As Chicago’s only independent drive-in restaurant,Superdawgis uniquely positioned for socially-distant service. The Northwest Side stalwart, which has served Norwood Park for more than 70 years, has again been been thrust into the spotlight during the pandemic for its carhops who deliver vehicle-bound patrons their hot dogs, burgers, and crinkle-cut fries.

Modern Scandinavian bakeryLost Larsonhas a tendency to draw lines for its immaculately-crafted cardamom buns and moist slices of princess cake, so chef and owner Bobby Schaffer has installed large, transparent partitions in the shop’s accordion windows to insulate both workers and patrons. Customers place orders through an intercom system and wait on distanced markers spray-painted on the sidewalk along Clark Street in Andersonville. A similar system is also in place at the bakery’s newish Wicker Park outpost.

Superkhanain Logan Square makes it easy to retrieve its contemporary Indian delights at a distance thanks to online ordering and pickup via a walk-up window on Albany Avenue. Bring a mask to snag the restaurant’s popular butter chicken calzones, tender vindaloo-braised pork shoulder, and spicy chile cheese naan with green chile achaar puree.

A popular destination for treats like gravy-smothered biscuits and pies,Bang Banghas cut down its operating hours to Saturdays only. Walk-up customers form an orderly, socially-distanced cue (each person stands on a spaced-out pie sidewalk marking) and make their way to a small window to place orders. Patrons then migrate to the shop’s large back patio space, which offers plenty of room for everyone to spread out while they wait for orders to be filled.

Neighborhood fried chicken destinationSplit-Railhas committed to exclusively accepting online orders through third-party platforms like Toast to help get the goods into customers’ hands with minimal contact. Patrons can order delivery or pickup via the restaurant’s walk-up window. Chef and co-owner Zoe Schor says staff are happy to help guide would-be diners who struggle with technology through their system.

Kitchfix has offered nutritionist-approved meals for years, and now they’ve expanded with steak and other options that don’t have as much of a healthy focus. Folks can pick up their meals in West Town by texting they’re waiting, and a worker will pop out and drop the food off in a car. The company also offers delivery. There’s even an in-house dietician to help design meal plans for customers with specific health-related needs and desires.

在斯威夫特& Sons的經曆,波卡Gr餐廳oup’s fancy Fulton Market steakhouse, is augmented by the addition of its yurt village on the west side of the restaurant. Staff takes each customer’s temperature, before being whisked away to a private round tent heated by a lamp over the table. The interiors differ in each tent and are fun, the perfect antidote to winter’s doldrums. They serve a prix fixe menu cleverly tailored to the environment (charcuterie doesn’t diminish in the cold). Drink menus are online and brought up with a QR code. It’s not a cheap experience (about $150 per person), but it’s unique and staff takes the time to diminish the risk. Hopefully guests can reciprocate by keeping their masks on when needed to respect staff. Reservationsvia Tock.

This popular mini chain offers online ordering, but customers can also order via large touchscreens inside that limit contact with staff. The chain is known for wraps, pitas, falafel, and shawarma, and has locations in Wicker Park, Lakeview, and more.

Cabin fever-stricken Chicagoans who are looking for a drink in a lower-risk environment may be interested to visit new neighborhood watering holePilsen Yards. Ownership aims to make the spot “the safest, warmest, coolest patio in Chicago” with radiant heated floors and a convection process that turns over all the air in the entire covered patio every one to three minutes. For the time being, drink offerings are limited to packaged beers and draft cocktails, with more complex drink options on hold until the pandemic ends.

Fans of the insulation a car can offer — both from the pandemic and the winter chill — will see the appeal ofLawrence’s, a South Side spot that features brown paper bags of crispy, golden fried shrimp, catfish, cod, and perch. Customers in the know set their vehicles in park, unbuckle, and dig in.

Owners atAntique Taco, one of the city’s most popular taquerias, have worked to bring a little nostalgic joy during the pandemic by transforming their Bridgeport patio into a retro drive-in with carhop service. Keeping patrons buckled up helps everyone maintain appropriate distance. In keeping with the theme, menu options include a cheeseburger taco (prime beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, flour tortilla) and a Chicago dog taco (Vienna hot dog dragged through the garden, flour tortilla).