Dining in Bridgeport- home of five Chicago mayors

Highly Recommended **** Many Chicagoans do not think South Side when dining out. FYI- you are missing out on  “something different…something wonderful” by not crossing the O line ( aka Madison) and heading out to the area where the “other” baseball tem plays. For 35 years, The Polo Inn, located at 3322 S. Morgan in the area called Bridgeport ( known for the mayors who lived within blocks) has been serving some of the very best meals. For lunc, dinner or even the special brunches, this candy store converted to a restaurant ( and prior to the Covid, a wonderful Bed & Breakfast ) and a marvelous, yet intimate party space has been home to creative chef David Sambor who truly creates “wonderful” with the touch of caring.

Dave was a guest on my radio show last week and we offered one of our listeners an opportunity to savor the flavors with Jane and I. Alan Thomas, one of our regulars joined us on Morgan Street. Due to the Covid, we sat in the new outdoor patio area ( just three tables) choosing the largest so that we could space ourselves in a way that would be safe for all parties. Dave did come by and visit our table. I have known him for many years as he does the meals on Christmas Day for the St. James Church on the South Side where I do Santa for the locals. Due to the pendemic, we will probably have to find a new way of doing this for 2020.

The Polo Inn is a BYO and while you can dine inside and enjoy a libation, they are not licensed for drinks outdoors. For our appetizers we selected the crab nuggets ( this was one of the standouts at Taste of Chicago for many years and for the other Alan the beef satay ( juicy steak on a skewer).

For our entrees, Alan selected the NY strip steak, Jane the Risotto with grilled shrimp and mine was my favorite Mac N Cheese with grilled chicken. I almost did the ribs, but since I am doing BBQ over the week-end, passed and selected my old reliable ( I am one that loves Mac N Cheese and Chilli anytime, anywhere, and having had Polo’s in prior visits, I knew that it would be worth the trip.

For desserts we selected the min- crème brulee, the torte and the mini berry crisp ( a warm treat filled with great flavor) all were terrific!

The Polo Inn offers carry-out and curbside along with the patio dining and the new inside seating using the Eagle ( this is a bit of Bridgeport history as well- a movie theater converted to a banquet facility) with complete “social distancing”.

The phone number to call ahead/make a reservation is 773-927-7656 , and the website www.ThePoloInn.com

This Sunday, we will call our winner, the other Alan, so he can share his experience. FYI- he took several busses to get there from the west side and I have the feeling that he will count this experience as one of the best in dining.

Find out what Chicago has known for over 25 years, Bridgeport has a dining experience that is indeed “something different…something wonderful”! Our server, by the way, Megan Fast knows the menu and will halp you in finding the best meal for your tastes. I suggest getting a few items, sampling them and savoring all the flavors of The Polo Inn.