El Che Steakhouse & Bar — A Feast by the Fire 🔥

I’ve been to El Che before but sat in the dining room — it was just okay. A friend convinced me to try the Chef’s Counter, which only seats two guests per night — and what a difference it made! Walking in, you’re hit with a wave of heat from the massive open-fire grill right in front of you. All night we watched flames dance and sparks fly as every piece of meat was grilled and plated before our eyes. To top it off, the CDC was a chef I already knew, so we got some extra-special attention. ✨ 🥩 Beef tartare wrapped in endive with bone marrow mayo and pickled onions — delicious, though a smaller portion would’ve been perfect. 🥩 Grilled oysters with smoked onion mayo, bacon bits, and crushed potato chips — loaded with texture and flavor. 🥩 Head-on prawns with scallion mayo — that shrimp head flavor is everything! Sweet, briny, and heavenly. 🥩 Roasted quail glazed with Chicago-style giardiniera — tasted like Lao Gan Ma meets grilled quail. My friend loved it so much he sweet-talked the sous chef into making us another portion. 😂 🥩 Mushroom ravioli with fennel for freshness. 🥩 American Wagyu with chimichurri and bone marrow mashed potatoes — meaty, smoky, and satisfying, though a bit salty. 🥩 Chef’s gift: blood sausage with mustard sauce — crisp, savory, and totally different from the Northeastern Chinese version I grew up with. 🥩 Sirloin with lobster tail — a high-end surf & turf. 🥩 Horchata gelato with caramelized apple sauce and breakfast granola — playful, creative, and not too sweet. Sitting at the counter felt like front-row seats to a culinary show. The kitchen vibe was relaxed and fun — more joking around than “Yes, Chef!” intensity. I’ll definitely be back — though I did go home and drink two big bottles of water afterward! 💧 El Che: 845 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607 #ChicagoEats #OpenFireGrill #ChefsCounter #Steakhouse #ArgentinianGrill #ElChe #WestLoop