Over time, many stories have given cities more space in their fictional stories than just serving as a backdrop. The hit FX series The Bear is one example of this, which allowed real-life Chicago to take center stage as one of its main characters, particularly when the American city’s dynamic restaurant industry comes to life on viewers’ small screens.
Perhaps the most interesting romance in the show is the one that connects it to Chicago. Show creator Christopher Storer’s brilliant storytelling shines a personally affecting light on a scene that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Now that the latest and third installment of the series is finally available to stream on Hulu and Disney Plus Hotstar, fans are contagiously gravitating towards the platforms to dive into the new chapter of the intense culinary world that goes beyond mere visual aesthetics.
The colors of Chicago are easily recognizable to those who are familiar with its lifestyle and cultural routines. The show’s characters are often sent on pilgrimages to different parts of the city to discover their identity, almost as if they have been transported to another world. However, they still live in Chicago.
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The Bear: A love letter to Chicago and its food landscape
The Ever Restaurant in the city’s West Loop is particularly renowned for its excellent cuisine and service. The inner sanctity and atmosphere of the place is captured perfectly in the episode “Forks” from Season 2 (episode 7), when Carmie (Jeremy Allen White) sends Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) to this luxurious fine dining restaurant, starting a whole new character development for him in a single episode, which eventually also earned the title of one of the most favorite episodes.
An ABC7 report, detailed by Val Warner, confirmed that restaurant co-owner and chef Curtis Duffy played a key role in the episode as a key consultant.
Duff said, “We were featured. Of course, the food was Ever’s, the plating was Ever’s.” He also confirmed that he and his team made it all possible and even The Bear team followed suit and made the episode a success.
“The amount of detail we put into everything we do every day, from the time we get here to the time we leave, is absolutely in keeping with that story,” he said. “It’s really about the details because all of those details create the bigger picture of what we do every day in the restaurant.”
Despite the over-the-top onscreen show, Duffy agreed that the show “achieved its goal.” “Well, maybe it doesn’t represent who we are every day, with the intensity and the craziness that goes on behind the scenes, because not every kitchen works that way, but they do hit the mark and it happens everywhere.” The Ever Chef admitted that while kitchens with that high intensity exist, his kitchen “operates in a completely different way.” He had no complaints about how the FX series portrayed the inner sanctum, but agreed: “…in terms of how they get the full picture of our industry, absolutely.”
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The Bear Season 2 Episode 7 also features Pequod’s Pizza, located at 2207 W. Clybourn Ave. The restaurant specializes in Chicago deep-dish pizza, reimagined as a fine dining item in the Michelin-starred restaurant model.
Sean Asbara, Pequod’s general manager, said, “It was great food, Pequod. I mean, it’s great. It got aired, people got to see it and… everybody wanted to try it… As more people started traveling for spring break and things, we noticed… ‘Oh, I’m here because of The Bear.'”
Duffy also proudly said that The Bear “has done an incredible job showcasing Chicago…you see it and you live in the city, it makes you proud to be here.”
Even Chicago media outlet WGNTV.com acknowledged that the traditionally behind-the-scenes spot where Richie would spend a lot of time polishing forks has now become a popular attraction for diners.
In addition to fine-dining Michelin-starred restaurants, The Bear also highlights more accessible spots like Chicago coffee stop Dark Matter. Just one shot of its coffee cup sends locals into a frenzy.
Mike Miczek of Dark Matter Coffee told WGN9, “Our loyal customers started tagging us (saying) ‘There’s a Dark Matter cup on the counter!'”
Even before the show highlights these locations, however, The Bear finds ultimate inspiration from the humble, grassroots location of Chris Zucchero’s Italian sandwich shop, Mr. Beef, in Chicago.
According to Variety, Christopher Storer and Zucchero are childhood friends, so they gained insider knowledge about this beloved establishment and shot about 90% of the series premiere at Mr. Beef. In return, the owner of the establishment won a cameo in the pilot as a meat dealer in the parking lot.
Other Chicago eateries that made it onto FX’s The Bear
According to Eater Chicago, here are some of the locations (or their signature items) that were seen in all three seasons of the show.
Superdawg Drive-In
- Address: 6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
- Contains: Season 1 Episode 7 and Season 2 Episode 5
Chiu Kwon Bakery
- Address: 2242 S Wentworth Ave (at 22nd Place), Chicago, IL 60616
- Included in: Season 3 Episode 1
The Loaf Lounge
- Address: 2934 N Milwaukee Ave Suite E, Chicago, IL 60618
- These include: Co-owner and baker Sarah Misspegel was another key consultant for the series. She created the amazing chocolate cake that Marcus (Lionel Boyce) is seen preparing in Season 1.
Trogo Kitchen and Market
- Address: 2545 West Diversey Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60647
- Contains: The Bear Pilot
Margie’s Candies
- Address: 1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Featured: The Season 2 Episode 3 title “Sundae” honors a dish Sidney eats at an ice cream parlor.
Rossers Bakery
- Address: 3216 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Featured: Season 1 – Marcus finds donut-making inspiration at Chicago’s oldest family bakery.
Home Cafe
- Address: 946 N Orleans St (Oak), Chicago, IL 60610
- Featured: Season 3 Episode 7 – Shapiro and Sid Meet Here.
with
- Address: 1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
- Featured: Season 2 Episode 3 – Sydney’s first stop on her Chicago food tour.
Schneider’s Deli
- Address: 600 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
- Included in: Season 3 Episode 1 Montage
After the Lounge
- Address: 1338 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607
- These include: Season 2 Episode 4 – Marcus learns from Luca (Will Poulter) here. The bar pops up again in Season 3 Episode 1.
Lou Mitchell
- Address: 565 W Jackson Boulevard (between S Jefferson St and S Clinton St), Chicago, IL 60661
- Included in: Season 3 Episode 1
Ceres Café
- Address: 141 W Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604
- Featured: Season 1 Episode 6 “Ceres” honors this time.
