All Together Now has all you'll want for a picnic in nearby Smith Park. // Courtesy All Together Now
All Together Now has all you’ll want for a picnic in nearby Smith Park. // Courtesy All Together Now

The Resy Guide to Picnicking Like a Pro in Chicago Parks

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Settling into the dog days of Summertime Chi in a year unlike any other can be … unsettling. Restaurant protocols shift almost daily, as the city aims to stem another uptick in COVID-19 cases. Until indoor dining returns in earnest, takeout remains one of the easiest, safest ways to show support for restaurants.

So while the weather’s fine, take your meal to one of Chicago’s diverse parks for a proper picnic. A few of these 11 spots will pack one for you — like New American eatery Gather, and all-day boîte All Together Now. Others simply offer fare that lends itself to informal eating outdoors, like tapas from Boqueria, tightly wrapped Italian subs from J.P. Graziano and, yes, even sticky rib tips from Leon’s BBQ. Grab a blanket and a few friends and make the most of this unique summer. Here’s our guide to mastering picnic season in Chicago like a pro.