bucktown benedict
Some say it was a pope who invented it, others say the honor goes to a stockbroker. A Wall Street man named Lemuel Benedict, who one day walked into the Waldorf Hotel accompanied by a huge hangover. Here he invented his own breakfast sandwich made of poached eggs, ham and an English muffin with hollandaise sauce on the side. Drawn by the sight and smell of the dish, Oscar – the maître d’hôtel – took a bite, changed ham into bacon and the muffin for toast and put it on the menu. History made, hangover brunch attendees delighted.
Eggs Benedict has hatched many siblings since its shell was cracked by Lemuel and Oscar. The offspring ranges from varieties with grilled tenderloin, crab, veggies or eggs benedict with thinly sliced prosciutto.
To Chicago foodies, these four definitely ring a bell. A bell that sounds like Toast, the best breakfast and lunch restaurant in town for Lemuel Benedict’s hangover medicine. A place where a benedict goes back in time, being ‘a toasted fluffy English muffin, topped with 2 poached eggs, drizzled with lemony truffle hollandaise sauce and house potatoes……’
You find Toast in Bucktown, the Chicago neighborhood just north of Wicker Park. Bucktown used to be home to Polish immigrants and was named after the goats (bucks) they kept in their backyards. Really.
Today Bucktown is an artists playground, fairly close to the loop with nice boutiques, a great vibe and a growing number of great restaurants like for instance Takashi and, of course, Toast.
The original (and still going strong) Toast started in 1996 in Lincoln Park. The Bucktown affiliate on Damen Avenue opened its doors three years later. The place has a pleasant vibe and is always crowed with relaxed locals and the smell of fresh coffee. Their signature dish, besides the benedicts, is El Bucktowno; chicken breast marinated with mustard and thyme, grilled and topped with a spicy mayo, grilled red onion, squash and zucchini served on a French bolo. For those not into chicken ‘n eggs, the menu offers a wide choice of home made dishes.
So if you’re searching for a spot to toast to yet another day in a wonderful city, you can stop looking cause you found it right here on 2046 North Damen Avenue, Bucktown – Chicago.
Toast 2046 North Damen Avenue
Bucktown – Chicago, USA
T: +1 773-772-5600
W: www.toast-chicago.com/b_about.html
Opening hours
M-F 8am – 3pm | last seating 2:45
Saturday & Sunday 8am – 4pm | last seating 3:45
[mappress mapid=”81″]