Oktoberfest!
Judging by the scent of pumpkin spice in the air, autumn is officially here, and with it comes one of the season’s most venerable festivities: Oktoberfest. This beer-fueled week-long celebration, which runs through October 5-ish, brings about a slew of heady beers and European-inspired specials to bars and restaurants throughout Chicago.
Chicago q embraces its German side with a special dish comprised of homemade bratwurst sausage infused with veal, pork, sautéed leeks, chives, and garlic. It’s served on a sumptuous bed of onions and sauerkraut with some whole-grain mustard.
Speaking of German-inspired sausages, Bohemian House is another apt destination for feasting on European meat. The River North newcomer offers something called knackwurst in a blanket, a hefty German pork sausage spiced with paprika, garlic, coriander, and nutmeg, made in-house and enrobed in puff pastry. It’s all served atop sweet and sour red cabbage with horseradish cream and a beer vinaigrette-splashed salad of watercress and turnips. Additionally during Oktoberfest, Bohemian House will offer three new beers on tap for the festivities.
Oktoberfest specials are on deck at the JW Marriott Chicago’s Lobby Lounge through October 4, featuring the inspired handiwork of executive chef Michael Reich. Expect mini schnitzel sandwiches, warm German pretzels, and Revolution Brewing’s Revolution Oktoberfest
Even more sausage takes shape at Tavern on Rush, where executive chef John Gatsos is offering a jumbo char-grille bratwurst sandwich bedecked with mustard, sauerkraut, and caramelized onions through October 5. To wash it all down, the restaurant is featuring Samuel Adams OctoberFest ale.
For something a little more offbeat, Taco Joint’s two locations are fusing German fare with Mexican sentiments in the form of bratwurst tacos. Through October 5, the restaurants are embracing what they’re calling “Oktoberfiesta” with German-inspired Jalisco bratwurst tacos made with tequila-spiked bratwurst, arbol chile mustard, and “serrano-kraut.” In addition, Revolution’s Oktoberfest will be on deck, plus Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila.
Chicago q
1160 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago
(312) 642-1160
Website
Bohemian House
11 W. Illinois Street, Chicago
(312) 955-0439
Website
The Lobby Lounge
151 W. Adams Street, Chicago
(312) 660-8200
Website
Tavern on Rush
1031 N. Rush Street, Chicago
(312) 664-9600
Website
Taco Joint
1969 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
(312) 951-2457
158 W. Ontario Street, Chicago
(312) 337-8226
Website
