Ludlow Liquors

"This Logan Square bar has one of our favorite outdoor spaces in town, and they also have a large fenced-in back patio full of colorful picnic tables and bright green turf. It’s a relaxed drinking spot, where you can meet some friends and bring your dog to hang out with you for a few hours on fake grass. Plus, now they make halal smashburgers." - adrian kane

"After closing during the pandemic, Ludlow, one of our favorite bars and patios in Logan Square, pivoted to pizza for carryout. But now that Chicago is back open, their menu has changed and now features (this won’t be a surprise since they’re on this guide) a fantastic smashburger. The patties are reminiscent of what you’ll find at The Region: super flattened with lacy, caramelized edges. The burger is dressed simply - just horseradish sauce, pickles, and American cheese - and served on a sweet, squishy-but-dense-enough bun. Another nice thing about this burger is that it (plus fries) is $8, and exactly what we want to be eating when we’re hanging out on their backyard patio." - adrian kane

"Ludlow Liquors has the look and scene of your average dive, but the food (courtesy of the folks from SuperHai) and drinks are much better than average. While sitting in one of their old naugahyde booths, you can snack on crispy fries tossed with the perfect amount of spicy togarashi and MSG while sipping on a refreshing yuzu-flavored soju cocktail. The well-seasoned burgers are great too (and only $10 on Tuesdays), and they have creative ones with kimchi or wasabi blue cheese. Ludlow Liquors also has regular, local pop-ups usually on Mondays (check their Instagram page for updates), and there's a spacious dog-friendly patio in the back." - john ringor, adrian kane

"Ludlow Liquors has the look and scene of your average dive, but the food (courtesy of the folks from SuperHai) and drinks are much better than average. While sitting in one of their old naugahyde booths, you can snack on crispy fries tossed with the perfect amount of spicy togarashi and MSG while sipping on a refreshing yuzu-flavored soju cocktail. The well-seasoned burgers are great too (and only $10 on Tuesdays), and they have creative ones with kimchi or wasabi blue cheese. Ludlow Liquors also has regular, local pop-ups usually on Mondays (check their for updates), and there's a spacious dog-friendly patio in the back. " - John Ringor

"Chefs Rafa Esparza and Anthony Baier will preview their forthcoming restaurant FAFO with menu items like Electric Ave and 7/11 at the Reader’s Monday Night Foodball pop-up." - Naomi Waxman