Wishbone Restaurant
RestaurantsIllinois, United States11-50 Employees
Wishbone Restaurant is a Chicago-based dining venue offering Southern-inspired fare with house-made components. Founded in 1990 by Chef Joel Nickson, the original location on Grand Avenue featured a compact dining room and artwork by Nickson’s mother, while presenting Southern classics like bone-in ham, catfish, and Carolina crab cakes, prepared with minimal heavy oils and added sugar. A second location opened in 1992 at 1001 W. Washington, contributing to the West Loop's emergence as a culinary destination. In 2018, Wishbone relocated to 161 N Jefferson Street, continuing to serve the West Loop with from-scratch meals. The brand operates as a mid-sized restaurant within Chicago's casual dining landscape, focusing on Southern-style fare that emphasizes from-scratch preparation. In September 2019, Wishbone announced closures of its Lincoln Park location and offices.