Hollywood isn’t the only one with an awards season, and this year, Logan Square continues to live up to its reputation as a true dining destination. Last month, two major organizations in the culinary world, the James Beard Foundation and Michelin Guide, announced finalists and winners for their respective annual awards. Many Chicago restaurants and chefs garnered nods, with a handful of them right here in the neighborhood.
The 2022 James Beard Awards will take place June 13 at Chicago’s Lyric Opera, and two Logan Square chefs join the finalists this year: Jason Vincent of Giant (3209 W. Armitage Ave.), nominated for Outstanding Chef, and Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe (2537 N. Kedzie Blvd.), up for Best Chef: Great Lakes.
This year marks the return of the awards ceremony, after cancellations in 2020 and 2021. While the pandemic played a part in the 2020 cancellation, it was also a time when the restaurant industry, and some James Beard nominees themselves, faced allegations of racism, sexism and harassment. The foundation canceled the 2021 awards to conduct an audit of the organization’s policies and procedures. This brought on a number of changes: the formation of an ethics committee, diversification of the foundation’s committee and judges panel, and creation of a new system to help identify restaurants and chefs typically overlooked in the past.
The Michelin Guide also recently awarded a handful of Chicago restaurants star status and released its 2022 list of Bib Gourmands. This recognition goes to restaurants that offer good quality and value, meaning a diner can enjoy 2-3 courses for about $40. This year’s class of Bib Gourmands features more than 50 Chicago restaurants, including 10 in Logan Square.
The newest additions to the list are Superkhana International (3059 W. Diversey Ave.), known for its fun and inventive take on Indian food, and Lardon (2200 N. California Ave., pictured above), the neighborhood’s new go-to spot for all things charcuterie. The team behind Lardon also recently unveiled its latest project, Union (2202 N. California Ave.), a restaurant and beer hall located just next door.
The other Logan restaurants on this year’s list are Daisies (2523 N. Milwaukee Ave.), Dos Urban Cantina (2829 W. Armitage Ave.), Flat & Point (3524 W. Fullerton Ave.), Giant (3209 W. Armitage Ave.), Longman & Eagle (2657 N. Kedzie Ave.), Lula Cafe (2537 N. Kedzie Blvd.), Mi Tocaya Antojería (2800 W. Logan Blvd.), and Table, Donkey and Stick (2728 W. Armitage Ave.).
Featured photo: Lardon earned a Bib Gourmand recognition this year. Photo: Kristina Alto
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