Chophouse285

Chophouse285 is the kind of steakhouse that earns its reputation through craft rather than hype. Owned by Keith and Laurie Farlow — a husband-and-wife team with 20+ years in the industry — the restaurant occupies a sprawling 10,000 sq ft space at 285 W Dearborn St in Englewood that seats more than 300 guests.

The kitchen takes dry-aging seriously: there's a dedicated aging room lined with a Himalayan salt wall. Steaks hit a custom wood-burning grill built by Chris Demant. Fresh fish is filleted on-site, pasta is hand-rolled in-house, and the beef sourced from Senepol cattle raised on St. Croix brings something genuinely different to the plate.

The bar leans into its Prohibition-era inspiration — Rickhouse beams line the space and the spirits room stocks an exclusive Hemingway Bourbon. Live music runs almost daily, making this as much a gathering spot as a dinner destination.