By Kellan Deam

Eastgate Cafe Review

When you start exploring the smaller neighborhoods around Chicago, you start to find smaller mom and pop restaurants that no one has ever heard of. That’s what I found when I started exploring Oak Park. Just 25 minutes west of the loop by train, Oak Park is a charming neighborhood full of art and culture. On the south side of Oak Park, nestled up to Columbus Park and I-290, is this little gem called Eastgate Cafe.

As we walked in Pat Dailey, who co-owns the cafe with his wife, greeted us and showed us to our table. He explained that there is a cold menu with a variety of European inspired salads and sandwiches and a small, eight item, hot menu with dishes ranging from Hungarian Sausages to Tilapia Filets with Vegetables. The soups of the day were a pureed Lobster Bisque and a Spinach Feta Soup.

Among the members of my party, we tried and shared the two soups first. The Lobster Bisque was delicious. It is rich and creamy from start to finish. It was different than any other Lobster Bisque I have had, being pureed, but it did not take away from the flavor, as you still got a great lobster taste in each bite. The Spinach Feta was also memorable. Reminiscent of a spinach and artichoke dip that one might get as an appetizer, the cheese, spinach and small pieces of potato made for an excellent creamy soup.

After we over-indulged on soup and bread, it was time for the main course. I had the Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich, which came with potatoes and a salad.

I started with the salad—an Italian Salad with a base of mixed greens topped with fresh tomatoes, red onions, and feta, lightly covered in an Italian dressing. This light, fresh salad was the perfect transition between the rich soup and the rest of my main course. I went for the potatoes next, saving my sandwich for last. The potato dish reminded me of a scalloped potato dish but with cubes of potatoes. It was another cheesy, creamy creation that would have made a great side to any meal.

Then it was time to attack the sandwich before me. I took my first bite, and the tangy, vinegary flavor of the barbecue hit me right away. There was so much flavor in the sauce that it made for a great sandwich. However, because I saved the sandwich for last, I was not able to finish it because of everything that had come before it.

My mother decided to try the Mandarin Orange Salad. Pat brought out the salad, and my mom’s face said it all. The salad was huge–covered in fresh fruit, Mandarin oranges, and pecans.

The cabernet vinaigrette was an amazing addition to the fresh fruit and greens. The salad was so tasty that I may have to try that next time I make it out to Eastgate. My wife had the Pizza with Salami and Mushrooms. I had a bite (or four), and it was delicious. More fresh ingredients (if you’re noticing a pattern) paired well with the thin, crispy crust that I look for on a pizza.

With music every Thursday and other events held in their main dining room, the Eastgate Cafe is a great hangout, one where I love to invite friends for an evening to hang out and listen to music or to grab a bite to eat. With fresh ingredients it is hard to find a dish I wouldn’t recommend.

It would be nearly impossible to go to every restaurant in Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods, but I urge you to try to go off the beaten path. Try to find somewhere other people might not even notice. You never know what you might find–or taste.