Chef Art Smith’s Reunion

"Move over seagulls, Navy Pier has a new mascot: the fried chicken from this farmhouse-chic Southern spot. The crispy, salty skin has plenty of craggy batter bits, and the meat has excellent juiciness. But this restaurant decked out in chicken-themed art has other great dishes like grits with shrimp and andouille sausage, and crispy hushpuppies served with pimento cheese and pepper jelly. Reunion’s location by the pier’s front entrance makes it a hot spot for tourists and workers hanging out for happy hour, but it’s easy to grab a spot in their large dining room or patio." - adrian kane

"The seagull has long been Navy Pier’s mascot, but the fried chicken from Reunion is here to change that. Its skin is salty and very crispy with plenty of craggy batter bits, and the meat has so much juiciness it's like biting into a Gusher. Use the slightly fruity hot sauce on the side with reckless abandon." - john ringor, adrian kane

"Move over seagulls, Navy Pier has a new mascot: the fried chicken from this farmhouse-chic Southern spot. The crispy, salty skin has plenty of craggy batter bits, and the meat has excellent juiciness. But this restaurant decked out in chicken-themed art has other great dishes like grits with shrimp and andouille sausage, and crispy hushpuppies served with pimento cheese and pepper jelly. Reunion’s location by the pier’s front entrance makes it a hot spot for tourists and workers hanging out for happy hour, but it’s easy to grab a spot in their large dining room or patio." - John Ringor

"Get a great view of the skyline and the lake from the base of Navy Pier on the shady 200-seat patio at Chef Art Smith’s Reunion. The celebrity chef offers a family-friendly spot for Southern comfort food including his celebrated fried chicken, jambalaya and shrimp & grits. Visit on Sunday for live music, bottomless mimosas, and brunch fare including biscuits & gravy and fried green tomato benedict. Make a reservation at OpenTable." - Samantha Nelson, Naomi Waxman, Ashok Selvam

"Celebrity chef Art Smith is no stranger to being out and proud scene — he and husband Jesus Salguiero wed in a lavish ceremony in 2010 — and sure enough, his Chicago restaurant at Navy Pier will celebrate the season with a special frozen piña colada topped with a rainbow popsicle, with a portion of proceeds going to the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame. Smith has long used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ equality and inclusion, including hosting a gigantic wedding for more than two dozen queer couples in 2015 in Miami Beach just weeks after federal judges ruled that a Florida ban on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional." - Naomi Waxman