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: Fresh, seasonal food at the Blue Door Farm Stand and dumplings at Pierogi Heaven

Chicago’s hidden gems: Fresh, seasonal food at the Blue Door Farm Stand and dumplings at Pierogi Heaven

By TheRealChicagoOnline
September 18, 2014
398
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Blue Door Farm Stand - sandwich - web

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

Blue Door Farm Stand

Just when I thought I had hit up all of the fun little cafes Chicago had to offer, I stumbled upon the Blue Door Farm Stand in Lincoln Park and came away thoroughly impressed. The quaint, comforting vibe makes you feel as if you stepped away from your chaotic urban life and entered a country diner.

“It’s really cozy, like you are at someone’s home instead of somewhere public — it’s a nice little place to go that’s not mainstream,” said Cassandra Kendell.

The café has a rustic wooden appearance, with blue doors and frames highlighting the room. I noticed a diverse set of customers in the dining room — everything from a group of college girls studying to a couple on a date, a group of older folks reuniting and a young family with their baby. Come one, come all.

The café specializes in fresh, seasonal food and beverages from local farms and farmers’ markets, including the restaurant’s namesake, Blue Door Farm, formerly Oprah Winfrey’s Indiana property. Their artisan market features gourmet foods and handmade gifts.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Since most of the popular homemade baked goods had been gobbled up by my late-afternoon visit, I scurried to grab a coconut macaroon before it was gone. Unlike most macaroons that have that whoopee-pie appearance, this was thickly coated with shredded coconut. So chewy and scrumptious. The fig and arugula grilled cheese is on my list for the next visit, which can’t come soon enough.

The Blue Door Farm Stand is located at 843 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park. www.BlueDoorFarmStand.com

— Clare Edlund

Pierogi Heaven

If you didn’t know exactly where it was, you could spend hours walking right past this tiny restaurant in the Loop without giving it a second glance.

For lovers of everything sweet or savory, Pierogi Heaven is the perfect place to indulge in those stuffed dumplings and other Polish specialties. Pierogis can be ordered filled with meat, spinach, sauerkraut, mushrooms, potato, various cheeses, a mix of fruit and more. For dessert, pick up a couple of sweet cheese pierogis to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The restaurant, though small, has ample seating and several TVs. It closes pretty early — at 7 p.m. during the week and 5 p.m. on Saturdays — so lunch or a late-afternoon snack may be the best option.

Pierogi Heaven’s two locations are at 169 N. Wells and 329 S. Franklin St. www.PierogiHeaven.com

— Gabriella Mikiewicz

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsBlue Door Farm StandChicago RestaurantsLincoln Park brunchPierogi Heaven
Previous Article

The best of brunch: Scoping out the ...

Next Article

Inside Scoop: Bears game shuttles, 13th Floor ...

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

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • General Features

    The tastes of summer: We asked local foodies for the best restaurant they visited in Chicago this summer

    October 18, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    New on the Scene: A quick look at some of Chicago’s hottest new restaurants — and why they’re thriving

    June 6, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Chicago’s Signature Dishes: The shoyo ramen and takoyaki at Furious Spoon in Wicker Park

    August 22, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Chicago’s signature dishes: La Madia & Riverview Tavern

    November 6, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Signature Dishes

    Chicago’s Signature Dishes: The chicken salad sandwich and crab cake Benedict at Hash House A Go Go

    July 22, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Outdoor eats: Chicago food blogger Amanda Topper’s favorite alfresco dining spots in the city

    June 12, 2018
    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 Town

    Summer fun with the family

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Chicago Botanic Garden, Cesar’s margaritas, Playground Theater and Potash Markets

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

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.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.