Three Chefs, One Crowdfunded Dream: A New Restaurant Just Landed on Bucktown's Chicago Avenue

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Bucktown · July 24, 2026

Bucktown's dining scene just got a little more soulful — and a lot more community-powered. A brand-new restaurant from chef-partners Jeremy Leven, Rafael Esparza, and Anthony Baier officially opened this week on Chicago Avenue, joining what Block Club Chicago calls the street's 'vibrant restaurant row.' The trio raised $20,000 in community funding to push their project across the finish line — a scrappy, heartfelt origin story that feels right at home in a neighborhood that has always championed independent creators over chains.

The opening adds fresh momentum to a stretch of Bucktown that's been quietly buzzing all summer. Just up the road at 1744 N. Western Ave., Wolf & Company — the city's only restaurant with a direct ramp off The 606 Bloomingdale Trail — continues to draw rave reviews, with its burger already being called one of the best in Chicago on OpenTable. The patio is fully dog-friendly, making it a natural pit stop for the neighborhood's trail crowd from morning coffee through late-night drinks.

With a crowdfunded newcomer on Chicago Avenue and a trail-linked anchor on Western, Bucktown's restaurant scene is proving that the best openings aren't just about the food — they're about the neighborhood investing in itself. Stop by and show both spots some love this weekend, and keep an eye on bucktown.org for more neighborhood updates.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/category/business/openings-closings/
2. https://jaketasharski.com/blog/bucktowns-biggest-summer-arrivals-arent-going-anywhere
3. https://mattlaricy.com/blog/why-bucktowns-best-new-spots-feel-different-from-every-other-chicago-opening