Plenty of food, drink and big-screen TVs for Super Bowl celebrations

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Mother’s Too on West Division will be offering a free taco bar and drink specials throughout the Super Bowl telecast on Feb. 4.

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Updated: February 2, 2012 7:54PM

Sure, there will be a lot of wingless chickens come Sunday, but leave it to Chicago restaurants and bars to come up with a lot of ways to celebrate football’s pinnacle matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. From upscale brunches to parties that go whole hog, fans looking to catch the game on Feb. 5 or just make the day special have plenty of choices:

Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave, (773) 698-7389; signalensemble.com. Live theater and football mix it up as the Signal Ensemble Theatre presents its latest play, “Motion,” a football story staged on a mock football field, and then hosts a Super Bowl viewing party afterward. Entertainment starts at 2 p.m. with the play about a sports agent eager to make his client the No. 1 pick in the professional football draft. The agent’s ex-wife throws a wrench in the works, as does a labor discord, making the situation far thornier than it was on the surface. After the play, the game will be featured on a big screen set up on the stage. The package includes the play, raffle drawings for theater and restaurant gift certificates and food and beverages from Bad Dog Tavern ($30).

Moonshine Brewing Company, 1824 W. Division, (773) 862-8686; moonshinechicago.com. An all-American slider buffet topped off with all-you-can-drink Moonshine drafts and call drinks await the armchair quarterback from the Super Bowl’s kickoff to the final whistle at this Wicker Park establishment. The $35 “Slider Bowl” buffet features traditional sliders and tonier choices including the mozzarella and basil slider as well as spicy wings, salads, fries and chips. Reservations are recommended to watch the game on a plethora of flat screens, win prizes and then listen to DJ Greg Bauer after the game.

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted, (773) 525-1111; kitkatchicago.com. The celebration begins with brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, and the Super Bowl Event follows from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Food and drinks will reflect the “Madonna-rama” party theme in anticipation of the performer’s half-time appearance. Drink and martini specials ($6, regularly $12) run throughout the day while the football action can be watched on seven screens.

Shaw’s Crab House, 1900 E. Higgins Rd., Schaumburg (847) 517-2722; shawscrabhouse.com. Shaw’s will be naming its own Super Bowl victor at 11:30 a.m., when a sweepstakes winner is announced from entries submitted at brunches through Super Bowl Sunday. The top winner will receive a 42-inch flat-screen, a $200 gift certificate to Shaw’s and a $100 gift certificate to Tokio Pub. Brunch, served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., includes a make-your-own omelet and waffle kitchen; a carving station with beef tenderloin and herb-roasted turkey, and a cold seafood bar featuring sushi, oysters and Alaskan king crab bites. Desserts include creme brulee, raspberry tartlets and Key lime pie. There’s also a $6 Bloody Mary and mimosa bar. The Super Bowl brunch is $48 per person.

John Barleycorn, 658 W. Belden, (773) 348-1570; www.johnbarleycorn.com. You can catch the game in HD and munch on football fare specials all day at this Lincoln Park landmark. The a la carte brunch as well as regular menu service begins at 9 a.m. Feb. 5. Drink specials include domestic buckets ($18) and food specials feature 2-pound chicken wing buckets ($5) and half-price bowls of Chicago-style chili ($3).

Mac’s American Pub, 1801 W. Division, (773) 782-4400. Food and drink specials, as well as a dozen HDTVs, cater to the game-day crowd in Wicker Park. An a la carte brunch is available Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the regular menu will be served from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Drink specials include PBR pitchers ($8), $2 PBR drafts and $3 Jameson shots. Food specials range from beef and bean chili ($5) to jumbo Buffalo or jerk-style chicken wings ($5).

sola, 3868 N. Lincoln, (773) 327-3868; sola-restaurant.com. The Hawaiian islands were the inspiration for this tony eatery, and Chef Carol Wallack is serving up a “Wahine Tailgate” escape. The fare includes pu pu platters (Hawaiian-inspired wings, tuna sliders and edamame, $15), and special tripical cocktails including the “Pretty in Pink” ($12); the “Wicked Wahine” ($10), and the “Brady’s Brazilian” (Brazilian cachaca liquor and muddled kumquats), $11, named in honor of Giselle Bundchen, Pats’ quarterback Tom Brady’s supermodel wife. Guests can enter a drawing for a chance to win a Brazilian wax from Maxine Salon, 712 N. Rush. Patrons can also watch the game on flat-screen TV.

Cantina 46, 46 E. Superior, (312) 664-0100; events@cantina46.com for reservations. Thinking pigskin? Cantina 46 is going beyond that with a pig roast dinner beginning at 5 p.m.. The special football menu at the contemporary Mexican Gold Coast eatery will feature fresh-roasted pig prepared in a Cuban Caja box, chips and salsa, salads, beans and more. The dinner package ($30) includes unlimited select beer, sangria and margaritas.

Brunch, 644 N. Orleans (312) 265-1411; brunchit.com. Early rising fans can fuel up beginning at 6 a.m. with an all-you-can-eat buttermilk and red velvet pancake special ($10.99). Regular menu items including breakfast favorites such as omelets and pastries will be served, and the lunch menu will continue until 3 p.m. Guests wearing their favorite NFL gear will receive a 10 percent discount, and the biggest super fan of the morning will be rewarded with a $50 gift certificate.

Jack’s Bar & Grill 2856 N. Southport, (773) 404-8400; jackschicago.com. Derby, 1224 W. Webster, (773) 248-0900; derbychicago.com. These sister establishments will feature hearty food and drink packages including Budweiser and Bud Light drafts, wings, mini burgers, fried pickles and other game day favorites ($40). Groups of four or more may reserve a table.

AJ Hudson’s Public House, 3801 N. Ashland, (773) 348-2767; ajhudsonspublichouse.com. The Lake View watering hole will be raffling off a 50-inch plasma TV and other prizes throughout the game. Drink specials include Bud bottles ($3), Trumer Pilsner pints ($4) and Jack Daniels shots ($4). The pub features 100 bottled beers, a full dinner menu and 25 large-screen TVs for watching the game.

Mother’s Too, 14 W. Division, (312) 266-7444; RushAndDivision.com. Located in a prime people-watching spot, Mother’s Too will offer a free taco bar during the game and drink specials including Bud Light and Miller Lite pitchers ($8) and Deluxe Bloody Marys ($7.50).

Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond, Ind., (800) 745-3000; chicagohorseshoe.com. The sports bar The Venue at Horseshoe Casino features a 60-inch TV screen and a chance to win two tickets to March Madness in Las Vegas. Guests may purchase food packages in advance for wings, beef sandwiches and veggie wraps ($15 plus cash bar) or a premium buffet including seating in a Venue suite and open bar ($75). Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; doors open at 3:30 p.m. Must be 21 and over to attend.

Timothy O’Toole’s Pub, 622 N. Fairbanks, (312) 642-0700; timothyotooles.com; and 5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee, (847) 249-0800; timothyotooles.com. The Streeterville location will feature 60 TVs for watching the game from every angle along with a charity raffle for an HD flatscreen TV to benefit the Chicago Polar Plunge ($5). Brunch begins at 9 a.m. in Streeterville and dinner specials include New England Patriots favorites such as a Boston burger served with baked beans ($8.99) and a New York Giants menu offering a New York deli plate with warm pastrami ($8.99). Drink specials include $10 Miller Lite pitchers. In Gurnee, brunch starts at 11 a.m., and dinner will feature the same team specials. Reservations recommended at both locations.

Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee, (773) 772-4322; thefrontierchicago.com. Tailgate indoors with a group and Frontier will cook up the spare ribs, wings, oysters, sliders and sides for six to 10 of your friends ($225). Or your group of 10 to 15 can dine on the whole smoked pig plus a selection of side dishes ($400) while watching the game downstairs or in the upstairs lounge and enjoy craft pint specials ($4). Contact charlie@pioneertaverngroup.com to reserve packages.

Lottie’s Pub, 1925 W. Cortland, (773) 489-0738; lottiespub.com. Guests at Lottie’s will have the chance to compete for $250 in prizes in the Jameson’s-sponsored field goal competition while enjoying a free half-time buffet. Drink specials include Jameson ($4) and Miller Buckets ($15) while the taps provide 23 beers. Televisions will be tuned to the game on both pub levels.

LUXBAR, 18 E. Bellevue Place, (312) 642-3400; luxbar.com. Football favorites with a Gold Coast touch will include filet sliders, truffle fries and Gibson’s prime burgers while fans catch the action on 16 flat-screen TVs. One lucky patron will win a $250 cocktail party during halftime in LUXBAR’s free-to-enter raffle.

Quartino Ristorante, 626 N. State, (312) 698-5000; quartinochicago.com. The restaurant’s small plates are the perfect accompaniment to the big game, and patrons can reserve private rooms or seats at the bar for viewing the match. Chef John Coletta’s signature pizzas and house-made meatballs will be part of the festivities. Guests may enter a raffle for a $200 Quartino party.

Quay Restaurant and Bar, 465 E. Illinois, (312) 981-8400; quaychicago.com. This Streeterville destination will be offering a Super Bowl Platter ($19.95) to accompany drink specials that include domestic bottles ($3), Stella ($4) and bombs ($6). The plasma TVs in the front bar and lounge will be tuned to the big game and guests will enjoy a half-time raffle and live DJ.

The Scout, 1301 S. Wabash, (312) 705-0595; thescoutchicago.com. Two bars and 34 flat-screen TVs will give celebrants room to spread out to catch the game and enjoy the complimentary half-time buffet featuring pasta salad, chicken wings, Italian beef sandwiches and more. The South Loop destination also will offer live entertainment and ticket giveaways.

The Pony, 1638 W. Belmont, (773) 828-5055; theponychicago.com. The contest won’t be confined to the football field. Guests will enjoy a free Jameson football squares contests with $250 in prizes. The Pony also will offer drink specials including Jameson ($4), Miller Buckets ($15) and a free half-time buffet. Parties of six or more may reserve tables that feature an individual flat-screen TV; call (312) 453-9397 for reservations.

Karen Huelsman is a local free-lance writer.