Comfort Food and Potato Chips at West Town Tavern

By Anthony Todd in Food on Mar 6, 2008 10:32PM

Chicago has more cozy neighborhood joints than any other city we’ve ever lived in. Even better, some of those places have absolutely amazing food. Every hardcore foodie we know has been raving to us for months and months about Drew and Susan Goss' West Town Tavern, but we only got around to going last week. And then we liked it so much, we went again just six days later.

Golden wood, exposed brick, soft lighting and friendly staff make West Town Tavern a great place to fall into after a long weekday at work and the “contemporary comfort food” on the menu just adds to the appeal. Everyone who reads this should immediately go there (we mean it – right now!) and order the Tavern Potato Chips, which are tossed with rosemary, balsamic syrup, truffle oil and parmesan. After a huge portion of those, we could hardly get through our dinner! If you feel compelled to order another appetizer, go for the tavern beer cheese – no better way to use up three days worth of calories.

Our waitress recommended the pot roast to us, and she didn’t lead us astray. It’s a little sweeter than most pot roasts (as it’s braised in zinfandel and has a black vinegar sauce) but impressively tasty. Our dining companion was impressed with the diver sea scallops, which are lightly seared and served with risotto.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive evening, sit at the bar, order some chips and a “Salad 1” (raw fennel, mushrooms and radishes topped with lemon juice and truffle oil), drink a glass of good wine and forget about the world.

West Town Tavern is located at 1329 West Chicago Avenue. There is plenty of street parking (free and metered) close by. They open for dinner at 5:00, Monday - Saturday.