Fat Rice
| Fat Rice | |
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2012 |
| Closed | 2020 |
| Chef | Abraham Conlon |
| City | Chicago |
| State | Illinois |
| Country | United States |
Fat Rice was an American restaurant inspired by the food and culture of Macau, China.[1] Located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois and operating from 2012 to 2020, Fat Rice was known for their Arroz Gordo, a home-style Macanese dish which translates to "fat rice".[1] Then-head chef Abraham Conlon once claimed Fat Rice is the "only restaurant in the world" to serve the dish.
Background[edit]
Fat Rice Restaurant, which was founded in 2012, closed down normal operations in March 2020.[2]
Philanthropy[edit]
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Fat Rice owners launched the Fat Rice Community Relief Kitchen to help their staff, other restaurant workers, and Fat Rice customers.[3] Conlon and Lo provided meal kits which were offered at whatever price people could afford to pay.[4] Those meal kits were either delivered or taken out, considering people’s safety. Each meal kit intended to supply three meals to two people contained tofu and vegetable soup, pork meatloaf with mushrooms, and marinated chicken thighs with vegetables.[3]
Their mission was to help flatten the curve of coronavirus outbreak and to help those people who were financially struggling due to restaurant closures.[5]
Ownership[edit]
Fat Rice was owned and managed by Abraham Conlon, a James Beard Foundation award winner,[6] and Adrienne Lo, a Chinese American and Chicago native.[7] Both have culinary roots.[8]
Fat Rice also operated an adjacent cocktail bar, called The Ladies' Room[9] and an Asian-inspired pastry shop called The Bakery at Fat Rice.[10]
Awards[edit]
- Bon Appétit – #4 Best new Restaurant in the United States, 2013.[11]
- Time Out Chicago – Best New Restaurant, Eat Out Awards, 2013[12]
- Eater – Fat Rice as one of America’s 38 Essential restaurants, 2014[13]
- The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence – Best new Restaurant in Chicago, 2016.[14][15]
Leadership controversy[edit]
The restaurant's owners, Abe Conlon and Adrienne Lo, made two Instagram posts in solidarity with those participating in the George Floyd protests in early June 2020.[16] Conlon issued an apology for his behavior on Instagram,[17] and shut Super Fat Rice Mart indefinitely after the criticism.[18]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Mai, Jeffy (March 2, 2017). "How Fat Rice's Arroz Gordo Is a Chicago-Only Melting Pot of Cuisines". Eater. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Colby (April 29, 2020). "Fat Rice Restaurant Has Closed And Opened A Market In Its Place". Secret Chicago. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ a b Bloom, Mina (March 19, 2020). "Fat Rice Offering Pay-What-You-Can Meal Kits To Laid-Off Industry Workers, Others In Need". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Walsh, Molly. "Acclaimed Chicago Restaurant Sells Pay-What-You-Can Food Kit During Coronavirus Crisis". NBC Chicago. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Bendersky, Ari. "Chicago Restaurants Are Turning to Philanthropy to Help Staff, Community". InsideHook. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Selvam, Ashok (May 7, 2018). "Fat Rice's Abe Conlon Wins Chicago's Only James Beard Award in 2018". Eater Chicago. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "About Abe, Adrienne and Fat Rice". Plate. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Dean, Jacob (April 23, 2018). "Chef Abraham Conlon, Fat Rice, and the Search for Flavor". The Cook's Cook. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ Selvam, Ashok (December 30, 2015). "Fat Rice Reveals The New Skinny About Their Upcoming Cocktail Lounge". Eater. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- ^ Todd, Anthony (January 17, 2018). "The Bakery at Fat Rice Is Making the Best New Cookie in Chicago". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- ^ Knowlton, Andrew. "Fat Rice - #4 Best New Restaurant in America 2013". Bon Appetit. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ "Best New Restaurant | Eat Out Awards 2013". Time Out Chicago. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ Addison, Bill (October 4, 2017). "The Midwest's 38 Essential Restaurants". Eater. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ "Fat Rice Named Restaurant of the Year, Expansion and Bar Coming Soon". DNAinfo Chicago. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ "Nominees & Winners". Jean Banchet Awards. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Brett (June 16, 2020). "A Top Chicago Restaurant Messaged Its Virtue. Then Workers Spoke Up". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ Selvam, Ashok (June 17, 2020). "Acclaimed Fat Rice Topples After Outcry from Employees". Eater. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ Bloom, Mina (June 9, 2020). "Fat Rice Shut Down Indefinitely After Employees Accuse Co-Owner Of Racism, Verbal Abuse: 'I Am Deeply Sorry'". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
