a higher caliber of cuisine, the place is remarkably approachable about it. Some of the more obscure items are well explained on the menu and it’s nice to see that many experimental ingredients are used and combined with such a pleasing end result. Price points are high normal but not bad at all considering what gastropubs can often charge.
In spite of all of the appearance of rustic simplicity, this concept really offers a lot of great flavors. Nestled all the way in northern Chicago a place like Fork still finds its niche is a place where you can try something new. There’s a lot of competition in this market, but the restaurant stands out. It’s worth a visit.
Recommendations
- The small plates make this an ideal place to go and have a drink and something to snack on. As far as dinner is go few of them are heavier.
- Look at some of the cheese plates for appetizers. You’d be impressed.
- This is a good bar to go to sample a few different craft beers well eating something relatively light.
Another Food Critic 