BYOB Experiences in Chicago

[Obama is my Homeboy]

Hi, my name is Jeff and I have been a foodie for about 5 months now. This is my first post and visit to Chowhound. It has been two weeks since my last great food experience (Les Halles in NYC).

I am searching for suggestions on BYOB locations in Chicago that offer great food, yet agree with my post-college budget and mild tendency to drink large amounts of wine in one sitting. Tango Sur is one BYOB experience that I consider great (though the no reservations policy breaks my heart).

Would love to hear all your suggestions. Feel free to include wine or drink suggestions along with the restaurant. Thank you.

[chicagosoxfan]

I greatly enjoy Gio's on I believe 28th and Lowe in Bridgeport. Great homestyle Italian food and is BYO. They're also a store and a deli so you can pick up imported Italian foods to bring home as well. The atmosphere isn't really romantic due to that though so I'd keep that in mind, although I had a lovely date there.

[SuzMiCo]

Andalous Moroccan in Lakeview has good food and is BYOB

[gordeaux]

I dig on Tac Quick for Thai, and Sol De Mexico for ethnic BYOB spots. There are definitley cheaper Thai food spots, but I think Tac is still a great value how it is. (Only a buck or three more than you'd expect at a Thai dive, but I think it's worth more than that.)

[Chew on That]

I love Cozy. It's BYOB with great, cheap Thai food! They have two locations: Wrigleyville or Evanston

[danser2]

Bonsoiree for sure- it is american contemporary- $5 corkage, and closed on Sat and Monday evenings, but wonderful!

[ljero]

Butterfly for Thai/sushi; Bon Soiree for upscale asain focused menus; and TAC quick for thai.

[lbs]

I'm a cheap date so mostly we go to BYOB places.

So far:

Hama Matsu - sushi in Andersonville. On Clark St between Foster and Carmen.

Dorado - Upscale-ish and more expensive but good. Foster before Western

Sabor A Cuba - Cuban. Wilson and Wolcott

Riques Reginonal Mexican - New owners but I was there on NYE and I thought they were back on an upswing. Sheridan and Argyle

[swsidejim]

Coal Fire - New Haven style pizza, liquor store a few miles west on Grand

Honey 1 - bbq from a smoker, not meat jello, liquor store right across the street.

Coalfire
1321 W. Grand Ave
Chicago

Honey 1
2241 N. Western
Chicago

Im a beer drinker so I enjoyed some cold ones with my pizza, ribs, hot links, and rib tips.

[hrichiecross]

I'm also a BYOB fan in Lakeview. I really love HB - located at 3434 Halsted. The prices range from $15 - $23 for an entree. I highly recommend starting out with the Oyster Chowder or the Almond Stuffed Dates. Any fish entree is amazing - as well as the meats. Check out their menu here: http://www.homebistrochicago.com/.

[Obama is my Homeboy]

I've done HB for both dinner and brunch and I totally agree, its great. Great place for Sunday brunch in the summer

[beerislife]

I loved HB when it first opened, but lately I feel like their food has slipped a little. It went from being great, to just good. My new favorite BYO is Cotes du Rhone in Edgewater on Broadway; though Smoque (Irving and Pulaski) is incredibly good BBQ, and a close second.