Are you heading to a Chicago Blackhawks game at the United Center soon? If so, you might be looking for the best places to eat before a Chicago Blackhawks game. Luckily, there are a lot of great options right near the United Center so you can upgrade from your typical concession stand fare. Below, we offer seven great options to explore, whether you’re a new Blackhawks fan or a seasoned pro looking for something new to try.
Palace Grill Restaurant
First up, we have the Palace Grill Sandwich Shop. Typically, the Palace Grill is only open from 7am to 2pm, making it a great place for breakfast or lunch. However, they stay open whenever there is a Blackhawks home game, so you can stop in before the game. This place is known for their sandwiches, but you’ll also find other fare like salads, burgers, and breakfast options. Perhaps best of all, Palace Grill is located just a few minutes from the United Center on Madison St., about a half-a-mile down the road. When you stop in, be sure to check out all the Hawks memorabilia on the walls and around the restaurant.
Queenie’s Supper Club
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, consider going to Queenie’s Supper Club. This is the place to go if you want a good cocktail before the game or to sit down for a nice meal. Some of their signature dishes include a garlic and rosemary roasted half chicken, pan seared Chilean sea bass, and a double cheddar burger with applewood smoked bacon.
Queenie’s is definitely more expensive than the other options on this list, but it also gives you a completely different experience. You also don’t have to worry about getting to the United Center afterward, as Queenies is literally located right inside. Just head inside the East Atrium (located on Wood Street), then cross the atrium to Gate 4.
Coalfire
Next, if you want a good slice of pizza, make your way over to Coalfire. This is the place to go if you like a thin slice, rather than your typical deep dish. As the name suggests, Coalfire uses a 1,500 degree coal-burning oven, which produces slightly charred and bubbly pies. With these temperatures, their oven can create a great-tasting pie in less than two minutes.
Pizza is the primary food option on the menu, so don’t come here if you’re looking for a sandwich or some pasta. There are a few appetizer options available, like salads or a side of meatballs, along with a decent selection of drinks. You can find Coalfire in two locations, with the closest to United Center being 1t 1321 W. Grand Ave, a little over a mile from the arena.
Goose Island Taproom
When you want a good place to sit and have a beer, head to the Goose Island Taproom. Located only a half-a-mile from the United Center on Fulton Street, the Goose Island Taproom has a wide range of beers on tap. There’s plenty of IPAs, pilsners, shandies, and more available, along with some vintage beers. You can either enjoy your beers in the taproom or get something from their to-go list.
As for food, the Goose Island Taproom mostly offers small snacks, but you can also bring your own food. This makes it a good option if you want to save some money by bringing food from home or if you want to bring your favorite meal from another spot a little closer to the United Center. The Goose Island taproom is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and closes at 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, so you’re more likely to visit before a game rather than after.
Billy Goat Tavern
Next up, no list of the best places to eat before a Chicago Blackhawks game would be complete without the Billy Goat Tavern. The Billy Goat Tavern has been a Chicago Institution since 1934 when Billy “Goat” Sianis first opened the doors. It’s so well known, that it even made it into a Saturday Night Live sketch many years ago. Now, there are several Billy Goat Tavern locations throughout Chicago, with one of them just a short walk from the United Center, on Madison Avenue.
When you visit Billy Goats, you’ll probably want to get one of their famous burgers, known as the “Cheezborger”. There’s also plenty of hot sandwiches available, if you’re not in the mood for a burger. This is the place to go if you want a quick bite to eat before or after the game, especially because they extend their hours when there are events at the United Center.
County Barbeque
A great place for some BBQ food near the United Center is County Barbeque. They’re about 1.5 miles away from the United Center, located at 1352 W Taylor St, meaning you’ll probably want to take public transit or call a taxi, but a walk isn’t out of the question on a nice day. Here you’ll find some delicious smoked meats, like their St. Louis-style spare ribs or their smoked pastrami. They also have some BBQ sandwiches available, like their Texas brisket sandwich or their pulled pork sandwich.
Finally, County Barbeque has a decent-sized drink menu, with plenty of beers, ciders, cocktails and wines available. Before you head over, be sure to check out their daily specials, as they offer unique items each day. When the Blackhawks have an afternoon weekend game, County Barbeque is also a great choice because of their brunch menu.
Make Your Next Blackhawks Game a Memorable One
Finding the best places to eat before a Chicago Blackhawks game is a tricky matter. Not because there aren’t any good places but because there are so many options to choose from. Whether you’re looking to have a sit down dinner, grab a quick slice or dine on some delicious barbeque, you have a lot of places you can go. Hopefully, the above list will help you narrow down your choices and make your next night out at a Blackhawks game a good one.