clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, January 2024

Where to Devour Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza

Chicago’s Essential Steakhouses

More in Chicago See more maps
A drive throw with two giant fiberglas hot dogs on the roof.
Superdawg is among the best restaurants for limited contact.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

15 Drive-Thrus, Walk-up Windows, and Limited Contact Restaurants With Great Meals in Chicago

Find hot dogs, butter chicken calzones, vegetarian al pastor, and more from a safe distance

by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam
View as Map
Superdawg is among the best restaurants for limited contact.
| Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam

Nearly a year into the pandemic, Chicago restaurant operators and patrons have all learned that dining during COVID-19 is a balancing act: everyone involved plays a role in limiting exposure among workers and customers, and many locals have turned to delivery as a means to mitigate risk. Others, however, fear the growing dominance of third-party delivery companies for the harm they can cause to restaurants and the industry at large.

In a vast and vibrant food scene like Chicago’s, there are plenty of options that allow for varying degrees of distance. Check out the options below for a diverse assortment of drive-ins, drive-thrus, and walk-up windows that allow for limited interaction and also let customers to directly support restaurants.

As of January 23, Chicago restaurants are permitted to serve customers indoors with a 25 percent maximum capacity per room. At the same time, despite winter weather, a number of Chicago restaurants continue to offer outdoor seating. Regardless, the state requires reservations for indoor and outdoor dining. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Superdawg Drive-In

Copy Link

As Chicago’s only independent drive-in restaurant, Superdawg is uniquely positioned for socially-distant service. The Northwest Side stalwart, which has served Norwood Park for more than 70 years, has again been been thrust into the spotlight during the pandemic for its carhops who deliver vehicle-bound patrons their hot dogs, burgers, and crinkle-cut fries.

6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660
(773) 763-0660
Two cardboard boxes, a drink, on a stainless steall counter. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Lost Larson

Copy Link

Modern Scandinavian bakery Lost Larson has a tendency to draw lines for its immaculately-crafted cardamom buns and moist slices of princess cake, so chef and owner Bobby Schaffer has installed large, transparent partitions in the shop’s accordion windows to insulate both workers and patrons. Customers place orders through an intercom system and wait on distanced markers spray-painted on the sidewalk along Clark Street in Andersonville. A similar system is also in place at the bakery’s newish Wicker Park outpost. 

5318 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 944-0587
(773) 944-0587

Also featured in:

Superkhana International

Copy Link

Superkhana in Logan Square makes it easy to retrieve its contemporary Indian delights at a distance thanks to online ordering and pickup via a walk-up window on Albany Avenue. Bring a mask to snag the restaurant’s popular butter chicken calzones, tender vindaloo-braised pork shoulder, and spicy chile cheese naan with green chile achaar puree. 

3059 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-9028
(773) 661-9028

Also featured in:

Taqueria Chingon

Copy Link

This Bucktown taqueria may have only debuted in December, but it’s earned a reputation for featuring some of the best tacos in town, like carnitas with pig’s heads, morcillo (blood sausage), vegetarian al pastor with celery root, onions, and portobello mushrooms. Despite opening to much fanfare, the restaurant only accepts online orders for delivery or curbside pickup. 

2234 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 687-9408
(773) 687-9408
A taco counter.
Taqueria Chingon only accepts online orders.
Garrett Sweet/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits

Copy Link

A popular destination for treats like gravy-smothered biscuits and pies, Bang Bang has cut down its operating hours to Saturdays only. Walk-up customers form an orderly, socially-distanced cue (each person stands on a spaced-out pie sidewalk marking) and make their way to a small window to place orders. Patrons then migrate to the shop’s large back patio space, which offers plenty of room for everyone to spread out while they wait for orders to be filled.

2051 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-8888
(773) 276-8888

Also featured in:

Split-Rail

Copy Link

Neighborhood fried chicken destination Split-Rail has committed to exclusively accepting online orders through third-party platforms like Toast to help get the goods into customers’ hands with minimal contact. Patrons can order delivery or pickup via the restaurant’s walk-up window. Chef and co-owner Zoe Schor says staff are happy to help guide would-be diners who struggle with technology through their system. 

2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-4413
(773) 697-4413
A black-painted brick building with an awning at the entrance.
Split-Rail has been closed to dine-in customers since March.
Nick Fochtman/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Aya Pastry

Copy Link

Playful and creative sweet spot Aya Pastry has amassed a passionate fanbase that beats a path to West Town for Girl Scout-inspired Samoa cakes and buttery croissants. Owner and chef Aya Fukai recently introduced a drive-thru window for patrons who’d rather not go inside the storefront bakery. It’s open for pickup from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily.

1332 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 846-6186
(312) 846-6186

Also featured in:

Kitchen and Online HQ for Kitchfix

Copy Link

Kitchfix has offered nutritionist-approved meals for years, and now they’ve expanded with steak and other options that don’t have as much of a healthy focus. Folks can pick up their meals in West Town by texting they’re waiting, and a worker will pop out and drop the food off in a car. The company also offers delivery. There’s even an in-house dietician to help design meal plans for customers with specific health-related needs and desires. 

1731 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 402-0221
(312) 402-0221

Also featured in:

Swift & Sons

Copy Link

The experience at Swift & Sons, Boka Restaurant Group’s fancy Fulton Market steakhouse, is augmented by the addition of its yurt village on the west side of the restaurant. Staff takes each customer’s temperature, before being whisked away to a private round tent heated by a lamp over the table. The interiors differ in each tent and are fun, the perfect antidote to winter’s doldrums. They serve a prix fixe menu cleverly tailored to the environment (charcuterie doesn’t diminish in the cold). Drink menus are online and brought up with a QR code. It’s not a cheap experience (about $150 per person), but it’s unique and staff takes the time to diminish the risk. Hopefully guests can reciprocate by keeping their masks on when needed to respect staff. Reservations via Tock.

1000 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9420
(312) 733-9420

Also featured in:

IDOF - I Dream of Falafel

Copy Link

This popular mini chain offers online ordering, but customers can also order via large touchscreens inside that limit contact with staff. The chain is known for wraps, pitas, falafel, and shawarma, and has locations in Wicker Park, Lakeview, and more.

555 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 559-3333
(312) 559-3333

TeaPotBrew Bakery

Copy Link

TeaPotBrew Bakery, a family-owned cake haven in South Loop, has recalibrated its space to keep workers and patrons protected during the pandemic. Staff use dividers and floor stickers to show people where to form a socially-distanced line inside the bakery, but if numbers become too great, they immediately switch over to a numbered buzzer system with devices that alert waiting customers that their orders are ready. There are also two retractable garage doors that workers open when the weather allows it.

1802 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 966-6001
(312) 966-6001
A storefront with two garage doors.
TeaPotBrew Bakery
Garrett Sweet/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Pilsen Yards

Copy Link

Cabin fever-stricken Chicagoans who are looking for a drink in a lower-risk environment may be interested to visit new neighborhood watering hole Pilsen Yards. Ownership aims to make the spot “the safest, warmest, coolest patio in Chicago” with radiant heated floors and a convection process that turns over all the air in the entire covered patio every one to three minutes. For the time being, drink offerings are limited to packaged beers and draft cocktails, with more complex drink options on hold until the pandemic ends. 

1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 243-2410
(312) 243-2410
A patio with an overhang.
Pilsen Yards was designed for the pandemic.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Lawrence's Fish & Shrimp

Copy Link

Fans of the insulation a car can offer — both from the pandemic and the winter chill — will see the appeal of Lawrence’s, a South Side spot that features brown paper bags of crispy, golden fried shrimp, catfish, cod, and perch. Customers in the know set their vehicles in park, unbuckle, and dig in.

2120 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-2113
(312) 225-2113
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Antique Taco Bridgeport

Copy Link

Owners at Antique Taco, one of the city’s most popular taquerias, have worked to bring a little nostalgic joy during the pandemic by transforming their Bridgeport patio into a retro drive-in with carhop service. Keeping patrons buckled up helps everyone maintain appropriate distance. In keeping with the theme, menu options include a cheeseburger taco (prime beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, flour tortilla) and a Chicago dog taco (Vienna hot dog dragged through the garden, flour tortilla).

1000 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 823-9410
(773) 823-9410

Also featured in:

Calumet Fisheries

Copy Link

There’s a lot to love about Calumet Fisheries: its connection to iconic Chicago flick the Blues Brothers, its status as an American Classic (per the James Beard Foundation), but most of all, its fabulous smoked fish. The 73-year-old landmark is also well suited to pandemic-era patrons as fans have long taken to their cars to devour sable, whitefish, and much more.

3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 933-9855
(773) 933-9855

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2024 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Superdawg Drive-In

6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646

As Chicago’s only independent drive-in restaurant, Superdawg is uniquely positioned for socially-distant service. The Northwest Side stalwart, which has served Norwood Park for more than 70 years, has again been been thrust into the spotlight during the pandemic for its carhops who deliver vehicle-bound patrons their hot dogs, burgers, and crinkle-cut fries.

6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660
(773) 763-0660
Two cardboard boxes, a drink, on a stainless steall counter. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Lost Larson

5318 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Modern Scandinavian bakery Lost Larson has a tendency to draw lines for its immaculately-crafted cardamom buns and moist slices of princess cake, so chef and owner Bobby Schaffer has installed large, transparent partitions in the shop’s accordion windows to insulate both workers and patrons. Customers place orders through an intercom system and wait on distanced markers spray-painted on the sidewalk along Clark Street in Andersonville. A similar system is also in place at the bakery’s newish Wicker Park outpost. 

5318 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 944-0587
(773) 944-0587

Superkhana International

3059 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Superkhana in Logan Square makes it easy to retrieve its contemporary Indian delights at a distance thanks to online ordering and pickup via a walk-up window on Albany Avenue. Bring a mask to snag the restaurant’s popular butter chicken calzones, tender vindaloo-braised pork shoulder, and spicy chile cheese naan with green chile achaar puree. 

3059 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 661-9028
(773) 661-9028

Taqueria Chingon

2234 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

This Bucktown taqueria may have only debuted in December, but it’s earned a reputation for featuring some of the best tacos in town, like carnitas with pig’s heads, morcillo (blood sausage), vegetarian al pastor with celery root, onions, and portobello mushrooms. Despite opening to much fanfare, the restaurant only accepts online orders for delivery or curbside pickup. 

2234 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 687-9408
(773) 687-9408
A taco counter.
Taqueria Chingon only accepts online orders.
Garrett Sweet/Eater Chicago

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits

2051 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

A popular destination for treats like gravy-smothered biscuits and pies, Bang Bang has cut down its operating hours to Saturdays only. Walk-up customers form an orderly, socially-distanced cue (each person stands on a spaced-out pie sidewalk marking) and make their way to a small window to place orders. Patrons then migrate to the shop’s large back patio space, which offers plenty of room for everyone to spread out while they wait for orders to be filled.

2051 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-8888
(773) 276-8888

Split-Rail

2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Neighborhood fried chicken destination Split-Rail has committed to exclusively accepting online orders through third-party platforms like Toast to help get the goods into customers’ hands with minimal contact. Patrons can order delivery or pickup via the restaurant’s walk-up window. Chef and co-owner Zoe Schor says staff are happy to help guide would-be diners who struggle with technology through their system. 

2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-4413
(773) 697-4413
A black-painted brick building with an awning at the entrance.
Split-Rail has been closed to dine-in customers since March.
Nick Fochtman/Eater Chicago

Aya Pastry

1332 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Playful and creative sweet spot Aya Pastry has amassed a passionate fanbase that beats a path to West Town for Girl Scout-inspired Samoa cakes and buttery croissants. Owner and chef Aya Fukai recently introduced a drive-thru window for patrons who’d rather not go inside the storefront bakery. It’s open for pickup from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily.

1332 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 846-6186
(312) 846-6186

Kitchen and Online HQ for Kitchfix

1731 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Kitchfix has offered nutritionist-approved meals for years, and now they’ve expanded with steak and other options that don’t have as much of a healthy focus. Folks can pick up their meals in West Town by texting they’re waiting, and a worker will pop out and drop the food off in a car. The company also offers delivery. There’s even an in-house dietician to help design meal plans for customers with specific health-related needs and desires. 

1731 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 402-0221
(312) 402-0221

Swift & Sons

1000 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

The experience at Swift & Sons, Boka Restaurant Group’s fancy Fulton Market steakhouse, is augmented by the addition of its yurt village on the west side of the restaurant. Staff takes each customer’s temperature, before being whisked away to a private round tent heated by a lamp over the table. The interiors differ in each tent and are fun, the perfect antidote to winter’s doldrums. They serve a prix fixe menu cleverly tailored to the environment (charcuterie doesn’t diminish in the cold). Drink menus are online and brought up with a QR code. It’s not a cheap experience (about $150 per person), but it’s unique and staff takes the time to diminish the risk. Hopefully guests can reciprocate by keeping their masks on when needed to respect staff. Reservations via Tock.

1000 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9420
(312) 733-9420

IDOF - I Dream of Falafel

555 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60661

This popular mini chain offers online ordering, but customers can also order via large touchscreens inside that limit contact with staff. The chain is known for wraps, pitas, falafel, and shawarma, and has locations in Wicker Park, Lakeview, and more.

555 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 559-3333
(312) 559-3333

TeaPotBrew Bakery

1802 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

TeaPotBrew Bakery, a family-owned cake haven in South Loop, has recalibrated its space to keep workers and patrons protected during the pandemic. Staff use dividers and floor stickers to show people where to form a socially-distanced line inside the bakery, but if numbers become too great, they immediately switch over to a numbered buzzer system with devices that alert waiting customers that their orders are ready. There are also two retractable garage doors that workers open when the weather allows it.

1802 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 966-6001
(312) 966-6001
A storefront with two garage doors.
TeaPotBrew Bakery
Garrett Sweet/Eater Chicago

Pilsen Yards

1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Cabin fever-stricken Chicagoans who are looking for a drink in a lower-risk environment may be interested to visit new neighborhood watering hole Pilsen Yards. Ownership aims to make the spot “the safest, warmest, coolest patio in Chicago” with radiant heated floors and a convection process that turns over all the air in the entire covered patio every one to three minutes. For the time being, drink offerings are limited to packaged beers and draft cocktails, with more complex drink options on hold until the pandemic ends. 

1163 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 243-2410
(312) 243-2410
A patio with an overhang.
Pilsen Yards was designed for the pandemic.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Lawrence's Fish & Shrimp

2120 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60616

Fans of the insulation a car can offer — both from the pandemic and the winter chill — will see the appeal of Lawrence’s, a South Side spot that features brown paper bags of crispy, golden fried shrimp, catfish, cod, and perch. Customers in the know set their vehicles in park, unbuckle, and dig in.

2120 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-2113
(312) 225-2113
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Antique Taco Bridgeport

1000 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609

Owners at Antique Taco, one of the city’s most popular taquerias, have worked to bring a little nostalgic joy during the pandemic by transforming their Bridgeport patio into a retro drive-in with carhop service. Keeping patrons buckled up helps everyone maintain appropriate distance. In keeping with the theme, menu options include a cheeseburger taco (prime beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, flour tortilla) and a Chicago dog taco (Vienna hot dog dragged through the garden, flour tortilla).

1000 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 823-9410
(773) 823-9410

Calumet Fisheries

3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617

There’s a lot to love about Calumet Fisheries: its connection to iconic Chicago flick the Blues Brothers, its status as an American Classic (per the James Beard Foundation), but most of all, its fabulous smoked fish. The 73-year-old landmark is also well suited to pandemic-era patrons as fans have long taken to their cars to devour sable, whitefish, and much more.

3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 933-9855
(773) 933-9855

Related Maps