There are many kitchen gems around the West Side of Chicago. The restaurant scene has many old faithfuls and some new entries.
TNT Rooftop at 5405 W. Madison St. opened less than a year ago. Owners Anthony and Taneka Anderson are bringing fine dining to the area. Custom cocktails from the full bar kick off a meal seated either inside or on the Miami-style rooftop. A wide menu fires up a fine-dining experience with the addition of lamb, seafood and many vegan options. And to make a night out even more relaxing the restaurant offers car service to and from your location for an additional fee.
The Black Foodies, Dino and Coretta Dean, are on a mission to support and amplify Black-owned businesses. Their social media posts span the globe, but one of their most recent finds is a new spot along Division Street called Shake A Leg.
If jerk chicken, shrimp or lamb sound good, Shake A Leg at 5512 W. Division St. is for you. The restaurant recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Order at the counter for eat-in or takeaway. The dining room has a classy, yet comfortable feel and there’s also seating at the fully stocked bar. Cajun flavors and traditional soul food sides round out the menu and can be paired with catfish, pasta and salmon entrée options. Weekly specials come with their own signature cocktails.
An Obama Philly Cheesesteak (chicken and steak) and jerk chicken eggrolls are specialties at Jay’s Backyard BBQ, 5604 W. Division St. Jerk spices also flavor tacos, gyros, Philly sandwiches and even salads and fries. Owner Jay Young opened the place in 2015 and it is still going strong. The restaurant takes orders at the inside window and is takeout only.
Uncle Remus’s saucy fried chicken has stood the test of time. The restaurant at 5611 W. Madison St. is one of several Chicago locations. Established by Gus and Mary Rickette as G & G Chicken Shack, they later expanded and changed the name to Royal Chicken. During the 1968 riots along Madison Street two of their three stores burned down. As the Rickettes rebuilt, they wanted a new sign. As the story goes, the sign shop had one that hadn’t been picked up. It said, “Uncle Remus” and the rest is history…delicious chicken history.
No overview of dining on the West Side would be complete without mentioning a mainstay at 5412 W. Madison St., MacArthur’s Restaurant. It’s been serving up soul and comfort food since 1997 and has become a hot spot for political and community activity. And speaking of Obama, in his book The Audacity of Hope he gives this endorsement, “One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago is a place called MacArthur’s … plates filled with fried chicken, catfish, hoppin’ John, collard greens, meatloaf, cornbread, and other soul-food standards.”
Venture out! And bite into flavors served up by your neighbors.
More Info:
instagram.com/tnt_rooftopchgo
facebook.com/SHAKEALEG5512
facebook.com/jaysbackyardbbq
uncleremususa.com
macarthursrestaurant.com