The Bear’s love affair with Chicago: How the hit show is boosting the city’s restaurant industry
CHICAGO — The Bear is back.
After a long wait, Season 3 is now available to stream on Hulu. The first two seasons of the award-winning hit show garnered the attention of fans and critics alike. The show has been praised for its portrayal of an intense restaurant industry with Chicago as a backdrop.
From landmarks to music to the food scene, those who know Chicago can see the city's influence and, for lack of a better word, flavor, in every episode.
Ever Restaurant located in Chicago's West Loop, is one of the city's premier restaurants known for it's exquisite cuisine and service in the dining room. But The Bear now has people talking about what goes on in the kitchen.
In a pivotal episode of Season 2, the character Richie is sent to "one of the best restaurants in the world" to learn the value of service, perfectionism and respect – both for the restaurant and himself.
The Bear team used Ever as it's location to shoot the episode.
Chef Curtis Duffy and his team were already well established in Chicago with the 2-Michelin star restaurant when producers came knocking.
"I don't think I was prepared for how many people showed up," Ever's director of operations Michael Muser said. "Twenty-five television people came in and saw the space."
They loved it. The restaurant was shut down for a week while the production filmed the episode entitled "Forks." Fans will remember Richie spending a great deal of time polishing forks in the episode. And the area where those scenes were shot has become a popular spot for diners, who sometimes ask for a behind-the-scenes tour.
"We see clients come in (and ask) 'Can I see where Richie polished his fork?' Muser said.
Another spot fans ask to see? The expediate station.
Duffy showed WGN what could be considered the nerve center of the kitchen where an expediator calls out tables and dishes to get food orders to the right people.
"This is what we use every single night," he said. "When we designed Ever, I decided, 'Let's make it like a pew. So its an easy eye glance (at the rest of the kitchen). (And a) comfortable position for them to stand all night."
It wasn't just the physical parts of Duffy's kitchen that the show used. They also tapped into his expertise.
When asked if the show team asked for his advice or input Duffy said, "Of course it's smart to ask. This is what we do every single day. ... The second time when they asked I said, 'Give me the script sooner than later.' ... "I can go through the script and see every single part where they need food."
Duffy says he's a fan of the show and what it has brought to Chicago.
"They do such a great job and it makes you feel very proud to be a part of the city," he said.
Muser agrees.
"I think it's been incredible for the city of Chicago and incredible for the industry," he said.
A city and an industry that has everything from Micheline-starred restaurants to more accessible counter service fare. 'The Bear Effect' isn't only being seen in the fine-dining restaurants in the city. Others are feeling it too
A single shot of a coffee cup from the Chicago stop Dark Matter caused a stir.
Mike Miczek is with Dark Matter Coffee.
"Our loyal customers started tagging us (saying) 'There's a dark matter cup in there on the counter!'" he said.
And at Mr. Beef, the launching point of the series and the inspiration , the lines are out the door a little more than usual. On a recent day, WGN found Michelle Darden, a fan of the show who was in town for a conference.
"I've already watched (the series) about three times. I grew up in food and bev," she said. "I hope it's making a killing for them."
It's welcomed attention for a city known not just for its skyline but its food.
With Season 3 of The Bear set to drop June 27, many fans of food will be have their eyes peeled to see what other Chicago culinary shoutouts there will be.
In the meantime, Eater and Choose Chicago have put together a list of locations and restaurants that have been used or mentioned in the series
More information on the spots featured in this story below.
Ever Restaurant
Dark Matter Coffee 738 N Western Ave – and various locations around Chicago Instagram
