Hey all! Speaking of restaurants in Hyde Park, what about Leona's on 53rd and Woodlawn in the Kimbark Shopping Plaza? I am a former UC student, and I just started managing the place... our waiters are a lot of fun, and our food is wonderful! We have everything... from the hangover cure on Sundays (buffalo wings and a ginger ale/cranberry mix drink, as I've found from experience) to vegetarian sandwiches (I recommend the Veggie Stack and Choice with Tofu Italiano) and Tazo teas (I recommend the Zen Tea). Not to totally rely on free advertising... but our regular coffee is good (much better than UC dining halls), and we also feature specialty coffees. The music is fun, and our wait staff is the best in Hyde Park! (Ask Garth for a reference, if you're a grad student in English...) If you decide to join us, ask for Meg, and let us know that you found us here on the web...! We are open Mon-Thurs from 11am-11pm, Fri from 11am-12:30 pm, Sat from 12pm-12:30am and Sundays from 12pm-10pm. Thanks for your support! -Megan Ann McClellan, Dining Room Manager Leona's of Hyde Park address all replies to: [email removed]
Chicago, IL
Hyde Park Coffee stop
It's probably too late for the rally but I'd like to put in a few good words for Bonjour Cafe which was mentioned by several people. This is really an excellent little place. It's basically a family-run bakery that specializes in French pastries. Everything is made right there (and I do mean MADE, not just baked, there). They make some absolutely beautiful cakes and large fruit tarts (in the $20 range) as well as quite a number of individual items like croissants, small tarts, and cookies. The lemon pistachio cookie (with bits of fresh lemon rind; $0.60), brioche with brandy-soaked cherries ($2), and the cinnamon morning roll ($1.50) are all really nice. In fact just about everything I've had there has been good. They roast their own coffee and serve several varieties out of vacuum pots. It's pretty good coffee and not a bad deal at $0.75 for a small. I'm not as fond of their espresso though. They also serve quiche and a few sandwiches such as croque-monsieur. Very informal--all disposable plates and paper cups. A few small tables inside and some more outside in nice weather. As far as shopping center courtyards go, it's not too bad. For a quick, good cup of coffee and an excellent pastry I don't think you can do any better in Hyde Park. It's really nice to see such a good little place doing well. It's especially heartening to see it thrive only 2 blocks away from a Starbucks. Bonjour Cafe/Bakery 1550 E 55th St (enter parking lot from Lake Park Av) Chicago 773-241-5300 7-7 Tue-Fri, 7-6 Sat, 7-5 Sun Someone wrote: > Planning a car rally. Any recommendations for places near > UC/Hyde Park where people can stop and grab a cup of coffee > and make a rest stop. It would be a Sunday morning. EZ parking > would be nice. Fast food places OK. Share what you know. Learn what you don't.