I’ve written a few posts now on visiting Chicago, but haven’t yet mentioned the food mecca area that is West Randolph Street, Fulton Market District.
Like Wicker Park and Bucktown, this area’s gone through an image overhaul to become one of the best places to drink, but more importantly, to eat.
As well the seemingly endless restaurants, cafes and eateries in the area, West Randolph Street’s also home to the annual Taste of Chicago food festival.
Fulton Market District restaurants
There’s not much I can write about the area that my photos do better, so I’ll let them do the talking, or should I say writing on this occasion.
As the title of this post suggests, there are too many places to choose from to eat in this area. So, take your pick according to the type of food — and restaurants (from A to S) that you like the look of!
Au Cheval
I can’t stress enough how good this burger is at Au Cheval. I’m not American, but I’d happily switch nationality just to get another taste of this burger.
Sizes are generous (no surprises there!) but it’s all about the sauce, and the bread’s pretty good too. Au Cheval has another smaller branch that only sells burgers and fries called Small Cheval.
800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Bad Hunter
Bad Hunter is a restaurant and bar serving up lots of healthy tasty options like aubergine salads and cauliflower tartine.
This is also a good choice for veggies, as the menu offers many wholesome vegetarian options.
802 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Duck Duck Goat
If you like your Chinese food with a modern twist, you’ve come to the right place at Duck Duck Goat. There’s all the dishes you enjoy in a Chinese restaurant, just with an edge.
Take the wonderfully named Slap noodles: a noodle dish with goat sausage and prawns!
857 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Green Street Smoked Meats
Come to Green Street Smoked Meats to get your Texan barbecue fix, and with all the sides.
As the photo shows, the décor is akin to a wood-decked warehouse, and the lighting also gives it a homey feel.
112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Randolph Street restaurants – Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Get a taste of the deep south with this excellent deep-fried chicken at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken.
The food’s as comforting as the interior, and you must try the deep-fried okra. Needless to say, I didn’t eat for a long time after my meal!
847 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Discover even more delicious eats in the windy city and take a foodie tour. These tours aren’t just delicious; they’re also led by people who know Chicago best, the locals!
de cero Hello Tacos!
Load up on all your Mexican favourites at de cero Hello Tacos! Try a traditional smoked paprika poblano quesadilla, or get your mouth around the generously-filled steak, chicken or fish tacos.
Prices in this cantina are also pretty reasonable too.
816 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Nellcote
Treat your significant other (or friend) to a posh night out at Nellcote. The name’s French, but with European-inspired food.
Try a plate of one of their handmade pasta dishes, or get raw with some beef carpaccio.
833 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Parlor Pizza
Everyone loves a good pizza, and Parlor Pizza serves theirs straight from its wood fire oven.
When the sun’s out, be sure to take the opportunity to sit outside and do a spot of people watching.
108 N Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Soho House Chicago
I was very happy to see Soho House Chicago, as I’ve only been to the one in London and Berlin. As you’d expect from the chain, the décor is a mixture of chic and eccentricity. I stayed for cocktails — which were excellent, and also not overpowering with the alcohol content.
The restaurant serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner, so check the website to see which items take your fancy.
113 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
The extras
When exploring the area, don’t miss out on the vibrant street art.
The streets
Have you visited this area in Chicago? If so, you may want to see more of the city!
Like this post? Why not pin it!
I don’t know if and when I’ll visit Chicago but this is a great list of places. I’m always looking for not just great food but also amazing interiors and ambience and most of the places from your post look like they have everything I need. Will bookmark this post for reference whenever I plan a trip. Thanks for sharing !
You’re so welcome. It’s truly a cosmopolitan city, with lots to see, do and eat! And this area is really top.
Great information and pictures! Definitely will be a use to me if I ever visit Chicago because eating is actually a challenge for my family. We are all very picky and different eaters so we always have to research just to eat in new places!
Lol well I’m sure you’ll all find something in this area; there really seems to be every cuisine imaginable! I didn’t even photograph the entire West Randolph Street 🙂
Great list! Bookmarking for my next trip to Chicago! You write so well, I always look forward to reading your posts.
That’s great to hear, happy eating!
Wow, these places look amazing and the food even better. i like how creative they got with the name for Bad hunter. the interiors looks really inviting too. this is great selection for all foodies.
Yes, you have no idea how many choices there are, and how hard it was to choose just one!
This really makes me want to go to Chicago. I had no idea they had so many awesome food options! Your writing truly inspires me to travel more often. Keep up the good work!
That’s so great for me to read! I’m sure you’ll enjoy Chicago when you go.
I’ve never been to Chicago but I’m inspired by your post. Touring each of these restaurants daily woukd do just good for me to have a fulfilled visit in Chicago. From pizza to Chinese Noodles, what else can one demand for? And the street art is just too much for a bonus. I can imagine what it would feel like after feeding my stomach, then I’m out to feed my eyes with these beautiful artworks.
You’ve hit the nail on the head Lydia. There are so many great choices, and it’s really hard to choose just one. The street art is so much fun!
Thanks for an interesting post! I particularly liked the way Green Street Smoked Meats has been done! It looks so perfect and an ethereal experience to sit there, hang out with friends and sip a coffee!
You’re right, it’s also great to get some authentic Texan bbq too 😀
yummy is the word that came to my mind after reading your blog..slurpp.. thanks for sharing the best places to eat with us. will book mark this blog post . 🙂
That’s excellent to read! There’s so many good places to choose from, you won’t know where to start.
There are two restaurants you mentioned which I would definitely visit. Firstly is Au Cheval, I consider myself a burger-foodie so would probably visit here many times. The burgers you photographed look delicious! The other restaurant I like the look of is the Green Street Smoked Meats but I’d have to drag myself away from Au Cheval first! The cocktails at Soho House sound good too, a lime margarita for me please!
Au Cheval is an excellent choice, and honestly, I’m not the biggest burger fan, but this is my favourite ever in the world!!! It’s really that good.
Barbecue is best eaten on wooden decks says Green Street Smoked Meats. Haha. But I’d feel so light on that wooden decks in contrast to the seriousness that characterises ‘high end’ restaurants. I like the Parlor too. The name exactly is what I like(saying I love pizza might make you think me a lover of food???).
Hahaha, no worries Kathy, I’m a big lover of food too; sometimes too much! I didn’t get to try the pizza, but next time I return I definitely will.
This is a very useful post for me, Chicago is one of the first places I want to visit when I do my USA trip and this post will come in very handy indeed 😀 The smoked meat place has taken my fancy straight away, I can already tell I will be meat drunk there haha (This post has gone into my Chicago folder 😀 thank you )
You’re welcome! And yes, you’ll love this area, because it’s foodie heaven. I’m sure by the time you get there, there’ll be even more places to try.
I’ve been to Chicago, but I’ve never eaten at any of these places! The diner looks yummy; I want to try that sauce! And the fried chicken looks really good. Duck Duck Goat sounds like it would be a fun place to try. When I go back to Chicago, I’ll look some of these up. Now I’m hungry!
Lol I apologise! I was also hungry just remembering all the great places I’d visited in Chicago. Trust me, this area is foodie paradise 😀
Chicago has been on my must visit list for a while. I really don’t know much about the food scene here (other than Chicago style pizza and hot dogs) so thanks for sharing all these great finds. I love how much variety there is in this area of Chicago.
You’ll be so surprised when you see how much choice there is there. Bookmark this for when you eventually get there; it’s so worth it.
Duck Duck Goat sounds like an awesome place! We love eating Chinese food at home and when we travel. This sounds like a good twist on traditional Chinese cuisine!
Unfortunately I didn’t get to try it, but yes, it’s very popular there, and who doesn’t love Chinese food?!
Some great tips here, thanks for sharing! I am definitely saving this post for my upcoming trip to the States. How do you get about visiting all these restaurants? Do you tell them you are a blogger or you just reserve a table and then start snapping pics? 🙂
You’re welcome! With some of the places, I just enter and asked to take photos, and for the others, well I had the hard job of having to try some things for myself. Research purposes of course!
These are some awesome short-listings. Love the Bad Hunter as I like vegan food and also Duck Duck Goat – Love chinese food 🙂 Would love to try Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken their food looks tempting!! Like the decor of almost all of these restaurants.
They’re all great choices, and you won’t know which one to choose!
Haven’t been to the States till now, but my cousin sister is working in Chicago, so a visit is there on the cards. Being a foodie at heart, this post literally reignited my urge to visit Chicago at the earliest, if not for anything, but to check out the food Mecca.
Then you’ll love this place! Seriously, it’s a foodie paradise 🙂
We’re massive foodies and now we’re starving after reading your post and seeing your pictures. Like the sound of Duck Duck Goat – we like to try things that are a little different. Great selection!
Thanks Rosie, as you’re a foodie, you’ll love this area. There’s so much to see and eat, and yes Duck Duck Goat is supposed to be very good!
Hahaha! You’ll change nationality for that burger??? Thaaaaaaat good is it! Lolz…. Bad Hunter would be my place to head with all its veggie options… I like the ambience of Green Street Smoked Meats!
Yes Bhusha, it’s really that good a burger, and I’m not even a huge burger fan! That said, I would go back in a heartbeat.
I have visited Chicago but unfortunately I haven’t been to any of these places. I guess there are now several reasons to go back to Chicago. I especially like the mural art.
I would recommend re-visiting as a lot has changed in the city! The art is just one part 🙂
My sister lives in Chicago so I’m there visiting a lot and will definitely be using this! Green Street Smoked Meats looks delicious and I’ll be checking it out next time! I also love the street art photos that you included – it’s such a big part of Chicago and I’ve definitely noticed it when visiting!
That’s great to hear, and I’m slightly envious that your sister lives there! I would also recommend Au Cheval if you like burgers, it’s very good!
When we visited Chicago we lived off deep dish pizzas but it is great to see so many choices other than pizza! Will deffo check this out next time we visit!
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate you dropping by.
I was actually JUST looking at flights for Chicago! Found one for $65 round trip so I definitely might take the plunge! I’ve heard of a couple of these and not any of the rest so I will totally bookmark!
That’s so cheap!!! I wish it was the same price from London! Have an excellent time, you’ll love it 🙂
How fun! I honestly have a hard time seeing past the deep dish pizza aspect of Chicago’s cuisine. I would love to check out Duck Duck Goat, if only for their name! Of course the food will be amaze-balls and leave me stuffed to the brim. I think the patio at Green Street Smoked Meats is beautiful, and I imagine how wonderful it would be to sit out at night or as the sun was setting, those lights twinkling and the food comforting.
Yes Rachelle! Duck Duck Goat is really popular, and I didn’t get to try it, but the locals all tell me it’s great. Green Street Smoked Eats is good too!
I’ve yet to visit Chicago, but it’s one city that’s definitely on my must-go list! I love the sound of Duck Duck Goat, love that style of cuisine x
Unfortunately I didn’t get to try it! But when I return, I’ll let you know how it is 🙂
I’m from the Midwest and I love venturing to Chicago! It’s always so welcoming and I’m definitely down to enjoy a lot of Chicago food while I’m there. As you mentioned, the vibrant street art is always a plus. I venture to Chicago during the shoulder or offseason, so the weather isn’t always the best. Street art definitely helps brighten and improve my mood/state of mind!
Ah that’s great to read! I only visit every now and then, so it’s nice for me to read the comment from a mid-westerner! The street art is very cool, but more so when the sun’s shining!
Oh Chicago, I have heard many good things about the dining landscape of this city. I was definitely excited to see what you come up with here. I’ve seen Duck Duck Goat featured in one of my favorite travel shows, so I guess it’s a must when in Chi-town. Au Cheval is also calling my name – I’d love to try that!
Au Cheval is incredible, and that’s coming from someone who isn’t a burger fan! I didn’t get to try Duck Duck Goat; next time I will!
I have yet to visit Chicago and is certainly on my list. But I keep visiting the coastal cities and never quite make it to Chicago. Green Street Smoked meats looks like my kind of place! The American smoke meats the best so I reckon I’d enjoy it. Bot sure about burger joints…. they are just everywhere!
Trust me, Au Cheval is exceptionally good; and I’m not even a big burger fan!
There are so many places to choose from. I am sure I could even find something to make all
of my very picky kids happy. I’ll keep this post in mind for the next time I visit Chicago.
Perfect! I’m sure the kids will have a lot of choice to choose from 🙂
Omg I’ll deff have to try these places when I visit ?
Great to know! Hope you enjoy it.
Chicago’s got such an awesome food scene. I haven’t been to this area yet but I really want to check it out now. Have you been to the Taste of Chicago festival? I’ve always wanted to go!
I went many many years ago, and it was fun! Go hungry though, there’s a lot to try 😀
I am so bookmarking this! I go to Chicago on business every so often, and I love finding new places in the city.
Perfect! Visit on an empty stomach, there’s a lot to eat 😀
What a great roundup of locations to visit! I will definitely bookmark for my next trip to Chicago.
Perfect! Let me know which one you like best 🙂
Thanks for this– My family and I are heading to Chicago for a weekend trip and this is going to come in handy as we didn’t have a clue as to what we were going to do or where to go.
Aww enjoy it! It’s an amazing city with a great food culture 🙂
Chicago is giving me New York feels all over again! I went there with hubby about two years ago and LOVED IT. Definitely bookmarking this post for when we visit Chi-Town. Thank you!
Perfect, so happy to read that! Let me know which one you try 😀
This is great! I’ll be in Chicago soon so I need to go to some of these 🙂
Wonderful, I hope you enjoy!
Great guide! I often have issues with finding a proper place to eat, too many options one day and nothing like on the other. Your guide makes everything more simple to me
I’m happy to read that! I’m sure you’ll find something you like x
Duck duck goats is really great. I have been to Chicago and I agree that these points are awesome and lovely. And exactly to the point.
Thank you! I actually missed it on my last trip, but will try it on my next return 🙂
i’ve never been to Chicago myself. but if I go, i’ll have to look these places up!
Perfect, hope you enjoy it!
I’ve never been to Chicago, but the restaurant Duck Duck Goat stuck out to me. I am laughing, but now I want to travel to Chicago just for the fact of the name. My husband loves Chinese food, it’s his favorite.
Then you definitely have to go! I’ve heard it’s very good 😀
I wish I would have seen this before I traveled to Chicago last week. I will keep in mind for the next time!
Aw shame! Definitely keep it in mind if you return!
That is some good looking food! Chicago has some really tasty places.
Agreed, and some of the best are in this district!
You have so many good options. I was in Chicago over Labor Day & we had some issues finding food that my sister could eat (she’s gluten-, dairy-, & soy-free). We eventually ended up finding several good places for her.
Thank you! It can’t be easy for your sister, but I’m hoping there’s something in the list that will suit her
Currently planning a trip to Chicago, I pinned this for later. I’m a foodie by heart so this is awesome!
Wonderful to read! Would love to know if you try any of these places!
Loving this little guide of places to eat. You can not beat good food at great restaurant.
Agreed! It’s a great area to explore in Chicago
A nice roundup of eateries of Randolph Street. I have never been to Chicago, but when I go , I know where to eat 🙂 🙂
Perfect! It’s a fun city with many great places to eat.
I still haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Chicago, but when I do, you can bet your bottom dollar that Duck Duck Goat will be on my list of must go places!!
Great, I didn’t get to visit when there, so let me know how you get on!