Highly anticipated restaurant Crying Tiger is finally open—and it's majorly enhancing River North's dining scene
It's one of the most anticipated openings of the year.
www.timeout.comHere’s the latest on Crying Tiger in Chicago based on recent coverage:
- Crying Tiger opened in River North in October 2025, a collaboration between Lettuce Entertain You and chef Thai Dang, focusing on Southeast Asian flavors. This debut marked one of the season’s most anticipated restaurant openings in Chicago.[1][2][3]
- The concept leans into Thai, Vietnamese, and broader Southeast Asian influences, with a menu designed to reflect Dang’s family and immigrant culinary roots, and initial service planned for dinner with potential expansion later.[2][3][1]
- The restaurant is located at 51 W Hubbard St, occupying the former Hub 51 space, with a notable design including a tiger motif and a winter garden for year-round ambiance.[3][1]
- Local reception has been strong, with media coverage from outlets like the Chicago Tribune, Eater, and CBS Chicago highlighting Thai Dang’s mentorship and the restaurant’s cultural approach, along with ongoing dining-room chatter and reviews as guests experience the menu.[8][2][3]
- A dedicated dessert and beverage program has also drawn attention in reviews, including mentions of visually striking dishes and Southeast Asian flavors carried through to desserts and drinks.[7][8]
If you’d like, I can pull a quick snapshot of current hours, booking options, and a sample menu item or two to give you a concrete sense of what Crying Tiger is offering right now. I can also provide a brief at-a-glance timeline of key openings and press coverage.