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A bowl of seafood gumbo from Daisy’s Po’Boys and Tavern. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Where to Eat Cajun and Creole Food in Chicago

Gumbo and po' boys to heat up the night

by Naomi Waxman, Eater Staff, and Ashok Selvam Updated
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by Naomi Waxman, Eater Staff, and Ashok Selvam Updated
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Chicago is far away from the Big Easy in many ways, including geographically. Despite the distance, Chicagoans can celebrate New Orleans’ famous food with some tasty Cajun and Creole fare locally, whether on Fat Tuesday proper or all year round. Satisfy those cravings for gumbo, po' boy, shrimp and grits — and even Hurricanes — with a hearty southern feast. Laissez les bons temps rouler.

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Big Jones

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One of Chicago’s top destinations for Southern cooking features a comforting menu of beignets, boudin rouge and other charcuterie, Cajun-style gumbo, shrimp and grits, and more educational and historic Southern recipes. And it also serves famous fried chicken, an Edna Lewis recipe that fries the bird in leaf lard, ham drippings and clarified butter. The Andersonville restaurant underwent an extensive redesign in early 2018.

5347 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640
(773) 275-5725
(773) 275-5725

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Luella’s Southern Kitchen

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Luella’s, a top spot for Cajun food, features a casual menu with a fine dining take on Southern cooking. Contemporary creations include a Creole-flavored roasted beet salad as well as traditional dishes such as chicken and dumplings and shrimp po’ boys. The Lincoln Square restaurant is thriving, but chef Darnell Reed wants to embark on a new journey and has announced it will close in October 2024.

4609 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625
(773) 961-8196
(773) 961-8196

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Nola Bar & Kitchen

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The famous food and festival-centric culture of New Orleans is available year-round at this Wrigleyville spot, where the team serves hits like gator gumbo, lobster jambalaya, and six types of fried chicken wings. Wash it all down with regional beverages like potent Hurricanes or Classy Sazeracs.

3481 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60657

Soul & Smoke Avondale

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Soul & Smoke chef D’Andre Carter, one of Chicago’s best-known pitmasters, brought his local barbecue phenomenon to a dine-in outpost in 2022 at Rockwell on the River, giving patrons a chance to enjoy the view while digging into hits like smoky rib tips, Cajun dirty rice (ground brisket, holy trinity, chicken liver, parsley), smoked chicken gumbo (dark roux, chicken andouille, Carolina gold rice), and Cajun shrimp and grits. There are also locations in Evanston and a new one West Loop.

3057 North Rockwell Street, Chicago, Illinois 60618
(773) 648-7610
(773) 648-7610

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Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods

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Chef Brian Jupiter’s other Wicker Park restaurant is bursting with New Orleans charm, from a menu of recipes passed down from his Louisiana-born grandmother to over-the-top Mardi Gras decor. Kitchen specialties include a Po’man’s Seafood Tower (fried shrimp, oysters, crawfish, catfish, hushpuppies, serves 2-3), deep, rich gumbo, and fried jumbo chicken wings. Jupiter also runs Frontier, a restaurant featuring whole-animal service in Noble Square.

1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 360-8320
(773) 360-8320

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Bumbu Roux

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This pop-up and food truck operation blends Cajun and Indonesian styles. It’s often at the Salt Shed, but can also be found in Illuminated Brew Works in Skokie, amongst other spots. Look for gumbo and more and check Instagram for its next outing.

833 West Haines Street, IL 60642
(847) 644-6331
(847) 644-6331

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Provaré

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Chef and owner Jourdan Higgs has tapped into his Black and Sicilian roots to great effect at Provaré, his Italian-Creole restaurant in West Town, where diners delight in creative dishes like cognac-splashed shrimp scampi and lemon pepper chicken Alfredo. After opening the restaurant in 2021, Higgs and business partner Michael Williams have since relocated down the street on Chicago Avenue.

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1523 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60642
(312) 988-0943
(312) 988-0943

Storyville

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Storyville, a romanticized bar and restaurant ode to New Orleans’ now-defunct red light district, aims to transport diners and drinkers with live jazz, a 100-year-old family jambalaya recipe, and decor inspired by the fin de siecle heyday of the infamous neighborhood.  Hits include loaded Fat Tuesday fries, po’ boys, fried okra, and hefty muffuletta sandwiches.

712 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 741-9786
(312) 741-9786

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Wishbone Restaurant

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Longtime Cajun and brunch haven Wishbone moved to a new location on Jefferson Street in 2018 and continues to draw locals and visitors for favorites like catfish and eggs, jambalaya omelettes, crunchy French toast, and shrimp and grits. Well-made cocktails are also part of the experience at this West Loop favorite.

161 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 850-2663
(312) 850-2663

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Lowcountry South Loop

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Another of Chicago’s popular Cajun seafood boil restaurants, Lowcountry’s South Loop spinoff gives diners highball cocktails, infused shots, and other booze offerings in addition to its selection of customizable seafood boils and sides that gained popularity at the original in Lakeview. Other dishes include fried Oreos, fried seafood, fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, and crab hushpuppies. The brand has expanded beyond state lines with an outpost in Milwaukee.

1132 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(888) 883-8375
(888) 883-8375

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Soule 2

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Ownership moved the flagship from West Town to North Lawndale giving the neighborhood a rare full-service sit-down restaurant. The menu offers creole-influenced soul food with shrimp and grits, crab legs, fried catfish, lamb chops, and more. Chef and owner Bridgette Harris has also earned a following among celebrities including NBA legend Scottie Pippen, rapper Lil Baby, and TV personality Star Jones.

3615 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60624
The interior dining room of Soule 2. Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

The Cajun Connoisseur

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Kyle Kelly, the owner of popular local brand Cajun Connoisseur, has returned to food truck-style business after closing a physical restaurant in Kenwood. He continues to draw fans for his seafood gumbo, selection of po’ boys, and Cajun spins on mac and cheese and baked potatoes. Diners can track the truck’s locations via Instagram.

4317 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 675-6237
(773) 675-6237

Daisy's Po-Boy and Tavern

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The owners of Virtue keep the good times rolling at Daisy’s, where customers can dig into classic po’boy sandwiches, gumbo, fried chicken, and more. A rare Black-owned sports bar in Chicago, the restaurant is also a haven for fans in need of a game day headquarters.

5215 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 675-8767
(773) 675-8767
A muffuletta sandwich. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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Virtue Restaurant

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Virtue is one of Chicago’s premier restaurants, a dream realized for James Beard-nominated chef Erick Williams. The restaurant’s menu is genre defying, but centers on southern cooking as a whole. Part of that diaspora includes dishes like gumbo made with chicken and andouille sausage, one of the best bowls in the city. The fried green tomatoes are also an indulgence.

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 947-8831
(773) 947-8831

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Roux

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Chef Charlie McKenna, best known for local barbecue favorite Lillie’s Q, has carved out a niche for himself with Roux, his New Orleans-style all-day breakfast spot, inside Hyde Park bowling alley Seven Ten Social. Perched next to the University of Chicago, it features beignets showered in powdered sugar, country ham with red-eye gravy, fried catfish, and more.

1055 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 770-4785
(773) 770-4785

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Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe

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It’s best known for its barbecue but diners can also find plenty of Cajun dishes on the menu at Chuck’s Café. Next time try a po’ boy or one of the many other specialties like crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and the Southern fried catfish dinner. Chucks’s also has a Darien location, but the Burbank spot is much closer to the city.

6501 W 79th St, Burbank, IL, 60459
(708) 229-8700
(708) 229-8700

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Nita's Gumbo

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Gumbo is an essential component of any good Cajun meal and Nita’s version is the real deal. It’s a zesty stew loaded with popcorn shrimp, scallops, crab meat, chicken, and Andouille sausage with a perfect amount of spice. Even better, the takeout-only restaurant tosses whole chicken wings in the savory roux to make tasty gumbo wings.

8100 S Stony Island, Chicago, IL, 60617
(773) 734-2788
(773) 734-2788

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Big Jones

5347 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640

One of Chicago’s top destinations for Southern cooking features a comforting menu of beignets, boudin rouge and other charcuterie, Cajun-style gumbo, shrimp and grits, and more educational and historic Southern recipes. And it also serves famous fried chicken, an Edna Lewis recipe that fries the bird in leaf lard, ham drippings and clarified butter. The Andersonville restaurant underwent an extensive redesign in early 2018.

5347 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640
(773) 275-5725
(773) 275-5725

Luella’s Southern Kitchen

4609 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625

Luella’s, a top spot for Cajun food, features a casual menu with a fine dining take on Southern cooking. Contemporary creations include a Creole-flavored roasted beet salad as well as traditional dishes such as chicken and dumplings and shrimp po’ boys. The Lincoln Square restaurant is thriving, but chef Darnell Reed wants to embark on a new journey and has announced it will close in October 2024.

4609 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625
(773) 961-8196
(773) 961-8196

Nola Bar & Kitchen

3481 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60657

The famous food and festival-centric culture of New Orleans is available year-round at this Wrigleyville spot, where the team serves hits like gator gumbo, lobster jambalaya, and six types of fried chicken wings. Wash it all down with regional beverages like potent Hurricanes or Classy Sazeracs.

3481 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60657

Soul & Smoke Avondale

3057 North Rockwell Street, Chicago, Illinois 60618

Soul & Smoke chef D’Andre Carter, one of Chicago’s best-known pitmasters, brought his local barbecue phenomenon to a dine-in outpost in 2022 at Rockwell on the River, giving patrons a chance to enjoy the view while digging into hits like smoky rib tips, Cajun dirty rice (ground brisket, holy trinity, chicken liver, parsley), smoked chicken gumbo (dark roux, chicken andouille, Carolina gold rice), and Cajun shrimp and grits. There are also locations in Evanston and a new one West Loop.

3057 North Rockwell Street, Chicago, Illinois 60618
(773) 648-7610
(773) 648-7610

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods

1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622

Chef Brian Jupiter’s other Wicker Park restaurant is bursting with New Orleans charm, from a menu of recipes passed down from his Louisiana-born grandmother to over-the-top Mardi Gras decor. Kitchen specialties include a Po’man’s Seafood Tower (fried shrimp, oysters, crawfish, catfish, hushpuppies, serves 2-3), deep, rich gumbo, and fried jumbo chicken wings. Jupiter also runs Frontier, a restaurant featuring whole-animal service in Noble Square.

1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 360-8320
(773) 360-8320

Bumbu Roux

833 West Haines Street, IL 60642

This pop-up and food truck operation blends Cajun and Indonesian styles. It’s often at the Salt Shed, but can also be found in Illuminated Brew Works in Skokie, amongst other spots. Look for gumbo and more and check Instagram for its next outing.

833 West Haines Street, IL 60642
(847) 644-6331
(847) 644-6331

Provaré

1523 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60642

Chef and owner Jourdan Higgs has tapped into his Black and Sicilian roots to great effect at Provaré, his Italian-Creole restaurant in West Town, where diners delight in creative dishes like cognac-splashed shrimp scampi and lemon pepper chicken Alfredo. After opening the restaurant in 2021, Higgs and business partner Michael Williams have since relocated down the street on Chicago Avenue.

1523 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60642
(312) 988-0943
(312) 988-0943

Storyville

712 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Storyville, a romanticized bar and restaurant ode to New Orleans’ now-defunct red light district, aims to transport diners and drinkers with live jazz, a 100-year-old family jambalaya recipe, and decor inspired by the fin de siecle heyday of the infamous neighborhood.  Hits include loaded Fat Tuesday fries, po’ boys, fried okra, and hefty muffuletta sandwiches.

712 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 741-9786
(312) 741-9786

Wishbone Restaurant

161 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661

Longtime Cajun and brunch haven Wishbone moved to a new location on Jefferson Street in 2018 and continues to draw locals and visitors for favorites like catfish and eggs, jambalaya omelettes, crunchy French toast, and shrimp and grits. Well-made cocktails are also part of the experience at this West Loop favorite.

161 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 850-2663
(312) 850-2663

Lowcountry South Loop

1132 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Another of Chicago’s popular Cajun seafood boil restaurants, Lowcountry’s South Loop spinoff gives diners highball cocktails, infused shots, and other booze offerings in addition to its selection of customizable seafood boils and sides that gained popularity at the original in Lakeview. Other dishes include fried Oreos, fried seafood, fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, and crab hushpuppies. The brand has expanded beyond state lines with an outpost in Milwaukee.

1132 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(888) 883-8375
(888) 883-8375

Soule 2

3615 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60624

Ownership moved the flagship from West Town to North Lawndale giving the neighborhood a rare full-service sit-down restaurant. The menu offers creole-influenced soul food with shrimp and grits, crab legs, fried catfish, lamb chops, and more. Chef and owner Bridgette Harris has also earned a following among celebrities including NBA legend Scottie Pippen, rapper Lil Baby, and TV personality Star Jones.

3615 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60624
The interior dining room of Soule 2. Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

The Cajun Connoisseur

4317 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60653

Kyle Kelly, the owner of popular local brand Cajun Connoisseur, has returned to food truck-style business after closing a physical restaurant in Kenwood. He continues to draw fans for his seafood gumbo, selection of po’ boys, and Cajun spins on mac and cheese and baked potatoes. Diners can track the truck’s locations via Instagram.

4317 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 675-6237
(773) 675-6237

Daisy's Po-Boy and Tavern

5215 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

The owners of Virtue keep the good times rolling at Daisy’s, where customers can dig into classic po’boy sandwiches, gumbo, fried chicken, and more. A rare Black-owned sports bar in Chicago, the restaurant is also a haven for fans in need of a game day headquarters.

5215 S Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 675-8767
(773) 675-8767
A muffuletta sandwich. Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Virtue Restaurant

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

Virtue is one of Chicago’s premier restaurants, a dream realized for James Beard-nominated chef Erick Williams. The restaurant’s menu is genre defying, but centers on southern cooking as a whole. Part of that diaspora includes dishes like gumbo made with chicken and andouille sausage, one of the best bowls in the city. The fried green tomatoes are also an indulgence.

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 947-8831
(773) 947-8831

Roux

1055 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

Chef Charlie McKenna, best known for local barbecue favorite Lillie’s Q, has carved out a niche for himself with Roux, his New Orleans-style all-day breakfast spot, inside Hyde Park bowling alley Seven Ten Social. Perched next to the University of Chicago, it features beignets showered in powdered sugar, country ham with red-eye gravy, fried catfish, and more.

1055 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 770-4785
(773) 770-4785

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Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe

6501 W 79th St, Burbank, IL, 60459

It’s best known for its barbecue but diners can also find plenty of Cajun dishes on the menu at Chuck’s Café. Next time try a po’ boy or one of the many other specialties like crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and the Southern fried catfish dinner. Chucks’s also has a Darien location, but the Burbank spot is much closer to the city.

6501 W 79th St, Burbank, IL, 60459
(708) 229-8700
(708) 229-8700

Nita's Gumbo

8100 S Stony Island, Chicago, IL, 60617

Gumbo is an essential component of any good Cajun meal and Nita’s version is the real deal. It’s a zesty stew loaded with popcorn shrimp, scallops, crab meat, chicken, and Andouille sausage with a perfect amount of spice. Even better, the takeout-only restaurant tosses whole chicken wings in the savory roux to make tasty gumbo wings.

8100 S Stony Island, Chicago, IL, 60617
(773) 734-2788
(773) 734-2788

Related Maps