Chicago, IL: Duck Duck Goat

I was in town for Design Chicago and landed at this West Loop hotspot for dinner. It’s a Chinese joint… sort of. But it’s way more fun than that.

Duck Duck Goat is one of Stephanie Izard’s restaurants (of Girl & the Goat fame), located in the West Loop. And even though I’m an atmospheric eater, this was hands down the best meal in recent memory. In most places, I care far less about the food than I do about the feel of a restaurant. You could serve me a bowl of cereal in a cozy, good-looking spot and I’d be just as happy.

And I did nerd out over the design—the shock red, the wood paneling, the teal tiles, the wallpaper, it was like a 21st century spin on an imperial palace. But there was something else drifting through this mod eatery. Amidst the globe lanterns and Asian tapestry and Chinese logograms, the best 80s boy-band song of all time was playing. Cool It Now by New Edition (circa 1984). As in, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike.

That’s when the cereal could have arrived, in a soggy paper bowl, and I’d have still said it was the best place in Chicago. But instead the food was ridiculous. Get the Jiaozi potstickers, pickled cucumber (says the girl who thinks cucumber is a crap vegetable), and xi’an goat slap noodles.

P.S. I can write about almost anything, but not food, so in place of more in-depth info about the eating experience, you get more photos of the decor AND a boy band video from the 80s. It’s at the bottom of this post. Trust me, you need this. If you do want a good source for food writing, go see my friend Chris Hughes. He’s a loud but absurdly good food and wine writer/editor.

Follow:
@duckduckgoatchi

Visit:
857 West Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607
312.902.DUCK