R.J. Grunts sits in Lincoln Park, close enough to the zoo that it's become a natural stop for families in the area. The kitchen runs on diner-and-bar comfort food: char-broiled burgers with a long list of cheese options, a patty melt, French dip, chicken tenders, wings, and baby back ribs, alongside sandwiches like a turkey club and grilled cheese. Sides lean into cottage fries, onion rings, and mac and cheese.
Its salad bar is a build-your-own format — choose from greens, grains, protein, and dressing across up to eight ingredients — a menu fixture the restaurant still promotes as central to its identity. The chili, made with pork and beef and served with raw onions, cheddar, and oyster crackers, was named Chicago's Best Chili in 1979.
Regulars describe R.J. Grunts as a family-friendly, generous-portion kind of place with attentive service, and many treat it as an established, iconic stop in the neighborhood.
Its salad bar is a build-your-own format — choose from greens, grains, protein, and dressing across up to eight ingredients — a menu fixture the restaurant still promotes as central to its identity. The chili, made with pork and beef and served with raw onions, cheddar, and oyster crackers, was named Chicago's Best Chili in 1979.
Regulars describe R.J. Grunts as a family-friendly, generous-portion kind of place with attentive service, and many treat it as an established, iconic stop in the neighborhood.