Frontera Grill · Restaurant · Chicago
Rick Bayless's Bib Gourmand River North regional Mexican institution since 1987
Frontera Grill has served regional Mexican cooking on Clark Street in River North since 1987, when Rick Bayless and Deann Groen Bayless came home from an extended stay in Mexico and opened a restaurant that tasted like their travels. It holds a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, and it won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2007.
The dining room is hung with colorful Mexican folk art, and there is a heated patio outside. The menu changes with the seasons, built on handmade tortillas and ingredients from Midwestern farms. It is festive on the surface and technically precise underneath.
Open with the Classic Frontera ceviche and a round of margaritas shaken tableside. The crispy duck carnitas with guacamole are made for sharing, and the braised short rib in homemade Oaxacan black mole is the dish to order if you want to understand why this kitchen is taken so seriously.
Lunch runs Tuesday through Friday, brunch takes over on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am, and dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday. Frontera is closed Mondays, so plan around that one dark night. It stays festive enough for a group and precise enough to justify the reputation it has built over nearly forty years.
Address: 445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, Chicago
Frontera Grill takes reservations through OpenTable. This MyRSVP guide covers the room, what it is known for and when to go in Chicago; use the booking link on this page to reserve direct.
Hours of operation
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11:30 - 14:00, 16:30 - 21:00
- Wednesday: 11:30 - 14:00, 16:30 - 21:00
- Thursday: 11:30 - 14:00, 16:30 - 21:00
- Friday: 11:30 - 14:00, 16:00 - 22:00
- Saturday: 10:30 - 14:00, 16:00 - 22:00
- Sunday: 10:30 - 14:00, 16:00 - 21:00
Frequently asked about Frontera Grill
How do I get a reservation at Frontera Grill in Chicago?
Tables at Frontera Grill are booked directly with the restaurant. If it is part of a bigger Chicago plan, our Chicago team handles the beach clubs and nightlife around your dinner and can point you to the venue's own reservations channel.
What should I order at Frontera Grill?
Frontera Grill is best known for its signature dishes and shareable plates. Tell MyRSVP your party size and any dietary needs and we note them with your request.
What is the dress code at Frontera Grill?
Frontera Grill keeps an upscale dining dress code: smart, dressed-up attire, no athletic wear or beachwear. MyRSVP confirms any current door specifics with your booking.
Where is Frontera Grill located?
Frontera Grill is in Chicago, at 445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654. MyRSVP can build it into a full Chicago itinerary alongside the surrounding nightlife.
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