Memorial Day is for both honorable remembrances and festivities that serve as the unofficial start of summer. As Chicago embraces relaxed COVID-19 restrictions and people flock to restaurants and bars, there’s plenty of fun to be had and delicious things to eat over the holiday weekend.
But, with capacity limits still in place, be sure to plan ahead and ensure you’re up to date on the latest rules and safety guidelines. While you’re out and about, check out this list of Memorial Day events happening across the Chicago area.
Azul Mariscos
Beginning at noon on Memorial Day, guests at this West Town restaurant can take in views of the Chicago River while sipping on Patron margarita towers. Executive chef Michael Hernandez curated a seasonal menu featuring mahi mahi, crab and shrimp tortas, and more. 1177 N. Elston Ave., 773-770-3766, azulmariscos.com
Bar Takito
Chef Daniel Munoz created a Nuevo Latino brunch for Memorial Day. Highlights include an arepa Benedict with pulled pork; coconut shrimp tacos with mango habanero; and avocado toast with arugula and a sunny-side-up egg. Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 201 N. Morgan St., 773-697-3132, bartakito.com
Bartoli’s Pizzeria
Homes For Our Troops builds custom, adapted homes for injured veterans of wars post-9/11, and Bartoli’s will donate a portion of sales from Memorial Day weekend to the nonprofit. 658 N. Ashland Ave., 312-929-4133, bartolispizzeria.com
BLVD Steakhouse
Pick up a gourmet picnic for two and celebrate Memorial Day from the comforts of home or outside at a park. Each kit is priced at $35 and includes barbecue short rib sandwiches; watermelon, feta and mint salad; macaroni salad; chips and cookies. Available for pickup May 28-30. 817 W. Lake St., 312-526-3116, blvdchicago.com
Burger Bar
Fire up the grill and don your favorite apron to cook up Burger Bar’s DIY grilling kit ($90). Designed for four people, kits include four half-pound USDA prime beef patties, a dozen marinated wings, four locally made brioche buns, trimmings, coleslaw, sauces and seasonings. Preorders are available, with same-day orders requiring three hours of notice. 1150 S. Michigan Ave., 312-988-0162, goodeatsgroup.com
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Dine on an expanded weekend brunch service May 31, and enjoy your meal indoors or in the all-seasons courtyard. To-go kits are available and are built for two ($45) or four ($90) people. Picnic packages include a pintxos platter, tapas and dessert. 2024 N. Halsted St., 773-935-5000, cafebabareeba.com
The Dawson
Brunch kicks off at 11 a.m., with options of chicken-fried lobster, smoked salmon toast and the famous Dawson burger. Seasonal cocktails from beverage director Torrence O’Haire complete the menu and include the gin-based Serendipity cocktail, lush with lavender and cassis, or the mezcal-based Oaxacan (on) Sunshine. Menu prices vary. 730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955, the-dawson.com
El Che Meat and Provisions
Spend Memorial Day weekend grilling in your backyard with El Che’s Memorial Day burger kit. Each kit includes burgers for four plus fixings, a two-pack of morcilla sausages, a two-pack of chorizo links and a six-pack of Quilmes Argentinian lager ($45); the Memorial Day Ribs Kit has slabs of baby back ribs, plus a four-pack of morcilla links and a four-pack of chorizo, house-made barbecue sauce, smoked salt and a tote bag ($65). The Weekender Kit including four short ribs, a four-pack of chorizo, and a four-pack of Babygold beer or Mexican Coke ($54). 845 W. Washington Blvd., 312-265-1130, elchechicago.com
The Goddess and Grocer
Celebrate Memorial Day at home with the Memorial Day Goddess Grill Box for two ($75). Each box is customizable, with mix-and-match cocktails, sides, appetizers and main dishes. Options include salmon, chicken thighs, and hanger steak primed and ready for the grill. Locations vary; goddessandgrocer.com
The Graystone Tavern
Sundays are made for grilling, and The Graystone is hosting a barbecue May 30, featuring backyard staples like burgers and hot dogs. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Wounded Warrior Project. Diners can catch the Cubs game against the Cincinnati Reds beginning at 1:20 p.m. 3441 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-666-5450, graystonetavernchicago.com
Il Porcellinio
Guests can pick up a Memorial Day grill package and cook up an incredible meal for two in honor of Memorial Day. Kits are available to pick up between noon and 4 p.m. Monday and include watermelon salad, mixed Italian sausage pesto with peperonata, a baguette, scampi skewers with local seasonal vegetables, Nonna’s potato salad, and marsala zabaglione with local seasonal fruit and candied pecans for dessert. 59 W. Hubbard St., 312-595-0800, ilporcellinochicago.com
The J. Parker
A special Memorial Day Frozé cocktail will be a red-white-and-blue spectacle to behold from this Lincoln Park rooftop perch, and $1 from each one sold will be donated to Honor Flight Network, which pays for veterans to visit Washington, D.C.. 1816 N. Clark St., 312-254-4747, jparkerchicago.com
L. Woods
Pick up one of L. Woods’ barbecue packs for two and enjoy Caesar salad, baby back ribs, barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and key lime pie. Each kit is $80 and is available on Memorial Day. The full menu is available for guests wanting to dine on the patio or in the dining room. 7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood; 847-677-3350; lwoodsrestaurant.com
Miki’s Park
Memorial Day brunch is a thing and guests can dine on Korean-inspired brunch items at Miki’s Park. The KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) and waffles is served with gochujang maple syrup and the Mik Muffin (Korean spiced beef with fried egg and cheese). Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 109 W. Hubbard St., 312-526-3511, mikispark.com
The Rambler Kitchen and Tap
Celebrate Memorial Day all weekend long beginning with free trivia on May 27. The following Saturday and Sunday, guests can dine on brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with scratch-made country biscuits and country-fried steak, Elvis French toast and the Rambler scrambler. Bottomless mimosas are available for $20. 4128 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-799-8881, theramblerchicago.com
Rewired Pizza Cafe and Bar
Dogs are welcome to celebrate Memorial Day weekend on the 40-seat, dog-friendly patio at this Edgewater cafe. Happy hour runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and includes half-priced pizzas, appetizers and draft beer (Thursday, Friday and Monday). Brunch kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with offerings of the BELT sandwich (bacon, scrambled eggs, lettuce, tomatoes and Swiss cheese), biscuits and chorizo gravy, and chicken and waffles. 1100 W. Thorndale Ave., 773-360-1621, rewiredcafe.com
R.J. Grunts
Diners have a bevy of options for Memorial Day at the classic R.J. Grunts, which is available for dine-in, patio seating, carryout and delivery. Thick-cut French toast is one delectable option along with breakfast burritos, cheddar-covered broccoli, chicken noodle soup and classic brunch sides. Reservations are highly encouraged. 2056 N. Lincoln Park Way, 773-929-5363, rjgruntschicago.com
The Robey
No pool? No problem. This glitzy Wicker Park hotel will open its Cabana Club, complete with pool, to hotel guests and the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. While there is a $15 minimum and a 90-minute time limit, there are also sweeping views of the city, margaritas, Buffalo wings and avocado toast. 2018 W. North Ave., 872-315-3050, therobey.com
Rye Deli and Drink
Get the holiday weekend off to a boozy start with a complimentary cocktail offered with a pineapple mimosa kit. For those really up for a challenge, customers who can recite Jack Nicholson’s storied monologue from “A Few Good Men” from memory will receive their choice of a free sandwich and a gallon’s worth of a cocktail of their choice. 25 S. Halsted St., 312-602-2100, ryechicago.com
Saranello’s
A four-course Memorial Day dining package awaits guests for curbside pickup. Kits feed two, four or six guests and start at $17.95 per person. This year’s menu features a summer kale chopped salad, rigatoni with sausage and broccoli, chicken limone and chocolate mascarpone pie. 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling; 847-777-6878; saranellos.com
Scratchboard Kitchen
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests can make reservations for the patio or dining room for Memorial Day weekend brunch. Executive chef Grace Goudie is offering a pastry board, beetroot waffles with pistachio, a gravy-covered Dutch baby, and citrus toast with mascarpone. 5 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; 847-749-3103; scratchboardkitchenah.com
Soul & Smoke
Pick up smoked beef brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, jerk chicken and a range of sides to heat up and serve for a backyard barbecue with none of the hassle. Large-format cocktails like rum punch and blackberry vodka lemonade are also available. 1601 Payne St., Suite C, Evanston; 847-491-9744; soulandsmoke.com
Vermilion
As part of a new Let’s Talk Womxn Supper Club series, chef Rohini Dey will host a five-course tasting menu made by five restaurants kicking off Memorial Day weekend. The May 28 meal will include a panel discussion from leading women restaurateurs in Chicago, including Dey, Tigist Reda of Demera, Laurence Noguier of Bistronomic, Diana Davila of Mi Tocaya and Sandra Holl of Floriole. The communal meal, which also has vegetarian options, ranges from Noguier’s ahi tuna tartare to Davila’s beef tongue in a spicy peanut salsa to Holl’s buttermilk biscuit strawberry shortcakes. $100, 10 W. Hubbard St., 312-527-4060, exploretock.com
Restaurants and bars with holiday specials and events can submit them to Dining Editor Ariel Cheung at archeung@chicagotribune.com.
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