Casual spot with patio for Friday (late afternoon)?

Looking for a casual spot to hit after spending the day at North Avenue Beach this coming Friday. In the past, we've gone to Moody's Pub (love their Moody Blue Burger & sangria) and Duke of Perth. So, looking for something along those lines.

I am a very big fan of Big Bricks, on Lincoln Ave in North Center. Dependable bar pizza and great craft beer.

Big Bricks
3832 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

GNR Toons would be a perfect fit, although it's closer to Irving Park than North Avenue.

Toon's
3857 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 935-1919

Check their opening time and head west on North Avenue to Old Town Social.

pairs4life wrote:Check their opening time and head west on North Avenue to Old Town Social.

There's a patio at OTS?

stevez wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Check their opening time and head west on North Avenue to Old Town Social.

There's a patio at OTS?

No. I misread patio as al fresco. NO PATIO. Yes al fresco. One of my favorites for outdoor despite the train rumbling.

Orso's on Wells has a patio but I am not a fan of their food.

pairs4life wrote:

stevez wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Check their opening time and head west on North Avenue to Old Town Social.

There's a patio at OTS?

No. I misread patio as al fresco. NO PATIO. Yes al fresco. One of my favorites for outdoor despite the train rumbling.

Orso's on Wells has a patio but I am not a fan of their food.

Thanks. I didn't realize there was an outdoor area at OTS. That's good to know.

Since Moody's up in Edgewater was mentioned, just down the road on Broadway is Pearl's. All around very good and hospitable - just like Toons. Great shrimp po' boy and a beautiful rooftop.

Another option that's not so good fornluxiriating and a surer bet for crowds is Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen in Lincoln Square. If you snare a good spot, it's a great place to relax. It's my favorite rooftop in the city.

Pearl's Southern Comfort
5352 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640

Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen
4750 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Other spots open on a Friday afternoon:

Resi's Bierstube on Irving Park just west of Damen/Lincoln - love their back patio

Hopleaf - Clark just south of Foster (patio seating could be rough though)

Roots - Lincoln Square - 2200 W. Lawrence - large sidewalk space, on the side street and very well set off from Lawrence, so pretty peaceful and great beer list.

Replay - Andersonville - Clark & Balmoral - nice sidewalk patio, slow/quiet street traffic and patio seating on Balmoral, but on nice day restaurant floor to ceiling windows opened so it feels outdoors . . . food much better than it needs to be.

Spacca Napoli - Sunnyside & Ravenswood - again, a sidewalk cafe but on a very quiet street.

stevez wrote:GNR Toons would be a perfect fit, although it's closer to Irving Park than North Avenue.

Toon's
3857 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 935-1919

Toon's has a great patio and great drinks. Definitely second this one.

Also, there's always Parson's in Logan Square. Skip the fried chicken, the grilled chicken and fried fish are far better. Also, the slushies could be incredibly refreshing after a day at the beach.

Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 384-3333
http://www.parsonschickenandfish.com/

And then who can forget The Bad Apple. One of the best burger bars in the city. Great food and selection of beverages.

The Bad Apple
4300 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 360-8406
www.badapplebar.com

If you're looking for something in the area Corcoran's (1615 N. Wells), Adobo Grill (215 W. North) and Sedgwick Stop (1612 N. Sedgwick) all have patio areas. Corcoran's patio is in the back so it's the most removed of the three from the street. The Sedgwick Stop patio is along the side of the building and is far enough from North Ave. that traffic noise usually isn't a problem. Adobo Grill removed the privacy fence that the previous tenant (Dinotto) used to have separating the patio area from North Ave., a decision I think they should reconsider since it makes the space less desirable IMO.

The Old Town Social (opens at 5pm on weekdays) sidewalk area is along the side street (Cleveland Ave.) so it isn't too bad as far as traffic noise is concerned.

Thanks very much for so many great suggestions.... my mistake on saying "patio", al fresco is fine too. Just want to be outdoors!

We're willing to travel just about anywhere in the city for dinner before heading home (western suburbs) sometime after rush hour.

Most likely will "eeny meeny miney moe" these dinner options:)!

did you find a place? it is funny how many places aren't open till 5pm or 6pm.
is it thread hijacking to ask for recs for friday afternoon, indoors or out, along red line or brown line (so still close to your North Ave beach) that open at 4pm?

Howells and Hood, on Michigan Avenue just north of the river in the Tribune Tower might fit the bill. They are open all day. They have a big outdoor patio. My work has had a few happy hours there. Huge tap beer selection, also alot of wines on tap. Shareable app type plates and also burgers, etc. Its not a super foodie destination but it is a fantastic location and patio and the selection of craft beers is pretty amazing.

http://www.howellsandhood.com/

It ended up being such a gorgeous day that we stayed at the beach until about 6 and then ventured out. Last minute decision to go ethnic and ended up @ Irazu (Costa Rican). We had the Chifrijo appetizer, the Casado (substituting skirt steak instead of ribeye, great recommendation by our server), and a few empanadas. Everything including the food & sauces (I'm a one of those "sauce" people), service, patio seating, was just perfect! Highly recommend! It's also BYOB, which is always fun!

http://www.irazuchicago.com/

wineaux wrote:Last minute decision to go ethnic and ended up @ Irazu (Costa Rican). We had the Chifrijo appetizer, the Casado (substituting skirt steak instead of ribeye, great recommendation by our server), and a few empanadas. Everything including the food & sauces (I'm a one of those "sauce" people), service, patio seating, was just perfect! Highly recommend! It's also BYOB, which is always fun!

http://www.irazuchicago.com/

Great call. My favorite item there is the Vegetarian Burrito, add Sauteed Mushrooms . . . with lots of that awesome green sauce!

=R=

Irazu
1865 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-5687