Be warned: if you are asked to wait on the cornbread, don't. Unless you don't mind waiting an extra 30 minutes for mediocrity. And if you ask for tea, the waitress may forget. Ask again. All in all, it is acceptable spot to eat before visiting the plants around the corner. The menu is a little limiting (it's possible they have seasonal menus) but the ambiance is pleasant. read more

Inspiration Kitchens - Catfish sandwich was pretty on point. Great ratio of bread to meat. - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went back here last night with a group of 5. This place is just lovely. Everything about it exudes warthm, love, and friendliness. From the moment you walk in the door and are greeted so warmly, to the loft-like space, to the soft jazz music playing in the background. This could be one of the best restaurants in the City of Chicago. They've changed their menu since my last visit - to a fixed menu. Love this concept. It is a 6-course meal with a non-veg or a veg option for each course. We had one Vegan in our party, and they tailored a menu to her. Awesome! Every bite of food I put in my mouth was better than the next. Each course was beautifully presented and explained to us by our awesome server Alisha. The timing of the courses was perfect - the portion size was perfect - the entire experience was perfect. Crab cake, carrot-ginger puree, roasted beet salad, red snapper, roasted squash, buttermilk panna cotta - that was my 6-course meal. Every single bite was amazing and flavorful. This is also a BYOB with no corkage fee. This place serves up gourmet food at a fraction of the price you would pay anywhere else. Their mission statement is wonderful and such a great addition to the community. read more

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This was an all-around awesome brunch experience. I thought the service was great and more friendly than any restaurant I've been to lately. I found the menu to be concise, but diverse with tasty options for all. Plus, you can't be $8 entrees! It was quiet and cozy and I stand behind what they do 100%! Tips go back to the charity organization, so "pay up" as they say ;-) read more

Inspiration Kitchens - Shrimp n Grits - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have been going here whenever I go to the Conservatory for a few years now. Every time it is delicious! I am loyal to the fried chicken sandwich (which now comes in a brioche bun instead of the biscuit like before). The Brussels sprouts are a great appetizer and the basil lemonade is so refreshing. Also, save room for dessert. They tend to rotate but I've never been disappointed. read more

Inspiration Kitchens - Fried chicken sandwich with a side salad - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really great food and service and they help train locals in food industry. Byob and good corona virus set up. Feels like a real restaurant whereas other restaurants in Chicago are just take out food brought to the table in plastic bags,plastic forks and cups. read more

We had made dinner reservations for Valentines Day through Yelp and when we arrived we were told that it would be about an hour wait. There were at least 10 other couples waiting to be seated as well. When I went back to as the host again how long it would take for us to be seated he said that we would have to wait. Turns out there were couples who had made reservations at 6:00 and had been waiting two hours to be seated! The host then mentioned that they only had one chef and one food runner and that if they would like to cancel to let him know so that we won't get charged. So I canceled and when I checked my email this morning I received an email stating that I was charged $60 from Inspiration Kitchens. This was definitely poor planning on their end and it ruined our Valentines Evening. Now I have to call Inpiration Kitchens for my refund. read more

I had a FANTASTIC experience at Inspiration Kitchens. We visited during the Chicago Marathon and ended up having the restaurant to ourselves for awhile because everyone was at the marathon. The staff was still on point, friendly, helpful, and great; we ended up having several people helping us because the restaurant was so empty while the marathon was happening, but it didn't feel like we had a bunch of different people waiting on us or that people were hovering, which is amazing. The food was super great, too. We went for brunch, but I got a burger. The burger was really good and the fries were also very good. It's easy to ignore fries, but theirs were well-cooked and well-seasoned. I also got a side of grits and I finished the grits before I finished anything else. I couldn't stop eating them--they were creamy and perfect, clearly made from scratch and not some kind of quick grits. The space inside is gorgeous, too. The morning light filtering through the windows and the clean lines of the space made me wish I lived around the corner and could come in for breakfast on the regular. If they're open for breakfast, that is. Still thinking about how great those grits were. read more

I rarely write reviews however I felt inspiration kitchens deserved it. While the exterior looks less than inviting the interior is warm and cozy. The food is beyond amazing! The service could use a little work. However I think my visit was just an exception to the rule. I will definitely return. If you decide to go for breakfast I highly recommend the shrimp and grits. Again don't let the exterior deter you. You won't be disappointed read more

Our Favorite restaurant hands down..love the creative and delicious food items... great concept for job training.. service may not always be on point... it's a training/teaching restaurant.. but positive spirits.. hands down #1 We made valentine day reservations for 6:30- we were immediately seated- it was disorganized-- food arrived late -- tables were getting one meal and their partner would get it 15 mins later-- food tasted great-- I give it a 5 stars because I support the concept of IK and trust they will address these issues. I plan to continue planning for Valentine's Day and hope to see needed training/ management considerations improved read more

Really amazing place! The food was awesome, had great portions, nice staff but the wait time was really long. Since I had really good company I didn't care that much with how long we waited for our food. Kid friendly place but make sure to bring snacks to keep the kids busy. I would go back. read more

I went for lunch after visiting the Garfield Park Conservatory. Very few patrons, so no waiting for table about 1:00 Saturday afternoon. I like the decor. Service was good. Tried the lemonade with Basil and still not sure. I like it because it's not as sweet as regular lemonade, just not use to something different yet. Had the cheese sandwich and it was OK. Something different on the bread. I'm looking forward to going back and trying something different. It's close to the Green Line and the park is across the street. read more

Never made it in bc they decided to close early. A girl called in saying they were going to close early but asked if we were still coming in. Um no.... I dont want to be rushed to leave. read more

I trained here and it is a great environment with great chefs I highly recommend this place to anyone that's looking to train and learn how to cook it just amazing read more

Great presentation, wonderful prices, and beautiful meaning and opportunities for those working at Inspiration Kitchens. Hats off to the staff! Plus BYOB read more

I love supporting organizations with a great cause, and I feel even better supporting a non profit while getting a delicious meal! Upon entrance, I was greeted by friendly staff who were attentive and ready to serve! While the menu is simple, the taste is amazing! The shrimp and grits were delish, I just wished I had more of those well-seasoned side greens as well! I would definitely return with friends and family to support a great cause! read more

Thoroughly enjoyed the Southern food here when we stopped in for brunch, but even more because of how much I love their mission. Inspiration Kitchens allows people who might not otherwise be plugged into the food service industry to get their start and eventually move into other restaurants in the city. What a tremendous concept, and despite coming in with very low expectations, we had a great meal and plan to return soon. Inspiration Kitchens isn't located in the greatest area, but is a stone's throw away from the Green Line stop and street parking seemed to be plentiful. On a Sunday for brunch, they weren't too busy at 11am, and we enjoyed our blackened catfish and grits as well as the chicken and waffles. Service was excellent, and apparently it's even BYOB! Definitely worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood. I think it's the perfect spot to hit after a morning at the Garfield Park Conservatory read more

I hate to give inspiration corporation's kitchen a single star. I really do. I've eaten at their restaurants several times before and it's always been great fare and great service. Plus they are a non-profit training people for careers in food service. Today i ordered carry out for several of us. Staff was friendly and my order was ready when promised. However, i ordered from the online menu. I asked for the peach and beet salad. When i opened my carry-out back at work, what i had been given was a big lump of faro with 5 or 6 less than bite size slivers of beets and 3 or 4 partial orange segments. The faro was tasteless and i frantically searched our little break room kitchen for something to dump on it to give it some semblance of flavor. I eventually found some hot sauce that did not go well with the faro. But without it, eating the faro was similar to eating unadorned boiled pasta. It was just absolutely unsatisfying. I had picked up a printed menu while i was paying, and it was different from the online menu. If i had been told when i was ordering by phone that what i was ordering was not available but that i would be given something similar, i would have been willing to go with their suggestion or just order something else. But to let me order a dish that was unavailable and just give me whatever they decided was close enough is not my idea of good customer service. if i had wanted the restaurant to choose my meal, i would have requested that. Do try the Inspiration Corporation's diners; you'll probably enjoy it, and it's great to support the training they are providing. Just be sure to verify that what you order is what you are going to be served. read more

This is a super awesome place to go. Good service, good food, and the best Red Velvet Cake on Chicago I guarantee! I had the biscuits and chicken and it was delicious, biscuits soft and tasty and a good spicy chicken. I wasn't expecting much of the cake but it was like the most delicious cake ever. Also the service is really good there. read more

Inspiration Kitchens - Red Velvet Cake frickin yummy .jpg - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Enjoyable experience. Great staff, generous portions, and a beautiful space. Check this place out!

Awesome food & awesome people. If you like finding things joints that aren't common knowledge then this is just the right place. We had the chicken sandwich which was out of this world. The sticky bread was a winner. Shrimp and grits were very good as well. read more

I waited an hour to be seated after I made reservations for Valentines Day. Terrible service. Unprofessional and they didn't even apologize for the long wait. Food was descent, but with very small portions. I think it's safe to say this company should stick to catering only. read more

Honestly can't wait to visit again. We enjoyed everything. My daughter ordered the pancakes with a side of bacon. The pancakes were large and reminded me of the pancakes your grandma would make with the crispy edges. The bacon was a great quality too...nice and smokey! I ordered the shrimp and grits....AaaMazing! The grits were Soo creamy this meal also comes with a side of greens... everything together just melts in your mouth with flavor. The BF ordered the Korean Chicken and Waffles, which he loved. I thought it was a little salty, but he didn't. Lastly, we tried the banana pudding cheesecake to share which was good...not to Sweet. Can't wait to go back to try the peach cobbler pound cake. Service was good and friendly and the restaurant itself was clean and inviting! Thank you for a great Saturday brunch! read more

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The perfect balance of love and food. It's clear to see that they put their love into the food and care about everyone who walks through the door. Keep doing what you are doing. Now on to the poundcake! read more

Inspiration Kitchens - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

For those that understand the concept of this place - it really is a remarkable operation with a terrific mission. A beautiful space across the street from a beautiful Chicago landmark park, mixed into a completely unjustified, under served community which is viewed by the general public as rough or whatever... No matter what your take on the Garfiled Park neighborhood - this place is absolutely worthy of being a destination dining spot, and for all the right reasons. First, the ambiance was wonderful for a recent weekend brunch had by me and three others. Great mixture of music, sun pouring in through the windows. Clean, vibrant space that was both open, and yet offered our table enough space to not feel crammed in with the other patrons. Food was absolutely flawless. Amazing, really. The chefs/cooks in the kitchen make tremendous food. Between the four of us (remember - brunch), we had three different dishes (two went for the same thing). All three dishes were adored by everyone there. Peach Pancakes were told to be nothing less than "really good" by everyone that tried (sadly, I missed out). The Shrimp and Grits (one that I did get to try) were tremendous. While the portion size may look to be a bit small, this dish is rich and fills you up quickly. The grits portion comes as a lovely, delicate cake which is topped by luscious and perfectly cooked shrimp and a thick, buttery sauce - it's super satisfying. Best shrimp and grits? I'm no expert, but perhaps, and definitely something I've thought about going back for real soon over the last couple of days. But honestly, I can say with hardly any reservations that the Fried Chicken Sandwich was the single greatest fried chicken sandwich I've ever had. Something I'm embarrassingly known for is my ridiculous love for fried chicken - in all forms. Sandwich form is a good one, and while I've made great strides over the last year or so to cut more and more meat out of my diet, I still gravitate towards fried chicken when I'm out. One of the reasons I've been able to cut more and more meat out of my eating habits is because I don't find meat eating while dining out as satisfying or necessary for a good experience as I used to. This sandwich though has flawed me and my plans to go full-on vegetarian. It's perfectly balanced. The chicken itself has a light, nicely seasoned breading and comes out piping hot and juicy. A seasoned buttermilk dressing lightly slathered on a grilled bun. A tart, slightly spicy red cabbage slaw and a side of pickled peppers add a good amount of tartness and spice. The roll is buttery and light, yet fully holds up and contributes to the combinations of tart slaw and pickles, the smooth sauce and the chicken. I'm obsessed, and grateful that this is a lunch menu item, along with brunch on the weekends. Comes with chips or a side salad. $8.00. Not that I want them to raise the price, but I'd easily pay double that for such a perfect meal. This sandwich, along with this place, and only being 1/2 block away from one of Chicago's most beautiful institutions in the conservatory is what sick days off of work are made for. My wife and I frequently ride our bikes down Lake Street well beyond here, and we can state with certainty this specific area is nothing to be afraid of. While I've gushed so far about the ambiance, the mission and of course the food - our service was a bit slow and labored, which is the only reason I haven't given five full stars. We were sat at a table that was meant for a reservation, moved after being given water and so forth, and food took a long time to come out. We didn't care in the least because our group was catching up and having a good time - but it was still something to note. For around $10/item, the food quality and experience cannot be beat anywhere in the city. This spot is deserving of the praise and outperforms and over delivers even high expectations. If they do half as good of a job on their mission to provide opportunities and training to the homeless and poverty-stricken as they do on their food - then this place needs to be supported to the maximum. Something tells me they are, and for that I look forward to coming back many times over. read more

Review number two for me at this place. I'm teetering between a 2 and 3 star rating now. After walking in we were absentmindedly asked to wait while they cleared some tables. They were not rude but they definitely did not have the demeanor I would expect from a full service restaurant. After being seated we were warned that they were fairly busy so the food may take a while. Which we were ok with. The problem with that is we waited at least 15+ minutes just for a drink order (we were ready to order food too but the waitress scurried away before we could). Another 10 minutes and we had our food order in. About this time a host asked us if we would move tables so they could fit a bigger group in at our table and the one next to it. Again not a big deal and we did so without problem. Then we waited about 20 more minutes for our food. And as usual the food was GREAT. Some of the best food I've tasted in Chicago. Except the tea my boyfriend ordered never showed up, nor did his toast. And we had to walk up to a host to get more water. After bringing us our food we were never checked on by the waitress... we had to walk up to the host stand where she was with everyone else working to ask for the toast. She talked to the kitchen and apologized, but the toast never actually came. Then we had to flag her down for the bill and wait another 5-10 minutes for that. And then we had to walk back up to the host stand to pay as she never came back for my card. So in short - The food was amazing. The service was beyond unacceptable. They were busy, but had empty tables and more than a few servers... who all appeared to be standing around at the register instead of checking on tables. We never got some of our food/drink, even after asking about it missing. And what should have been a 45 minute-ish dining experience at MOST turned into 70+ minutes. I'll give this place another chance before writing them off completely, but only because of the food. Next time I'll go we'll see if I'll ever recommend it to a friend again. read more

Don't be intimidated by the location of this restaurant. It's close to I290 and I got there in about 10 to 15 minutes from Pilsen. There's a small parking lot attached to the restaurant and plenty of street parking next to it. Walking in the restaurant, I was a bit surprised. It's fairly open and loft-like (exposed brick, tall ceiling). I was there for Sunday brunch and there was no wait although most of the tables were filled. I was a bit skeptical by the low prices but all the items we ordered were great! We ordered scrapple, fried chicken/waffles, and quinoa burger. Everything was done right and taste great. I don't have enough great things to say about this place. The mission is wonderful, the restaurant amazing, food delicious and the prices are low. I went for brunch but did I mention it's BYOB? Double score! P.S. - Leave additional tip. This place and their mission deserve it. read more

This restaurant was amazing! Food was delicious and reasonably priced. Restaurant is spacious with high ceiling and exposed roof and nice laid back music, just the right ambience that you need. The staff was courteous and very professional and knowledgable about food. This is actually a non-profit and tips go towards helping and providing gift cards for meals for the less fortunate. My wife and i felt good about supporting such a worthy cause. -Dola read more

Hello, secret brunch location! Pairing Inspiration Kitchens with a trip to the Garfield Park Conservatory is a great way to have an affordable, but lovely afternoon. The modern, somewhat spare, but still inviting space wasn't terribly crowded when I walked in at noonish on a Saturday, but filled up as I waited for a slightly tardy friend. Our server seemed like she thought I might be stood up, but was quick to offer a menu and a basil lemonade while I waited. I was glad for the extra decision making time, because, though I'm usually decisive, I was torn. Then I saw the chicken and waffles being delivered to another table, and my, and a neighboring table for that matter, decision was made. Some lovely boneless fried chicken pieces were accompanied by bacon studded waffles and a little creamer of cayenne syrup that was sweet and kicky. I enjoyed every bite, the casual and friendly atmosphere, and the reasonable prices. I also really love the role Inspiration Corporation plays in the community. Unaware? Check out their website, I'd hate to get it wrong, but as someone who is active in the labor movement, I love an organization that helps people with employment opportunities. I'll be back, particularly because I didn't feel like I should order both the chicken and waffles AND the short rib sandwich. Such a little piglet. read more

The crowds of supercilious Yuppies that swarm the foodie establishments of certain neighborhoods of our fair city each evening - God's plague on the gluttonous - are not to be found at this Garfield Park oasis and I, if nothing else, am more than willing to capitalize on the good deeds of others. In terms of the type and quality of food, Inspiration Kitchens offers a unique good: a generous portion of fantastic food at a great price (~$10-12 a plate) served by people who genuinely seem to love their jobs: our server was genuinely friendly and unpretentious, admitting to his secret love for World of Warcraft while taking the orders. The dining area is uncrowded, with lots of natural light and a high ceiling. The food was... well, we drank sauce from its dipping vessel after the dippees were vanquished. Shortly afterwards, the shrimp came out sitting on a delicious, buttery duvet of grits as did the braised beef so tender you could cut it with a fork. I wish I could say that we demolished them, but as I savored each cushion-y bite, doused liberally with sauce americain, the duvet appeared to regenerate itself - miraculous indeed. In the end, I applauded myself for having eaten so well that I had no room remaining for dessert. Come heathen and patronize. Although I am a lolcat, and therefore questionably adherent to religion which may not offer heaven for cats, I expect to return with ritualistic frequency. read more

Great food and feels good to help a nonprofit and see young adults gaining hands on experience. Worth a visit

What a great concept!! We came in for brunch after a friend mentioned how amazing the food was here. I was even more excited when I heard about the social mission and concept behind the restaurant. We ordered the basket because my eye lit up when i read the words cornbread and biscuits all in the same basket....or was it the molasses butter? Can't recall - fell in to food coma... We shared our entees which included: the veggie biscuits & gravy, daily french toast special, and the root veggies. All of the portions were huge and I definitely needed a to go box for mine. The quality of the food was amazing. The flavors were enough to send you in to food coma before you knew it and the service was the icing on the cake with friendly smiles all around. I couldn't get over how much I loved the experience and the food here. If they make a branch out on the west coast, I have a feeling I'll be quite the regular there....just sayin! read more

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. IT WAS SO GREAT. And let me tell you why. I had been wanting to come to one of Inspiration Corporation's restaurants since I found out about them sometime two years ago. I was finally able to come to the one in Garfield Park this Saturday for lunch through a school program. Not only should the mission and vision of Inspiration Kitchens be commended, the food was delectable as well. I had some of the watermelon salad. I haven't had salad yet with watermelon in it as I had always been a little weary of the sweet fruit in my salad even though I knew it was becoming a popular salad ingredient more recently. But I was blown away at how all of the flavors in the salad came together. The watermelon went so well with the cucumbers, lime dressing, feta cheese, and the greens! I was so happy I got a heaping portion. I then had the fried green tomatoes with buttermilk sauce and it was okay but the thing that really got me was the fried chicken slider with a spicy slaw and a little bit of buttermilk dressing. This sandwich was SO good I was wishing I could rewind time and eat it again. And again. And again. I also brought home all of the left over sliders (5) so I could eat it. Again. And again. And again. And again. AND AGAIN. The space was also so cool. We ate in a separate room away from the main dining area so we could meet and talk but the room had a dry erase wall which we didn't use but would have been useful for a lunch meeting. The gardens outside allow them to grow a lot of their own produce which they also sell to the public which is AWESOME because the area is classified as a food desert. Moreover, the service was so great and everyone was so friendly and took care of all of our needs including extra water and to-go boxes before we could even think to ask. I had such a fantastic experience and would recommend this place to all my friends. It IS a little far to come for lunch from the loop but if your work is having a lunch event, they do have catering! (; read more

Wanted to try the uptown location, but this place took reservations, so my and my 3 girlfriends decided to give this place try. Omgosh were we glad we did! The food was fantastic, although it did take awhile, but worth the wait. Portions were hearty and everything tasted delicious! I had the crab benedict on homemade english muffins- crab cake was very good with very little fillers and the homemade english muffin was something of a crunchy biscuit (so good!!). It also came with red potatoes which were well seasoned and good too! All of that for just $10 was a steal! My friends had the shrimp and grits: buttery and peppery shrimp (quite a few!) on top of a grit block (kind of like polenta consistency). I've never had grits that didn't look like porridge so this was something different and tasty! I'd definitely order that next time! Also got the frittata- HUGE portion, looked like at least 8 eggs went into it. overall it was just too much cheese and egg for us even sharing between 4 ppl! It's BYOB so definitely bring some bubbly and they have fresh squeezed OJ to make your own mimosas :) Fantastic food and great service, I will be back! read more

5 stars for the whole overall concept. I'm not the kind of dude that flings out 5 stars, but this is worthy. Love the food and the mission. I've only done brunch, but each time I've ordered something I've been very happy. The price is right, the cause is noble, and the coffee strong. Chicken and Waffles are my favorite. It's not like a massive portion like you would get at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, but it's nice portion and quite tasty. read more

This place is a hidden gem. Not only do you feel great about supporting their mission through your patronage, but you also get really good food and lovely customer service. My friends and I got there right before they closed and they were gracious enough to wait on us. I had the impossible burger and it was delicious and well served. I'd recommend this place for anyone who wants to have a chill lunch or a bright breakfast, and it served as a quiet place to catch up with friends. read more

YES and YES. BYOB, fun, chill and the nicest people. Parking is super easy. Hit up the conservatory when you are done. The menu is short, but done well. Price is amazing. We will go back. read more

I've been here twice for brunch and really enjoyed it. The menu has some unusual items, like a quinoa burger and sweet potato creme brulee. The first time I had the quinoa burger and most recently the pecan french toast. Both were delicious. I also had the apple fritters which were great, and my friends enjoyed the sweet potato creme brulee. Inspiration Kitchens provides job training in food service, so it supports a great cause. Both times I went, the service was excellent. I highly recommend pairing a visit to the lovely Garfield Park Conservatory with brunch here! read more

I decided to take my team somewhere different for our annual business planning dinner. They had worked hard all day in a conference room and seemed to be really looking forward to dinner. I booked IK a week prior based on what I had seen in Yelp, but really didn't have the time to do much additional research - other than the concept which I found absolutely inspiring! So needless to say to anyone that has been, I was a little surprised (but then not so) as my GPS took me to the restaurant. It is not located in a typical restaurant row. Still, I had faith in the fabulous reviews I had seen... but I could see my team losing faith in me. I remained positive and Inspiration Kitchens delivered! This restaurant provided us with an incredibly memorable experience and will be something we talk about for some time. I only wish I had learned of it sooner. Everything from the decor, to the lighting, to the staff and of course the food - everything was exceptional. Philanthropy aside, this place rocks! The food quality, originality and presentation were top-notch. Understanding it was a Wednesday night, I was still amazed we were the only people there! This is truly a gem of a place that deserves much praise for the work they do. Although I live in the suburbs, I will make it a point to come back often. Well done, IK!!! read more

I cannot possibly say enough good things about Inspiration Kitchens. Service? So responsive, great recommendations, incredibly friendly. The food? Fresh, local, tasty, and *so* interesting! Ambiance? Charming, bright, with big windows for a great view of the park and an open kitchen. Entrees were around $7-$8 each. And don't get me started on the place's mission. Even if they did nothing else, I'd consider them a charity, but they run food-service job-training programs for people in poverty to get them jobs. And in place of gratuity, they ask you to donate to their charity org, which helps provide meals for working families. They're also all about being green. I went with my boyfriend and another couple we know (we all promised to Yelp about it, so hi Mike and Karen!). We were doing a little Saturday outing to the Garfield Park Conservatory and I'd seen on GPC's website that they recommend this place for brunch. Anyway. Mike and I got this kicky gingery cider that was a big hit. We all started off with the sweet-potato soup, which came with a cumin crema. Such a light, interesting combo of flavors. Then the entrees: Mike got a seafood salad (calamari, maybe?). Karen and I split a stuffed French toast with orange syrup -- oh my god, that orange syrup -- and a butternut-squash omelet, WHAT? Awesome. My boyfriend got the catfish po' boy, which he totally loved. Then for dessert we shared a sweet-potato bread pudding with peach compote and whipped cream. We ranted together about how great it was -- not too sweet, but really flavorful and substantial. Everything was so perfectly balanced. Cannot wait to go back. read more

Inspiration Cafe is such a wonderful concept, with good food to boot! From what I understand, IC enrolls low-income people with limited career options in a 13 week food service training program to give them the skills they need to obtain employment. Our server, Fannie, was one of the best, most enthusiastic servers I've ever encountered at any restaurant - friendly, attentive, intelligent, full of suggestions, and she even made us her own signature drink concoction (a mix of basil lemonade and watermelon soda) :) Basically, what I'm saying is, I want Fannie to be my bff. The restaurant is located just off the Conservatory stop and 2 blocks from the Garfield Park Conservatory - easy peasy to get to! We came here on Sunday afternoon after a trip to the Conservatory.... We arrived about 1:30 and even though the restaurant closes at 2, they were happy to seat us and did not rush us at all. The interior is industrial chic. I ordered the french toast with orange syrup, which was pretty standard, but tasty. My friend had the catfish po' boy and thought it was a delicious interpretation of a po' boy. Prices are very reasonable. A+ business! read more