The Loop's 1898 German Institution
The Berghoff on Adams Street has been a Loop institution since 1898 — Wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, the proprietary Berghoff beer, and the wood-panelled dining rooms that have hosted Chicago lunch for over 125 years.
The cooking is German-American at proper restaurant standards: schnitzel pounded thin and properly-fried, slow-cooked sauerbraten, the regional German classics the format demands.
What to Order
Wiener schnitzel — the dish the kitchen has been refining for 125 years. Sauerbraten with potato dumplings; creamed spinach as a side. The proprietary Berghoff beer programme handles the format.
The Setting
The dining room is the experience. Wood panelling, photographs covering the walls, the steady rhythm of an institution that has survived three generations of restaurant trends. The downstairs Berghoff Café handles a more casual format.
Best Occasion: Team Dinner
The Berghoff handles a Loop team dinner reliably. The format provides shareable plates; the historical setting provides immediate conversation; bringing colleagues to a 125-year Chicago institution sends an exact message.