Chicago’s West Loop is set to welcome a new entrant in the city’s ever-evolving steakhouse scene. SuSu, a globally influenced steakhouse drawing from Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian traditions, will open in early 2026 at 652 West Randolph Street, the former home of the three-Michelin-starred Grace.
Positioned as a next-generation steakhouse shaped by international flavors and social dining, SuSu is inspired by the historic trade routes of the Silk Road. The 6,000-square-foot restaurant will combine premium beef cuts with a spice-forward menu, a robust sake and cocktail program, and an atmosphere designed to transition seamlessly from refined dining to late-night destination.
The project is led by owner Paul Alqas and managing partner Chase Meyer, Chicago hospitality veterans also behind the Mediterranean restaurant Medi in Lincoln Park. They are joined by executive chef and partner Alexander Willis, whose résumé includes Hog & Hominy, Dusek’s Board & Beer, and MICHELIN-starred Moody Tongue. Willis’ Lebanese heritage and years spent cooking across Southeast Asia and Japan will anchor the restaurant’s culinary direction.
Inside, SuSu’s design reflects its cross-cultural ethos. Warm, intimate banquettes, handcrafted woodwork, and wabi-sabi influences set the tone, complemented by custom murals created by local chef and artist Won Kim.
On Saturday nights, the space is designed to evolve into a more energetic, nightlife-driven environment reminiscent of Mediterranean after-dark culture. A private 12-seat dining room will offer a chef-led tasting menu for a more immersive experience.
“We set out to make SuSu a distinctly ‘Mediterasian’ experience,” Willis said. “In a city with so many great steakhouses, SuSu reflects how people want to dine now—globally curious, social, and dynamic.”
The menu will span raw bar selections, mezze, and butcher’s cuts accented with globally sourced flavors such as zhoug, black tahini, and ssamjang. Small plates will feature dishes like tabbouleh, labneh, lobster dumplings, and foie gras ya’bra, while communal feasts and family-style offerings emphasize shared dining. The private dining experience, titled “Kan Zaman,” will present a 12-course progression of steak, seafood, and vegetable dishes paired with wine and sake.
A Level One Certified Sake Professional, Willis has placed equal emphasis on beverage programming. SuSu’s bar will feature cocktails incorporating Arabic coffee, jasmine tea, and Greek mastic, alongside an expansive list of wines and sakes sourced from around the world, including lesser-represented regions such as Palestine and Crimea.
SuSu is expected to open in early 2026, with additional details to be announced in the coming weeks. The restaurant will be located in Chicago’s West Loop and aims to offer a full evening experience—from dinner through late-night dining and cocktails—under one roof.
