Support Local Eateries with Holiday To-Go Deals

My latest WGN Morning News segment focuses on how Chicagoland restaurants are pivoting this year to accommodate diners throughout the holiday season.

Everything’s so different in 2020, and that includes this holiday season. Overall, we’ll all be home, so restaurants in many states have completely shifted gears to accommodate. They’re doing festive dinners with luxury ingredients, larger format cocktail kits for up to 12 revelers, globally inspired fare, and more. What’s different is the innovative ways these establishments are connecting with customers to get them their culinary offerings.

I featured several of my favorites during this latest segment on WGN Morning News. Dozzy’s Grill, for example, is brand new and specializes in authentic West African street fare. It’s situated in a ghost kitchen, where 60 or so miniature restaurants in one building are set up to offer delivery, curbside, or pick-up meals only.

Dozzy’s does brunch, lunch, and dinner, with fun, share-able dishes like suya-infused steak, shrimp, and vegetable kabobs. There’s also a Nigerian-inspired burrito stuffed with jollof rice, chicken, egg, black-eyed peas, and avocado.

Renowned chef Rick Bayless’ subterranean cocktail lounge, Bar Sotano, is also doing curbside pickups for its biggest hits. Some of the more portable dishes—ceviche, guac and chips, lobster paella, tacos—are ideal for smaller gatherings. And customers may also order cocktail kits to re-create drinks like the Oaxacan pasilla mezcal margaritas at home.

And, Le Bouchon has created a virtual wine store where guests may get half off on their favorite bottles, with prices starting at $25. There are also classic dishes they may order to reheat at home, from beef Wellington to roast duck for two to a rabbit pot pie.

See the segment in its entirety right here.