We all have our favorite spots for weekend brunch, but hour-long waits often go with the territory. So where do you go when you want good food and you want it now? Look no further than your neighborhood bar.
Mac’s
This corner bar has it all–great food that’s reasonably priced, good music and a hip-without-overdoing-it crowd. Happily, the brunch menu lives up to all that. For an entree with flair, check out the brioche French toast with poached pears and candied walnuts ($7). You can also find standbys like eggs Benedict ($8), a BLT ($4) and steak ‘n’ eggs ($10). 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1801 W. Division St. 773-782-4400.
The Four Farthings
Somebody here likes eggs Benedict–a lot. At Four Farthings they do it six different ways, with andouille sausage ($9.95), grilled portabello and spinach ($8.95), and crab cake ($12.50), to name a few. Other unique dishes include Denver French toast ($7.95), stuffed with ham, Swiss cheese and green peppers, or smoked salmon, spinach and cream cheese omelet ($8.95). Want lunch instead of breakfast? You can order soups, salads and entrees like whitefish, chicken pot pie or lamb stew as soon as doors open. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 2060 N. Cleveland Ave. 773-935-2060.
Charlie’s Ale House
Both the Lincoln Park and Andersonville locations offer menus with the proper mix of savory and sweet, balancing omelets, frittatas and quiche ($6.95 each) with cinnamon French toast and homemade waffles ($6.25 each). You’ll find an even more robust menu at the Andersonville location. Standout items include “drunken” pancakes, served with cinnamon-whiskey apples, raisins and molasses butter ($6.50); and crab cake Benny ($9.95), served on an English muffin, topped with poached eggs and hollandaise. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 1224 W. Webster Ave. 773-871-1440; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 5308 N. Clark St. 773-751-0140.
Duffy’s
The Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch buffet here is a little pricey at $14.95, but at least the spread is impressive. It delivers the typical breakfast standards–pastries, bagels, egg dishes, biscuits and gravy, lox and French toast. But it’s the crab claws, cocktail shrimp, prime rib carving station, dessert table and make-your-own-mimosa station that put this buffet over the top. If you can’t stomach shelling out that much cash, the regular brunch menu lets you order only what you want at around half the price. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 420-1 1/42 W. Diversey Ave. 773-549-9090.
Newport Bar & Grill
The dark interior of this neighborhood bar provides a perfect setting for Southport singles looking to quell their hangovers. Expect solid if typical breakfast fare, like omelets ($6.75), eggs Benedict ($6.75), French toast ($4.50) and pancakes ($4.50). The restaurant’s sidewalk cafe provides a sunnier, less smoky atmosphere. And if you’re looking to multitask during your weekend brunch, a laundromat is adjacent to the bar. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1344 W. Newport Ave. 773-325-9111.
The Gramercy
The all-white, minimalist interior here may exude South Beach more than Lincoln Park, but the menu will surely appeal to both sets. Health-conscious diners can find seasonal fresh fruit ($3.50 cup, $5.50 bowl) and egg-white omelets ($8.95). Heartier staples include strawberry-banana pancakes ($7.50), a three-cheese omelet with potatoes and toast ($6.50) and green chili-chicken enchiladas ($7.95). 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 2438 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-477-8880.
