A long overdue bump for Owen & Engine, which continues to serve the best burger in Chicago.



Not pictured - the extremely well curated beer list that always includes four cask options.

I am surprised I have not yet posted in this thread.
Owen & Engine is one of my favo(u)rite venues in Chicago.
When I visit, I like to go upstairs and sit at that bar.
I believed I had not yet had the burger. Well, if you browse one of the photographs herein, I actually did. But it is also not the only foodstuff I've eaten.
It is, as I indicate on my regular bookmark page, the only venue in Chicago (of which I know) with four handpump ale offerings.
One more concluding item: If you are there at 10:20 pm, management buys you a shot of bourbon.

Anyone have any insight as to whether O&E is coming back? With so many outstanding burgers debuting on the scene since the pandemic started, I want to see if my suspicions are correct that none of them top the masterpiece this place consistently put out for a decade.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Anyone have any insight as to whether O&E is coming back? With so many outstanding burgers debuting on the scene since the pandemic started, I want to see if my suspicions are correct that none of them top the masterpiece this place consistently put out for a decade.

I knew I had seen something on social media teasing a return. And here it is:

https://twitter.com/Shokdiesel/status/1 ... zgi2g&s=19

WhyBeeSea wrote:

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Anyone have any insight as to whether O&E is coming back?

I knew I had seen something on social media teasing a return. And here it is:

https://twitter.com/Shokdiesel/status/1 ... zgi2g&s=19

Thanks!

Per their twitter account, Owen & Engine has reopened as of today.

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ronnie_suburban wrote:Per their twitter account, Owen & Engine has reopened as of today.

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Nice story about owner Bo Fowler in the Tribune. Worth reading.

Owen & Engine finally returns, led by a mellower Bo Fowler — who is forging a possible new way forward for Chicago restaurants

Great story indeed, we can learn a lot (especially anyone in the restaurant industry) about burn out and re-assessing your life...I hope they are able to bring brunch back on the weekends!

So good to be back here tonight. Our first time since pre-COVID. The 3 of us shared a half dozen oysters and the signature pretzel appetizer to start. We then moved on to share the mussels, fish & chips and the “spaghettios/meatballs”. Everything was delicious and the service made the whole meal feel special. My daughter was presented with a complimentary warm cookie to finish. The atmosphere is so cozy which was exactly what we were looking for on this chilly evening.

Per facebook, they'll be closing for good on August 29.

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More here = https://flip.it/HfYUwO

Dave148 wrote:More here = https://flip.it/HfYUwO

eater.com wrote:[Owner, Bo] Fowler, a Korean immigrant raised in Minnesota, reiterates that this was a ”deeply personal decision.” In the wake of her [2020] heart attack, the soon-to-be 55-year-old was ordered by her doctors to roll back hours, but she continued to bounce between Owen & Engine and her second restaurant, Bixi Beer, also in Logan Square. She says she was working 80- to 100-hour work weeks. Her commitment to her restaurants caused her to miss family events. Bixi has picked up business and Fowler says private events have stabilized the restaurant. She had to pick between Owen & Engine and Bixi.

“I love my work, but it can’t sustain the rest of your life,” Fowler says. “I’m disappointing the people in my life.”

“I don’t know how other restaurant owners operate more than one restaurant.”

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From what I've read, there's a decent chance that O&E's signature burger might end up being served at BiXi Beer. Still, I'd still love to make a final to O&E visit before they close. I'll be in the area tomorrow and thought the timing would be perfect but according to their website, they're closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason why that came to be but it really is unusual. Hopefully, another time.

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Just to close the book on this, O&E is effectively 100% booked through their closing on 8/29. I mistakenly took the fact that everyday was blacked out on Resy as an indication that they were now strictly walk-in. Apparently, I wasn't alone in that mistaken assumption, as ~80% of us who were lined up outside before their 5pm opening this afternoon were turned away.

RIP Owen & Engine!

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ronnie_suburban wrote:Just to close the book on this, O&E is effectively 100% booked through their closing on 8/29. I mistakenly took the fact that everyday was blacked out on Resy as an indication that they were now strictly walk-in. Apparently, I wasn't alone in that mistaken assumption, as ~80% of us who were lined up outside before their 5pm opening this afternoon were turned away.

RIP Owen & Engine!

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I arrived at around 6 today and heard the same story being told to the people in front of us (that they were booked up for tonight). But they definitely have reservations available in the next couple of weeks and offered to book one for the couple in front of me (so it's not 100% booked for all days until the close).

I guess I was lucky because they were able to accommodate me and a friend at the bar. They did have a reservation for the bar seats at 8, but we had 2 hours which was plenty of time for dinner.

I hope they offered bar seats (if available) or to book a reservation for you at a different time, Ronnie. Otherwise they should sort out what they are telling folks so there's a consistent message at the host/hostess stand.

gastro gnome wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:Just to close the book on this, O&E is effectively 100% booked through their closing on 8/29. I mistakenly took the fact that everyday was blacked out on Resy as an indication that they were now strictly walk-in. Apparently, I wasn't alone in that mistaken assumption, as ~80% of us who were lined up outside before their 5pm opening this afternoon were turned away.

RIP Owen & Engine!

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I arrived at around 6 today and heard the same story being told to the people in front of us (that they were booked up for tonight). But they definitely have reservations available in the next couple of weeks and offered to book one for the couple in front of me (so it's not 100% booked for all days until the close).

I guess I was lucky because they were able to accommodate me and a friend at the bar. They did have a reservation for the bar seats at 8, but we had 2 hours which was plenty of time for dinner.

I hope they offered bar seats (if available) or to book a reservation for you at a different time, Ronnie. Otherwise they should sort out what they are telling folks so there's a consistent message at the host/hostess stand.

Glad you got a last chance. Hostess told me that only had a few spots open, and only on the very last night, and that was it. We were also told that the bar was entirely reserved for the night. So, yeah. Sounds like they're not telling everyone the same story.

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I was there last night as well - had a reservation. I can tell you that when I left between 8:30 and 9:00 there were plenty of empty seats. It might've been a one off because of the hours of rain last night, but it might be worth trying to walk in later at night. Just have a good backup plan.

The burger was as good as ever. In a world of smashburgers where nailing temperature doesn't exist, the O&E burger has thrived thanks to not just quality ingredients, but a kitchen skilled in the art of cooking a half pound patty.

I hope Ronnie's rumor that it's going to be at Bixi turns out to be true, but I'm skeptical that a kitchen focused on Asian influenced food (including a couple smashburgers) is going to carve out space for a thick entirely non-Asian hamburger. But maybe it'll pop up as an occasional special?

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:I was there last night as well - had a reservation. I can tell you that when I left between 8:30 and 9:00 there were plenty of empty seats. It might've been a one off because of the hours of rain last night, but it might be worth trying to walk in later at night. Just have a good backup plan.

This must a capacity issue, not a space issue because even as we and others left unseated earlier today, there were plenty of empty seats. And per Resy, there are zero reservations left for any 2-tops at any times on any of the remaining days they'll be open. Maybe they just didn't like the cut of my jib.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:The burger was as good as ever. In a world of smashburgers where nailing temperature doesn't exist, the O&E burger has thrived thanks to not just quality ingredients, but a kitchen skilled in the art of cooking a half pound patty.

I hope Ronnie's rumor that it's going to be at Bixi turns out to be true, but I'm skeptical that a kitchen focused on Asian influenced food (including a couple smashburgers) is going to carve out space for a thick entirely non-Asian hamburger. But maybe it'll pop up as an occasional special?

Again, just something I read between the lines in a recent interview with Bo. It's entirely possible (even likely) that I misinterpreted it.

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Didn't the burger 'pop-up' at BiXi during COVID when they were offering take-out but O&E was still completely shutdown?? I'm almost positive I remember reading/hearing that, but for some reason never took advantage of it.

Well, well, well. The Instagram post where O&E announced the closure has been deleted. Could be nothing of course, but if it really is nothing, that'd be a weird move. I smell a sale.

Some good news: BiXi Beer, normally closed on Tuesdays, has announced via Instagram that it will be open for 3 TBD Tuesdays in October as an O&E popup featuring the pub menu (includes burgers) and mussles. Reservation only.

At this point I'll be surprised if O&E doesn't make a permanent return.

Now they're milking it a bit, but good news appears to be on the horizon:

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Now they're milking it a bit, but good news appears to be on the horizon:

I honestly don't know whether to be happy or irritated by this. Either way, I probably won't be able to say no to that burger if I get another chance at it.

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Looks like they're just playing the game that many do on ig. Not worth getting annoyed with especially since it comes with building good news!!

WhyBeeSea wrote:Looks like they're just playing the game that many do on ig. Not worth getting annoyed with especially since it comes with building good news!!

I know you're probably right but I default to irritated when I feel like I'm being manipulated.

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ronnie_suburban wrote:

WhyBeeSea wrote:Looks like they're just playing the game that many do on ig. Not worth getting annoyed with especially since it comes with building good news!!

I know you're probably right but I default to irritated when I feel like I'm being manipulated.

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I can see that but given how open Bo Fowler was about her reasons for closing O&E, I suspect the news is going to be something different from just her reopening the place and staying in charge. I'm pretty cynical, but not cynical enough to think this is like the BS move that the Berghoff pulled years ago.

Official announcement: Owen & Engine "residency" at Bixi every Monday and Tuesday from November 6 to March 26. Reservations, available 30 days in advance, made through BiXi's Resy, are already open. Walk-ins welcome at the bar.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Official announcement: Owen & Engine "residency" at Bixi every Monday and Tuesday from November 6 to March 26. Reservations, available 30 days in advance, made through BiXi's Resy, are already open. Walk-ins welcome at the bar.

Thanks, for the heads up! Booked our slot for next month and very well may book a second one for after the first of the year. It'll be a very nice winter respite!

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got to try the O and E popup this week and we ate quite a chunk of the menu, enjoying ourselves well (and much better than latest visit to bixi).

delicious beau soleil oysters, perfect fish n chips (except why oh why do they do the peas cold), pickles (too sweet), bangers n mash, bubble n squeak, burgers (so nice to reunite with that most excellent non-griddle burger!), salads (too much cheese-n-cream alas).
it's good they're doing it two nights, maybe they'll do it all the nights.