Crying Tiger Roars into River North with Chef Thai Dang’s Vision
Chicago’s vibrant dining scene welcomes a powerful new entrant: Crying Tiger. Acclaimed chef Thai Dang, known for HaiSous, has partnered with Lettuce Entertain You to open this exciting Southeast Asian restaurant in River North, bringing a fresh perspective on traditional flavors and innovative dishes.
Crying Tiger: A New Culinary Destination
Opened on October 14th at 51 W. Hubbard St., Crying Tiger is the culmination of Chef Thai Dang’s lifelong culinary journey, which began as a 7-year-old refugee from Vietnam. This collaboration marks his first partnership with Lettuce Entertain You, Chicago’s largest restaurant group, and it’s described by Dang as a “love of Southeast Asia” shared with Lettuce managing partner Amarit Dulyapaibul.
The Legend Behind the Name: Suea Rong Hai
The restaurant’s name, “Crying Tiger,” comes from a ferociously fiery Thai dish, Suea rong hai, which translates to “crying tiger.” This dish features grilled sliced beef accompanied by a spicy sauce rich with aromatics, toasted rice, tamarind paste, palm sugar, and chiles. Chef Dang, a James Beard award nominee, jokes that the sauce is “so good and so spicy that it can make you or a tiger cry.” His signature interpretation is a 45-day aged ribeye steak, designed to serve two to four people, served with grilled sticky rice for $115.
A Fusion of Flavors: Culinary Highlights
Beyond its namesake, Crying Tiger offers an array of unique dishes blending various culinary influences:
- Crispy H.K. Pork Belly: Inspired by Cantonese roast pork from Dang’s time in Hong Kong and Mexican carnitas from his Pilsen cooks at HaiSous, this dish features pork belly with remarkably puffy and crunchy skin, achieved through a precise two-temperature roasting process. It’s served with a garlic herb nước chấm, a Vietnamese dipping sauce.
- Prawn Toast Youtiao: A fresh take on the classic Cantonese shrimp toast. Instead of traditional bread, Dang uses youtiao, a savory Chinese fried doughnut, stuffed with a pure shrimp farce made with ginger, scallion, sugar, and salt. These bite-sized nuggets are accompanied by an herbaceous nam jim, a Thai dipping sauce.
- “Crying Tiger” Dessert: A visually stunning and edible art piece created by Lettuce pastry chef Juan Gutierrez. This dessert features a 3D-printed white chocolate tiger face, “spray-painted” with edible colors, and filled with a crémeux made from steeped wild Thai bananas sourced from Rare Tea Cellar, alongside elements of cake.
Crafted Beverages and Immersive Design
The beverage program at Crying Tiger, developed by Kevin Beary of Three Dots and a Dash, includes an array of cocktails and nonalcoholic options. Notably, the restaurant serves Vietnamese coffee drinks using coffee roasted by Chef Dang and his wife in Da Nang, Vietnam. Their spiced Vietnamese iced coffee offers a dairy-free twist, using condensed coconut milk instead of traditional condensed milk.
The interior, designed by London-based David Collins Studio (known for Tre Dita), seats approximately 130 guests in the dining room and bar area. Guests can expect to be transported by murals of tigers, rich tile and wood finishes, vibrant colors, and lush plants, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a luxurious resort. A seasonal patio is also planned for next year.
Crying Tiger is located at 51 W. Hubbard St., 312-736-0183, and you can learn more at cryingtiger.com.
More Exciting Restaurant Openings Across Chicago
Crying Tiger isn’t the only new spot making waves. Here’s a look at other recent additions to Chicago’s diverse culinary landscape:
Daeji Dough Company (Lakeview)
Albert Song, a former software engineer, has transformed his passion for Korean-inspired baked goods into Daeji Dough Company. Soft-opened on October 10th in Lakeview, this bakery offers unique treats like tteokbokki croissants, bulgogi mushroom focaccia, and Kiki’s Magic Matcha Brew with black sesame. Find them at 1360 W. Belmont Ave. or daejidoughco.com.
Park Manor 75 (Greater Grand Crossing)
Charlette Stanton and Jacare Thomas have brought their dream to life with Park Manor 75, a wine and charcuterie bar in Greater Grand Crossing. This establishment, which began serving on October 14th, is a “love letter” to their neighborhood. It features sparkling wines from the Black woman-owned LoveLuvv label and intriguing dishes like the Italian beef and lamb-topped Park Manor fat bread. Visit them at 600 E. 75th St. or parkmanor75.com.
Zeitlin’s Delicatessen (Lincoln Park)
The highly anticipated Zeitlin’s Delicatessen, from Sam “Bagel Boy” Zeitlin and his brother Hal, soft-opened in Lincoln Park on October 31st, with a full menu launching November 4th. This deli offers standout items such as the Zeitlin’s Delicatessen burger (smash patty, hawayej Yemeni spiced onions on a challah bun), the Chicago-style Zeitlin’s Bagel Dog in an everything bagel, and giardiniera focaccia. Located at 2203 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-955-0567, or zeitlinsdeli.com.
Recent Openings at a Glance
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Key Offerings/Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Crying Tiger | River North | Southeast Asian cuisine by Chef Thai Dang, 45-day aged ribeye, crispy H.K. pork belly, 3D-printed dessert. |
| Daeji Dough Company | Lakeview | Korean-inspired baked goods, tteokbokki croissant, bulgogi mushroom focaccia. |
| Park Manor 75 | Greater Grand Crossing | Wine & charcuterie bar, LoveLuvv sparkling wine, Park Manor fat bread. |
| Zeitlin’s Delicatessen | Lincoln Park | Deli classics with a twist, Zeitlin’s Delicatessen burger, Chicago-style Bagel Dog. |
Restaurant Closings and Paused Operations
While new doors open, others unfortunately close:
- Les Nomades (Streeterville): This historic fine dining French restaurant, open since 1978, permanently closed after an announcement on October 18th. It was famed for its culinary legacy under chefs like Jovan Trboyevic and Roland Liccioni.
- Talard Thai Asian Market (Edgewater): The grocery store and hidden gem hot food bar, which opened in 2019, permanently closed in Edgewater on September 14th.
- Turner Häus Brewery (Bronzeville): Known for turning the tide for Black brewers in Chicago, Turner Häus Brewery has paused operations at its taproom in the historic Rosenwald Court Apartments building as of October 31st. It will, however, remain open for special events.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago’s Latest Dining News
- What kind of cuisine does Crying Tiger offer?
Crying Tiger offers Southeast Asian cuisine, blending influences from Thai, Vietnamese, and Cantonese traditions. - Who is the chef behind Crying Tiger?
The chef and owner is Thai Dang, also known for the award-winning HaiSous in Pilsen. - What makes Crying Tiger’s desserts unique?
Their signature “Crying Tiger” dessert is a 3D-printed white chocolate tiger face filled with wild Thai banana crémeux and cake elements. - Are there any new bakeries or delis mentioned?
Yes, Daeji Dough Company (Lakeview) offers Korean-inspired baked goods, and Zeitlin’s Delicatessen (Lincoln Park) serves classic deli fare with unique twists. - Which prominent Chicago restaurant recently closed permanently?
Les Nomades, a historic fine dining French restaurant in Streeterville, announced its permanent closure on October 18th.
With an array of exciting new openings and notable closures, Chicago’s culinary scene continues to evolve. Be sure to explore these new establishments and support the local businesses that make our city a food lover’s paradise.
Crying Tiger Roars Into River North Thai Dangs Vision
