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    Umamicue

    4.5 (12 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 8:00 PM

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    UMAMICUE ATMOSPHERE

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    brisket banh mi
    Mona T.

    Overall Thoughts: Definitely come early because it's a small and popular space with few tables. It was quite packed when I arrived around 6:15pm on Friday, but luckily I was able to grab a table that cleared out ~15 minutes after ordering. It's dark and loud inside, but the vibes are fun and laid back. The food took awhile to come out, but I enjoyed it a lot! I loved the unique fusion of Texas BBQ and Vietnamese flavors. Despite BBQ being traditionally meat-forward and the menu being small, they still had a few tasty vegan options available. We didn't order any drinks, but they have some solid happy hour deals, so I'd be glad to come again in the future for happy hour to drink. Overall, prices aren't bad either and reasonable for the area. Food I tried: - Lions Mane Mushroom Nuggets (4.5/5): The nuggets were wonderfully crispy and flavorful, but the side mushroom sauce really stole the show. It was so umami and flavorful, I was literally scooping up the leftovers by the spoonful. - Cucumber Salad (4.4/5): It's a simple, easy dish, but they didn't miss-- very solid with good balance of flavors. - Brisket Banh Mi (4.6/5): This was very tasty, and really saw the best of the 2 flavors come together-- traditional Viet pickled veggies and flaky bread and smokey BBQ brisket. Parts of the brisket were slightly dry, but overall it was tender enough. - Crispy Duroc Pork Belly (4.3/5): This was simultaneously the crispiest and fattiest pork belly I've ever had. The skin was incredibly crispy and tasty, and the inside was incredibly tender (though some parts of it were way too fatty for my liking). -- Price (relative to peers): 4.3/5 Food: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4.5/5 Service: 4.5/5 Overall Value: 4.5/5

    Our dinner spread
    Eva S.

    I was introduced to this pop-up by a good friend and I loved the idea of fusion vietnamese and american barbecue. We made plans and set a double date for dinner on a weeknight (their current hours are Tue-Fri 5pm-9pm, Sat 3pm-9pm. They're closed on Sundays and Mondays. We came here back in September 2023. Umamicue is run out of Spilt Milk in Logan Square at the intersection of California and Fullerton. We agreed to meet within the first hour of them opening just in case any items run out, and grabbed a table for four. We got some drinks at the bar and put in our orders. Here is what we ordered: Cucumber smash Fries with sriracha aioli and ketchup Nuoc cham potato salad Crispy pork belly banh mi (full sandwich) 1/2 lb of crispy pork belly The items were fresh and delicious! My favorite was the side dish: the nuoc cham potato salad. I thought it was the most inventive and I've never had anything like it (there was mint, fish sauce, creamy umami that was addicting). Give me a tub of this potato salad and it will be gone in a snap. The night we went, they were out of the prime brisket smoked meat (by the 1/2 pound at $18) and out of the brisket banh mi. I can't remember if they ran out or if it wasn't on the menu that night, but I was really craving some leaner brisket versus a LOT of pork belly that night (but my husband didn't mind at all and could have pork belly all day, every day). The fries were fried perfectly to a golden brown and I loved having multiple sauces to dunk them in. The aioli was less sriracha and more of the mayo, I really like my spice and could've used even more sriracha or a bottle of it as a condiment for the table. I would have LOVED a small side of barbecue sauce (to tie the whole theme together) or a trio of simple sauces presented separately like ketchup, mayo, and barbecue sauce. But anyway, just small reflections from an amazing meal. Overall, I loved everything we had here. Who knew that their menu perfectly compliments anything you can order at the bar, a beer, a cocktail, a glass of champagne... I will be back to try their brisket. I am a fan!

    We made our own sampler: Lion's Mane Mushroom Nuggets, Fries, Smoked Blue Crab Rangoon, Smashed Cucumber, Brisket
    Antoine W.

    It's summertime. You want to sit outside and enjoy the Chicago weather. You want a chill sport that's no fuss, but a good vibe. Umamicue, inside of Spilt Milk, is where you want to me. The food was fresh and delicious, though my favorite was the Lion Mane's Mushroom Nuggets. Locally crafted beer we got from Spilt Milk, then brought the food to the back patio to enjoy with the food. Would definitely recommend this again for a date night.

    Crispy pork belly banh mi

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    2 years ago

    Everything was so flavorful and I love the concept of Vietnamese inspired barbecue!!!

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    Blame Butter

    Blame Butter

    3.6
    (8 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Really glad I tried it. I tried stopping by one day when they'd been opened fewer than two hours I…read morethink but was out of luck; they were sold out. So I came by one Sunday before opening and was surprised that there were only about five people ahead of me in line shortly before they opened. They threw the doors wide open precisely at noon. Asa, the proprietor, clearly has a passion for the work she does. She's a bit of a cross between a poet and a pastry chef--check out the descriptions she writes of her pies if you don't believe me! Each slice is unlike any pie I've ever tasted. She had a pie with fig, and that was the closest to a conventional pie she had (if you can call it that--as I said, I find it hard to describe her offerings). All were creamy, decadent, and unique in the true sense of the word. Her crusts were amazing. Also unique is the way she runs her business. She is based out of a little counter in the Poke San that's on the corner of Wells & Huron. The hours she keeps are minimal. And it's a total of two people--her father, who takes payment, and her. Her passion comes out in the care that she takes with each slice: She bakes the pies, of course, but then she adorns them upon ordering. You will wait several minutes once you've ordered your slice, and if you are in line you will be waiting for a while depending upon your place (being 5th or 6th in line, I was finished about 15-20 minutes after the shop opened). It's clear she sees this as artistic expression, and honestly that is plain to see in how she finishes each slice: A brûlée'd top on this one (caramelized whilst you watch), decorating that one with local--real--flowers. It's an experience and if you like to try new things, or just taste something that is fairly unlike other local offerings, you should consider giving it a try before she moves on to new ventures.

    The slice of pie was incredible and this is my new favorite dessert spot. It is quite pricey ($14…read morefor a singular slice), but a more special occasion type of pastry treat. Got the second one which is creamy cinnamon flavor with a brûléed top. There's some poured rice and cinnamon crème fraiche on the top. It wasn't overly sweet (huge compliment), and the crust was very flaky. How it works: -you can order at the window and there's little menus that are handwritten with the four pie options -the base pie is already done, and she will finish and add the decorations and toppings after you order Packaging is beautiful and very high end. Service was very fast (no one in line on a Sunday afternoon). Definitely will be back!

    Photos
    Blame Butter
    Packaging
    Packaging
    Blame Butter

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    Nightmare on Clark St

    Nightmare on Clark St

    3.2
    (20 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    We always love the pop-ups at Stolen Saddle (formerly known as Bamboo Club) but this one is SO fun…read more There's a walk-through Haunted House type experience that you go through, eventually spitting you out on the rooftop where they have the Halloween bar going. There are a bunch more photo ops and displays for you to explore on the rooftop as well. Your admission gets you x-amount of drink tickets based on your package, but all include a welcome jello shot syringe and a bonus drink downstairs. Your main drink tickets get you any of the Halloween-themed special beverages. They're soooo super cute and very in-theme. They even gave us a souvenir cup from the Bamboo Club days to take home as a little extra haha. The vibe up there was really fun and the bartender was amazing. She was super friendly, a good amount of chatty, knowledgeable about the drinks, and just vibing and having a good time. There was a good amount of people in our time slot, not too crowded and just about everyone could find a table to stand at. But there was also enough of a crowd to make the vibe. I would recommend going in the evening for a full spooky experience, though! The one and only problem we had was that it was unclear where to go after the escalators and we went the wrong way. But the bartender was great at redirecting us and making sure we got the full experience! Definitely recommend if you get a chance to go for Halloween!!

    Went to Bamboo Club (originally Deuces) after a Cubs game and was invited to try the haunted house…read moreat no cost. It was the first day and the actors hadn't arrived yet but it was scarier than anticipated - in a good way! Also super convenient to get some food and drinks downstairs after.

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    Ceiling artwork
    Ceiling artwork
    Nightmare on Clark St
    Nightmare on Clark St

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    Santa Baby Bar

    Santa Baby Bar

    3.3
    (308 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    This was my first time at a pop-up bar and it was such a fun experience! We made reservations a few…read moreweeks ahead of time online for a late Sunday afternoon. Before checking in for our reservation, there were a few photo opportunities outside. Once we checked in at the hostess stand, we were seated immediately at a table. The server explained the concept of the bar and left us be to read the menu. Santa Baby Bar is a multi level restaurant with bars and photo opportunities. If you're at a table, you get a 90 minute time limit. You can explore and order drinks & food, but the table is yours for that time period. Food and drinks come out when they're ready. The inside & outside of this place was decked out in holiday decorations! My family and I decided to order a bunch of food to share. Everything ended up being so good too! The giant (emphasis on giant) holiday pretzel is a must order! It came with 3 dipping sauces: cinnamon toffee sauce, queso, and cranberry mustard. My favorite was the toffee one. The Santa's Sampler was another great appetizer to order because it had a little bit of everything: mozzarella sticks, fried mac 'n' cheese, chicken fingers, chicken wings, mini corn dogs, and sweet potato fries. My husband and I ended up also splitting some dessert - Santa's Sundae. This was vanilla soft serve ice cream with a ton of candy in it and it even came out with a giant sparkler. While we waited to digest in between courses, my husband and I walked around to the different floors to see all the decorations and photo ops. The place was crowded, but did not feel overwhelming. Although the place was buzzing, I could not hear other conversations when we were back at our table area. Service was A+ too. The server was a pro taking care of us and all her other tables. She was also extremely nice. Santa Baby is only around for the holiday season and turns into a normal bar in the off season (Stolen Saddle). The service and food were so good that I definitely would recommend it anytime during the year.

    Great decor...they really go out on the Christmas theme…read more Be prepared to pay $5 cover, which I think was worth it considering how much effort they put in the decorations. The drinks are way overpriced. My friend payed $19 for a wine glass. Highway robbery. You won't get a table unless you have a reservation. I thought considering we are paying the cover, we should be able to sit at a table...

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    Santa Baby Bar
    Giant pretzel (truly giant!)
    Giant pretzel (truly giant!)
    Front of building

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    Front of building

    Umamicue - popuprestaurants - Updated June 2026

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