Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

Visa Dining Collection

4.5 (713)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

202 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606

Make a booking

2 people

22 Jul 2025

July 2025

19:00

Booked 99 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Good for business meals
Innovative

Located in Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams, Kindling offers a captivating steakhouse dining
experience. Chef Partner is James Beard Award-winning Jonathon Sawyer, who brings a worldly
perspective and decades of wood-fired cooking. With our live-fire show kitchen, prime steaks, fresh seafood
and handcrafted cocktails, Kindling brings the warmth of the hearth to the heart of the city. It's the ideal
setting for pre-theatre dinner, a large group business lunch, and after-work happy hour at the bar.

Follow us on social @kindlingchicago & @chefsawyer!

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Steakhouse, American, Grill
Hours of Operation
Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00–15:45 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–17:30 Dinner Mon–Thu 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
Phone number
(312) 789-5992
Website
https://www.kindlingchicago.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Chef Jonathon Sawyer
Catering
Kindling offers several unique private and semi private spaces for Private Events, and we specialize in corporate events as well as corporate office catering.
Private party facilities
Situated within Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams, Kindling boasts a live fire show kitchen, wood-fired plates, and tasty cocktails in the heart of the city. Kindling is led by 2015 James Beard Award Winner and Food Network Star, Jonathon Sawyer.
Private party contact
Abbey Arp: (319) 360-2169

Location
202 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606
Area
River North (Chicago)
Cross Street
Inside Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
Metra: - Union Station (One block away - perfect for Happy Hour!)CTA: - Quincy (Brown/Orange/Pink/Purple Lines)- Jackson (Blue/Red Lines)- Bus Stops: 126 / 151 / 56
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Pre-Theater Dinner
US$59.00 per person
Prepaid
Multiple dates available
Located just a short walk from Chicago's theater district, Kindling's convenient location provides for the perfect place to enjoy dinner before your show. Highlighting some of our menu's top hits, this three-course dining experience is a great way for you and your guests to gather for a meal without stressing about making it to the show on-time. By purchasing this experience, we will ensure your party enjoys their meal in under and hour, with plenty of time to head to your show. For the month of April we will be featuring The Parisian, an exclusive Moulin Rouge inspired cocktail. Any theater-goer who presents their Moulin Rouge ticket or playbill to their server will receive this complimentary cocktail. Must be paired with the purchase of this experience and must be 21 years of age to redeem. Commute Times (walking) Lyric Opera House: 8 min Cadillac Palace: 10 min The Goodman: 14 min Nederlander: 14 min
Three-Course Business Lunch
US$39.00 per person
Prepaid
Multiple dates available
Whether you're looking to host a client or have a team lunch, this three-course express menu offers some of Kindling's top hits in a convenient and efficient format. It makes the decision-making process simpler and allows you more time to get down to business and back to the office. By pre-booking this experience, you also skip the hassle of having to pay your bill at the end of your meal, as all items are purchased in advance.

Private dining

Popular dishes

Oysters Maplefeller styleUS$5.00
maytag blue cheese, confit tomato, maple bacon, calabrian chili crumb
HillBilly Riviera StyleUS$5.00
saltines, crystal's hot sauce butter
Bone Marrow ButteredUS$6.00
lemon, capers, parsley, breadcrumbs
Oyster Royale StyleUS$7.00
golden kaluga caviar, potato cream
Chef's Choice Wood Fired Oysters
half doen $29 dozen $57
Skull Island PrawnUS$24.00
panang curry, fragrant herbs, brioche
Spanish OctopusUS$32.00
onion jang, papas bravas, spicy aioli, salumi picante
Seafood TowerUS$175.00
skull island prawns, seasonal oysters and cold water lobster tail, salsa matcha butter and burnt lemon

STEAKS & CHOPS

well marbled Top with: Sautéed Maytag Bleu Cheese $5 Truffle Butter $4 Red Wine Demi Glaze $4

FiletUS$59.00
8oz
Filet "Mrs O'Leary"US$61.00
8 oz. red wine demi-glaze, fried shallots
Steak FritesUS$38.00
10oz salsa verde
USDA Prime NY StripUS$68.00
16 oz
Prime "Downtown" Ribeye*US$71.00
16oz
Pork Secreto Steak FritesUS$37.00
10oz - annato onion sweet chile
Colorado Lamb Chops US$65.00
18 oz
Bone-In, Prime Ribeye*US$115.00
24oz

ROTISSERIE

limited availability

Brine + Herb-Marinated Amish Farm ChickenUS$27.50
greek fries, fried green olives, lemon oregano jus

MAINS

Rigatoni Alla VodkaUS$22.00
copper-extruded housemade pasta, parmigiano reggiano, basil ADD wood-grilled lobster 5oz _ 21
Cedar Grilled SalmonUS$35.00
maple miso glaze, ponzu, charred lime
ScallopsUS$38.00
crab, esquites espuma, white corn tortilla crumb
Bacon Cheeseburger DeluxeUS$28.00
wood fired burger, american cheese, sliced pickles, nueske's bacon, slices red onion, secret sauce, potato bun, iceberg lettuce, french fries

SIDES

wood fired wild mushroomsUS$15.00
roasted red onion, herbs
French Fries Julia Child StyleUS$11.00
beef suet, "gardinieraioli", heinz 57 ketchup
Mashed PotatoesUS$12.00
brown butter gravy
Twice Cooked Sweet PotatoUS$11.00
Lillie's Q BBQ butter, burnt orange
EloteUS$14.00
corn off the cob, parmigiano reggiano, tajin
mac 'n cheeseUS$13.00
housemade pasta, blend of aged cheddar and american cheeses

What 713 people are saying

Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.4Service
4.5Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails offers a vibrant dining experience with "amazing food" and "exceptional service." The wood-fired dishes are a highlight, with standout items like the Italian beef and grilled octopus. The atmosphere is "fun and welcoming," making it perfect for both business lunches and special occasions.

713 Reviews

E
Erica
Toronto / Ontario3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
10/10! We loved it! Our first time and will 100% go back!
Is this helpful?
D
Darrell
Unspecified2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great chicken wings! Everything was creative and tasty. I’d order to share - even a steak, as they slice them.
Is this helpful?
L
Lanette VIP
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined on 14 July 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Andres was amazing and knowledgeable. He made our first visit so enjoyable. I am sure we will be back.
Is this helpful?
N
Nicole VIP
Chicago / Illinois12 reviews
5.0
Dined on 13 July 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We enjoyed a lovely dinner. Our server, Ally, was fantastic. Great recommendations and service.
Is this helpful?
C
Cristina VIP
Chicago / Illinois16 reviews
5.0
Dined on 13 July 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food is amazing! Manny the bartender and Amber were fantastic and were were able to talk to Jonathan! Amazing service!
Is this helpful?
J
John VIP
Chicago / Illinois11 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 July 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place for a business lunch - our favorite! Service excellent and food outstanding!
Is this helpful?
m
michele VIP
Chicago / Illinois4 reviews
4.0
Dined on 9 July 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Food was all good but have to say that have never received such a small quantity of salmon that added to my salad—-for the cost, it was shocking as it was at most 2 ounces of salmon and was likely less. The shrimp add on had several pieces as did the chicken but for the salmon it was 2 baby carrot sized pieces of salmon. Cannot recommend.
Is this helpful?
J
Jasmene
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 5 July 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had an amazing birthday experience. The food, service, ambiance was nothing short of amazing. I can’t wait to go back.
Is this helpful?
A
Anna
Chicago / Illinois1 review
5.0
Dined on 5 July 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Kindling was quite possibly the best food I've ever had. It's certainly pricey, but for its prime location and the quality of the food, it was definitely worth it. I would highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
Houston3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 4 July 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience, excellent service. Sit at the Hearth (kitchen counter) for a fun and unique experience. We don’t live in Chicago, but will definitely come back to Kindling the next time we are in town. Such a great dinner.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails is rated 4.5 stars by 713 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

Booked 99 times today

Experiences are available.

Google Map for Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

202 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Inside Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams
Area
River North (Chicago)
Hours of Operation
Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00–15:45 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–17:30 Dinner Mon–Thu 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Steakhouse, American, Grill
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
Metra: - Union Station (One block away - perfect for Happy Hour!)CTA: - Quincy (Brown/Orange/Pink/Purple Lines)- Jackson (Blue/Red Lines)- Bus Stops: 126 / 151 / 56
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Chef Jonathon Sawyer
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.kindlingchicago.com/
Phone number
(312) 789-5992
Catering
Kindling offers several unique private and semi private spaces for Private Events, and we specialize in corporate events as well as corporate office catering.
Private party facilities
Situated within Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams, Kindling boasts a live fire show kitchen, wood-fired plates, and tasty cocktails in the heart of the city. Kindling is led by 2015 James Beard Award Winner and Food Network Star, Jonathon Sawyer.
Private party contact
Abbey Arp: (319) 360-2169

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun

Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Pre-Theater Dinner

Three-Course Business Lunch

The Heart

Custom enquiry

Mashed Potatoes

Beef Tenderloin

Jumbo Sea Scallops

FIRST COURSE

Crispy Brussels SproutsUS$12.00

BurrataUS$20.00

World Famous Confit Chicken WingsUS$16.00

SOUP & SALAD

Lobster BisqueUS$17.00

CaesarUS$17.00

Blue Chip ChopUS$38.00

RAW BAR

Hamachi De TigreUS$21.00

Tuna TartareUS$22.00

Oysters On the Half ShellUS$4.50

WOOD FIRED SEAFOOD

Oysters Maplefeller styleUS$5.00

HillBilly Riviera StyleUS$5.00

Bone Marrow ButteredUS$6.00

Oyster Royale StyleUS$7.00

Chef's Choice Wood Fired Oysters

Skull Island PrawnUS$24.00

Spanish OctopusUS$32.00

Seafood TowerUS$175.00

STEAKS & CHOPS

FiletUS$59.00

Filet "Mrs O'Leary"US$61.00

Steak FritesUS$38.00

USDA Prime NY StripUS$68.00

Prime "Downtown" Ribeye*US$71.00

Pork Secreto Steak FritesUS$37.00

Colorado Lamb Chops US$65.00

Bone-In, Prime Ribeye*US$115.00

ROTISSERIE

Brine + Herb-Marinated Amish Farm ChickenUS$27.50

MAINS

Rigatoni Alla VodkaUS$22.00

Cedar Grilled SalmonUS$35.00

ScallopsUS$38.00

Bacon Cheeseburger DeluxeUS$28.00

SIDES

wood fired wild mushroomsUS$15.00

French Fries Julia Child StyleUS$11.00

Mashed PotatoesUS$12.00

Twice Cooked Sweet PotatoUS$11.00

EloteUS$14.00

mac 'n cheeseUS$13.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails restaurant rated?

Is Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information