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Toons Bar & Grill
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Toons Bar & Grill
8.3
A Southport corridor standby with jumbo wings that eat like a main, not a snack—ideal when you want real wing volume with bar energy. Order one or two flavors, add one basket side, and stop before the menu turns into a buffet.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jumbo Wings, Buffalo Wings, Garlic Parmesan Wings
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Jumbo wings with real heft and strong sauce coverage.
Who should go: Wing loyalists and game-day groups
When to visit: Early dinner before peak crowds
What to order: Jumbo wings, buffalo, garlic parmesan
Insider tip: Pick two flavors max for best pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Southport Ave; manageable early but tight after 6pm and on game nights
Dress code: Casual sports-bar attire; jeans, sneakers, and team gear all fit
Noise level: Moderate to loud during games; conversations are easy between plays but TVs dominate when busy
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak sports windows; shorter if you arrive early
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited – salads and bar sides, but wings are the clear focus
Vegan options: Very limited – sides only; not a destination for vegan diners
Gluten-free options: Some options like naked wings and select sides, but cross-contact is possible
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure hang than a romantic first date—great if you both like wings and sports.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are standard. Arrive before peak game times for the best shot at a table.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day it works for kids who like wings, but evenings skew adult and sports-focused.
Best For
Better for: Big, filling wings with real heft and a classic neighborhood sports-bar feel
Skip if: You want inventive sauces, a quiet meal, or strong vegetarian-friendly options
Toons Bar & Grill
8.0
A long-running Southport Corridor neighborhood bar where fries work best as a basket play alongside the kitchen’s comfort-food staples. Come hungry but stay focused—one main plus fries keeps timing and quality tighter than a full-table scattershot order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hand Cut Fries, Buffalo Chicken Strips, Pulled Pork Quesadilla
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Neighborhood bar energy with a real fries-and-baskets lane.
Who should go: Groups who want fries with bar classics.
When to visit: Weeknights before the late rush.
What to order: Hand cut fries, one basket item, one sandwich.
Insider tip: Order one fries basket for the table—then stop.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots along Southport get tight after 6pm. Public transit or rideshare is usually easier during peak hours.
Dress code: Casual bar wear—jeans, sneakers, and team gear all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during games; conversation-friendly early, tougher once the crowd builds.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak sports windows
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—fries and several bar sides work, plus a few meat-free mains.
Vegan options: Limited—fries may work, but options are sparse beyond that.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free items, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure hang than a romantic first impression—sports energy and TVs set the tone.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights or before games start; arrive early if you want a booth during busy hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes—families are common. Evenings skew adult once games and drinks take over.
Best For
Better for: Group hangs where fries are a shared basket alongside classic bar food and beers.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, a focused fries-only destination, or strong dietary accommodations.
Toons Bar & Grill
8.2
A Southport neighborhood bar that earns its late-night burger slot by keeping things hearty, familiar, and unfussy. It’s best when you treat it like a bar-food mission: one burger per person, one fry situation for the table, and you’re done.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black Angus Burger, Turkey Burger, Curly Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Neighborhood bar comfort with reliable burgers until 2 a.m.
Who should go: Locals who want an easy late burger
When to visit: Weeknights or post-bar weekends
What to order: Burger, turkey burger, fries
Insider tip: Order burgers first, then add extras—kitchen pacing stays cleaner late.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Southport and nearby side streets; can be tight late evenings but usually manageable with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual bar attire — jeans, sneakers, and hoodies all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud late — conversation is easy early, raised voices after 10pm.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes after 9pm, shorter earlier in the evening
Weekday lunch: No wait typically
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie and turkey burger options available.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with modifications but not a focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited — bun substitutions may be available, cross-contact likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-pressure, casual first date than a romantic one — think relaxed conversation over burgers, not candlelight.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are the norm, especially earlier in the night. Late weekends may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the evening, yes. After 8–9pm it shifts firmly into adult bar territory.
Best For
Better for: Late-night neighborhood burgers with a comfortable, no-frills bar vibe.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, upscale burger presentation, or strong vegan/gluten-free options.
Toons Bar & Grill
7.6
A sports-bar-with-food spot away from the most intense Clark Street crush, where happy hour works best as wings-plus-one-side. It’s a practical pick when you want TVs and a real kitchen without turning it into a full sit-down night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jumbo Wings, Beer-Battered Onion Rings Basket, Hand-Cut Fries Basket
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.3
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Wings-and-TV happy hour that stays straightforward and affordable.
Who should go: Sports fans who want wings without downtown pricing
When to visit: Weekday happy hour for the cleanest seating
What to order: Jumbo wings; onion rings; hand-cut fries
Insider tip: Split two wing flavors max—keeps timing and crispness better.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on Southport and side streets; generally manageable on weekdays, tighter during Cubs games and weekend evenings.
Dress code: Very casual—jeans, sneakers, team gear all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during games; quieter early in happy hour before peak sports traffic.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during games; shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—fries, onion rings, salads; not a veggie-focused kitchen.
Vegan options: Very limited—basic sides only; better as a drinks stop than a meal.
Gluten-free options: Some options like grilled items and salads, but no dedicated gluten-free prep—cross-contamination possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a romantic first date, but fine for a casual, low-pressure meetup if you both like sports.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm. Aim for earlier happy hour to secure seating without a wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes—kids are fine with food options and TVs. Evenings skew adult and sports-focused.
Best For
Better for: Affordable wings, lots of TVs, and a relaxed neighborhood sports-bar vibe without Clark Street chaos.
Skip if: You want craft cocktails, a quiet conversation space, or a destination dining experience.
Toons Bar & Grill
7.7
A neighborhood sports bar where wings are the practical happy-hour move—simple, quick, and built for beer-and-TV nights. It’s at its best when you keep the order tight: wings plus one crunchy side and you’re done.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jumbo wings, Onion rings, Hand-cut fries
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.1
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Wings-and-TV happy hour that stays straightforward and affordable.
Who should go: Sports fans who want wings cheap
When to visit: Weekday happy hour for clean timing
What to order: Jumbo wings; onion rings; hand-cut fries
Insider tip: Split two wing flavors max—crispness holds better.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Southport Ave; usually manageable before 6pm but tighter during evening rush and game nights.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, sneakers, team gear all fit in easily.
Noise level: Lively and TV-forward—conversation is possible but expect background crowd and game noise.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak game windows; shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—sides like fries, onion rings, and a few bar snacks.
Vegan options: Very limited—mostly fries or simple sides.
Gluten-free options: Limited—wings may work for some, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional first date—it's loud and TV-focused, better for casual hangouts than conversation-driven plans.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm, especially during weekday happy hour. Arrive earlier if a game is on.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day it can work for families, but evenings skew adult and sports-bar focused.
Best For
Better for: Cheap wings, quick service, and an easy sports-watching setup without fuss.
Skip if: You want polished cocktails, dietary-friendly menus, or a quieter, more conversation-focused environment.