Sun Wah BBQ

"Sun Wah is the Peking duck king of Chicago. This Uptown Chinese spot has been carving roast birds tableside and serving their off-menu duck dinner since 1986. Every dish in the duck feast—meaty bao, rice or noodles, broth made with the carcass—is excellent. When you’re crowded around a lazy susan with good company and plates of glistening duck, few group dinners can compare. (Plus, they’re so committed to roasting birds for the city, you can drop off a turkey at Thanksgiving and they’ll cook it the same way.)" - nick allen, john ringor, adrian kane

"Sun Wah has been serving delicious Cantonese dishes and Hong Kong-style BBQ in Uptown since 1987. But if you quickly survey the warehouse-esque space, it’s easy to figure out which dish reigns supreme—even though it’s off-menu. You’re here for what’s on most tables and what hangs by the restaurant windows like an unofficial mascot, the Peking duck. photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik Duck isn’t just a meal at Sun Wah, it’s part of an experience. Servers zip around with carts of shimmering barbecued birds and deftly carve them tableside before serving them with fluffy baos. The waterfowl extravaganza doesn't stop there—each duck dinner comes with a comforting soup made with the bird’s carcass and your choice of fried rice or crispy noodles with the remaining duck meat. Other dishes on the menu aren’t just second-string choices either, like chewy beef chow fun or garlicky stir-fried eggplant. Regardless of what non-duck-related dishes you get, as long as you’ve got a table full of roast bird and good company, you’re in for one of the best group meals in the city. Food Rundown photo credit: Kim Kovacik Duck Dinner Between the carved slices of meat served with baos, soup, and duck fried rice or crispy noodles, each duck dinner serves three to four people. For the baos, get some of the daikon, carrot, scallion, and hoisin involved—they nicely complement the rich, crackly-skinned meat. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Beef Chow Fun If you want some noodles (or more noodles if you chose that instead of duck fried rice), this is a great choice. The rice noodles have a pleasant bounce and a balanced sweet and savory flavor between the sauce and chunks of beef. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Stir Fried Eggplant Saucy, garlicky, and tender, this stir-fried nightshade is a solid vegetable option to join your duck party." - John Ringor

"The Cheng family, founders of this James Beard-recognized Hong Kong barbecue and Cantonese restaurant, designed the space with group gatherings in mind. As such, the larger round tables can seat up to 12 guests and long tables can be put together for up to 16 guests. Big appetites will come in handy as the favorites here — such as roasted pig and Peking-style spare ribs, as well as the signature Beijing duck dinner with all the fixings — are quite sizable. Advanced reservations are recommended and there’s a three credit card maximum per group." - Samantha Nelson, Eater Staff

"Guests are greeted by the sight of hanging meats like barbecued pork and salt-baked chicken at this beloved Uptown restaurant. But the main attraction here is the Beijing duck feast. A whole roasted duck is carved tableside and served with steamed bao, garnishes, and hoisin sauce. The remains are then used to make duck soup and fried rice. Call ahead to reserve the duck; alcohol is BYO. Sun Wah is a James Beard Award winner." - Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff

"Sure, pizzas, hot dogs, and Italian beef might be Chicago’s signature dishes, but Sun Wah’s off-menu peking duck dinner deserves a spot on the podium. This Uptown Chinese restaurant has been carving roast birds tableside since 1986, and every course of the duck feast—meaty baos, plates of rice and noodles, light broth made with the carcass—is excellent. When you’re crowded around a lazy susan in the company of good friends, family, and plates of glistening roast duck, few group dinners in the city can compare." - john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen