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Categories: American (New), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
Neighborhood: EdgewaterThe Holidays are right around the corner
When you purchase $100 in gift cards at uncommon ground
receive $20 gift card for yourself!
Loyola (Red)
Mon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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I haven't been to a weekend brunch in a while. My friends and I are on the hunt for an ugly Christmas sweater for an ugly sweater party. We wanted to pig out before taking on such a daunting task. I suggested Uncommon Ground since we were in the area. There was a short wait on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Our short 15 minute wait was well worth it! There is a large seating area near the bar with comfy chairs around the fireplace.
I had the prairie pure macaroni & cheese: prairie pure butterkase, cedar grove white cheddar, swiss, apple-celeraic slaw. It was beyond amazing. I ate every last bite. My friends also dipped into my noodles before they ate their breakfast. I was the only one that didn't get breakfast food and I'm glad I splurged and had the mac & cheese. My friends had the brioche French toast and the huevos uncommon. Both breakfasts looked amazing and everyone left a happy camper.
Uncommon Ground also grows their own herbs and vegetables in the back of the restaurant and on the roof. Everything is so fresh and flavorful. I cannot wait to return, this place is just amazing!
I love going out for brunch: I get to sleep in on a weekend and then get up and have a great breakfast with friends. Here's my thoughts of this place:
Positives:
1. Great environment -- it's cozy and warm, the wait staff are very friendly, the bathrooms are clean
2. Good coffees and teas available...even alcoholic breakfast drinks :)
Negatives:
1. The price was a little much -- I got scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, chicken sausage, and tea = price was $19
2. When the food came out my eggs were already a little cold -- nothing was really hot
I left still feeling hungry, which is quite unusual when I leave brunch restaurants. I picked this restaurant just because it was in the middle of where my friend lives and where I live. Next time I think I'll invite her to my hood instead.
Uncommon Ground turns out a solid brunch experience, but it could definitely be more awesome. They garden on the roof. How cool is that? Unfortunately, though, they aren't totally excelling at the food just yet. It was good, but just not as great as the descriptions on their lowercase menu would lead you to believe.
I had a winter scramble with arugula, mushrooms and Parmesan. The combo of veggies was good and the thin flecks of cheese were a nice touch, but the eggs were a bit overcooked (and I typically prefer my eggs somewhat hard). My companions had the spicy heuvos uncommon, which was tasty but arrived with some very greasy looking tortilla chips on the side. Really? Greasy chips with a breakfast dish? Methinks not. However, I loved my side of potatoes, which were the well done, cubed kind.
As advertised, their coffee was nice, but my first cup came with some grounds floating in it. That and a somewhat awkwardly overbearing server perhaps set me up for a less than stellar experience. And the tab was more than $50 for three people so it's not your cheapest brunch option. I would definitely try UG again, though. They have several delicious-sounding coffee/booze drinks that would be perfect for enjoying near the fireplace on a blustery evening. Overall, I think all the elements to make it awesome are there--a commitment to healthful, local foods, a delicious-sounding menu, a friendly vibe and a cozy atmosphere--but they need to work on refining the details.
Really really good drinks. Both boozy and coffee. Service is always pretty great. Knowledgeable smiley people who greet you with coffee even when they were out as late as you were (as overheard by my bat ears).
Too bad the food can't back it up. Yeah, I said it. The food leaves much to be desired. Under seasoned and overpriced. I get the appeal of the organic foods and local farms and markets but ya ain't doing them any justice either, Menu Makers!
Two visits, two events. Same space, different place.
Uncommon Ground Devon took over what used to be the Speakeasy Supper Club. This outpost of UG has a very different feel than its Lakeview sibling, and I like it. Lakeview has a hodgepodge, part bar, part restaurant, part live music venue, sorta casual feel. Devon, on the other hand, feels smoother, sexier, classier, yet still low key.
I absolutely love the vintage art deco bar area. I love the dark wood; low, cozy tables; and amber-toned lighting. I also loved the sip I snagged of a lemon ginger martini, I'd come back for one of those and I'm not really a martini sort of gal. Many of their cocktails contain one of their own house-infused vodkas too.
Just past the bar are two oblong rooms, connected by two doorways. Our event was in the far room, which conveniently had its own set of bathrooms and a stage used for live music. Exposed brick, lots of wood and warm brown tones make it very cozy.
The food and service for the event lived up to the expectations set by the ambiance. Service was very attentive; one server had my drink refill in hand just as I was taking my last sip, I didn't even need to ask!
Our meal started with two appetizers, a Mediterranean platter - hummus, olives, roast eggplant salad, tzatziki, and pita; and a baked artichoke, goat cheese & pesto dip served with crostini. The baked dip was my favorite of the two, I probably could have polished off a whole portion of that warm, cheesiness myself.
Next came an organic mixed green salad with apple cider vinaigrette. It was perfect between the two courses a nice, light little interlude to cleanse the palette.
To finish we had two dishes, pumpkin ravioli and a chicken and gnocchi dish. I don't eat chicken so you're stuck with my commentary on the ravioli. I'm always a little skeptical about things like pumpkin ravioli, many times the come off too sweet and dessert-like, but UG gets it right. The ravioli, served with creamy sage butter, gorgonzola, and toasted hazelnuts, was excellent; the perfect balance of savory and sweet, with all of the flavors melding together so well, like they were destined to meet.
Even though this place is pretty far North I'd definitely make a return trip. After all they have a small parking lot, easy street parking and are close to public transit (151, 36 & red line).
P.S. On the roof is a certified organic farm - how cool!
Uncommon Ground; Take Two! New cast, new locale, new fun things to sip and try....
I've kissed goodbye the days of Sunshine Salad old and said 'Hello Looover' to a formula a bit more satisfying. Thanks to our GNO 2.0 outing at UG last night, I was super satiated with all things girls night out fabulous; think sinfully delicious martinis, the amazing company of 30+ glorious gals, a marvelous menu of fantastic eats and the pleasantly assiduous service to top it all off. Kudos to UG and the know-how in just how to orchestrate flawless crowd control...
1. Start with multiple Tree-Tinis - aka Christmas in a glass - a fabulously comforting mix of organic ginger house-infused rain organic vodka, chai-infused sweet vermouth, licor 43 and seedling apple cider dusted with a kiss of cinnamon and nutmeg. Tastes like home... if you live at Betty Ford like I do ; )
2. Sprinkle above with appetizer of baked artichoke, goat cheese & pesto dip served up with perfectly crisp and warm extra virgin olive oil crostini. With a little help from my friends, this terrine of wicked deliciousness was devoured in mere seconds. Rich, creamy, tangy... it's the ultimate in delectable starters.
3. Layer in plates that spilleth over with scrumptious, velvety sage butter and gorgonzola laden pumpkin ravioli and my personal fav of the evening, the Gunthorp Farm crispy chicken with brown butter gnocchi, squash puree, apple & gorgonzola salad. Ahhhhhh-mazing! Talk about crispy... that skin was a-crack-a-lack-ing! I was so generously schooled on the new name in poultry perfection last night and it's spelled G-U-N-T-H-O-R-P.
A little after-dinner time spent cozying up in those big, cushy leather chairs in the bar with a hot cup 'o joe was exactly what the cold weather Doc ordered, indeed. Three cheers to Uncommon Ground, the latest prescription for Uncommon Excellence.
I'm still full from the GNO dinner last night. Uncommon Ground did not disappoint!!
I started out the evening with some treetini's (Hey look! I'm planting a tree by drinking this!!) and lemon-ginger martinis and they went down smooth. Then we went in for our main event!
Appetizers: A Mediterranean platter and a baked goat cheese, artichoke, and pesto dip. I'm not one for goat cheese, but the dip wasn't half bad.
Entrees: The pumpkin ravioli was to die for! I wasn't thrilled with our other dish. The menu made it sound like the items were separate, but they were all on one plate and it was too much going on for my taste buds. I liked the items individually, but since it was plated together all the flavors co-mingled.
I truly love this location. I love the cozy fireplace and big soft leather chairs in the bar area. I love the staff. I love the back room that hosts events and musical acts. Love.
Big thanks to Brett for planning and for our sponsors for the evening. A free dinner and loads of information made for a very great experience.
A few weeks ago I came to Uncommon Ground to see Brendan O'Shea (and various opening acts.) I really… Read more »
So, I'm a bit under the weather today. I know it's because I was coming down with a bit of something but decided that I was tough enough to weather it and met some lovely ladies for dinner. Apparently, I am not - but it was sooooo worth it.
I started off with the uncommon manhattan. I'm not a big whiskey drinker but figured this would make a good introduction. I have to give a pat on the back to all you whiskey lovers, that thing kicked my ass! I'm sticking with vodka, thank you.
For appetizers, we had the baked artichoke, goat cheese, and pest dip. Spread it on thick on the olive oil crostini and your eating a tiny bit of tangy heaven. The pita crisps were served up with a roasted eggplant dip, hummus, and some of the best tzatziki ever! Seriously, sorry ladies, for eating all of it. Please don't hate me.
The entrees were just as wonderful. The crispy gunthorp chicken breast was amazing. I think chicken is one of the least flavorful things to eat, but when you crisp it up and serve it over brown butter gnochhi (which was a tad rubbery, sorry) and the squash puree - perfect! The apple and gorgonzola slaw served on top was the perfect sweet compliment to the saltiness of the dish. The absolute stunner of the evening - pumpkin ravioli. OH MY GOD!!! So super rich, served in a sage cream sauce, and topped with gorgonzola and hazlenuts. I'm drooling just thinking about it.
The service was perfect. There when you needed them, gone when you didn't. The bar service left quite a bit to be desired but he was busy so I won't whine too much. It definitely helped me stick to my one drink minimum for a Tuesday.
Bravo, UG. I'm impressed.
I attended an event in the back last night and it was handled wonderfully, plenty of food and good service.
We started with a mixed mediterranean plate of hummus, tsatsiki and baba ganoush with pita. This was only okay, I must confess. Then we got the baked artichoke, goat cheese and pesto dip, which was good (and thankfully I couldn't event detest the pesto, as I don't care for it). A salad followed, simple and nicely dressed. I was worried about how I would receive the main dish, because all my life I have DESPISED pumpkin: the taste, the smell, everything. However, the pumpkin ravioli (topped with gorgonzola cheese and toasted hazelnuts in a sage brown butter) here was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooo good I scarfed it down like the nearby Loyola students scarf down beer. Gone in seconds leaving me with a silly grin and wanting more.
If in the neighborhood, I would go back to try more dishes and enjoy a drink by the bar.
Uncommon Ground did an amazing job accomodating over 30 girls. I was extremely happy when the first round of appetizers came 10 seconds after we sat down. How did they know we were so hungry?!
The baked goat cheese dip was unbelievable. I think the servers had to pry it out of my hands. But, the favorite part of the meal for me was the pumpkin ravioli. I never would have come up with that combination, but oh did it work well together.
The service was great. Our drinks didn't go for more than a couple minutes without being re-filled. Food seemed to always be around (which is both a good and bad thing, of course. Ask my scale this morning how much of a bad thing, haha). Overall, it was a very nice experience and the decor was cozy and perfect for a cold winter day. It's pretty far from me, but I hope to return soon!
Girls' brunch out! So after standing in the cold for about an hour watching a football game I didn't understand, I was rewarded by sitting next to the fireplace while waiting for a table for 7. The wait was about an hour, which is fine for a large table for Sunday Brunch with no reservations. Had a bloody mary while waiting, pretty delish...but could have used a bit more of a spicy kick to it.
Service was great. Had a cup of coffee....ok 3...and I'm still suffering from the jitters an hour later...great coffee....so strong. Ordered the lamb benedict which was a special...only for $12. I was so excited...I really was in the mood for sausage but this caught my attention. The benedict came out, served with mushrooms, onions, and a side of potatoes. It was good...but the lamb wasn't what I expected...it was a little fatty and made me wish I had ordered sausage. Plus, it came out a little cold. Hash browns needed a lot of salt. Price wasn't too bad...so for coffee ($4ish a cup), my meal, a bloody mary, and tax + tip...I was only in a $30 hole. Will I be back? Probably not unless someone offers me a ride...it's too much cta for me to get out here, especially when winter is on its way in full force.
Uncommon Ground - amazing in so many ways. I've always been a fan of the back rooms - coffee house (with ridiculously good spiked drinks) and live music, fabulous art on the walls. It took me a while to warm up to the newer restaurant in front, but I like the bar and the variety it adds. Just had brunch there for the first time - $5 bloody marys and chilaquiles to die for! I love that they are going local/green and cant' wait to check out the space on Devon.
WriMos, beware. This place isn't actually open until 2am like it says on here. Only the bar is, and only sometimes. And there is a severe lack of plugs!!
Everything else was great. Our waiter was friendly and the coffee is yummy. I always love going there.
I firmly believe in supporting healthy food and the people involved in creating a health conscious culinary dish. But, it is unacceptable when each dish is as bland as my jokes. The macaroni & cheese, chicken sandwich (which came with high recommendations), the roast beef sandwich, and every other dish provide as excellent examples... examples of how lackluster healthy food can be. Like I said, I believe in healthy food, but I do not believe in eating cardboard -- and I have tasted cardboard... there is not much of a difference between that and Uncommon Ground.
Another Chicago eatery that needs to pay a visit to the west or east coast for some culinary advice.
Nice atmosphere....we were seated by the fireplace.
Great food!
Great drinks....had a really good bloody mary!
The vibe here is great -- cozy but spacious, with good live music. Our waiter was awesome: amazingly attentive, even though we didn't have a full meal. As we were leaving, he even gave us a to-go cup to finish up the rest of our tea in.
The sweet potato fries were great and I got a good amount of them. This place is definitely pricey, but I feel like the atmosphere helps make up for it.
I have to take away a star from them because they are very expensive.
$10 for ratatouille omelet? and that is the least expensive item on the menu
The food is good but for 10$ I could have 30 eggs (2.99 for dozen at a market). From 30 eggs I could make at least 10 omelets. Just saying.......
Also the outdoor sitting is becoming little annoying because of the bees. The minute you relax one of these flying bandits comes by your face and you are left flapping your hands around and hopping your companion will rescue you from the flying intruder before it stings you and completely ruins your weekend.
I love this place....first of all Rogers Park needs more places like this in its neighborhood. My… Read more »
Great atmosphere, good service, and tasty food make this organic-style American restaurant a consistently pleasant experience. Most, if not all nights have live music with no cover charge. A little on the pricey side for what you get -- a small plate of average sweet potato fries with goat cheese fondue is not worth $7 anywhere -- but that is par for the course in the world of organic eats.
My friend Q and I decided to get some carryout from here because we both wanted to be "healthy" after having worked out earlier that day. I was especially excited that they try to use seasonal, local, and organic products. Unfortunately, I was pretty much drawn to everything but the healthy. I was especially smitten by the macaroni and cheese, but it cost $12! That's pretty pricey for macaroni and cheese with nothing else in it but cheese, so I sadly decided to pass on it. Q knew that it had already captured my heart, though, so she forced me to get it. Ha. I love her.
When we got home and I opened up my box of mac and cheese, I was horribly disappointed by the most blah looking mac and cheese I have ever seen. I guess I expected something that didn't look like it was made from the contents of a store-bought box of mac and cheese--and a small box at that. I was so disappointed that I didn't even want to taste it. I almost wanted us to drive back to the place and say, "Are you kidding me? Can't you add even a nice garnish or something? Maybe a few pieces of lobster?" Needless to say, I had my first forkful with very low expectations.
All that changed, though, after a couple more forkfuls. And, eventually, the plain white box of boring looking macaroni and cheese had completely won me over by the time I got to the bottom. If I had been given the option to buy another $12 box at that very moment . . . I probably would've. Ha. Believe me, the cheese they use in this is exceptional and the high price tag is completely worth it. I will come back, my friends. And I might even try something else. With the mac and cheese, of course.
We walked in and surprisingly there are plenty of open tables. I was really hoping to get the croque madam but their menu is not as extensive as the one in Clark. I did notice that their bloody mary was more on the smaller side but not complaining.
One cool thing about this place is they are apparently the first in the country to be certified for organic rooftop farm =) This restaurant is pretty much earth friendly. One last thing to add they have planted well over 5,000 trees whenever you drink "TreeTini" --organically produced vodka! *thought that was really cool*
I know too much fun facts about this restaurant but I have to come back here at night and see how it is I know they have some type of events going on.
One last thing to add is they have their own parking lot!
Uncommon Ground on Devon became my newest weekend brunch spot this summer. The interior of the restaurant is nice, feels almost like a nice art gallery, complete with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and plenty of artwork on display. The bar area with its comfy lounge seating and fireplace is a nice spot to hangout during the cold months. They have a well-publicized rooftop garden and they incorporate as much of the harvested produce as possible into their menu. It appears they also utilize solar panels for part of their energy needs. I think more businesses should follow this restaurant's lead in doing their part to become more environmentally responsible.
The one thing that keeps me coming back for brunch is the ever-changing menu as the seasons change. I've had everything from the Rooftop Tomato Scramble (bummer, already discontinued) to the Montana Omelet and everything I've tried thus far has been amazing. The produce used in the dishes are about as fresh as it gets. A friend had the Sweet Potato Fries with his sandwich, which he said were outstanding. They also offer a menu of interesting brunch drinks. The service is not rushed or exceptionally fast, but has always been very friendly and they make sure to keep your coffee cup filled as well.
I've never been here for dinner or ordered off their lunch menu, but their brunch has never let us down!! The first time I had brunch here, I knew I had stumbled upon something incredible.
We ordered 2 specials that they had on their menu at the time (however, no longer available.) I couldn't tell you exactly what they were, but remember that they were delicious. They also offer some unique drinks such as the cactus league with sparkling wine with hibiscus nectar and candied hibiscus flower. I'm not a big bloody mary fan, but every time someone orders it at the table, I always take a sip and are blown away by the different flavors going on in that glass! (You can't miss it if you are a bloody mary fan!)
The food is good (consistent) and any restaurant that is eco conscious is an A in my food.
I'm all for a delish organic/natural/free range/cage free/ home grown/ hormone free/locally grown/seasonal/whatever else meal at an environmentally responsible restaurant. First off, this is much more than a restaurant. More like an experience! Servers know what they are doing here - and they do it with a smile. Atmosphere is warm and cozy, well thought out. Food is delish. I just want to say that their baked artichoke goat cheese dip is amazing. I would eat it with a spoon, in a bowl, like soup. It's that good. I've tried many things on the menu and everything has been excellent! Some things are a bit pricey, but you pay for quality food and appreciate the fact that no one was harmed in making...at least not inhumanely :)
Some other things you should know:
*Free parking lot
*Outdoor patio
*Live music
*Drink specials
*Local art
*Farmer's Market (Friday's)
*They are strict with reservations (will not seat you until all of your party arrives, etc)
*That tomato on your sandwich? It's from the certified organic rooftop farm!
Following the scent of delicious fried fish, my man & I headed to UG for some more awesome Friday night halibut.
We were quoted a 25 min wait at 8pm. Okay, no problem--I know where the bar is at. Just give me a good drink and I'll be fine. The Farmers Mojito sounded perfect--a bit of seasonal fruit tossed in a standard mojito. Delish, no?
Answer: No. I have never been so disappointed in a drink--it had no flavor. The bartender was slammed. I know. She probably thought omitting the muddling of mint would be okay, right? Wrong. It tasted like really expensive minty water. My uninspiring "mojito" was $12 ($10 + $2 tip). So I paid for a glass of ice cubes, 5 mint leaves, and a splash of rum? I demand a refund!!!
Oh, and they ran out of the fish & chips.
We left with empty stomachs and $12 less in our wallets.
What I learned from this experience:
1) Muddling mint is essential
2) Get to UG early to snag the halibut
3) Order beer
Fact:
I am a WI girl.
Fact:
I am a WI girl who often craves Friday night fish fry specials.
Fact:…
Read more »
Definitely overpriced. $12 for macaroni and cheese and cole slaw? That didn't even taste outstanding? The menu did not have a lot of choice. The wait staff was annoyingly absent most of the time, forgetting several requests. The food was basically just ok. Not worth the money or effort.
Visited this place with my family after much fanfare from my dinner club (the one dinner club I missed). And they were right, this place is worth finding someone with a car to drive my butt up to Edgewater.
- Mediteranian app was a great start and hint of what was to come- warm babaganoush, hummos, and mint tzatziki, with toasted pita points and marinated olives (my fave). All seasoned perfectly.
- I had the "fried" chicken but removed the skin to a perfectly plump, juicy breast with the best succotash (veggie mix) I've had in a while. So good.
- Mom had the bacon wrapped meatloaf (to raves)
- BF had the braised beef and I snuck a taste of his mashed potatoes. Delish!
Great beer selection, my mom ordered two of their fresh watermellon mojitos (that means it's really good) and the decor was very tastefull and inviting. The place also managed to appear child-friendly and there was a stage for bands to play. That, plus the rooftop garden (for true organic fresh veggies in the dishes) proved that this place had it all. Oh, and one of us commented that it was the best waiter we've ever had. Not the cheapest meal I've had in a while but definitely you get much more than you pay for with Uncommon Ground. A+ I'll be back next time I'm in the hood.
Can I just say I absolutely LOVE this place?! Boyfriend & I have gone here... 2 more times for dinner and 1 more time for brunch. DELISH! DELISH! DELISH! The portions are perfectly sized and you can't eat just one thing... we order 2 apps, 1 large sunshine salad (best salad!!!) & 2 entrees to share :] They had a chocolate bread pudding once and it was one of the most decadent desserts I've ever had (my mouth is drooling now)... get the Uncommon BLT! You can never go wrong with Pork Belly ;] & their fish is soooo fresh and tasty!!! I can't get enough of this place. OH and if you're there for brunch, you can't go wrong with their enchiladas dish with fried eggs (not heavy at all) or a french toast!!! Don't forget to get a chai latte with it ;]
OMG this place was so delicious. I came here for brunch and I got the S'mores espresso drink and the… Read more »
Lovely place. Great parking. Super friendly waitstaff. Very nice drink specials, great food (I had the veggie chili & sweet potato fries--yum!). Also, fantastic that they have a farmers' market on Fridays in the summertime.
So what is there to complain about? Well, the cost is prohibitive...I really wish it was just a bit less expensive and then I could enjoy it more. Or, discounts for students? :)
Glad this place came to the neighborhood. We need more places like this around these parts. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, good food. I would have given this place 4 stars because it is pretty solid ... but I took one star away because it is pretty pricey.
Sent an email to the restaurant outlining my concerns. That email had my full contact information. Never heard back, so clearly they have little or no concern about their clients. They are resting on their supposedly green laurels. They give the Green Movement a bad name.
Visited Uncommon Ground on Devon for the second time tonight. First visit was back in June for… Read more »
Decisively underwhelming. I've been here for lunch and for brunch, and both were disappointing based on the general outpouring of Yelp love.
I could analyze all the aspects of the place, but really it comes down to the food: it's just not that great. The first time, I had the chopped salad, which wasn't bad. There was lots of chicken and a decent flavor; I would give it a B+. I also ordered the hummus plate, which was a mistake: it was overpriced at $8, the hummus was less than mediocre, and it was too thick to be eaten with the pita bread. I needed a fork to eat hummus!
I was very disappointed that there was no potato soup like on website. The potato soup and the salad would have been a great lunch (I was hoping).
The second time, for brunch (aka, breakfast for lazy people), I noticed that the menu has a decidedly southwestern slant. I was gravitating towards huevos rancheros or a couple other dishes, but opted for the chorizo chilaquiles. They were decent and enjoyable but very plain. Ditto the bland "home fries."
Even the drinks are up and down; this time I had a Metropolitan Flywheel draft (love this brewery and this beer) but last time I finished my meal with a chai tea latte which was about 80% foam.
Despite its proximity and my excellent drink/dessert experiences at their Lakeview location, I probably will not bother with the Devon UC again. Plus the service is up-and-down (B+ the last time, D the first time). Oh, and the entire interior consists of variations on one color--BROWN.
I've been going to Uncommon Ground for a few years now and have always, always had a great meal at both locations. I prefer the Devon location over the Lincoln Park location, in part because it's so much easier to find parking and in part because on a couple of occasions there has been excellent live music at the Devon location when I was there. Both places have awesome food--the menu changes somewhat frequently, so I sometimes miss meals that I liked in the past (there was once a buffalo ribeye steak that was unbelievably good . . . ) but there's always new stuff to try. The Friday fish fry is great--I lived in Wisconsin for several years, and although this isn't an all-you-can-eat fish fry, the quality is way higher than what I've had elsewhere. Great beer list, great atmosphere, really high quality ingredients, friendly staff. It's a bit on the expensive side, but you absolutely get what you pay for and more. I have recommended this restaurant to several friends and they've all become fans. I will be back!
Went there again for their Women's folk series - just want to say another amazing drink is the Moonshine Manhattan. I was looking for a Moscow Mule, they didn't have ginger beer, and this was a great light alternative. Garnished with fresh juicy non-maraschino cherries - this drink is another must.
A colleague recommended this restaurant to me when I was looking for a delicious, preferably… Read more »
The brunch rundown, broken down into the five elements that compose the most bestest of brunches....
SEATING
required:
-------------A place to sit, preferably no wait. (check)
found:
---------Free parking AND a seat on the patio, no wait on Saturday at noon. Bonus points for beautiful weather, a privacy fence to block out traffic noise on Devon, and sunshine.
BEVERAGE
required:
------------Coffee: Quick and plentiful refills, served on a cute tray.
------------H2O: Ice cold, with a straw. (served on request, they are eco)
found:
(all of the above...+)
--------Alcoholic Cocktail of the breakfast nature: Uncommon Ground threw me a curveball. I'm most def a mimosa lovin', champagne swigging kind of girl...but the Black Eyed Dog is OUTSTANDING. Vodka, sweet (blackberry/cardamom syrup made in-house!?), garnished with an orange slice, and served chilled. An utterly fabulous cocktail all around, and most definitely worthy of a THIRD glass of liquid in front of me. Cute server did not judge: points scored.
FOOD
required:
------------Egg creations which earn the title "omelette." Potato sides. Meat. Fun stuff on pancakes and french toast. Ya know, the usual.
found:
-------- The Montana omelette with bacon, ham, sour cream, cheese and potatoes. Locally sourced? Can they get any more points? YES. Ding, ding. ding. Winner. I also tasted a bite of my gal pal's strawberry brioche french toast with pistachios. Insane. Good.
SERVICE
required:
------------Affable people that provide lots of caffeine and who generally enjoys life, smiles, and is happy to be working at brunch time.
found:
---------Affable people that provided lots of caffeine and who seemed to generally enjoy life. Bonus: Also, an extremely (hot) friendly server with tattoos, beautiful eyes and....ok yeah, he was just very good looking. And nice. And, yes. Ok, I'll stop myself. He was also good at his job.
PRICE
required:
------------Main dishes under $12, coffee under $3, cocktails under $10.
found:
---------Montana: $12, coffee: $2.50 (I drank a bucket), Black Eyed Dog: $8. We split the bill and each paid around $28 (with cocktail!) for an exceptionally lovely, sunny, and highly beautiful brunch with a slight buzz.
That would equal a FIVE STAR brunchie, in my book.
Uncommon Ground for brunch. I highly recommend. Obviously ;)
Notes:
-free parking.
-water on request!
-doggies allowed on patio!
Ok, first a bit of an embarrassing story...(sigh).
Back in the day, I lived very close to this space…
Read more »
Sigh.
I really wanted to rate this place higher. Truly. I mean, the food was good. The wait, on a Sunday morning, wasn't horrible.
But the service...
One of our party didn't get their meal until after the rest of us had been served and were finished. We were ready to leave when her order arrived. And it was wrong. And we'd asked for it to go and it came out on a plate.
The problem was with the customer service. Our waiter avoided us like the plague. I understand that no one wants to be the bearer of bad news, and yes, there's a "shoot the messenger" mentality that the wait staff gets saddled with. But come on. At least acknowledge us. Let us know what's going on. We weren't yelling. We understood that it was a busy brunch crowd. Treat us with a little respect. We're still going to tip.
And where was the manager? He should have been johnny-on-the-spot. But we didn't get to chat with him until we were leaving because, though we had been told the meal was comped, we had actually been charged for it TWICE, so only one came off. When we stated that we were frustrated, he cut us off and said he was having a frustrating day as well.
No. No. No.
You don't get to make this about you. We're the paying customers. We've had crummy experience because of your staff's errors. The least you can do, even if it's fake, is pretend to empathize and apologize. I'm sorry that you're having a bad day, but we chose to spend our time and money in your establishment. We came to visit and enjoy each other's company, but instead we spent the entire time trying to track down our waiter and get some simple answers.
For me, there are several Cardinal Sins of Restaurants happening here. And because of that, I won't be spending my money at this place again.
Wow! I'm reading some of the reviews off to my right, and there are some angry people out there. Goodness.
Anywho, I had breakfast here recently, and I'd heard that the food was good, if not a bit expensive. And I couldn't agree more!
I had the Gunthorp Farm Chicken Enchilada Skillet, and it was sooooooo gooooooooood! And the iced tea with special herbal additions was also very tasty, and perfect for a brunchy drink. I love the decor, and having this place near my house is a plus. I really appreciate that they grow so much of their own food. That's really cool!
The only thing is that the price, for my wallet at least, is a bit high. We didn't pay for breakfast (father-in-law in town) but had we, I would have been sweating a little bit. This is definitely for richer folks, or as a once in a while breakfast treat.
Uncommon Ground is 2 blocks away from my bf's apartment and it's one of his favorite restaurants. Unlike most people my age, I'm adamantly opposed to restaurants that flaunt their "organic and free range" menus. It all just sounds so contrived and too yupster.
However on a Sunday morning when most other restaurants around the neighborhood are either closed or only serving brunch (which I completely despise even more than organic foods), I finally agreed to go back once again and give it another try.
OMG...even if I hate healthy organic ingredients you just can't ignore how delicious all their items are. Like the greedy little girl I am, I made my bf split it super juicy burger with me, while I ate way more than my 50% of the 3 cheese pizza.
I take back all my negative thoughts and I'd definitely go back again and again!
My life isn't spent exclusively at suburban indoor water parks and south side coffee hangouts. No, there are times where I drop in at a trendy spot, and Uncommon Ground fits that bill. Now with Chicago's first certified organic, rooftop garden, Uncommon Ground blends the bohemian with the mainstream, the earthy with the urbane, the hip with the haute, and--as you can tell by all the darn reviews--it's got people chattin' 'bout it.
Headed over here during the week to see my friend's band play. Like a diamond in the rough, Uncommon Ground is nestled in a gritty stretch of Devon in Lakewood/Rogers Park. It really doesn't fit in there, but I ain't afraid of grit so it didn't affect my experience. If you loathe grit, greze, or grime, or you are hyper-sensitive to human suffering and poverty, stick with the other locale, a'ight?
Let's get the bad stuff outta the way: The band setup is pretty odd. A small stage in the petite dining room demands either a soloist, an a cappella act of no more than three uber-svelte chanteuses, or a band that is comfortable with each other's musk. And the band should probably keep to the lower end of the decibel range as it doesn't take much to compromise the dinner vibe.
Regardless of the band logistics, the food was outstanding. We ordered an appetizer of crispy pork belly that was simple and delicious. Don't expect a heaping mound of pork belly though. It's enough for two people or three--if one is a vegetarian. Our waiter was upfront about this. No big deal.
For my entree, I had the pork tenderloin which, like everything at Uncommon Ground, was locally grown and damn tasty. There was also a white bean puree with bacon pieces and...I think...chipotle in it. My meal was like a pork variety show, and every act was hot shit. True, any meal at Uncommon Ground is going to make you pawn your fine jewels to swing the tab, but if you have the means it's worth it. Save up and splurge! Take the little lady! Take the meaty man!
As far as drinks go, the beer selection is fancy schmancy with a gaggle of craft brews, and the coffee is provided by Metropolis. The bartender hooked it up with a fine cappuccino, and you know I got much love for that. I had a fit of hypoglycemia knock me on my duff before our meal arrived, and I solicited the server for an orange juice. If you're an OJ enthusiast then stop on by as it is fresh squeezed here, and due to the compassion of our server--"Man, I know you can't help having that shit. Diabetes isn't your fault."--it was on the house. Much love, dude. Much love.
To wrap it up: Tasty, pricey, hippie/locavore/foodie ethos, fancy, odd band setup, killer bevos, and--though many complain--decent service can be had.
A spacious (especially to this NYC-dweller) restaurant with great local, veggie and other notable choices. The back room had live singer-songwriters performing on a Friday night--a nice touch.
It's kind of expensive, but very good. The roasted pepper gnocchi special was great! My friend and I kept talking about the rhubarb strawberry dessert with goats cheese ice cream on the way home.
With warm wood tables, a martini that plants a tree, and good lighting, it'd be a great date place.
Horrible service WITH attitude from waitstaff & management!
Woo-hoo! Overpriced "farm fresh fare" & beverages! Sticky seats & tables! Over-cooked eggs w/o a smile! Bland as all get-out!
Sweet potato fries NOT actually *free* despite advertisements. Did I mention "Cha*Ching"???
These yuppies need to keep tryin'! Maybe one day they'll get it right. They may have the Loyola campus fooled, but those of us who eat more than Ramen will stick to our cookbooks.
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Evanston, IL
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Neighborhood: Uptown
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Neighborhood: Edgewater
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Category: Local Flavor
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