(773) 384-9546

2311 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647 41.9102 -87.6853

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Neighborhoods: West Town, West Side

What People Are Saying About Handlebar

The Editor

Elisa Kronish

Citysearch

In Short – Cyclists with helmets in tow make up much of the crowd at this congenial hangout. The menu is meatless but includes non-vegetarians options as well, with dishes like samosas and risotto cake, an appetizer topped with caramelized onions. For entrees, the menu includes bicycle-wheel pasta with vegan pumpkinseed pesto, or Hermes pie, a hot pocket stuffed with veggies and feta. Desserts include rice pudding and nutty raspberry-chocolate torte. –

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/20/09

I'm not even a vegetarian.

by bontron

I recommend this place to vegetarian friends for 2 stand-out reasons: 1) vegetarian chorizo. If I ever, for some reason, became a vegetarian, I think the meat I would miss most would be chorizo. Mexican, not Spanish. But real chorizo is so greasy and probably pretty bad for you. This has the flavor without the artery clogging. 2) smoked gouda mac n cheese. I'm not usually a mac n cheese kind of girl, really. I usually avoid pasta altogether. I find it bland... but not this. This is genius. Smoky, salty, creamy. Try it. These two things alone will bring me back to Handlebar and keep me recommending it to friends, and I'm not even a vegetarian.

  • Pros: vegetarian CHORIZO
  • Cons: service can be slow
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/22/09

Great outside patio

by YogaEm1978

I would go back here to hang outside on the patio, eat some fresh food and drink a good beer. The place has a low key environment - definitely not for those in a hurry. The menu reminds me of the healthy basics I get from the store - but the great part is that I don't have to shop and put the meal together. If you are looking for flair and a cheap meal - this isn't your place. But if you don't mind a paying a little extra for quality and looking to kick back and relax on a sunny afternoon this may be your place.

  • Pros: Fresh ingredients
  • Cons: Lackadaisical staff
1 Star Rating: Poor

04/27/08

Avoid at all costs...

by dawordman

This place is the worst. Seriously - the worst... and WAY overpriced!

These are about the rudest people I have ever had the displeasure of handing my money to. They have the music so loud that the parties are all yelling at each other at their own tables.

The wait staff needs to learn a thing or two about soap! Their clothes were disgusting - they were greasy and nasty - not the way you want to see the person handling your food.

They wouldn't give you table service if you wanted seperate checks - so you are expected to go to the bar - except the people that work there are nowhere to be found...

In a city with such a great restaurant selection - this one has a lot to learn - a LOT to learn. or maybe just give up and close their doors.

To recap...

Wash your waitstaff (and their clothes).

Teach them customer service.

Don't charge $7.50 for an avocado and tomato sandwich.

I won't know if you take my advice because I would rather dumpster dive than eat there ever again.

  • Pros: good beer list
  • Cons: everything else

The Details on Handlebar

Know Before You Go:

A large "No Bikes" street sign hanging in the outdoor back patio is just a joke. There's plenty of free bike parking.

Save Money:

Monday nights are made for messengers. They can cycle in, flash their courier ID and receive a free plate of fries. Everyone gets PBR pints for $1.50.

Category:

Restaurants

Cuisine:

Vegetarian

Smoking Permitted:

No

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