The Purple Pig, Chicago

Gate to The Purple Pig; Interior shots; A purple pig; The menu

When I was doing my research for places to eat around Chicago and asking friends about this question, many mentioned The Purple Pig. Even I asked the friendly baristas and staff of La Colombe Torrefaction (Chicago) and they even said, “This place is awesome.” With both tourists and locals loving this restaurant, this should be fail-safe to have a meal here.

The Purple Pig is located in the neighborhood of The Magnificent Mile where it is tucked away in between the glitzy, middle to high-end boutiques and department stores and office buildings. If people do notice its tall gate that is stationed at the sidewalk, you know you’re heading toward the right place.

Once inside, during the peak lunch hours, it was insanely crowded. The bar was packed on both sides, the long communal table is occupied with various dining parties, and the two tops all along the other side were filled with diners. There’s so much heat generated from the open kitchen and people’s bodies that wearing a coat feels suffocating. I had to put my name down for a party of two on the waiting list and we’re quoted about a 15-minute wait. (Do note, reservations are not accepted here.)

Eventually, with some patience and killing some time strolling around the neighborhood, my friend and I managed to get a table in about 10 minutes. Reading through their large menu, we’re told by our waitress that these plates are formatted to share and about three to five dishes would make a meal. Going with that advice, here’s what we had:

Calamari with Fregola, Radishes, Cucumbers & Pistachios

We started with their antipasto of Calamari with Fregola, Radishes, Cucumbers & Pistachios ($9). A fairly large serving for two; it’s a refreshing cool to room temperature dish of tender calamari rings, mixed with chewy pearls of fregola pasta, crisp vegetables with a liberal sprinkling of crushed pistachios.

Roasted Bone Marrow with Herbs

Progressing to the heavy end of the spectrum, we had the roasted bone marrow with herbs (from the “smears” section of the menu; $9). This plate of two large bone marrows, a vinegary parsley salad and large, buttered toasts. There was plenty of marrow to spare and smear on extra toasts.

If you never tried marrow, it’s like unctuous, natural butter (from a cow’s bone, no less) that’s melting every few seconds if you let it stand. The piquant herbaceous parsley salad is necessary so it won’t be overkill of richness.

Mortadella, Balsamico & Pistachio Spread & Close up

The mortadella, balsamico & pistachio spread ($8) was from a suggestion of a chef friend who lives in Chicago. (Thank you!) My friend and I were swooning over this rich spread. It’s creamy, sort of sweet from the drizzles of balsamic vinegar, the arugula dotting each large toast added some pleasant bitterness, and the heavy hand of crushed toasted pistachios gave it some crunchy texture.

Milk Braised Pork Shoulder with Mashed Potatoes

The milk braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes ($10) was incredibly tender and silky. It melds wonderfully with the creamy mashed potatoes and the milk gravy added a wonderful, savory caramelized flavor.

Crispy pigs ears with crispy kale, pickled cherry peppers and fried egg

The final dish of crispy pigs ears with crispy kale, pickled cherry peppers and fried egg ($8) was probably the most interesting of this meal. Almost everything in this dish was fried, save the pickled peppers but it wasn’t greasy. The pig ears were crispy and were thinly sliced to make it easier to eat through. We had the presumption of breaking the perfectly fried, oozy egg and mix it in with everything.

When you take a fork full of the crispy mildly sweet kale leaves, pig ears, a pickled, mildly spicy cherry pepper with everything coated in egg yolk, is probably closest to offal nirvana.

I understand completely of the love this restaurant gets from locals and tourists (who really like food). This restaurant makes their own charcuterie. They incorporate offal (e.g. pig’s tails, sweetbreads, pig’s ear, pork neck, etc.) to a number of dishes and frankly, I’m pretty happy people are open to eating those formerly unwanted parts. The food is delicious, creative, filling, and pretty affordable. The atmosphere is convivial, warm and casual. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable of the food. If you really like food, this is a great spot to eat in Chicago.

To view more photos of my meal here, please click through the slideshow (or view my Flickr set):

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Information:
The Purple Pig
Website
500 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood: The Magnificent Mile
(Map)
Telephone: 1-312-464-1744
No Reservations Accepted