Uncommon Ground
(773) 929-3680
1214 W Grace
Chicago,
IL
60613
41.9511
-87.6598
Neighborhoods: Lakeview, North Side
What People Are Saying About Uncommon Ground
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Uncommon Ground is a sunny cafe that serves wholesome breakfasts, big bowls of coffee, a variety of pastries and desserts and live music five nights a week. Walls are adorned with colorful works of recycled art, and hardwood floors and straight-backed wooden chairs make the place feel like a hip Quaker meeting room. A recently added dining room sports a more sophisticated vibe, with a fireplace, chocolate leather couches, spacious bar and contemporary hanging light fixtures.
The Food
The contemporary cafe menu is surprisingly accomplished, offering creative breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes every day of the week. Weekend brunch is particularly popular; try the Uncommon Huevos, a delicious, kicky plate of black beans, corn and brown rice cake topped with eggs, ancho chili sauce and Chihuahua cheese. Lunch features salads, soups and sandwiches, while dinner entrees include tempting dishes like pumpkin ravioli with sage butter and rigatoni with fire-roasted tomato sauce and goat cheese.
User Reviews
Angus1
April 04, 2009
Is it really Organic? Hmmmm How about paying $9! for one double soy latte and 2 shots over ice. No kidding! To take away too. 4;30/Friday afternoon. Place empty. More staff than customers .All hanging out socializing. One off duty staffer enters , sits at back bar , served wine , no charge. No wonder prices are so high there. Use restroom-OVERFLOWING hand towel gabage can so bad a new pile was one foot high on the floor next to the can. Shrieks poor management that so many staff doing nothing wouldn't fix this. INSULTING to customers.Not a clean smell in restaurant either?? Such a lovely space too.
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Anonymous
December 03, 2008
I have not been to the Uncommon Ground on Clark St., but I have been to the one on Glenwood and Devon. It is the nicest restaurant in that part of Rogers Park--great food, great atmosphere, fireplace. Must admit that it is on the pricey side, but it's nice to have a really nice restaurant in the area that you can walk to.
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drearose
November 19, 2008
I've been going to my beloved Uncommon Ground since the early 90's. I have a love/hate relationship with them. About every other time I have a decent/good experience depending on who's working and how the food turns out that day. Last night, had a BAD experience. Let me just start with the host who was rude and condescending to me. He's trying way too hard to resurrect the 80's Duran Duran look. You need to lighten up on the heavy handed eye liner you're wearing, get rid of the skinny jeans and most importantly stop being stuck up to customers. Since my visit got off on the wrong foot, he told his friend who ended up serving me, and she was about as unpleasant as anyone. I couldn't have made her smile if I told her she won the lotto . She was unfriendly, slow, and unresponsive. My bad start to the night got translated in the kitchen as well. All I ordered was a chopped salad folks. The only somewhat tasty part was the grilled chicken. Otherwise I was served the crappy part of the head lettuce with big dry chuncks of it and hardly any dressing. And the chopped salad is now $15! Getting a bit pricey UG, used to be $12. Then I ordered coffee and was served lukewarm dishwater. It was flavorless and not hot. That said I still gave the gal 20% plus tip because I know how hard it is to work in the service industry. I work in it too, and no matter what kind of day I'm having, I treat my customers very well at all times. Some UG employees need a lesson . Why am I such a glutton for punishment and keep returning over the last 15 years? It's the artist and music thang. I LOVE the artwork and I LOVE coming by to hear the talented singer/songwriters. Before the smoking ban, it was a rare place that was non-smoking. And for the times when I've been served and treated nicely. The food is VERY unpredictable though. BUT, UG, your prices are getting higher, your servers are not consistently reliably good and freindly anymore. Clean up your act!
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The Extras:
One of the city's best shows each year is Uncommon Ground's Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute Concert, held on the late singer's birthday, November 17. It sells out several weeks ahead, so be sure to call well in advance for ticket information.
Save Money:
All bottles of wine are half price on Tuesdays.
Know Before You Go:
The cafe hosts monthly showings of local artists' work, all of which is for sale. During the warmer months, dogs can join their owners on the sidewalk cafe and enjoy free water and dog biscuits.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Private Rooms, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Group Dining, Live Music, Fireplace
General Info:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
