The December Hit List: Galit, Royal Grocer, Trivoli Tavern, Big Kids, and More

During these long months gripped by the pandemic, chef Zachary Engel’s Middle Eastern haven has evolved beyond simply offering delicious, takeout-friendly shareables, such as his hummus, ezme, blistered pita, labneh and smoked turkey shawarma. You can also get bottled cocktails (we love the Goldenrod, which riffs on a Negroni bianco with saffron and caraway), cocktail kits, holiday wine six-packs, and pantry favorites — both made and selected by Galit’s kitchen team. The savory house za’atar blend enlivens everything from roast chicken to hummus. 

Dining status: Carryout and delivery are available.

Tony Hu’s stalwart ode to Sichuan cuisine offers many ways to warm up as temps plummet. We’re partial to those as fiery as they are temperature-hot, like dry chile chicken, mouth-tingling mapo tofu, searing twice-cooked pork and cumin-spiced lamb. Soothe your palate (and soul) with a little black-rice congee for dessert.

Dining status: Carryout and delivery are available.

This Bucktown staple dishes up generously portioned Italian-American comfort food—much of it based on recipes from owner Jim Higgins’s Sicilian mother, Mama D’Amato. We rarely start a meal here without hearty, gorgonzola-laced string bean and tomato salad, which holds up beautifully in transit. Other can’t-misses include rigatoni with tender veal meatballs, mozzarella and wilted escarole, and rich, baked chicken parmesan. Pro tip(s): Club Lucky’s excellent crusty bread is available by the loaf, and their deliciously deadly martinis are available by the kit. 

Dining status: Carryout and delivery are available.

As the city tightens restrictions on dining once again, this inventive Pilsen eatery continues to adapt with S.K.Y. @ Home 2.0. By day, expect cafe fare like housemade pastries, sandwiches like fried chicken bao with green goddess slaw, lattes, and premium teas. At night, choose from meal kits or hot-and-ready three-course meals for two. Don’t worry: Both include our favorite, supple Maine lobster dumplings with jade butter.

Dining status: Carryout and delivery are available. 

This neighborhood cocktail bar and eatery boasts a delightfully secluded side patio that the Royal team recently winterized, via clear coverings, heaters, and an outdoor fireplace. Cozy up over mulled wine and Bavarian soft pretzels, then grab an order of toothsome steak skewers with chimichurri to go.  

Dining status: Patio seating is available; also carryout and delivery.

Some of the best fried shrimp in all of Chicago lives at this no-frills, South Side staple. These succulent, crispy Louisiana-style delights come in large and small bomb bags with housemade cocktail sauce. We’d suggest a large, because snacking on the drive home is inevitable.

Dining status: Carryout is available online, or by calling 773-783-1818.

This upscale brewpub known for botanically inclined beers peddles them in 32-ounce crowlers and four-packs (we’d suggest a mix and match) alongside a bevy of food options. You’ll find cheese plates, salty bar snacks (ahem, BBQ sweet potato chips), dollar-wing Wednesdays, and an excellent pub burger — slathered with giardiniera mayo and topped with aged cheddar, pickles, and onions. 

Dining status: Patio seating is available (weather permitting); also carryout and delivery.

Two big kids — aka ex-Blackbird chef Ryan Pfeiffer and Mason Hereford of New Orleans’ Turkey and the Wolf — joined forces to create this fun-loving sandwich shop in the former Young American space. Expect hefty stacked sandwiches like fried bologna with chips and American cheese, and braised collard melts with Russian dressing. Stoner-loving fried sketti egg rolls and nostalgic cocktails like the Tang!-a-Rita and (adult) Ecto Cooler round out the focused to-go menu.  

Dining status: Carryout and delivery are available.

This charming, farm-to-table spot in downtown Park Ridge offers up Midwestern comfort food on its roomy heated patio and for takeout. As winter settles in, we’ll be ordering the fiery mango sriracha cauliflower, panko-capped mac and cheese, and smoked pork chop with bacon-cheddar mashed potatoes on repeat.

Dining status: Patio seating is available; also carryout and delivery.

Hidden down the uneven cobblestone steps in 114 N Green Street’s historic courtyard, this cozy tavern specializes in Italian chophouse fare and potent cocktails. Build your perfect (al fresco or at-home) date night as follows: Bottled Vesper cocktails and elegant shrimp cocktail, followed by decadent truffle rigatoni, roasted prime rib with horseradish, and a bottle of Bordeaux. End on a towering slab of Butterfinger pie … because you deserve it. 

Dining status: Covered patio seats are available; also carryout and delivery.