The West Loop’s dining scene is heating up once again this fall as it welcomes two exciting new restaurants at Time Out Market Chicago. Chef-driven sandwich concept Craft & Carvery is open now, and beloved Hermosa quesabirria spot Tacotlán is slated to open its second location at the Market on November 2.
The openings come hot off the heels of the recent news that Michelin-recognized chef Christian Hunter is debuting his first solo concept, Hooligan, at Time Out Market Chicago this fall. The full-service restaurant will bring the playful seafood and wine bar to the Market’s second floor by mid-November.
Family-owned Tacotlán’s second location dishes out the restaurant’s mouthwatering birria dishes, including tacos, burritos, bowls and a toothsome birria grilled cheese. The signature quesabirria tacos served with consommé are one of co-owners Everardo Macias and Jessica Perjes’ most popular—and most viral—offerings. Other menu highlights include the classic tacos, made with carne asada, al pastor or rajas con queso; and Lalo’s on the Beach bowl, featuring skirt steak, shrimp, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, avocado salsa and chipotle salsa.
“Everything we do is made with love,” Perjes says. “We’re passionate about blending tradition with innovation to create something lasting for the Chicago community, and we can’t wait to bring our birria to Time Out Market Chicago.”
Just a few steps away, Craft & Carvery offers handcrafted sandwiches highlighting slow, rotisserie-cooked meats, plus soups and sides. From the team behind Wicker Park cocktail lounge and restaurant Botanero, led by Michelin-recognized chef Yanni Sanchez, the spot’s seasonally inspired lineup includes highlights like a porchetta sandwich, featuring rotisserie pork belly, arugula and pesto verde on ciabatta bread; a turkey-kale Caesar salad, with rotisserie turkey breast, kale Caesar dressing and parmesan on ciabatta bread; and the meatball smash sandwich, which is packed with pork meatball, marinara, smoked provolone and giardiniera on ciabatta bread.
“Craft & Carvery is an homage to the meatpacking district in Fulton Market,” says Sanchez. “We’re not your typical sandwich spot. Our meats are rotisserie-cooked and our ingredients pack serious flavor, creating a perfectly crafted sandwich that fuels your day without slowing you down.”
Both Tacotlan and Craft & Carvery bring exciting new flavors to the diverse Market, joining top spots like Qing Xian Yuan, Bill Kim’s Ramen Bar and Urbanbelly, Bar Goa and chef Art Smith’s Sporty Bird. And with Michelin-starred Atelier alum Christian Hunter’s debut solo concept, Hooligan, opening soon, the Market’s lineup offers a well-rounded taste of the city’s best restaurants.