Baseball and food collide today—as they so often do—with the opening of Maddon's Post in Wrigleyville. The Italian-Polish concept is a joint venture between chef-partner Tony Mantuano and Cubs manager Joe Maddon located at 1119 W Waveland Avenue in the heart of Wrigleyville. The all-day menu is rife with playful twists on classic Chicago fare, like a grilled Italian and Polish sausage platter, paczki, pierogi, and something called "Baseball" steak with tarragon, parsley and house butter.
Maddon and Mantuano turned to their roots—Polish and Italian, respectively—to guide the culinary lineup and highlight favorites from their childhoods. And because award-winning chef Mantuano is in the kitchen, guests can expect elevated but approachable dishes at every turn. The paczki, for instance, are crafted with chocolate dough and stuffed with fresh strawberry cream or melty peanut butter and banana. On the booze front, there are four beers on tap from nearby breweries (plus a handful of cans and bottles), wines by the glass and bottle as well as cocktails like the Maddon's Mule with vodka, manzanilla sherry, green apple, lime and ginger beer.
The focal point of the 7,400-square-foot interior is an open kitchen with a blazing hearth. There's also a family-friendly parlor that's outfitted with plush booths for large groups. Upstairs, guests will find the Flamingo Room, a Deco-era bar with a sprawling patio that's ideal for warm summer days. Located steps away from Wrigley Field, Maddon's Post opens its doors for business today at 4:30pm. Take a look at some of the Polish-Italian dishes on offer at Maddon's Post below.
Photograph: Matt Haas
Photograph: Matt Haas
Photograph: Matt Haas
Photograph: Matt Haas
Photograph: Matt Haas