Everything, including the decor and certainly the cuisine, is an homage to the heritages/families of Mantuano (Italian) and Maddon (Italian and Polish).
Walking around the Wrigleyville restaurant (which is predictably packed during the Cubs’ home games), there are nods to the owners—a giant, blown-up restaurant bill that Maddon signed, photos of families and even records of acts such as Prince and Led Zeppelin (in the private room on the second floor).
And then there’s the food. Start, of course, with the appetizers that include hand-cut fries (with rosemary and Parmigiano Reggiano), the wood-fired mozzarella fuso and Dorothy’s crispy potato pancake—a must-have. Salads include varieties such as the refreshing Polish cucumber (with creme fraiche and herbs), Hazleton antipasti (named after Maddon’s hometown) and others.
However, you’re just getting started. Main dishes center on meats—such as the kielbasa and claims, blackened whitefish and (naturally) baseball steak. The wood-fired pizzas include Joe’s Pizza (which includes Maddon’s favorite topping: green olives), Mortadella Cups, the classic Margherita and others. Pastas include some very tasty (and properly layered) lasagna rolls as well as braised brisket rigatoni and Mama K’s pappardelle (with pancetta, onions, cabbage and fontina). Also, pierogies (pan-fried and served in groupings of five) are filled with pork sausage, farmer’s cheese or potato—and they’re absolutely addictive.
Lastly, I urge you to save room for dessert. The chocolate paczki (which are almost bite-size, and come with strawberry jam) will tempt the most carb-phobic individual, and there are Seany Boom-Booms—sea-salt chocolate-chip cookies that marry the savory and sweet in a way that seems very tempting.
And drinks continue the homages, with Maddon’s Post being the only place where one can try Haymarket “Try Not to Suck” draft beer (Cubs fans will recognize that phrase) as well as cocktails such as Maddon’s Mule, El Mantuano and Toast to Hazleton.
Mantuano and Maddon probably could’ve put anything together in this spot and draw crowds (especially on game days). However, thanks to the attention they’ve put on their heritage-related touches, Maddon’s Post that will have crowds returning—even in the off-season.