Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods Opens In Wicker Park

CHICAGO, IL — A New Orleans-inspired store tavern is opening its doors Friday in Wicker Park. Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods has taken over the former 65-year-old Beachwood Inn spot at 1415 N. Wood Street. Pioneer Tavern Group — the owners of Lottie's Pub, Frontier and The Pony Inn — revamped the building, but said the new space will pay tribute to the old dive bar.

Ina Mae will offer "vintage" New Orleans cocktails, po-boys, powdered sugar beignets and traditional New Orleans sno-balls made with finely-shaved ice and flavored cane syrup. Customers can also buy fresh fish sold by the half pound and seafood towers.

The 2,400-square-foot space will seat 95 people indoors and 75 outdoors when the patio opens, owners said.

Ina Mae owner Mark Domitrovich said the vision for the new space was inspired by his trips to New Orleans.

“Over the years, chef Brian Jupiter and I have taken several trips to New Orleans. Since Brian was born and raised there, I had the luxury of viewing the city through the lens of one of its natives," Domitrovich said. "During our visits, the charming Mom-and-Pop joints, dive bars and corner stores always resonated with me."

He said that many of the bars that inspired him were "off the beaten path."

"Sprawling with character and charm, these spots were the authentic emblems of the culture and history of New Orleans. They were also the special places ‘where everything goes.’. No one ever apologized for who they were and why they were having a good time," Domitrovich said. "Our trips always left us feeling invigorated. In New Orleans, every day seemed like Friday."

Brian Jupiter, executive chef and co-owner, said Ina Mae's food is inspired by his family's recipes, but has been "reinvented to fit the space and neighborhood."

"...it's rustic, exciting, and something you might not expect to come out of a
corner tavern. I have always wanted to open a New Orleans-inspired concept and Ina Mae, named after my great grandmother, pays homage to my background and the biggest influences in my culinary career," Jupiter said. "Mark and I have been working on Ina Mae for years. We’ve learned so much about the history of New Orleans through our visits and endless research, which is evident as soon as you walk into the space."

Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods will be open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Top images: 1. Courtesy of Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods; 2. Image via Google Maps Streetview