CHIReview
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Little Bad Wolf
Included In
Living in a place with the occasional polar vortex has given Chicagoans a deep appreciation for bars that serve comfort food. We need places to eat and drink while ignoring the fact that our cars are buried under six feet of snow. But we aren’t always looking for a winter respite - sometimes it’s actually summer and we don’t want to hang out in a dark bar decorated like a hunting lodge or eat food that you would carry with you on the Oregon Trail. That’s where Little Bad Wolf Comes in. The cool setup and food make this a spot that works for all weather situations.
Their take on “upscale bar food” is that it’s Mexican or Asian, with a few solid American classics (like burgers) thrown in. To be clear, the food here isn’t “fusion.” Unless you consider eating bao and tacos in a Chicago bar is by its very nature fusion, which is a totally valid argument we can save for a later date. The food is meant to be shared, and is designated as either “pinch,” “fold,” “grab,” or “stab.” If you can ignore the fact that the menu demands you “pinch” your charcuterie and “stab” your salad, it’s easy to have a spread on the table that’s more interesting than typical bar food.
In the bao vs taco steel cage death match, the bao win by a landslide, with the steamed buns housing way better combos than their tacos. The same is true most of the Asian vs. Mexican dishes - we’d rather “pinch” the lumpia than the chips and guacamole. And if you do happen to end up here when it’s below freezing outside, the classic pub food holds its own with a burger and mac and cheese that do will a fair job of helping you forget you’re traveling with flare guns and a snow shovel in the trunk of your car. The salads are also more interesting than most of the ranch-drenched things we’re used to having in bars.
As for the space, it’s small with chill music, and there are cool drawings of the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, which is less weird than it sounds. There’s an industrial-chic decor thing happening, and it’s the kind of place you’ll want to post up in for a while. Considering the somewhat limited seating, we’ve found the best plan is to get there early, or to come on a warm day when the patio is open. The service is friendly and laid back, and they never make you feel like you need to relinquish your table even after you’re done eating and just want a spot to chill.
The cool vibe and solid food set Little Bad Wolf apart from most spots, and that makes it a worthy destination no matter what time of year it is.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Mussels
Lumpia
Chips, Guacamole, Salsa
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Bao
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Tacos
Elotes
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Brussels sprouts
Mac and Cheese
photo credit: Sandy Noto