The Southern
1840 W. North Ave.Chicago, IL 60622-1310
Wicker Park/Bucktown
773-342-1840
thesouthernchicago.com
Hours: Dinner: Sunday, Tuesday-Saturday
Sunday brunch
Closed Monday
Open Late: Saturday till 3, Tuesday-Friday till 2, Sunday till midnight
Our Review
"I'll remember the food this time," said the friend I brought to the Southern, who'd accompanied me when I reviewed this Wicker Park restaurant's previous incarnation, Chaise Lounge. Swanky Chaise was questionably upscale: the well-dressed young things drawn to the scene on the upper deck or the spacious patio for cocktails seemed unlikely to drop $30 on forgettable entrees. The Southern's slightly refined Dixie-inspired fare in a casual bar setting is a much better platform for chef Cary Taylor's talents. The menu divides up items under "bar food" and "plates," aka appetizers and entrees, but there's freedom to graze. In the new rough-chic atmosphere—the main room now features reclaimed wood tables, two giant booths, and more bar seating—we ate slim, tortillalike johnnycakes taco-style with soft, vinegary pork and sweet chow-chow (pickled vegetable relish) that was served in a little canning jar. Red pepper dressed up cheddary shrimp and grits, making for a colorful rendition of this classic. There's a perfunctory list of wines by the glass—you'll have more fun ordering from the wide selection of whiskey, old-fashioned cocktails, and southern beers like Abita's Turbodog and Southern Star Bombshell Blonde Ale.
Price: $$
Payment Type: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Past Events
-
Rooftop Dinner
- 6 PM
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Chaise Lounge's clubby ambiance is enhanced by ceiling to floor curtains, live DJ booth and upstairs cabanas 'Casablanca' style. The outdoor patio is small but well appointed with umbrellas and heating lamps, on the inside the main floor is split into two areas, bar and restaurant. On my visit, late one Saturday night, I found that most of the restaurant area does not seem to function as such any longer and is overtaken by the bar patrons, sitting on tables and drinking. This arrangement does not seem very welcoming to me and the atmosphere becomes a bit chaotic, crowded and very loud. The upstairs lounge as well as the patio close at midnight due to ordinance so the main floor becomes even more crowded after that. The drinks that we ordered, a Cosmo and a Mojito, were mediocre at best. The DJ did a good job and his music was the only thing that kept me there for an hour or so. I would suggest going earlier in the evening and getting a cabana upstairs and hope that the next bartender does a better job with the drinks.
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