Restaurant Review -The Piggery Restaurant & Rooftop

Chicago weather has sure been crazy these past few weeks! From 80 degrees this week to April snow, area restaurants have needed to prepare for the best and worst of times during the spring season. 

With the weather so warm, I looked for all-ages outdoor dining options this week. One restaurant that captures the moment, rain or shine, is The Piggery. Just a mile from Wrigley Field on Irving Park Road, the Piggery has the Triple Crown of outdoor dining options: a rooftop bar, a fairy-lit tent and a blazing fire pit for dining and drinking pleasure. 

During the week, sandwiches, ribs, and daily specials dominate an extensive menu. Start with gluten-free Pig Pen Fries, with chili, chorizo, queso, caramelized onions, and pico de gallo. Or Pulled Pork Nachos, with guacamole, olives, sour cream, jalapeño and queso. 

The Piggery earned raves for their specialty-The Piggery Cuban, pairing pulled pork with ham, bacon, chorizo, Gouda cheese, pickles, a fried egg, and chipotle dressing, and served with fries. For those who prefer chicken or fish to pork, there’s a roasted BBQ Chicken, which gives you a half bird, prepared with Cajun rub and The Piggery’s own BBQ sauce, or Blackened Tilapia, served with avocado over roasted tomato sauce. Both the chicken and tilapia are served with your choice of two sides.

One Google reviewer wrote, “Great local place. Friendly service, amazing beer selection on tap (mostly local) and the pulled pork is awesome. Weekly specials plus taco Tuesday and weekday rib specials make this a solid week day choice as well. A+ restaurant. Also dog-friendly on a massive patio, so good place to go if mask mandates come back, or if you just like being outside.”

Weekends were made for brunches like this. On Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am to 2pm, customers can feast on many brunch options. Along with $15 bottomless mimosas, there are Swedish pancakes filled with lingonberries and Nutella banana crepes. Triple Berry Sourdough Pancakes combines fresh blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and mixed berry compote. The Piggery’s Breakfast Sandwiches are served on a croissant with scrambled eggs and hash browns. True to its porcine roots, there’s a Breakfast Sausage Sandwich, pairing a pork patty with cheddar and pico de gallo. The BLT is bacon, tomato, and lettuce bathed in chipotle dressing.

While reviews averaged 4.3 stars, there were more than a few that rated The Piggery a five. One Google reviewer was rapturous. “This was a life changing experience… I swear when the waiter came out she was Jesus! I could have kissed everyone on the mouth despite Covid. Duck + BBQ sauce = the secret to my 3rd marriage. 😉” 

The Piggery is located at 1625 W. Irving Park Road. Their kitchen hours are Mondays-Thursdays, 11am to 9pm, Fridays, 11am to 10pm, Saturdays, 10am to 10pm, and Sundays, 10am to 9pm. For reservations and more information, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago