Porkchop in West Loop

Anyone been there? Someone said the fried chicken is really good and I have been craving for some fried chix.

Porkchop
941 W Randolph
Chicago, IL 60607
312-733-9333
http://porkchopchicago.com/

Haven't tried their fried chicken, but their wings are top notch. Smoked, grilled, slightly spicy. It's very similar to the wings at Revolution Brewery.

Haven't been, but I have a funny Porkchop story.

This was a few months ago, and I was running late, as usual, to yoga class. I got to the studio just as everyone was ready to move into the practice space. It was for an advanced class, and the studio was packed with lithe bodies and the buzz of conversation, men and women discussing the next ayurvedic workshop in town or one new cleanse or another that someone was trying.

So, here I barge in, less lithe and doshas totally out of whack, and I hear the raised voice of my teacher through the crowd say, "Sharon, I went to Porkchop." And the room goes silent as all heads turn to me.

I used to get embarrassed when my teacher would greet me this way, and in front of everyone--no hello, just an immediate food report--but now it only makes me happy. I've literally searched the world for yoga teachers; I feel tremendously lucky to have one who knows me so well here in Chicago.

FWIW, my teacher said he didn't think I'd like Porkshop for a variety of reasons. He thought I probably wouldn't like the scene or find it sufficiently food-driven. I wouldn't dismiss it entirely, but I don't feel the need to visit.

How wonderful to be known so well by your friends. As it happens, last weekend Porkchop was recommended to me and my girlfriend by the husband of a friend, whose taste in restaurants is apparently completely different from ours: he likes bourbon, we like food.

jbwheel wrote:Haven't tried their fried chicken, but their wings are top notch. Smoked, grilled, slightly spicy. It's very similar to the wings at Revolution Brewery.

I really enjoyed the wings and elotes when I went, but the pulled pork sandwich was really disappointing and the "spicy" catfish, while good, was not at all spicy. The Old Bay Butter on top was a nice touch though, and the fish fillet was served atop a generous helping of garlicky spinach which was a pleasant surprise since that's not mentioned on the menu.

The pulled pork was tender enough, but had no discernible smoky or barbecue flavor at all. It was topped with plenty of sweet relish and caramelized onions as if to cover up the fact that the pork itself was really bland. Fries were pretty blah too.

Just tried the Hyde Park outpost, which pretty much bears out Hurdler4eva's report above. Mrs. B. and I shared a combo platter. For total volume of food, $26 seemed a bit high, though ingredient quality was very good. Unfortunately, what was missing, almost across the board (or across the plate) was real flavor. Ribs had great bark, nice texture (no meat pudding). But, no real smokey flavor beyond the sauce. The pulled chicken was a bit on the dry side, and again, hardly any flavor at all. Pulled pork was very moist, but again, little smokiness. Almost like it was braised.
The sausage was fine.
Sweet potato fries were crispy, but mainly defined by not being potatoes, without much character of their own.
The slaw was a bit too chunky for me. I prefer a finer shred, though the dressing was good, classic slaw dressing.
A side of collards acceptable but not exceptional. Mrs. B. said she would not order the creamed spinach again: very heavy on cream (and unincorporated roux) vs. spinach. Almost a soup.
I did enjoy the elotes at the start with their bit of chipotle mayo.
Service was very friendly and efficient.
Atmosphere was generic ersatz rusticity: beer in mason jars: check. Roll of paper towels on the table: check.
When I compare this $60 meal with what i used to bring home from Ribs N Bibs for about $20, I am suffused with melancholy.

Restaurateur Jovanis Bouargoub is opening three more of his popular Porkchop restaurants over the next four months, one each in Oak Brook, Bolingbrook and Merrillville, Ind.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... gbrook-and

I read the news about more locations and I immediately checked review/menu again. And again it seems like a completely banal restaurant.

What is particularly strange is the fact that Yelp, which I consider a pretty good barometer of "popular" opinion, also doesn't like Porkchop much. So who is eating there enough that it is rapidly expanding?

Porkchop West Loop Closes After Seven Years on Randolph Street

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/10/25/18 ... lph-street

The owners of Porkchop, the barbecue mini-chain, have applied for a city liquor license for a fourth location at 6341-6343 N. Broadway

https://chicago.eater.com/2022/6/14/231 ... ttractions

Dave148 wrote:

The owners of Porkchop, the barbecue mini-chain, have applied for a city liquor license for a fourth location at 6341-6343 N. Broadway

https://chicago.eater.com/2022/6/14/231 ... ttractions

Happy to see something moving into the old Hamilton's.

A restaurant named Porkchop has opened in the former Hamilton’s location on Broadway, bringing barbecue, live entertainment and eventually a speakeasy near Loyola’s campus.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/12/14 ... speakeasy/

Dave148 wrote:

A restaurant named Porkchop has opened in the former Hamilton’s location on Broadway, bringing barbecue, live entertainment and eventually a speakeasy near Loyola’s campus.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/12/14 ... speakeasy/

One of Edgewater’s newest restaurants and its late-night speakeasy were ordered closed by the city after failing building inspections.

Porkchop and its sister business, Meet & Whiskey, were ordered closed by the city’s Department of Buildings on Dec. 17 over numerous building code violations, according to the department. They remain closed and cannot reopen until they pass a re-inspection, a buildings department spokesperson said.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/01/04 ... iolations/

Edgewater’s Porkchop Restaurant Reopens After City Shutdown
The barbecue restaurant and adjoining speakeasy were forced to close because of building violations in December. Owners now plan to give the spot a more “food hall” feel.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/01/30 ... -shutdown/