Breakfast Recs Near Intellegentsia Roasting Works?

Hello all! I need your help, if you can.

I'm taking a tour of the Intellegentsia "Roasting Works" Facility at 1850 W. Fulton Street on Saturday. I'm not familiar with the area, can you recommend any good places for a "pre-tour" breakfast/brunch near by?

I appreciate all responses. Thanks!

Ina's at 1235 W. Randolph is a good breakfast alternative in the area, plus it has parking.

http://www.breakfastqueen.com/contact.html

Bombon Cafe on Ashland at Monroe? Or Flo's on Chicago Ave.?

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback.

Has anyone been to Ina's recently? Is it still there? I took a peak at the website and it sounds like a viable option...However, the winter menu notes special pricing for 2003! Perhaps they just haven't gotten around to updating.

Can anyone give me a bit more feedback on BonBon? Do they have a breakfast menu or is it more of a bakery?

Is the tour open to the public? If so, please post on the events board.

pd

Yes, tours are open to the public. Reservations are required and for $7 guests tour the roasting facility, drink all the coffee and tea they want, and are sent home with a half pound of freshly roasted beans.

I've added full details to the event calendar, but here's a quick link to their website.

http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/roasting/tours

clb wrote:Can anyone give me a bit more feedback on BonBon? Do they have a breakfast menu or is it more of a bakery?

BomBon has a number of light meal options -- tamales, salads, tortas, mini-quesadillas, tlacoyos... I think they might offer some egg dishes too, but I'm not sure. Certainly they have lots of bakery stuff.

When I was there there was no printed menu, everything was written on chalkboards, but they were hoping to have a printed menu available this week. They offered to fax a copy when it was ready, so if you call them you might be able to get more details.

BomBon Cafe
38 S. Ashland Ave.
312-733-8717

p.s. Parking is challenging, during the week anyway, because of the Mexican Consulate a block south. If the Consulate is closed on Saturday it should be much easier to park nearby.

It's been a couple of months since I've eaten at Ina's, but at least it was 2005. I enjoy Ina's breakfasts (she started out many years ago with a breakfast place in the Depaul area), but some people consider them a little pricey. She has her own parking lot, tho!

I would second (third?) the recommendation for Bombon Cafe. Their tortas are absolutely excellent. The flan variations, while I can't vouch for any authenticity, are perfect. Not too sweet, lovely texture. Service can be a touch on the slow side, so be prepared. Mentioned elsewhere on this board, they serve one of my favorite brands of coffee, illy. Perhaps you could do a comparison to Intelligentsia for fun?

A comment on parking: I have always found a metered spot on Ashland south of the cafe when I have been their for lunch during the week. Maybe I was just lucky? I do have a small car so that makes things easier.

Enjoy the tour! Sounds like something I may have to check out in the near future.

Twisted spoke on Ogden rocks.

Ina's did not wow me thought I hear she's a cult of personality.

What about the breakfast club on Grand?