A new restaurant inspired by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead just opened in Chicago

Come alive, Deadheads!

A new restaurant and live concert venue recently opened in Chicago as an ode to famed Grateful Dead founder Jerry Garcia. A Grateful Dead diehards and fellow music fans can find Garcia’s Chicago at 1001 W Washington Boulevard in West Loop, nearly five years after news of the concept was buzzing around the city. (As was the case with many restaurants these past few years, pandemic-related delays pushed back the opening.)

Peter Shapiro—the concert promoter who organized the Grateful Dead's 50th anniversary "Fare Thee Well" shows and the owner of venues including Brooklyn Bowl and The Capitol Theatre—is behind Garcia's, which was created in partnership with the musician's estate.

"A living, breathing tribute to an artist whose influence transcends generations," according to an official press release, the multi-concept venue honors the legendary late guitarist, vocalist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead who passed in 1995 at the age of 53 from a heart attack by drawing from the star's Spanish heritage and Northern Californian upbringing, as well as his deep connections to jazz, Americana and world music. 

Along with offering a rotating lineup of live performances—this month sees Octave Cat, Grace Potter and Joey Alexander taking the space—the restaurant taps into Garcia's love of American comfort food with a menu led by executive chef and Chicago native Ivy Carthen. Culinary highlights include a take on Garcia's favorite sandwich, piled-high with thin-sliced prime rib, provolone, onion rings, horseradish and au jus on a Dutch crunch roll; a "Clown Alley" smashburger named after Garcia's favorite late-night burger joint in San Francisco; "Captain Olsen’s Conserva," a Spanish tinned-fish dish honoring the artist's sea-faring great-grandfather; and a Yoo-Hoo Milkshake (cocoa nibs, malt, whipped cream) that toasts to Garcia's nostalgic childhood drink. 

A fully loaded bar program is also on offer, with drinks like a tequila-and-passionfruit "Mission in the Rain"—a nod to Ranch Water and Garcia’s San Francisco roots—and "Russian Lullaby" (toasted oat Irish whiskey, rich crème de cacao, malted milk ball cordial and coffee stout reduction) that calls out to the White Russians that Garcia reportedly sipped on to calm his nerves before a show. 

Check out the full menu and performance lineup before heading to the awesome new destination.