LOGAN SQUARE -- A new sushi and Thai restaurant has entered Logan Square's growing Asian cuisine offerings while the fourth location from local chain Fare's is now open in the neighborhood and Meadowlark's Little Lark pizza is ready to take orders.
A slew of other restaurants and cafes are also ready to greet customers in Avondale, Logan Square and Humboldt Park. Here's what's happening in the area's restaurant scene.
The team behind sushi spot Big Bear, which debuted last year at the Avondale/Irving Park border, opened a new sushi and Thai restaurant under the same name this week at 3581 W. Belden Ave. That's the former home of longtime restaurant Wyler Road, which unexpectedly closed last year.
Owners and chefs Sivadol Ketmanee and Puvadon "PJ" Jianpadid, both from Thailand, jumped on the chance to open a second eatery to cater to Logan Square. With a bar and a patio, the restaurant is bigger than the original Big Bear and gives the team a chance to showcase more Japanese beer, sake and specialty fish dishes while expanding their sushi menu, they said.
The spot will start out as BYOB until Big Bird gets its liquor license in about three months, Jianpadid said. With minimal renovation work, the team acquired the space earlier this summer and purchased new tables and chairs.
"We named this spot Big Bird as an ode to the eagle at the Logan Square monument and to make it unique to Logan Square," Ketmanee said through a translator. "This location has more food, will have more alcohol and is fancier."
Big Bird is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekdays and noon-10 p.m. on weekends.
Fare, a local health food chain, opened at 2255 N. Milwaukee Ave. earlier this month, the fourth location from duo Britni DeLeon and Kasia Bednarz. The fast-casual restaurant that serves seasonal foods also offers dinner at this location, which is two of five new locations the company is opening this year in the Chicago area, reported Crain's.
The location previously housed Go Grocer, which was short lived. Fare offers plate and bowl options with meat or vegetarian proteins, salads, grains and assorted roasted veggies. It also offers morning drinks, smoothies and a small breakfast menu.
Fare's Logan Square location is open 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. every day.
The team behind Noodlebird, 2957 W. Diversey Ave. -- previously home to Fat Rice -- has opened its bakery and cafe called Bird Bird next door at 2951 W. Diversey Ave., which is the former home of Fat Rice's bakery. For now, it's only open on weekends and offers brunch items like its signature breakfast sandwich and Ube Sticky Bun.
Bird Bird is open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
In Avondale, the much-hyped Little Lark opened Wednesday inside coworking space Guild Row, 3130 N. Rockwell St. The new patio venture from Meadowlark Hospitality and owner Steve Lewis specializes in neo-Neapolitan-style pies topped with seasonal ingredients and Italian classics, the team said in an Instagram post.
Meadowlark Hospitality also runs Lardon and Union in Logan Square; Little Lark will feature Lardon's house-cured salami, according to the post.
The cocktail program by beverage director Abe Vucekovich will "reflect the same playful craftsmanship found across all Meadowlark Hospitality spots -- think crushable summer cocktails and a natural wine list perfect for patio season," the post read.
Little Lark is 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday for dinner only and 11 a.m.-10 p.m Friday-Sunday for lunch and dinner.
WonderPlay and Coffee, an indoor kids playground with a separate coffee shop, had an official grand opening celebration last week after being open for a few months at 3501 W. Belmont Ave. Founded by parents Scott Tran and Trina Mabborang, the cafe and children's play area is bringing more business to the Belmont Avenue corridor, offering private parties, art classes with Mabborang in the art studio and weekly creative classes. Day, monthly and annual membership tiers are available for parents and their children and walk-ins are welcome, too.
Tran, who has a background in real estate and hospitality, decided to combine his careers for the project, a space where both kids and adults could feel at home and "a place that sparks imagination, encourages play, and serves a great cup of coffee," he wrote on the business' website.
"At the center of it all is our 3-year-old daughter, Reyna -- the true inspiration behind WonderPlay and Coffee," the owners wrote. "As parents, we saw the need for a space where kids could play freely, parents could unwind, and creativity could flourish. This isn't just a business to us -- it's a reflection of our journey as a family, built with love for our community."
WonderPlay is open 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The highly anticipated Smash Jibarito restaurant, famous for its Puerto Rican-inspired smashburgers is now open at 2534 W. Division St., a year after starting a kitchen residency at West Town bar Desert Hawk.
Owner Josean Irizarry told Block Club last month his team has been working on a full build-out to turn the former Guerrero's Tacos & Pizza into a family-friendly boutique restaurant. Smash Jibarito will offer calming cafe vibes, Chicago-Hispanic flair that pays homage to their roots and the neighborhood and the quick service expected from a burger joint, Irizarry said.
The interior now showcases white subway tile, a floor that resembles a swirling galaxy and brand-new kitchen equipment. There will be a few indoor tables, and Irizarry plans to add a small sidewalk patio during the summer months. Swapping the nightlife for daytime, Smash Jibarito is geared toward kids and families, offering an assortment of sodas and water, Irizarry said. It won't serve alcohol.
Smash Jibarito opened last week and its hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
Dope Drip Café, which has a location in the Washington Food Hall Downtown, will open its second cafe at 2617 W. Division St. this weekend with a grand opening and ribbon cutting with local leaders. The location will be bigger than the first location and is special to owner David Silva, who grew up in Humboldt Park, according to a post from What Now Chicago.
The new cafe will have family-inspired Puerto Rican cuisine with a modern twist, including pancakes, sandwiches, tamafongo and customizable rice bowls, according to its website.
"I am excited, humbled and a little nervous, but hey, we're here," Silva said on social media about the new spot.
Mexican restaurant Sara's Cocina at 2723 W. Division St. is adding more food options along Humboldt Park's Puerto Rican strip. The restaurant will serve tacos, burritos and tortas as well as more standard American pub food such as cheeseburgers, sandwiches, wings, ribs and fries. Sara's will also serve Guerrero-style pizza, a thin crust pizza that's served at Guerrero's Pizza in Little Village, according to a banner on the front of the restaurant spot.
Sara's will have a grand opening this weekend alongside Dope Drip Café and Smash Jibarito and dominoes club Pe Erre, which opened last month, according to a news release by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Hours for Sara's were not available.