CheSa’s Bistro & Bar Is a Must-Visit for 2026 Chicago Restaurant Week January 23-February 8

Chicago Restaurant Week is always an invitation to explore—but some restaurants rise above the crowd as places you intentionally plan to visit Chesa’s Bistro & Bar (3235 W. Addison in Chicago, 773-754-8523) in Avondale is firmly in that category.

Known for its award-winning Creole-inspired cuisine, soulful hospitality, and thoughtfully crafted cocktails, CheSa’s has built a loyal following that extends far beyond the gluten-free community. Yes, the menu is 100% gluten-free, but that detail feels secondary once the food hits the table. This is a restaurant where flavor, technique, and warmth lead the experience—not dietary labels.

A Menu Rooted in Creole Tradition, Elevated for Today
For 2026 Chicago Restaurant Week, CheSa’s delivers a $60 prix fixe menu that reflects everything the restaurant does best: bold Southern flavors, layered sauces, comforting textures, and dishes that feel both indulgent and deeply personal.

From starters like Cajun Boudin Balls Fritter with mild giardiniera remoulade, to refined mains such as Champagne-Poached Branzino Étouffée or Southern Belle Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Cajun cheddar biscuits, the menu reads like a love letter to Creole cooking—reimagined with polish and restraint. Even the Truffle Jambalaya Risotto manages to feel familiar and surprising at the same time.

Dessert seals the experience with Gold Velvet Beignets, light and nostalgic, proving once again that gluten-free desserts can be every bit as decadent as their traditional counterparts.

Gluten-Free, But That’s Not the Headline
One of CheSa’s greatest accomplishments is normalizing gluten-free dining without making it feel niche or restrictive. Guests who don’t have dietary sensitivities often remark that they wouldn’t know—or care—that the menu is gluten-free. The focus remains squarely on flavor, generosity, and satisfaction.

That inclusivity has made CheSa’s a destination restaurant: couples, families, celebratory tables, and first-timers all feel equally at home.

Cocktails, Hospitality, and a Room That Feels Like Home
Beyond the kitchen, CheSa’s shines in the details that matter most. The cocktail program is creative yet approachable, designed to complement the menu rather than compete with it. The service is consistently described in reviews as warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming—hospitality that feels human, not scripted.

Past features and guest reviews often highlight the same themes:

• “A place where you feel taken care of.”
• “Comfort food with elegance.”
• “A rare combination of soul and sophistication.”

That consistency is not accidental—it’s part of the culture set from the top down.

Meet the Heart Behind the Restaurant

Chesaree Rollins, Chef/Owner, Chesa’s Bistro & Bar
Photo credit: CheSa’s Bistro & Bar

“At CheSa’s, gluten-free is simply the foundation — what guests remember is the soulful Creole cooking, thoughtful cocktails, and the feeling that they’re genuinely cared for from the moment they walk in.” Chesaree Rollins, Chef/Owner

CheSa’s is the vision of Chesaree Rollins, whose culinary voice blends Creole heritage, lived experience, and a deep respect for community. Her approach to food is intuitive and expressive, shaped as much by memory and storytelling as by technique. Over the years, her work has earned praise for redefining what inclusive dining can look like—without compromise.
Restaurant Week, with its emphasis on accessibility and discovery, aligns perfectly with that philosophy.

Expanded Hours Make It Easier Than Ever to Visit
In response to growing demand, CheSa’s has expanded its hours. It is now open seven days a week. Guests can now enjoy weekend brunch as well as dinner nightly, making Restaurant Week an ideal moment to finally experience the restaurant—or return for another memorable meal.

Chicago Restaurant Week Brunch Adds Another Reason to Visit
In addition to its dinner offerings, CheSa’s Bistro & Bar is also participating in Chicago Restaurant Week Brunch, giving guests even more opportunities to experience the restaurant’s Creole-inspired cooking.

During Restaurant Week, CheSa’s offers a $30 brunch entrée menu available Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring indulgent, Southern-influenced favorites with a Creole twist. Brunch selections include:

• Fried Chicken & Beignet Waffles — crispy, perfectly seasoned chicken breast paired with delicate beignet waffles
• Catfish & Purple/Red Grits — creamy red and purple grits cooked in a rich cheese and butter sauce, topped with two catfish filets
• Orleans Omelet — a three-egg omelet with diced shrimp and chicken sausage, bell peppers, onions, pepper jack cheese, and CheSa’s signature Creole sauce

Guests can enhance their brunch experience with optional extras such as fresh fruit, French toast, smothered potatoes, apple-smoked bacon, or chicken sausage. Specialty brunch cocktails are also available, including a Mimosa Flight with three assorted flavors and a Mimosa Carafe, making CheSa’s an ideal destination for celebratory weekend dining during Restaurant Week.
As with dinner service, brunch reservations are accepted, pricing does not include tax or gratuity, and a 20% service charge applies to all orders.

The Bottom Line
Chicago Restaurant Week is about celebrating the city’s culinary soul. CheSa’s Bistro & Bar embodies that spirit through food that comforts and excites, service that feels personal, and a dining room where everyone belongs.
Whether you’re gluten-free or simply gluten-curious—or not thinking about it at all—Restaurant Week 2026 is the perfect time to discover why CheSa’s remains one of Chicago’s most beloved and talked-about dining experiences.

About CheSa’s

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar (3235 W. Addison in Chicago, 773-754-8523) is a stylish upscale restaurant from Chef/Owner Chesaree Rollins serving 100% gluten free Creole and Cajun cuisine with other influences. The restaurant is chic and contemporary with bold black and gold décor, featuring a full bar, black marble, and a private dining room.

CheSa’s also offers catering in-house or for delivery and private dining in the restaurant. The Restaurant Week menu is not available for take-out, delivery or catering. For more information, please visit https://chesasbistro.com or telephone the restaurant at 773-754-8523.