Carbon Arc - Davis Theater

Over Christmas week, we went to the Carbon Arc after Sing sold out. It wasn't crowded (I think it was close to 430pm). The rooms are nice and classy; the Mrs. even commented on the chairs being nice looking and comfortable. It looks like it's at least a couple of storefronts. The dining room in toward the street and there's a bar running parallel to the street in the back. Anyways, to the food!

I had the Chalkboard Chicken. I never went to Chalkboard before it closed, but this was an excellent and filling dish. Served with slaw and a biscuits and gravy. Wife had a few tacos: Korean Brisket, Vegetarian, and the BBQ Pork. She didn't like the jackfruit in the veggie, but was OK. The kids each had a burger. For $5, just the burger (more like a slider) no drink, fries ala carte, it seemed a little gougey. Beer and wine lists seemed thought out and good.

I'm not sure it's going to make it on its own, maybe with the booze and the movie theatre, it can prosper. It's a tough neighborhood with many good options. Hopefully it can knock some kinks out and make the cut.


4614 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 961-8946
https://www.davistheater.com/carbon-arc-bar/

I was there Saturday after seeing Star Wars. I really like the design and I see the bar drawing folks in.

As for food, one of my friends had the chicken and really enjoyed it too. I had two tacos - vindaloo and Thai chicken. While the flavors were fine, the fillings were dried out. I suspect they were made long in advance and dried out from sitting in heating trays. I tried the fries, which were served with another friend of mine's meal, and I thought they were pretty good.

I always thought Chalkboard was decent enough that I'll probably try it again, but as the number of solid (and similarly convenient) places to eat grows in this area, they're going to have to step up their game some to ensure their survival. Fortunately, there's also a lot of new residential construction in the area and I'm sure the local businesses will improve the increasing population density.

My wife and I went to the Davis Theater to see Rogue One a few nights ago. The theater allows guests to carry in orders from Carbon Arc.

We ordered a mozzarella flatbread and a couple tacos (sweet Thai chicken and Korean brisket) as these seemed to be good handheld options for taking into the theater.

We found the food very disappointing. The flatbread reminded me of grade school cafeteria cheese pizza with a hard crust and gummy and flavorless cheese. The tacos had unbalanced flavors and odd textures. The brisket taco was sickly sweet with hoisin. The chicken taco was also overly sweet and weirdly mushy. Other than a hint of mint, the flavors were not "Thai". We didn't finish the tacos. That's no small thing -- I can't recall the last time either of us left a taco behind.

We live in walking distance, so we'll be back to the theater but next time we'll get popcorn and Skittles. Maybe dining in the restaurant is significantly better or maybe the kitchen is still finding its legs. Either way, there are too many good restaurants in the area for me to want to try Carbon Arc again anytime soon.

I also tried to bring a flatbread into the theater for Rogue One, a few days after they opened. I opted for the avocado toast and it was also quite disappointing. It was super citrusy (I could barely taste the avocado) and the bread it was on wasn't great either. I hope it improves because I love the new theater.

Not about the food so much, though the cheese/caramel mixed popcorn was pretty good. I don't like theaters that have reserved seating. They charge you an extra dollar to buy your seats online. I went with a friend the other night to a not- sold out showing and everyone who bought tickets at the theater was given seats in the back row. I prefer to get there, look around, and then try to choose a seat away from anyone who looks like they will talk during the movie. The theater itself is nicely renovated and the seats are comfortable. It is my closest theater, so I will probably be going there from time to time, but I think I prefer the one in Evanston.

knitgirl wrote:Not about the food so much, though the cheese/caramel mixed popcorn was pretty good. I don't like theaters that have reserved seating. They charge you an extra dollar to buy your seats online.

Just a data point for reference, but I go to the ICON on Roosevelt all the time and I've never paid extra for reserved seats. My wife and I don't go to movies anymore where we can't pick out our seats in advance.

jacketpotato wrote:I had the Chalkboard Chicken. I never went to Chalkboard before it closed, but this was an excellent and filling dish.

I'm unclear on something...Is Carbon Arc a venture from the good folks of Chalkboard? Or is this menu item more of an "homage" to a former neighborhood standby?

riddlemay wrote:

jacketpotato wrote:I had the Chalkboard Chicken. I never went to Chalkboard before it closed, but this was an excellent and filling dish.

I'm unclear on something...Is Carbon Arc a venture from the good folks of Chalkboard? Or is this menu item more of an "homage" to a former neighborhood standby?

Neither--the chef for the concept is the former owner of Chalkboard.

boudreaulicious wrote:

riddlemay wrote:

jacketpotato wrote:I had the Chalkboard Chicken. I never went to Chalkboard before it closed, but this was an excellent and filling dish.

I'm unclear on something...Is Carbon Arc a venture from the good folks of Chalkboard? Or is this menu item more of an "homage" to a former neighborhood standby?

Neither--the chef for the concept is the former owner of Chalkboard.

Ah. Thanks.

Anyone have a more recent review of Carbon Arc?

We stopped by last week before a movie. The drinks/cocktails and the service were great.

Got the pate plate. That had a ginormous portion of so-so pate that came with great bread and a couple other things. Also had a prosciutto and goat cheese flatbread that was really really good. Leagues better than the avocado flatbread I had a month or two ago.

I enjoyed the fish tacos, while my friend was not impressed. The tortillas weren't great and they tasted like avocado, not like fish. I happen to love avocado though. Another friend got a burger and it looked nice. The fries it came with were also so-so.

Thanks, sounds like it is still hit-or-miss and uneven. I saw they did have a stall at the Square Roots music fest this weekend, looked like they were recommending the fried chicken on social media.