Here’s Your Guide to the Best Lunch Ever

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. But there is such thing as the best lunch.

Where you’ll find it: Revival Food Hall, that cool new food mecca committed to Chicago’s indie restaurant scene, which opened yesterday in the Loop.

A middling moor of chain restaurants this is not. Developed by 16” On Center, Revival is situated a few blocks from the Art Institute. This means, of course, it’s located downtown, which is not the first place you’d expect to find a hip food court of independent vendors.

Photo: Jennifer Catherine Photography
But here they are— 15 of ‘em — spread out over 24,000 square feet. Among them: Ramen-slingers Furious Spoon. Evanston’s Detroit-style Union Squared Pizza. And RCB, an all-day café featuring toothsome bites from James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal. Not to mention a reading corner and record store from indie publisher Curbside Splendor.

And so much more. You can look at the full list of vendors right here.  

As for the stalls to visit first and what to eat there? We got you.

Aloha Poke Co.: It’s easy to see why poke is taking over. Creating your own bowl is half the fun, but if you want the house to take care of ya, go for the Crunch Bowl. SEE THE MENU

Antique Chaquito: A scaled-back outpost of the popular Wicker Park taco spot. Fish tacos are delicious any day of the week. SEE THE MENU

Smoque BBQ: The city’s best BBQ joint, now downtown. Enough said. You want the brisket. SEE THE MENU

Graze Kitchenette: Sarah Jordan is the chef behind the cheeseburger at Johnny’s Grill, easily one of the best burgers in town. She’s also behind this. Get yourself a double. SEE THE MENU

Danke: A sandwich place from the criminally underrated Table, Donkey & Stick in Logan Square. You won’t find a better charcuterie plate in the area. SEE THE MENU

Revival Food Hall is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more info, click right here. 

Interior photos: Jennifer Catherine Photography