Football fans will debate anything: draft picks, blown calls — and who can’t stay out of a good starting quarterback controversy? But most everyone agrees on the game-day essentials: beer, food and a good view of the action. No matter where you’re coming from, these spots are sure to settle the score when the Bears kick off the regular season Sunday.
NORTH SIDE
Drinks: If it’s variety you want, Crew Bar + Grill (4804 N. Broadway. 773-784-2739) serves up $9 pitchers of Miller Lite, $12 pitchers of Crew Beergaritas (a signature beer-tequila mixture) and $12 pitchers of homemade sangria.
Food: Wild Goose Bar & Grill (4265 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-281-7112) provides liquid nourishment with a $7 unlimited bloody mary bar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For heartier fare, try the Bear Down Burger, just $5.95 on Sundays.
Views: With three levels, five projection screens and 10 TVs, nearly every seat at The Spot (4437 N. Broadway. 773-728-8933) is the best in the house.
SOUTH SIDE
Drinks: The crowd at Cork & Kerry (10614 S. Western Ave. 773-445-2675) cheers loudly for the Bears, but also for $7.50 beer buckets. Games (and buckets) can be enjoyed inside the pub or in the expansive beer garden.
Food: Just blocks from Solider Field, Kroll’s South Loop (1736 S. Michigan Ave. 312-235-1400) rolls out a special game-day brunch menu, including signature breakfast pizzas (9-12 inches; $11.95-$15.95), to satisfy the crowds. You can’t go wrong with the Supreme, topped with eggs, sausage, bacon, onion, green pepper, mushrooms and cheese.
Views: A plasma paradise, Junior’s Sports Lounge (724 W. Maxwell St. 312-421-2277) features 20 sleek TVs (all at least 42 inches), and 12 booths with individual screens.
WEST SIDE
Drinks: Northside Bar & Grill (1635 N. Damen Ave. 773-384-3555) pours $2 Miller Lite drafts for the laid-back fans in Bucktown.
Food: Lottie’s Pub & Grill (1925 W. Cortland St. 773-489-0738) dishes up Lottie’s Minis, five miniature burgers or chicken sandwiches, for $5 on game days. Split ’em or keep ’em to yourself — either way, they’re a sure win.
Views: Four plasmas, eight TVs and two big screens give the huge crowds at Moretti’s (1645 W. Jackson Blvd. 312-850-0208) great views on game day.
LOOP
Drinks: Paying tribute to the Bears’ legend, patrons at Hackney’s Printers Row (733 S. Dearborn St. 312-461-1116) raise their glasses of Walter Payton Pilsner (12 ounces, $3) to cheer on the Monsters of the Midway.
Food: The $6.99 all-you-can-eat “Sunday Football” brunch buffet (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) keeps crowds happy at West Loop sports lounge Union Park (228 S. Racine Ave. 312-243-9002). Wash it down with $2 Bud and Bud Light drafts, and $3 Smirnoff cocktails every Sunday of the season.
Views: Mother Hubbard’s (5 W. Hubbard St. 312-828-0007) has a cupboard full of … TVs. With 15 satellite receivers, six 10-foot screens and a 16-foot HDTV, this is the place for larger-than-life action.
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METROMIX@TRIBUNE.COM
