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Review: Risqué Café

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Oct 13, 2008 5:00PM

A friend clued us in to last weekend's "Bacon Fest" at Risqué Café (3417 N. Clark, 773-525-7711). The folks at this Wrigleyville barbecue joint, craft beer house and pinup palace (sister restaurant to Purgatory Pizza next door) added a new item to their everyday menu that's easily the best thing they serve.

Our gallery starts with this twice-battered, country-style bacon that's deep fried and served with a side of white bacon gravy. Bird, our bartender, told us that the gravy is made from bacon drippings and whole cream. Coupled with one of the spiciest bloody marys we've ever had in our life — made from vodka infused with maple bacon, garlic and fresh cracked black pepper — we suspect we shortened our lifespan at least four years over the weekend.

Other things to check out at Risqué are their bourbon selection, which is extensive but doesn't come near the breadth of Twisted Spoke or Delilah's. Risqué even has two bourbons (Buffalo trace and Eagle rare) and Jack Daniels on tap.