Bringing a British steakhouse to Chicago, a city with its own deep-rooted steak traditions, is a bold move. Hawksmoor Chicago makes its case not by competing, but by offering a distinct point of view, beginning with its location. The restaurant inhabits the historic LaSalle Street Cable Car Powerhouse, a space with grand, barrel-vaulted ceilings that lends a sense of occasion. This setting provides a backdrop for a London-born philosophy for beef, built on sourcing from small, family-run farms and cooking simply over a charcoal fire. The ethos is to let high-quality ingredients speak for themselves. The kitchen has become known for its dry-aged steaks, including cuts like Chateaubriand and long-bone rib chops, prepared with nothing more than salt and fire. This focus on the essentials extends to the rest of the offerings, where sustainable seafood is treated with the same respect as the beef. The selections are not limited to the grill, with nods to its British roots found in dishes like potted beef and bacon with Yorkshire puddings or a traditional Sunday roast. Beyond the main courses, the details round out the restaurant's identity. Sides are given significant attention, from beef-fat triple-cooked fries to creamed spinach and macaroni and cheese made with four farmhouse cheeses. The bar program is also a core part of the establishment, with a separate lounge space, Beef & Liberty Bar, that has a moody, London-inspired feel and a focus on classic cocktails. Even the desserts maintain a distinctly British character, with the sticky toffee pudding being a recurring favorite.