The Portage

4.4 (432)

$30 and under

American

3938 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

OverviewReviewsDetails

About this restaurant

The Portage is a gastropub located in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago. It is decorated with trendy lighting, contemporary artwork and large windows that allow for plenty of natural light. The overall atmosphere is laid-back and casual. The Portage is open for both brunch and dinner and has an eclectic menu of pub and soul food. Popular dishes include butternut squash and mushroom pot stickers, chocolate pretzel bread pudding, grilled skirt steak and roasted Miller Farms Amish chicken. In addition, The Portage offers a wide variety of coffee and after-dinner beverages for guests to choose from. Desserts change throughout the year, so guests can enjoy seasonal treats like the pumpkin cupcake.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American
Hours of operation
Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm; Sunday: 4:00pm - 8:00pm Closed Mondays
Website
http://theportagechicago.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Joey Beato
Catering
We are capable of designing a catering menu to fit your needs. We offer a wide range of American dishes, but can make any cuisine desired.
Private party facilities
We specialized in hosting bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties and smaller weddings.

Location
3938 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
Neighborhood
Portage Park
Cross street
Irving Park Rd.
Parking details
FREE PARKING at The Fil-Am Seventh Adventist Church at the corner of Dakin and Central Ave. This lot is 100 feet from our front door. There is no sign on the lot, but we have an agreement with them for our customers' usage . If you are unsure of the lot, please call us or inquire when you are dining here. Thank you!
Public transit
Irving Park Bus (#86)Central Ave Bus (#56)
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Daily Crudo$9.00
Duck Fat Fries$6.00
house made aioli
Bacon Wrapped Dates$8.00
applewood bacon, brie, tomato jam
Shrimp & Scallion Pancake$10.00
miso mayo, charred broccoli, pickled onions
Fried Brussel Sprouts$9.00
spicy crème fraiche, basil, citrus vinaigrette, red grapes
Pork & Kimchi Dumplings$9.00
sweet chili, mizuna, cilantro, orange
Seared Potato Gnocchi$12.00
smoked garlic, peanut, pickled jalapeno, baby romaine, grana padano

Soups & Salads

Sunchoke & Potato Soup$8.00
pickled mustard seeds, pretzel croutons, jalapeño, scallions
Winter Squash Salad$9.00
butternut and kuri squash, cranberry, cilantro oil, bacon vinaigrette, pickled peppers, cheddar
Organic Candy Stripe Beets$9.00
greek yogurt, lime, cilantro, beet greens, pistachio, frisée, chili threads
Crab Salad$12.00
shaved apples, kohlrabi, ginger mayo, grilled bread, red chili paste

Entrees

Roasted Miller Farms Amish Chicken$17.00
buttermilk waffle, nueske bacon, maple, scallion, tabasco gravy
Berkshire Pork Loin & Belly$19.00
belly ravioli, lacinato kale, red chilis, gala apples, fish sauce
CDK Ranch Beef Brisket$20.00
house kimchi, fingerling potato, bok choy, pickled cucumber, honey crisp apple, cilantro
Market Fish$21.00
pancetta, apple butter, brussels sprouts, sweet potato dashi, roasted jalapeno, almonds, arugula
Sea Scallops$22.00
kabocha squash, fried rice, green papaya salad, wild mushrooms, crushed peanuts
Grilled Skirt Steak$23.00
smoked potato, charred green cabbage & endive, candied walnut, roasted rutabaga, oregano salsa verde
The Portage Burger$14.00
tomato, pickled red onion, romaine lettuce, spicy aioli, potato bun, house cut fries
Roasted Vegetable Tagine$16.00
harissa, almonds, artichokes, carrots, cous cous, baby spinach, greek yogurt
Butternut Squash and Mushroom Pot Stickers$16.00
aged cheddar, brussels sprouts, tatsoi, pear vintage, white sesame

Sweet Menu

Cobbler$9.00
oatmeal butter crumb, gelato
Dark Chocolate Pave$9.00
pickled cranberry, salted caramel, basil
Toasted Cinnamon Creme Brulee$8.00
stewed blueberries
Chocolate Pretzel Bread Pudding$8.00
chocolate ganache, gelato
Hand Made Gelato$6.00
3 scoops of gelato. vanilla bean, chocolate, Bourbon bacon, buttered popcorn, cantaloupe sorbet

Coffee Drinks

Portage Coffee$7.50
homemade vanilla vodka, frangelico, whipped cream
Cafe Azteca$7.50
1921 Crema de Tequila, house chocolate mole, whipped Cream
Irish Coffee$7.50
irish whiskey, irish cream, whipped cream

After Dinner Drinks

Lagunitas Imperial Stout$16.00
22 oz ABV 9.9% (Petaluma, CA)
Lake Effect Brett Frambois$18.00
22oz. ABV 5.4% (Old Irving Park, IL)
Ten Ninety Imperial Porter$22.00
750ml ABV 10.8% (Zion, IL)
Taylor Fladgate Ruby Port$6.00
Taylor Fladgate Tawny, 10 yrs$8.00
Taylor Fladgate Tawny, 20 yrs$12.00
Frost Bitten Riesling$7.50
Jules Taylor Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc$8.00
Sambuca$8.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The Portage.

4.4

(432)

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.1Ambience

Noise • Moderate

432 Reviews

O
Ouhi Gold
Chicago7 reviews
3.0
Dined on March 21, 2015
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
I love this place but something has to be done about the seating. If you end up in the middle tables you are constantly bumped into whenever anyone walks by. We asked to be moved to a corner table and were told it was taken by a party who had just walked in the door. It settled down a bit after the 2 families with toddlers left (which I cannot blame the restaurant for the shrieking of the children). However they have a back room which I have asked to be moved to on a different visit. and they wouldn't do it saying it wasn't set up. I truly love this restaurant and hope for its success. However they have to make the atmosphere less chaotic so one can have a conversation.
Is this helpful?
M
Matt
Chicago84 reviews
3.0
Dined on March 14, 2015
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Thank goodness we refused the table in the main area of the restaurant and dined in the tiny back room. If we had not I doubt we could have heard each other during dinner and enjoyed our dinner conversation. The food was excellent from an appetizer of French fries to the salads and entrees. The house made ice cream is very good. Tables are very close together and your conversation can easily be heard at other tables and you can hear their conversations.
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A
Anthony808 Gold
Chicago5 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 7, 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service and inventive menu options.
Is this helpful?
B
Bernadette
Chicago4 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 20, 2015
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Intimate, warm and cozy. This neighborhood gem is a surprising find for the area. Reservations aren't always needed, but the restaurant is small so get them to be safe. My husband and I recently introduced friends to the restaurant who loved it., and we were reminded again of how good it is. We also like eating at the bar which part of the front room. It can get loud if it is full because it is small, so if you want a very quite restaurant, go elsewhere. If you want style, charm, warmth and some energy along with an interesting menu, try The Portage. The staff is very friendly and attentive.
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R
Richard
Chicago2 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 15, 2015
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
My wife and I celebrated valentines there. Considering the restaurant is located in a low-key neighborhood, overall, the food and ambiance was very good. I will go back. :)
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I
Igetbrowniepoints
Las Vegas4 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 15, 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I went here for Valentines Day this year. They had a special menu for the holiday and it was amazing!
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
Montreal1 review
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I loved the food, very polished and creative, but the service was some of the best I've ever had outside of Michelin star rated restaraunts. You truly felt well cared for. Thanks.
Is this helpful?
V
Visitors
Chicago14 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 13, 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Portage is a great neighborhood spot that serves outstanding food. Definitely not what you would expect when you see it from the outside. Service is great; food phenomenal. If you haven't been there -- go check it out. Can't wait to go back.
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K
Kiki Gold
Chicago6 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 1, 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary at The Portage, and we truly enjoyed the experience. The food was exquisite, and the waitstaff were superb. Kudos to all at The Portage! We'll be back soon!
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T
Terry
Chicago15 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 1, 2015
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great Place. True neighborhood place. Friendly owners, great food And awesome beer and wine list. Be sure to have a reservation on weekends because it is small and the word is out on how awesome it is!
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American
Hours of operation
Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm; Sunday: 4:00pm - 8:00pm Closed Mondays
Website
http://theportagechicago.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Joey Beato
Catering
We are capable of designing a catering menu to fit your needs. We offer a wide range of American dishes, but can make any cuisine desired.
Private party facilities
We specialized in hosting bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties and smaller weddings.

Location
3938 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
Neighborhood
Portage Park
Cross street
Irving Park Rd.
Parking details
FREE PARKING at The Fil-Am Seventh Adventist Church at the corner of Dakin and Central Ave. This lot is 100 feet from our front door. There is no sign on the lot, but we have an agreement with them for our customers' usage . If you are unsure of the lot, please call us or inquire when you are dining here. Thank you!
Public transit
Irving Park Bus (#86)Central Ave Bus (#56)
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

The Portage

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Starters

Daily Crudo$9.00

Duck Fat Fries$6.00

Bacon Wrapped Dates$8.00

Shrimp & Scallion Pancake$10.00

Fried Brussel Sprouts$9.00

Pork & Kimchi Dumplings$9.00

Seared Potato Gnocchi$12.00

Soups & Salads

Sunchoke & Potato Soup$8.00

Winter Squash Salad$9.00

Organic Candy Stripe Beets$9.00

Crab Salad$12.00

Entrees

Roasted Miller Farms Amish Chicken$17.00

Berkshire Pork Loin & Belly$19.00

CDK Ranch Beef Brisket$20.00

Market Fish$21.00

Sea Scallops$22.00

Grilled Skirt Steak$23.00

The Portage Burger$14.00

Roasted Vegetable Tagine$16.00

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Pot Stickers$16.00

Sweet Menu

Cobbler$9.00

Dark Chocolate Pave$9.00

Toasted Cinnamon Creme Brulee$8.00

Chocolate Pretzel Bread Pudding$8.00

Hand Made Gelato$6.00

Coffee Drinks

Portage Coffee$7.50

Cafe Azteca$7.50

Irish Coffee$7.50

After Dinner Drinks

Lagunitas Imperial Stout$16.00

Lake Effect Brett Frambois$18.00

Ten Ninety Imperial Porter$22.00

Taylor Fladgate Ruby Port$6.00

Taylor Fladgate Tawny, 10 yrs$8.00

Taylor Fladgate Tawny, 20 yrs$12.00

Frost Bitten Riesling$7.50

Jules Taylor Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc$8.00

Sambuca$8.00

Additional information

Not available on OpenTable