Gastropubs are so prevalent in London, the place where they were born, that it’s hard not to pass one or two on a lazy stroll through virtually any part of the city. They have made their way to the new world slowly, though, and if you haven’t tried one, a good place to start is at BB’s (22 E. Hubbard, 312-755-0007), a new gastropub in the River North neighborhood.
The concept is: good beers and good food, a full step (and sometimes two or three steps) above “pub grub.”
At BB’s, which was bustling today at lunchtime, try the Sesame Noodles with Chicken salad ($8.95) or the traditional Cuban sandwich ($7.95), consisting of roast pork, ham, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on a buttery-flaky roll. The Crispy Alaskan Halibut sandwich ($8.95) is also good.
The BB’s owners are the folks who used to run Binyon’s (and still run Melvin B’s in the Gold Coast, and Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap in Old Town) on the south end of the Loop, so you might also try their original Turtle Soup, made famous at the original old school Binyon’s. For dinner there’s Chicken Schnitzel in a mushroom-cream gravy ($12.95), and a classic Bar Steak and Fries ($16), among at least a dozen other choices.
On the Irish side, BB’s also serves a full breakfast, or a “fry” as they’re known in Ireland, and the traditional Irish dessert, Banoffee — banana-toffee cream pie.
If you are a rock’n’roll fan be sure to head left when you walk in the front door and check out the impressive collection of photos and memorabilia of people such as Shane MacGowan, Jimi, vintage Page & Plant, Tom Waits, and Paul Weller, among many others. If you’re into classic cars, or artsy black and white pictures of women and food, go right.
At the bar check out the icy beer-tap tower and the cold water spritzer that hits every glass before the beers goes in it. There’s outdoor seating too, and plenty to look at.