There are many culinary gems on Chicago’s West Side. The restaurant scene has many old favorites and some new additions.
TNT Rooftop, located at 5405 W. Madison St., opened less than a year ago. Owners Anthony and Taneka Anderson bring fine dining to the area. Custom cocktails from the full bar kick off a meal served either indoors or on the Miami-style rooftop terrace. An extensive menu makes for an upscale dining experience, with lamb, seafood and plenty of vegan options. And to make the evening even more relaxing, the restaurant offers a ride to and from your destination for an additional fee.
Black foodies Dino and Coretta Dean are on a mission to support and promote Black businesses. Their social media posts span the globe, but one of their most recent discoveries is a new shop along Division Street called Shake A Leg.
If jerk chicken, shrimp or lamb taste good, Shake A Leg at 5512 W. Division St. is for you. The restaurant recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Order at the counter for dine-in or takeout. The dining room has a sleek yet cozy atmosphere and there is also seating at the full bar. Cajun flavors and traditional soul food sides round out the menu and can be paired with catfish, pasta and salmon as a main course. Weekly specials are served with signature cocktails.
An Obama Philly Cheesesteak (chicken and steak) and jerk chicken eggrolls are specialties at Jay’s Backyard BBQ, 5604 W. Division St. Jerk seasoning also flavors tacos, gyros, Philly sandwiches and even salads and fries. Owner Jay Young opened the place in 2015 and it’s still going strong. The restaurant takes orders at the inside window and offers takeout only.
Uncle Remus’ spicy chicken stands the test of time. The restaurant, located at 5611 W. Madison St., is one of several in Chicago. Gus and Mary Rickette started it as the G & G Chicken Shack, later expanding and changing the name to Royal Chicken. During the 1968 riots along Madison Street, two of their three stores burned down. When the Rickettes rebuilt their business, they wanted a new sign. As the story goes, the sign shop had one that hadn’t been picked up. It said “Uncle Remus” and the rest is history… delicious chicken history.
No overview of West Side restaurants would be complete without mentioning a permanent institution at 5412 W. Madison St.: MacArthur’s Restaurant. It has been serving soul and comfort food since 1997 and has become a hotspot for political and social activities. And speaking of Obama: In his book The courage of hope He recommends: “One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago is a place called MacArthur’s… plates filled with chicken, catfish, Hoppin’ John, collard greens, meatloaf, cornbread, and other soul food classics.”
Venture out and try the delicacies your neighbors are serving you.
Further information:
instagram.com/tnt_rooftopchgo
facebook.com/SHAKEALEG5512
facebook.com/jaysbackyardbbq
www.uncleremususa.com
macarthursrestaurant.com
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