Chicago Restaurant Creepies Wins Top Industry Award
The West Loop eatery earns the Next Wave Restaurant of the Year title just over a year after its grand opening.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Chicago restaurant Creepies has been named Next Wave Restaurant of the Year. Located in the West Loop, the establishment is owned by David and Anna Posey.
Why it matters
The owners created Creepies as a casual, maximalist contrast to their fine-dining restaurant Elske, which is located just one door away. This expansion allows the pair to offer a different dining experience compared to their established, Michelin-starred venue.
The owners' adjacent property, Elske, holds 1 Michelin star and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2026. Creepies operates with a focus on simplified, batched cocktails and natural-leaning wines.
The players
David and Anna Posey
They are the owners of both the award-winning Creepies and the nearby restaurant Elske.
Tayler Ploshehanski
He serves as the chef de cuisine at the Chicago restaurant Creepies.
Boone Interiors
This design firm was recruited to create the maximalist interior space for Creepies.
Elske
This is a Michelin-starred restaurant located one door away from Creepies in Chicago.
Creepies
This West Loop restaurant was named the Next Wave Restaurant of the Year.
The details
Designed by Boone Interiors, the restaurant features a vibrant aesthetic with checkerboard floors and cartoon wall art. Chef de cuisine Tayler Ploshehanski leads the kitchen, while the small bar space necessitates a program centered on batched cocktail components.
Timeline
August 2025: Creepies officially opened to the public in the West Loop.
2026: Elske reached its 10-year anniversary milestone.
October 2026: Creepies received the Next Wave Restaurant of the Year award.
Industry Dynamics
The success of Creepies reflects a broader trend of restaurateurs diversifying their portfolios by pairing established, fine-dining heavyweights with more casual, high-energy sister locations. This strategic move allows operators to capture a wider demographic while maintaining the prestige of their original flagship brands.
Patrons can expect high demand for reservations following the award announcement. The restaurant's focus on batched cocktails ensures consistent drink service despite the limited bar space available in the West Loop location.
The takeaway
Successful restaurateurs often thrive by balancing formal fine-dining projects with more experimental, casual concepts. Prospective diners should check reservation availability early, as award-winning status typically leads to significant spikes in public interest.
Further reading
For more news on the local culinary scene, visit the Chicago Food and Drink section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VinePair.
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