Stax Cafe on Taylor Street

I went to the "Grand Opening" of Stax Cafe on the corner of Taylor and Loomis today. Its another really good Breakfast and Lunch option in the area, about a half a block west of Sweet Maple Cafe. I had the California Club Sandwich which was quite good (Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, Smoked Turkey on Challah Bread). Everything was very fresh (as I would hope it would be on Opening Day) and well seasoned. One of my friends had what she described as the best Turkey Burger ever, and the other had an omelet with Bacon, Sausage and American Cheese. Her omelet gave her the option of a side, and she chose the mini-waffles. They provided her with a variety of syrups (Blueberry, Maple and Agave) and Whipped Cream. I love that they have an extensive but limited menu. They don't overreach and don't overwhelm you with too many options. It looks like Pancakes and French Toast are going to be their specialties and I'll probably go back next week for the Peach ones. They serve Intelligentsia Coffee which puts them over the top for me against Sweet Maple's Seattle's Best selection. It's a very nice, modern and airy space with a separate, elevated diner style level, next to the kitchen. Its a little pricey maybe (the Sandwich was $9.50 and came with fries and the Omelet was $12.00) but well worth a visit every once in a while. Very friendly, professional staff and owner; its like a nicer, slightly less expensive version of Meli Cafe. Since its so close to work, I look forward to becoming a regular.

Stax Cafe
1401 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312-733-9871

I was there as well today. Had the ricotta pancakes w/rhubarb-strawberry compote and the brisket hash. Nice take on both. Chris Barron is the chef. Very talented guy (and friend). Seems like it will be a hit. I thought is was a bit pricey as well, but the quality was obvious so @ least it's worth it.

any relation to jill barron of Mana?

any relation to jill barron of Mana?

A Chris and Jill Barron created a White Castle stuffing back in 2009...which strikes me as wonderfully surreal, if she is indeed the Jill Barron of Mana.

White Castle Stuffing

gleam wrote:any relation to jill barron of Mana?

They are husband and wife.

She is indeed the same Jill Barron. She also has the word pork tattooed on her inner lip. Like most chefs she appreciates all food, and wanted to open a place (Mana) that did veg food right. And, yes, she and Chris are married - awesome chefs and even better people.

I ate there on opening day also, as I live a block away.

Unrelated sidebar, I am super diappointed Aldino's didn't make it, I was eating ther twice a week and loving every minute of it.

I thought the food was incredibly tasty and the waitress I had was perfect.
I do have one issue. I ordered the corned beef hash. The menu description says something like: slow cooked corned beef hash, need we say more? Um yes, you do need to say more like...1. It comes with an egg prepared any style 2. You will not be served corned beef hash, you will be served a plate with 2 seperate dishes on it, on half the plate will be breakfast potatoes and your egg on the other half will be a beef stew of brisket, potatoe, carrot and celery. That isn't the "we don't even need to describe it" corned beef hash your menu alludes to.
All that said I loved the flavor/taste of the food that was delivered to me, it simply isn't what I ordered in the traditional sense.

I did not see corned beef hash on the menu or advertised, maybe they changed it.

Anyway, my first visit there was the Braised Brisket Hash. It's pretty much what it says it is, braised brisket with carrots and potatoes and I think something else, with eggs to order on top (overeasy was my option, the yolk blends well with the brisket medley which reminded me of homestyle beef stew with the fat intact - good edible melt in your mouth tasty kind of fat.) It was very delicious, and the browned potatoes on the side were also perfectly done. They serve intelligestia coffee, medium roast. I overheard someone behind me complain the coffee was too strong. They are probably used to watered down coffee at no-name diners.

Went back today: Mexican Harlem omlette - I left the menu in the car so my description will not do it justice, as there is a medley of colorful and flavorful fresh ingredients not typical to a "Mexican omelette." The chorizo is not greasy AT ALL which is a blessing, usually any type of "mexican" omlette is a grease fest with a triple bypass waiting to happen. This was not the case - the omlette was clean, fresh crisp peppers, just a little but of spice and smoky flavor from the chipotle. Pure win for me.

Side of mini chocolate chip pancakes, fresh as can be, made right, done right ... not chewy, just "dissolve" in your mouth with some syrup. No dry cakey pacakes either. Just right.

Can't wait to go back and work my way through the breakfast menu.