LINCOLN PARK — Fans of “Bob’s Burgers” can visit the Belcher family’s Ocean Avenue storefront at Replay Lincoln Park’s latest pop-up.
The “Grand Re-Re-Opening” of the arcade bar — which was shut down a second time in June when the city rolled back its coronavirus reopening plan — pays tribute to the adult animated sitcom by transforming its new outdoor patio into the Bob’s Burgers storefront.
“It’s a callback to [the opening sequence] where the Belchers have a re-re-re-opening after having to close three times,” said Replay owner Mark Kwiatowski. “Each time, they add another ‘re-‘ to their grand opening banner outside.”
For $40 a person, visitors will get two drinks, a side of fries and a burger named from the Belchers’ pun-friendly menu. Tables can be reserved for groups of two to six people.
The pop-up features a “Bob’s Burgers” food truck at the arcade bar’s entrance, where customers can place their order before taking a seat at any of the outdoor patio tables.
The Replay storefront has also been transformed into Ocean Avenue, featuring the Bob’s Burgers shop, Mort’s funeral home on the left and the rotating storefront neighboring the Belchers on the right.
Episodes of the TV show will air through the windows of two of the storefronts, Kwiatowski said. The bar is also organizing a “Bob’s Burgers” trivia night.
With indoor bar service currently restricted due to an uptick of coronavirus cases in Chicago, the pop-up is relegated to Replay’s new outdoor patio, which opened after the city allowed bars to apply for sidewalk cafe licenses.
But Kwiatowski, who previously told Block Club he applied for a partial road closure to expand outdoor service into the street, said he hopes to be able to expand his outdoor seating soon.
“I don’t anticipate the indoor restrictions changing anytime soon since it seems like we’re trending in the wrong direction with coronavirus cases,” Kwiatowski said. “I’m still working with the city for more outdoor seating options.”
If the street closure is approved, Kwiatowski said he’d like to invite other food trucks to join Replay in creating a “Bob’s Burgers” food truck event.
“I’m waiting to hear back on a possible partner for the permit, and my dream would be to bring some real food trucks and throw our own food truck festival or something like that,” Kwiatowski said.
Read all of Block Club’s coverage on outdoor dining here.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Lincoln Park and LGBTQ communities across the city for Block Club Chicago.
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