Elephant & Castle

England isn’t known for its food, but this British-style pub is a popular lunch spot in the financial district. With its huge bar, English artifacts, and dark woods you expect to see blokes throwing back pints of ale while digging into some bangers and mash. And you do. Lots of ’em. So be prepared to wait, but it’s usually not that long and they’re so used to the crowd that they accurately quote the wait time. The service is fast and responsive, but don’t expect a conversation with your server. There’s just no time!

The menu’s a bit of a hodge-podge of various cuisines. They have the standard fish and chips, bangers and mash, Yorkshire pudding, and other English classics, but they also have nachos, quesadillas, turkey brie foccacia, and Thai Salad.

The fish in the fish and chips duo is a bit greasy, but has just enough batter and the cod was flaky and flavorful without being fishy. I’ve also had the Thai Salad. Odd choice, I know, but it just sounded really good and I wasn’t disappointed. The dressing did have a bit of kick to it, but I like that.

Prices are about what you’d expect in a chain restaurant in downtown Chicago. The nachos are $13.50, a burger’s $8.50, and you’ll drop $10 for a club.
In addition to an extensive single malt list, they have lots of beers on tap, including my new favorite, Smithwicks (pronounced Smiddicks. Don’t call it Smith-wicks. I did once, just once, at Fado’s and was promptly corrected and relieved that I wasn’t asked to leave.)

The Streeterville location caters more to a tourist crowd since it’s in the Radisson.

Elephant & Castle, Loop
111 W Adams St, (312)236-6656
Hours: Daily 7am to Midnight

Elephand & Castle, Streeterville
160 E Huron, (312)440-1180
Hours: Breakfast 6:30 to 11am daily; Lunch 11am to 4pm daily; Dinner Sun – Thurs 4 to 10pm, Fri & Sat 4 to 11pm