Restaurant

Butcher and the Bear

Name: Butcher and the Bear
Address: 2721 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, 60614, US
Telephone: (312) 955-0306
Price range: splurge

Steakhouse•Chicago•splurge

Butcher and the Bear is one of the best steakhouse restaurants in Chicago for special occasion, especially if you want a strong option in Chicago.

Butcher and the Bear arrives on North Halsted with a clear thesis: that a steakhouse can carry the atmospheric weight of a 1920s speakeasy without sacrificing the precision that Wagyu beef demands.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

Butcher and the Bear arrives on North Halsted with a clear thesis: that a steakhouse can carry the atmospheric weight of a 1920s speakeasy without sacrificing the precision that Wagyu beef demands. The room — dark wood, dimmed lighting, leather banquettes across two floors — is a deliberate proposition. This is not a bright, noisy modern grill. Chef Saul Ramos and the founding partnership of Kosti Demos (Sapori Trattoria) and Chris and Susie Maloyan (Second City Prime) bring genuine hospitality infrastructure to the project, and it shows in the ambition: a wood-fired program, serious Wagyu sourcing, table-side preparations, and a curated wine list that together make a case for Lakeview as a destination for occasion dining, not merely neighborhood convenience. The price level is moderate for what it's reaching for, which is part of the argument. The menu centers on Wagyu beef in multiple registers. The Wagyu Tasting Board gives the kitchen a vehicle to demonstrate range before a main course arrives, and it opens with a gesture that has become a recognizable signature: rosemary focaccia served with a rendered Wagyu beef tallow candle — a theatrical but grounded way to frame the evening's ingredient. The 16oz Black Onyx Ribeye is the anchor cut diners consistently gravitate toward, a well-sourced Australian Wagyu that represents the kitchen's core commitment. Wagyu Beef Cheek rounds out the beef program for those who want something slower and more yielding. Beyond beef, an octopus appetizer signals that Ramos isn't confining himself to a single track. Dessert diners consistently praise: bananas foster crepes prepared table-side and Wagyu fat–butter chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream and milk — the latter a knowing, indulgent callback to the tallow candle that opened the meal. Book the downstairs if atmosphere is the priority — the room has the speakeasy density that makes the lighting and banquettes work as intended. The tallow candle with focaccia is the move to set the table's tone early; don't skip it. The bananas foster crepes require table-side preparation, so flag it with your server rather than treating dessert as an afterthought at the end of a long evening. Reservations through OpenTable are the standard channel; weekends at this price point and with this concept fill predictably, so book several days ahead.

James Whitfield, Restaurant Critic

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

Steakhouse business dinner special occasionpolishedclassic

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Taste ID

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Taste Score 8.3/10

Rating (Google) 9.4

408 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.3/10

Taste Score

Google 9.4 from 408 reviews

Best for

special occasion and Steakhouse

Price and pace

splurge

Neighborhood

Chicago | 2721 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

Price

splurge

Taste Score

8.3/10

Phone

(312) 955-0306

Watch

Butcher and the Bear on video

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Menu and ordering

Butcher and the Bear menu: what to order

Start with the dishes below, drawn from the restaurant details and TastyPals notes available on this page. Butcher and the Bear is listed in the splurge price range. Menus, availability, and prices can change, so confirm current details before visiting.

Wagyu Tasting Board

Rosemary focaccia with Wagyu beef tallow candle

16oz Black Onyx Ribeye

Wagyu Beef Cheek

Octopus appetizer

Why go

What makes Butcher and the Bear worth the move

Butcher and the Bear is a strong steakhouse option in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Wagyu Tasting Board and Rosemary focaccia with Wagyu beef tallow candle also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 408 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.4 from 408 Google reviews

Best for

special occasion and Steakhouse

Style

Steakhouse in Chicago

Spend

splurge

Best for

Steakhouse business dinner special occasion polished classic

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.4 from 408 reviews

Price point: splurge

Popular dishes: Wagyu Tasting Board, Rosemary focaccia with Wagyu beef tallow candle, 16oz Black Onyx Ribeye

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by James Whitfield for Butcher and the Bear

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Google snapshot

9.4 from 408 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by James Whitfield

No diner notes for Butcher and the Bear yet.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Book on OpenTable Directions

Address: 2721 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Phone: (312) 955-0306
Price: splurge
TastyPals score: 8.3/10
Google rating: 9.4 (408 reviews)
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Neighborhood: Chicago

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Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Butcher and the Bear serve?

Butcher and the Bear is a Steakhouse restaurant located in Chicago, Chicago. Butcher and the Bear arrives on North Halsted with a clear thesis: that a steakhouse can carry the atmospheric weight of a 1920s speakeasy without sacrificing the precision that Wagyu beef demands.

What is Butcher and the Bear best for?

Butcher and the Bear is best for steakhouse, business dinner, special occasion, polished, classic. Butcher and the Bear is a strong steakhouse option in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Wagyu Tasting Board and Rosemary focaccia with Wagyu beef tallow candle also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 408 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Butcher and the Bear?

Butcher and the Bear is in the splurge price range (splurge). Google rating: 9.4 from 408 reviews

What should I order at Butcher and the Bear?

Start with Wagyu Tasting Board, Rosemary focaccia with Wagyu beef tallow candle, 16oz Black Onyx Ribeye and Wagyu Beef Cheek. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Butcher and the Bear worth visiting?

Butcher and the Bear holds a 9.4 Google rating from 408 reviews. Butcher and the Bear is a strong steakhouse option in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Wagyu Tasting Board and Rosemary focaccia with Wagyu beef tallow candle also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 408 Google reviews.

Where is Butcher and the Bear located?

Butcher and the Bear is located at 2721 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

Does Butcher and the Bear take reservations?

Yes, Butcher and the Bear accepts reservations. You can book a table online through their reservations page.

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