The Dawson
The Dawson
The Dawson
Grand · Wood-fired American · Independent

The Dawson

Chicken-fried lobster in an 1888 River West building. Wood fire, two floors, one of the city's best patios.

730 W Grand Ave · $$$ · Reserve · OpenTable

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The note

Why it is on the list

The Dawson is Gage Hospitality's River West gathering place, in an 1888 building tied to the Dawson brothers' fireplace-mantel works, right at the Grand, Halsted and Milwaukee crossing. The kitchen cooks over a wood-fired grill, and the order to make is the chicken-fried lobster with banana peppers, spicy ranch and lemon. Two floors, a big covered and heated patio, inventive cocktails, and the burger that won People's Champion at Chicago Gourmet's Hamburger Hop 2026. Weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday 10:30am-2:30pm. Happy hour Tuesday to Friday 4 to 6pm. Closed Mondays. Book on OpenTable.

The door

Address

730 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Directions · All rooms on the map

312-243-8955

Tue-Wed 4-9pm · Thu 4-10pm · Fri 4-11pm · Sat 10:30am-11pm · Sun 10:30am-9pm

Reservations on OpenTable.

Official site

What to order
Happy hour

Tue-Fri 4-6pm

$10 cocktails, $10 wines, $6 beers and specially priced bites like cheese curds, beef sliders and chips.

Checked Nov 2

Confirm at the door - these windows move. Source ↗

This week
  • Hamburger Hop winning burger The Dawson Burger took People's Champion at Chicago Gourmet's Hamburger Hop 2026: ground prime beef, emmental, roasted portobello, crispy pancetta, butter lettuce, black truffle aioli on brioche. Limited time. Checked Nov 2 See details ↗

Snapshot of the public menu - confirm dishes and prices with the restaurant.

Starters

  • Pull Apart Brioche Garlic butter, grana padano, sea salt · $13
  • Wood-Fired Shishito Peppers Garlic aioli, charred lime, bonito salt, chili aioli · $19
  • Chicken Fried Lobster Banana pepper, spicy ranch, lemon · $32
  • Burrata & Brussels Tartine Pickled fresno, crispy brussels and shallots, hazelnuts, mustard aioli, black garlic molasses, miche toast · $21
  • Spanish Octopus Fennel, fresno, crispy potato, red pepper emulsion, toast · $24
  • Wagyu Meatballs Vodka sauce, pecorino, basil, ciabatta · $21
  • Sticky Duck Wings Chili crunch, pickled ginger, scallion, lime · $22

Salads & vegetables

  • Super Green Salad Green lettuces, avocado, snap peas, persian cucumbers, green goddess dressing · $18
  • Chopped Salad Baby gem lettuce, humboldt fog, cherry tomato, red onion, Nueske's bacon, buttermilk ranch · $18
  • Classic Caesar Baby gem lettuce, sourdough croutons, classic dressing, grana padano · $18
  • Grilled Carrots Feta, aleppo, pistachio, fennel salsa verde · $15
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Romesco, feta, pepitas, pickled red onion, herbs · $14
  • Hummus & Wood-Fired Vegetables Local farmers' vegetables, grilled lemon, za'atar, grilled naan · $22

Wood-fired grill

  • Cauliflower Steak Green tahini, spring peas, almonds, herbs, lemon · $19
  • Spatchcock Half Chicken Creamy whipped potato, grilled broccolini, baby carrots, chicken jus · $36
  • 16oz Bone-In Pork Chop Tempura onion rings, chimichurri · $45
  • Filet Steak Frites 8oz filet, sauce au poivre, fries · $50
  • 16oz Cowgirl Ribeye Tempura onion rings, chimichurri or bordelaise · $66
  • 14oz New York Strip Bordelaise, polenta fries · $54
  • The Dawson Burger Hamburger Hop 2026 winner: ground prime beef, emmental swiss, roasted portobello, crispy pancetta, lettuce, black truffle aioli, brioche bun

Mains

  • Red Wine-Braised Short Rib Parsnip puree, baby carrots, pomegranate, watercress · $42
  • Rigatoni Alla Vodka Fire-roasted tomato, local burrata, calabrian breadcrumbs · $25
  • Cavatelli Heritage pork ragu, pecorino, herbs · $32
  • Mushroom Bolognese Ricotta gnocchi, woodland mushrooms, parmesan · $26
  • Thai Red Curry Potatoes, cauliflower, baby bok choy, english peas, basmati rice, thai basil · $27

Built to share

  • Grilled Red Fish Tacos Pineapple slaw, golden habanero salsa, guacamole, corn or flour tortillas · $55