A Chicago eatery was named Food & Wine's 2026 Restaurant of the Year, stealing the crown from last year's winner, Diane's Place in Minneapolis.
The announcement marks yet another win for the Midwest, with the magazine praising John's Food & Wine for its warm atmosphere, crisp cocktails and delicious assortment of American fare.
Neighborhood Chicago spot named 2026 Restaurant of the Year
Owners Tom Rogers and Adam McFarland first opened the restaurant in 2023 after meeting at Chicago's Le Lan restaurant, according to Food & Wine. The pair worked together off-and-on in Chicago and New York, but eventually returned to the city and rented out the old space of a family-favorite diner in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The chef-owner pair named the restaurant after their fathers, who are both named John,
and crafted a diverse menu showcasing their 20 years of experience working with food.
Located at2114 N. Halsted St., the restaurant is a short walk from Oz Park, the lakeshore and a variety of local gems.
The menu offers something for a wide assortment of pallets, from lobster salad and island creek oysters to beef fat fries and Italian sausage.
John's Food & Wine showcases employee-forward business model
The menu and cozy environment aren't all that stand out about Food & Wine's winner, however.
Unlike many other businesses, John's prioritizes good wages to incentivize staff to stay for the long haul. This means compensating workers with $25 per hour plus the 20% hospitality charge added to every check in lieu of tips.
"We want to make sure people are making money," Rogers told Food & Wine. "Adam and I, coming from blue-collar families, understand how important that is and how much that pushes these families."
The restructured business model seems to be working so far, as the owners reported an 18% turn in profit, gushing to Food & Wine about likely employing some of the best paid dishwashers (who earn $70k) and line cooks ($90k) in the city.
Chicago foodies can check out the restaurant's delicious seasonal menu by reserving a table on the John's website.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago bistro named Food & Wine's 2026 Restaurant of the Year
