Happy Thursday! I’m so excited to be sharing another fabulous Chicago neighborhood with you today. Today’s feature is a step right off the Blue Line – Logan Square.
Writing today’s post is Logan Square resident, James. James is a member of the Windy City Blogger Collective and the writer behind A Very Nice Restaurant where he shares his wonderful original recipes and restaurant reviews.
Hi!! I’m James from A Very Nice Restaurant, and I’m so excited to be posting about Logan Square. I’ve been a member of the Logan Square community since birth, and it has been so cool to see the neighborhood develop and change (even if I can’t remember 4 year old me/what it was like in 2001) into one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city. There are so many things to do here, and, of course, such an amazing array of places to eat. Being quite the foodie, I’m going to list a few of my favorite places for all the major food categories. Enjoy!
Best Brunch: JAM/Lula Café (3057 W Logan Blvd & 2537 N Kedzie Blvd)
This was by far the hardest category to narrow down (hello, Longman & Eagle and Owen & Engine) and when I got down to Jam and Lula, I just couldn’t choose between them. They both serve an amazing brunch, and I love having them both in the neighborhood because they’re very different- Jam is very artsy and unconventional, while Lula is the best place in the city to go for a more approachable and traditional bite to eat. Both are right in the heart of the neighborhood, and offer great views of the square and great views of the other customers- one of the coolest crowds in the city!
Best Coffee: Intelligentsia (2642 N Milwaukee Ave)
Located right next to the historic Logan Theatre, there is no better coffee than Intelligentsia. Yes, I know it’s a chain, but if you haven’t been to the Logan Square location, you’re completely missing out. It is so sleekly designed, making it a completely cool and hip place to read a book or get some work done, plus there is an adorable mini patio out front. P.S. if you’re looking for a big patio, the Starbucks at 2543 N California Ave has the nicest one in the entire city.
Best Fancy Dinner: Sink | Swim (3213 W Armitage Ave)
Sink | Swim is seafood at its finest (with a few beef/chicken options if seafood’s not your thing!) Everything is completely incredible, skillfully prepared, and beautifully presented, with an approachable menu that still incorporates some unique ingredients. The restaurant is completely polished and gorgeous, and it’s great for taking a few friends or a date because all of the dishes are easily shareable.
Best Healthy Spot: Owen + Alchemy (2355 N Milwaukee Ave)
Owen + Alchemy is the most beautiful juicery you will ever step foot in. It is the epitome of a stylish business, with an array of juices that taste amazing and are so good for you. There are so many to choose from, and the staff is super friendly and helpful if you’re new to juices or are unsure of what juice is best for you. They’re all served in beautiful glass bottles, and smoothies and salads are also offered, plus subscriptions and cleanses!
Best Lunch: Q-Tine (2339 N Milwaukee Ave)
Q-Tine has only been open for a few weeks, but it is already one of my favorite lunch spots in Logan Square. It’s a combination between BBQ and poutine, which is a Montreal based delicacy where french fries are topped with gravy and cheese curds. Sounds heavenly already, right? Well, top it with smoky, savory BBQ and you have one of the most original and delicious lunches the city has to offer.
Best Sweet Treat: Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits (2051 N California Ave)
Bang Bang’s Pies are out of this world delicious. Everything is made in-house (they even make homemade graham crackers to form their crusts. How cool is that?!) which gives the pies so much fresh flavor. For a more savory bite, their biscuit plates are buttery, complex, and delicious. They have a really cool rustic interior, plus a fabulous backyard patio that is the perfect place to chat with friends or lounge around in the sun.
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James – thank you so much for sharing your favorite neighborhood spots today! Believe it or not, I have yet to visit Lula Cafe or Bang Bang Pie and I think that’s going to change this weekend. 🙂
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