Five Noteworthy Upcoming Chicago Restaurants to Know

Welcome to the Plywood Report, a periodic listing of upcoming restaurants and bars around Chicago of note. We’ll update this semi-regularly, but feel free to email Eater Chicago at chicago@eater.com if a project, permit, or storefront has caught your eye. We’ll do our best to investigate.

October 24

ANDERSONVILLE: Construction continues on a mystery project at 1476 W. Berwyn Avenue under the name Gran Lago. What’s compelling about the project are the names behind the venue, the same duo — Nick Lessins and Lydia Esparza — behind Great Lake Pizza. Great Lake Pizza was a beloved spot at a different address in Andersonville, a restaurant that debuted in 2008. In those five years, Great Lake earned national recognition as one of the best pizzerias in the country. Ownership isn’t tipping their hand about when the new project will open or what they’ll exactly serve, but for months the folks of Reddit have speculated about a possible Great Lake comeback.

HUMBOLDT PARK: Suncatcher Brewing, which has been in the works for months at 2849 W. Chicago Avenue, within the triangle of Grand, Chicago, and California, has applied for a liquor license. Ownership has been tightlipped on details. The brewery’s website mentions a beer garden and was touting a fall debut.

OLD TOWN: Something is brewing at the former Wells on Wells, a shuttered bar at 1617 N. Wells Street. A liquor license has been issued under the name Moon Star Kitchen & Bar. Kevin Vaughn, an outspoken member of the Illinois Restaurant Association and the name behind Vaughan Hospitality Group — they own five bars, including Corcoran’s next door in Old Town, Emerald Loop, and a pair of Vaughn’s Pubs — is listed on the liquor license. Vaughn didn’t respond to an email about his plans.

RIVER NORTH: The team Flight Club, the dart bar that arrived in Chicago in 2018, is opening another concept. It’s called Electric Shuffle, and the concept centers around shuffleboard. They’ve applied for a liquor license at 448 N. LaSalle. A rep isn’t ready to share details, but look for an update in November.

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE: As restaurants and bars, like Fifty/50 and Takito Kitchen, close along Division Street near Damen Avenue, a California-based hot dog chain plans on opening its second location. Dog Haus Biergarten has a Lincoln Park location near DePaul and a pair of ghost kitchens. They’re renovating the former Whadda Jerk space at 2015 W. Division Street. The chain is known for hot dogs with fancy toppings served on King’s Hawaiian rolls.