Seven Ten Social

Seven Ten Social Is Open in Hyde Park | Eater Chicago

"This new Hyde Park bowling alley pairs retro, old-school bowling vibes with modern conveniences and technology. The space seats about 40 across booths, tables, and a 12-seat bar, and features corrugated metal, white subway tile, a large green neon sign that reads “Hyde Park,” marquee lighting urging visitors to “Eat Drink Bowl,” and rows of rainbow-hued bowling balls; its eight lanes use automatic scoring for a smoother, vintage-look-but-new-tech experience. The tight menu, developed with lauded pit master Charlie McKenna of Lillie’s Q, includes wagyu beef burgers (American cheese, pickles, onions, burger sauce), fried chicken sandwiches available dry, Buffalo, or Nashville hot, chicken wings and tenders, and crinkle-cut fries. Desserts and drinks lean playful—traditional milkshakes (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) can be upgraded to boozy versions like the Frozen Chocolate Mudslide (chocolate shake, vodka, Baileys, Kahlúa) or Ice Cream Colada (vanilla shake, Malibu rum, pineapple juice)—and there’s a short cocktail list (including drinks like the Gaucho and the Cowboy) plus a small selection of craft beers on tap. Operators have adopted self-service kiosks to streamline ordering and keep staff small but better paid, a response to staffing challenges and a deliberate way to minimize contentious interactions; an all-day, New Orleans–inspired breakfast concept called Roux (beignets and more) is planned to operate out of the space in the future. Overall, the project is positioned as a neighborhood hotspot that aims to preserve communal bowling culture while evolving the business with forward-thinking tech and service choices." - Naomi Waxman