Loopers and downtown workers will have a handful of new lunch options come Wednesday, June 20, when food hall Wells St. Market opens at 205 W Wacker Drive. The 10,500-square-foot space will house nine food vendors, including stalls from Chicago chefs Jimmy Bannos Jr., Takashi Yagihashi, Shin Thompson and Jeff Mauro. Diners can choose from pierogi, sushi, tacos, sandwiches, ramen, doughnuts and more. Chicago-based florist Flowers for Dreams will also operate a stall within the market, peddling two rotating bundles of blooms. The space's full-service bar is helmed by all-star bartender Dustin Drankiewicz (Moneygun), offering creative takes on classic cocktails, oysters and shareable bites.
For comparison's sake, Wells St. Market is less than half the size of nearby Revival Food Hall, which boasts 24,000 square feet of space. Still, the new addition to the Loop has room for 250 diners and will eventually open its accordion-style windows, which should lend an airy feel to the room. Debuting Wednesday, Wells St. Market is open weekdays from 11am to 8pm and closed on weekends. Morning commuters will be able to visit the Firecakes Donuts' walk-up window from 6:30 to 11am Monday through Friday; the interior counter will maintain the hall's regular hours. Check out more information on the food hall's vendors and some photos of the new lunch destination below.
Piggie Smalls: Jimmy Bannos Jr. (The Purple Pig) peddles Greek eats from his childhood; think a Chicago-style gyro, Greek fries and something called "Jimmy the Greek Salad."
Tabo Sushi: Elevated Japanese creations await at Takashi Yagihashi's sushi counter, which is designed to feel like an intimate dining experience within the bustling hall.
Dos Toros Taqueria: This New York import (the chain's third location in Chicago) offers tacos and burritos crafted using from-scratch recipes.
Tempesta Market: The West Town sandwich shop gets a second location in the Loop, delivering loaded handhelds and in-house charcuterie to lunch crowds.
Furious Spoon: Chef Shin Thompson's ramen empire shows no signs of slowing down. Slurp handmade noodles at the wrap-around ramen bar.
Pork & Mindy's: Get your hands on Food Network chef-lebrity Jeff Mauro's masterful meat-packed sandwiches, including his infamous Pig Candy B.L.T.
Firecakes: One of Chicago's top doughnut purveyors pushes artisanal treats, La Colombe coffee and decadent doughnut ice cream sandwiches.
FARE: Clean, healthy food is the focus here; expect bone broth, build-your-own bowls and labneh toast.
The Chow Brothers: Belly up for Polish comfort food like wine-braised beef pierogi and latkes.
Flowers for Dreams: Big-box florists don't have anything on this Chicago operation, which creates stunning designs and gives back to local charities.
Grand Central Bar: Sip creative takes on classic cocktails while slurping down East and West Coast oysters at Dustin Drankiewicz's bar.
Photograph: Marcin Cymmer
Photograph: Marcin Cymmer
Photograph: Marcin Cymmer
Photograph: Marcin Cymmer
Photograph: Marcin Cymmer
Photograph: Marcin Cymmer