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The Piggery
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
The Piggery
7.8
A sports-themed Lakeview bar-and-grill that leans heavy on pork, with ribs and pulled-pork plates as the most reliable BBQ-adjacent plays. Not a pitmaster destination, but it can be a high-leverage move for casual hangs when you keep the order focused on ribs and one pork-driven starter. Note: the restaurant has announced it will close on January 18, 2026.
Must-Try Dishes:
Full rack ribs, Pulled pork sandwich, Pulled pork nachos
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A pork-forward neighborhood spot with ribs as the main draw.
Who should go: Casual groups craving ribs and TVs
When to visit: Early evening before peak sports crowds
What to order: Full rack ribs, pulled pork sandwich, pulled pork nachos
Insider tip: Stick to ribs + one pork starter—skip menu sprawl.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots nearby but fill up quickly during games and evenings.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, hoodies, and team gear are common.
Noise level: Loud during games and peak hours; conversation requires raised voices.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during sports events; shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few sides and basic non-meat items, but not a focus.
Vegan options: Very limited — best suited for meat eaters.
Gluten-free options: Some gluten-free-friendly meats and sides, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for an intimate first date — it’s loud, casual, and TV-driven, better for relaxed hangs than focused conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays or before major games; arrive early on weekends for the best chance.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common earlier in the day, with straightforward comfort food and a casual atmosphere.
Best For
Better for: Casual ribs-and-beer nights with sports on, especially when you want outdoor or rooftop seating.
Skip if: You’re looking for serious BBQ technique, quiet dining, or strong vegetarian/vegan options.
The Piggery
7.8
A Lakeview sports-bar-and-rooftop that can hit a satisfying ribs-and-fries groove when you order in its pork lane and keep expectations calibrated to the bar setting. The best move is a slab of ribs (or a pulled pork sandwich) plus one side—go broader than that and the experience starts to feel like mixed-results bar food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ribs (Full Slab), Ribs (Half Slab), Pulled Pork Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Ribs-and-rooftop energy with a sports-bar rhythm.
Who should go: Game-day groups chasing a ribs plate
When to visit: Monday rib special or off-peak dinners
What to order: Full slab ribs, half slab ribs, pulled pork sandwich
Insider tip: Order ribs as the anchor and keep the rest minimal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; manageable during daytime but tight after 6pm, especially on game nights.
Dress code: Casual sports-bar attire—jeans, sneakers, team gear all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud during games; moderate on off-peak nights, but not a quiet conversation spot.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes on Fridays/Saturdays, longer if there’s a big game or good weather for the rooftop.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—mostly sides like fries or salads; not a destination for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Very limited; best to eat beforehand or stick to simple sides.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free items like ribs without sauce and certain sides, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure hang than a traditional first date—great if you both like sports and ribs, less ideal if you want a quiet, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays or earlier in the evening, but expect waits during peak game times or warm-weather rooftop hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and early evenings; it’s a sports-bar environment, so later hours can get loud and rowdy.
Best For
Better for: Game-day energy, rooftop hangs, and straightforward ribs-and-sides plates in a lively bar setting.
Skip if: You want refined BBQ, a quiet meal, or a menu that caters well to dietary restrictions.
The Piggery
8.0
A neighborhood BBQ-and-comfort-food spot with a true rooftop setup that works best as a relaxed, order-and-share hang. Go ribs-first, add one classic sandwich or plate, and let the rooftop do the heavy lifting on the vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby back ribs, Pulled pork nachos, Cuban sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: BBQ comfort food with a rooftop that’s built for lingering.
Who should go: Groups who want ribs and a rooftop
When to visit: Warm evenings or weekend brunch hours
What to order: Ribs, pulled pork nachos, a sandwich pick
Insider tip: Order one rib plate for the table, then fill gaps with one shareable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding Lakeview residential blocks; can be competitive on warm evenings and weekends. No valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans, tees, and casual dresses all fit the rooftop BBQ vibe.
Noise level: Moderate — lively rooftop energy, but still workable for group conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for rooftop seating on warm nights without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few sides and non-meat options, but not a vegetarian-focused menu.
Vegan options: Very limited — best for drinks and sides rather than a full meal.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free BBQ plates and sides available; cross-contact possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first date than a romantic one — the rooftop and shareable BBQ make it easygoing, but it’s more hangout than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays or earlier in the evening. Rooftop seats fill fast on warm weekends, so expect a wait or arrive early.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and earlier hours — casual menu and outdoor space work for families, though evenings skew more adult and social.
Best For
Better for: Relaxed rooftop hangs with comfort food and group-friendly ordering rather than polished dining.
Skip if: You want a refined BBQ experience, a quiet date-night setting, or strong vegetarian/vegan options.
The Piggery
8.1
A sports-friendly BBQ-and-comfort-food spot where the patio makes it easy to turn ribs and a sandwich into an unhurried hang. Keep the order simple, lean into one smoked-meat centerpiece, and fill the gaps with a few bar-friendly sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Ribs, Fried Chicken, Pulled Pork Burger
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A real patio setup paired with ribs-and-comfort-food reliability.
Who should go: Groups chasing BBQ and patio time
When to visit: Warm evenings or weekend afternoons
What to order: BBQ ribs, fried chicken, pulled pork burger
Insider tip: Order one big smoked main, then share sides to avoid overload.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; metered spots nearby with moderate availability, tougher during Cubs games or peak evenings.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed — jeans, sneakers, and game-day attire all fit in comfortably.
Noise level: Moderate to loud, especially during games or busy patio hours; conversation is easy outdoors, harder inside when packed.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak patio season, shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few sides, salads, and non-meat comfort options, but not a full vegetarian lineup.
Vegan options: Very limited — mostly sides; best for mixed groups rather than vegan-focused meals.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free meats and sides available, but cross-contact is likely in a BBQ kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure dates than romantic ones — the patio and comfort food make it easygoing, but it’s more fun than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, especially for the patio, but expect a short wait on warm weekends or game days.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime and early evenings — familiar comfort food and a relaxed vibe work well for families, though it skews more adult later at night.
Best For
Better for: Patio-first BBQ hangs, sports-friendly group meals, and relaxed afternoons where food supports the hang rather than drives it.
Skip if: You want a refined BBQ destination, quiet conversation, or a vegetarian-forward menu — this is about atmosphere and comfort over precision.
The Piggery
8.1
A Lakeview sports-bar-and-rooftop hybrid that works best as a relaxed, order-and-share meal with your dog at an outdoor table. Go one smoked-meat or sandwich centerpiece, add a bar-friendly shareable, and let the rooftop carry the vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cuban sandwich, Ribs, Pulled pork nachos
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A true rooftop setup with dog-friendly outdoor tables for long hangs.
Who should go: Groups who want rooftop time with bar food
When to visit: Warm evenings or weekend daytime hours
What to order: Cuban sandwich, ribs, pulled pork nachos
Insider tip: Order one big main for the table, then fill gaps with one shareable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on surrounding Lakeview streets; availability drops significantly during Cubs games and weekend evenings.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, sneakers, and patio-ready layers fit right in.
Noise level: Lively to loud during games and peak hours; quieter and more conversational on non-game afternoons.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes for rooftop seating on warm nights; faster if you’re flexible on tables.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—fries, some sides, and a couple of non-meat shareables.
Vegan options: Very limited—mostly snack-style sides with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Some options available but no dedicated gluten-free prep; best to ask before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual dates than intimate ones—great if you want a relaxed, outdoorsy hang, less ideal if you need quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially during the day or on non-game days—arrive early on warm nights to improve your odds.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes—kids are welcome with space to spread out, but evenings skew adult and sports-focused.
Best For
Better for: Rooftop hangs where dogs are part of the plan, with sports energy and easygoing shareable food.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, strong vegetarian options, or a polished, food-first dining experience.