I’m just going to put this out there: I’m not the biggest fan of country music (although I like some old-school tunes from singers such as Eddie Rabbitt, the Chicks and Charley Pride).
I say this because I recently visited Welcome to the Farm, a BBQ and country-music bar located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. The huge two-level spot (at the same spot where restaurants American Junkie and Fremont once occupied). However, the music actually appealed to me—possibly because I went while the holiday pop-up XMas Bar was there, and there was a mix of traditional and holiday country tunes.
And even if you’re not into Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert or Chase Rice (one of the restaurant’s co-owners, along with athletes Jimmy Butler and Roquan Smith), there are many other reasons to visit this casual restaurant—namely the friendly staff (shout-outs to server Tanna and General Manager Elizabeth Cambalik), festive atmosphere (which may or may not include a mechanical bull)—and stacks of delightful food. One thing’s for sure: You won’t leave this place hungry—unless you’re vegan.
Welcome to the Farm’s cuisine is courtesy of Chef Raheem Sealey—a cordial professional who’s behind the spot’s Drinking Pig BBQ, which the Miami New Times named the city’s best BBQ.
The appetizers are shareable—and definitely are meals in themselves. The nachos are served with smoked brisket or pulled pork, and would’ve been even more outstanding if my friend and I had remembered to ask Tanna to hold the jalapeños, as they were piled a mile high. My dining companion thoroughly enjoyed her salmon rice bowl, and we both reveled in the huge baked potato—which, again, comes with either smoked brisket or pulled pork.
Then we also had pork belly (cured for seven days) and the bone-in oak-smoked short rib. Now, keeping in mind that the BBQ (with Caribbean and Asian influences) is award-winning, the short rib was absolutely tender—but my friend and I agreed that something was missing. It turned out to be salt, and I’m someone who prefers little salt. (This was even more evident a couple days later, when I munched on leftovers—but a couple sprinkles of the condiment solved the problem.) However, we agreed that the pork belly was far more flavorful—and was one of the best bites of that cut of meat that I had in 2024.
I knew this place would be fun when Cambalik and I sampled drinks (including the Pinky, a pink lemonade-flavored vodka) as Moo-Moos and Piggy Backs, which has you drinking out of the mouths of small ceramic cows and pigs, respectively. But if that’s not your thing, other drink options range from Cowboy Coffee (Owens Espresso, Selva Rey chocolate rum, Baileys and a torched marshmallow) to the “elevated cocktail experience” I Hate Cowboys to the Big A$$ Mule, a giant version of the Moscow Mule.
Trust me, it’s almost impossible to not have fun at this restaurant. Hopefully, it’ll be around for quite some time—and it’ll open on more evenings. (Currently, it’s only open Thursdays through Saturdays.)
By the way, Welcome to the Farm is having a Rhinestone Disco Cowboy Bash on New Year’s Eve. It’s the perfect time to find out how fun this place is.
Note: SAVOR visits are pre-arranged, unless otherwise indicated.
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