Scofflaw - Great Cocktails in Logan Square

This quickly became my favorite bar this year. The combination of amazing food and fantastic drinks really put this on the map not just for me but for just about every media outlet in Chicago (best bartender, best bar in Chicago, etc).

First the food. The french fries are towards the top of my list of the best I've had and the pimento aioli they come with is great too. Then there's the off-menu guapichosa a super torta loaded with brisket, pork belly, and pork loin. Every food item I've had here has been excellent and very reasonably priced (besides the guapichosa at $12 everything is either $8 or $4).

As for the cocktails, Danny Shapiro is amazing. Every drink is expertly crafted and delicious, including things Danny just whips up if you tell him what you're in the mood for. The cocktails are also a great value at just $8. A great selection of spirits and beers that I'm all too guilty of overlooking for the cocktails. Even on days when Danny is not there Scofflaw is still on top of their game.

Main Thread

Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage
Chicago, IL 60647
773 252-9700

Scofflaw is the neighborhood pub that I wish was in my neighborhood! Even though it isn't, it is my go-to spot to relax in a warm inviting setting, enjoy a few craft cocktails, chat easily with fellow patrons and scarf down some more than respectable bar food. Scofflaw's fries are my favorite in the city and even the salad and veggie offerings are delicious. Of course, digging into a hunk of texas toast topped with brisket is also a good thing. Happy to support this nomination!

I'm surprised I'm only the 2nd so far to come out in support of this nomination, and I enthusiastically do!

When Scofflaw popped up as the first nomination of the season, I was not at all surprised. Having only been once, just prior to the nomination, I was quick to get back to sample more of the menu. Between the 6 of us we tried all but 1 or 2 menu items, and the food was all spectacular! The Guapichosa is drinking food sent from the gods. The menu cocktails may be a bit sweet for my tastes, but my friends generally like them. I prefer to order off-menu, and with those Danny has never let me down.

Such a cozy and friendly place that among all of the other options presented, Teresa and I returned for valentines day to be treated not only to an amazing sundae special, but also to conversations with sloshed singles telling tales of break ups and despair. It doesn't get more neighborhoody than that!

Strongly support GNR.

I'm putting together a group on Friday March 1 to visit GNR nominees Scofflaw and Cafe Orchid. Details and sign-ups are here. Space is limited, so if you'd like to join in, please sign up asap.

Thanks

=R=

Had fropones not nominated Scofflaw, it would have certainly been my nomination, so obviously, I strongly support it. It's a comfortable, affordable, unpretentious bar where the the spirits are thoughtfully curated, the drinks are well-crafted, the food is delicious and the staff is friendly and endlessly accommodating. Co-owner and head bartender (and my friend) Danny Shapiro has infused the experience he accrued at Perennial and The Whistler into this Logan Square oasis, which he, his partners, and the entire Scofflaw team have transformed -- in less than a year -- into an anchor, a destination in the neighborhood. These folks are true stand-outs in an industry filled with people who are passionate about what they do. Co-owners/managers Andy Gould, Mandy Tandy, Chris Nagy, along with chef Mickey Neely, distinguish Scofflaw through their professionalism, hospitality, passion and talent. They and the rest of the incredible staff (too many names to mention here) make the tremendous, distinctive work they do seem almost effortless.

I love spending time here, whether I'm drinking, eating, hanging out with friends, meeting new people or all of the above. Yes, it's a bar with phenomenal cocktails. But as you will note on the main Scofflaw thread (and in fropones's nomination), the food is fantastic, too. By just about any measure, Scofflaw is a gem. It's a GNR if there ever was one.

=R=

boudreaulicious wrote:Scofflaw is the neighborhood pub that I wish was in my neighborhood!

Right on the nose. Scofflaw is my go-to bar, and I love their food as well.

I fully support this nomination.

Yes yes yes! The only thing I don't like about Scofflaw is that they waited until after I moved out of the neighborhood to open! Drinks are delicious and reasonable, food is tasty and not overly complicated. Definitely my "go to" bar in spite of that fact that it's not technically my local.

Thank you for the nomination and the kind words. Twas really nice seeing a bunch of you at the beginning of my night. Sorry that I was a little "disoriented" - I wish I could've been more attentive. Hope you enjoyed the drinks, the fries, the guaps, and went on to have an excellent evening.

-Danny

backorforth wrote:Thank you for the nomination and the kind words. Twas really nice seeing a bunch of you at the beginning of my night. Sorry that I was a little "disoriented" - I wish I could've been more attentive. Hope you enjoyed the drinks, the fries, the guaps, and went on to have an excellent evening.

-Danny

No worries, my friend. We had a great time. The drinks, especially those OGD114 Old Fashioneds, were fantastic. And the guapis and fries were as good as ever . . . maybe even the best ever.

As a veteran of your fine establishment, I have to say that I'd never seen anything like that last night. It felt like a Saturday 10 pm crowd at 6 pm on a Friday. No wonder you felt "disoriented." In any case, I'm thrilled for your success. You, your partners and your team are most deserving.

=R=

Scofflaw: Easy first-ballot GNR.

I strongly support this nomination and only wish I could make it in more often.
--Rich

I also strongly support this nomination. I never get to bars, my husband doesn't drink much. But my son and his girlfriend consider this their neighborhood go-to place, so much so that they wanted us to go with them and see how great it is. So we had dinner and drinks about two weeks ago. Amongst us we had seven drinks, all excellent (the hot buttered rum was too sweet for my taste, but the only other place I have had it is at home, with my mother's recipe, which I consider the standard, whether it is or not). I'm not enough of a drinker to comment much, and had a drink (forgot the name) that was not at all what I normally might have, so won't really comment except to say that everything tasted terrific. But the fries! They were everything everyone has said about them, among the best fries I've had. Mr. H and I both had steak, which was perfect, cooked just right with sauce I did not intend to eat (Bearnaise?) and then ate because it was so tasty. Son had the eggplant sandwich, also excellent. We ordered a side of vegetables -- Brussels sprouts and butternut squash, very delicious. I haven't hung out at bars in years, but the atmosphere was very pleasant and friendly, not in the least pretentious, just comfortable, and I totally see why my son and his girlfriend like the place so much. Great food, great cocktails, great people, great neighborhood restaurant.

It's personally gratifying for me to see how well Danny and co have done with Scofflaw. Yes on GNR status.