As The Bear proves, there’s more to Chicago’s food scene than deep pan pizza
The Bear Series 2 available from Wednesday Disney+
KATIE BOWMAN - 14 July 2023
It’s time to dig out your blood-pressure monitors, because tense Chicago-set foodie dramedy The Bear is back for a second series. Returning to Disney+ this week, it sees high-achieving chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Golden Globe winning Jeremy Allen White) continuing in his role as boss of takeaway joint The Original Beef in Chicago. But this time, his team is giving the place a facelift, hoping to elevate it to respected award winner. All of which can’t help but nudge viewers towards booking a gourmet getaway to Chicago. Here’s the menu…
The Bear is predominantly filmed at a genuine restaurant called Mr Beef on 666 North Orleans Street. Inside, it’s every bit as no-frills as The Original Beef but the neighbourhood isn’t as sketchy as depicted on TV. This is too-cool-for school River North district, where classic red-brick civic buildings house hip barbershops and speakeasy bars; what was once a factory is now a contemporary art gallery, and you can’t move for delicious diners.
After you’ve eaten your onion rings and beef sandwich at Mr Beef (remember to dip the ends of the bread in gravy), move on to The Mart (themart.com). In this vast ex-warehouse, you’ll find restaurants and boutiques, as well as studios used by local designers. The Mart is also on the banks of the Chicago River: grab a coffee on a waterfront terrace, or go for a walk in preparation for the next meal…
Then, as the sun sets on Chicago’s sparkling skyline and the sky turns crimson, make for Three Dots and a Dash, a tropical tiki bar (threedotschicago. com). Lurid cocktails with names like “Idle Hands” and “Pain - killer” are served in preposterous vessels such as wooden skulls and bamboo canes.
Next morning, it’s time to call in the experts: a Chicago Greeter. These are passionate know-it-all locals who give free city tours on foot. You choose the neighbourhood; they give their time (2–4 hours; choosechicago.com/ chicago-greeter/). It’s that simple. We suggest you explore arty Wicker Park, a trendy tranche of the city where bars, clubs and restaurants congregate; it’s also where many exterior scenes are set in The Bear. Start around Six Corners, a buzzing area where Damen, Milwaukee and North Avenues intersect.
Your Chicago Greeter will take it from here, perhaps pit-stopping at Ipsento 606 coffeehouse for a blow-your-head-off cortado (ipsento. com). If you fancy a doughnut to go with your coffee – akin to the confections that obsess The Bear’s pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce) – stroll on to Stan’s Donuts on Damen Ave (stansdonuts.com). Of course, the standard cinnamon, glazed and powdered-sugar varieties are on Stan’s menu, but we reckon Marcus would choose the signature Peanut Butter Pocket sprinkled with chunky chocolate chips.
Day three: let’s take to the water. A brilliant way to put this city – home of the skyscraper – into perspective is a boat cruise along the Chicago River, as the show’s sous-chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) does to clear her head. There are lots of companies to choose from, so let us point you straight to Wendella, whose Chicago River Architecture Tour includes tales from The Wrigley Building, NBC Tower and iconic Marina City (the 1960s skyscraper that looks like two tall stacks of white scalloped plates and has also appeared in The Good Wife, Ozark and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). It’s a scintillating 90 minutes: Wendella promise they “like their drinks stiff, not their tour guides”, so you can bank on an on-board bar, as well as some captivating storytelling (wendellaboats.com).
Full yet? Thought not. End your foodie foray around Chicago at Kendall College, culinary school extraordinaire. Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you don an apron and cook your own dinner – though that’s what The Original Beef chefs are expected to do in series two, having been sent here to hone their skills. Instead, book a table at its little-known Dining Room, with spectacular views of the city skyline. In this living classroom, college students prepare and serve meals to paying guests as part of their training; it’s not an experience you’ll find in any guidebook (kendalldiningroom.com). On the other hand, The Bear may change that, thanks to the crew filming here and making its aprons cult items. So are you going to book your table or not? “Yes, chef!”
It’s time to dig out your blood-pressure monitors, because tense Chicago-set foodie dramedy The Bear is back for a second series. Returning to Disney+ this week, it sees high-achieving chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Golden Globe winning Jeremy Allen White) continuing in his role as boss of takeaway joint The Original Beef in Chicago. But this time, his team is giving the place a facelift, hoping to elevate it to respected award winner. All of which can’t help but nudge viewers towards booking a gourmet getaway to Chicago. Here’s the menu…
The Bear is predominantly filmed at a genuine restaurant called Mr Beef on 666 North Orleans Street. Inside, it’s every bit as no-frills as The Original Beef but the neighbourhood isn’t as sketchy as depicted on TV. This is too-cool-for school River North district, where classic red-brick civic buildings house hip barbershops and speakeasy bars; what was once a factory is now a contemporary art gallery, and you can’t move for delicious diners.
After you’ve eaten your onion rings and beef sandwich at Mr Beef (remember to dip the ends of the bread in gravy), move on to The Mart (themart.com). In this vast ex-warehouse, you’ll find restaurants and boutiques, as well as studios used by local designers. The Mart is also on the banks of the Chicago River: grab a coffee on a waterfront terrace, or go for a walk in preparation for the next meal…
Then, as the sun sets on Chicago’s sparkling skyline and the sky turns crimson, make for Three Dots and a Dash, a tropical tiki bar (threedotschicago. com). Lurid cocktails with names like “Idle Hands” and “Pain - killer” are served in preposterous vessels such as wooden skulls and bamboo canes.
Next morning, it’s time to call in the experts: a Chicago Greeter. These are passionate know-it-all locals who give free city tours on foot. You choose the neighbourhood; they give their time (2–4 hours; choosechicago.com/ chicago-greeter/). It’s that simple. We suggest you explore arty Wicker Park, a trendy tranche of the city where bars, clubs and restaurants congregate; it’s also where many exterior scenes are set in The Bear. Start around Six Corners, a buzzing area where Damen, Milwaukee and North Avenues intersect.
Your Chicago Greeter will take it from here, perhaps pit-stopping at Ipsento 606 coffeehouse for a blow-your-head-off cortado (ipsento. com). If you fancy a doughnut to go with your coffee – akin to the confections that obsess The Bear’s pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce) – stroll on to Stan’s Donuts on Damen Ave (stansdonuts.com). Of course, the standard cinnamon, glazed and powdered-sugar varieties are on Stan’s menu, but we reckon Marcus would choose the signature Peanut Butter Pocket sprinkled with chunky chocolate chips.
Day three: let’s take to the water. A brilliant way to put this city – home of the skyscraper – into perspective is a boat cruise along the Chicago River, as the show’s sous-chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) does to clear her head. There are lots of companies to choose from, so let us point you straight to Wendella, whose Chicago River Architecture Tour includes tales from The Wrigley Building, NBC Tower and iconic Marina City (the 1960s skyscraper that looks like two tall stacks of white scalloped plates and has also appeared in The Good Wife, Ozark and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). It’s a scintillating 90 minutes: Wendella promise they “like their drinks stiff, not their tour guides”, so you can bank on an on-board bar, as well as some captivating storytelling (wendellaboats.com).
Full yet? Thought not. End your foodie foray around Chicago at Kendall College, culinary school extraordinaire. Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you don an apron and cook your own dinner – though that’s what The Original Beef chefs are expected to do in series two, having been sent here to hone their skills. Instead, book a table at its little-known Dining Room, with spectacular views of the city skyline. In this living classroom, college students prepare and serve meals to paying guests as part of their training; it’s not an experience you’ll find in any guidebook (kendalldiningroom.com). On the other hand, The Bear may change that, thanks to the crew filming here and making its aprons cult items. So are you going to book your table or not? “Yes, chef!”
KATIE BOWMAN