Last year, we found the best Lenten dishes in Chicago. However, if you live in Chicago, you probably want to try something new each year. As our favorite restaurants rotate their menu and launch new seasonal dishes, here are the best place to eat for Lenten in Chicago this year, including everything from sushi to fine seafood dining experience.
Sunda New Asian
110 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654
There may be no better place to celebrate Lenten in Chicago than one of our favorite sushi spots: Sunda! This Lenten season, explore some of the unique sushi items on their menu. As the weather warms up, Sunda’s menu also features sushis made with seasonal ingredients such as mango, avocado, and asparagus. Some of our editor’s favorites are:
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GARDEN ROLL $16 – local greens, basil, mango, avocado, asparagus, cucumber, nori, ponzu sauce
- SUMMER OF SUNDA* $22 – tuna, salmon, mango, avocado, asparagus, local greens, basil, ponzu, soy paper
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MIDORI* $20 – hamachi, wasabi tobiko, avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, cucumber, lime
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SPICY “TAIL OF TWO TUNAS”* $22 – spicy tuna, escolar, fried shallots, spicy mayo
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SAKE TO ME* $19 – salmon, crab, local greens, avocado, cucumber, kewpie mayo, masago
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LOBSTER WAGYU* $32 – creamy lobster, scallions, jalapeño, wagyu tataki, truffle foie, wasabi aioli
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GAMBLER* $24 – spicy tuna, kani, cucumbers, scallions, kampyo, avocado, ghost pepper sambal
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Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Famous for its menu-full of vibrant a la carte items, Heritage Restaurant is treating Chicagoans to a special Lenten Friday menu this year. The menu features delicious classics like the Fried Whitefish Sandwich and Butter Poached Lobster Roll. There are also special items only available for pickup, including a half or full dozen of Crayfish and Crab Cakes with Sauce Gribiche, or Handmade Pierogis.
Heritage’s Lenten Friday menu features special dishes for dine-in and pickup, and will be available every Friday from 4pm to 9pm, February 24th through April 7th. Pre-orders are available via Tock.
Aboyer
64 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093
POV: You’re ordering seafood, but want a little bit of everything. Enter: Aboyer’s time-honored Soup de Poisson recipe. A mélange of Lobster-filled Loup de Mer Roulade, Prince Edward Island Mussels, Shrimp, Garlic-scented Lobster Broth, topped with a Saffron Rouille Crouton.
Hinoki Sushiko
1465 W Willow St, Chicago, IL 60642
If you’re taking your Lenten Friday in a different direction, Omakase might just be the best idea! Visit the twice-Michelin-recognized Hinoki Sushiko near Lincoln Yards for a world-class omakase experience from Chef Gustavo Barahona. Using only the finest ingredients, Hinoki Sushiko is a beloved destination for seafood lovers, and the absolute best place for a meal during Lenten in Chicago this year.
Truth Be Told
1227 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Lenten season calls for fish and chips, and the best fish of chips in Chicago now falls on Truth Be Told at University of Chicago — at least based on our canvassing. The breading is perfect, the fish is always fresh and juicy, and the thick-cut fries are always crispy on the outside and mushy on the inside. Do I really need to say more? For cold dish lovers, try their cocktail shrimp or just grab a dozen of oysters!
Tuman’s Tap & Grill
2159 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Tuman’s features a $16 Fish & Chips entrée, which includes fresh beer-battered cod with hand-cut fries and house tartar sauce on Ash Wednesday and every Lenten Friday (through Good Friday/April 7). The special is available from 4-10 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, and from 4-11 p.m. on Lenten Fridays.
Additionally, the bar features $7 Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier drafts daily during Lent. According to the principle that liquids do not break the fast, monks would brew a stronger, more nurturing beer during Lent. This seasonal unfiltered Fastenbier (Smokebeer) is based on this monastic beer tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. The Fastenbier is available during regular business hours.
Mac’s Wood Grilled
1801 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Mac’s Lenten features include Fish & Chips, an entrée of beer-battered whitefish with fries and housemade tartar sauce ($13); and a Fried Fish Sandwich, with beer-battered whitefish, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles and housemade tartar sauce on a brioche bun ($14, served with fries). The specials are available daily during regular business hours Wednesday, February 22 (Ash Wednesday) through Friday, April 7 (Good Friday).
Burrito Beach
Multiple locations
Burrito Beach will offer unique fish taco varieties at each of their downtown locations through Friday, April 7. Burrito Beach’s two fish taco menu options include: the Playa del Carmen taco, three grilled fish tacos served with magnifica salsa crema, cabbage slaw and pickled red onions, and the Rosarito Beach taco, three crispy battered Atlantic cod tacos, pico de gallo, cabbage slaw, magnifica salsa crema. Both tacos are available at a number of Burrito Beach locations throughout Chicago this Lenten season.
Scratchboard Kitchen
5 W Campbell St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
With Lent starting next week, Scratchboard Kitchen offers a Friday fish fry special on February 24, March 3, and 10. Guests can pre-order a bucket of crispy fried fish made with the same proprietary spice mix as their famous fried chicken for $50 (serves 3-4), including add-ons such as scratch-made tartar sauce and Nashville hot honey made from locally sourced honey for $8 each.
In addition, guests can add sides and dessert to their order with choices of housemade biscuits and pimiento ($30; add a jar of its 9 oz housemade blueberry chai jam for $14), arugula, beet & citrus salad ($14) and a 4-pack of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies ($14). Orders can be placed via Tock here.
Featured Image: Hinoki Sushiko