Warlord

The 22 Best Burgers In Chicago - Chicago - The Infatuation

"Warlord’s menu changes daily, but within the chaos lies one constant: the burger. The thick dry-aged beef patty is unbelievably juicy, well-seasoned, and has the perfect amount of char. Charred onions and caramelized onion mayo give it a pleasant tang and sweetness, and everything is sandwiched between a squishy bun that feels like memory foam. Cheese? Nope. But you won’t care." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru

The Best Restaurants In Avondale - Chicago - The Infatuation

"Though its name might sound aggressive, this New American restaurant is very welcoming. Bartenders playfully present a Miller High Life like it’s a vintage red, or encourage a double date hanging out at a candle-lit banquette to stay as long as they want—which could be a long time, since they're open until 2am. And the food is why you’ll want to stay forever. The menu changes daily, which is both exciting and bittersweet since those incredible spicy hokkaido scallops in a funky XO sauce may never appear again. Warlord plays hard to get, which makes us want them even more. Just know that they don't take reservations." - john ringor, adrian kane

Debating Chicago’s Biggest Food Stories of 2024 | Eater Chicago

"John Kessler described what he called “the biggest unreported news story,” noting “all the allegations about abusive behavior from one of the owners of that restaurant, the breakout star of 2023. We all tried to pursue this story but couldn’t get enough people to talk on the record.” The comment highlights serious, unresolved misconduct allegations that attracted attention but resisted full public reporting." - Ashok Selvam

"The word is out on Warlord, where eager diners line up before it's even open to snag a seat at this first-come, first-serve spot. Chefs Emily Kraszyk, John Lupton, and Trevor Fleming cook over a live-fire grill in an open kitchen, and the most desirable seats are at the chefs' counter. Settle in to feast on the likes of foie gras ganache with grilled hearth bread accompanied by salty-sweet honey butter, whipped foie, and rhubarb dressed with a beetroot reduction. Lacquered, dry-aged duck rests above the grill for a slower cook, but the tender meat is worth the extra time. Even dessert hits the flames, with butter cake grilled to a nicely crisp exterior before being topped with butterscotch amazake cream." - Michelin Inspector

Are These Chicago Restaurants Worth The Hype?

"The Verdict: Most definitely worth the wait. In fact, this New American spot recently made our list of 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago. Limited hours. No reservations. An unpredictable menu. Warlord opened in May with little information beyond the above, which we normally consider red flags. But we can now tell you that the line out the door isit’s worth the wait. And since they're open until 2am, that wait can be a pretty long one. The menu changes everyday, which is both exciting—"This ramp pasta is incredible!"—and bittersweet—"Will I ever see these miso butter scallops again?" Warlord is playing hard to get, but that only makes us want this spot even more. " - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen