CHIReview
Included In
“I want to sleep with this under my pillow,” was a sentence that came out of our mouth halfway through the bowl of savory short rib and creamy grits at Chesa’s Bistro and Bar. The Southern restaurant in Avondale serves the kind of comforting dishes that make us look forward to—or at least not hate—Chicago’s 30-degree days.
Everything at Chesa’s is full of flavor, and good enough to make you say “See you in hell, gluten.” The menu has the aforementioned short rib and grits (a beefy change of pace from shrimp that we didn’t know we needed). There’s also seafood gumbo with a gentle heat, and buttery wagyu sliders on buns that we wouldn’t know were gluten-free if it wasn’t our job to know these things.
Chesa's Barphoto credit: Kim Kovacik
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
The gluten-free food isn’t the only thing that puts us in a good mood at Chesa’s. The people who work here—including Chesa herself—are the kind of friendly folks who make you want to take off your blanket coat and stay a while. Servers and bartenders (this might be the same person) suggest cocktails (like the boozy Cloud 9 with peach vodka, chambord, and lime) with a level of enthusiasm that will have you reconsider what time you need to get up the next morning. The casual space has a few TVs and a hip-hop playlist that’ll remind you how much you like 2000’s Nelly. Pair any of the above with the Cloud 9, and plan to reset your alarm.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Wagyu Sliders
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Short Rib And Grits
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Chesa's Gumbo
photo credit: Kim Kovacik