The City of Big Shoulders is serving up another heaping helping of culinary drama as "The Bear" returns to Hulu for its much-anticipated third season, with Chicago's restaurant scene once again sharing the spotlight, according to ABC7 News. Season three dropped Wednesday, featuring the usual ingredients of high-stakes kitchen dynamics with a side of authentic Chicago eateries, including a suburban location added to the mix as reported by NBC Chicago.
In the latest installment of the show's love letter to Windy City's food culture, a host of Chicago mainstays make their on-screen debut alongside returning favorites like the Michelin-starred Ever restaurant, the authenticity of its portrayal of the culinary scene underscored not just by the genuine Chicago locations, but by the real-life Chicago chefs making cameos, such as Alinea's Grant Achatz who appears in a "funeral dinner" scene, as per NBC Chicago. Local spots like Mr. Beef, Ever’s sister bar After, Doma, Longman & Eagle, and the Long Grove Confectionery, have their moments in the Season 3 storyline, as do numerous others in a dedicated montage sequence.
It's not just the camera that loves these Chicagoland eateries, with "The Bear" serving as a bountiful boon for business; John Roeser, owner of Roeser's Bakery — Chicago's oldest family-owned bakery — recounted to ABC7 News the spike in customer interest following the bakery's appearance in Season 1, an experience echoed by Pequod's general manager, Sean Asbra, who even after the initial air time observed customers referencing the show as their reason for visiting.
The series' heightened drama may turn up the heat more than the typical kitchen does but Curtis Duffy, the co-owner and chef of Ever, confirms "The Bear" captures the essence of the culinary world, telling ABC7 News, "Okay, maybe it doesn't represent who we are every single day, with the intensity and the craziness that goes on behind the scenes, because not every kitchen operates like this, but they do hit the mark and it is across the board." Duffy's involvement as an advisor helped the show mirror the meticulous nature inherent to high-end dining, vital for the realistic portrayal that has resonated with both industry professionals and viewers alike.
With "The Bear" now streaming and a special "Windy City Weekend" episode slated to focus on the show, Chicago's diverse and vibrant dining scene continues to revel in the limelight. Season three promises to dish out yet another immersive dive into the pressures and passions of restaurant life, seasoned with a generous helping of local flavor, according to ABC7 and NBC Chicago.
