Restaurant Review: Tradition, honor and hearty favorites alive and well at the historic South Loop’s Chicago Firehouse
Opened in 2000 and created out of the former Engine Company 104 of the Chicago Fire Department in the South Loop, the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant is applauded for not only preserving the original 1905 Romanesque Revival architectural design, but for its unwavering commitment to the building’s purpose since its inception: service to the public.
I’ll add another…serving hearty meals! The two-story restaurant was designed with a tip of the hat to the firefighters who lived, worked and prepared their meals together. And as you dine on their renowned steaks, seafood, and chops, imagine back to the day when these men (and eventually women) would be called away from their meals and their beds to serve Chicago communities near and far.
As the restaurant website notes, Chicago Firehouse traded the building’s history of firefighters, horses, and sirens for lively dinner chatter and guests ranging from local regulars to former presidents. And like the firefighters, their faith has been tested. This very spirit allowed the building to withstand a devastating fire on December 10, 2014. The owners credit the community with helping Chicago Firehouse reopen on March 5, 2017.
Start with appetizers such as HOUSEMADE RICOTTA KNOTS, savory and fragrant with prosciutto, roasted garlic, basil, and fresh cherry tomato sauce, while the WILD MUSHROOM & CAMEMBERT TART features Hen of the Woods mushrooms, Nancy’s camembert, and preserved oyster mushrooms. FIRECRACKER SHRIMP has tempura-battered gulf shrimp, with a sweet and spicy sauce. Or, their lively Grilled Lamb “Lollipops” tangy withcharred lemon, Greek yogurt, and chimichurri sauce.
For those who want a little of everything, two people can indulge in the four-course THE FIREHOUSE EXECUTIVE, featuring their signature LOBSTER BISQUE, or their BABY ICEBERG WEDGE SALAD, followed by their PRIME 8 OZ FILET MIGNON, accompanied by POTATOES AU GRATIN, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, or CREAMED SPINACH, and your choice of dessert.
Seafood-ians will enjoy FAROE ISLANDS SALMON, served with local four-star mushrooms, spring peas, tarragon, and vin blanc sauce. ROASTED WHOLE DOVER SOLE is positively poetic, festooned with grapes, almonds, lemon, and brown butter. SAUTÉED SEA BASS has baby arugula, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil.
The Chicago Firehouse is located at 1401 South Michigan Avenue. They are open Monday–Saturday, 4pm–10pm, and their bar from 4pm-11pm, and Sunday from 4pm-9pm. Happy Hour is from Monday–Friday 4pm–5pm. For reservations and information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
