Desert Hawk
Bar · Ukrainian Village ·
Agave spirits, craft cocktails, and unique smash burgers.
Agave spirits, craft cocktails, and unique smash burgers.
"Desert Hawk, a friendly bar in Wicker Park, has become a tavern known for its pop-up residencies. The current tenant, Smash Jibarito, delivers a well-seasoned, thin beef patty smashed on a flattop with the obligatory crispy bits. But instead of placing it in between a bun, the burger goes Puerto Rican and gets sandwiched between fried slices of plantain, just like a jibarito. The result is a gluten-free masterpiece that’s also available in a vegetarian option." - Ashok Selvam
"Division Street in Wicker Park has seen a few phases in recent years. Once a neighborhood for creatives, the bar scene has shifted to more sporty and family-friendly. Desert Hawk reverses that trend, returning a little charm to the area. The West Coast owners want to bring a little of the Golden State to Chicago with tequila drinks and an arsenal of cocktails. The food is also noteworthy as Smash Jibarito has begun a residency." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman
"If you've ever wondered what the lovechild of a burger and jibarito would taste like, you don’t have to let your dreams stay dreams—head to Smash Jibarito. This resident pop-up inside of Wicker Park's Desert Hawk specializes in pressed patties sandwiched between fried plantains. Each burger gets a sweetness from the plantain pucks—our favorite is the Estilo Animal, with animal sauce, sweet pickles, and american cheese for a little saltiness. Pair it with a ranch water high ball while hanging out in Desert Hawk’s dark wooden space or front patio." - John Ringor
"Desert Hawk is a bar in Wicker Park with an open layout and a kitchen that rotates staff. The latest resident might be controversial for inclusion. Sure, burgers aren’t represented in this map, but what happens when you replace the bun with fried plantains like a Puerto Rican jibarito? The answer is the delightful Smash Jibarito, a wandering pop-up that has found a stable home at Desert Hawk. The smash burger has that signature crust from the griddle and when stuffed between the plantains, customers get a glorious and messy sandwich. There’s also a veggie version." - Naomi Waxman
"Alright, we know Desert Hawk is a bar and not a restaurant. But considering that the food comes from one of our favorite Mexican pop-ups in the city, Taco Sublime, we're willing to make the exception. Every taco comes with a layer of fried cheese and well-seasoned proteins (definitely get the shrimp) and their smashburgers have delicious, perfectly crispy patties. The dimly lit, wooden space is small, but not too cramped, and they also have a sidewalk patio in front." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor
