The Bear Chicago Restaurant Guide: Top Places to Eat

Image Credit: Matt Dinerstein/FX

Everyone’s favorite restaurant drama has made a triumphant return. The multi-Emmy-award-winning series, The Bear, has dropped all ten episodes of its third season on Hulu.

The perfect opportunity to binge-watch the culinary adventures of Carmy, Sydney, and the rest of the characters starts this Wednesday, June 26 at 9 p.m. ET.

While the show provides plenty of stress-filled moments spiced with delicious culinary scenes, actor Ayo Edebiri, who plays Sydney, suggests viewers take their time with each episode. He recommends allowing the story to simmer and flavors to linger.

In the meantime, food enthusiasts in Chicago can embark on a gastronomic adventure to experience the restaurants featured in the latest season, where the cast enjoyed meals during filming.

Birrieria Zaragoza

Birrieria Zaragoza in Chicago’s Archer Heights neighborhood is a spot that fans of Jeremy Allen White, known for his role as Carmy, might recognize. He was seen there in late March, much to the delight of taco enthusiasts.

This taqueria gained additional fame after being featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles. White himself has praised Chicago’s fast-casual dining, highlighting global street foods, hot dog stands, and Italian beef.

La Scarola

At this classic Italian-American spot, the cast enjoyed hearty dishes featuring traditional red sauce recipes. La Scarola is known for its comforting menu items such as chicken Vesuvio and eggplant parm.

Diners can also savor linguine with clams and various special creations prepared in-house. It’s a favorite for those craving a taste of Italy.

Viaggio

Viaggio Ristorante, an authentic Italian eatery, received praise from the cast during a press event. This could indicate some classic red sauce inspirations making their way into scenes at The Bear, also known as The Original Beef of Chicagoland.

Kasama

Ayo and Jeremy were seen at Kasama on March 21, sparking a buzz on social media with fans guessing possible storylines. Contrary to the speculation, there’s no romantic angle between them in this season.

It’s still unclear if their characters or their actual selves decided to revisit the season two location in Ukranian Village, celebrated for its top-notch Filipino cuisine.

Duck Duck Goat

Duck Duck Goat stands out as a must-visit for anyone exploring Chicago’s vibrant dining scene. This West Loop gem, created by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, brings a playful twist to traditional Chinese cuisine.

The restaurant delights guests with unique dim sum offerings and innovative dishes like duck and goat spring rolls. Specials include tempura-fried branzino and tamari soft serve, making every visit an exciting culinary adventure.

Big Star

Chicago’s Big Star is adored for its Mexican cuisine. Jeremy, Ayo, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Cousin) were spotted at the West Town spot brunching and sipping on margaritas.

Menu highlights include chilaquiles in salsa guajillo, cornmeal griddle cakes with cinnamon butter, and churro French toast.

Gene and Jude’s

Gene and Jude’s is a legendary spot for hot dog lovers in Chicagoland. Open since 1946, this yellow-brick stand offers a no-frills experience with no seating available and a strict no-ketchup policy.

Matty Matheson, who loves this place, always orders two dogs with mustard, onions, sport peppers, and an orange pop.

Featured briefly in “The Bear,” this place is known for its perfect-sized hot dogs with a satisfying snap and fries sprinkled with extra salt.

Margie’s Candies

The cast treated themselves to sweets at this nostalgic ice cream shop. Sydney enjoys a sundae in Season 2, Episode 3.

Their comments ranged from “We went there” to “It was okay.” The appeal lies in the classic treats like a rich turtle sundae and a towering soda with all the extras.

Location: 1960 N Western Ave, Chicago

Must-Try Items:

• Turtle Sundae
• Skyscraper Soda

Ponce

Liza Colón-Zayas found comfort in Chicago’s Puerto Rican culinary scene while filming season three. She especially loved a particular restaurant, saying, “I just missed home, and I wanted that.” This connection brought a taste of familiarity during the production.

Publican Quality Meats

Publican Quality Meats is a favorite spot of the cast, fittingly tied to the beefy theme of their show. This cherished butcher shop, market, and cafe dishes out tasty brunch and lunch options.

Their sandwiches feature meats that are cured, cooked, and smoked right in-house.

Avec

The cast gathered at Avec, a cozy Mediterranean spot celebrated for its small, shareable plates. This beloved eatery, which made an appearance in the show’s second season, seems like a go-to for the team when they want to enjoy a family-style meal together.

Wrigley Field

Liza Colón-Zayas had the honor of throwing the first pitch at a Cubs game this spring. Her fellow cast members were there, offering their support.

While enjoying the game, it’s likely they indulged in some classic Chicago treats, like Garrett’s popcorn or a traditional Chicago dog, adding to the memorable experience.