West Loop
The Neighborhood Where Industrial Bones Meet High-Stakes Dining
19th-century warehouses and a modern luxury skyline collide in Chicago's most concentrated culinary destination.
West Loop took its meatpacking history and built a corporate, high-rise engine on top of it without losing the industrial texture underneath. James Beard chefs and major hospitality groups gravitate here specifically for the massive brick shells, repurposed into dining rooms built for theater. Polished industrial, professional, and unmistakably ambitious.
How The Ratings Work
The Promise
PERILLA Korean Fare
401 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
West Loop
$$$
Korean
Korean
Large Group
Good Patio
Solid
PERILLA Korean Fare
-87.6444491
41.8895832
401 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
Modern Korean BBQ in the West Loop from Chef Andrew Lim and Thomas Oh, named for a plant that grows anywhere as a nod to their parents' immigrant journey. The room is anchored by a photorealistic mural of Michelle Obama in hanbok by South Korean street artist Royyal Dog. Tasting menu is the move. Servers handle the grill so you don't have to, though you can. The kimchi fried rice and soondubu are not optional. Bib Gourmand, deservedly.
312.243.3344
Visit Website
$$$
Solid
Modern Korean BBQ in the West Loop from Chef Andrew Lim and Thomas Oh, named for a plant that grows anywhere as a nod to their parents' immigrant journey. The room is anchored by a photorealistic mural of Michelle Obama in hanbok by South Korean street artist Royyal Dog. Tasting menu is the move. Servers handle the grill so you don't have to, though you can. The kimchi fried rice and soondubu are not optional. Bib Gourmand, deservedly.
El Che Steakhouse & Bar
845 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
West Loop
$$$
Argentinian
Steakhouse
Argentinian
Steakhouse
Non-alcoholic Friendly
Impress Out-of-towners
Solid
El Che Steakhouse & Bar
-87.6490419
41.8830758
845 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
West Loop Argentine steakhouse built around a 12-foot wood-fired parrilla that burns all night. The room is excellent — real candles, open kitchen, sculptural wax formations that build up across the restaurant over the course of service. The prawns and Italian beef empanadas are the moves. Steaks are very good, not transcendent. Order the sundae without apologizing for it. Strong non-alcoholic options if you need them.
312.265.1130
Visit Website
$$$
Solid
West Loop Argentine steakhouse built around a 12-foot wood-fired parrilla that burns all night. The room is excellent — real candles, open kitchen, sculptural wax formations that build up across the restaurant over the course of service. The prawns and Italian beef empanadas are the moves. Steaks are very good, not transcendent. Order the sundae without apologizing for it. Strong non-alcoholic options if you need them.
