We sent a recent Chicago transplant out to try the Chicago-themed DL Mack's.
Chicago is “My Kind of Town.” Public transit that hauls you to any part of the city, a vibrant dining scene, culture galore and a beautiful lakefront. Beyond the hustle and bustle of The Loop, you’ll find neighborhood taverns with Old Style signs aglow, serving glorious pizzas made of cracker-thin crust piled high with sausage and cheese to soak up the aftermath of staying out until closing time, 4 a.m.
At the entrance, nothing jumps out as characteristically “Chicagoan.” Sure, there are pictures of Chicago sports teams on the walls and a big sign that reads “Chicago Fur Storage,” but you wouldn’t know how much work went into creating this theme unless you read the press release about it. When we asked what the history was behind the big fur storage sign, the server had no clue.
The interior feels more upscale than your neighborhood tavern, reminiscent of something you’d find in the heart of the city as opposed to your corner neighborhood haunt. The menu consists of classic American cuisine with an emphasis on house-made ingredients. We were advised that all the sauces were made in-house, but were unaware that all dishes are prepared from scratch daily.
The drink menu consists of beverages on the rocks, martinis and frozen cocktails made famous at their sister concept, Hudson House. There's a frozen Vandelay Bellini, advertised with strong amounts of vodka and signature Grand Marnier floater, but we opted for the frozen Paloma with tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, lime, Pamplemousse and agave. This one did not advertise copious amounts of alcohol, but it was loaded up while still going down smooth.