Bahama Shack Debuts on Monday, September 21

Bahama Shack, a new food truck led by Bahamian-born Chef Courtney Neil, will officially launch Monday, September 21 at the University of Chicago, bringing the flavors of The Bahamas to the Hyde Park campus before expanding service throughout Chicago. The grand opening will take place at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Dining Commons, 1156 E. 60th St.

Following the September 21 grand opening, Bahama Shack will serve Tuesday, September 22 through Thursday, September 24 beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Ellis Ave. and 58th St., across from the University of Chicago Bookstore, joining the collection of food trucks that regularly serve the community there. Food lovers are invited to "Track the Shack" at @bahamashack for future service locations, hours and upcoming appearances.

Operated in partnership with Chartwells Higher Education, the University of Chicago's dining services partner, Bahama Shack represents a new extension of UChicago Dining: a chef-driven mobile concept rooted in campus life, culture and community, but designed from the outset to reach far beyond it. In addition to regular street service, Bahama Shack is also now available for catering throughout Chicagoland, including corporate gatherings, private celebrations, campus events, festivals, neighborhood events and brand activations.

At its center is Chef Neil’s personal connection to Bahamian food. Raised in The Bahamas, she grew up surrounded by generations of women cooking with instinct, generosity and care. Bahama Shack brings those traditions to Chicago through a menu that pairs island dishes with the ease, energy and accessibility of street food, honoring the flavors she grew up with while introducing them to a new audience.

"Food is how I stay connected to home," said Chef Neil. "Every dish on this truck carries a piece of my Bahamian roots - recipes passed down through my family and flavors I grew up on. My hope is that when people take a bite, they do not just taste good food, they feel that same warmth and comfort I felt growing up in the islands."

Food truck fans will find a menu that bridges traditional Bahamian fare with familiar comfort food classics, with something to satisfy every craving. Signature island dishes include crispy Conch Fritters, golden Crack Conch and a hearty favorite, Pigeon Peas & Rice, served alongside crowd-pleasers like Smash Burgers, Fried Chicken and creamy Bahamian Mac & Cheese.

For those with a sweet tooth, Guava Duff, a Bahamian dessert, brings fresh guava wrapped in sweet dough and finished with a buttery guava rum sauce. The island experience continues with drink pairings including traditional Bahamas Goombay Punch and Switcha, freshly squeezed Bahamian limeade. Signature house sauces including Goombay Sauce and Calypso Sauce round out the menu.

The concept adds another dimension to UChicago Dining's culinary offerings, introducing students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community to a cuisine still relatively underrepresented in Chicago's food landscape. From its home base at the University of Chicago, Bahama Shack will expand concentrically throughout the city through street service, community appearances, catering and special events.