We asked Chicagoans: Now that bars and restaurants can only serve people outdoors, will you continue frequenting your favorite places while bundled up in a coat, gloves and hat? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“Nothing as fun as outdoor dining in the middle of a Chicago winter! I’ll bring my own snow shovel, and, instead of putting out a chair for parking dibs, I’ll just sit in the chair!” — Pete Kurasz
“If it’s not completely miserable — and they have heaters — I will wear a coat and hat and deal with it. If it is, we will order takeout.” — Sarah Marren
“If weather permits, I will continue to patronize restaurants in my neighborhood. Many restaurants in Portage Park have had to get creative. If I can’t dine outdoors, I will order for pickup.” — Erika Garcia
“No one wants to sit outside when it’s 40 degrees (your food will get cold). But sitting outside having a few drinks these days will ensure they stay cold.” — Juan Martinez
“Just like the past seven months, I’ve come to terms with the fact that, all fall and winter, I’ll be in my apartment by myself. However, my dirty martinis with hand-stuffed blue-cheese olives are, hands down, the best in the city. That’s my mantra, and I’m sticking to it!” — Laura Naber Hebert
“We constantly support our local restaurants by ordering out. We do not see a need of dining in-person, but we will continue to order out.” — Claudia Juarez
“We haven’t been dining out in person since this whole thing started. We’ve only done carry out.” — Liz Cherco-Selck
“Weather permitting — and if restaurants were lucky enough to invest in outdoor heating fixtures.” — Nikki Laudante
“I’ll just buy my own liquor and drink in the safety of my home. It’s too cold to be drinking outside without food.” — Omari Jenkins
