Chicago - October 21, 2009

Fits the Bill

Belly Shack Opens

You hate paying bills.

But when it comes to Bill Kim, you’ll fork over the cheese.

Urbanbelly’s daddy just opened Belly Shack, a counter-service Asian-Latino joint under the Western Blue Line. Kim’s kitchen whips up sammiches with Iranian flatbread and fixings (plantains, black beans, marinated tofu; lemongrass chicken, toasted coconut), quinoa ssam, carmelized Brussels sprouts with chorizo, Yellow River rice (coconut milk, chimichurri), and a play on egg-drop soup with hominy, chicken, and fried tortillas.

Don’t miss the creamy, coconut water-infused soft-serve; mint brownie and bacon chocolate chip toppings are compliments of Hot Chocolate’s Mindy Segal.

Kim’s wife and sister-in-law tricked out the space with reclaimed wood, factory lights, skateboard trunks, and street art-covered walls.

It’ll be worth the undoubted wait.

You can bank on it.

Belly Shack, 1912 North Western Avenue, between Homer and Cortland Streets (773-252-1414 or bellyshack.com).

Photo: Courtesy of Belly Shack

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