Andersonville is the place to try a new restaurant every day of the week, and there would still be more to try. At least, that’s the encouragement from organizers of the inaugural Andersonville Autumn Restaurant Week, who created the event off the success of a winter version usually held in February.
Running Saturday through Nov. 9, Andersonville Autumn Restaurant Week is a chance to support local businesses during tough economic times, Charlie Wein, director of marketing and communications of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, said.
“Restaurants and retail businesses are being faced with a lot of challenges with tariffs and things that are changing in the economy,” Wein said. “And we wanted to be able to give them an opportunity to reach out to new customers, bring them in, introduce themselves. Restaurant week is a very simple and easy way to promote the neighborhood, especially going into this new holiday season.”
The inaugural autumn event boasts slightly more restaurants, with 17, compared to the average of 12-15 for the winter version that has been held in February for the past 10 years, according to Wein.
The concept clearly drives traffic: Last year’s winter restaurant week, which was held Feb. 21-March 2, saw about 70,000 people come through the neighborhood, a boost of about 20,000 compared to the week before, Wein said.
Wein said after the most recent restaurant week in the winter, the chamber received a lot of positive feedback. Diners, he said, are hungry for ways to try menus at multiple spots. Given the abundance of restaurant options, Wein said the chamber decided to launch the fall version.
Wein said the neighborhood’s restaurant scene is “incredibly diverse,” noting places like Italian restaurant Bar Roma (5101 N. Clark St.); Taiwanese eatery Minyoli (5420 N. Clark St.); award-winning southern comfort food spot Big Jones (5347 N. Clark St.); and neighborhood staple Kopi Cafe (5317 N. Clark St.).
There have also been a few new businesses to open since the last event, including The Nook. Even though it’s not a restaurant, the cocktail club wanted to participate with a specialty flight, Wein said.
Even established businesses use the event to introduce new offerings, such as the new hibachi-style lunch at Tanoshii Sushi (5547 N. Clark St.), or bring back beloved dishes.
“We know the chefs personally, and they embrace [restaurant week],” Wein said. “They really lean into the small business and community aspect of this event.”
Prices for the prix-fixe menus range from $20 for lunch to $48 for dinner. Some places are offering deals at lower price points, including Pizza Lobo, which has a $10 deal for a slice, salad and beer.
For a complete list of restaurants and menus, go to andersonville.org/autumn-restaurant-week.
