Dining Out on National Brisket Day

Brisket makes everything better! In celebration of National Brisket Day, area restaurants will offer a bevy of brisket-centric fare on Saturday, May 28. From empanadas and enchiladas to sliders and sandwiches, check out a few offerings below.

On Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28, Nacional 27 will feature a special brisket appetizer and entree from 5:30-10:30 p.m. Chef Chico Vilchez's dishes include brisket empanadas served with crema and avocado salsa ($8.95) and brisket enchiladas served with ancho mole, plantains, rice and beans ($17.95). Pair your fare with Nacional 27's array of Latin libations, wine and cervezas.

BBQ Joint in Lincoln Park offers several house-smoked brisket dishes including tacos, sliders and burritos. Chef Edgar Torres' Mexican barbecue menu features chipotle-rubbed smoked brisket with pasilla chile-BBQ sauce and sweet corn pico, served on a hand-pressed corn tortilla ($4), hot buttery bun ($5) or flour tortilla tortilla with rice and beans ($9). Smoked brisket may also be added to BBQ Joint's nachos, salads and rice bowls for an additional $4.

Chef Tim Hockett offers a cowboy 12-hour smoked brisket taco at Tallboy Taco in River North. Crack open an icy cold tallboy brew while enjoying corn tortillas topped with smokey brisket, salsa arbol and cilantro ($4). Tallboy Taco opens at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Fuller House in Hinsdale offers a brisket grilled cheese, made with yellow cheddar, white cheddar, and caramelized onions on sourdough ($12). The west suburban hot-spot also features five different half pound, brisket-blend burgers ($12-$13), house made brisket chili ($5), three cheese brisket-topped nachos ($14) and brisket jalapeno triple mac 'n cheese ($9). What goes better with brisket than beer and bourbon? Choose from one of many craft brews on draft, along with an extensive list of bourbon, rye and signature cocktails.

Wild Monk, located in LaGrange, serves a braised brisket sandwich with fried egg, aged cheddar, orange shallot marmalade and horseradish aioli on a ciabatta roll ($13). The savory sandwich comes with house slaw and the choice of plantain chips or fries (greek; truffle; cajun or garlic fries, add $1).