Over the past few years, Evanston has experienced an influx of restaurant openings from farm-to-table concepts, to gastropubs, and everything in between, but one stands out to me above the rest…Peckish Pig.
Opened in March of 2014, Peckish Pig is a restaurant and brewery located on the historic Howard street in South Evanston. For all of you non-anglophiles, Peckish in British slang means “hungry’’.
Two of the owners, Jamie and Debbie Evans, are originally from Liverpool, England. Together they make an unbeatable husband-and-wife team that have extensive experience in the hospitality industry. They partnered with Tom Fogarty who is the third owner and brewmaster. He started out brewing his own beer at home and has been making delicious beers for over 7 years now.
Jamie works on the floor and deals with customer relations while Debbie runs the kitchen. Peckish Pig is a nice mix of upscale and inventive bar food with nice pairings of craft beers. Jamie and Debbie’s kids are involved in opening and running of the restaurant as well. India is the general manager, while Janek does pretty much everything in the front and back of the house.
In January of 2015, Peckish Pig was honored with North Shore’s first award as a “Delicious Destination” by the Illinois Office of Tourism. The award honors local food establishments around the state that are considered beloved destinations for visitors and locals alike.
{Ambiance}
The restaurant’s interior is best described as contemporary with a rustic feel. The loft-like space is complete with dim lighting and furnished seating areas. The exposed brick/wood gives it a warm and comforting appeal, while the metal furniture and groovy lighting adds a funky vibe to the space.
Peckish Pig // Photo: @sherriesavorsthecity
There is a square-shaped bar at the right side of the room that houses a diverse cocktail menu and ever-changing selection of brewed-in-house tap beers. Of course, there are also reasonably priced wines and a full bar menu to satisfy all your drinking needs.
One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is the spacious patio. The overall ambiance is relaxed and almost feels like you are hanging out in your friend’s backyard. It is equipped with beautiful lighting that is enjoyable both day and night.
{Food}
Like the restaurants the owner have opened in past, the menu specializes on high quality pub food with slight British influences. It is easily broken up into different sections: the plank, the bowl, meat, poultry, seafood, vegetarian, on bread, and bits & bobs. They have something for everyone, and the food is perfect for sharing with big or small groups of people.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
I couldn’t help but start out with the applewood smoked Bacon Wrapped Dates. The crispy bacon along with the sweet dates and savory chorizo stuffing makes for a satisfying sweet and salty combo. This dish came with a spicy aioli dipping sauce that was equally delicious.
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Ham Hock Balls
I was pleasantly surprised with the fried Ham Hock Balls served with an unusual yet addictive salted caramel dipping sauce. The piping hot balls had a wonderfully crisp exterior, while the interior was filled with huge chunks of ham. There was also the mountain of bacon fat popcorn that came in a huge steel bucket. It had the right amount of smokiness, which complemented the rich caramel sauce nicely.
Garlic Mushrooms
The Garlic Mushrooms are a must order. I like to spread a thin amount of orange marmalade on top of the buttery brioche toast and pile it with the creamy and earthy mushrooms. The marriage of sweet and savory makes my tastebuds dance with pure joy.
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Flatbreads
You can’t go wrong with any of their flatbreads, they have rotating flavors depending on what’s in season. This past summer, I had the pleasure of trying out their spicy sausage and cheddar cheese flatbread with caramelized onions and citrus arugula. The crust held up nicely against the myriad of flavorful toppings.
Spicy Sausage and Cheddar Cheese Flatbread // Photo: @sherriesavorsthecity
Duck Confit Macaroni & Cheese
For entrées, I was eager to try the Duck Confit Mac & Cheese. It is served with a sunny-side up egg, which sounded too good to pass up. The macaroni is tossed in a creamy sauce made with Irish cheddar and other cheeses. The duck confit was so tender that it was literally falling off the bone. The flavors were good but nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t think the egg was necessary in this dish.
Slow Roasted Belly of Pork
However, the Slow Roasted Belly of Pork melted right in my mouth, but I would have loved the skin to be cooked to a crisp instead of pliable to provide a textural contrast. It was served on a bed of creamy Kerrygold mashed potatoes and drowned in a silky gravy.
Slow Roasted Pork Belly at Peckish Pig // Photo: @sherriesavorsthecity
Campanelle Pasta
One of my favorites was the Campanelle Pasta. It was simply mixed with sautéed wild mushrooms, parsley, and crème fraîche. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the light sauce allowed the ingredients to shine through.
Campanelle Pasta with wild mushrooms, creme fraiche, and parsley // Photo: @sherriesavorsthecity
Truffled Grilled Cheese Fingers
There is no shortage of cheese when it comes to their Truffled Grilled Cheese Fingers. They are chockfull of melted ooey gooey cheese scented with fragrant truffle oil. The fries were neither too skinny nor too thick. It was crispy on outside and fluffy inside. I couldn’t stop eating it until they were all gone.
Truffled Grilled Cheese // Photo: @sherriesavorsthecity
Short Rib Tacos
The Short Rib Tacos were so tender and full of flavor while the pickled onion provided a nice acidity that cuts through the richness of the meat. The addition of fried shoestring potatoes on top was unconventional but provided a pleasant crunch to the tacos.
Short Rib Tacos // Photo: @sherriesavorsthecity
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Chef Debbie Evan’s makes all the decadent desserts on the menu. Her warm Sticky Toffee Pudding is one of the best versions I’ve had in the city. The cake is deliciously moist and goes very well with the rich custard sauce.
Sticky Toffee Pudding // Photo: @sherriesavorsthecity
Deep Fried Butty
Don’t leave this place until you have tried their Deep Fried Jam Butty, which means “sandwich”. It is essentially peanut butter and jelly sandwiched between two slices of brioche bread, dipped in batter and fried until golden brown. I like to savor the warm dessert sammy with cold vanilla ice cream. No words except just mmmm…
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{Experience}
In a nutshell, Peckish Pig is a laid-back brewpub where the food and drinks are the primary focus. They specialize in hearty and comforting pub fare using fresh and local ingredients. Service for the most part is friendly and reliable yet sometimes slow during busy hours.
Evanston is quickly becoming a dining destination for Chicagoans and Peckish Pig is a prime example. It is a great addition to Howard street and serves as a great gathering place in the neighborhood. Whether you are a local Evanstonian or visitor, it is a fun and vibrant neighborhood joint for everyone to enjoy.
FAB TIP: They only take reservations for parties of 12 or more.
{Location}
Peckish Pig
Evanston || 623 W. Howard Street, Evanston, IL || P: (847) 491-6778
{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$35)
{Fab Ratings: 3.5 Fabs}
What are some of your favorite restaurants in Evanston? I am open for recommendations!
Savor Every Moment,
Sherrie
Note: This meal was not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.
As a brewpub, I’m surprised you didn’t comment on the quality of the beers. In my humble opinion, while the beers are competent, Peckish Pig ranks #4 of the four breweries in Evanston.
Hi Tom,
I apologize if I didn’t comment about the quality of the beers. I don’t personally like drinking beers so I am not a good person to talk about that kind of stuff. But I am sure for beer lovers like you, the beer program there must be amazing!