Whether you’re new on the grill, still social distancing or want to look like a pro, the pros at Chicago-area restaurants have you covered for Memorial Day celebrations. Though Illinois is still under a stay-at-home order, ready-to-grill meats and packaged barbecue meals can be picked up curbside or delivered through a meal service. All you have to do is grill!
The Goddess and Grocer
Where: Locations in Bucktown, Wicker Park and Gold Coast
Cost: $150, feeds four
Order: Online by noon May 21
The Goddess Grill Box features a variety of bartender batched cocktails, appetizers, sides, ready-to-grill entrees and extras. Choose one cocktail (vodka lemonade, rum punch or bourbon smash), one appetizer (spinach and artichoke dip with housemade potato chips or devilled egg spread with toast), three sides (broccoli and napa cabbage slaw, chili lime grilled corn on the cob, Greek salad, Goddess potato salad, Goddess kale salad or Garden Goddess Salad), two uncooked mains ready for the grill (jerked chicken thighs with pineapple salsa, skirt steak with blistered tomatoes, Korean-style flank steak, teriyaki salmon with sweet chili glaze or balsamic portobello stack with corn polenta) and one dessert (red, white and blue cupcakes or flag sugar cookies). Extra options include a 10-inch flag cake, flower bouquet and extra cookies or cupcakes.
Bodega Biscay
Where: 1450 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
Cost: $95 includes four meats
Order: Online noon-8:30 p.m. daily for pickup and delivery
The new BBQ Kit includes marinated 1/2 chicken, hanger steak, two beef burger patties, two veggie skewers, mashed potatoes and jalapeno poppers, along with a bag of lump charcoal and a stick lighter.
BLVD
Where: 817 W. Lake St., Chicago
Cost: Contact restaurant
Order: Online for pickup or delivery through DoorDash
Chef Johnny Besch is offering special butcher kits for the weekend including: raw steaks and asparagus for the grill, creamed potatoes to reheat with dinner, a special finishing salt blend and tips from Besch to impress the family and friends.
Allgauer’s
Where: 2855 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
Cost: $18.75-$25 per person
Order: Call 847-664-7999 while supplies last
Choose from one of four DIY grilling kids that come with a protein and sides. Options include ginger hoisin salmon with asparagus, Yukon potato skewers and green beans; pork tenderloin with grilled watermelon and avocado salad and grilled honey crisp apples, baby carrots and couscous; a 6-ounce filet mignon with steakhouse wedge salad and au gratin potatoes; or spicy shrimp and chicken with salad, garlic potato salad and grilled asparagus.
El Che Meat & Provisions
Where: 845 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago
Cost: $55 for two, $105 for four
Order: Online via Toast
The Parrillada kit from chef and owner John Manion includes raw cuts and grilling instructions for the NY strip, chorizo, morcilla, tira de asado, sweetbreads and marrow bone, as well as chimichurri, chimichurri rojo, salsa criolla and smoked salt.
Smoke Daddy Wrigleyville
Where: 3636 N. Clark St., Chicago
Cost: $25 per person
Order: Preorder online by noon May 24 for pickup May 24-25.
Each Smoke Daddy BBQ box includes 1/2 rack of ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork, mac & cheese, beans, coleslaw and a tall boy. Also available is Smoke Daddy’s selection of beer, whiskey, cocktails and more.
Smyth + The Loyalist
Where: 177 N. Ada St., Chicago
Cost: $68 for brunch for two, $18 per person dinner
Order: Online (pickup orders only)
Brunch from Smyth includes pancake mix, crostata, asparagus, a hazelnut and honey financier and Sparrow coffee. The Loyalist’s Dirty Burg meal consists of a burger with a “Hoeck of a pickle,” American cheese and onion-infused mayo on a sesame seed bun, a bag of kettle chips and a brown butter chocolate chip cookie.
Urbanbelly
Where: 1542 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Cost: $3.50-$11
Order: Online via Caviar, DoorDash or Ritual for pickup or delivery
Chef Bill Kim has called on Chicago pastry chef Dana Cree to make Pretty Cool Ice Cream, a take-out style ice cream bar. The bars are available in Dreamsicle, Hibiscus and Rainbow Chip, or a flight of all three.
Orso’s
Where: 1401 N. Wells St., Chicago
Cost: $85 for four, $18 additional person
Order: Call 312-787-6604 by May 21
Orso’s has created a four-course Memorial Day meal for pickup. Choose two starters (caprese salad, fried calamari, sausage & peppers, grilled portobello, grilled vegetables, mixed greens salad, Caesar salad), choose one from the second course (rigatoni paisano, penne alla vodka, jalapeno gnocchi, tortelacci al prosciutto), choose one from the third course (Orso’s short ribs, salmon vesuvio, chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana) and pick a dessert (tiramisu or cannoli).
Sophia Steak
Where: 1146 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
Cost: $24-$72
Order: Online via Caviar
Try one of four varieties of ready-to-grill steaks, served with the signature Sophia steak sauce. The 8-ounce Aurora Black Angus Filet, 10-ounce Flat Iron, 14 ounce Prime NY Strip or 32-ounce 28-day dry-aged Bone-In Prime Porterhouse will be prepped for you to put on the grill.
Prairie Grass Cafe
Where: 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook
Cost: $37.60-$60 per kit
Order: 847-205-4433 at least 24 hours in advance
Pick from one of five kits, including ready-to-grill options with sides and dessert or brunch. Options include Italian sausage ($39), lamb sausage ($45), salmon meal ($58), skirt steak meal ($60) or french toast breakfast meal kit ($37.50). Check the restaurant’s website for half-price wine recommendations for each meal and add-ons.
Geja’s Café
Where: 340 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago
Cost: $45 per package
Order: 773-281-9101 with 24 hours notice
Geja’s For the Grill Package includes eight shish-kabobs with choice of beef, chicken, shrimp, or vegetable; along with choice of three dipping sauces.
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