Mar 22, 2016

Summer House Santa Monica Breezes into Chicago O’Hare International Airport

HMSHost opens first Summer House Santa Monica airport location

CHICAGO — Travelers can now relax and dine in California style while traveling through Chicago O’Hare International Airport with the opening of Summer House Santa Monica. Global restaurateur HMSHost, the Chicago Department of Aviation, and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises celebrated today with a grand opening ribbon cutting to formally bring the popular restaurant’s flavors and laid back vibe to travelers at O’Hare – just in time for the spring break travel season.

“We are proud O’Hare International is the first airport to feature this popular restaurant for travelers,” said Ginger S. Evans, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation. “With the addition of Summer House and many other award-winning restaurants, O’Hare has truly raised the bar for airport dining in terms of quality, variety and authenticity.”

The addition of Summer House to O’Hare’s Terminal 2 gives travelers a taste of the California-influenced American restaurant that embodies the personality and brand of the Lincoln Park location of Summer House. It features a chef-driven menu that highlights high-quality, seasonal ingredients and delicious, simply prepared dishes that have become a favorite among Chicagoans.

Summer House has an open and inviting space where travelers will find a laid-back, friendly atmosphere reminiscent of a Southern California beach house. An intimate bar welcomes travelers with signature cocktails, beer, and a California-inspired wine list perfect for some relaxation before flight.

“HMSHost is thrilled to debut the Summer House Santa Monica brand’s first airport location at Chicago O’Hare where travelers will find a wonderful atmosphere, delicious food and cocktails, and exceptional service,” said HMSHost President & CEO Steve Johnson. “With our partners, the Chicago Department of Aviation and Lettuce Entertain You, we’ve transformed this popular, casual dining restaurant into a convenient, quick serve restaurant that is sure to be a hit with the millions of travelers passing through O’Hare.”

Summer House at O’Hare is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and travelers are able to enjoy a variety of menu items through a counter service and a grab-and-go section. Menu items range from salads, including the Santa Monica Cobb Salad and the Shaved Vegetable Salad, to tacos such as the Grilled Surfer Style Baja Fish Tacos and the Grilled Ancho-Chicken Tacos. There is an array of sandwiches and burgers for travelers to choose from such as the Double Decker Cali Burger and the Venice Beach Chicken Sandwich. House-made baked items like the signature cookies and English muffins are also available for grab-and-go. For early morning travelers, a specially designed breakfast menu offers everything from a Spinach & Kale Omelet to Greek Yogurt with fresh berries. There is even an all-day breakfast option with specialty egg sandwiches.

\"We are excited to be a part of the travelers experience with the opening of Summer House Santa Monica as they come in and out of Terminal 2 at O'Hare,\" says Kevin Reynolds, Partner, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. \"The Summer House menu was designed to cater to everyone during all meal periods with both grab-and-go and sit down service. We are honored to work with HMSHost and CDA and are thrilled that they gave us the opportunity to showcase this brand to travelers.\"

In addition to being the first Summer House airport location, this opening marks the third location for Summer House Santa Monica, with an existing location in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.