All-Star ‘Starters’ at Lettuce Restaurants

These appetizers are winners in our book

Our roster of all-star “starters” will keep you fueled for game day – no matter which team you root for. From a standout starting lineup to new-to-the-menu “rookies” and long-time “veterans,” here’s a look at some of our best appetizers from Lettuce Entertain You restaurants across the U.S.

The Starting Lineup

Crying Tiger is one of the buzziest new spots in town, and delicious signatures like the Prawn Toast Youtiao with herb nam jim, Chef Thai Dang’s take on prawn toast with a Chinese donut, are exactly why!

Make a reservation at Crying Tiger. Order carryout and delivery from Crying Tiger.

One of the most popular appetizers at Lincolnwood supper club, L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge, is the Wisconsin Cheese Curds served with buttermilk ranch dressing for dunking.

Make a reservation at L. Woods. Order carryout or delivery from L. Woods.

Looking for more app inspo from L. Woods? Try this recipe for the Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower at home.

Slagel Farms Meatballs “Polpettini” in a simple tomato sauce at Osteria Via Stato in Chicago’s River North are the real menu MVPs!

Make a reservation at Osteria Via Stato. Order carryout or delivery from Osteria Via Stato.

Meatballs are always the way to go when it comes to starters. Here are some of our favorite meatball recipes:

Click here for il Porcellino’s Prime Beef Meatball recipe.
Click here for Antico Posto’s Chicken Meatball recipe.

Battered, fried to perfection and irresistibly dippable with a side of ranch dressing, Bub City’s Fried Pickles are a can’t-miss game day appetizer.

Make a reservation at the Bub City location nearest you. Order carryout and delivery from the Bub City location nearest you.

Make Bub City’s Fried Pickles at home, click here for the recipe.

For more of our favorite Game Day grub, click here.

Riverfront restaurant RPM Seafood is serving a fresh take on a Chicago classic with the Peekytoe Crab de Jonghe with garlic butter and espelette.

Make a reservation at RPM Seafood. Order carryout or delivery from RPM Seafood.

il Porcellino’s Tuscan Cheese Bread is the perfect cozy starter, just pair with a glass of Chianti and you are all set! Trust us, bread is always worth the order!

Make a reservation at il Porcellino. Order carryout and delivery from il Porcellino.

Make RPM Italian’s Truffled Garlic Bread at home.

At Aba, enjoy the Smoky Garlic Hummus with charred avocado and chili oil.

Make a reservation at the Aba location nearest you. Order carryout or delivery from the Aba location nearest you.

At Sushi-san, the Pan Fried Chicken & Vegetable Gyozas are a must-order starter. Six pan-fried gyozas that are crispy on the bottom, tender in the center, and drizzled with wasabi soy (and how could we forget the fried garlic garnish), make them ideal for sharing (or not). Find them at the Sushi-san River North, Lincoln Park, and Nashville locations.

Make a reservation at the Sushi-san location nearest you. Order carryout and delivery from the Sushi-san location nearest you.

Spice up your game day with the Jalapeño Cornbread served with honey butter from Summer House. This sweet and spicy twist on a classic is a crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with any lineup.

Make a reservation at the Summer House location nearest you. Order carryout or delivery from the Summer House location nearest you.

For a unique take on a beloved classic, don’t miss the Potato Salad Deviled Eggs from The Oakville Grill & Cellar. These creamy, tangy bites with a hint of crunch are a sophisticated addition to your appetizer spread.

Make a reservation at The Oakville Grill & Cellar. Order carryout or delivery from The Oakville Grill & Cellar.

Dive into the Bluefin Tuna Shiso from Miru for a refreshing and light start. The delicate balance of tuna with crispy shiso brings a touch of elegance to your game day eats.

Make a reservation at Miru.

Saranello’s Toasted Cheese Ravioli are perfectly crispy on the outside and oozing with rich, melted cheese inside. Served with a side of zesty marinara, this crowd-pleasing appetizer is the perfect way to kick off any meal.

Make a reservation at Saranello’s. Order carryout and delivery from Saranello’s.

Elevate your appetizer game with the Happy-Tizers from Happy Camper Pizza. Whether you go for the Mozzarella Bread Stix or another tempting option, these playful bites are sure to bring lots of joy (and cheesy goodness) to your table.

Make a reservation at Happy Camper in Las Vegas.

And don’t overlook the wings at Ramen-san. These sticky and spicy wings come in two flavors, Sticky Thai or Spicy Szechuan, that will keep you coming back for more finger-licking goodness.

Make a reservation at Ramen-san location nearest you

The Rookies

It’s literally in the name at Gus’ Sip & Dip, which is why the Crab Rangoon Dip is a can’t-miss app. Made with blue crab, and topped with fontina and parmesan cheese the dip is baked in a skillet until golden brown, garnished with green onions and served warm with fried wontons and mae ploy on the side.
Gus’ Sip & Dip is first come, first served.

Antico Posto’s new antipasti are perfect for sharing, including the Whipped Ricotta with black truffle honey served with parmesan flatbread.

Make a reservation at Antico Posto. Order carryout or delivery from Antico Posto.

After you’re done taking in the stunning dining room at Tre Dita, order up Chef Evan Funke’s signature Gamberi in Salsa Verde. Pro tip: Once you finish the prawns, hang onto the extra sauce for dipping!

Make a reservation at Tre Dita

The Veterans

big Bowl Potstickers A staple since day-one, Big Bowl’s Potstickers are perfect to share with the whole squad.

Find a Big Bowl location near you and make a reservation, or order carryout and delivery.

A tapas bar classic, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! has been serving up Patatas Bravas as long as we can remember. Dunk ’em in the creamy sun-dried tomato aioli and thank us later!

Make a reservation at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Order carryout and delivery from Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

Shaw’s Crab House Oysters Rockefeller with spinach and Jarlsberg cream has been a key member of the appetizer roster since day one!

Make a reservation at Shaw’s Crab House – Chicago. Order Shaw’s Crab House – Chicago for carryout or delivery.

Make a reservation at Shaw’s Crab House – Schaumburg. Order Shaw’s Crab House – Schaumburg for carryout or delivery.

The Wild Escargots de Bourgogne at Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas, Chicago, Reston and Bethesda is a classic take on the quintessential bistro starter.

Find a Mon Ami Gabi location near you and make a reservation or order carryout or delivery.

The Kennebec Fries at Beatrix have been a day one staple on the menu, topped with crispy lemon and chilis you can’t go wrong with this order.

Make a reservation or order carryout and delivery from the Beatrix location nearest you

Check out the top fries at Lettuce restaurants near you.

Lettuce’s OG restaurant, R.J. Grunts, presents a mash-up of two of the greatest game-day dishes of all time – buffalo wings and nachos – with their Buffalo Nachos with melted pepper jack and cheddar cheese, buffalo sauce, chopped fried buffalo chicken breast, lettuce, tomato and ranch dressing.

Make a reservation at R.J. Grunts. Order carryout or delivery at R.J. Grunts.

El Segundo Sol dishes out some of the best fresh-made Guacamole on the Las Vegas strip! Pair it with one of their signature margaritas and you’ve got yourself a party!

Make a reservation at El Segundo Sol. Order El Segundo Sol for carryout or delivery.

Click here for El Segundo Sol’s Guacamole recipe.

Long-time North Shore favorite, Di Pescara, scores with Tuna Tartare with wonton chips, soy-ginger vinaigrette and avocado.

Make a reservation at Di Pescara. Order carryout or delivery from Di Pescara.

Wildfire has a lot of signature dishes, but one that we always love is the Baked Goat Cheese.

Make a reservation or order carryout and delivery from the Wildfire location nearest you.

Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab offers this classic Chicago dish at all locations including Chicago, Las Vegas and D.C. Order up the Shrimp De Jonghe to start, it is the perfect prelude to a delicious filet.

Make a reservation at the Joe’s Seafood location nearest you. Order carryout and delivery from the Joe’s Seafood location nearest you.

You know you’re off to a good start when you order any of Ema’s dips and spreads, like the Sweet Corn Hummus, Spicy Whipped Feta, Charred Eggplant and Toasted Almond & Garlic.

Make a reservation at the Ema location neareast you

Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! is the little sister restaurant to tapas icon Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! and in true Ba-Ba-Reeba! fashion, the Roasted Dates Wrapped in Bacon served with apple cider vinaigrette are a must-order.