Table, Donkey and Stick
Austrian · Logan Square, Chicago
Restaurant in Chicago, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Alpine Bib Counter
Price
$$
Chef
Alexis Ayala
Dress
Casual
Why go
Table, Donkey and Stick is worth booking if you want Austrian-leaning cooking in Chicago with stronger drinks credibility than the price tier suggests. Michelin Bib Gourmand and Star Wine List recognition make it a smart value play, especially for a two- to four-person dinner where wine is part of the plan.
About Table, Donkey and Stick
Table, Donkey and Stick is a Chicago restaurant serving Austrian cuisine at a $$ price point. The grounded verdict is direct: consider it when you want a dinner option with a defined culinary lane, casual dress code, chef/owner Alexis Ayala, confirmed recognition from Michelin Bib Gourmand (2024) and Star Wine List (2026).
The useful read is not that this is a trophy reservation or a broad catch-all dining room. It offers Austrian cooking, evening hours Tuesday through Sunday, casual dress, a price tier that keeps it in the value-minded conversation for Chicago diners.
Austrian cooking with confirmed recognition
For a first visit, key aspects are the cuisine, price, chef/owner, hours, recognition. Michelin Bib Gourmand (2024) supports the value case, while Star Wine List (2026) is also recognized. Those facts are enough to position Table, Donkey and Stick as a focused Chicago dinner choice without overstating details about the menu, room, or service style.
The Austrian angle also helps the restaurant separate itself from more familiar categories. Compared with Lonesome Rose (Logan Square), this is the better fit when Austrian cooking is the draw. Compared with Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square), it points to a different kind of dinner decision. Kyoten Next Door and Nomonomo Sushi sit in another lane entirely: choose Table, Donkey and Stick when the night calls for Austrian cuisine.
Who should book, who should cross-shop, what the value looks like
This is a sensible choice for diners who want a Chicago dinner with a specific cuisine and a $$ price point rather than an unspecified splurge format. The Bib Gourmand recognition makes the value signal relevant, Alexis Ayala is the chef/owner.
Bar Parisette is a natural cross-shop if the group is considering another option. Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) and Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square) are useful comparisons when the decision is between other familiar choices and a more cuisine-specific Austrian restaurant. Table, Donkey and Stick is the pick when Austrian cooking and confirmed recognition are the reasons to go.
Hours are for dinner service: closed Monday; 5–9 PM Tuesday through Thursday; 5–10 PM Friday; 4:30–10 PM Saturday; and 4:30–9 PM Sunday. Plan around those hours rather than assuming lunch or late-night service.
Use it as a Chicago value play, not a trophy reservation
The right expectation is a casual Chicago restaurant with Austrian cuisine, $$ pricing, chef/owner Alexis Ayala, Michelin Bib Gourmand and Star Wine List recognition. If the group is comparing other options, Kyoten Next Door, Nomonomo Sushi, Lonesome Rose (Logan Square), Bar Parisette, or Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square) may be part of the conversation. For Austrian cooking at this price tier, Table, Donkey and Stick is the focused choice.
Planning details
- Location
- 2728 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- tabledonkeystick.com
- Phone
- (773) 486-8525
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Table, Donkey and Stick reads like a transplanted Alpine inn in the middle of Logan Square: rustic finishes and communal tables sit comfortably in a Chicago row space while an inviting bar acts as the room’s social anchor. The kitchen’s Central European focus gives the place a classic, old-world sensibility, but the execution and service keep things approachable rather than precious. Michelin’s Bib Gourmand underscores that balance — high-quality Austrian-influenced cooking delivered at neighborhood-friendly prices — and that mix of warmth, tradition and accessibility is what makes the restaurant feel both deliberate and welcoming.
Best For
This is a neighborhood spot built for lingering: groups share plates across communal tables, friends gather around the bar, and locals return for reliably good cooking without a special-occasion budget. It suits casual hangouts and after-work evenings when you want thoughtful, well-executed dishes in an unhurried room. The Bib Gourmand recognition signals that the kitchen is worth seeking out, but the setting keeps the mood relaxed rather than formal — a place where conversation and communal dining are part of the point.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the Central European small-plate mentality and order to share. Signature items include the Alpine Burger on a pretzel bun, Duck Liver Mousse, Swabian Pretzels with cauliflower and Comté fondue, Yukon Gold potato latkes and the Puff Pretzel with corn ice cream — a mix of savory and a playful sweet finish. Given the communal-table format and the restaurant’s gathering-focused culture, plan for multiple plates so the table can sample a variety of textures and flavors.
Venue details
Ambiance
Rustic inn-inspired setting with warm wood, brick, warm lighting, and a titanic wall of bottles; eclectic artwork and natural wine create a cozy yet bohemian atmosphere that feels both understated and composed.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Alpine Burger on Pretzel Bun
- Duck Liver Mousse
- Swabian Pretzels with Cauliflower and Comté Fondue
- Yukon Gold Potato Latkes
- Puff Pretzel with Corn Ice Cream
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
Choose Bar Parisette if the night should be more bar-forward and French-leaning. Choose Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) for a looser Logan Square meal with easier group appeal.
If the group wants something more casual, Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square) is the safer move. If sushi is the priority, look at Kyoten Next Door or Nomonomo Sushi instead.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Chicago
Table, Donkey and Stick is the value pick if you want a more composed dinner than Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) or Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square). Those two are better for casual group energy and easier crowd-pleasing orders; this is stronger when the meal should feel wine-led and more focused.
Bar Parisette is the better cross-shop for a bar-first, French-leaning night, while Table, Donkey and Stick makes more sense when Austrian cooking is part of the appeal and the group wants dinner to carry equal weight with drinks. Booking difficulty is easy here, which gives it an edge for a planned but not high-friction meal.
Kyoten Next Door and Nomonomo Sushi should only replace it if the table specifically wants sushi. They are not like-for-like alternatives; they solve a different craving. For value, access, a drinks-aware dinner in Logan Square, Table, Donkey and Stick is the more useful default.
Explore Chicago
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Table, Donkey and Stick guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Table, Donkey and Stick
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table, Donkey and Stick | Chicago | Austrian | Star Wine Lists 20262025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand | $$ |
| Bar Parisette | Chicago | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) | Chicago | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Kyoten Next Door | Chicago | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square) | Chicago | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Nomonomo Sushi | Chicago | No published awards | ; | ; |
How Table, Donkey and Stick Chicago compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Table, Donkey and Stick?
Start here if you want Austrian cooking in Chicago at a $$ price point. Key highlights are Michelin Bib Gourmand (2024), Star Wine List (2026), and chef/owner Alexis Ayala.
What should I order at Table, Donkey and Stick?
While the cuisine is Austrian, individual dishes are not specified. If you are cross-shopping, Bar Parisette and Kyoten Next Door are other options to consider depending on what the group wants.
Is Table, Donkey and Stick worth the price?
It is a strong value candidate if you want Austrian cooking in Chicago at a $$ price point with Michelin Bib Gourmand (2024) recognition. It may compare well with Lonesome Rose (Logan Square) or Parson's Chicken & Fish (Logan Square) when you want a more cuisine-specific dinner choice.
