Leña Brava

"A restaurant in West Loop where Brian Enyart, one of the participants in the homecoming series, is originally from." - Serena Maria Daniels

"A Mexican restaurant located in the West Loop of Chicago, known for its cuisine and sibling brewpub Cruz Blanca." - Ashok Selvam

"This is the upscale, Baja-inspired restaurant right next to Cruz Blanca. The menu is full of wood-fired dishes—like charred cabbage and roasted sweet potato, but also has things like enchiladas, ceviche, and empanadas. Come here if you need a business dinner that’s not a steakhouse." - sam faye, adrian kane, veda kilaru, nick allen

"At Leña Brava, the flavors of Baja California come through on sustainably sourced seafood. It’s available in cold preparations – oysters, ceviche, aguachile – and as hot dishes that are cooked on an open hearth or wood-burning oven. The can’t-miss item is the whole striped bass, which is served with wood-grilled asparagus and red, green or lemon-garlic mojo. The beverage list highlights tequila and mezcal. Book a table through Resy." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff

"Now operated by Au Cheval’s parent company, Hogsalt, Leña Brava gives Chicago a unique representation of Mexican cuisine. The emphasis is on a wood grill that imparts smoke to dishes like a beef ribeye, beef short ribs, and a whole sea bass. The lamb neck birria tacos are worth nothing. It might be as adventurous as when Rick Bayless ran the show, but the food — and the beer next door at sibling brewpub, Cruz Blanca, make for a fun excursion." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman