Andersson's Bakery and Cafe

Andersson's Bakery and Cafe is replacing the short-lived vitamin store at Clark and Dickens. About a month ago, posters came up in the windows listing future menu offerings (Metropolis coffee, egg creams, Homer's Ice cream, cupcakes, broiled salmon, quiche, biscuits and gravy - you know, stuff like that.)


(I'm going to edit rather than post after myself.)

It opened for good last Thursday and will have full menus up on the 30th. We went for lunch on Monday, and it was delicious! As a table, we had a NY Strip sandwich with horseradish mayo and carmelized onions, a curried chicken salad, and a kids' chicken sandwich. Everything came with fruit salad, and both the meat in both sandwiches was warm. (The chicken sandwich was a chicken paillard on multigrain bread, which tops any kids' chicken sandwich I've seen elsewhere.)

(Here's where I should confess that if you're nice to my children, much less spot them a cookie, I'll be loyal to your restaurant forever, but, for the record, the free cookie didn't come until our second vist, and by the first bite of steak sandwich I was ready to come back for dinner that night.)

There's a big assortment of baked goods, including a lot of vegan stuff. I don't get the impression that they bake it on-site (the salt bagels look exactly like those at Chicago Bagel Authority), but it all looks very fresh.

Mostly I'm just happy that there's somewhere to get Homer's ice cream in Lincoln Park now that Boxcar Cafe has closed.

Hours (may change):

M-Th 7-10
F, S 7-11
Su 7-8

Chicago Magazine's Dish just had a blurb on this place. Sounds very successful so far.
Andersson’s Kitchen/Bakery

Anyone else been here? Anyone tried the lobster salad sandwich?

kithat wrote:Anyone else been here? Anyone tried the lobster salad sandwich?

As of a two weekends ago, I can now answer yes and yes. I went on a Sunday late-morning after calling ahead and verifying that the lobster-rolls were indeed available. Fittingly, Andersson's looks like a bakery in Lincoln Park (i.e., kitschy, cute, newish). At slightly before noon, the row of tables bordering the windows were full of neighborhood residents enjoying Sunday brunch. Some of the egg items looked good but I was there for one thing. Well, actually, two things.

I started with a caesar salad which was not the least bit traditional (romaine, gruyere, parmesan crisps, and spicy caesar dressing) but a nice way to start. The salad is (I kid you not) 35% cheese - chunked, not grated/shredded. The cheese and the slightly spicy dressing were definitely the focal points - almost a cheese plate with a side of greens. Again, delicious but not what I expected when I ordered a caesar.

The lobster roll came out just as I was finished the last of my cheese, I mean salad. Big plate, lots of fresh fruit and berries on the side, a wedge of lemon and a toasted po-boy style roll full of lobster meat. This was definitely not a split top hot dog bun. However, while not traditional, I thought the roll made a really good vehicle for the lobster. The sandwich filling was chunks (not a dice) of lobster meat with a little mayo for binding and a lot of lemon juice. No celery or other vegetation was present and none was needed. Overall, I enjoyed every bite of the sandwich. The ripe fruit was a nice ending.

Andersson's also has a huge selection of cookies, cupcakes, assorted baked goods that I decided to pass on. I was sad that they chose to stock Gatorade instead of Vitamin Water but made do with Orangina. I'm not sure if I ever figured out the ordering/sitting/paying etiquette (FWIW, I think you order at the common counter and then sit). The approximately $25 tab for salad, sandwich and drink did not feel exorbitant. I plan on going back for the lobster roll and recommend others consider doing the same.

Two Notes:
I did not check if the lobster rolls were always available and an on-line menu that I came across lists the roll as a Saturday dinner special so I would encourage anyone specifically interested in trying one to call ahead (773-348-2166).
At least as of two weeks ago, Andersson's was cash-only.

Two notes:

1. We just heard that the Jesuits have given Andersson's their garden, so there's going to be lots of outdoor seating

2. They very generously, at the last minute, volunteered not only a couple of fabulous gift baskets for the silent auction at our event tonight, but they also volunteered to supply dessert for 350!

Cookies for my grandchildren and contributions to my organization. You can't make me much happier than that.

I would recommend the proscuitto and melon salad. It's made with honeydew melon, pinenuts, a generous portion of proscuitto on arugala with a thyme vinaigrette. I also had a few shavings of parmesan on top of mine. The combination of salty, sweet and herbs is delicious and the textures of the fresh melon, cured meat and toasted pinenuts is just right. At $9 the salad also comes with a cup of fruit and so is perfect as a light lunch. I have found myself craving it over the last week, and hope to return for another soon.

And yes, it's still cash only, though there's an ATM right outside the building. I would recommend going for an early or late lunch as it is sometimes very busy in the afternoon.

Having read about Andersson's, I was excited to give it a go. I was upset when I realized I only had enough money for the apple strudel. It was delicious, and given the neighborhood I should've figured, but I was still disappointed. I'll definitely go back, if only on paydays.