Pleasant House Pub

The story

Pleasant House Pub Chicago | Michelin Bib Gourmand British Pies & Pub Fare

Pleasant House Pub

In Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, Pleasant House Pub brings a taste of Yorkshire to the American Midwest. The name itself is a nod to an 1800s cottage in rural England that once belonged to the Jackson family—the same family that now runs this welcoming public house.

Husband and wife Art and Chelsea Jackson opened Pleasant House Bakery in 2011, specializing in handmade, artisanal savory pies they call Royal Pies. The success of that small pie shop led them to expand in 2016, opening Pleasant House Pub with a full bar, cafe, and a broader menu of British-inspired food. Art, a graduate of Kendall College, cooked at lauded restaurants like Les Nomades in Chicago and Fifth Floor in San Francisco, while Chelsea, also a Kendall College alum, works as a pastry chef and writer.

The food here is grounded in the British tradition of hearty, comforting fare. The signature Royal Pies—flaky, buttery pastries filled with rich stews—are the heart of the menu. Options include the Steak & Ale, a royally rich beef stew with carrots and herbs; the Chicken Balti, fragrant with curry spices; and the Mushroom & Kale, a vegetarian version in a white wine and parmesan cream sauce. A vegan option, the More - Rockin' Vegan Pie, blends zucchini, chickpea, and sweet potato in a North African spiced tomato sauce. Each pie can be "crowned" with fluffy mashed potatoes and gravy.

Beyond the pies, the menu offers classic pub plates: a griddled double-beef Pub Burger, Bangers & Mash with onion gravy, and a Crispy Buttermilk-Fried Chicken Sandwich. Weekend brunch brings a Full English Breakfast with fried eggs, banger sausage, black pudding, and all the trimmings, plus French toast and breakfast pies. The drink list is equally thoughtful, with a rotating selection of cask ales, craft beers on tap, classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned and London Gin & Tonic, and a carefully chosen wine list.

The restaurant's commitment to quality and value has earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, recognizing good quality, good value cooking. Michelin inspectors noted that "the crowds come for the pies, and for good reason—they're fabulous," praising the flaky, buttery crust and hearty fillings. The interior is modern and unfussy, with marble-topped tables and hand-crafted pottery, a setting that lets the food speak for itself.

Pleasant House Pub is a place where the owners' philosophy—"Drink, eat, work, hang out. Whatever you do, always do it f' the sen"—translates into a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Whether you stop in for a quick lunch, a leisurely brunch, or a pint and a pie after work, it feels like a local spot that happens to serve some of the best English-inspired food in Chicago.