Where to watch the White Sox games around Bridgeport — and what to grab for dinner to-go afterward
We’ll leave it to the experts to hash out which Chicago baseball team reigns supreme. But when it comes to grabbing a bite or catching the game on a screen, there’s a certain scrappy charm surrounding Sox park that Wrigleyville — with all its polish and panache — has left behind in its new era.
The sports bars surrounding the Sox ballpark offer solid spots to catch the game. And if you haven’t been to the Bridgeport neighborhood in a while, you might find yourself surprised by the bevy of delicious bites you can grab on your way home from the ballpark Thursday.
Takeout options are plentiful and wide-ranging — order as you meander out of Guaranteed Rate Field or a neighborhood sports bar, and savor the simple joys of baseball being back.
Here is a roundup of places to watch the game and grab dinner to go after.
Where to watch
Buffalo Wings & Rings
Head over to Halsted Street to feast on tots loaded with jalapeños and chipotle ranch; chicken wings in your choice of 11 sauces; fried pickle chips and more while catching the game on one of dozens of screens at this Ohio-born franchise, which also offers pickup and delivery. 3434 S. Halsted St., 773-579-9464, buffalowingsandrings.com
Cork & Kerry at The Park
Cork & Kerry’s will have TVs outside for watching the game, along with its large selection of beers, Irish-themed fare like fries topped with house-made Dubliner white cheddar sauce and bacon, and bar food classics like cheese curds, burgers and wings. 3258 S. Princeton Ave., 312-842-0769, corkandkerry.com
Kasey’s Tavern
A charming watering hole with an expanse of screens behind the bar, Kasey’s is located just north of Bridgeport in the South Loop. With 17 beers on tap, including Three Floyds and Solemn Oath, and scores of bottled and canned options — not to mention pizza — it’s a fine spot to watch the game with a couple of buddies. 701 S. Dearborn St., 312-427-7992, kaseystavern.com
Mitchell’s Tap
Known for lively corn hole tournaments, chili cook-offs and its spacious brick patio, Mitchell’s also stakes its claim on the best pours of Guinness on tap in town. Its beer list includes Chicago-area brews from Three Floyds, Goose Island, Revolution and Half Acre. 3356 S. Halsted St., 773-927-6073, mitchellstap.net
Turtle’s Bar and Grill
Within walking distance of Sox park, Turtle’s serves up Magner’s and Goose Island on tap, corned beef egg rolls and other no-frills bar food. Turtle’s has about 10 tables on its patio, where you can order a bucket of beer or spend $14.50 on a full slab of ribs and coleslaw. 238 W. 33rd St., 312-225-7333, turtles.net
What to eat
Antique Taco
Just in time for baseball season, the restaurant has installed a popcorn machine so it can start making baskets of popcorn tossed in olive oil, habanero powder and cheddar ($6). Pair your pre- or postgame snack with their new house-made blackberry and coconut-infused mezcal or a Baderbrau South Side Pride lager (both $8). Watch the action on TVs set up inside and on the large patio outside if you don’t have tickets. 1000 W. 35th St., 773-823-9410, antiquetaco.com
Duck Inn
Hang out on the tavern’s back patio and enjoy spins on game day classics from its new menu, including duck wings grilled and then deep fried in duck fat and served with house-made jalapeño hot sauce ($10) and the Up ‘N‘ Over burger, a play on the In-N-Out burger that features a pair of 4-ounce patties served on a steamed potato bun with American cheese and secret sauce ($13). 2701 S. Eleanor St. 312-724-8811, theduckinnchicago.com
Kimski
Recently reopened after serving as a home base for the charitable Community Kitchen initiative, Kimski is delighting diners once more with its eclectic mashup of Korean and Polish cuisine. The patio offers open-air dining on bites like pierogies, kimchi-topped poutine and bulgogi-marinated Italian beef, along with a host of delicious cocktails and a respectable beer list from Maria’s next door. 960 W. 31st St., 773-823-7336, kimskichicago.com
Nana
Head to the local- and organic-focused spot and split a plate of nachos piled with enough cheese sauce and pulled pork to satisfy two to four people ($10). For your entree, go for the plantain sandwich, which features chicken tinga, cilantro-lime slaw, pickled onions, chipotle aioli and melted cheddar pressed between crispy, flattened plantains and served with a side of black beans and rice ($13). If you’re extra hungry, try some of the dishes on their seasonal menu such as spring vegetable gnocchi or sea bass with mole sauce served with citrus salad ($18-$21). 3267 S. Halsted St. 312-929-2486 nanaorganic.com
Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream
This neighborhood newcomer quickly became a staple, serving up different styles of pizza (tavern-style is the current specialty), along with fried chicken and inventive pops from Pretty Cool Ice Cream. It’s right next door to the recently reopened Maria’s. Consider stopping in for a postgame drink while you wait for your food. 930 W. 31st St., 773-565-4192, pfcic.com
Pleasant House Pub
Formerly located in the space that now houses Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream, Pleasant House moved slightly north to Pilsen a few years ago, but it’s still a great choice for dinner. Get the acclaimed royal pies, British-style savory pies that can (and should) come topped with mashed potatoes and gravy, or try its other pub fare. 2119 S. Halsted St., 773-523-7437, pleasanthousepub.com
Stix n Brix
The excellently crafted thin-crust pizzas at this spot, just a stone’s throw from Sox park, are a great takeout dinner any night, from the Chicago-themed Italian beef and giardiniera to a neat margherita. Add on appetizers like the creamy burrata crostini heaped with arugula, roasted tomatoes and prosciutto di Parma, and you’re good to go. The adjoining Red Line Cafe will also help keep you revved up for the game with coffee and cocktails. 218 W. 33rd St., 312-265-0219, stixnbrix33.com
Zaytune Mediterranean Grill
For a healthier option, Zaytune’s platters of marinated steak shawarma, falafel and other Mediterranean food are a great pick and conveniently located on Morgan Street just south of 31st Street. Baba ganoush, tabbouleh salad and herb-flecked fries with a flavor-packed Kalamata sauce are apt add-ons. 3129 S. Morgan St., 773-254-6300, zaytunegrill.com
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