Chicago...what ONE brewery/brewpub?

Another vote for Revolution. I'd strongly suggest going for lunch, though. Two hour waits are common on weekend evenings - hell, I've been quoted 90 minutes on a Tuesday. That, or head over after 9 or 10.

 

I'd also recommend Revolution if you are looking for one really great Chicago brewpub with it's own brewery (I'd go to HopLeaf, with Bad Apple as a back up, if you just want someplace with a good tap list.) But if you want to check out a brand new brewpub, DryHop on Broadway was pretty good. They have a nice section of their house brewed beers (along with a great black IPA collaboration with Begyle) and the food was tasty. It was insanely busy when I was there, but the staff was great and it's easy enough to order a drink at the bar while waiting for a table. Plus it's within walking distance for the EL.

 

You should at least stop by Maria's packaged goods. It's a small place, but the people that work there are cool as shit. They have all sorts of good stuff there. You won't be disappointed.

 

I didn't say the beer is overpriced, at all? Anywhere? I love their beer? Are you reading someone else's post?

Chefs don't get paid SHIT. I would know.

Freshly baked buns cost NOTHING, especially since most of your labor is probably suuuuper cheap. Do you know how little eggs and flour and salt costs? Home Made mustard (I've had to make cost sheets for my own mustard at work) is basically free.

Yes, I know what it costs to make 10% alcohol beer, on my tiny ass homebrewing scale. I'm assuming it gets cheaper when you go whole grain and do enormous batches?

The burger at kumas is probably 11 times larger. Maybe I'm wrong and revolution's burger is absolutely enormous?

Rock bottom is for tourists who are dumb, this guy is asking BA for informed opinions to try and avoid that.

None of this pissing contest matters, as Rev pub is constantly friggin packed to the doors, and will be for years to come.

 

And There is an event on the 28th at local option. Billy Mays celebration, nice tap list check it out.

 

Kumas' burgers are 10oz. and Revolution's run 8oz. (pre-cooked, of course). But burica2020's point is spot on -- Revolution's food pricing, particularly when it comes to burgers, is entirely in line with damn near every other bar/brewpub/restaurant in the city.

As far as beer pricing, I do wish they would serve more IPA's in pint glasses versus tulips (again, I'm cheap -- and I can only drink so many Mug Club mugs at a time). Half Acre might be the only tap room that serves a pint for under $5, but that's Gossamer (I think). This is the city were bombers run $10+ (off topic -- but there are places where bombers are a good value? Or at least not horrible values?!) -- a $5-6 pint is about as cheap as you're going to find.

 

I'm trying not to continue this but you said they charge 5 -7-9 for beer they brew themselves. I assumed that was an indictment of being a high price, if it wasnt, im wrong. The line about rock bottom was a joke, pointing out that that an average to below average brewpub charges the same amount. last post on this, sorry again but to OP, go to rev.

 

Haymarket is INSANELY awesome. I love every brew I've ever had there!
If you go to ONLY ONE, make it Haymarket. The food is good, and the biers are excellent. Easily my favorite brews made in Chicago.

After Haymarket, I'd vote for Piece. Excellent flat pizzas, and excellent biers.

Revolution has ONLY disappointed me. Sorry. Too much hype, not enough delivery. Never had a brew from them that I'd go back for; all were forgettable (though a can of their IPA was pretty good). I've given up on going to their brewpub.
I'd rather have GREAT bier and so-so food than the other way around.

Also, fuck Local Option.
Holy hell are they overpriced. The only place in Chicago that disappointed me more than Revolution was Local Option.
Anything they "make" that's good is actually made by Against the Grain down in Louisville (where I've been, and ATG is AMAZING). Anything NOT made by ATG is so-so. Plus, it's needlessly more expensive than the other brewpubs listed.

And if you're worried about prices, go to Milwaukee! All the fun, awesome bier, half the hipsters, and half the price! hahahahah

 

I must say, Most of the "one off" beers I've had at rev's pub are really shitty. Like, extra shitty. If you want the revolution experience, just buy anti hero and eugene in cans, and maybe get a bomber of very mad cow or something... it's sitting on shelves everywhere.

 

Hay-market's food kinda sucks though... unless you eat grease at every meal.

 

You are a cook, not a chef....There is a difference between me throwing a basketball at my Wal-Mart basketball hoop and making 13 shots in a row and Lebron James draining a 3 to save the Heat in Game 6 and eventually lead to an NBA championship.

There are millions of cooks in this world, a decent percentage of them make a living "cooking"....There are very, very, very, very few chefs in this world, 99.99% of them make a pretty damn comfortable living.

Not to mention, I would bet my reputation nearly any restaurant in downtown Chicago is spending more of their money on rent and property taxes than anything else (at least proportionally ) (obviously with the exception of a couple HIGH END restaurants where nearly 50 cooks are working in the kitchen at any one time)

Not to mention, you are doing cost analyses in a small farming town. That is not equivalent to costing menu items in downtown Chicago....The list of costs goes on and on and on...
Operating just about any sort of restaurant in Chicago is a nightmare. Perhaps the only worst place is LA, maybe NY.

 

You do not eat French Fries or hamburgers?? As you know, both contain a considerable amount of "grease"....I do not care for either, but good luck opening up any beer related place that serves food without having the majority of your customers ask for french fries or hamburgers.....This is what the majority of Americans want....Most people do not even have the desire to try new or healthy things. They want a burger and fries and want it in their fat stomach as fast as possible.

Love you, Yogi....Wasn't gonna say anything, but I had to.

 

I was a chef, in chicago. YOU are a cook. Most chefs in chicago, with exception, are NOT making a comfortable living. Also, there is a difference between a well made burger and a super greasy burger. Why am I feeding the troll?

 

To the OP, pick one of the places mentioned in the thread, there are lots of great recommendations and you really can't go wrong. But whatever you do, do not try to go out for a beer with a few of the people responding. It would be insufferable.

 

Hey OP. If you're in the western burbs, think about staying out there or heading back there after Goose early and hit up Solemn Oath in Naperville. Surprised its been left out, but it's not in the city, so I understand. Well worth the trip and they are making waves with their beer and brand. Cheers.

 

Hombre Burger is the win

 

then straight to local option

 

i'll take The Weight and Dark'n'Curvy any day of the week. then straight to map room or short train ride up to revolution.

 

If you are out in the western suburbs, I would recommend Two Brothers Round house (in aurora, can't vouch for the warrenville location). awesome beer, nice beer garden, decent food.