José Andrés Has Good News For Fans In Chicago

Are you a tapas lover in Chicago? Your options for eating at restaurants run by José Andrés, the Michelin-starred Spanish-American chef who helped popularize the Spanish staple, are about to increase by five, Eater reports. The celebrity chef, humanitarian, and owner of ThinkFoodGroup is set to open a handful of new restaurants in the Chicago area — and they won't only be serving small plates. Two of them — a new riverside cafe called Joe's by the River and another outpost of his Spanish spot Jaleo — are scheduled to open this summer (via Eater).

Andrés chef put several in-the-works restaurant projects on the back burner while focusing on charity work during the pandemic. His nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, has been busy cooking meals for healthcare workers and opening 15 new locations for food pickup in Chicago alone (via Eater). As more Americans receive coronavirus vaccines and dining restrictions loosen across the country (via Los Angeles Times), Andrés is ready to continue expanding Chicagoans' dining options.

José Andrés' most-anticipated Chicago project just might be Jaleo, which he announced back in September of 2019 would be his first restaurant in the city, Eater reports. While the pandemic delayed its opening, the spot should be ready to host diners by the summer of 2021, according to the Jaleo website. Menus at each outpost vary by location, but Chicagoans can expect to sample traditional Spanish dishes such as patatas bravas, croquetas de pollo, chorizo, and flan.

Andrés will also be taking over the new Bank of America tower, situated in a prime entertainment spot along the Chicago River, with a series of restaurants in partnership with the local Gibsons Restaurant Group, Eater reports. The first will be an all-day café called Joe's by the River, set to open in the summer. A second location of Andrés' Bazaar Meat will open inside the tower, as will a "dedicated cocktail experience" called Bar Mar. Andrés will also work with Gibsons to cater gatherings held at the building's event space. Only Jaleo and Joe's by the River have set opening timeframes (via Eater), so keep an eye online to be one of the first Chicagoans (or tourists) to book a table.