Triple Crown Restaurant
Dim sum restaurant · South Loop
2217 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Highlights
Dim sum & Cantonese classics, late-night dining, cute buns
Dim sum & Cantonese classics, late-night dining, cute buns
"Just beyond the massive Welcome to Chinatown gate on Wentworth avenue is Triple Crown, an incredibly busy dim sum spot. Located on the second floor, it’s not uncommon on weekends to see a line of people waiting on the stairs leading up to the host stand, hoping to grab a table. The good news is that busy crowds mean fresher dim sum, and it’s possible to avoid being a part of this Au Cheval-esque purgatory by making a reservation. Classics like BBQ buns, shrimp dumplings, and beef rice crepes are all solid, and the sweet custard buns in the shape of cartoony pigs are great for people with cute aggression." - john ringor, adrian kane, veda kilaru
"This Chinatown staple has been around since 1996, and people still line up on the staircase near the dining room for its delicious dim sum. Lunchtime on the weekends is the busiest, when every two-top and 10-seat table with a lazy susan is taken. But this is also the best time to visit: the room is totally alive, and the kitchen churns through har gow and BBQ pork buns frequently to keep up. No matter when you go, the meal won't be complete without Triple Crown's sweet, cartoon piggy custard buns that are almost too cute to eat—almost." - adrian kane, john ringor
"This Chinatown staple has been around since 1996, and people still line up on the staircase near the dining room for its delicious dim sum. Lunchtime on the weekends is the busiest, when every two-top and 10-seat table with a lazy susan is taken. But this is also the best time to visit: the room is totally alive, and the kitchen churns through har gow and BBQ pork buns frequently to keep up. No matter when you go, the meal won't be complete without Triple Crown's sweet, cartoon piggy custard buns that are almost too cute to eat—almost." - nick allen, john ringor, adrian kane
"On any weekend around lunchtime, there’s probably a line of people snaking up Triple Crown’s staircase leading up to this Chinese restaurant’s large second-floor dining room. Why are all these couples, friends, and families willing to hang out on a staircase? This longtime Chinatown staple’s tasty dim sum. photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik Don’t let the line discourage you (you can also book a reservation). The busyness has two benefits: it not only creates a buzzy energy in the space with lazy Susans and a colorful dragon mural, it also means dim sum is made more frequently to keep up. Lunchtime is when their plump har gow and sweet BBQ pork buns will most likely be at their most fresh and delicious. But any time of day is great for other highlights like ginger and green onion lobster or flat rice noodles with beef. Just make sure to end any meal with sweets from the dim sum section, like the piggy custard buns that are almost too cute to eat—we repeat, almost. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Food Rundown photo credit: Kim Kovacik Triple Crown Shrimp Dumpling The har gow here is excellent—it's full of plump shrimp pieces blanketed in a supple, chewy wrapper. Get this. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Siu Mai These are some chunky dumplings. And the juicy, savory pork and shrimp filling practically bursts out of the wonton wrapper. Another Triple Crown must-order. photo credit: Kim Kovacik BBQ Pork Buns The BBQ pork buns strike a nice balance between sweet and savory. The dough is fluffy with a pleasant bounce to each bite, and it has a slight sweetness that complements the saucy filling. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Piggy Custard Buns On the outside, these buns look like Looney Tunes extras. But the best part is the custard filling, which isn’t too sweet. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Ginger Green Onion Lobster As its name suggests, this tasty shellfish plate is fully flavored with ginger and green onion. Everything is already cracked for easy access, so you don’t have to slow down the dim sum feast momentum when making a lobster pit stop. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Stir-Fried Beef Flat Rice Noodles Triple Crown’s menu has a bunch of noodles to choose from, but this is one of our favorites. The thin rice ribbons have a pleasant chew and are great vehicles for all of the savory sauce. Onions and bean sprouts give it a little bit of crispness." - John Ringor
"A favorite among the locals, Triple Crown offers a pretty comprehensive choice of options along with their regular menu items. Don’t pass on their cute cartoon buns which are crowd favorites. This second-generation Chinese restaurant pays homage to its roots and its menu offerings reflect that." - Karen Lee
