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Chicago Pickle Eatery
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Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Chicago Pickle Eatery
7.8
A casual Uptown deli-style counter where the burger is a surprisingly strong play alongside fried sides and big sandwich energy. It’s at its best as a no-frills takeout order: one burger, one crunchy side, and you’re done.
Must-Try Dishes:
Deluxe cheeseburger, Jalapeño poppers, Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: A deli-counter sleeper where the burger-and-fried-sides combo holds up.
Who should go: Budget-minded locals who want simple comfort
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for easy pickup
What to order: Deluxe cheeseburger, jalapeño poppers, fries
Insider tip: Go burger-first and pick one fried side—don’t scatter across the whole menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby Uptown side streets; generally manageable on weekdays, tighter during evening hours.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and takeout clothes are standard.
Noise level: Low to moderate — mostly counter activity and pickup traffic.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak dinner rush
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — veggie-friendly sandwiches and sides, but burger-focused menu.
Vegan options: Very limited — fries and a few sides depending on preparation.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some items without buns, but no dedicated gluten-free prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s better as a casual takeout or quick bite than a sit-down, linger-and-talk spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter service with limited seating, and reservations aren’t part of the model.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids — simple burgers, fries, and quick service work well, but there’s no kid-focused setup.
Best For
Better for: Cheap, fast burgers and fried sides when you want a low-commitment comfort meal.
Skip if: You want a full-service burger experience, creative builds, or a sit-down atmosphere.
Chicago Pickle Eatery
7.9
A deli-style counter where wings are built for volume orders—breaded, sauced, and easy to scale for groups or game-day pickup. The best experience is to pick one wing flavor, grab one wrap or fries for contrast, and treat everything else as optional add-ons.
Must-Try Dishes:
Famous breaded wings with Sassy Sauce, Flaming chargrilled wings, Buffalo chicken wrap
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: Big-format wing orders with a breaded, sauce-ready style.
Who should go: Pickup crews and game-day orders
When to visit: Early evening for easy pickup
What to order: Breaded wings, chargrilled wing upgrade, buffalo chicken wrap
Insider tip: Choose one sauce and commit—mixing flavors can muddy the crunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking; availability varies and can be tight in the evening. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, hoodies, and game-day wear are all common.
Noise level: Low to moderate — counter-service atmosphere with pickup traffic rather than sustained dining noise.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for food during peak pickup windows; longer for large wing orders.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — fries and a few non-meat sides, but wings and wraps dominate the menu.
Vegan options: Very limited — fries only; not a vegan-focused stop.
Gluten-free options: Limited — wings are breaded, and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s built for quick pickup and casual eating rather than lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with minimal seating, so reservations aren’t part of the model.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for takeout — simple flavors and big portions work well for families, though seating is limited.
Best For
Better for: Large wing orders, value-driven portions, and fast game-day or group pickup.
Skip if: You want sauced-to-order specialty wings, a sit-down bar vibe, or strong dietary accommodations.
Chicago Pickle Eatery
8.0
A sandwich-first Uptown shop with a bodega-like lineup and a build-it-big attitude—hot off the grill, stacked high, and designed to satisfy in one order. It’s strongest when you pick one signature sandwich and ride it all the way through instead of scattering the table with sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicago Pickle sandwich, Chopped cheese, Bacon crispy chicken sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Big, grill-forward sandwiches with a broad menu and bodega-style options wall.
Who should go: Hungry lunchers and sandwich maximalists
When to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon for no line
What to order: Chicago Pickle sandwich, chopped cheese, bacon crispy chicken sandwich
Insider tip: Go “whole” size if sharing—these sandwiches run large.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only on surrounding Uptown blocks; availability varies and can be tight during peak meal hours. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Low to moderate—mostly order-at-counter chatter with no amplified music.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak dinner windows; faster outside rush
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or very short line
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian-friendly sandwiches and build-your-own flexibility, though meat dominates the menu.
Vegan options: Limited—possible with customization, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some fillings may work, but bread alternatives and cross-contamination controls are not a primary feature.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than a classic first date—the focus is on big sandwiches and quick turnover rather than lingering ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is primarily counter service with open seating, so reservations aren’t part of the experience.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle large portions and bold flavors; there’s no dedicated kids menu, but sandwiches are shareable.
Best For
Better for: Big, grill-driven sandwiches with lots of filling options and one-order satisfaction.
Skip if: You want a quieter sit-down meal, lighter portions, or a more polished dining-room experience.
Hours
Monday9am - 10pm
Tuesday9am - 10pm
Wednesday9am - 10pm
Thursday9am - 10pm
Friday9am - 11pm
Saturday9am - 11pm
Sunday9am - 10pm