Stadium West

this place is great. been there once, it was very firendly and not too busy. i will be going back soon.
– updated they changed the name to dragon lady lounge. its alright but i haven’t been back since. so i’m revising down to 3 stars.

Why is this marked as closed? The bars’ name has changed, but it is certainly not closed.
Oona P., who wrote: «nope. no longer korean owned. last time i checked, it is a yuppy „dive“ bar». «this is the end»…“
1) Lighten up.
2) Sue, i.e. Sue of «Sue’s Dragon Lady Lounge», is Sue the owner, and Sue is Korean, and she is awesome.
…oh, and order the dumplings here.

Holy. God. Welcome to my new favorite bar in Chicago. I just wish I had the moola to go out and visit all the time! I am addicted to Sue’s be bim bop. Seriously. I think about going down nearly every day for a bowl of it.
So, long story, shorter: Me and a friend went on a whim, because he had heard about a great korean place that’s mostly vegan, and he happens to be vegan. We get there, and get served some of that delicious be bim bop, some AMAZING veggie dumplings and fried tofu. Even though we were newcomers, Sue and the regulars talked to us like we were old friends, with great stories and beer suggestions and everything!
Even when it was a little on the empty side (it was the day after thanksgiving), we managed to feel warm and more than welcome. When everyone was transfixed by the television, Sue even made us popcorn, and wouldn’t let us leave until we tried her lemon drops which she said people come from Pilsen to have, and I totally believe it.
Whenever I’ve been back, Sue’s always made the place feel like home, even going so far as to make my favorite dish even when the kitchen is closed! She also makes it extra big for when I obviously intend to share it, so a friend could get addicted too, and I can have a new Stadium West buddy.
I can only imagine how amazing the dance parties would be in this place, and hope to throw a couple myself. Also note that Rox and Johnathan, who tend then bar with Sue, are the probably some of sweetest people I’ve met. It just seems that this place attracts an awesome, unpretentious, fun crowd and I hope that never changes!
This place is beyond a gem. It’s brilliant.

Between the humdrum blues of recurring Mondays and jelly fish like lethargy of godless Sundays I found my merry succor on a Thursday evening at Stadium West. I came with three brawny Wisconsonites and between the four of us we finished off 5 bottles of hot sake (only $ 2 each), 4 shots of Malorts, 1 vegan sushi roll, an overflowing bowl of delicious bi bim bap, 1 humongous and tasty korean pancake (my favorite), a dozen or so steamed dumplings that were deemed the best this side of Koreatown, an order of fried tofu, and a bunch more liquor. Not only that we beat some tight pantsed hipsters at a game of pool (although the pool table seemed to have been literally skewed in our favor (I mean the balls sort of tended to collect toward one side)).

nope. no longer korean owned. last time i checked, it is a yuppy «dive» bar.
«this is the end». ..

I didn’t think it could happen. I wanted to believe it wouldn’t happen.
No, not the fact that I’d be writing another Unilocal review (okay, well, maybe. but that’s a story for another time). This is bigger; like, «hit you where you live» bigger.
I am smitten.
No, that’s not right. I’m in love.
Two weeks ago, researching some inane Logan Square/​Avondale detail on the ol’ Internets, I ran across a mention of one Stadium West, located at Belmont and Elston. After some quick fact collecting (some from this very review on Unilocal), I realized that this place was but a mere stumble from my home. The seemingly contradictory description of «dive bar/​vegan/​Korean» and the almost uniform praise for this mysterious «Sue» figure had driven me to a point of fascination. What struck me was that I’ve lived in this neighborhood for years and had NEVER heard of this Stadium West. I had to go. I needed to experience. I was, in a word, driven.
Tuesdays’, after my slate of graduate classes, have become my only night off of the week. This night, I saw my chance. I wrangled my friend K to come with. We arrived at just past 10, looking for a few drinks and some of this Korean food that we had heard so much about. Walking in, we were greeted by a completely empty bar, save for one woman towards the back playing a bar game monitor. «Oh hi! Do you two want a drink? What can I get for you?», she asked, moving towards the bar.
K and I looked at each other. Seemed a bit late for food, but that’s what we had our hearts set on. Meekly, we asked if there was a chance to get something to eat. The Awkward was slowly creeping upon us. The woman looked us up and down from behind the bar. As quickly as we received this look, the moment of judgment had passed, and she asked us, «well, what do you want?». She directed us outside to look at the menu. K and I decided to go for broke — «I’ll have the chop chae, she’ll have the bi bim bop, and we’ll split dumplings». The lady smiled, grabbed us drinks, explained to us that the kitchen usually closes at nine. But, she continued, if we hadn’t eaten, she wouldn’t deny us dinner, it was a quiet night anyway, and that everything would take a bit, as she makes everything fresh.
This was our introduction to the absolutely wonderful woman that is Sue.
I swear that this was one of those often rare magical nights. The food was delicious (both the bi bim bop and the chop chae were just like mom never made), and served with a hearty compliment of banchan (which I couldn’t help but eat the lion’s share of). And all of it washed down with cans of PBR. I’ve dreamt of this moment for years! Not only did she pack up our left overs, but in addition, she gave us a little extra banchan to take with, AND apples and fresh grapes which she picked this past weekend in Michigan.
Does this really happen?!
Sue, K, and I regaled each other with tales of the neighborhood, Korean food, and that general get-​to-​know-​you bar talk. Then, out of the blue, a moment of pure humanity, of absolute pathos, descended upon us.
Sue’s dog, Lucky, was coming home.
Apparently, her dog (a year and a half old poodle — a veritable puppy!) ran off days before, and she was worried sick. However, someone had found him and managed to contact her. She was bringing him over straight away. What followed was one of the most endearing scenes I think I have ever had the privilege to witness. Elizabeth, Lucky’s rescuer, stayed on and K and I made yet another new friend. Soon, Elizabeth’s beau, Luke (a good guy doing a great service in the kitchen over at Kuma’s) joined us. The five us continued on, and taking us by surprise, Sue made for us not one, but two of her vegetable pancakes to snack on. Then, she offered us a surprise — an apple pancake, from the very same bushel of apples which she offered to us. ‘Plied with food’ doesn’t even begin to describe this.
I am compelled to take an aside here to offer a humorous piece of context. My mother called me earlier in the day to see how I was doing, and if graduate school hadn’t killed me yet. I’m not sure when she made the complete shift to Mom circa 1955, but lately, she always makes a point to ask if I’m eating enough. Not even well, just enough.
Well, today, I ate enough. Mom, meet New Mom.
Finally, 2 am arrived, and it was time for all of us to retire. As we left, after hugs, K and I were repeatedly entreated to not be strangers. Oh Sue. I really, really think you have nothing to worry about.
If you’ve reached this point, you’re probably saying «blah blah blah, I get it! Why drone on for so long?» I share this with you because this never happens. Ever. This was a complete expression of good. Like, «I traded my cat for a unicorn» good.
Truly, it was like falling in love again for the first time.
(FYI, in December, Stadium West will be no more; however, the Dragon Lady Lounge will be in full effect!)

what drew us to the bar was the old school budweiswer sign. what drew us in was the photos of super tasty looking food on the window. it was about noon and it joint was empty and no one was around… until sue popped out of the kitchen apologetic for «the mess», which was nothing resembling a mess. anyhow, the drink was stiff, the food was AMAZING, and the service (from sue) was wonderful. i have no experience with this bar after dark, and frankly, i dont need it to know that i would spend plenty of time here if i lived in chicago. three cheers for sue and the stadium west bar.

I love this place. I just found out about it last week and I’ve been there twice. This time I finally introduced myself to Sue and she is great, to be sure. She even big-​upped the malort, but then, when I asked what it tastes like she said, «Well, it tastes like shit». HA! Why does everyone go crazy for something that tastes like shit? Sue doesn’t understand, and either do I. I’m itching to try the $ 8 all you can eat BBQ rib tips on Fridays. She makes the sauce herself. Yay, Stadium West.
Oh, and I think she could keep the name. It’s so random and strange. I love it.

Wonderful, unique place in which everything flows from the wacky, sweet personality of Sue the owner. It looks like the menu has gone completely Korean, which is fine by me, though I was looking forward to a $ 5 beef & fries on a subsequent visit. We had the green beans (delicious), fried tofu (awes), and the kimchi and pork dumplings. And of course I had to indulge in the Malort special (sign that I may need an intervention: I can now sip a shot of Malort with barely the slightest grimace).
Great 25c-​a-​play jukebox as well. George Jones and Felix da Housecat.
Definitely coming back for the all you can eat rib tips on Friday. Sue insisted!

it’s all been said before, but this place is sort of amazing.

Stadium West rocks my socks off. Sue is the nicest lady you’ll ever meet. A bunch of us went there for a fake office party a little while back, and she let my friend bring in his own stereo. We had control of all the music for the entire night. Beyond that, she ended up ordering pizza for all of us towards the end of the evening. Plus, there’s a mini pool table in the back. It’s funny to play on, but then again, IT’S FUNNY TO PLAY ON. It wasn’t very crowded, so we pretty much took over the bar that night. All the regulars there were hella cool and were totally into any conversation you threw at them. This place could become a favorite.

Cans of Pabst get gone quickly in this joint. A wonderful dive bar with very little signage excepting for the circa 1985 Budweiser sign dangling above the entrance, Stadium West is much larger than one would expect from the streetview. Prices are slightly higher than one would expect, however, the jukebox makes up for that short sight by offering 4! songs per dollar and throwing an amazing array of songs at any «designated jam selector.» The bar itself is slightly more well-​lit than this reviewer would care for, but it’s still a fun place to hang.

I love any place you can eat potstickers and have a PBR! Sue, the owner, is the hilarious chinese aunt you never had an always wanted.
After attending an incredible faux office party there, I was amazed when she bought us all pizza! I still can’t get over her allowing us to bring a boombox instead of making us use the jukebox. She was so incredibly accomdating. By far, one of the kindest bar owners in the city, I would definitely suggest this place to anyone planning a private event. Go see Sue… the person not the dinosaur.

It’s cheap. it’s quaint. It’s not crowded… in fact it’s basically empty. Sweet jukebox. And lots of cable movies.
And Sue (the bartender) and Maria from the Whirlaway should meet. They would find they are kindred spirits.

Shh… Sue is a total sweetheart. This bar tends to be empty (or was when I went there at about 8p on a Saturday night), but I kind of like it that way. Nothing in the jukebox was on the radio later than about 1994. Drink prices are a little high, but eventually you’ll probably get a free one, or a free shot (especially if it’s your friend’s birthday). And since you’re the only one in the bar, you can watch whatever you want on the TV (in our case, it was Castaway on TBS… not particularly good for drinking, I might add.)