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Tasting Chicago: 3 must-try breakfast sandwiches and a bar worth staying up for
In this episode of Tasting Chicago, Sylvia Perez starts the day with three standout breakfast sandwiches from across the city, then winds things down with a visit to one of the top bars in the U.S.
CHICAGO - Get ready to sink your teeth into Chicago's most mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches as Sylvia Perez explores three sizzling spots across the city in this episode of Tasting Chicago.
Then we raise a glass at one of America’s top-rated bars taking an evening detour that's as bold as the morning bite.
Local perspective:
From Avondale to Lincoln Park, these three breakfast sandwiches are bringing bold morning flavors to every corner of the city — and we finish things off with a River North bar that’s making national headlines.
Loaf Lounge (Avondale)
Address: 2934 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Loaf Lounge may have earned national fame for its decadent chocolate cake featured on FX's The Bear, but today, it's all about the breakfast sandwich. Their house-made breads cradle combinations like smoky bacon, fluffy eggs, and herby mayo, especially on their English muffin or seeded bun. It was recently voted one of the Best Bakeries Across the U.S. Right Now by The New York Times.
Sarah Mispagel and her husband Ben Lustbader opened Loaf Lounge in 2022 and the lines have been steady and out the door ever since.
Santa Masa Tamaleria (Dunning)
Address: 7544 W Addison St.
Tamales may headline the name, but the Torta Breakfast Sandwich is the real morning MVP. Served on bolillo bread and layered with refried beans, avocado, eggs, and your choice of chorizo or steak, it's bold, satisfying, and the reason early risers flock to Dunning. Santa Masa Tamaleria uses non-GMO corn from Northern Mexico to make the dough for their tamales and tortillas. Opening this restaurant was a long-held dream for the chef-couple Danny Espinoza and Jhoana Ruiz. With a passion for Mexican cuisine, they wanted to bring back the food of their childhood and the memories of family.
Soloway Coffee (Lincoln Park)
Address: 2275 N Lincoln Ave.
Soloway isn't just a sleek café—it's a slice of Ukraine in Chicago. Founded by Ukrainian couple Artur and Iryna Yuzvik, this is their first U.S. location. Their breakfast sandwich, served on a soft brioche bun with cage-free eggs, herbed aioli, and smoked ham or veggie sausage, pairs perfectly with their popular Passion Mango Matcha, which has become a viral favorite across TikTok and Instagram. This iced drink blends earthy matcha with tropical passionfruit-mango purée and coconut milk, creating a vibrant, creamy, and refreshingly sweet combo that's as photogenic as it is flavorful
Gus' Sip 'n Dip (River North)
Address: 51 W Hubbard St.
River North’s Gus' Sip 'n Dip is a throwback tavern with a modern twist. Think $12 cocktails, white-uniformed servers, and craveable dips that elevate every dish. Since opening on NYE 2024, it's racked up accolades from Bon Appétit and landed on the Top 50 Bars in the U.S. Even local hometown Chicago star Jim Belushi calls it his go-to when he’s in town. Walk-in only, always buzzing, and effortlessly cool.
What you can do:
Want to be featured on a future episode? Send us a 30-to 60-second video telling us why we should check out your favorite restaurant, bar or hidden gem. Email your submission to TastingChicago@fox.com — and we just might show up with a camera crew!
About the Show:
Tasting Chicago takes you on a delicious half hour tour of the city’s food scene. Join Fox 32’s Sylvia Perez as she drops into Chicago’s hottest restaurants, neighborhood classics, and buzzy cocktail spots.