Restaurant Review – Old Grounds Social

This week took me to a new spot in Lincoln Park! Old Grounds Social, located at 950 W Wrightwood Ave, is a newcomer to the neighborhood having just opened in March. The restaurant replaced barbecue spot Barn & Company. They wanted to steer away from Barn & Company’s style of food, so they brought in chef Jason Paskewitz to develop a more diverse menu. Paskewitz also works at Pearl Brasserie, a French restaurant in the loop. They did decide to bring back Barn & Company’s famous smoked wings, considered some of the best wings in the city! We came in on a Friday night around 6 and were seated right away, even with a party of six. After looking at the menu, my mouth was watering. The appetizers looked so tasty! The Fried Chicken Nachos especially caught my eye: white corn tortilla chips topped with guacamole, pico de gallo, chihuahua cheese, and crema. I decided I wasn’t quite hungry enough for an appetizer and a meal, so I focused in on the entrees. I decided on the Cobb Salad: blackened chicken, bacon, bleu cheese, egg, avocado, tomato, and ranch on a bed of romaine lettuce. It was very tasty! The chicken was grilled perfectly and the veggies were crisp and fresh. My friend ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich: a brioche bun topped with a huge piece of fried chicken, mayo, lettuce, and pickle. This was also super tasty! I loved the combination of the hot fried chicken and the crunchy pickle. One of my other friends had the Jamaican Jerk wings and they totally lived up to the hype. The rub was delicious and the wings were perfectly smoked. If I only came back for one thing, it would definitely be the wings!

Old Grounds Social is closed on Mondays and open Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 pm to 2 am, Saturdays from 10 am to 3 am, and Sundays from 10 am to 2 am. Find more information on their website!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO