Many stories have given the city more space in their fictional plots than simply anchoring it as a narrative backdrop – FX's hit series “The Bear” is one example of this, allowing the real-life Chicago to take center stage as one of the key characters, particularly as the US city's dynamic restaurant industry comes to life on viewers' small screens.
Chicago is heavily featured in FX's hit series “The Bear,” and plays an integral role in shaping the story, particularly around Chicago's restaurant industry. {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
Perhaps the show's most engrossing romance is with Chicago, and show creator Christopher Stoller's talent for tasteful storytelling shines an even more personally poignant light on a vision that audiences can't help but fall in love with.
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With the third and latest installment in the series finally available to stream on Hulu and Disney Plus Hotstar, fans are flocking to these platforms to dive into a new chapter in the infectious culinary world that is more than just visually stunning.
The colours of Chicago will be easily identifiable to those familiar with its lifestyle and cultural mores, and the show's characters are often sent on pilgrimages to different parts of the city in search of identity, almost as if transported to another world, but they remain firmly rooted in Chicago.
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The Bear: A Love Letter to Chicago and Its Food Culture
Ever Restaurant, located in the city's West Loop, is especially known for its amazing food and service, and its interior vibe and the feel of the place were beautifully recreated in Season 2's “Forks” (episode 7), where Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) sends Richie (Ebon Moss Bacharach) out to the fancy restaurant. The episode kicked off a whole new stretch of his character development over the course of an entire episode, ultimately earning the title of one of the most beloved episodes of all time.
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As detailed by Val Warner for ABC7, restaurant co-owner and chef Curtis Duffy confirmed he played an integral role as a key adviser on the episode.
“We were featured, the food, of course, Evers, the plating,” Duff said. He also asserted that he and his team made it all possible and that even the Bear team followed their lead in making the episode a success.
“The amount of detail that we put into everything every day, from the moment you arrive here to the moment you leave, really stays true to that storyline,” he added. “It's really about the details, because every single one of those details adds to the bigger picture of what we do in our restaurants every day.”
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Despite the exaggerated on-screen depiction, Duffy agreed that the show “hits the nail on the head.” “Sure, it doesn't capture the tension and craziness that goes on behind the scenes every day, because not every kitchen is run like this, but the show hits the nail on the head and across the board.” The Eber chef acknowledged that while such high-intensity kitchens do exist, he chooses to “run his own kitchen very differently.” He didn't take any umbrage with the way the FX series portrays the inner sanctum, instead nodding: “…I think they're totally right in the way they capture the full scope of our industry.”
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“The Bear” Season 2 Episode 7 also features Pequod's Pizza, located at 2207 W. Clybourn Avenue. The restaurant specializes in Chicago deep-dish pizza, recreated as a haute cuisine affair on the model of the Michelin-starred restaurant.
“The Pequod, that was a great meal. It was amazing. It was on the air, people saw it, and … everybody wanted to try it … as more people started traveling for spring break and stuff, we realized … 'Oh, I'm here for the Bear,'” Pequod general manager Sean Asbrough said.
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Duffy also proudly asserted that “The Bear” “does a great job showcasing Chicago. If you watch it and you live in Chicago, you'll be proud to be here.”
Even Chicago outlet WGNTV.com acknowledged that the traditionally backstage spot, where Richie spent much of his time polishing forks, has been transformed into a popular spot for diners.
In addition to Michelin-starred fine dining, The Bear also highlights more casual establishments like Chicago coffee shop Dark Matter, where just one sip of coffee from a cup caused a furor among locals.
“Our regular customers started tagging us saying, 'I have a Dark Matter cup on the counter!'” Mike Miczek of Dark Matter Coffee told WGN9.
But even before the show shines a spotlight on these places, “The Bear” finds its ultimate inspiration in the humble, down-to-earth Chicago establishment of Chris Zucchero's Italian sandwich shop, Mr. Beef.
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According to Variety, Christopher Stoller and Zucchero are childhood friends, and Zucchero got insider information about the beloved joint, which filmed about 90% of the series premiere of Mr. Beef. The joint's owner even makes a cameo appearance in the pilot as a parking lot butcher.
Other Restaurants in Chicago's Dining Scene Featured on FX's The Bear
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According to Eater Chicago, there are several locations (or their signature paraphernalia) that have been spotted throughout the show's three seasons.
Superdog Drive-In
Address: 6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 Appearances: Season 1 Episode 7, Season 2 Episode 5
Chiu Kuong Bakery
Address: 2242 S Wentworth Ave (at 22nd Pl), Chicago, IL 60616 Appearance: Season 3 Episode 1
Loaf Lounge
Address: 2934 N Milwaukee Ave Suite E, Chicago, IL 60618 What it's about: Co-owner and baker Sarah Mispagel is also one of the series' key consultants — she made the rich chocolate cake Marcus (Lionel Boyce) prepares in Season 1.
Trogo Kitchen & Market
Address: 2545 West Diversey Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60647 Published in: The Bear Pilot
Margie's Candy
Address: 1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 Featured in: Season 2, episode 3 is titled “Sundae,” a reference to the treat Sydney enjoys at an ice cream parlor.
Roser's Bakery
Address: 3216 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 Features: Season 1 – Marcus finds inspiration for making donuts at Chicago's oldest family-owned bakery.
Doma Cafe
Address: 946 N Orleans St (Oak), Chicago, IL 60610 Featured in: Season 3 Episode 7 – Shapiro and Sid meet here.
Kasama
Address: 1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 Featured in: Season 2 Episode 3 – The first stop on Sydney's Chicago food tour.
Schneider Deli
Address: 600 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654 Featured: Season 3 Episode 1 Montage
After Lounge
Address: 1338 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607 Appears in: Season 2 Episode 4 – Marcus learns from Luca (Will Poulter) here. The bar also appears again in Season 3 Episode 1.
Lou Mitchell's
Address: 565 W Jackson Blvd (between S Jefferson St and S Clinton St), Chicago, IL 60661 Appearance: Season 3 Episode 1
Ceres Cafe
Address: 141 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604 Appearance: This bar is featured in Season 1 Episode 6, “Ceres.”
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