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The Spoke & Bird Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
The Spoke & Bird Cafe
8.5
A farm-to-table café and beer garden just off 18th Street, The Spoke & Bird anchors South Loop breakfast with a from-scratch menu, strong coffee program, and an unusually large courtyard patio. Regulars build mornings around hearty egg sandwiches, omelettes, and pastries before walking the nearby museum campus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Sandwich, Chorizo Omelette, French Toast
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A locally owned farm-to-table café with a rare, spacious breakfast patio.
Who should go: Brunch groups and remote workers wanting patio space.
When to visit: Sunny late mornings for peak patio and brunch energy.
What to order: Breakfast sandwich, chorizo omelette, seasonal pastry.
Insider tip: Order at opening on weekends to claim shaded courtyard tables before lines build.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along 18th Street and nearby side streets; limited spots during brunch hours, with paid garage options a short walk away.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — patio-friendly attire; athleisure and jeans are common.
Noise level: Moderate — patio is airy and conversational, indoor counter area can feel lively at peak brunch.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — café closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; midday visits often have open patio tables.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several egg dishes, salads, and pastry options can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few items and modifications available; ask staff for ingredient guidance.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many dishes can be prepared gluten-free on request, though the kitchen is not a fully separate prep environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the relaxed patio and daylight setting work well for casual morning or daytime dates where conversation is the focus.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served; arrive earlier on weekends or join the informal queue for patio tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — outdoor seating, open space, and approachable breakfast dishes make it comfortable for families with strollers or younger children.
Best For
Better for: Spacious outdoor seating, slower-paced patio brunch, and a locally sourced breakfast menu in a relaxed neighborhood setting.
Skip if: You want full table service, a boozy brunch scene, or a highly fast-paced grab-and-go breakfast.
The Spoke & Bird Cafe
8.3
Neighborhood farm-to-table café and beer garden where breakfast runs all day, from challah French toast to cheesy grits and sandwiches. Convention-goers and locals use it as a relaxed brunch patio a short walk from McCormick Place and the lakefront.
Must-Try Dishes:
Challah French toast, Cheesy grits with seasonal vegetables, Bacon, egg & Gruyère sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 6.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: All-day brunch café with a sizable patio near McCormick Place.
Who should go: Brunch seekers wanting patio seating and lighter options.
When to visit: Late morning weekdays for calmer patio and faster service.
What to order: Challah French toast, cheesy grits, egg sandwich.
Insider tip: Grab a patio table, then order at the counter to save time.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily metered street parking in the Prairie District; availability varies and can tighten during McCormick Place events. Nearby paid garages are the most reliable option on busy weekends.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — athleisure, jeans, and patio-friendly layers are common.
Noise level: Moderate — indoor counter area can be lively at peak brunch; patio seating is generally conversational.
Weekend wait: N/A — this is a daytime café and brunch spot with no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, though short lines can form during convention rush periods.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several breakfast plates, salads, and sandwiches can be ordered vegetarian or are naturally meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — a few menu items can be modified; selection is stronger for vegetarian than fully vegan diners.
Gluten-free options: Some items can be prepared gluten-free (e.g., bowls, salads, egg plates), but cross-contact is possible — ask at ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a relaxed, low-pressure daytime date — the patio and casual counter-service format work well for conversation, especially outside peak hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served. The best move is to secure a patio table first, then place your order at the counter; expect longer waits on sunny weekend mornings.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — approachable brunch dishes, outdoor seating, and a casual setup suit families; strollers fit more comfortably on the patio than indoors.
Best For
Better for: A calm, patio-centric brunch near McCormick Place with lighter, farm-leaning options and an unhurried neighborhood feel.
Skip if: You want boozy brunch energy, late-night service, or a reservation-driven, full-service dining room.
The Spoke & Bird Cafe
8.2
The Spoke & Bird is a farm-to-table cafe and beer garden tucked by the Glessner House, known for its large courtyard patio and all-day brunch-leaning menu. South Loop residents treat it as a casual spot for coffee, breakfast plates, sandwiches, and drinks outside when the weather cooperates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg Sandwich, South Loop Burger, Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 6.8
What makes it special: Courtyard café and beer garden combining brunch plates with a roomy patio.
Who should go: South Loop locals craving relaxed patio brunch or coffee.
When to visit: Sunny late mornings or early afternoons for peak patio comfort.
What to order: Egg Sandwich, South Loop Burger, tomato soup with grilled cheese.
Insider tip: On busy weekends, order via QR at the table to save time.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking around the Prairie District; typically easier on weekends and earlier in the day, but can be limited during neighborhood events or museum campus traffic.
Dress code: Casual and patio-friendly; athleisure and jeans are common.
Noise level: Low to moderate outdoors — generally conversational, with some patio chatter on busy weekends.
Weekend wait: Not a dinner-focused café; hours are earlier and waits are uncommon later in the day.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; short lines during peak warm-weather lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, veggie-forward sandwiches, and breakfast plates can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — typically 2–3 options or modifiable items; ask about swaps for sauces and spreads.
Gluten-free options: Some dishes can be modified (salads, bowls); no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it works well for a relaxed daytime or coffee-and-brunch date, especially on the patio where conversation is easy and the vibe stays casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s primarily walk-in and counter-service; on sunny weekend mornings, arrive earlier or expect a short wait for patio tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the courtyard patio is stroller-friendly and works well for families; quieter weekday mornings are best for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Outdoor brunch, casual coffee meetups, and relaxed patio meals in a quieter residential pocket of the South Loop.
Skip if: You want full-service dinner, late-night dining, or a more formal indoor restaurant experience — consider another spot instead.
The Spoke & Bird Cafe
8.2
The Spoke & Bird is a café and bistro just south of the main South Loop towers, built around a sizable dog-friendly patio and an all-day coffee-and-brunch menu. Locals treat it as a neighborhood hangout before conventions or lakefront walks, with steady praise for breakfast plates, baked goods, and a relaxed pace. It’s one of the most consistently mentioned dog-friendly patios near McCormick Place.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg Sandwich, Breakfast Burrito, Seasonal House-Baked Pastries
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A casual South Loop café with a roomy, dog-friendly patio serving brunch, coffee, and beer steps from the lakefront and McCormick Place.
Who should go: Dog owners wanting relaxed brunch or coffee near McCormick Place.
When to visit: Sunny late mornings and early afternoons when the patio fills.
What to order: Egg sandwich, breakfast burrito, and a seasonal pastry or scone.
Insider tip: On nice days, order at the counter and grab a corner patio table so your dog has extra space to settle.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Prairie District side streets; availability varies on event and convention days near McCormick Place. No valet service.
Dress code: Casual and patio-friendly; athleisure, jeans, and dog-walking attire are common.
Noise level: Low to moderate — patio is relaxed and conversational, with occasional ambient street and dog activity.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a daytime café and brunch venue with limited or no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; short lines during convention or sunny patio rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian breakfast plates, salads, and pastry options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few plant-forward items and modifiable dishes; verify ingredients at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Some GF-friendly items and substitutions; kitchen is not a dedicated gluten-free environment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual daytime or dog-friendly patio date — it’s relaxed, unhurried, and conversation-friendly rather than formal or romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served. Arrive a bit earlier on sunny weekends or convention mornings to secure a patio table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — laid-back daytime crowd, outdoor seating, and space for strollers; best for toddlers and older rather than high-chair dining.
Best For
Better for: Relaxed, dog-friendly patio brunch near McCormick Place with coffee, baked goods, and a neighborhood pace.
Skip if: You want full-service dinner, nightlife energy, or a highly formal brunch environment.
The Spoke & Bird Cafe
8.2
The Spoke & Bird’s South Loop cafe operates as a casual farm-to-table hub, using produce from local farms and their own downstate acreage for breakfast, brunch, and all-day café plates. A large patio overlooking a park, local beer taps, and scratch-made baked goods make it a default choice for neighbors, convention visitors, and dog walkers. The food leans hearty and fresh—think biscuits, grits, and sandwiches—without losing the everyday accessibility of a coffee shop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Biscuits & Gravy, Avocado Toast Benedict, Spoke & Bird Smash Burger
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 6.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Everyday cafe and beer garden built around local farms, urban growers, and house-baked staples.
Who should go: South Loop locals wanting casual farm-to-table brunch and coffee.
When to visit: Weekend brunch and sunny afternoons for patio and park views.
What to order: Biscuits & Gravy, Avocado Toast Benedict, Spoke & Bird Smash Burger.
Insider tip: On busy weekends, order at the counter then grab a patio table facing the park; the kitchen moves faster than the line suggests.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Prairie District side streets and metered spots nearby; availability tight during conventions or Soldier Field events — allow extra time.
Dress code: Casual and patio-friendly; athleisure, jeans, and outdoor layers are common.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation is comfortable inside; patio can get lively during peak brunch hours.
Weekend wait: N/A — primarily a daytime café and brunch spot; evening service is limited or seasonal.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait outside peak noon hours; patios may fill quickly on warm days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several brunch plates, salads, and pastries can be ordered vegetarian or customized.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few bowls and toast/salad builds can be modified; confirm ingredients at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free items and modifications available; pastries are mostly wheat-based — ask staff about cross-contact.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for relaxed daytime dates — the patio, park views, and casual ordering keep it low-pressure and conversation-friendly; it’s less suited to formal or evening dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with self-seat patio and indoor tables; on busy weekends, expect to queue, then grab a table while food is prepared.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual seating, outdoor space near the park, and approachable brunch plates work well for families; strollers are easier to manage on the patio than indoors during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Daytime patio brunch, dog-friendly hangs, and farm-leaning cafe plates with baked goods and coffee in a relaxed neighborhood setting.
Skip if: You want formal dinner service, cocktails and nightlife energy, or an extensive vegan/gluten-free bakery program.