Ox Bar & Hearth
Restaurant · Goose Island ·
Live-fire cooking with Midwestern roots, pierogis, cornbread
Live-fire cooking with Midwestern roots, pierogis, cornbread
"Live-fire cooking and Midwestern sensibilities define this new Lincoln Park restaurant, set in a 125-year-old space that once housed the Golden Ox, with a custom wood-burning grill and oven as its literal centerpiece. About half the menu meets the flames, showcasing simply cooked dishes like smoked whitefish dip with radishes and seeded rye crackers, potato pierogi from chef John Asbaty’s grandfather’s recipe, and a pork collar with rutabaga mostarda and black walnut–cider jus. Sourcing anchors it in the region—produce from Illinois-based Frillman Farms and Northern Michigan’s Werp Farms, Great Lakes fish, and local meats—while the drinks list mirrors that ethos with a private barrel bourbon from Wisconsin’s J. Henry & Sons, beers from nearby Off Color Brewing, seasonal cocktails such as an apple-and-sage highball, and a domestically focused wine list spanning Michigan to California. Exposed brick, warm tones, and soft lighting frame an open kitchen in a space that seats roughly 118, with a lounge and bar area offering first come, first served seating, a private room, and a patio for warmer months. Named to honor the building’s heritage (“Ox”), foster community (“Bar”), and celebrate the hearth at its core (“Hearth”), it aims to be a cozy gathering place that changes with the season—“when it’s winter, we want the food to feel like it’s winter”—and opens in mid-November." - Jeffy Mai
"After undergoing a name change (it was initially going to be called Brick & Mortar), this Lincoln Park American spot is gearing up for a late September opening. Ox Bar & Hearth is a collaboration from Hogsalt and Alinea alums, and plans to have a menu with dishes like slow-cooked pork collar, charred cabbage and coffee-roasted carrots, and smoked whitefish dip." - John Ringor
"Opening:Late SeptemberAfter undergoing a name change (it was initially going to be called Brick & Mortar), this Lincoln Park American spot is gearing up for a late September opening. Ox Bar & Hearth is a collaboration from Hogsalt andAlineaalums, and plans to have a menu with dishes like slow-cooked pork collar, charred cabbage and coffee-roasted carrots, and smoked whitefish dip." - John Ringor
"In Lincoln Park, chef John Asbaty and restaurateur Alain Uy reunite for a neighborhood spot built around wood-fired Midwestern cooking, reimagining comforting regional flavors with seasonal ingredients and pairing them to a beverage list that highlights Midwestern spirits, beers, and wines. The design nods to the building’s past as the Golden Ox, adding lounge seating, intimate booths and banquettes, and a private dining room styled after a kitchen library." - Jeffy Mai
"Taking over the longtime restaurant space at 1578 N. Clybourn (across from the North & Clybourn Red Line stop), this new concept aims to create a communal environment that honors the location’s history as the Golden Ox (1921–2001) while pursuing a fresh vision. Led by John Asbaty and Alain Uy, alums of Trio in Evanston, the team plans a summer opening and is currently hiring. Expect live-fire cooking with Midwestern roots and an emphasis on simple, straightforward techniques that are intentionally not boring. The spot most recently housed Burger Bar Chicago, and the new name is inspired by London pub traditions that pair animals with symbols of comfort, craft, or place." - Ashok Selvam
