Rogers Park Mexican – breakfast?

Rogers Park Mexican – breakfast?

Are any of the Mexican places along Clark near Devon open for breakfast?

I have a friend who will be staying in Evanston Monday night, and whom I’m meeting for breakfast on Tuesday morning around 9 before she drives back to Madison. I thought I’d give her some choices in Evanston itself (Kim’s Kitchen, Lucky Platter, Prairie Joe’s), but also throw out some more ethnically diverse choices along Devon – La Unica, Ghareeb Nawaz (? what else is open at 9 on a weekday?), maybe Argo the Georgian bakery (though the seating is so limited there it might be tough to linger and chat).

I’d like to have a Mexican place to suggest to her too. Not just tamales from a vendor on the street – a place with tables inside.

Thanks in advance,
Amata

p.s. to the Evanstonians: I know there have been mixed reviews already on LTH of Lucky Platter and the breakfast at Prairie Joe’s – any further comments on these places or on Kim’s would be welcome too. Thanks.

First off, I am a regular at Prairie Joe's who was formerly a regular at Kims' and prior to that a regular at Lucky Platter. Basically, my choice of breakfast spots has to do with proximity to my home. All in all, I'd say that Prairie Joe's is the best choice of the three you mentioned, though there may be better choices, depending on what you want. I enjoy Prairie Joe's Mexican- style breakfast offerings. I say Mexican-style because I cannot say how authentic they are, but I like the breakfast chorizo, egg, and cheese burrito and the huevos rancheros. The parking is quite difficult, and the coffee is weak, but the art and funk factor are superb, and I like the owners. I wish they had Kim's muffins or some other homemade pastries. The Southern Breakfast with ham, eggs and grits is good, but I can't say much for the biscuits and gravy. (I guess they need a baker). Although I eat breakfast there pretty often, IMHO, their lunches (with many daily specials) are where they shine, but that's another thread.

I'm sad to say it, but Lucky Platter, for me, has lost some of its earlier (much earlier) luster and I am not sure why. Maybe it's just that my daughter is grown up and I miss the vision of her in four-year-old finery twirling in between the booths. Even so, their classics seem a bit tired to me. Their menu, which seemed hip and rustic 13 years ago, (like the sweet potato fries, the sandwiches, and the veggie hash) now seems heavy and in need of a good overhaul. At breakfast, they have granola and a pretty wide choice of fillings for the omelettes, but I've found the coffee often burned and the pastries not as good as they once were.

Kim's has the best muffins and scones in town, and tends to be very calm and a good place to read the paper, but it's really more of a bakeshop than a restaurant. Kim's doesn't offer eggs and sides and a bottomless cup of coffee. The protein and caffeine are important for me if I want to call breakfast a meal.

Another choice for you could be Blind Faith. Here is a spot that, in spite of its admittedly retro elements, seems to be quite well-managed and
continues to update its menu, while retaining old favorites. To my mind, the best breakfast in Evanston is the Mexican Breakfast with
Scrambled Tofu and Cheese, Rice, Beans, Salsa and Tortillas. It's expensive, but will easily satisfy two people. They also have excellent fresh juices and blueberry muffins. Best of all, it's not too crowded on a weekday morning--but check for their hours, as I recall being disappointed once when they were closed. BTW Coffee is decent, but the kukicha tea is better. Two coffee houses, Starbucks and a local purveyor are within a block. Street parking is almost always available on Hinman Ave one-half block east, if the metered parking in front is full.

New Day Cafe is a new breakfast-all-day & lunch place just opened on Central Street east of Central Park Avenue. I understand that the folks that own the Bluefire Grill (burger & salad type bar/restaurant) on Central just west of Green Bay own the New Day as well. I should say that the Bluefire is not a favorite of mine, despite several attempts to like the place. The New Day seems pleasant (exposed brick, etc.) and the coffee was strong enough for me. I want to like it, because it is within walking distance of my home. But the prices seemed on par with Walker Bros. for lower quality, and the house-made corned beef hash was very disappointing (- chunks of previously frozen homefries browned and mixed with ground, salty industrial corned beef, no perceptible onion.) Not a great start, but I will give it another try, since Prairie Joe's is closed Sunday, and Walker Brothers is just mobbed.

Although I haven't been there at breakfast time, I believe that La Cazuela on Clark serves breakfast, but check to be sure.

Josephine, thank you so much for the Evanstonian perspective and detailed comments on the breakfast scene there. I've knocked Lucky Platter off the list, and will report back on where we end up.

(We may not make it past Peet's Coffee, though, a powerful draw for ex-Berkeleyans...)

Amata

Amata-- I know what you mean about Peets. Here's something I often do when I must be assured of great coffee: I go to Peets for coffee first and then 2 doors south to the Golden Olympic (Greek Diner) for their house special omelette with tomato, feta, spinach, and onion. It's standard, but good, though I usually ask for "just a little" onion, as it can be too much the way they make it. Their home fries are not outstanding, but they are a bit better browned than most. (They will try to sell you the fresh-squeezed orange juice, which is expensive, but often a bit bitter.) I haven't been to Peets in Berkeley, but in Evanston they have some really good pastries, especially the croissants. Best of all, you can park in the lot atop Whole Foods if you just can't find parking. Everyone seems to do it, though technically, you must be a customer to park there. I've never been towed and they are not busy in the morning at Whole Foods, so I doubt it would be an issue. Sometimes the parking on Chicago Ave is horrendous.
I love breakfast! Enjoy yours.

I know this is late, but for posterity's sake:

Chorrito's on devon and clark advertises itself as 24 hours, I've never been for breakfast but it is a nice little place, one of the few around where you can get corundas.

also, Dona Lolis at about pratt and clark has recently had signs up for breakfast items. They've always had a very good hand with masa items IMO. Also recently, though I have not tried I noticed wall signs for a couple of new menu items including tlacayos.

Amata,

Please report back on where you went for breakfast and your experience there.

Hi guys,

Well, after all my research and preparation, we just stayed at Peet's in Evanston! And it was quite enjoyable, too. The friend I was meeting is one of my best friends from Berkeley days, so Peet's has a special resonance for us. As Josephine stated, the croissants there were excellent, and my latte seemed to be especially high octane. The two of us sat at the counter looking out onto Chicago Avenue and talked non-stop for an hour and a half.

I was surprised at how much seating is available at the Evanston Peet's, and I really liked the relaxed, college-town atmosphere there. I must admit that though I know there is a Peet's in Chicago near Sheffield and North, my trixophobia (trixieophobia?) keeps me away from that area as much as possible and I have never gone to the Chicago Peets. The Evanston Peet's did not have any such problem!

Maybe I should make the Evanston Peet's a regular stop -- while I work my way through the list of Evanston and far north side breakfast spots!

thanks again for all the good information here,
Amata



Peet's Coffee and Tea
1622 Chicago Avenue
Evanston IL 60201
847-864-8413

www.peets.com