Anyone can bring a favorite bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer to a restaurant, but sometimes it’s nice to shake things up — literally — by bringing a bottle of liquor to match the non-alcoholic options on a BYOB spot’s menu. Get yourself to a liquor store and then head out on the town to try one of the combinations below.
Caliente
2556 W. Fullerton St. 773-772-4355
Bring it: tequila, margarita mix
Mix it up: limes, rock salt
Service at this Logan Square spot can be a little slow, which is all the more reason to bring a supply of booze and settle in for the night. For a $2 per person corkage fee, the restaurant will supply limes, rock salt and margarita glasses. If you’re feeling especially patient, ask for a blended margarita — the restaurant’s got the equipment on hand. To soak up the alcohol, start simply with Caliente’s tasty guacamole ($10), then move into entrees such as chipotle-grilled short ribs ($19) and enchiladas del mar, filled with shrimp, scallops and crab and topped with a plum tomato-poblano pepper sauce ($18).
Unique So Chique Tea & Chocolate Room
4600 N. Magnolia St., Suite C. 773-561-0324
Bring it : vodka, chocolate liqueur
Mix it up: martini fixin’s
As the name implies, Unique So Chique has a shtick all its own: The Uptown locale combines a boutique with a tea and chocolate room. Shopping while drinking hasn’t always fared well for us in the past, but if you’re feeling ambitious — or hosting a special event — bring vodka and chocolate liqueur, and the folks here will whip up chocolate martinis with Ghirardelli chocolate shavings ($10 flat fee per person for unlimited service). For something simpler, bring champagne; pitchers of orange juice for mimosas are $10. Pair ’em with a weekend brunch that includes omelets and a wide selection of quiches, including a tasty Mexican version filled with sauteed chicken, Chihuahua cheese and tomatillos ($8.95).
La Cazuela
6922 N. Clark St. 773-338-5425
Bring it: beer
Mix it up: Tabasco, lime, tomato juice
A michelada is a mix of beer, Tabasco sauce, lime and tomato juice — and if that doesn’t sound that good, it’s only because you haven’t tried it. The servers at Roger’s Park’s La Cazuela are happy to help you make them for $2 a pop, provided you bring the beer (we like Negro Modelo). The combo of citrus, heat and fizziness works well with La Cazuela’s fish-heavy menu; try the fish tacos ($2.50 each) or the spicy shrimp Diablo ($12).
Vella Cafe
1912 N. Western Ave. 773-489-7777
Bring it: vodka
Mix it up: bloody mary mix, skewer
The folks behind this new Logan Square spot aren’t messing around when it comes to BYOB brunch. Show up with your own vodka and they’ll hook you up with homemade bloody mary mix, made with tomato juice and pureed tomatoes, chipotle Tabasco, apple cider syrup and celery salt ($5). Plus, each bloody mary comes with a loaded skewer: grilled shrimp, Spanish chorizo, celery, pickled mushrooms and roasted poblano. It’s practically a meal, but if you’re still hungry, try “blunch” items such as panini and crepes — we like the big, eggy crepe stuffed with chicken sausage, caramelized onions, cheese and tomato puree($7.25).
El Llano
3941 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-327-1659
Bring it: vodka
Mix it up: passionfruit, mango or blackberry juice
The folks behind North Center’s El Llano win raves for their way with meat, and we think all those hearty entrees need to be paired with refreshing cocktails. It’s hard to resist mixing something (we like vodka) with one of El Llano’s fresh fruit juices ($2 each); they’re all made in-house. Pair your cocktail with the char-broiled chicken ($11.95) or rabbit ($10.95), or El Matrimonio ($13.95), a steak-and-chicken combo. All come with sides of yucca, red potatoes and plantains.
Habana Libre
1440 W. Chicago Ave. 312-243-3303
Bring it: rum
Mix it up: exotic sodas
Think you can just walk into this Cuban spot with a bottle of rum and be sipping a Cuba Libre in no time? Think again — the one-room West Town BYOB doesn’t sell Coke. What they do have, though, is a selection of slightly more exotic sodas to swill with the liquor of your choice. Try the mandarin orange-flavored Jarrito de Mandarina ($1.50) or the pineapple-flavored Jupina ($1.50) with a shot or two of rum. Sandwiches are good match for the fruity, carbonated drinks — go for the classic Cuban sandwich ($5.50) or pan con lechon, pork and grilled onions on toasted bread ($5.50).
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metromix@tribune.com
