The Five Spot: Your Daily Take Out and Delivery Recs
Avondale, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Humboldt Park, Logan Square
Za’atar Mediterranean Grill
There are a ton of great Middle Eastern spots in Chicago, but this is one of my go-tos. The smoky baba ghanouj is one of my favorites in the city, and the namesake hummus has a lemon-kissed heat. Good shawarma, and thick pillowy lavash-wrapped falafel sandwich round out the offering. Don’t forget to add the baklava assortment from local bakery Nazareth Sweets. There’s like 8-10 pieces in it, but you’ll be lucky if they last past dinner.
https://www.zaatarmedgrillchicago.com/
Chiya Chai
You’ve never had Nepalese before? Well, no better time to start than when you’re locked in under quarantine. Sisters Rajee Aryal and Nadine Schaefer make some fabulous fare including flaky pot pies stuffed with masala chicken or curried kale and potatoes as well as an assortment of steamed potsticker-like dumplings called momo. The chai is brewed from real leaves, not some pre-packaged concentrate as at most commercial coffee bars.
Bronzeville & Oak Park
Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles
If you’ve been watching Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Instagram feed lately, you’ll know he’s been live broadcasting his “cheat” day meals where he does stuff like house five pizzas, or a loaf of French toasted brioche dripping in peanut butter and maple syrup. If you want to try to replicate this at home, why not do it with a mound of fluffy waffles piled high with fried chicken. One of my favorite versions subs in fried creamy chicken livers if you want to roll with something different.
https://chicagoschickenandwaffles.com/pickup-delivery/
Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Irving Park, Albany Park
D’Candela
What’s more comforting in these times than roast chicken? How about charcoal roasted chicken that invokes summer grill memories? That’s what you get at this Peruvian spot, along with a helping of syrupy sweet fried plantains or a golden mound of French fries.
Lincoln Park, River North, Oak Park
Firecakes Donuts
Who says you can’t have donuts for dinner? I guess you might also need delivery breakfast too, so this will work as well. The pistachio old fashioned and the peanut butter cup are a couple of my faves, but honestly wherever there is sugar, there is happiness.