It’s All About Gadabout

Born just when the virus that stopped the world landed in Chicago, Gadabout, a new entrant to the Andersonville food scene, quickly got with the revised program. Having never been able to do dine in, they went immediately to the only thing they could do; distance dining.  Better known as take out.    

Specializing in gussied up street food, the husband/wife tag team use their combined experience at Boka, Pacific Standard Time and Hopleaf to churn out a whole battery of crowd pleasers. 

The main menu has plenty of enticing selections that’ll titillate your appetite; even though at first glance a lot of it sounds unsurprisingly standard. But the pork belly, chicken thighs, and country ribs all sport interesting approaches that give them flair; as do the restaurant’s seafood options.  A red shrimp pancake with cabbage, eel sauce, scallion, pickled ginger and furikake jumps up and down with potential. And giving a panzanella (Tuscan bread salad) spin to their monkfish shows how playfully creative the duo can be.  Thankfully too, you don’t have to look in vain for vegetables to balance everything out.  Heirloom carrots, fava bean toasts, smoked eggplant, pan roasted okra and more will nicely escort you over to the green side of things.

But for now, it’s the weekly package deal that’s likely resulting in all those carry out bags lined up in the front of the restaurant around dinner time. Like a lot of their competition, Gadabout features a set dinner for two at a very attractive $40 that includes an entrée, sides and dessert.  The prix fixe has a seven-day run and so far, Gadabout’s is probably one of the most satisfying deals around.

They went full Greek this week offering chicken beautifully marinated in lime and spices, stacked on a skewer and rocking a serious char. A thick and mellow black garlic sauce was included with the chicken to give it another flavor swirl.   The flatbread came packing a softly sweet red pepper spread as well one emphasizing eggplant, garlic confit and mint.  Prancing with freshness, the cucumber, herb and Mighty Vine tomato salad instantly turned on smiles and the chocolate halva may have looked like baklava but wasn’t nearly as sweet and not at all sticky. Topped with the cinnamon-orange yogurt that was so thoughtfully included, it finished the meal on a high note and placed Gadabout on the short list for “great food at a fair price” kind of spot. 

Gadabout

5212 N. Foster St.

Chicago, IL  60640

773-944-0429