Big Star, PQM, Leghorn, etc. to be at United Center

From the Trib's website:

The United Center announced today that reimagined concession stands will greet fans this fall, featuring dishes from Big Star, Publican Quality Meats, Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, Leghorn Chicken, Lillie's Q, LQ Chicken Shack, Frontier, Lottie's Pub and The Pony.

Top Chicago restaurants headed to the United Center this fall

As a frequent attendee at the UC, this seems like good news because the current offerings there are pretty lousy. OTOH, you really have to wonder how good these outposts are going to be. Already existing UC outposts of some other well-known places pretty much suck and it seems that the overall environment makes it difficult to pull off anything well there. In the end, could lousy versions of these places damage their overall brands? Perhaps the deal is so good, that possibility doesn't even matter.

=R=

I am intrigued by this development. I've never found much I like to eat at the United Center.

What culinary specialties are Lottie's Pub and The Pony known for?

The GP wrote:
What culinary specialties are Lottie's Pub and The Pony known for?

Being the place where Hawks players hang out.


Either way, I'm intrigued...as others have said, it can't be worse. That said, I do like the Robinson's BBQ stand at the UC.

Further reading led me to the Chicago's Plate link that indicates the Pony and Lottie's Pub are drink partners.

The GP wrote:Further reading led me to the Chicago's Plate link that indicates the Pony and Lottie's Pub are drink partners.

They're also owned by the same restaurant group that owns Frontier so, like with Lillie's Q/LQ Chicken and PQM/Big Star, there seems to be a package deal involved.

As a Bulls season ticket holder (and frequent attendee of Hawks games and concerts), I really welcome this news. The food at the UC has really gone downhill in the last few years or so to the point where I would never eat there.

And sure, the versions of these restaurants may not have the same oversight/quality control of their primary locations. But my experience at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn (based on three visits), which features food from a number of local restaurants, suggests to me that at the very least, respectable food will be served. And for the most part, I tend to think UC visitors are somewhat less demanding when it comes to food.

In terms of the food to be served, I'm probably looking forward most to Jake Melnick's . . . I love their wings and it seems like one of the easiest foods to not screw up (or so I hope).

This is certainly good news. Currently the quality of food at the UC is pretty horrible, and all of this will move things in the right direction.

I'm especially interested in the Big Star/PQM involvement. Since opening Blackbird Paul Kahan has done a great job of figuring out ways to provide great food at lower price points (Blackbird --> Avec --> Publican --> Big Star) and I'm really interested to see what he comes up with to deal with a large scale concession business.

I tried the Leghorn stand last night at the Blackhawks game. $9 for a pre-made, pre-wrapped sandwich. Choice of thigh or breast, biscuit or bun, hot or not. I went for the Hot Breast on a Bun. The sandwich was much smaller than at the restaurant, maybe 5-6oz breast on a nice brioche bun that was slightly larger than the chicken. The breading on the chicken was not crisp due to being stored in the warmer. Came with three pickle slices which were really good, the hot sauce came in a separate container and was definitely not as spicy as at Leghorn itself. We got there about 15 minutes after the doors opened and there was no line. Was going to try Big Star too but there was a single line about 25 deep.

I share Club Level seats for the Bulls and I was very pleased with the new Club Level offerings I noticed at last night's game. (The other levels have some of the new restaurants, but the Club Level really seems to have won here.) Anyway, I had a tri-tip sandwich from Lillie's Q -- every bit as good as the tri-tip I've had in the restaurant and a generous serving. I was very impressed.






I'm not quite sure where one gets Publican Quality Meats stuff - still trying to figure that out. I assume it's not its own stand, but I could have missed it. Lillie's Q also offers their fried chicken at LQ Fried Chicken. And Big Star's tacos smelled good. And there were Jake Melnick's wings (I'm a big fan of those, but didn't try them last night). Too bad they still offer DiGorno pizza . . . a missed opportunity. I also noticed pastrami and reuben-like sandwiches at Levy's deli, but the meat looked awfully dry -- not my thing.

The Club Level desserts also now feature Sweet Mandy B's cupcakes (never a fan), but also marshmallows and OMG bars from Amy's Candy Bar (Damen/Leland in Lincoln Square). I'm a big fan of Amy's OMG bars so that was my dessert last night. This might have been the first time I was thrilled to have eaten at the United Center.

BR - I too share season tickets, but am up on the 300 level. The offerings have not expanded up there in any meaningful way. I would have gotten Big Star, but we arrived late and I didn't know where it was on the 100 level. I made my friend stop at Red Hot Ranch (Ashland) on the way home so I could eat. However, with the new options, I might plan to eat at the UC before my next game. Maybe we can work out something so I can get me one of those sandwiches from Lillie's Q.

The GP wrote:BR - I too share season tickets, but am up on the 300 level. The offerings have not expanded up there in any meaningful way. I would have gotten Big Star, but we arrived late and I didn't know where it was on the 100 level. I made my friend stop at Red Hot Ranch (Ashland) on the way home so I could eat. However, with the new options, I might plan to eat at the UC before my next game. Maybe we can work out something so I can get me one of those sandwiches from Lillie's Q.

I saw Big Star on the 100 level, but it had long lines . . . minimal line at the 200 level Big Star. I'd be willing to help you with Lillie's Q at a game.

After multiple tweets to Publican Quality Meats & Paul Kahan (without any response), I finally figured out for myself the PQM offerings at the United Center, at least on the 200 level. In the below images, you'll see the four sausages which are being advertised at the UC as coming from PQM.






The other night, I tried LQ fried chicken, from Lillie's Q. Has anyone had this chicken at Lillie's Q? In any event, it was served right from the fryer (hot, hot, hot!). And it was fantastic . . . perhaps tied with Analogue in my mind, but probably my favorite fried chicken in Chicago. They offer 3 and 5-piece orders. But the crisp crust, juicy meat, minimal grease and fantastic seasoning in the crust blew me away (especially at the United Center). Not the best pictures, but here are two of the pieces I had:








Finally, shared a chocolate-caramel brownie from Amy's Candy Bar and it too was excellent. All in all, the new food offerings at the United Center have really impressed me.

Lost Lake, Moneygun, Spilt Milk and more local favorites headed for United Center

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct ... story.html

From the website:

About Chicago Pours
Launching in the 2016-17 season, Chicago Pours builds upon the United Center’s strong dining program to bring a groundbreaking craft cocktail program starring top bar talent from 15 of Chicago’s most-talked about bars. Chicago Pours bar partners will take over the Club Level bars throughout the season offering signature cocktails and craft cocktail demonstrations.

Looks like us 300-level folks are left in the cold again.

The GP wrote:Looks like us 300-level folks are left in the cold again.

Having been to a Blackhawks pre-season game already, there are two notable additions to the 300 level that are currently not yet noted on the United Center website. Lillie Q! And Legacy Burger. Lillie Q had pulled pork and the smoked tri-tip but I don't remember the rest of the menu. The pulled pork was being pulled out of a warming tray but my tri-tip sandwich was sliced and weighed to order and was the best sandwich I've had at the UC. My friend had the grass fed burger from Legacy and the fries. She said the burger was a little dry but she ordered without the special sauce. The fries were getting their final fry there at the stand and I am assuming from the taste and texture that they were double cooked and they were excellent. They did not have the shakes (normal or boozy) available at the 100 level location.

RobK wrote:

The GP wrote:Looks like us 300-level folks are left in the cold again.

Having been to a Blackhawks pre-season game already, there are two notable additions to the 300 level that are currently not yet noted on the United Center website. Lillie Q! And Legacy Burger. Lillie Q had pulled pork and the smoked tri-tip but I don't remember the rest of the menu. The pulled pork was being pulled out of a warming tray but my tri-tip sandwich was sliced and weighed to order and was the best sandwich I've had at the UC. My friend had the grass fed burger from Legacy and the fries. She said the burger was a little dry but she ordered without the special sauce. The fries were getting their final fry there at the stand and I am assuming from the taste and texture that they were double cooked and they were excellent. They did not have the shakes (normal or boozy) available at the 100 level location.

Thanks, Rob! The Chicago Plates site does show Legacy Burger and Lillie Q on the 300 level. Looking forward to trying them!

Eater posted their guide to the UC food and beverage changes but they somehow missed that Lillie Q is on the 300 level despite it also being on the 300 Level map they posted.

http://chicago.eater.com/2016/10/14/13270028/united-center-bulls-blackhawks-food-guide

Going for long shift on Thursday for Frozen Four Semifinals. Will need grub between games. Any updates on what is worth the effort and what is "meh?"

Avoid legacy burger. At least on the first floor. Or maybe tell them you'll wait for a fresh one. I got a severely over cooked hockey puck. It was aweful. Couldn't even be saved by extra sauce.

Trying to score some last minute tickets for the frozen four also.

Queenie's Supper Club bringing Midwestern tradition to United Center

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct ... story.html

Stephanie Izard’s Tacos Headline United Center’s New Food Options for 2019

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/10/4/208 ... hawks-2019