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Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails
Master Critic Review
Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails
8.0
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Kindling is a two-story, live-fire steakhouse in Willis Tower where chef Jonathon Sawyer runs steaks, seafood and shareable plates across a massive wood-fired grill. Office workers use it for business lunches, post-work cocktails and group dinners when they want something livelier and more flexible than a dark, formal steakhouse. Opened in 2023, it reads as the neighborhood’s newer, less buttoned-up option for flame-kissed steak frites and cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
10oz Steak Frites, World Famous Confit Chicken Wings, Wood Fired Seafood Salad
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: A newer live-fire steakhouse in Willis Tower where a huge wood grill, two-level layout and a cocktail-heavy menu make steak feel more like a downtown cookout than a hushed chophouse.
Who should go: Groups and coworkers wanting lively grills, cocktails, and shareables.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or happy hour when the grill is roaring.
What to order: 10oz Steak Frites, World Famous Confit Chicken Wings, Wood Fired Seafood Salad.
Insider tip: Ask for an upstairs table near the rail for the best view of the open grill and hold your reservation for terrace seating once the patio is open in warmer months.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily paid garage parking inside Willis Tower and nearby garages; street parking is limited and inconsistent in the Loop, especially evenings and weekdays.
Dress code: Smart casual — office attire and polished denim are common; not formal steakhouse dressy.
Noise level: Lively and energetic, especially near the grill and bar — conversation is possible but not quiet-room calm.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours; bar seating may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait, though prime business lunch windows can fill quickly with office groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options — salads, sides, and a few wood-fired dishes can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — menu is grill- and protein-forward, but staff can often adjust select dishes.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-lean plates and modifications are available; confirm with your server due to shared grill surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a fun, lively setting with cocktails and open-grill energy rather than a quiet, romantic steakhouse — it feels social and upbeat.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — walk-ins are frequently seated at the bar, lounge, or upstairs during non-peak periods, but reservations are strongly recommended for peak dinner or large groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Occasionally — older kids and teens do fine during earlier seatings, but the vibe skews adult and social at night, with limited kid-specific menu items.
Best For
Better for: A livelier, more casual-feeling steak experience with shareables, cocktails, and open-grill theater — great for coworkers, groups, and happy hour.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional white-tablecloth steakhouse, a long wine-bottle list–driven experience, or extensive vegan/strictly gluten-free options.