Logan Square Farmer’s Market

Milwaukee Ave and Logan Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60647

You cannot beat Chicago in the summer. Like many other great neighborhoods in Chicago (and there are many) summer time becomes a time of the year to showcase what these communities have to offer. And they do it outside. Among Logan Square’s many different festivals and events one event is a summer staple—The Logan Square Farmer’s Market. Yes, this market is an almost enchanting way to spend your Sunday mornings in the summer while you do something good for yourself, our region and for your social status. After all, there’s no better trump card than telling your friends that you do your shopping in a REAL market.

Aside from providing you with the sights and sounds of open air markets that are sometimes over-celebrated in America in an attempt to embrace the easy and romantic aspects of European culture, this market also manages to make us feel better by being socially responsible. I’m talking about locally grown food, which is far more sustainable than food at your produce store. Yes, locally grown food will be a greater benefit to you and our society in the future than ‘organic’ (whatever that trendy buzz word means). Why? Well, to explain without sounding like a crazy conspiracy theorist, the price of oil is going up. We all know that. Food is an oil-intensive commodity. In the future, it will cost much, much more to ship food over the distances that we currently do. Growing food locally is one way to cut down on that cost, making our produce cheaper in the future. By buying into this system now we are encouraging a food production system that will avert a food crisis in the US. Pretty cool, huh?

Now that we understand the economics on locally grown foods, let’s see what tasty things we can buy here so we can pat ourselves on the back. This market has plenty of locally grown foods. Some say they are organic, so if you’re into that kind of thing, you’re in luck. The foods that are offered are seasonal. This being the beginning of the summer, there are lots of greens. Kale, Swiss chard, collard greens and asparagus. Very healthy and hearty vegetables that we all should be eating on a daily basis.

Since it is June, we are right in the midst of Strawberry season. This market has some of the best strawberries I’ve ever had here. Small, juicy, tart and extremely flavorful. These put your store-bought strawberries to shame and I am not exaggerating (I NEVER exaggerate). That may have been a slight exaggeration.

Aside from produce, there were other products you could take home, like locally grown honey. There was a great selection of different types, based on the types of flowers that the bees had pollinated. It’s rather impressive how honey can have different flavors based on that. I recommend sampling a few and tasting the different floral scents. If you’re a cheese lover (and I can think of one in particular) there is a cheese stand. We all know how this goes. Sample a few and then buy yourself a baguette at the La Boulangerie stand and you’ve got yourself a tasty lunch. (Again, we want to do the easy and romantic aspects of European culture).

Yes, La Boulangerie has a stand in the market, where they are serving a selection of breads and crepes. The wait is a little long, but it is an extremely popular destination at the market. There are several other food options throughout the market, making this a great spot to have lunch. One in particular I would point out is a stand that advertises organic Italian food. You better believe there were girlsin thrift shop sundresses and big, plastic, tacky, neon sunglasses were flocking to this one. In spite of it possibly being considered ‘fancy’, which would be frowned upon by this crowd, it is marketed as ‘organic’, thus being ‘acceptable’. And rightfully so! I enjoyed their Zeppoles. These were different from the ones that are served at Ciao Napoli. They were coated in cinnamon and sugar, which I found to be very enjoyable.


The Logan Square Farmer’s market offers all the locally grown foods that we all should be consuming during the summer months. Truth be told, it’s sold at a premium. Even if it’s just to grab a crepe and people watch, it’s surely worth your time.

Getting down to Brass Tax:

Date Place? Sure. You could make it work.
Friend Hangout? Yes.
Recommended Dish: Crepe
Price Range (2 People): +/- $30

An Off-The-Beaten-Path Brewery of Chicago

Revolution Brewing Co.
2323 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

One of the uniquely Foodie parts of Logan Square is this two and a half year old brewery. While this restaurant-bar manages to attract the usual types that glorify old lady glasses, it also has attracted Lincoln Park and Lakeview people. While they do make some excellent “Revolution”-themed beers, they also have excellent burgers and pizza. This brewery is off the beaten path from most Chicago landmarks and attractions, however, it certainly is something most should seek out. If there’s one thing you take away from this review, it’s that the burgers and beers are fantastic!


Revolution Brewing has several brews that are made in house. If you have lunch there on a Sunday at noon, you can tour the brewery for free. All the brews have a name that imply some sort of military or political upheaval theme like the Iron Fist Pale Ale or the Anti-Hero IPA. As a stout person, myself, I recommend the Repo Man Rye Stout. It has a nutty flavor and not too bitter. Just right. My favorite, however, was the aptly named, Coup D’Etat. This is a saison beer, which can be appreciated by all beer and non-beer drinkers alike. If you aren’t up on saison beers, get with the program. If beer is still not your thing, the Mexicali Mule is a nice, light tequila and lime, summer drink.


Their starters are very tasty. They have a delicious take on your run of the mill calamari. This version comes with asparagus, arugula and parmesan cheese lightly sprinkled on top. Calamari and asparagus is a surprisingly good combination. Give it a try. But, the most interesting combination for a starter that they have here is Bacon Fat Popcorn. If you’ve been converted to the side of being a bacon enthusiast and not watching your figure, grab yourself a bowl of this. The popcorn is topped with bacon fat, a few crispy pieces of bacon, sage and parmesan. At first the bacon fat texture can be off putting, but a few bites later and you will be on your way to getting your bacon fill and getting that much closer to a cardiac arrest!!! Mmmm. This dish is also great as just a drinking snack.


For an entrée, you have plenty of options. Salads and pizzas here are good, but if you stopped at that part of the menu, you’d miss the hidden treasure. Order from the sandwich and burger section. While the burger selection isn’t as crazy and diverse as, say Kuma’s Corner’s burgers, you can get a gourmet burger here hit the spot and in some ways rival Kuma’s. Mainly, you can get a great tasting burger without waiting for hours to get a table and without getting a burger whose size is wildly inappropriate for human consumption.

The Farmer’s Burger is excellent. This burger is your usual beef patty with spinach, beets, horseradish and a fried egg on top. It’s a very fresh combination that doesn’t feel too heavy. But, the best sandwich they have at Revolution is the Smoke Pulled Pork Sandwich. I love pulled pork. This sandwich may be the best one I’ve ever had. The pork was simmered in a mustard sauce and topped with honey-jalapeno coleslaw. Coleslaw is pretty much required for pulled pork, if you ask me. This sandwich has a little heat to it and it can very VERY messy, but it is delicious.


Revolution Brewing offers plenty of great food and brews for foodies. As their line of beers grow and spread through Chicago, this place will surely help put Logan Square on the map for foodies. If you live in Logan Square or even if you live off the Red Line, this place is worth the trek.



Getting down to Brass Tax:

Date place? Yes.
Friend Hang out? Yes.
Recommended dish: Southern Pulled Pork
Recommended drink: Mexicali Mule
Price Range (2 People): +/- $50

Taste of France in Logan Square

La Boulangerie
2569 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Yes, ladies and gentleman, it has finally happened. Gentrification—for better or for worse—has brought a French bakery into Logan Square. By no means has Logan Square been bakery-less, as the neighborhood is dotted with panaderias for some time now (More to come on these later). This is because Logan Square has been a primarily Latino neighborhood for the past 20 to 30 years.

While being a bit more upscale establishment it’s understandable how some could see this establishment as being a bit contentious for the neighborhood. Nothing says, “yuppie” like “French Bakery”. Given that places like this are becoming an all the more common sight in Logan Square, it’s a realization that many are having as the future of this neighborhood.


Putting this geography lesson in gentrification aside, let’s talk about La Boulangerie. Walk in side and you will learn quickly that the owners are, indeed, French. For any of you out there that are looking for… “authenticity” this should give them a few points. The bakery has many different types of baguettes. Take home a Herbs de Provence baguette. Very tasty. Additionally, there are a number of different pastries, if that’s what you’re into.


Let’s say you’re looking to have a light lunch. The menu that they offer is small. They have savory and sweet crepes available that they will make right in front of you. I highly recommend going with savory. My favorite one there is the ratatouille crepe. Ratatouille is a mix of stewed tomatoes, zucchini and onions with goat cheese served in a crepe. It comes with a side salad. Throw in some carbonated French berry juice and you’ve got a pretty good lunch on your hands.


While bakeries are not new in Logan Square, they are changing in form, function and patrons for different purposes; much like this neighborhood itself.

Getting down to Brass Tax:

Date place? No.
Friend Hang out? Yes.
Recommended dish: Ratatoulie Crepe
Recommended drink: French Berry Juice
Price Range (2 People): +/- $20