The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Hidden Gems
Home›featured-blogs›Hidden Gems›Chicago’s hidden gems: Brunch at Endgrain, cocktails at Bar on Buena and shopping at Twosided

Chicago’s hidden gems: Brunch at Endgrain, cocktails at Bar on Buena and shopping at Twosided

By TheRealChicagoOnline
February 15, 2014
704
0
Share:

Gallery_Food_03-3bb3e5c59f

If you’re searching for that special, out-of-the way experience that represents our great city, we’ve got you covered

Endgrain

It may look like a quiet neighborhood restaurant, but Endgrain has made quite a splash in the Chicago restaurant world. Brothers Caleb and Enoch Simpson (yes, the doughnut whisperer, Enoch Simpson) have joined forces to open this small Roscoe Village gem that even has Food & Wine Magazine buGallery_Food_05-f41d70ae6czzing.

First thing’s first: the biscuits. Buttery, flaky, warm and every other adjective used to describe the perfect biscuit are applicable to these delicious wonders. And the doughnuts are, as expected, also fantastic. The selection varies from day to day, but Endgrain features German chocolate, vanilla bourbon, maple bacon, chocolate turtle and many more. Lucky for us, the doughnuts are available every morning at 7 a.m. sharp, even on days that Endgrain is not open for brunch.

On weekends, however, the brunch menu offers much more than the wonderful baked goods — dishes like butternut squash and ricotta crepes and braised pork hand pies will satisfy a more savory craving. Can’t make it for weekend brunch? Endgrain is also open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

Early discoverers of Endgrain will be happy to know that they have recently acquired a liquor license, so now there’s really no excuse to not go.

Endgrain is located at 1851 W. Addison. www.EndgrainRestaurant.com

— Taylor Tolbert

The Bar on Buena

One of the best dive bars in the city, The Bar on Buena is a favorite spot of mine to catch the game or hang out with friends in a cozy little space hidden away on Buena Avenue, just north of Irving Park in Lakeview (think Sheridan red line stop).

The Bar on Buena has a massive selection of beer and continuously rotates in new options throughout the year, such as the ever-elusive Zombie Dust. With such a variety, it can be difficult to find the right beer for you, which makes their affordable beer (and whiskey) flights a great way to discover a new favorite.

Sporting events are another draw for the bar, as most, if not all Blackhawks games are put up on the projection screen.

Bar on Buena is located at 910 W. Buena Ave. www.BarOnBuena.com

— Jim Luchetta

TwosidedTwosided3

This small shop is filled to the brim with character, providing quirky, one-of-a-kind goods to help you really show off your professional-with-a-touch-of-hipster personality. Basically, it’s an emporium of awesome, generally witty things. You’ll find vintage globes, frames and trinkets that will add character, class and humor to anyone’s home.

Get a good laugh at the greeting card wall, where your happy/sorry/congratulatory needs are all covered in a wide scale from pleasant-but-not-grandmotherly to outrageously hilarious. For more adorable paper goods, there’s also boxed thank-you notes, blank journals, stationary and gift wrap, all with their own unique, local feel.

Every inch of the store is exploding with charming items, and you’ll find yourself making laps to avoid missing anything.

Twosided is located at 2958 N. Clark. www.FourSided.com

— Hilary Ward

 

TagsBar on BuenaCaleb SimpsonChicago brunchEndgrainEnoch SimpsonHilary WardTaylor TolbertTrent ModglinTwosided
Previous Article

My Chicago: What is the best restaurant ...

Next Article

Good Eats at Wishbone: Southern-style cooking at ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Signature Dishes

    Chicago’s Signature Dishes: The flautas and tilapia and carnitas tacos at Taco Joint

    May 24, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Brunch at Frances’ Deli and AJE Cafe, deals at Designer Resale and a night out at AceBounce

    February 27, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: “A Permanent Image” at The Storefront Theater

    April 8, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Erin Florczak on Volo’s wine garden, Yuzu Sushi and the greatness of Honey Butter Fried Chicken

    August 31, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Wicker Park: The neighborhood to be for brunch in Chicago

    October 6, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General FeaturesGood Eats

    Good Eats at Pitchfork: Some of the best barbecue in Chicago, and a whole lot more

    April 16, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Swim Cafe, Rudy’s Roundup General Store and Colors and Bottles

  • Around TownOldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Around Town

    Stepping out on “The Ledge” at the Willis Tower

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.