Fab Happenings: Top 5 Egg Dishes in Chicago

There are few things in life that make me gasp with utter joy. Can you guess what one of them would be? It’s none other than the glorious sight of a runny yolk lazily dripping all over my food. I have always been an avid fan of egg dishes in more ways than one. Whether it is fried, hard-boiled, scrambled or poached, eggs are the perfect complement to almost any dish.

Research shows that eggs are good for you as long as you eat them in moderation (don’t really know the meaning of the word!). Not long ago, there was a steady trend of restaurants putting eggs all over their menus. Shortly thereafter, runny eggs became something people swooned over, and foodies created the hashtag #EggPorn… I too, am guilty of it.

So here goes my list of the sexiest egg dishes in Chicago…

5. Prosciutto and Egg Pizza at Stella Barra Pizzeria

It’s hard to say no to a pizza that has my two favorite toppings as the main ingredients. It comes from Stella Barra, a pizzeria sister spot to the California import, Summer House Santa Monica (both owned by Lettuce Entertain You). Their signature crust starts with California-milled flour, filtered water, sea salt, and yeast to create a crisp crust and chewy center. The killer prosciutto and egg pizza is smothered with white parmesan sauce, grated gruyere, taleggio, silky prosciutto ribbons, and a sunny side up egg. I always ask for two extra eggs because one is simply not enough. The delicious combo of caramelized cheese crust along with the salty prosciutto makes for one great pie. To send your tastebuds over the edge, make sure to sop up all that richness with the runny egg in the center.

FAB TIP: For an extra charge of $2.50, you can get a sunny-side up egg on any of your pizza.

{Location}
Stella Barra
Lincoln Park || 1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 634-4101

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$35)

{Fab Rating: 3.5 Fabs}

4. Smoked Brisket Hash at Dove’s Luncheonette

The smoked brisket hash is a hash like you’ve never tasted before. A mind blowing dish to be exact. They start with a base of crispy potatoes tossed with large pieces of tender brisket, shishito peppers, and creamy aioli. Then they top it all off with two beautifully cooked fried eggs and two thick slices of buttered Texas toast. It’s a rich, hearty dish that is balanced by the sweet heat of the peppers – so much flavor on one plate.

FAB TIP: Give their house made hot sauces a try, they add great flavor and spice to the dish.

{Location}
Dove’s Luncheonette
Wicker Park || 1545 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773)645-4060

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$35)

{Fab Rating: 3.5 Fabs}

3. Breakfast Sandwiches at Lula Cafe

Lula Cafe is known for their killer brunch, particularly their mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches. This one is called “The Royale” (Lula Breakfast Sandwich Series). These are wildly popular. I love the ever-changing ingredients that they put inside depending on what’s in season. It never gets boring. The breakfast sammy I had was a tender beef short rib sandwiched between soft Ciabatta made by Publican Quality Bread. The outstanding bread is generously slathered with a creamy cumin aioli and orange jam. Of course, it’s not complete without the runny farm egg that drips down your arm. Mmmm, I am salivating just thinking about it.

FAB TIP: The breakfast sandwiches are available everyday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. except Tuesday (closed that day).

{Location}
Lula Cafe
Logan Square ||2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL || P: (773)489-9554

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$35)

{Fab Rating: 4 Fabs}


2. Truffle Egg Toast at Davanti Enoteca

It’s undeniably photogenic but wait until you have a bite of the truffled egg toast. You will soon find out how easy it is to devour this whole dish. Just imagine an ultra-thick Texas toast baked with grated fontina cheese, crowned with cooked egg yolks, drizzled with just the right amount of truffle oil, and served with delicate asparagus. It’s like eggs in the basket but on steroids… rich, unctuous and unbelievably delicious.

FAB TIP: The menu is broken down into many sections including cured meats, pasta, pizza, vegetables, and etc. It’s best to order a bunch of small plates and share with a group of people.

{Location}
Davanti Enoteca
River North || 30 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 605-5900
University Village || 1359 W Taylor, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 226-5550
Western Springs || 800 Hillgrove Ave, Ste 100, Western Springs, IL ||P: (708) 783-1060

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$35)

{Fab Ratings: 4 Fabs }

1. Wood Oven Roasted Pig Face at Girl and the Goat

This dish definitely looks and taste better than it sounds. It’s been a staple on Stephanie Izard’s menu ever since they opened this popular West Loop restaurant back in 2010. If she ever decides to stop serving this epic dish, there would be a huge riot among loyal fans. With one bite of the succulent pig face patties along with sweet maple gastrique and tart tamarind vinaigrette, you will find out why this is one of her signature dishes. Let’s not forget about the crispy potato sticks and runny sunny side up egg to tie all this deliciousness together. It reminds me of a beautiful symphony of harmonized textures and flavors in your mouth.

FAB TIP: Plan ahead. Due to the restaurant’s popularity, you have to book a reservation 1-3 months in advance.

{Location}
Girl and the Goat
West Loop || 809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL || P: (312)492-6262

{Price Range}
$$$ ($36-$65)

{Fab Rating: 4.5 Fabs}

Honorable Mention:

1. Classic Lyonnaise Salad at Maude’s Liquor Bar

2. Kuro Buta (Pork Belly) Yakisoba at Strings 2

3. Crispy Fries with Mornay Sauce and Garlic Aioli at Au Cheval

4. Brunch Dog at Franks ‘N’ Dawgs

5. Scotch Egg at Pleasant House Bakery

It’s amazing how versatile a simple egg can be. The humble egg can be a great companion or the cherry on top to any breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s a classic ingredient that never goes out of style. It’s positively scrumptious and undeniably drool-worthy. A well-cooked egg is good for you and your soul.

What are your favorite egg dishes in the city?

Savor Every Moment,
Sherrie

Note: These meals were not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.