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    Desert Hawk

    4.6 (49 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Desert Hawk Photos

    DESERT HAWK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Desert Hawk

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    Smashburger
    David M.

    Desert hawk is a great dive bar with a great relaxing vibe to the place. They serve your favorite cocktails with happy hour special's everyday. A great little patio for you to enjoy on a nice day warm day in Chicago. You can also get great smash burgers inside. A pop up vendor by the name of shortys is serving up burgers and wings. You can find this place active on any given night as they have karaoke and pool tables inside as well.

    Sherwin C.

    Nice cozy bar to to enjoy some unique Filipino-Mexico cuisine (as of the time of this writing, though the resident kitchen is subject to change), with a strong California Desert decor and friendly service. For me this has more of a casual feel due to the seating arrangement (tables all on the walls, but easy to access bar and pool for the remainder of the space). The menu covers quite a bit of tequila and mezcal options within the cocktails and margaritas, and a good number of beers available as well. Pricing is fair and in-line with what you'd expect in this area of the city.

    Smoke Signal
    Joneice B.

    Finally made it to Desert Hawk to try their collaboration for Jibarito Smash Burger. The bar is located in the heart of wicker park bar scene on Division Street. We came after hitting happy hour nearby. On this occasion the whole table got plantain smashed burgers. I got the Ogilla x 2 patties which came with Sweet aioli, House pickles caramelized onions, American cheese. We also got the house chips. My father-in-law got the loaded chips which were a special treat. We enjoyed our burgers. The plantain buns were soft but sturdy. The beef was hearty and flavored well. The bar scene is nice with plenty of booths and tables. Bathroom were decent. Hands down I would recommend checking out this establishment.

    Gissell P.

    I came to Desert Hawk for their Desert Hawk x Smash Jibarito collab, and loved it so much! The ambiance was a chill speakeasy type of vibe which I love! The drinks were also delicious and refreshing and the jibarito to die for! Perfect for date night or girls night out!

    Megan F.

    Came here after a long session tufting a rug at Pop Craft, and we were both pretty hungry. Service took quite a while -- it seems you have to order at the bar, and a few groups who arrived after us got their foods first. The food was okay. We got the Ogilla 2 patty burger and the Estilo Animal Jibarito Burger, and Handcut Chips. The Jibarito Burger was good but not very filling if you're only getting one. On the plus side, they have set of trivia cards in the booths, which is a fun touch

    Walking into the bar
    Candy N.

    Who doesn't love and Agave bar?! Add in craft cocktails, tacos, pool and an outdoor street vibe. This bar is located in a great area for foot traffic and the drinks match the vibe. Lots of different tequilas and Mezcals to choose from. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures of the drinks. We were having a good time talking to the bartender and playing dice. But he made us the Island Time which was a fantastic coconut and tequila beverage. We ended the visit with shots of Fernet. I'll definitely be back.

    Ali M.

    This bar is great and super low key. Everyone was really friendly and it wasn't super crowded. They have a pool table which is also really fun. The restaurant currently in the space is SO good. Honestly some of the best burgers I've had in Chicago. Definitely recommend it animal style.

    Marlene S.

    Very mid experience. We star at the bar and started off with some beer which states a bit stale/flat. We ordered the jibaritos, they were out of fries so we got the fried plantains. As a Dominican, I know a good plantain and this was not it. The plantains were a bit soggy and not crunchy at all. I was expecting more based on the reviews.

    Burger with bacon
    Paige K.

    Good new spot! Cute vibes and they have trivia cards at the table which was fun. Saw their tacos on Instagram and had to try and let me say... my fav so far for street tacos in wicker park and possibly in the city. That crispy cheese is the move. The shrimp specifically was amazing 5/5. Steak was also good but needed the hot sauce (homemade and tasty!). They seem pricey but they are stacked with meat so I would prefer that over smaller tacos with less meat personally. We also got the burger. It was good but I would opt for just the tacos next time. Decent but nothing to write home about. I liked the fries though, nice and crispy. Service was friendly but you do have to order and check out at the bar. We were able to order quickly but by the time we left, there were several people waiting for drinks and we had to wait in line with bartender just to cash out. I would suggest the QR/phone checkout option if they don't add servers. But would still come again for tacos and to try drinks next time!

    Brian W.

    Just found out about this place through friends and I heard it's been here almost a year? No sign out front except BAR. Which I love! That's a pretty badass neon sign. Good bar on Division in the neighborhood! Love the local vibes and all the exposed brick inside. Clean place. Nice Xmas tree! Good music and just so happened to be there on karaoke night (Wednesdays) that was super fun too! Now for the best part... Smash Jibarito is doing their smash burgers and food here and I had one with a side of plantains. We all loved them it was epic! Met the guy and he was really nice. I feel like I've had these smash burgers before on one of our motorcycle rides. I think they do pop-ups. However, this is their home spot now. Glad I can walk to his place! Good to know. Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving~

    Smashburger Jibarito
    Jessica W.

    Highly recommend this wicker park bar, which serves fantastic food. It's a nice space inside with plenty of booths and a good size bar. The bartender was friendly and made an excellent cocktail. For food I tried the aye amor jibarito, it was fantastic. This is a splurge and bit something I could order regularly, but the patties were so well seasoned, with a good cheese sauce and grilled onions, and maintains were fresh and crisp. It was really rich, but all came together so well. Come have a good drink and try some delish eats!

    Pickled jalapeño and grilled onion burger
    Izabella P.

    First came here in May 2024 and they had some of the best smash burgers in the city. The smashburger melted in your mouth with every bite. Came with fries and a sesame bun. Couldn't ask for anything else! The long lasting impression of the burger made you vow to visit again. 5/5 Came back October 2024 and they changed. No more fries with your order, and no more sesame bun. The $13 burger was pretty good (had the pickled jalapeño and grilled onion one) but it doesn't match up. Staff recommended the jibarito $17 burger. Maybe next time. We ordered the loaded chips as well. They were tasty. But different. Nice change? Still good, but the previous version can't be beat. Solid 3/5.

    Ogilla
    Samir K.

    Hands down the best smash burger in Chicago. Shoutout to smash jibarito for taking residency here. Tried two of the burgers here and both were delicious. The ogilla was your typical burger with pickles and caramelized onions but had a very tasty sweet aioli. The other burger was the aye el amor which was a spicier version. The pickled jalapeños added a nice kick with sautéed onions for extra flavor. Coated with a cheese sauce as well as an animal sauce which were great. Beef was well seasoned and the plantains were excellent. They elevated the burgers giving a differing texture and sweetness. While almost all smash burgers taste the same, the unique plantain buns make this so much better than the rest.

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    3 years ago

    Amazing date spot during the week. Food and service is top notch. Great weekend spot for a large friend group

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    Service was amazing and the vibe is unbeatable. Also you can't beat their spicy marg. Definitely will be back!

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    Au Cheval

    Au Cheval

    4.4(9.6k reviews)
    2.1 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    One of the best burgers I've ever had. The bone marrow was really tasty too, I've never had it…read morebefore

    Au mother Fugging Cheval -- A Burger That Actually Lives Up to the Hype…read more The Spot itself has major aura and swagger. Hard to describe but you just know you're at a very important place but that doesn't take itself too seriously. There are burgers that are good, burgers that are great, and then there's Au Cheval. I went in with pretty ridiculous expectations considering this place has been called one of the best burger spots in the world...and somehow, the burger still delivered. That's rare. The patties were insanely juicy and perfectly cooked, with that beautiful crispy, caramelized edge you want from a great griddle burger. The combination of the melted cheese, creamy sauce, onions, pickles and that ridiculously buttery brioche bun was borderline unfair. Rich, messy, salty, savory and completely indulgent in the best possible way. And that bun deserves its own mention. Soft enough to absorb all that glorious burger juice without completely falling apart. The whole thing is constructed like someone actually understands what makes a burger great. Is it the best burger I've ever had? I DONT FUCKING KNOW. but I completely understand why people put Au Cheval in the conversation for best burger in America, if not the world. The hype is real. This is a fucking burger. 9.7/10

    Photos
    Au Cheval - Welcome

    Welcome

    Au Cheval - Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Au Cheval - Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

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    Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

    Trivoli Tavern - Corn bread

    Trivoli Tavern

    4.5(1k reviews)
    2.0 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    I've been wanting to try Tivoli Tavern for SO long! As everyone knows, getting a reservation here…read morecan be a struggle since people are seriously on their A-game the second reservations go live. We happened to already be in the city that day and somehow got lucky finding a reservation close to the time we were already nearby, so we knew we had to take our chance! The whole place is beautiful and has such a cozy, classic Chicago feel. I would absolutely come back, but next time I really want to sit outside because their outdoor patio is gorgeous. The staff was also super friendly and really helpful with recommendations throughout the night. We started with the warm Parker House rolls, which were so soft, fluffy, buttery, and delicious. Then we shared the vodka rigatoni, and the portion was definitely big enough for two people to split. So creamy, comforting, and really good. Of course we had to end with one of their classics, the sticky date cake, and OMG. Soooo good. Warm, rich, sweet, and the perfect way to finish dinner. Definitely worth finally checking off my list, and I'd happily come back again, especially for a patio night!

    Trivoli Tavern was the perfect first stop in Chicago. Our flight was delayed, so we arrived late…read morefor our reservation and were already watching the clock because we had another reservation afterward. The host was incredibly accommodating, and once we sat down, the service was absolutely perfect - friendly, attentive, and FAST without ever making us feel rushed. We shared the skillet cornbread, baby artichoke gratin, truffle mafaldine, and mushroom casserole, along with Hugo Spritzes. Everything was delicious, and each person thought the next dish was the best, mind was the mushroom casserole! And the atmosphere might have been my favorite part. Walking down into the cobblestone alley and dining outside genuinely felt like we'd stumbled into one of those little alleyway restaurants in Rome rather than being in the middle of Chicago. Such a great vibe.

    Photos
    Trivoli Tavern - Gelato & sticky date cake

    Gelato & sticky date cake

    Trivoli Tavern - Butterfinger pie

    Butterfinger pie

    Trivoli Tavern - Chicken pot pie

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    Chicken pot pie

    Americano, Lincoln Park

    Americano, Lincoln Park

    3.6(160 reviews)
    2.5 miLincoln Park

    Went here for their daily happy hour which includes weekends, 4-6pm. Was happy with our drinks, the…read moreespresso martini was a highlight loved the little toasted marshmallow. Fries were also delicious and the 1$ oysters were a good deal, not the best oysters but for a dollar I was happy. Burger was also good. Staff were very nice and attentive. The host was sweet and sat us right was and our server was amazing. Constantly checking on us and was so friendly. Very cute vibe on the inside, nicely decorated a lot of seating. Honestly a little pricey but the happy hour made it worth it.

    Been meaning to try this HH for a while! This place is attached to hotel Lincoln so it essentially…read moreserves as the hotel bar and restaurant. It was good! The inside feels kind of like Gemini with open windows, modern fixtures etc. The service was good overall, and they fixed a drink when I didn't like it. The happy hours is definitely worth it to get the burger and fries. Both were decently sized and worth the $15 price. The burger had a lot of toppings, including a sauce and pickled onions and a very good amount of pickles. The Caesar salad honestly was not good, tasted very artificial and I probably would only try their sandwiches or appetizers if I went back. The truffle fries didn't have a strong truffle flavor, but I like the shoe string shape and they come with ketchup and mayo. But overall, a cute place, an easy walk in and a good patio!

    Photos
    Americano, Lincoln Park - Relaxing Weekday hang out

    Relaxing Weekday hang out

    Americano, Lincoln Park
    Americano, Lincoln Park

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    Gretel - elevated! butter chicken curry soup with cilantro + crispy paratha

    Gretel

    4.5(481 reviews)
    1.4 miLogan Square
    $$

    This is my third time at Gretel and the food was even better than I remembered it! We came around…read more5pm on a Sunday and there was only about a 10 minute wait. They sat us downstairs. I had only sat upstairs at the bar and outside, so I was happy we were able to see the downstairs. It's very intimate down there with only a few tables, while the upstairs is a lot more of a lively bar atmosphere. Service was good and fast. They are known for their burger but I am not a huge burger fan. Their other food is amazing though! Even my boyfriend who loves burgers agreed that the chicken sandwich was one of the best and maybe even better than the burger. Definitely get the mac & cheese, chicken sandwich, and french onion soup. The french onion soup was super cheesy and the mac & cheese was so creamy and perfect. Typically I don't like bacon in mac & cheese, but I love that they don't overdo it here where it overpowers the entire dish. It was only some tiny pieces of bacon just for the flavor.

    Came for the burger, but stayed for the drinks. Maybe I chose a bad night, but I thought the burger…read morewas disappointing based on its hype and Gretel's reputation. Hands down, the saltiest burger I ever had in Chicago. At least, they were generous with the fries. Laidback vibes and cool space, I would come back to try the other cocktails on the menu with friends.

    Photos
    Gretel - Flowers

    Flowers

    Gretel - Outstanding butter & brine oysters from portsmouth maine

    Outstanding butter & brine oysters from portsmouth maine

    Gretel - Beautiful italian orange wine with great minerality

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    Beautiful italian orange wine with great minerality

    Little Bad Wolf - Wolf Burger and frites. Duh. Solid meat to face thing.

    Little Bad Wolf

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    5.6 miAndersonville, Edgewater
    $$

    Food is always great. Service is usually good. Ambiance is unique - very sultry with low light but…read moredoes have loud music and a lot of ambient noise. Good for a romantic date night.

    Nestled on a corner in Andersonville, Little Bad Wolf is a charming restaurant with a large bar…read moremenu and delicious, heavy bites. There is outdoor seating under a pergola lined with semi-private planters, while the inside features a bar, high tops, low tops, and large booths. The music was upbeat, giving the space an elevated lounge vibe that pairs really well with the upholstered booths and vintage industrial design. I ordered the Wolf Burger, which is a whopping three-patty burger. That first bite was juicy and pure bliss--a total explosion of great flavors. It was a little messy (like all burgers with an egg), but the extra liquid was perfect for balancing the density of such a meaty burger. The soft bun soaked in a lot of those juices with each bite, intensifying the flavor as I ate more. The fries were thin and on the greasier side--not my personal favorite, but they worked alright as a vehicle for the sauce. Speaking of which, the chili aioli served with the fries was fantastic. We also got the mac and cheese, which hit a great balance between rich and creamy without feeling excessively wet. The boat it came in was a bit small, making it a little messy to scoop out with the serving spoon, but it was soooo good. Overall, it is absolutely a fantastic neighborhood place for comfort food and drinks with friends in a great space!

    Photos
    Little Bad Wolf - Fresh flowers

    Fresh flowers

    Little Bad Wolf - Shrimp Tacos

    Shrimp Tacos

    Little Bad Wolf - Bad Burger with fried onion strings

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    Bad Burger with fried onion strings

    Desert Hawk - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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