2 Chicago Favorites Made The 50 Best List And Locals Are Beaming With Pride
Great dining tells a story about ambition, creativity, and pride. It reflects a city’s rhythm – its energy, its people, its hunger to keep evolving. In Chicago, that rhythm feels louder than ever.
Chefs are blending artistry with bold Midwestern heart, creating food that speaks beyond trends or geography. The latest recognition only confirms what locals already feel at every table: this city doesn’t just feed its guests – it inspires them.
1. What the 50 Best List Means For Chicago’s Dining Scene
Landing on this prestigious list changes everything for a restaurant and its city. For Chicago, having two spots secured means the world now sees it as a serious culinary destination, not just a place for deep-dish pizza. Tourists book flights specifically to try these award-winning spots.
Local chefs feel inspired to push boundaries even further. The entire dining community gets a confidence boost that ripples through kitchens across neighborhoods, encouraging creativity and excellence at every level of the food scene.
2. How The Selection Process Works
More than 250 anonymous voters make up the academy that decides these rankings. Each voter comes from the restaurant industry – chefs, food writers, and culinary experts who know their stuff.
They cast votes based on recent dining experiences across North America. Restaurants can’t buy their way onto the list, and voters must dine at establishments within the past 18 months. This system keeps the results honest and focused on current quality rather than past reputation or marketing budgets.
3. Smyth (#4 Spot)
Famous restaurant grabbed the fourth spot on the entire North American list, which is absolutely remarkable. Chef John Shields and his wife Karen Urie Shields run this West Loop gem, serving a tasting menu that changes with the seasons.
The restaurant sources many of its own ingredients on a nearby farm. Every dish tells a story about the Midwest, using techniques that honor tradition while embracing modern creativity. Reservations fill up weeks in advance, especially now with this major recognition.
4. Kasama (#31 Spot)
This place landed at number 31, making waves as a daytime cafe that transforms into a fine-dining destination at night. Chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon blend Filipino flavors with French techniques in ways that feel both comforting and exciting.
Their longanisa breakfast sandwich has become legendary among locals. Evening tasting menus showcase dishes that honor Flores’s heritage while pushing culinary boundaries. This recognition matters because it celebrates a restaurant that refuses to fit into traditional categories.
5. Why These Two Restaurants Stand Out
Both Smyth and Kasama share a commitment to storytelling through food. They’re not just serving meals – they’re sharing perspectives shaped by personal history and deep respect for ingredients. Smyth focuses on hyper-local sourcing and Midwestern terroir.
Kasama bridges cultures through flavors that feel both familiar and surprising. Neither restaurant follows trends blindly. Instead, they create experiences that feel authentic and thoughtful, which is exactly what voters on the 50 Best list seem to value most.
6. How Locals Are Reacting To The Recognition
Social media exploded with pride when the news dropped. Chicagoans love their city fiercely, and seeing local restaurants get international recognition feels personal. Many residents have been supporting these spots since their early days.
Comments sections filled with stories about special meals, anniversary dinners, and the moment someone first tried Kasama’s ube pandesal. This isn’t just about food – it’s about community members watching their neighbors succeed on a massive stage and feeling genuinely proud.
7. The Buzz In Chicago’s Culinary Community
Fellow chefs across the city sent congratulations and raised glasses to the winners. This recognition lifts everyone working in Chicago’s food world, not just the two restaurants honored. Line cooks feel motivated knowing their city produces world-class talent.
Restaurant owners see proof that taking risks and staying true to vision can pay off. Culinary students gain inspiration from local success stories. The entire industry benefits when spotlight shines on any member of the community.
8. How These Wins Reflect The City’s Food Diversity
Chicago’s food scene has always been a melting pot, and these awards prove it. One restaurant celebrates Midwestern farming traditions while another honors Filipino heritage – both earning spots on the same prestigious list.
This diversity makes Chicago special. Neighborhoods offer everything from Mexican street food to Polish comfort dishes to innovative fusion concepts. The 50 Best recognition shows that excellence comes in many flavors, and Chicago serves them all with passion and skill.
9. The Neighborhoods Benefiting From The Spotlight
West Loop, where Smyth calls home, has become a dining destination over the past decade. Ukrainian Village, where Kasama operates, is gaining similar attention now. When a restaurant gets recognized, the whole neighborhood benefits. Visitors explore nearby shops and cafes before or after their reservation.
Other restaurants see increased foot traffic from food tourists exploring the area. Local businesses thrive, and the community character strengthens as more people discover what makes these neighborhoods special beyond just one famous restaurant.
10. What Visitors Should Know Before Booking A Table
Reservations at both restaurants require planning ahead – sometimes months in advance. Smyth’s tasting menu runs several hours, so visitors should budget time and appetite accordingly. Kasama offers walk-in breakfast and lunch service, making it slightly more accessible for spontaneous visits.
Evening tasting menus need reservations. Both experiences come with higher price tags, but diners consistently report feeling the quality justifies the cost. Checking cancellation policies before booking helps avoid losing deposits if plans change unexpectedly.
