This is a city that loves bringing its own booze to a restaurant, and normally the list of places where this is possible is about 2,987 spots long. But it’s March during a pandemic, and normal exited the chat a long time ago. However, BYOB is still a thing. So, in case you wanted to BYOB somewhere this weekend, we found seven great heated and covered patios where you still can.
The Spots
We’re longtime fans of this Cuban restaurant in Logan Square. For one thing, we really like their ropa vieja and empanadas. But what we really appreciate is the fact that we can bring our own rum or wine and add it to their tasty house mojito or sangria. And all of those things are even more enjoyable when we can do so on their all-season heated patio.
This Argentinian steakhouse is one of our favorite spots to BYOB. And right now they have a little plastic tent with heaters on their patio.
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The Woodlawn
This is a fun one. The Woodlawn (located in...wait for it...Woodlawn) has streetside pods that you can rent for $75 an hour. They’re available on an impromptu basis, BYOB, and come with two appetizers (like wings or jerk nachos). If “impromptu” isn’t your thing, you can reserve a rooftop dome for $125 per person and they seat two to six people. The reservation includes a three-course meal and you can still BYOB.
Minghin’s appearance on this list tells you two things you might not have known about this dim sum restaurant. One, that it’s BYOB, a fact they don’t advertise but we promise is true. And two, that they have one of the best outdoor setups in Chinatown. The patio is really long, covered, and has multiple heaters. Plus, they even have some big round tables perfect for sharing pork buns, dumplings, and whatever booze you brought.
We go to Hing Kee for primarily one reason: the xiao long bao, which you can see being made in the front window - even from their heated outdoor patio. Bring some beer, and get the pork or pork with crab.
During the summer we swing by Joy Yee’s takeout window for boba. But this Chinatown spot also has very tasty food (like the shabu shabu and Szechaun wontons), and right now they also have partially-enclosed outdoor seating. And as you probably guessed since it’s on this list, Joy Yee’s is also BYOB.
This Mexican restaurant is BYOB, has outdoor seating, and quesabirria. In other words, three compelling reasons to visit.
