restaurants
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CHUCKY T’S–2025 Lincoln Park West. Home-style. Personal service distinguishes this supercasual outlet from Charlie Trotter, Chicago’s master restaurateur. Trotter, who’s married, has brilliantly re-created a bachelor’s apartment. Diners are invited to Trotter’s “home,” where they choose among seating opportunities in his kitchen, living room, walk-in closet/dressing room, and bathroom. Then “Chucky T” himself, clad only in an undershirt and plaid boxers, serves healthy takes on what he calls “lazy bachelor cuisine.” Among the more inspired offerings are mustard-soaked tuna, brought forth on a plate of coarse, salty Triscuits, and chicken breast sauteed in a little oil and a little soy sauce, served with toasted white bread and a very small piece of broccoli. The impressive wine list includes many lesser-known Blossom Hills, and the impressive dessert offerings include chocolate pudding. Lunch and dinner, unless Trotter decides to order in. xar7shr $$$$$$$
PUFF PUFF MICROBREWERY–1707 W Armitage. American. Food consumption takes a backseat to drinking and smoking at this spacious Bucktown pub. Patrons can choose from 6,500 home brews, including the delightful boysenberry-tinted, oak-hinted Loft Living Lager, the peanutty Swing Jazz Pale Ale, and the unadulterated Tastes Like Schlitz. Puff Puff also serves up a mind-boggling selection of Belizean cigars, Guatemalan cigarettes, Sudanese brandies, and Swedish whiskeys. Chef Tod Hackett’s kitchen churns out simple dishes like popcorn, peanuts, and pretzels, served family-style in large bowls. Lunch; dinner. Closed Tuesday through Friday for cleaning. htgš $$
