We regularly order to-go from Acanto as the food is excellent and it’s right around the corner from our condo. Just found out they now allow BYOB! First two bottles $25 each, and $50 after that.
Acanto
18 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 578-0763
info@acantochicago.com
Went to Acanto with wine friends last night and was informed they have once again changed their policy. According to the new manager, corkage is now $35 and only one bottle is allowed. He honored what I had been told previously, but it was a hassle. Since the food is excellent, we’ll continue to carry out, but won’t dine in anymore.
Worth adding…
Smoque Steak
3310 N Elston Ave (Avondale)
Chicago, IL 60618
It’s a sister restaurant to the famed Smoque BBQ in old Irving Park. During the pandemic, Smoque received an mis -shipment of steaks instead of the usual brisket, and rather than returning them, they decided to experiment with a smoked steak recipe. It turned out so good that they opened this steakhouse in Avondale. Not your typical white tablecloth joint - it’s laid back, while still very nice, and the food is excellent, as you’d expect. Priced reasonably too. The ribeye was the best steak I’ve had this year.
Wine list isn’t half bad, but the upside for us berserkers is that they have a $20 corkage policy. One bottle only, but hard to find any corkage policies this good in 2023.
I removed Acanto and added Smoque Steak.
That’s awesome news. Barry knocked it out of the park again with Smoque Steak and can’t wait to go back. I went the second weekend after they opened and they told me no BYOB/corkage.
I was there about 8 weeks ago and called ahead to see if they had a corkage policy (nothing explicitly called out online) and they said $20, one bottle. Came in that same evening and had an outstanding meal. Eager to go back one of these days.
Was that one bottle per table, or one bottle per person? One bottle per table would be somewhat useless for a party of more than two people.
Per table unfortunately. As you said, fine for small parties, but not useful for much more.
Temporary addition - Chi-Latin, which has yet to receive a liquor license. I went with @Tim_Heaton when he was in town and we both thought the food was quite good…well, not the fish. The friendly owner (Freddie) is from Ecuador and his menu focuses a light on South American cuisines that are somewhat less popular in chicago.
Chi-Latin
1421 W. Chicago
Temporary $10/person charge
Glassware is crap (heavy small glasses), byo if you care.
Corey, are they eliminating BYOB as soon as they get their liquor license? If so, I’ll probably not add them to the list because then someone may go there thinking they can BYOB.
I’m not sure whether they will eliminate BYO, but the wording on their website suggests that it may be temporary. I included the restaurant on this thread because it was pretty tasty and if anyone is thinking of going, now would be a good time.
Doesn’t look like it’s on the list yet… but Boonies, would have to be up there as one of the best byob restaurants in Chicago. The food is delicious. Probably more a Riesling/champagne destination. Think corkage is a few dollars. Stems were fine.
Do they have stems?
Ate there a few months back so didn’t commit to memory, but yes I’m pretty sure they had stems.
Sabroso! Mexican Grill
BYOB - No Corkage
Basic Stemware
624 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (West Town)
Casual Mexican eatery with large portions, basic dining room, and a friendly staff.
Lardon at Milwaukee and California is $25 per bottle. No stemware. The quality of the food is very high. I strongly recommend for a great BYO experience.
Lardon is so great. Their sister restaurant, Union, is right next door and may have the same policy. The food at Union is also great.
Dang, the mention of California takes me back to Hot
Doug’s, at Cal and Roscoe. I loved that place.
How is it that they have a menu of wines but no stemware? What do they serve their overpriced wine in? 
That said, their menu looks pretty interesting. I’ll be sure to get there soon.
Yeah…they serve wine in little glass jars. Meant to be “old country” but I just find it hard to enjoy the wine to be honest. The food more than makes up for that shortcoming, though.