Beer Garden At Gene's Sausage Shop - Chicago

Though far from a provable fact, many will agree that beer tastes superior when drunk outside, preferably on a spacious, flower-filled roof deck under the sun.

We're also certain that beer tastes even better when paired with a double-smoked, double-garlic Alpine sausage on the roof of Gene's Sausage Shop.

The new third-floor beer garden is open Thursday through Sunday, and has plenty of picnic tables and enough beer and house-made snacks to fill a long afternoon.

Four taps dispense a rotating selection of brews, which recently included a malty Radeberger Pilsner from Germany, summery Michigan-made Bell's Oberon, and the golden, Austrian Grieskirchner Weisse (each $6 per pint, or $18 for a 60-ounce pitcher).

Sausages ($6), like weisswurst, bratwurst and hot dogs, are made in-house and take a turn on the grill before arriving at the picnic table with a thick roll and a mound of wine kraut, Gene's Bavarian-style sauerkraut. A slew of favorites from the deli case of the market below–bacon-studded German potato salad, vinegary cabbage slaw–are available on the side ($3 each). Potato pancakes ($6) are golden and crisp, fried then warmed on the grill; they beg for applesauce and sour cream.

The food and beer offerings will change regularly–as will the new Sunday brunch menu–which means multiple returns are in order.

Gene's Sausage Shop, 4750 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-728-7243 or genessausageshop.com