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R.J. Grunts

@rjgrunts

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The original @lettuceentertainyou restaurant.

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On a Saturday in October, the east end of @navypierchicago welcomed the first @tenderfest.

This all-you-can-eat chicken TenderFest showcased samples from Chicago’s restaurants and chefs from crispy chicken bites to flavorful sauces.

@Heinz offered a selection of dipping sauces as well as a specialty tray to make eating, dipping and walking the pier a little easier.

Entertainment included @bignickturturro and @Foodgod who hosted the ConTENDER Cup, where local chefs @davidchoiofficial, @JeffMauro, @chef_ljm, and @mannysdeli went head-to-head in front of a live crowd and celebrity judges Cole Bennett and Joey Chestnut. In addition, the one and only @joeychesnut broke a world record eating 52 chicken tenders!

Dancing chickens, stilt walkers, and chickens on roller skates kept the theme going throughout the fest.

Given the attendance for this first TenderFest, get your tickets as soon as they come out for TenderFest 2027!

Chicago Events | Navy Pier
TenderFest | Chicago Restaurants
Chicago Chefs | Food Festival
Chicago Food

#tenderfest #chicagofood #navypierchicago #foodfest #inspiringkitchen

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Chicago did not come out to play when it comes to their tenders 🔥

So many incredible choices all in one day!

List of favorites
@reunionnavypier
@bubcity
@seoultaco
@rjgrunts

I tried many other great restaurants that came out to show off their tenders that I didn’t get to show in the video, so grateful that I was able to try new places!

Big thank you to @tenderfest for the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day at @navypierchicago

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#tenderfest #chicagoevents #navypier @navypiereventcenter #chicagocreator #chicagoinfluencer

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Born & raised here and these are the 5 places I actually keep going back to. Not the trendy ones. The ones that have been feeding Chicago for years.

1. @officalathenianroom : the villager salad (fries ON the salad, trust me)
2. @lulacafe : pasta yia yia
3. @clubluckychicago : the homemade ravioli
4. @demerachicago : vegetarian messob
5. @rjgrunts : fried pickles + grilled cheese + salad bar

No 2-hour waitlists. No hype. Just the good stuff 🤍

Save this for your next “where should we eat?” and tell me your forever Chicago spot in the comments. I’m building my next list from your answers ⬇️

#chicagonative #chicagoeats #chicagorestaurants #chicagofoodie #chicagothingstodo

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Cheering someone on at the Chicago Marathon? 🏃👟

Here’s where to grab a bite before or after you see your runner on Clark Street 👇

🏅@kalamoderngreek
🏅@rjgrunts
🏅@greenteachicago
🏅@serai.cafe
🏅@breakfasthousechicago

#fyp #chicagomarathon #chicagorunner #chicagomarathon2026 #lunchspot

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You have to check out @tenderfest on October 10 at Navy pier 🐔🔥 All you can eat tenders!!

Get your tickets at tenderfest.com now 🎉

#CFG #ChicagoFoodGuide #Chicago #ChicagoFestivals #ChicagoFood

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you could crawl OR you could just go to @tenderfest next weekend (Oct 10th) at @navypierchicago and have ALLLL the chicken tenders you want to eat from places like @haroldschickencorp, @rjgrunts and @bubcity 🍗 AD

There will be also be tenders from celeb chefs like @davidchoiofficial and @jeffmauro, a tender eating competition hosted by @joeychestnut, cocktails, music and more. grab tickets at the link in my bio or at www.tenderfest.com!

#chickentenders #explorechicago #thingstodoinchicago #chicagothingstodo #chicagofoodscene

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Compete against me in a tender eating contest at TenderFest Chicago, Oct 10 at Navy Pier. The contest will be during the 5pm–9pm block.

Here’s how to win a spot to compete and get VIP access!!
1. Post a 30-second video of yourself eating chicken tenders and explain why you’re a tender gladiator!!
2. Tag @tenderfest and @joeychestnut
3. Use #TenderFestChallenge
4. Deadline: Wednesday, Oct 7

Extra points if you get tenders from one of the participating restaurants and tag them 👇

@bubcity @rjgrunts @sirchickenchicago @doritedonuts @daveshotchicken @frythecoop @haroldschickencorp @hattiebs @roostchickenandbiscuits @eatfatheadchicken @ricobenes @princestreetpizza @reunionchicago @chiuquonbakery @nashbros

Stay hungry 🐔

#TenderFestChallenge

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Good eats this week ❤️‍🔥

Harvest Salad:
- Kale, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted chickpeas, chicken, pumpkin seeds, almonds, croutons, crumbled goat cheese, shredded parm, apples

RJ Grunts
- this place was fun and had bomb food

Galway Arms
- Giant pretzels and Guinness (twice in one week 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Last pic is me being adventurous and finally starting my hot sauce journey we’ll see how this goes 🔥

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There’s a great story about how Year of the Cat and @rjgrunts restaurant in Chicago helped my wife and I on our path to the altar. ‘Year of the Cat’ - Al Stewart. #vinyl #alstewart #vinylcommunity #rjgrunts @lettuceentertainyou #vinylcollection

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X @sydeatsbig collab

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Sunday at @riot_fest was unforgettable!

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With football season underway, the legendary @RJGrunts and @BubCity have your Bears gameday eats! @LettuceEntertainYou culinary director Chef Max Robbins brought an incredible spread to WGN Radio and joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about they experiences both places have to offer.

LISTEN on WGNRadio.com or wherever you get your podcasts!

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