This place is pretty good, but I think it's way overpriced for what you get. I've tried multiple of their cocktails and they always just taste OK to me, so I'd recommend just getting a beer or glass of wine with dinner. The food is good. I've had a few of their salads, the gnocchi dish and the fried green tomato sandwich. Not a bad place to go to if you're in the area, but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to eat here! The service is "meh" as well. read more

Took my mother here for lunch today to see how it compared to the other location. The look of the two places is about the same: wood, wood and more wood, with local artists on all the walls. The host led us through three rooms (each with a huge "Watch your step!" sign and uneven flooring in between) to get to the third (and not final; there was one beyond it) dining area. He was going to seat us at a table where one seat was a huge, deep window seat, but the collective family lumbar issues necessitated a table with more spinal support, so we were seated closer to the bar (and the speakers; music was blaring pretty loudly for so early in the day). We also had a pair of Lincoln Park moms (or nannies) ignoring their young charges next to us as they threw silverware and screamed; finally a man from another table leaned over and went, "SHHH!" to them (right on!) Our waitress was younger than me and was one of those people who kept calling both Mom and me "honey" and "my love," which weirds me out a little bit (I'm okay with old-lady waitresses doing it, like ones old enough to be my grandma, but not if they're younger than I am; we're not even in the South...); however, she was on top of the orders, kept drinks full and did not fade away at the end when we needed to deal with the check, so kudos to her. As a starter we ordered the sweet potato fries with goat cheese "fondue" (basically a cup of melted goat cheese, which tasted a lot better than it sounds). The fries were crunchy and insanely addictive, and the melty cheese was a nice alternative to the sweet accompaniments that often come with sweet potato fries (cinnamon creme fraiche, e.g.) For the meal, Mom had the chicken sandwich with avocado, swiss cheese, tomato and red onion on toasted bread, which she said was very good. She ate half and took half to go. I got the macaroni and cheese, which uses several types of cheese; it was topped with bread crumbs, which tasted not just dry but stale, though the macaroni was wonderfully creamy (I offset it with some pepper and Cholula hot sauce tableside for zest). Prices seem high for lunch; Mom's sandwich was $13 and my macaroni was $12. With the fries and a coffee lunch was almost $40. For two people that's a bit much in my book for a casual place.. An uncommonly good meal, perhaps, but the cost is grounds to quibble. read more

We love Uncommon Ground! Their artichoke, goat cheese, and pesto dip is LIFE. I could eat it all day every day. It has the perfect flavor and texture. They have pretty good burgers and fries, and I love they have a truffle aioli sauce you can get in the side to dip them in. They have yummy cocktails too! We'll keep coming back! read more

Uncommon Ground - Artichoke, goat cheese, and pesto dip - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I paid $17 for an over-cooked burger. I guess I should have ordered it rare because maybe then it would have at least a little pink in the middle. As it was, it came medium well and was thereby inedible. My sweet potato fries were cold. I'm sure they would have been delicious otherwise. The only reason I'm rating this more than one star is because I also ordered the artichoke dip, which was delectable. Nonetheless, I feel cheated. read more

I've had the pleasure of dining here a few times in the past. I love the restaurants mission of creating sustainable food options that can meet everyone's dietary needs. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, especially in the summer if you dine outside and live music is playing. The staff is always friendly and the waiter knew the menu inside and out! In my opinion, the food is a bit on the pricier side - but you do get large portions. I am not the biggest fan of their sweet potato fries, but everything else was delicious and well prepared. read more

Nice place for lunch. Warm and welcoming. Very good keeping safe. I had the chef's salad. Delicious. Loved the mostly healthy menu. We both had some wine... tasted,fine. No complaints. Nothing unique but decent for casual lunches.. read more

My friends and I came here for brunch and none of us were overly impressed. Food: -Breakfast Burrito (scrambled eggs, house-made chorizo, organic black bean salsa, chihuahua cheese, avocado, salsa verde) was soggy and lacked the flavor you would expect from a burrito that was filled with all those ingredients. - Breakfast Melt (eggs over easy, gunthorp farm hickory smoked bacon, cedar grove cheddar, organic spinach, artisinal black bread) was nice and cheesy, but the bread was a little burnt. - Gulf of Maine Pollock Tacos (shredded red cabbage, avocado, lime-cilantro creme) was good with a healthy serving of fish in each taco. - Chicken Sausage was dry as BLEEP (said my friend who ordered it). She thought it would be chicken sausage links, so she was bummed that it was one flat patty. When she found out how much she'd be paying for the chicken patty she clutched her heart in shock (I have dramatic friends). Over all the experience was just OK. I won't be running back to dine here. read more

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Over the weekend a friend of mine and I decided to give Uncommon Ground a try, seeing as we arrived in the neighborhood much earlier than anticipated - and we were both starving! The atmosphere was very nice (the air conditioner was blasting, which was greatly appreciated on such a hot/humid day), the location was perfect, and the food was very tasty. The over-sized windows looking out to Clark Street allows for plenty of good people watching, too. I would also like to applaud the hostess for handling, what many would view as, an uncomfortable situation. During the course of our brunch a rather disoriented homeless individual entered the restaurant. The hostess handled the situation very calmly with great professionalism and respect. A lot of times we forget that homeless people are just that - people. Bravo! However, I was very disappointed with both the price point of the food as well as the service. As a few reviewers have pointed out, their food and beverages are rather overpriced for what you get. Additionally, our server was not all that attentive at all - which baffled me seeing as the restaurant was piratically empty. Overall, though the atmosphere was nice and the food tasty, I will more than likely not be back. For the price of their menu items, I can get a lot more at other organic sourced restaurants with more attentive, genuine service. read more

Uncommon Ground is a great place for beer, lunch and brunch! The chopped salad is so delicious and I get it every-time. They are great with the COVID precautions right now too. I will also say that when I was there once the server was so great. She heard me talking about the chowder they had and she came out without being asked with a sample bowl for me to try! It is service like that that makes me want to keep coming back to a place. Pretty good bloody Mary too. read more

The bartender Alondra? Amazing. The ambiance? Impeccable. The servers are very friendly and funny and make you feel welcome. Beers are lit. Get the artichoke dip. read more

Great spot for brunch before the cubbies. Homemade food with choices for any palette. Reasonably priced and the drinks are fantastic. This is a definite stop for any foodie! read more

Uncommon Ground - If you are near Wrigleyville make your way here! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My family and I decided to make a trip down to uncommon ground today for brunch on this lovely rainy day. We arrived at 11:30 & are now leaving at 1:15...wth?!? Yea, my sentiments exactly. We were told we would have a 20 min wait, ok no problem. In reality though we didnt get seated for an hr. I orded the chilaquiles sub par at best. I love uncommon ground ive been here numerous times, but today was a total letdown, well I lied the artichoke goat cheese dip OMG totally delish!! And the bloody mary was soo good n tasty! read more

I took my health-conscious boyfriend here on a late Sunday afternoon. The wait was maybe 10 minutes, and the atmosphere was extremely cozy. The service was also excellent - our waitress was super friendly. By atmosphere and service alone, I was definitely impressed. The drink menu was varied and I enjoyed a lovely Toffee Nut Espresso while he had an herbal tea. As a salad lover, I found the Sunshine Salad to be absolutely excellent, while my boyfriend had Organic Egg Sliders (and while delicious, later admitted he should have been adventurous and tried the Uncommon Huevos he was eyeing). Overall, I fell in love with the family-friendly yet somehow modern design, lovely art displayed, friendly servers, and a very delicious selection of healthy, green, (guilt-free!) meals. I feel this is a lovely place for evening cocktails and listening to the music shows, but that reservations might be required since it seems quite popular! I would definitely recommend this place to a friend, and go again during the day for the atmosphere and to try all the delectable-sounding coffees alone! I had a very satisfactory experience and will surely come again. read more

I've visited now countless times since my original review and I still love the place. The food is delicious - yesterday, I tried the chopped salad (added chicken) for the first time and it was really really tasty. Fresh ingredients, not overwhelmed with salad dressing and a large portion size (though, it should be for $19!). I also had a bite of the egg sliders - these were also really tasty and a good sized portion. I think about half of that would have also been a good brunch/lunch. The atmosphere is a bit different in each of the rooms. The front near the fireplace is cozy and always packed. The back area seems to be the next area where they seat people and this is also bustling and friendly and bright. On the right (as you enter through the doorway) is a bit quieter and the tables are spaced a bit farther apart. I even enjoy the bar seating inside and you definitely can't go wrong in the summer with the outdoor seating. Service is always super friendly, but the last few times I've been there, it's been a bit slow and we had to ask for coffee refills. All in all, a good spot. A bit on the pricey side but the food is high quality, portion sizes are large and it's overall a cozy and relaxing spot to share a meal read more

Came here with a few girlfriends for dinner and had a phenomenal time. The atmosphere in here is cozy and comfortable, I actually had no idea how large the restaurant was! We were seated in one of the back rooms where it wasn't too loud and we could easily talk. We started with the baked goat cheese, pesto, and artichoke dip. This was more then enough for the three of us to share and very tasty! Definitely recommend. For dinner, we ordered a variety of items including the pork chop with ricotta ravioli, the quinoa stuffed squash, and the black bean cake sandwich. Leah E. said she enjoyed the quinoa stuffed squash, but the flavor of the red wine syrup overwhelmed the dish a little bit. Kara Z. loved her black bean cake sandwich; she gave me a bite and it was fantastic. The pork chop was good, but needed a little more flavor. I really enjoyed the ravioli that came on the side. I felt that the entrees are a little pricey, but they definitely used fresh produce in all of their menu items. Service was just ok, nothing special. Overall, if I go back, I'll stick to something like the bean cake sandwich or a salad. read more

Uncommon Ground - Pork chop! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a fantastic cafe that I often forget about because I rarely go north of Addison unless it's to the Metro. It recently expanded again, and features great brunch and lunch menus, along with all your standard cafe drinks. Plenty of room inside and outside, they also have shows. I once saw Jeff Buckley there! No, it wasn't his ghost, it was before he died. Despite the great space and size, however, service was lacking the last couple times I've been, and the prices have gone up too much. If the value were better, this might squeak into my top 13 brunch spots. read more

Uncommon Ground - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I liked Uncommon Ground more than I expected to based on Yelp reviews. It was a little more expensive than I like to pay, but for the quality of the ingredients and the variety of dishes, especially given where its located (by Wrigley, where low quality food with high prices is the norm), I was ok with the price for quality. The bad: I right off the bat ordered a drink I did not like for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon. It was a cucumber infused vodka drink. I did not like this at all, but I should have known better. I had ordered almost this same drink elsewhere once and hated it. I thought it might have just been the restaurant, but I guess cucumbers and vodka don't mix the way I would like them too. Bummer, because it sounds so refreshing. Everything outside of this was stellar. I got a veggie pizza that had lots of arugula. It was an Italian style pizza, too, so it looks large, but one person can easily eat the whole thing. I enjoyed every bite. It was fresh and I could taste each ingredient separately--no "mystery meat". My waitress and another server were very attentive and accommodating. The restaurant was almost empty while I was here (I came right after the brunch rush), but the servers didn't make me feel rushed at all. I even got to enjoy coffee after my lunner, er, late lunch (there's no such thing as lunner haha.....). My favorite part of this is that there is a large canister of sugar in the raw sitting on the table instead of packets of sugar. This saves me the embarrassment of the 20 packet pile up I normally accumulate at other restaurants. Yes, I like my cream and sugar with a little bit of coffee in it. It's also worth stating that I like to treat myself every weekend to a lunch like this. Hosts/hostesses are always a little awkward when I come in (party of one? you're not expecting anyone?) but at Uncommon Ground, I wasn't treated like a social leper. It made my meal that much more enjoyable. While I don't see this being a regular for me given the price, I do see myself coming back for some fresh tasting food and great service (and awesome music in the background). read more

Uncommon Ground - So fresh tasting and filling for one. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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LOVED this place. Food is amazing!! Excellent menu and it all tastes super fresh. My group of 7 friends came to eat here for brunch and loved it so much we returned for lunch the next day. Atmosphere is cozy and eclectic. Service is friendly, patient, yet eager to serve. Our waiter was patient with all our questions and made recommendations for each of us based on our preferences. We were all highly pleased with our food. The heirloom tomato sandwich is superb - and the avocado sandwich is also a solid choice. The coffee is great, too! (Be careful if you order a latte, those things are montrous - but look yummy!) My friends all loved their breakfast potatoes. Just great all around!! Go here - your first visit will not be your last! read more

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I really enjoy Uncommon Ground - the few times I have been here for brunch the service has been exceptional and the food delicious as well. The first time I went here we had a group of about 8 people which they accommodated very nicely. We ended up staying for HOURS - I think we tried every drink on the menu twice and many of the entrees. Luckily we were in the back room and they did not rush us out at all. My most recent time, just 2 of us sat at the bar by the fireplace - it was a cozy nice brunch (much shorter than the first experience) but equally an enjoyable. read more

Uncommon Ground - Blood orange mimosas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food was great, and our bartender was a great vibe for a hangover. Excellent mustache.

Very cool local spot that exclusively serves greenstar brewery beer, hosts music acts (nightly I'm pretty sure) and has delicious farm to table inspired food. It's a short walk from my house located in Lakeview close to wrigley, very friendly (and quick!) staff, beautiful decor which most of it is by local artists (some of it for sale) My only gripe is that it is SLIGHTLY overpriced. (Ex, $6 for a side of bacon or sausage, $8 add on for salmon yikes) I know these prices align with Chicago typically but it's still frustrating especially since I know how little the musicians make from the shows. Overall a great place though! read more

I came here for two reasons: it was on the list for Top 14 places in Chicago to eat mac and cheese (yum, thanks Eater) and it's part of A La Card! Unbeknownst to me, Tuesdays are half-priced bottle of wine nights. Honestly, I wouldn't have wanted to pay $40 for that bottle anyways - so I'm glad it was only $20. For starters we ordered the artichoke, goat cheese, and spinach dip, which was amaaazing and I could've eaten just that for my meal. A+ appetizer and it was a decent size, too. For my entree, I ordered the mac and cheese and added chorizo. I'm not sure if it was the creaminess of the appetizer and the creaminess of the mac and cheese...but for some reason I couldn't eat more than a few bites of the mac then and there. Luckily for me, it was *delicious* as leftovers. The portion was big enough for a decent sized lunch. Overall, I would come back here to try other things on the menu (including the ravioli which looked fantastic) and because of the service and the aesthetics. It was a really pleasant place to be! read more

I tried to do my part and supporting local businesses throughout this situation that we are in. Unfortunately I was not sent the correct food. One item was completely missing and the other one was made incorrectly. To spend $80 on a meal and not even be able to eat and be making a salad currently at home is very disappointing. read more

Pleasant food, coffee, drinks, atmosphere and service. Comforting is a good way to put it. Generally a good experience whether you're alone or with friends. Prices are a bit steep but not exorbitant. The cheese curds were satisfying. read more

Uncommon Ground - Cheese curds - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dude, so good. Locally sourced ingredients and a very inventive menu. Try the smash burger or the fondue sauce with sweet potato fries. And try the homebrew Greenstar beer that will complement any meal. Can not say enough of the beer, everyone is good like the citrus APA. Service is fast and for the most part friendly and should make a good time for brunch or at any time of day. read more

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I came here last night with a friend to see our mutual friend perform in their music room, and what an intimate space it was! I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, since the room is so small. But with the small size of the room came the intimacy of great acoustics and a lovely atmosphere. The food was great and the mulled wine was BOMB. Unfortunately, there was really only one waiter servicing everyone in the room, so service was a bit slower than I would've liked and my friend had ordered a second beer that never came (and never showed up on the receipt). I would definitely return to hear some more music though! And a big shoutout to the hostess that night who helped me feel so welcomed even though it was only my first time visiting there :) read more

Awesome brunch! I got the impossible burger and we shared the Belgium waffle - so good! And bonus - there were Jeff Buckley posters everywhere (our dog Buckley is named after him )! read more

Uncommon Ground - Impossible burger - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had high hopes for this place... Went here for dinner and was very disappointed. The pulled pork tacos were not very tasty - weird green sauce had a strange flavor, large pieces of onion also didn't help with the taste in my mouth and lastly there was way too much pulled pork piled into one tortilla - it was a nasty juicy mess. Pulled pork is usually marinated in a sweet bbq sauce, so didn't like their take on it what so ever. My bf had the steak and he was also not happy. Worst cut ever, no flavor and chewy. Gave them 2 stars for the service alone. Sorry! read more

Come here you won't be disappointed ! Flights of beer for $10. Loved the nitro English ale. My husband had a Bloody Mary. We stopped here before the cubs game. I got a panzarese salad. The Small was good for me (like a larger side salad). Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and yummy croutons. My husband got steak and eggs and loved it. Would definitely come back. Love the fresh ingredients. Friendly service. Cute outdoor area. I liked all the beers on tap from green star brewing. Stephen was our waiter and had good recommendations along with friendly service. read more

We had a great experience at Uncommon Ground! Mitch, our server, was helpful and great even amidst the craziness of figuring out contactless Covid19. The ordering needs to get worked out - it's not easy to use and you have to order every course individually. But I'll definitely be back! Cute patio, good cheese curds and cake. I skipped the entree but everything on the menu looked good! For the first day they could be open, they did well! read more

Awesome brewery/restaurant in wrigleyville! Got the vegetarian chili and was an amazing amount of flavor and served with great garlic bread. Shares the artichoke dip which was really yummy and filling (enough for a few people). Tried a couple of the recommended beers which were very good as well. read more

Uncommon Ground - Vegetarian Chili, Artichoke, Goat Cheese and Pesto Dip - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Took 15 minutes just to be sat with no one waiting. Ordered and appetizer and it took longer than the actual food to come out. When the food arrived nothing was hot, it was all like warm. read more

Love love love uncommon ground! It was good the first time and still hasn't disappointed me :) Had the pork loin this time. Great flavors! Its rubbed and crusted with these really complex tasting spices that add a hint of spicy with a ton of savory. Pork can be dry when cooked wrong but this one was really tender with a nice crust on the outside. Parmesan polenta and spinach was served with it which wasn't too bad. The sauce for the dish was delish. And of course the pumpkin ravioli can not be beat. Who knew pumpkin and goat cheese went so well together??? And since its now chilly autumn.. hot apple cider is served upon request. Tart and cinnamony although I wish they added the cinnamon stick.. even if its mainly for decoration. read more

What a hippie-esque restaurant! Decked out with local art on the walls, live music and they use products that leave no or a low carbon footprint, Uncommon Ground is a winner in my book. And their vow is to "use seasonal, locally produced, family farmed & organic products"--how could you NOT love this place? We sat outside on their spacious patio and enjoyed a gorgeous night while perusing their menu. They had a pretty sweet selection of beers as well (all draft no bottles) and many were foreign to me since I'm from out of town. A big thumbs up to Goose Island beer! Seriously-everything looked mouthwatering. It came down to either the mac n cheese or the Capriole Goat Cheese Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Sandwich and in the end the portabella won! This bad boy was loaded with goat cheese, so much that it was oozing it out and who doesn't love anything oozing with goat cheese? I saw they serve brunch along with lunch and dinner, I am definitely intrigued by this and want to stop back again to try it out. Some people noted that their prices are a bit higher, I don't mind paying extra if it is for local products and food. Support your local businesses and farmers! read more

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I went to the Uncommon Ground on Devon in Edgewater last night for dinner. I was very impressed! I really love their concept of growing their own food and being very green friendly. I definitely support that! I ordered the quinua stuffed squash and a grapefruit bitters cocktail (TO DIE FOR). Mmm, I loved my drink so much!!! Also, the straw was made of recycled paper!! The stuffed squash was presented beautifully and tasted delicious!! Our server was very polite and the place itself is clean, cozy and has a romantic touch. I would definitely come back! read more

Been here a few times over the years, came back again for a mini high school reunion and started wondering why I don't come here more often, especially since I really dig the farm-to-table concept. We had a steak fan and a vegetarian in our group and everyone was happy with the choices. We started out with the black bean and herbed white bean hummus, and I LOVED it! (this coming from someone who runs as far as possible whenever the word "vegan" is involved is quite a compliment.) Among the 5 of us we had the sockeye salmon, black bean sandwich, steak and....I forgot what was the last entree. I enjoyed the salmon, it was perfectly cooked and everything was seasoned just right. Friends liked the black bean sandwich but thought the cheese in the sandwich was overwhelmingly sharp. It was a muggy Sunday night but inside the restaurant it was cool and breezy thanks to the fan above us. Atmosphere was very laid back and quiet. Service was friendly. When asked for recommendations, our waiter recommended over half of the menu...but it seemed like he genuinely like all of those dishes and enjoyed working there. We ended with creme brulee, s'more tart and espresso pot de creme. The pot de creme was actually off the latest menu, but they still had some in the kitchen so I got it for $2 less. Unfortunately it had a strange gritty texture, none of the usual silky smoothness associated with pot de cremes. I'll stick with the apps & entrees next time and get desserts elsewhere. read more

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Went here on a Sunday morning for brunch. Was told that they were training a new chef. The food took an hour to get to us & when it did come, it was incredibly underwhelming. Presentation was terrible. People around us were making similar comments. I was very disappointed as I had been waiting to go here for a long time :( read more

Food = 5 stars Price = 3 If this place priced their dishes just a little more affordably, my overall review would be 5 stars. I used to frequent Uncommon Ground fairly often when I lived in Chicago. This is one of my favorite brunch spots of not only the area, but of all time. Everything is incredibly fresh and rich in flavor. At my most recent trip here I ordered a bloody mary to start ($5 on Sunday's), the uncommon huevos, a slice of banana bread, and the 312 lunchbox (drink). I left with a VERY happy tummy. I ate brunch there around 2:30, and didn't need another meal the rest of the day. If you like fresh, filling, and delicious food, you won't leave this place disappointed. read more

Uncommon Ground - Cappuccino - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here hoping for a good meal before a Cubs game, but that is not what we got. Let me give you the run down. We ordered the big pretzel as an appetizer. The pretzel itself was good, but it came with both "cheese" and mustard, both of which had so much alcohol in them it was disgusting. The alcohol was not at all cooked into the sauce, which resulted in a watery, grainy ramekin of sadness. If that was an attempt at beer cheese, they were light years away. And the mustard was inedible. Our server took over 30 minutes to actually take our orders, and our drinks were never refilled. Speaking of drinks--unless you want beer, there is basically just Pepsi and Diet Pepsi to drink. Gross. When our meals finally came, over an hour later, they brought me the wrong side, and everyone agreed the food was a total "meh". The burgers were totally unseasoned, the skirt steak was the crappiest cut possible--full of sinew and inedible parts. We had high hopes for dessert. The flourless chocolate cake came completely burnt on one side. It was legitimately like a black lava rock. I cannot believe they actually served that. All in all, we were there for two hours waiting for crappy food, and basically non-existent service. Total disappointment. Don't be fooled by a nice website like I was. Take your money and your time elsewhere. read more

This has been my favorite place for many years! I love the menu, the people, and the atmosphere. I love that the food is always fresh and they use local and organic ingredients. The quality is incredible. I have always felt welcomed even when my two year old was having tantrums! They always have great vegetarian options and selections for folks with food sensitivities. read more