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If you’ve ever had a comfortable pair of jeans that fit perfectly and always made you feel great, well then, you’re very lucky - those are hard to find. And you’ll understand what it’s like to be at The Delta in Wicker Park, because this is a restaurant that - like those jeans - you can always depend on.
The food on the short Southern menu here is consistently delicious, and it’s served in a laid-back environment that’s guaranteed to be a good time. The Delta’s specialty is hot tamales - made with cornmeal instead of corn flour, and simmered in a spicy tomato broth - and they’re very good, but you shouldn’t let them distract you from the rest of the food. Like the hush puppies, which make a compelling case for why not eating fried food is so f*cking hard. Or the grilled shishitos, which sound fairly boring but come topped with a mound of comte cheese and a buttery onion sauce so tasty you’ll want to consume as much of it as you possibly can (don’t resort to licking the bowl - save a hush puppy for that).
photo credit: Sandy Noto
The more substantial menu items are also worth your time - like the tender glazed pork ribs, served with crispy alliums (like fried shallots) and creme fraiche to balance out the sweetness. The juicy, crunchy fried chicken is another hit, and comes with hot sauce, a garlic cream, and sweet relish to round everything out.
Clearly, we like the food here. But The Delta also has the kind of environment that makes it an easy place to spend time. The quiet back patio is our favorite place to sit, but no matter where you are, the atmosphere is relaxed. Plus, it’s reasonably priced - most dishes are between $8-$15, with the most expensive being $21, so you’ll be able to enjoy yourself without racking up an obscene bill.
Some restaurants work on every level, and The Delta is one of those places. Delicious food and an enjoyable space make this restaurant a sure thing for a low-key meal. Plus, the fact that the focused menu is full of reliably good things means it won’t take you long to eventually work your way through everything. And that’s exactly what you should do - right after telling us where you found those jeans.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Red Hot Tamale
Jim Shoe Tamale
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Hush Puppies
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Grilled Shishitos
Green Tomatoes
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Pork Ribs
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Fried Chicken
photo credit: Sandy Noto