Recent Chicago Restaurant and Bar Openings, April 2025
Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a curated roundup of recent restaurant openings big and small across the Twin Cities.
Did we miss a spot? Drop a note at the tipline or email [email protected], and we’ll consider it for the next update.
IRVING PARK — Crust Tap Room has opened inside the former Leader Bar. It’s a spinoff of Rosemont’s Crust Brewing and focuses on tavern-style pizza. There are sandwiches, plenty of beer, and a kids’ menu. 3000 W. Irving Park Road.
RAVENSWOOD — A Pilsen restaurant, Pollo Express, known for its pollo al carbon — a delicious Latin American-influenced rendition of roast chicken — has opened a second location. Families have come to love the restaurant for its affordable meals. 1967 W. Lawrence Avenue.
WRIGLEYVILLE — Cheesie’s Pub & Grub has taken over the former Lucky’s Sandwich Co. The new location is near the original location near Belmont and Sheffield. The grilled cheese specialist takes over Lucky’s, which had been closed for months with signs claiming it was going through renovations. Lucky’s had a 21-year run and was known for its sandwich challenge, which attracted national TV crews. 3472 N. Clark Street.
BELMONT CRAGIN — Que Rico Zōn, a Venezuelan restaurant, has opened a second location in Belmont Cragin as of Wednesday, March 19, according to its social media page. Expect specialties like tequeñitos, pastelitos, and arepas, as well as chuletas with rice, barbecue ribs, and pabellón criollo — shredded beef with black beans, rice, cheese, and plantains, considered Venezuela’s national dish. 5753 W. Belmont Avenue.
LOGAN SQUARE — The kitchen at Split Milk has welcomed the smash burger pop-up Chubby Boys as of Tuesday, March 18, to take up residency at its kitchen until 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Chubby Boys has big shoes to fill, as they’ve replaced Umamicue, which is currently without a home. Founded in 2021 by South Siders Oscar Zaragoza and Cesar Ordaz, Chubby Boys is also wrapping up its residency on Saturday, April 19, at Drip Collective, the West Loop coffee shop from Novel Pizza and Kanin’s Francis Almeda. 2758 W. Fullerton Avenue.
NORWOOD PARK — The husband-and-wife team that bought Phil’s Pizza D’Oro in 2022 has opened a cozy brunch spot as of about mid-March called 5800 North Cafe and moved into the former home of Phil’s, according to Block Club Chicago. Diners can expect an eclectic variety of food from this all-day cafe, like fried chicken and biscuits, mascarpone French toast, chilaquiles with barbacoa, paninis, wraps, and a lot more. 5800 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
FULTON MARKET — A second location for the European-inspired Cafe Cremerie has emerged in Fulton Market as of early March, offering seasonal coffee beverages, such as a tiramisu latte, gluten-free gelato (available as an affogato with Illy espresso), a limited cocktail menu, pastries like ricotta and pistachio cake, as well as wine by the glass or bottle. There are also sandwiches. 315 N. Green Street.
NORTH PARK — Namit Cafe has brought a casual counter-service option for Filipino food to North Park since early March. Here, diners can find specialties like chicken, the breakfast staple combo sisig, crispy lumpia, halo-halo, and more traditional street snacks and dishes. 3346 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue.
OLD TOWN — An all-day cafe, Dialtone Coffee & Wine Bar, has opened in Old Town as of Friday, February 7. The coffee comes from Metric Coffee and visitors can expect a variety of espresso drinks and other coffee-based beverages, like a strawberry mocha cold brew. Visitors can also enjoy wine by the glass or to take home by the bottle. Bites include a variety of breakfast sandwiches, toasts, and charcuterie boards. An ideal place to perhaps co-work during the day and transition to happy hour — available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, featuring $10 glasses of wine and cocktails and $6 beer. 1136 N. Wells Street.