I liked the bite I had of my friend's slow roasted pork sandwich so much on my first visit, I decided to get my own yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't like it as much this time. It was really dry - very different from last time.

On the plus side, I loved the honey-jalapeno corn bread. Very lightly sweet, a nice kick from the jalapeno, and overall excellent.

With friends visiting from out of town, The Brown Sack was definitely a place I wanted to hit this week. This was the second of a very enjoyable 2-stop lunch on Thursday . . .


Cole Slaw and Potato Salad



Chili with Meat (we had the black bean vegetarian version, too)



Macaroni & Cheese, very cute tasting portions



BLT with Shrimp and Avocado



Veggie Sandwich with Black Beans and Plantains



Milkshakes, divided into 4 tasting portions - Blueberry on the left, Oreo on the right

As usual, the food was sensational. Our friends absolutely loved it. They ooh'd and aah'd over everything we tasted and when you're fighting over the last few forkfulls of cole slaw, you know you're eating somewhere special. Since Adam and Malaika knew that the 4 of us were sharing everything, they went ahead and divided everything up for us, even though we didn't ask them to. That's just one small example of what makes The Brown Sack such a wonderful destination.

One regret -- a substantial one -- is that I again forgot to ask for seebee's giardeniera - D'OH!!. I guess I'll just have to head back asap and try my best to remember next time.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:
Veggie Sandwich with Black Beans and Plantains

You captured the stunning beauty of what I consider to be the best sandwich ever.

One regret -- a substantial one -- is that I again forgot to ask for seebee's giardeniera - D'OH!!. I guess I'll just have to head back asap and try my best to remember next time.

=R=

Unfortunately, I don't think seebee's giardeniera is available right now. (I was there a few weeks ago and they didn't have any). However, that shouldn't stop you from returning, it looks like you haven't had the vanilla shake yet.

ronnie_suburban wrote:One regret -- a substantial one -- is that I again forgot to ask for seebee's giardeniera - D'OH!!.

I'll add one more regret. You didn't order a chocolate & peanut butter milkshake.

Nice photos, as always.

Best,
M

pairs4life wrote:Unfortunately, I don't think seebee's giardeniera is available right now. (I was there a few weeks ago and they didn't have any). However, that shouldn't stop you from returning, it looks like you haven't had the vanilla shake yet.

Well, if it isn't available, at least I don't have to regret forgetting to ask for it. Vanilla Shake, otoh . . .

eatchicago wrote:I'll add one more regret. You didn't order a chocolate & peanut butter milkshake.

Ok, looks I'm putting together a nice list for next time.

=R=

pairs4life wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:
One regret -- a substantial one -- is that I again forgot to ask for seebee's giardeniera - D'OH!!. I guess I'll just have to head back asap and try my best to remember next time.

=R=

Unfortunately, I don't think seebee's giardeniera is available right now. (I was there a few weeks ago and they didn't have any)...

Hi - I make the "Seebee's giardiniera."

I'm not in any kind of business agreement with The Brown Sack. I make a giant batch of fresh giardinera a few times a year from veggies delivered by my csa guy* who has a farm in Wisconsin. Last year's pepper crop was ruined (frost) before they were harvested, so no giardiniera. I fully expect to make giardiniera and deliver more to T.B.S. but it wil not be until the end of this summer. I just felt it was needed to let everyone know that the lack of seebee's giardiniera is in no way any fault of the proprietors / management of T.B.S. They don't order it, or make it, or advertise it. I just brought them several jars of it to show them my appreciation for them making such wonderful food. So, don't expect to see seebee's giardiniera until the next pepper harvest this year. I apologize, but Mother Nature was just not kind to my peppers last season. I could have bought a bunch of peppers from a fruit market, but that seems like cheating to me, plus the csa guy's customers buy a ton of the giardiniera under the premise that the peppers / carrots, etc. are organically grown from the csa guy. So, don't blame T.B.S. in any way for not having Seebee's giardiniera. It just won't be avail until this summer.

*My csa guy's site..a shameless plug:
http://www.gibbsfamilygarden.com/Welcome.html

seebee wrote:Hi - I make the "Seebee's giardiniera."

I've not had the pleasure of Seebee's giardiniera, though I've been to and love the Brown Sack and fully support renewal. I just wanted to commiserate a bit as I have been making Gary's Chili Oil to leave at 'Little' Three Happiness for years and when it runs out, as it does fairly quickly, it might be a while until another batch. Over the years I have fielded phone calls from friends dining at 'L'TH who were unhappy, disgruntled, upset, disillusioned, disappointed and one outright threatening call from a then 5-year-old who used used language that would make a sailor blush when my chili oil was 'out of stock.'

Funny, but not once have I ever got a call from someone eating at 'Little' Three Happiness thanking me for leaving it there for their use.

Enjoy,
Gary

seebee wrote:Hi - I make the "Seebee's giardiniera."

LOL! Yes, I know.

seebee wrote:I just felt it was needed to let everyone know that the lack of seebee's giardiniera is in no way any fault of the proprietors / management of T.B.S.

Completely understood, even before you posted this clarification. I just hope I remember to ask for it on future visits. I'm sure there have been times when it was available and I completely forgot to ask for it. I look foward to eventually trying it.

=R=

If ya need your BROWN SACK fix- ya better go soon.
They are leaving the Armitage Avenue location for bigger and better digs.
The scheduled move out date is 26 June 2010- and
the will re-open in their new spot some time in mid- to- late July......(contractor dependent)

The new address will be 3581 W. Belden Avenue, actually facing Central Park.
A small bodega (Most recently a Barber Shop) had been located in this single story building, but the
increase in square footage and the outdoor seating will make the move very worthile for them.

Interestingly enough, the new location will no longer have a "grill" in the conventional sense-
instead they were able to source a piece of magnetic induction cookware used at
shuttered Quiznos,to do their "grilling" at the new location.

They still will be in Humbolt Park-
...just about 4 blocks to the North and East.

LTH,

Brown Sack's new digs are spacious, comfortable with table, counter and outdoor seating. Nice flow of customers Thursday lunch, smooth service, and the BLT with shrimp remains one of the best sandwiches in Chicagoland.

Brown Sack









BLT w/shrimp, Corned beef rueben



Enjoy,
Gary

The Brown Sack
3581 W Belden Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
773-661-0675
(address as of 8.4.10)

I went to the Brown Sack today for lunch with my mom and Princess Grace. I did not check this thread first, but thankfully googled it to refresh my memory on the address.

I'm a big fan of the new location. Much more spacious/airy, but at the same time has a more cozy/neighborhood feel. I also love to see those corner stores repurposed instead of remaining boarded/barred up. The new location also has the added benefit of being more kid-friendly, since it's not so cramped.

The food was great, as always. my mom had the BLT with avocado, I had the grilled veggie sandwich, and Grace had the peanut butter and banana. next time she's getting a pickle and macaroni salad, since all she did was eat the nanners off her sandwich. ANYWAY. The grilled veggie sandwich and coleslaw were as delicious as I remember, and my mom said her BLT was perfect. We both love our sandwiches so much, we can't seem to branch out and try anything else off the menu, but I keep promising myself I'll get a shake on my next visit.

I was a little nervous that we were the only customers for most of our lunch, until I remembered we were there quite early (11am), thanks to the appetite of a certain toddler. A few carry-out orders came in after us, and when we left, there was another table occupied. I really hope they continue to do well at their new location, I do love this place.

sweetsalty wrote:I was a little nervous that we were the only customers for most of our lunch, until I remembered we were there quite early (11am), thanks to the appetite of a certain toddler. A few carry-out orders came in after us, and when we left, there was another table occupied. I really hope they continue to do well at their new location, I do love this place.

Count me a fan of Brown Sack's new location. It seems their loyal customers are finding their way to the expanded digs. I was there on a recent Saturday, just off lunch hours, and all of the table seats inside were taken with just some spots open at the counter. My group, a rather large one, took up the entire backyard. Now, all they need is CDOT to install some bike racks on the sidewalk.

Seebee's giardiniera is available again.

Loved my first trip to Brown Sack (as part of the Canning Exchange). Tried the shrimp and avocado BLT and am still remembering the wonderful flavor and perfect crunch of that bacon--and in a year of bacon overload, that's saying something!! Had a sip of PairsForLife's vanilla shake while I gazed longingly at everyone else's selections (I counted a chocoloate, strawberry and mocha and probably missed one). Had to save room for meal number two an hour later....oh well!

Sorry I missed trying your giardinnaire Seebee--next time!! And there will be a next time--great spot!!!

From their twitter feed

"We wanted to let all of our supporters know that we have finally struck a deal with lettuce entertainment to franchise The Brown sack, thanks"

April Fools.

A couple of weeks back, I made my first trip to The Brown Sack's bright, new home. It felt like such a major upgrade from the former space in that it's essentially sprawling by comparison. There's a large eat-in area, a seemingly much bigger kitchen and a long hallway that leads to an outdoor patio. I loved the openness of the space and the way the late afternoon sun poured into it. Seeing Adam and Malaika behind the counter brought an instant smile to my face and made me feel right at home in their new digs . . .


The Brown Sack - 3581 W Belden Ave, Chicago



Some very nice seating by the window...though, some must wait outside



Sit at the counter or grab a table . . .



. . . or head to the outdoor patio for a seat



The Menu



Slow-Roasted Pork Sandwich with house-made Potato Salad
Delectable, as always. Same great food, wonderful new space (that's really not very new anymore).

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:
Some very nice seating by the window...though, some must wait outside

In this case perhaps but Brown Sack has dog friendly outdoor seating!

A tip: they just installed some new equipment and will be preparing some of their meats in house. Due to this, roast beef will be making a comeback. Boomshakalinga!

-Danny

Since I started this thread almost 6 years ago, figured it was time I finally made my 1st visit to the new HQ on Central Park. Everything was great (Cajun Po' Boy, tomato soup and side of slaw). I noticed they do a pretty steady lunch delivery business via bicycle at lunch. Why not consider this fine place if you live and/or work nearby?

Thanks for bumping this. It's such a bummer that this wonderful spot is on none of my usual routes, nor convenient to anything I do, but I'm overdo a visit.

Same as it ever was, just about the best simple shakes in the city, and the pork sandwiches, shrimp BLT, and sloppy joes continue to have that home kitchen comfort appeal. Love the patio on mild days and I've been glad to see them quite busy on the last two visits.

I live about 6 blocks from here and my wife and I forget to make it a regular destination...ditto with Cemitas Puebla, but having that patio will be nice this summer!

Had a pleasant lunch here today with two toddlers. Wait maybe seemed longer than it was based on my companions--a large to go order got priority over our small in-house one, a conundrum I'm sure. Ordered a grilled cheese with turkey for the kids and I had the chickpea pita. Tasted both and felt the grilled cheese was beyond standard--perfectly grilled and melty with very fresh turkey. My chickpea pita was divine--really hit the spot--crispy warm pita, filling was very satisfying with a bit of bite--topped with creamy, crunchy, cilantro coleslaw. Sides were fine--pasta salad (basic) and a split side of potato salad(mustardy) with grilled cheese sandwich cut in fours and put into two baskets for the kids, much appreciated. Nice relaxing music (gotta say I really appreciated the James Taylor and Carole King with the two toddlers today) and pleasant vibe overall. Was asked if I needed anything and felt quite welcome.
Go to the Brown Sack! It's special....with easy street parking.

This place makes a perfect destination spot over the holidays with family and friends. Too easy to overlook it due to the location.

I find it a perfect spot because of the location. That's just me though.

I had an excellent lunch today at The Brown Sack. It's been much too long since my last visit, but it's nice to see that they haven't missed a beat. I had today's special of a fried mortadella sandwich and a cup of tomato and Roasted Red Pepper soup.

As always, the soup was tremendous with great tomato flavor that really was the featured taste of this soup. The roasted red peppers were present as a backnote, but they didn't overwhelm the soup at all, which is a very good thing in my book. Perfect balance was the name of the game here.

The sandwich was a very fancy ass version of a fried bologna sandwich, and since I missed this year's Taste of Melrose Park, it really scratched an itch for me. The sandwich itself consisted of 3 slices of mortadella, grilled on the flat top and topped with a melted slice of provolone and a coarsely chopped mustard based pickle/hot pepper relish. This was served on toasted eggy bread.

This was exactly the lunch I was looking for and I didn't even know it. Brown Sack is not in my normal area of travel, so it had been somewhat forgotten. I was reminded that they stay open past 8:00 every night, so a light dinner at The Sack is not out of the question. I've really got to remember to visit more often.

Great dining companions, great milkshakes, and no one seemed to miss the sloppy joe. An evening filled with "clean plate" members.

Same as it ever was!

I had the beet thing, and I was so pleased with it. I have plans to take Mr. Pie here - a very long walk in either direction is a good excuse for a shake, methinks. I love the look of this place; I felt right at home. I have a soft spot for places that have a bookshelf with books and games. Next time I might bring a seat cushion though...

I might as well add my photos, since they spruced up the place a little more since the last ones:

That burger looks fantastic! When did they add burgers?