Wednesday and Black Friday for Foodies
Thanksgiving is Thursday, but you may want to save some of your appetite for the two “Black” days that bookend it. Black Wednesday and Black Friday are much more than Thanksgiving afterthoughts and shopping melees, as proven by the array of dining and drinking deals taking place this year. Whether you’re preparing for the Thanksgiving onslaught or unwinding after too much family time, here are some reputable spots to check out.
In case you just can’t wait any longer for Mercadito Counter, the forthcoming Mexican deli from Mercadito Hospitality, you can taste a preview this week in the form of a piquant chili dog laden with pinto and black bean chili, onions, mustard, cheddar, and crema fresca. The perfect Thanksgiving prefix, a complimentary amuse bouche of Mercadito Counter’s chili dog is available through Wednesday, November 27, at Mercadito.
“Black” beverages take the lead at Franklin Tap all day long on Wednesday. There’s really no better way to amass a Thanksgiving appetite than by guzzling Guinness “Black List” drafts, various Black & Tan specials, and something called “Black Chub,” aka Guinness mixed with Oskar Blues Old Chub. Bargains on other craft beer cans and wines by the glass will also be available.
Conveniently, Black Wednesday also happens to coincide with the arrival of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau. The much-adored, eagerly awaited French Gamay wine bows in all its glory with a fitting tribute party at Untitled. The clandestine bar and restaurant celebrates on Wednesday with a complimentary tasting event featuring passed appetizers and wine samples. Later in the evening, the soiree gets saucier, transforming into a Parisian-inspired nightclub featuring the Unbridled French Connection. The tasting event runs from 7:00 pm until 9:30 pm, at which point Unbridled takes the lead.
Fast forward to Black Friday and restaurants are graciously rolling out more menu specials to help ease the Thanksgiving hangover. Kanela Breakfast Club in Old Town opens at 7:00 am on Friday, featuring bottomless mimosas and specials such as pumpkin caramel waffles and Rumchata chai toddies. Amidst all your downtown shopping, J. Rocco Italian Table & Bar is the perfect respite. Starting Black Friday and running through New Year’s, the restaurant is offering a can’t-miss combo of soup, housemade focaccia, and chocolate mint martini. After hoofing it around Michigan Avenue all morning/day, show your receipt at Epic to earn a price break on your much-needed dining and drinking between 11:30 am and 5:00 pm.
Mercadito
108 W Kinzie Street, Chicago
(312) 329-9555
Website
Franklin Tap
325 S Franklin Street, Chicago
(312) 212-3262
Website
Untitled
111 W Kinzie Street, Chicago
(312) 880-1511
Website
Kanela Breakfast Club
1552 N Wells Street, Chicago
(312) 255-1206
Website
J. Rocco Italian Table & Bar
749 N Clark Street, Chicago
(312) 475-0271
Website
Epic
112 W Hubbard Street, Chicago
(312) 222-4940
Website
