The Windy City's Bridgeport neighborhood has just heated up with the much-anticipated return of a local legend—the Ramova Grill and Taproom. The new hotspot is a respectful nod to its beloved predecessor, which first opened its doors in 1929 and served the community for over eight decades until its closure in 2012. According to a Chicago Tribune review, the revamped restaurant and brewery next door to the Ramova Theatre held its first show on New Year's Eve, quick to follow up by unveiling the dining area on January 3rd.
Under the culinary leadership of Chef Kevin Hickey, who locals might know from The Duck Inn, the new Ramova aims to add a contemporary twist to comfort food classics. With a minimalist, modern Midwestern chili that's turned up the heat and a roster of dishes that include a chicken thigh pot pie only available on Thursdays, Hickey is looking to make a statement. He told the Chicago Tribune, "The Ramova Grill chili has got three parents through the original Ramova Grill, Lindy's and my dad." Taking the chili heritage seriously, Hickey keeps the new recipe just as secret as the original.
But it's not just about the food at the new Ramova. The place is part music venue, and part brewery—where New York's Other Half Brewing takes up residence. While the beer might currently be shipped from Brooklyn due to licensing delays, the intention to brew locally remains firm. Eater Chicago reports the venture is also backed by a trio of celebrities—Quincy Jones, Chance The Rapper, and Jennifer Hudson—alongside 49 local investors, signaling strong community support for the revitalization of this Bridgeport staple.
However, like any major opening, the Ramova has had to swiftly navigate the tricky waters of community expectations, especially after a social media hiccup involving beer prices. But owners remain optimistically focused on the future. Tyler Nevius expressed his excitement for baseball season and the influx of fans it could bring to Ramova—located a stone's throw from Sox Park. Meanwhile, Hickey hints at using the venue as a sandbox for culinary creativity, saying to Eater Chicago, "That was my idea," when speaking of a pork chop suey dish that seeks to update a Bridgeport classic.
Despite these initial stumbles, feedback for the food has been favorable. Eater Chicago shared details about inventive menu items like 'pizza in a cup,' drawing influence from the 1979 comedy classic "The Jerk," and a communal snack that might just redefine pizza night. While patrons eagerly fill up the re-energized space, the expectation remains to faithfully maintain the heart and soul of Ramova's foundational identity, grasping to both celebrate an illustrious past and toast to a promising future.
