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Belly Shack Restaurant Review

1912 N. Western Ave. (Winnebago Ave.) Send to Phone
ChicagoIL 60647
773-252-1414 | Menu
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Located under the Blue Line tracks, this BYOB from Bill Kim hits head-on with full-flavored Latin and Asian notes.

Cuisine

Open

Lunch & Dinner Tues.-Sat.

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Dining room at Belly Shack, Chicago, ILBill Kim (Urban Belly) and his Puerto Rican wife, Yvonne Cadiz-Kim, pooled their flair for flavor at this oft-surprising, hip spot with counter service and an industrial edge. A long communal table anchors the urban-feeling space, which is adorned with graffiti-like details on walls. Smaller tables and stools line the perimeter, filling with foodies and cost-conscious cool-kids alike. Most memorable are the garlicky fried tostones in chimichurri, but a close second goes to the Asian meatballs, which are tucked into a pita with rice noodles and mint. The belly dog topped with egg noodles and pickled green papaya is something we’re left craving, too. The only disappointment was the wholesome but plain hot-and-sour soup with hominy. No mind. By the time the house-made soft-serve ice cream---lime, topped with grated zest and huckleberries---arrives, we’re left swooning anew. (The ever-interesting toppings come courtesy of HotChocolate’s Mindy Segal.)

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