This post was originally published on December 30, 2016.

I love Chicago. I really do. As you already know from plenty of my other posts, I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chi and visited the city as a kid many times. I frequented the city in high school and continue to do so when I return home to Illinois. Chicago has grit– a character and a history unlike any other city in the United States. Chicago has crime, but it has a heart. It has some of the best food and drink I’ve ever experienced. I explore something new every time I return.

On my most recent adventure to Chicago, I visited the Twisted Spoke for a Bloody and brunch. Twisted Spoke is a bar located in West Town, Chicago and has an array of Bloodies, food, and bourbon fit for anyone’s fancy. I was super stoked when my best friends took me here in November. It’s your classic, no-frills place. There is a rotating statue on top of the restaurant that features a biker riding a motorcycle– quite a welcoming feature since my dad has rode motorcycles since he was 16. The set up inside is simple and there are only a few tables, but lots of seats at the bar. The brunch menu is classic American and features everything from scrambles to breakfast burritos. I ordered the Wisconsin Scramble (eggs, bratwurst, onions, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese), which was pretty classic Wisco. I also had the Road Rash Mary, which is the Twisted Spoke’s Classic Bloody Mary, which you can read about below. I recommend the Twisted Spoke for a greasy brunch and a delectable Bloody Mary if you’re in the West Loop!

AT A GLANCE 20/20

Twisted Spoke’s Road Rash Mary looked Pretty. Much. Amazing. Garnished with two salami slices, a green olive, a pepperoncini, AND topped with shredded parm, this Bloody was one that pleased the eyes. It was a deep red and spices were dispersed throughout. A sidecar of Genesee Cream Ale was served on the side.

GARNISH 20/20

The garnish was the perfect mixture of meaty and briney. I am personally a big fan of salami and olives, so it was a no brainer that I was happy with the garnish. It was also aesthetically pleasing and the shredded parmesan cheese added bonus points.

SPICE 20/20

The Road Rash Mary was spiced to perfection, with notes of celery seed, horseradish, and lemon. The Bloody got hot at points; there was definitely a kick to the mix.

TEXTURE & ACIDITY 14/20

The only issue I found with the Road Rash Mary was that it somewhat emulated tomato soup and was quite thick. It could have used a bit more ice to tone down the texture. The Bloody wasn’t tangy or acidic.

UNIQUENESS 18/20

Twisted Spoke’s Road Rash Mary was unique because of the addition of parmesan cheese to the mix.. Having a sip of Bloody Mary, with little shreds of parm coming through each taste, was truly notable and quite different. The mixture of tomato and cheese was delicious. The sidecar of Genesee Cream Ale also added a touch of creativity, while the salami was the perfect garnish.

FINAL SCORE 92/100

Next time you’re in West Town, go grab a Bloody and a bite to eat at Twisted Spoke. Twisted Spoke is located at:

501 N Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL 60642