Hyde Park, Chicago

[2wheels4eyes]

I'm thrilled to report that Hyde Park, Chicago has an almost totally gluten-free restaurant! It's getting pretty well known among the locals but I thought I'd post this especially for the out-of-towners visiting the celiac clinic at the U of C hospital on campus (Open Original Shared Link). It's a 5 minute drive or about 20-25 minute walk. And of course, the buses run too.

The Sit Down Cafe Open Original Shared Link 1312 E. 53rd St. Chicago (adjacent to the Kimbark Plaza).

The menu's a rather strange hybrid of Italian fare and a full sushi bar but this is the sort of randomness that tends to thrive around campuses. They serve gluten-free soups, sandwiches, appetizers, pizzas and sushi. They even make some gluten-free desserts, including a cheesecake. The prices are quite reasonable; there are tables as well as armchairs inside and a sidewalk patio outside. It's currently byob but I'm told they're hoping to have a liquor license soon.

After living in Hyde Park for two years as a hyper-reactive celiac, I can't tell you how awesome this is!

Sal, the owner, is cousin to the owner of Hyde Park Produce Market, which is several doors down in the Kimbark Plaza. Due I think mostly to Sal's diagnosis, his family has rallied around him and the Produce Market now boasts an excellent selection of gluten-free products. They're also knowledgeable and extremely careful about ingredients and cross-contamination (e.g., I can eat their rotisserie chicken without fear, etc.) The prices for packaged/prepared goods at the Produce Market are fairly reasonable (for Hyde Park, anyway, i.e., invariably lower than Treasure Island but not, you know, cheap). The produce however *is* cheap and plentiful; the availability of cheap produce explicitly factored into my decision to renew my lease and stay in Hyde Park another year.

If you're in Hyde Park, please give these two your business.

[kenlove]

Sounds like a great excuse to go back and visit. I was born on 51st & woodlawn and grew up on 53rd street working in kimbark plaza for 9 years and for the Hyde Park Herald . That was back in the 60s though. Last I heard my brother in law was still working for the coop there.

Ken

I'm thrilled to report that Hyde Park, Chicago has an almost totally gluten-free restaurant! It's getting pretty well known among the locals but I thought I'd post this especially for the out-of-towners visiting the celiac clinic at the U of C hospital on campus (Open Original Shared Link). It's a 5 minute drive or about 20-25 minute walk. And of course, the buses run too.

The Sit Down Cafe Open Original Shared Link 1312 E. 53rd St. Chicago (adjacent to the Kimbark Plaza).

The menu's a rather strange hybrid of Italian fare and a full sushi bar but this is the sort of randomness that tends to thrive around campuses. They serve gluten-free soups, sandwiches, appetizers, pizzas and sushi. They even make some gluten-free desserts, including a cheesecake. The prices are quite reasonable; there are tables as well as armchairs inside and a sidewalk patio outside. It's currently byob but I'm told they're hoping to have a liquor license soon.

After living in Hyde Park for two years as a hyper-reactive celiac, I can't tell you how awesome this is!

Sal, the owner, is cousin to the owner of Hyde Park Produce Market, which is several doors down in the Kimbark Plaza. Due I think mostly to Sal's diagnosis, his family has rallied around him and the Produce Market now boasts an excellent selection of gluten-free products. They're also knowledgeable and extremely careful about ingredients and cross-contamination (e.g., I can eat their rotisserie chicken without fear, etc.) The prices for packaged/prepared goods at the Produce Market are fairly reasonable (for Hyde Park, anyway, i.e., invariably lower than Treasure Island but not, you know, cheap). The produce however *is* cheap and plentiful; the availability of cheap produce explicitly factored into my decision to renew my lease and stay in Hyde Park another year.

If you're in Hyde Park, please give these two your business.