One of the best ways to gauge whether a restaurant is worth your time is to see how many people are waiting for a table. Without even taking a look at the menu, any passerby can tell that Toast, located in Lincoln Park, is serving up tasty plates. Every morning, the unassuming corner brunch spot has a line out the door of eager customers counting down the minutes until they can enjoy one of the best brunches Chicago has to offer.
Since 1996, Toast has been serving delicious and creative fare at a price anyone can afford, with most of its dishes ranging between $5 and $10. The restaurant takes classic breakfast dishes and transforms them with unexpected flavors. Known for its French toast, the brunch spot boasts a “French toast orgy” for its most indecisive customers. This dish offers one piece of the many stuffed French toast flavors — fresh strawberry, mascarpone and Mexican chocolate — and tops them with vanilla yogurt, berry granola, fresh fruit and honey. Unlike the crispier French toast of its competitors around town, Toast’s French toast is soft and delicate. Don’t worry, it’s not too oozy: Toast recognizes that a little goes a long way, perfectly balancing the bold flavors of its purées and sauces with fluffy house-made bread. Those who prefer pancakes can opt for the “pancake orgy,” which features blueberry, banana pecan and lemon poppy seed pancakes paired with the same toppings as the French toast.
Photo by Michelle Laszlo
Photo by Michelle Laszlo
Brunch-goers looking for a heartier meal cannot go wrong with any of Toast’s Benedicts. The veggie eggs Benedict, featuring sautéed spinach and grilled artichoke hearts, offers a fresh yet filling base for a perfectly poached egg and a hollandaise sauce that is bright and not too heavy. Ask nicely and your waiter will gladly add a piece of prosciutto to your stack. With a side of crispy house potatoes on the side, this dish will leave you satisfied for the rest of the afternoon.
Photo by Michelle Laszlo
In addition to its regular menu, Toast offers daily specials, from chorizo hash to key lime pie pancakes. No matter what day you visit, there is sure to be something on the menu for you.
The restaurant is just a short walk from the Red Line Fullerton stop. Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather and make the trek for a truly tasty brunch.
Location: 746 W. Webster Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Hours of operation: Mon-Fri: 8am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm