Batter & Berries

"An adorable Lincoln Park BYOB cafe with a soul food twist, Batter & Berries is most notable for its French toast flights which offer a taste of its signature lemon, blueberry, strawberry and caramel versions. The restaurant also offers a French toast special each week, with previous iterations including banana pudding or peach cobbler. Other highlights include deconstructed omelets and sweet potato waffles topped with fried chicken and nutmeg hot sauce. Skip the mob-inducing brunch hours by heading over for weekday breakfast. Or order online and enjoy breakfast at home. There’s also a location outside of Chicago in Olympia Fields." - Sam Nelson

"Quietly, Batter & Berries has become one of the city’s most important restaurants, a Black-owned brunchery on the North Side that is constantly busy serving French toast flights and more. The service is friendly and the brunch is innovative thanks to founding chef Derek Rylon, who opened it in 2012. Though Rylon is gone, the restaurant has not missed a beat and continues to excel. B&B is one of those spots customers can visit and quickly find their happy place." - Ashok Selvam

"Batter & Berries is associated with chef Ken Polk, who participates in the 'A Seat at the Table' pop-up diner series. This series is aimed at bringing together various stakeholders in the culinary community." - Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu

"Local brunch mini-chain known for creative and decadent options." - Naomi Waxman

"Chef Zach Engel and partner Andrés Clavero are opening a second restaurant near their Michelin-starred Lincoln Park restaurant, Galit. The project aims to express new inspirations and meet rising demand, with a target opening date of late 2024." - Ashok Selvam