Illinois Restaurant Named One of America’s Hardest to Book

I'm not going to lie, when I saw this list of 17 U.S. Restaurants That Are Nearly Impossible to Get Into from Far & Wide. I was hoping one of those restaurants was nearby.

Searching for a Midwest Dining Challenge

Whether it be Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison, or even the Quad Cities, I was prepped and ready to make a weekend out of it to see if I could get my name on a list at a restaurant that I probably had never even heard of up until today.

READ MORE: Chicago’s Guide: 25 Best Restaurants You Must Try in 2025

The Chicago Restaurant That Made the List

You'll be glad to know that one of those 17 restaurants did indeed qualify, and yes, it is a complete unknown.

It's called Rose Mary, and it seems like Far & Wide has a thing for it:

Italian classics and Croatian flavors come together in unforgettable ways at Rose Mary. To grab a reservation, be quick on OpenTable 60 days ahead. Prefer spontaneity? Arrive at opening time and try for a bar seat instead. Either way, the dishes here promise to make all the efforts worth it.

READ MORE: Don’t Skip These 2 Iconic Italian Restaurants in Illinois Before You Die

Yelp Reviewers Say It’s Worth the Wait

Is it worth the hype, though? Yelp reviewers seem to be on board. 4.4 stars out of 5, with nearly 1000 Yelp reviews total, says Rose Mary might be on to something.

Erin D. says, "Wow, this place lives up to the hype," and Kayla P. says, "I'm obsessed with this place."

Ready to Try Rose Mary Yourself?

Seems like a two-month wait is worth it to me. I like a challenge, so it looks like I'll have to try to get in.

If you'd like to try Rose Mary for yourself, it's located at 932 West Fulton Market in Chicago.